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「ティルラお嬢様はシェリーを抱いて、ぐっすりと眠られておられました」ティルラちゃんの様子を見て来たらしい、ライラさんが答えてくれた。 ......俺がこの食堂に来た時、既に料理の用意だけでなくお茶の用意までされていたのに.....ライラさんは屋敷内をどう移動しているのだろう......? 俺が屋敷に戻って食堂に来るまで、10分くらいしか経っていないはずなんだが......。「ティルラは寝かせておきましょう。久々に街に行けて随分はしゃいでいた様子ですから」「そうですね。孤児院でも子供達と遊んでいましたし、疲れてるのかもしれませんね」もしかしたら、エッケンハルトさんがいた頃から続いてる、鍛錬の疲れが出たのかもしれない。鍛錬に勉強に......ティルラちゃんも色々忙しかったみたいだからな。「それでタクミさん。タクミさんは今回の薬草販売、どうでしたか?」「んー、売る事に関してはカレスさんに任せておけば良いでしょうね。レオを客寄せに使った事や、店の外での販売法と言い、上手いやり方だと思います」夕食後のティータイム、クレアさんとラクトスの街で行った薬草販売の事について話す。まぁ、レオが予想以上に人気になって、子供達の対応が遅れたというのはあるけどな。「あとは......アンナさんの言う通りなら、今ラクトスには薬草が足りていないはずです。評判を聞いてお客さんが来る事も期待できるかと思います」「そうですね。公爵家としては、薬草が足りていない街の状況というのは問題ですが......。おかげでタクミさんの薬草が評判になりそうですね」「まぁ、問題はその薬草が足りない原因なんでしょうね」悪質な店が、粗悪な薬草や薬を売る。住民達は他の店では薬草が売り切れてるから、その悪質な店を頼るしかなくなる......。考えれば考える程、各店で買い占めてるのもその店の可能性が高いな ......そのおかげで、俺の作った薬草も売れ行きが好調なのは、皮肉なのかもしれないけどな。「そうですね......セバスチャンが調べているとは思いますが......住民に悪質な薬草を売るというのは由々しき事です」クレアさんに答えつつ、俺は疫病の事を考えていた。孤児院の皆が罹った病気は、見る限りでは風邪の症状だ。ラモギを飲ませればすぐに治るとは言え、その数は不足している。何とか予防出来れば良いんだが......。ん? 予防? 「クレアさん、予防するという事は出来ませんか?」予防という概念が無いのかもしれないな......。医学が発達してないせいなのか、それとも薬で対処すれば良いと考えられてるせいなのかはわからないが。「えっとですね、俺の以前住んでた所の話になるんですけど......」俺は持てる知識で、予防の事をクレアさんに伝えた。人にうつる病気という事は、病原菌が原因の可能性が高い。俺は医者でも無ければ医学を学んだわけでも無いから、にわか知識ではあるけど、それでも伝えられる事はあるかもしれない。「はい。最低でも手洗いやうがい等を欠かさないでおく事で、病気に罹りにくくなります。あとは、出来るだけ体を清潔に保つ事ですね......住居も出来れば清潔にするのが望ましいと思います」俺がクレアさんに伝えたのは基本的な事だ。外から帰って来たら手洗いうがいをする......日本だと子供に教えるくらいの知識だな。他にもある程度は教えたが、それら全てをクレアさんは初めて聞くようだった。予防と言う考え方が無いくらいだから仕方ないな......。「わかりました。まずこの屋敷に住む者達には徹底させます。それと......そうね......ライラ、セバスチャンに伝えて頂戴。ラクトスの街の住民にも徹底させるように」クレアさんに言われたライラさんは、一礼して食堂を出て行った。街の住民全てが徹底する事は難しいかもしれないが、公爵家がお触れか何かを出せば、それを実行してくれる人も多いだろう。少しでも疫病が広まるのを防げれば良いと思う。その後もしばらく、お茶を飲みながら疫病予防についてクレアさんと話し合った。俺の知ってる知識が疫病に効くかはわからないが、風邪だとしたら十分に効果が出るはずだからな。「さて、昨日は休んだから今日は素振りをしておくか」休まないの? と言うレオの視線と声。すまないが、昨日休んだ分、今日はしっかりやっておきたい。ついでに、ラモギも追加で作っておきたいからな。裏庭に出て、持って来た剣を鞘から抜いて構える。素振り1000回、昨日休んだ分も取り戻すように集中して行った。「あとはラモギを......と」「タクミ様、街での事は聞いています。あまり無理をなされては......」今日も俺が鍛錬する間、見守ってくれていたライラさんに心配されるが、これくらいなら大丈夫だろう。明確な指標は無いが、ラモギを栽培するのは、多くの力が必要な事じゃないと思うからな。「わかりました。これも先程、クレアお嬢様とお話しされていた予防のため、ですね」まぁ、それもあるかな。前もってラモギの薬を飲んでおくことで、効果があるかはわからないが......この屋敷にいる使用人さん達は病に罹っていたティルラちゃんと接していたからな。潜伏期間があるから、もしかしたら症状が出ていないだけで、病気に罹っている人がいるかもしれない。ライラさんは予防という事で納得したが、実際のところはそんな風に俺は考えていた。「よーし、レオ。部屋に戻るぞー」「ワーウ」裏庭で俺が素振りをするのを見ていたレオに声を掛け、部屋へと向かう。レオの方はあくびをするように返事をしてのそりのそりと付いて来る。今日は街に行ったり、子供達と遊んだりでさすがのレオも疲れたかな? 時間も遅いし、眠いのは仕方ない事だろう。部屋に戻ると、レオはすぐにベッドの横で丸くなって寝てしまった。「おやすみ、レオ。お疲れ様」それを見ながら俺もベッドに入り、レオに声を掛けて寝る。寝言のようにレオが返事をするのを聞きながら。	“Lady Tilura was sleeping soundly while holding onto Sherry.” Said Ms. Lyra, who had been watching Tilura. ...And yet when I had arrived at the dining hall, not only was the food already prepared, but so was the tea... How exactly did she move around the mansion so quickly...? It had only been about ten minutes between our return and my arrival here... “We should let Tilura rest. It’s been so long since she was last in town, and she must have become very excited.” “Indeed. And she would be tired after having played so much with the other children in the orphanage.” It was also possible that it was all the training she had been doing since Mr. Ekenhart’s visit. Training and studying... She had been quite busy recently. “So, Mr. Takumi. What are your thoughts after seeing the herbs being sold today?” “Hmm. I’m fine with leaving everything to Mr. Kalis. He seems to know what he is doing, especially with how he used Leo to attract customers, or how he sold them outside of the store.” After dinner, Ms. Claire and I sipped our tea and talked about the herbs that were sold in Ractos. Well, Leo had been a lot more popular than expected, and he had trouble handling all of the children. “Also... According to Ms. Anna, there are herb shortages in Ractos now. So I think we can expect the good word to be spread, which will increase the number of customers.” “Yes. As the duke’s family, we have to deal with this issue of shortages... Still, it’s a good thing that this will help the reputation of your herbs, Mr. Takumi.” “Well, the real problem is that there are shortages at all.” A malicious store was selling herbs and medicine of bad quality. It was because they were sold out at all of the other stores that the citizens had no choice but to rely on the malicious store... The more I thought about it, the more likely it seemed that they were responsible for the shortages. ...Though, it did feel ironic that it was in turn helping the sales of my own herbs. “Indeed... I’m sure Sebastian is looking into it, but... This is still a very wicked thing. Selling herbs of low quality to the people.” “I don’t know if it was that the timing was on their side, or they were targeting...but there is also the illness. While those at the orphanage are healed, there are too many people in the town to be able to help all of them.” “Yes... It would be impossible for you to make enough Ramogi for all of them... We can only hope that it doesn’t spread any farther.” “Indeed...” I answered Ms. Claire, and then started to think about this illness. The symptoms I had seen at the orphanage resembled that of a cold. And while it was easily healed with some Ramogi, there was not enough of it. It would be best if people could avoid getting sick at all... Hmm? Prevention? “Ms. Claire. Is it not possible to avoid getting sick in the first place?” “Avoid... What do you mean?” It seems like it wasn’t a concept they had here... Medicine had not advanced much, and they only thought of healing people with medicine after the fact. “Uh, well... In the world that I used to live in...” And so I told Ms. Claire what little I knew about disease prevention. When it came to contagious diseases, the reason was usually pathogenic bacteria. As I wasn’t a doctor, and had never studied medicine, I only had a little knowledge. But perhaps it could still be useful. “I see... So that’s what they did in your world, Mr. Takumi.” “Yes. Washing your hands and rinsing your mouth should be the bare minimum. Also, you should keep your body as clean as possible... And your living space should also be clean.” I was only able to tell Ms. Claire the basics. Wash your hands and gargle when coming back into the house... It was stuff you taught children in Japan. I told her some other things as well, but Ms. Claire acted as if she was hearing it for the first time. But it was no surprise if they had no concept of prevention here... “I understand. I’ll have everyone who lives here practice that first. Also...yes...Lyra. Tell this to Sebastian. He’ll ensure that it spreads through the town of Ractos as well.” “Certainly.” Ms. Lyra bowed once and then left the dining hall. It might be a little difficult to make everyone in the town do this, but if word came from the duke’s house, then they may be more inclined to try it. If we could stop the spreading of the disease even a little, that was a good thing. After that, I continued to drink tea with Ms. Claire and talk about what could be done. I didn’t know how useful my knowledge would be for other diseases, but it should be effective enough for colds. “Now, since I rested yesterday, I should do some swinging today.” “Wuff?” You’re not going to rest? Leo seemed to ask. Sorry. But I want to make up for resting yesterday. And I also had to make some extra Ramogi. And so I went out into the back garden and unsheathed my sword, after bringing it down. And then I focused on doing a thousand swings as if to make up for the previous day. “Now I just have to make some Ramogi...” “Mr. Takaumi, I heard about what happened in town today. Please don’t push yourself too much...” “Oh, this is nothing. Don’t worry.” As I was training, Ms. Lyra voiced her concerns, but it really wasn’t anything to worry about. While I had no clear indicator, I was quite sure that making Ramogi did not require much power at all. “All right, it’s done. Ms. Lyra, can you make sure that the servants drink this?” “Very well. It is for this prevention that you were discussing with Lady Claire, I presume.” Well, something like that. I wasn’t actually sure if drinking it in advance would be effective... After all, the servants had been around Tilura when she was sick. As there is a latent period, it was possible that there were some people who were already sick and just hadn’t shown any symptoms yet. That’s what I thought, even though Ms. Lyra seemed satisfied with the notion that it was for prevention. “Well, Leo. Let’s go back to our room.” “Wou!” I said to Leo, who had been watching me train, and then I headed back to the room. Leo had yawned when replying, and walked behind me sluggishly. She had gone to town and played with a lot of children, so perhaps she was tired? It was quite late now, so it was no wonder that she was sleepy. When we reached the room, Leo quickly curled up into a ball next to my bed and fell asleep. “Good night, Leo. You did well today.” “Wuffff...” I got into bed and said good night to Leo. Leo murmured back as if in her sleep.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 10, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
ネイトのことを無視して、彼女は深く頭を下げる。それに続き、周りの人達も頭を下げる。この村の人たちは礼儀を知らないから、とりあえずレベッカの真似をするしかないのだ。この中でネイトだけが頭を下げなかったが、レベッカが軽くネイトの足の甲を踏み、無理やり彼にお辞儀をさせる。こうやって見ると、彼がこの国の子だという事を改めて実感する。普段、気を遣うことなく話していたけど、それってもしかしたらとても無礼なことだったのかもしれない。「俺は、皆に言っておかなければならないことがある」デュークの低い声に反応して、全員が顔を上げ始める。彼の真剣な表情に緊迫した空気が漂う。この村に初めて来るデュークが皆に伝えたいことって何なんだろう......。「どれだけ酷い有様で廃れていても、ここが故郷だという人たちがいる。もとこんな村に戻りたくなくても、この村はもう二度と今の形に戻らない。荒んだ場所だったとしても、皆が育った場所だ。悪い思い出ばかりじゃない可能性も」「前置きはいりません」レベッカはデュークから決して目を逸らすことなく話を中断させた。彼の言動を僕も不思議に思った。デュークはいつもこんなくどくどと話さない。彼は彼なりにこの村人達の気持ちを考えているんだろう。デュークは少し間を置いてから、また口を開く。「......この村は開拓し軍事基地にする」グンジキチ。......軍事基地!? いきなり話が飛び過ぎて頭がついていかない。僕のあずかり知らないところで一体デュークはどれだけの計画を進めていたのだ。全員が驚く表情を見せる中、じっちゃんはやはり動じていない。彼が慌てる姿を見たことがない。流石デュークと血が繋がっているだけのことはある。じっちゃんはデュークの考えをある程度把握していたようだ。「跡形もなくなるってことですか?」「そういうことだ。この国の軍事力の低さは世界に焦点を当てた時に浮き彫りになる。きちんとした施設がなければ兵を強化することも出来ない」一体この王子はデュルキス国をどういう国にしたいのだろう。デュークの考えていることはある程度分かってきたつもりだったけど、勘違いだったのかもしれない。彼は僕よりも数歩先を見ている。人は一歩先に進む人を優等生と言って、二歩先を進む人を天才と呼ぶ。......数歩先に進む人は変人だと思われる。これが世の理だ。「あんたは一体何をしたいんだ?」レベッカはネイトの足を思い切り踏みつける。ネイトは顔をしかめながら聞き直す。「王子は、一体何をしたいんすか?」「俺は、アリシアを自分の手中に置いておきたい」 ......ん? アリシアを自分の掌の中に収めておきたいのなら、矛盾が生じる。国外追放はデュークの目に届かない場所だ。「いまいちよく分かってねえのって俺だけ?」ネイトがレベッカの方を見る。彼女も首を傾げる。どうやら誰も彼の言葉を理解出来ていないようだ。デュークは話を続ける。「アリシアを自由にさせるためには俺の管轄を広げればいいだけの話だ。アリシアはそれを望まないだろうけどな」彼の言葉で全員が察した。この王子が王子でいる理由はアリシアの為なのだと。デュークの全ての目的がアリシアの為なのだ。絶大な魔力、並外れた鑑識眼、その頭脳明晰さは全てアリシアを守るため。けど、それを決して彼女に悟らせない。アリシア、君はとんでもない王子に溺愛されているね。	Ignoring Nate, she bowed deeply. Following her, the people around her lowered their heads as well. The people in this village didn’t know any manners, so they had no choice but to imitate Rebecca for the time being. Only Nate did not bow, but Rebecca lightly stepped on the back of his legs, forcing him to bow. Seeing him like this reminded me that he is the country’s first prince. I usually talk to him without paying attention, but maybe that was very rude. “I have something I have to tell you all.” In response to Duke’s low voice, everyone began to look up. His serious expression created a tense atmosphere. I wondered what Duke, who was visiting this village for the first time, wanted to tell everyone..... “No matter how bad the situation is or how run-down the village is, there are people who say that this is their home. Even if they never want to return to a village like this again, this village will never return to the way it was before. Even if it was a rough place, it is where we all grew up. The memories we had here were not all bad.” “There’s no need to make any excuses.” Duke, who never took his gaze off Rebecca, interrupted her. I was curious about his behaviour as well, because Duke had never talked so much before. He must be thinking about the villagers’ feelings in his own way. After a moment, Duke spoke again. “...This village will be developed and turned into a military base.” Military Base. ...A military base!? The topic changed so suddenly that my head couldn’t keep up. How many plans had Duke been working on without my knowledge? While everyone looked surprised, Gramps was still unfazed. I had never seen him in a panic. Gramps seemed to understand what Duke was thinking. “You mean there will be no more records?” “That’s what I mean. When one considers the world at large, this country’s lack of military capability is magnified. Without proper facilities, we can’t even strengthen our troops.” I wondered what kind of country this prince wanted to make of Duelkis Kingdom. I had thought to some extent that I knew what Duke had in mind, but I might have been mistaken. He was a few steps ahead of me. People called those who go one step ahead an honor student, and those who go two steps ahead a genius. ...Those who took a few steps ahead were considered freaks. This was how the world was. “What the heck do you want?” Rebecca stomped on Nate’s foot as hard as she could, and Nate frowned as he asked again. “What is it you want, my prince?” “I want to keep Alicia to myself.” ...Nn? If he wanted to keep Alicia to himself, there would be a discrepancy. The deportation was beyond Duke’s control. “Am I the only one who doesn’t quite get it?” Nate looked at Rebecca. She turns her head sideways. It would appear that no one understands what he meant. Duke continued his story. “All I have to do to free Alicia is expand my jurisdiction, which I know Alicia will not like.” We all guessed from his words. It was because of Alicia that this prince was a prince. The whole reason Duke was here was for Alicia. His immense magical power, his extraordinary forensic eye, and his intelligence were all for Alicia’s protection. But he never lets her realize it. Alicia, you were being doted upon by an extraordinary Prince.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
ときには一度に沢山の絵を描いてもなお何を描いているのか解らないことがありますデジタル機器を簡単に使いこなせてその事に優越感まで感じている人は笑ってしまうでしょうが『道具と機械の本』の作者として知られている男が「理解」という名の討論会の準備として新しいDVDドライブをノートパソコンに接続するのに二日かかったのですエクステンション・マネージャーなんて聞いたこともありませんでした今までマネージャー無しでエクステンションできてたので説明書を読む必要があるなんて思いもつかなかったでも最終的には接続できました必要性にかられてねなぜかというと討論会への招待と共にプロジェクターは使えませんとの注意書きも届きスライドのカートリッジは不要になったけれどその替わりのコミュニケーション機器が必要になりましたさて私が得意とする話をしようかここにいるテクノロジー寄りの考え方の人達にもうってつけな話をそれとも私が特に関心をもっていることを話そうか結局後者の案を選択したのでローマについて話をしますなんで私がローマにこんなに関心をもっているのか? 私はRhode Island School of Design というアメリカの美大の出身で 60年代の後半に建築学の勉強をしていました私は幸運にも大学最後の 5年目の年にローマに留学しそれがきっかけでローマは私の人生をかえました最初4年間は実家から通学した事実は過少評価できません大学にいったりきたりしている間にいつの間にか60年代が終わってしまいあとからそのことは読んだわけです興味深い時代だったようですが私はそうだったとは知らずにいましたでもその代わりローマで素晴らしい経験をしました私の気持ちの中では常に身近な存在であり機会があればためらいもなくローマを体験し、ローマと共にローマのために何かをしたいと思ってます私は人々の理解を深める目的で絵を描きます読者が私自身もよく理解しているなと納得してくれうような絵をそれが私のイラストレーターとしての役割でそれが私の仕事ですここでローマを描いたスケッチをご覧にいれますローマの絵は何年にもわたり沢山描いてます全てローマをスケッチしたものですできる限り頻繁にローマに戻っていますその必要があるから全て違う題材違うスタイルで違う時期ですスケッチブックに描いたのはローマを細かく観察したスケッチこれを見てもらっている理由のひとつとは私の仕事の過程を理解してもらいたいからです私がローマに感じることなぜそれを感じるのかこれは細かいディテールのスケッチですローマは驚きだらけの街ですようするにユニークな視点が多いってこと狭く曲がりくねった小道が突然太陽に照らされた大きな広場へと広がりでも決して人間の基準を無視した広場ではありませんなぜかというと自然の流れで出来上がっていった広場だからです過去と未来が交差しビルの谷間から注ぎ込む自然光が頭上のたいていの日は青い空に ―とりわけ夏ならまるで地図を描くようでそれは通常使うような普通の道案内のための地図ではありませんそう思ううちにこれを本という形でどう表わそうかどうすれば私が感じるローマを私が理解したローマを体験してもらえるだろうかと考えましたここで試行錯誤のスケッチをお見せしますこんなに沢山の試行錯誤になる理由は何を描きたいのかわからなければ簡単に描けるわけありませんこれは小さな地図です最初は地図から始めることも考えました小さな地図帳にでもしようかな、とも私のお気に入りの道や私とローマを結ぶ物のここでは1行のテキストをスクーターの排気に見立てていますここでは同じテキストが噴水の周りを回ってますこれはひっくり返しても読むことができますこのテキストが物語になり生き生きとしたストーリーが描けるかもしれない地図という発想からはまったく離れたほうがいいかもしれない私が本当に気に入っているローマの風景を見せようかサッカーボールを宙に蹴ってみたりこの街の広場ではしょっちょう見る光景だからそれがあっちこっちにあたって跳ね返りボールがあたった場所の説明をつけるでもそれでは簡単すぎるかなとも思いこのプレゼンは始めたばかりですがこれらが最初に思いついた案ではありませんすでに焦り始めていたのです結局これと思うような内容がないことに気づいたので装丁を考えてみることにしました結構それでうまくいくことは多いので例えば4冊の本を小さな箱にまとめたものにでもそう考えているうちにスケッチの中から浮かんだ一つのアイデアがローマ巡りをする事違う手段で、違う速さで巡ることそうすることでローマを様々な角度から描く飛行船にのりながら眺めるローマの全体像のようなものから疾走するスクーターから素早く撮影したようなスナップショットゆっくりと歩きながら観察するとローマの見事な装飾のあれこれを発見しますということで飛行船のアイデアにもどり発明家のアルベルト・サントスーデュモンに思いあたりました彼が描いた立体的な飛行船を見つけその大きさを比較の基準として用いてローマの名所と重ねて見せることができます名所の上を通り、横切り前に駐車し、物差しで計っているかのように物差しにならずにページの中を旅する物差しで計る11の長さがわからなくてもでも飛行船で計る11をパンテオンと比較することはできます同じようにカラカラの浴場と比較したりそんな感じで興味があればやってみてくださいこの子はベアトリックスという女の子エージャックスという犬と一緒です彼女は飛行船を購入します ―小さなものです今組み立ているところですエージャックスが気球に穴がないか臭いを嗅いでいますこの飛行船をスペイン階段の上から打ち上げ街を空から観察する旅にでますスペイン階段の頭上を通り川が丘を流れる様子を見せるのに効果的ですところがそこから道をへだてたところマルクス・アウレリウスの記念柱のそばですが飛行船の直径でわかるかと思いますが彼女がその周りをめぐるストーリーを読もうとすると記念柱にちょっと近づきすぎて柱に触れてしまうそんな様子を捉えて記念柱の構造を描くことができます分厚い金貨を高く積みあげたようなものサン・イグナシオ広場の上を通り絵の対称性は失われていますがともかく見に行く価値のある場所です素晴らしい建物を額縁のようにした中に驚くほど青い空が見えたりしますパンテオンの上を通り直径26フィートのオクルスの上で飛行船をとめアンカーロープを下ろし近くで観察するために下に降りますここはテキストが右側にひっくり返って読むようになっているので本を回すことにより地面から眺めているような感覚でそして彼女の視点から穴の中を見ることができます読者を空間の中に誘うことで違う視点が得られます完全な球形を内包できる建物に適した視点です球の直径は床の中心からオクルスの中心までの距離と同じです不幸にもアンカーロープがパンテオンを見学にきたボーイスカウトの足に絡まってしまい彼らは一気に中から引っ張り出されて素晴らしく恐ろしい見学に連れていかれますローマの大聖堂を巡りますが反対にぶら下がっているのでひっくりかえった視点から眺めるわけですサンティーヴォ教会のてっぺんにつくと彼らは直ちに脱出しますこの螺旋状の建物です彼女の旅はナヴォーナ広場へと続きますトレ・スカリーニ・レストランがせわしそうな様子ですがそういえばお昼の時間でお腹が空いていることに気付きますカンポ・デ・フィオーリ広場へと飛行を続けてそこに到着します犬のエージャックスをバスケットにいれ食料の買い物のリストと共に青空市場に降ろしますマーケットは午後一時ぐらいまで盛況でそのあとは広場からすべて撤去され次の朝6時か7時まではあとかたもないままですとにかくわんこは買い物と一緒に飛行船にもどります女の子がプロシュートハムを食べようと包みを開けるとエージャックスがハムに突然飛びつきプロシュートはなんとか犬にとられずに済みますがテーブルクロスが飛んでいってしまいますここ左上に飛んていくのが見えますよね仕方なくテーブルクロスなしで飛行船をどこかに着陸させてお昼を食べようと場所を探しますそうこうしているうちに大きな塀をみつけ飛行船をドッキンングさせるのに便利な小さな穴がたくさんあるのが分かります飛行船をつないでおくのに便利ですなんとこの塀は、唯一残っているコロっセオ跡の外壁でここで停泊して美味しいランチをいただきその上最高の景色も堪能しましたお昼を済ませてアンカーをほどきカラカラ浴場を通りぬけ街の外塀の上を通り放置されたゲートハウスにたどり着きますここからもう一度ケスティウスのピラミッドを眺めますその上には避雷針がありますが実はこれが問題なのです飛行船が近寄り過ぎるたのです飛行船にのる時はとんがった物には十分に気をつけないとダメですという事で女の子の旅の話はここで終わります今度はマルチェロが登場彼はちょっとだらしないタイプ仕事は12時から始まりますが時計の目覚ましがなった時点で既に12時5分前素早く飛び起きスクーターに飛び乗り街中を走りぬけますサンタ・マリア・デラ・パチェ教会の前を通り路地や小道を走り抜け観光客が観光めぐりしている間を通り抜け静かなローマの裏道の生活をかき乱します彼が走り過ぎるスピードはこの小さなスケッチで表せていると思いますがここでもひっくり返して両方の角度から観察できますなぜかというと上と下の両方にテキストが書いてありここで見るイメージではさかさまになってます彼は走り続けてウエーターに接近しますが気づいていませんウエーターはリングイーニを2皿運んでいます白ワインと貝のソースのまろやかな味のパスタをレストランの外の道に座るお客さんに運んでますウエーターがスクーターに気づいてももう間に合いませんマルチェロは何もなかったかのようにスクーターで走り続けますここからの視界はリングイーニにじゃまされますそんな事はおかまいなくとにかく仕事に急ぎます足場を壊しますこういう足場はローマという街が歴史を常に感じさせる― 素晴らしい街であり続けることの象徴です歴史で包まれた街の外観を保存しながら時代の要請として求められる姿や私たちが望む姿を目指し成長と変化を続けていますピアッツア・デラ・ロトンダ広場を通る抜けパンテオンの前でもとんでもない大混乱が生じますが仕事場に到着します実はマルチェロの仕事とは 64番バスの運転手なのです 64番バスに乗ったことがある方はご存知のはずですがこのバスはマルチェロのスクーターが走るのと同じような意気込みで街中を走行します最後に登場するのがカルレット左端上に見えるのが彼のアパートですテーブルを眺めてます今晩40年来のガールフレンドにプロポーズするつもりですその為に間違いのないように準備してますロウソクを並べ花をテーブルセンターにおきお皿とグラスの配置を考えていますでもまだ納得できないのは何か足りない気がするからです電話が鳴ってあるパラァッツォ(建物)に至急呼ばれます急ぎでも歩いていく事にします ― 歩くといっても足早ですそれでも今まで見た交通手段に比べるとかなりゆっくりですカルレットの事は皆知っていますエンターテイメントの世界にいるから具体的に言うとテレビですといってもテレビの修理ですだから皆彼のことを知っているのです彼の電話番号は誰もがもっていますパラッツォに到着し大きな正門の前にいます中庭に入り管理人と話しをします管理人によるとパラッツォ内で大問題が発生テレビが一台も動かないのです今晩は大事なサッカーゲームの中継がありますなので誰も落ち着かず、神経質になってます地下に行き配線のチェックをしながら徐々に上の階へと上がっていきます一軒ずつ訪ねて全てのテレビを点検しています接続を全て点検しながら問題がどこにあるかを探してます上へと上がっていき中央階段に到達しそこから小さい階段へとあがり、屋根裏に到着します屋根裏の窓を開けるとなんとテーブルクロスが引っかかっていますビルのテレビのアンテナを包むようにそれを取り除くと問題は即解決パラッツォの住民は皆大喜びと共に彼の問題も解決したのですこれで自宅のテーブルのセットも完璧になり彼女が到着するのを待つだけここまでご覧になったのがこの本の最初の試みですでも私が伝えたいローマを十分に紹介できてないと思いそれならば有名な広場だけを紹介しようかと考え中に入り、下にも潜り込み広場の広がるさまを示しなぜその形になったのか等を描こうと思いましたでもそれでは複雑すぎてダメだし私が気に入っている部分だけを集め、スケールはそのままでパンテオンの中に収めたらサントイボやセスティスのピラミッドの先端やブラマンテのテンピエットまで並んで見えるすごい場所になります 1枚の絵にするには画家のピラネージとエッシャーのスタイルも取り入れます私の発想がとんでもない方向に展開していくのが解りますよねまとまりも失ってしまいました何かの煙が細く青い線を描きその経路がストーリーをつなげるように流れていくのはどうだろう「ちょっと待て何を考えているのか」と考え本というのは情報を集め蓄積するだけが目的ではなく層状に重なる情報ともいえます読むという行為は常に層をはがしていくことですそれをページと呼んである決まったやり方ではがすのですでも1層だけはがすと考えてみてくださいローマは何層も重なった場所です水平に重なり垂直に重なりだからページをめくることで層をはがしたと考えてもらえるように工夫すれば層の厚さを感じてもらうことができますローマにあるビルの壁の化粧細工は古い傷をかくしてます何世紀にも渡り変化した傷それと共に建物も改造され取り壊しを免れたのですここで左側のページを折込みにしてこれを開くと傷の跡に隠されたものが見えるのです例えば1635年には窓は小さくする必要があったこと敵が来ることがわかっていたからでしょうそうやって化粧細工の下に改造の跡が隠されていくのですこのパラッツォのページを開くことにより中を覗くこととができます更に大事なことはこのような素晴らしい建物の角にある巨大な石のブロックの様子も見てもらえます実際はレンガと化粧細工で作られたにせのブロックのことも多いのですがこのように立体的に見せられます狭い小道を進んだ末に突然大きな広場に出くわす様子を両開きで表していますこの両開きのページですともし読者が私のように小さい時から飛び出す絵本に親しんでいれば中に頭をつっこみそうする事により広場の中にいるような錯覚を感じます特に複雑なことではなく両開きのページを使用しているだけですもっと簡単にすることもできますパンテオンとその前のロタンダ広場を見てみましょうここでは本を全部広げてますがもし本を全部開かずに 90度だけ開くことにすればパンテオン前を見おろすことができます広場を見下ろしている感じですここから本を反対に倒せば広場を見通してパンテオンの前を眺めてますページの見開きも仕掛けも何もありません単に本いっぱいに開かないだけですこのアイデアは良さそうなので屋内にも使ってみました織り込みページと半開きを併せることもできそうですパンテオンの中に入ったときにこんな感じアイデアはこんなふうに発展していきますアイデア自身は使えそうだなと思っても人間味な要素が欠けているのでストーリーを語るという原点にもどりました人の興味をそそらせるのには重要な要素だし内容の興味を持続させ情報を伝えるのには必要だから「Pigeon's Progress 」という題は気にっていたのでこれがHoming Pigeon だとしたら「ホメーロスのオデュッセイア」という題にしようとも考えましたがでもそれは行き過ぎなので... 題名が適切だったら使うべきだけどローマを巡る話なのでローマの好きな部分全てを見てもらう本なのですこれは教会の屋根に暮らす鳩です出かけてどの鳩でも過ごすような1日のあと― 巣に戻ると足場とグリーンのネットですっかり覆われてしまい何を試みても鳩は家に帰れませんホームレスの鳩になったので違う場所に巣を探さなくてななりませんここでまた私のお気に入りの場所のカタログへもどり一番高い建物から始めます家族の元に帰るしかないかもとも考えましたがそれも決していい案だとは言いませんがそうすると鳩が集まる理由にもなるそれはおもしろいかなとも考えましたそこでそれに関わる人物が必要かなと考え年取ったおじいさんを登場させました病気の鳩の世話をする事をライフワークとしているような彼はどこにで鳩を助けにいきます ―危ないところでもだから鳩は彼には忠実で彼のためなら芸をしたり昼休みの相手になったりしますこのおじいさんと鳩たちの間には特別な絆が生まれますところがおじいさんが病気になります話の最後の方で重症ですおじいさんは自分の名のアルドを鳩に描くことを教えます 3−4日おじいさんの姿をみかけないので彼は小さな屋根裏部屋にすんでいますが鳩は彼の名前を描きながら飛び回ってますするとおじいさんは力を振り絞りはしごを登って屋根に上りますそこに鳩の群れが待っていたのですまるで赤い風船のようにおじいさんを乗せ町の塀の上へと飛び立っていきます言うのを忘れましたがおじいさんは鳩が死ぬと鳩を町の外壁の外に埋めていましたローマの古いしきたりですが死者は町の塀の中には埋めません明るい話のはずだったのに ― これではストーリーとして続かないということでさっきの話にもどり装丁でごまかすこともできず話の展開のまとまりもなければタイトルを考えるしかないそうすることによりなんとか方向性を見つけそのことである程度集中できタイトルのページぐらいは描くこれはそんなタイトルのページですがここから結局最終的に落ち着いた案へとつながりました若い女の子の話です彼女が帰巣する鳩にメッセージを託します彼女はローマの外壁の外に住んでいますが塀の中に住む人宛に運んでもらいます鳩はアッピアン街道の上を飛び街道に並ぶ墓石や松が見えますこの赤い線は鳩が飛行した跡を表しており赤い線が見えないのは読者が鳩の視点にたっているからですこの時点でそれが可能で必要だからです町の上を飛ぶ感覚を動かずに感じてもらうことセスシウスのピラミッドをとおり最近ローマにいったことなくても馴染みのある風景と思いますがゲートハウスを通り過ぎますここでちょっとおかしなことなんですが帰巣する鳩だったらするはずのないことが起こります鳩は景色のいい長いルートを選びますこの本を適度な長さにするためには必要でしたそうしないと4ページで終わってしまいますコロッセオの周りを飛びサンタ・マリア・イン・コスメディン教会やヘラクレスの神殿を通り川の方に向かいパラッツォ・ファルネーゼにぶつかりそうになるミケランジェロのデザインによる窓枠ですがコロッセオから発掘した石でつくられたそうですーあぶないところでしたカンポ・デ・フィオーリ広場めがけて下りこれは私の生徒にも見せるものですが完全に事実を変形した例です遠近法のルールを完全に無視してるからです遠近法のルールで唯一必要なのはいかにも正しいかのように見えることそうであれば正しいのです消失点がどこでまた交わるのか想像してみてください火星で交差するのもあればクレモーナの町にもありますサンタ・マリア・デラ・パチェ教会前の広場へ進むともちろんサッカーで遊んでいる子供達がいてここでサッカーボールにあたりますこれはサッカーボールにあたった様子が描かれていますここに全部のかけらがありますサンタ・マリア・デラ・パチェ教会の一部サッカーボールの一部鳥の翼も少しありますがーでもそこからの展開がないのでまたここで考え直しますサンタ・マリア・デラ・パチェ教会が見たければこの本はすごく柔軟性があり読者と対話型ですひっ繰り返してみてください小道を通りながら感じるインパクトが赤い線で表現されてますここで鳥は気をとりなおして中世期の塔を通り過ぎちなみにこれは現在残っている数少ない中世期の塔ですサンタ・アネーゼ教会に向かいますナヴォナ広場を巡回し丸天井から見下ろしますもう何回も話に出てきて、ご覧にもなって、数回飛び回っていますよねベルニーニ作の四つの川の像も見えボロミーニのサントイヴォ教会を通りますそしてパンテオンの直径26フィートのオクルスで停止しここで一息つきますここから中にはいります飛行しているから可能ですよねここで重力はあまり心配しなくても大丈夫ですこの絵はどの向きから見ても良い絵ですキリスト像の前を通る時は少し興奮しますここで建築物の真似をするのもちっとも不思議ではありません過去も未来も交差している要素がふんだんに見られる壁、例えば ”レストラン”と書かれたネオンのサインの上には壁に彫刻された美しいモチーフが見られますそのうちにパラッツォの中庭に到着しますここが最終目的地です中庭を通り抜け屋根裏の小さな窓をめがけここでは製図板で働いている人がいます鳥の足に付けられたメッセージを広げますこれがメッセージの内容ですここで製図板をみると何をしているのかがわかります鳩がたどった旅の地図です赤い線が名所を結んでます最後に理解のサイクルを完結する為の情報が必要であればここに書かれている文章を読むだけでわかりますありがとうございました	Those of you who are comfortable with digital stuff and even smug about that relationship might be amused to know that the guy who is best known for "The Way Things Work," while preparing for part of a panel for called Understanding, spent two days trying to get his laptop to communicate with his new CD burner. Who knew about extension managers? I've always managed my own extensions so it never even occurred to me to read the instructions, but I did finally figure it out. I had to figure it out, because along with the invitation came the frightening reminder that there would be no projector, so bringing those carousels would no longer be necessary but some alternate form of communication would. Now, I could talk about something that I'm known for, for many of the more technically minded people here, or I could talk about something I really care about. I decided to go with the latter. I'm going to talk about Rome. Now, why would I care about Rome, particularly? Well, I went to Rhode Island School of Design in the second half of the '60s to study architecture. I was lucky enough to spend my last year, my fifth year, in Rome as a student. It changed my life. Not the least reason was the fact that I had spent those first four years living at home, driving into RISD everyday, driving back. I missed the '60s. I read about them; I understand they were pretty interesting. I missed them, but I did spend that extraordinary year in Rome, and it's a place that is never far from my mind. So, whenever given an opportunity, I try to do something in it or with it or for it. I also make drawings to help people understand things. Things that I want them to believe I understand. And that's what I do as an illustrator, that's my job. So, I'm going to show you some pictures of Rome. I've made a lot of drawings of Rome over the years. These are just drawings of Rome. I get back as often as possible -- I need to. All different materials, all different styles, all different times, drawings from sketchbooks looking at the details of Rome. Part of the reason I'm showing you these is that it sort of helps illustrate this process I go through of trying to figure out what it is I feel about Rome and why I feel it. These are sketches of some of the little details. Rome is a city full of surprises. I mean, we're talking about unusual perspectives, we're talking about narrow little winding streets that suddenly open into vast, sun-drenched piazzas -- never, though, piazzas that are not humanly scaled. Part of the reason for that is the fact that they grew up organically. That amazing juxtaposition of old and new, the bits of light that come down between the buildings that sort of create a map that's traveling above your head of usually blue -- especially in the summer -- compared to the map that you would normally expect to see of conventional streets. And I began to think about how I could communicate this in book form. How could I share my sense of Rome, my understanding of Rome? And I'm going to show you a bunch of dead ends, basically. The primary reason for all these dead ends is when if you're not quite sure where you're going, you're certainly not going to get there with any kind of efficiency. Here's a little map. And I thought of maps at the beginning; maybe I should just try and do a little atlas of my favorite streets and connections in Rome. And here's a line of text that actually evolves from the exhaust of a scooter zipping across the page. Here that same line of text wraps around a fountain in an illustration that can be turned upside down and read both ways. Maybe that line of text could be a story to help give some human aspect to this. Maybe I should get away from this map completely, and really be honest about wanting to show you my favorite bits and pieces of Rome and simply kick a soccer ball in the air -- which happens in so many of the squares in the city -- and let it bounce off of things. And I'll simply explain what each of those things is that the soccer ball hits. That seemed like a sort of a cheap shot. But even though I just started this presentation, this is not the first thing that I tried to do and I was getting sort of desperate. Eventually, I realized that I had really no content that I could count on, so I decided to move towards packaging. I mean, it seems to work for a lot of things. So I thought a little box set of four small books might do the trick. But one of the ideas that emerged from some of those sketches was the notion of traveling through Rome in different vehicles at different speeds in order to show the different aspects of Rome. Sort of an overview of Rome and the plan that you might see from a dirigible. Quick snapshots of things you might see from a speeding motor scooter, and very slow walking through Rome, you might be able to study in more detail some of the wonderful surfaces and whatnot that you come across. Anyways, I went back to the dirigible notion. Went to Alberto Santos-Dumont. Found one of his dirigibles that had enough dimensions so I could actually use it as a scale that I would then juxtapose with some of the things in Rome. This thing would be flying over or past or be parked in front of, but it would be like having a ruler -- sort of travel through the pages without being a ruler. Not that you know how long number 11 actually is, but you would be able to compare number 11 against the Pantheon with number 11 against the Baths of Caracalla, and so on and so forth. If you were interested. This is Beatrix. She has a dog named Ajax, she has purchased a dirigible -- a small dirigible -- she's assembling the structure, Ajax is sniffing for holes in the balloon before they set off. She launches this thing above the Spanish Steps and sets off for an aerial tour of the city. Over the Spanish Steps we go. A nice way to show that river, that stream sort of pouring down the hill. Unfortunately, just across the road from it or quite close by is the Column of Marcus Aurelius, and the diameter of the dirigible makes an impression, as you can see, as she starts trying to read the story that spirals around the Column of Marcus Aurelius -- gets a little too close, nudges it. This gives me a chance to suggest to you the structure of the Column of Marcus Aurelius, which is really no more than a pile of quarters high -- thick quarters. Over the Piazza of Saint Ignacio, completely ruining the symmetry, but that aside a spectacular place to visit. A spectacular framework, inside of which you see, usually, extraordinary blue sky. Over the Pantheon and the 26-foot diameter Oculus. She parks her dirigible, lowers the anchor rope and climbs down for a closer look inside. The text here is right side and upside down so that you are forced to turn the book around, and you can see it from ground point of view and from her point of view -- looking in the hole, getting a different kind of perspective, moving you around the space. Particularly appropriate in a building that can contain perfectly a sphere dimensions of the diameter being the same as the distance from the center of the floor to the center of the Oculus. Unfortunately for her, the anchor line gets tangled around the feet of some Boy Scouts who are visiting the Pantheon, and they are immediately yanked out and given an extraordinary but terrifying tour of some of the domes of Rome, which would, from their point of view, naturally be hanging upside down. They bail out as soon as they get to the top of Saint Ivo, that little spiral structure you see there. She continues on her way over Piazza Navona. Notices a lot of activity at the Tre Scalini restaurant, is reminded that it is lunchtime and she's hungry. They keep on motoring towards the Campo de' Fiori, which they soon reach. Ajax the dog is put in a basket and lowered with a list of food into the marketplace, which flourishes there until about one in the afternoon, and then is completely removed and doesn't appear again until six or seven the following morning. Anyway, the pooch gets back to the dirigible with the stuff. Unfortunately, when she goes to unwrap the prosciutto, Ajax makes a lunge for it. She's managed to save the prosciutto, but in the process she loses the tablecloth, which you can see flying away in the upper left-hand corner. They continue without their tablecloth, looking for a place to land this thing so that they can actually have lunch. They eventually discover a huge wall that's filled with small holes, ideal for docking a dirigible because you've got a place to tie up. Turns out to be the exterior wall -- that part of it that remains -- of the Coliseum, so they park themselves there and have a terrific lunch and have a spectacular view. At the end of lunch, they untie the anchor, they set off through the Baths of Caracalla and over the walls of the city and then an abandoned gatehouse and decide to take one more look at the Pyramid of Cestius, which has this lightning rod on top. Unfortunately, that's a problem: they get a little too close, and when you're in a dirigible you have to be very careful about spikes. So that sort of brings her little story to a conclusion. Marcello, on the other hand, is sort of a lazy guy, but he's not due at work until about noon. So, the alarm goes off and it's five to 12 or so. He gets up, leaps onto his scooter, races through the city past the church of Santa Maria della Pace, down the alleys, through the streets that tourists may be wandering through, disturbing the quiet backstreet life of Rome at every turn. That speed with which he is moving, I hope I have suggested in this little image, which, again, can be turned around and read from both sides because there's text on the bottom and text on the top, one of which is upside down in this image. So, he keeps on moving, approaching an unsuspecting waiter who is trying to deliver two plates of linguine in a delicate white wine clam sauce to diners who are sitting at a table just outside of a restaurant in the street. Waiter catches on, but it's too late. And Marcello keeps moving in his scooter. Everything he sees from this point on is slightly affected by the linguine, but keeps on moving because this guy's got a job to do. Removes some scaffolding. One of the reasons Rome remains the extraordinary place it is that because of scaffolding and the determination to maintain the fabric, it is a city that continues to grow and adapt to the needs of the particular time in which it finds itself, or we find it. Right through the Piazza della Rotonda, in front of the Pantheon -- again wreaking havoc -- and finally getting to work. Marcello, as it turns out, is the driver of the number 64 bus, and if you've been on the number 64 bus, you know that it's driven with the same kind of exuberance as Marcello demonstrated on his scooter. And finally Carletto. You see his apartment in the upper left-hand corner. He's looking at his table; he's planning to propose this evening to his girlfriend of 40 years, and he wants it to be perfect. He's got candles out, he's got flowers in the middle and he's trying to figure out where to put the plates and the glasses. But he's not happy; something's wrong. The phone rings anyway, he's called to the palazzo. He saunters -- he saunters at a good clip, but as compared to all the traveling we've just seen, he's sauntering. Everybody knows Carletto, because he's in entertainment, actually; he's in television. He's actually in television repair, which is why people know him. So they all have his number. He arrives at the palazzo, arrives at the big front door. Enters the courtyard and talks to the custodian, who tells him that there's been a disaster in the palazzo; nobody's TVs are working and there's a big soccer game coming up, and the crowd is getting a little restless and a little nervous. He goes down to the basement and starts to check the wiring, and then gradually works his way up to the top of the building, apartment by apartment, checking every television, checking every connection, hoping to find out what this problem is. He works his way up, finally, the grand staircase and then a smaller staircase until he reaches the attic. He opens the window of the attic, of course, and there's a tablecloth wrapped around the building's television antenna. He removes it, the problems are solved, everybody in the palazzo is happy. And of course, he also solves his own problem. All he has to do now, with a perfect table, is wait for her to arrive. That was the first attempt, but it didn't seem substantial enough to convey whatever it was I wanted to convey about Rome. So I thought, well, I'll just do piazzas, and I'll get inside and underneath and I'll show these things growing and show why they're shaped the way they are and so on. And then I thought, that's too complicated. No, I'll just take my favorite bits and pieces and I'll put them inside the Pantheon but keep the scale, so you can see the top of Sant'Ivo and the Pyramid of Cestius and the Tempietto of Bramante all side by side in this amazing space. Now that's one drawing, so I thought maybe it's time for Piranesi to meet Escher. You see that I'm beginning to really lose control here and also hope. There's a very thin blue line of exhaust that sort of runs through this thing that would be kind of the trail that holds it all together. Then I thought, "Wait a minute, what am I doing?" A book is not only a neat way of collecting and storing information, it's a series of layers. I mean, you always peel one layer off another; we think of them as pages, doing it a certain way. But think of them as layers. I mean, Rome is a place of layers -- horizontal layers, vertical layers -- and I thought, well just peeling off a page would allow me to -- if I got you thinking about it the right way -- would allow me to sort of show you the depth of layers. The stucco on the walls of most of the buildings in Rome covers the scars; the scars of centuries of change as these structures have been adapted rather than being torn down. If I do a foldout page on the left-hand side and let you just unfold it, you see behind it what I mean by scar tissue. You can see that in 1635, it became essential to make smaller windows because the bad guys were coming or whatever. Adaptations all get buried under the stucco. I could peel out a page of this palazzo to show you what's going on inside of it. But more importantly, I could also show you what it looks like at the corner of one of those magnificent buildings with all the massive stone blocks, or the fake stone blocks done with brick and stucco, which is more often the case. So it becomes slightly three-dimensional. I could take you down one of those narrow little streets into one of those surprising piazzas by using a double gate fold -- double foldout page -- which, if you were like me reading a pop-up book as a child, you hopefully stick your head into. You wrap the pages around your head and are in that piazza for that brief period of time. And I've really not done anything much more complicated than make foldout pages. But then I thought, maybe I could be simpler here. Let's look at the Pantheon and the Piazza della Rotonda in front of it. Here's a book completely wide open. OK, if I don't open the book the whole way, if I just open it 90 degrees, we're looking down the front of the Pantheon, and we're looking sort of at the top, more or less down on the square. And if I turn the book the other way, we're looking across the square at the front of the Pantheon. No foldouts, no tricks -- just a book that isn't open the whole way. That seemed promising. I thought, maybe I'll do it inside and I can even combine the foldouts with the only partially opened book. So we get inside the Pantheon and it grows and so on and so forth. And I thought, maybe I'm on the right track, but it sort of lost its human quality. So I went back to the notion of story, which is always a good thing to have if you're trying to get people to pay attention to a book and pick up information along the way. "Pigeon's Progress" struck me as a catchy title. If it was a homing pigeon, it would be called "Homer's Odyssey." But it was the journey of the ... I mean, if a title works, use it. But it would be a journey that went through Rome and showed all the things that I like about Rome. It's a pigeon sitting on top of a church. Goes off during the day and does normal pigeon stuff. Comes back, the whole place is covered with scaffolding and green netting and there's no way this pigeon can get home. So it's a homeless pigeon now and it's going to have to find another place to live, and that allows me to go through my catalog of favorite things, and we start with the tall ones and so on. Maybe it has to go back and live with family members; that's not always a good thing, but it does sort of bring pigeons together again. And I thought, that's sort of interesting, but maybe there's a person who should be involved in this in some way. So I kind of came up with this old guy who spends his life looking after sick pigeons. He'll go anywhere to get them -- dangerous places and whatnot -- and they become really friends with this guy, and learn to do tricks for him and entertain him at lunchtime and stuff like that. There's a real bond that develops between this old man and these pigeons. But unfortunately he gets sick. He gets really sick at the end of the story. He's taught them to spell his name, which is Aldo. They show up one day after three or four days of not seeing him -- he lives in this little garret -- and they spell his name and fly around. And he finally gets enough strength together to climb up the ladder onto the roof, and all the pigeons, a la Red Balloon, are there waiting for him and they carry him off over the walls of the city. And I forgot to mention this: whenever he lost a pigeon, he would take that pigeon out beyond the walls of the city. In the old Roman custom, the dead were never buried within the walls. And I thought that's a really cheery story. . That's really going to go a long way. So anyway, I went through ... And again, if packaging doesn't work and if the stories aren't going anywhere, I just come up with titles and hope that a title will sort of kick me off in the right direction. And sometimes it does focus me enough and I'll even do a title page. So, these are all title pages that eventually led me to the solution I settled on, which is the story of a young woman who sends a message on a homing pigeon -- she lives outside the walls of the city of Rome -- to someone in the city. And the pigeon is flying down above the Appian Way here. If you see the red line, you are seeing the trail of the pigeon; if you don't see the red line, you are the pigeon. And it becomes necessary and possible, at this point, to try to convey what that sense would be like of flying over the city without actually moving. Past the Pyramid of Cestius -- these will seem very familiar to you, even if you haven't been to Rome recently -- past the gatehouse. This is something that's a little bit unusual. This pigeon does something that most homing pigeons do not do: it takes the scenic route, which was a device that I felt was necessary to actually extend this book beyond about four pages. So, we circle around the Coliseum, past the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and the Temple of Hercules towards the river. We almost collide with the cornice of the Palazzo Farnese -- designed by Michelangelo, built of stone taken from the Coliseum -- narrow escape. We swoop down over the Campo de' Fiori. This is one of those things I show to my students because it's a complete bastardization -- a denial of any rules of perspective. The only rule of perspective that I think matters is if it looks believable, you've succeeded. But you try and figure out where the vanishing points meet here; a couple are on Mars and a couple of others in Cremona. But into the piazza in front of Santa Maria della Pace, where invariably a soccer game is going on, and we're hit by a soccer ball. Now this is a terrible illustration of being hit by a soccer ball. I have all the pieces: there's Santa Maria della Pace, there's a soccer ball, there's a little bit of a bird's wing -- nothing's happening, so I had to rethink it. And if you do want to see Santa Maria della Pace, these books are really flexible, incredibly interactive -- just turn it around and look at it the other way. Through the alley, we can see the impact is captured in the red line. And then bird manages to pull itself together past this medieval tower -- one of the few remaining medieval towers -- towards the church of Sant'Agnese and around the dome looking down into Piazza Navona -- which we've already mentioned and seen and flown over a couple of times; there's the Bernini statue of the Four Rivers -- and then past the wonderful Borromini Sant'Ivo, stopping just long enough on the 26-foot diameter Oculus of the Pantheon to catch our breath. And then we can swoop inside and around; and because we're flying, we don't really have to worry about gravity at this particular moment in time, so this drawing can be oriented in any way on the page. We get a little exuberant as we pass Gesu; it's not surprising to sort of mimic the architecture in this way. Past the wonderful wall filled with the juxtaposition that I was talking about; beautiful carvings set into the walls above the neon "Ristorante" sign, and so on. And eventually, we arrive at the courtyard of the palazzo, which is our destination. Straight up through the courtyard into a little window into the attic, where somebody is working at the drawing board. He removes the message from the leg of the bird; this is what it says. As we look at the drawing board, we see what he's working on is, in fact, a map of the journey that the pigeon has just taken, and the red line extends through all the sights. And if you want the information, so that we complete this cycle of understanding, all you have to do is read these paragraphs. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
嫉妬だとか恐怖だとか、そんな目先の感情に惑わされて自分の心を見失っちまった」それは昔の事。そしていつまでも記憶から消去出来ずにいる、製作者と交わした最後の会話。魔神王との戦いに敗れて日に日に衰弱していったミザールが今わの際に、リーブラに語った事であった。「儂はきっとなあ、本当はそれが間違いだって分かっていたはずなんだ。かつては太かった腕は見る影もなく痩せ細り、肘から先は冷たい義手となっている。顔には覇気がなく、髪は真っ白に変色してしまっている。その姿を見下ろしながらリーブラは、ただ無表情で己の親の最後を見届けようとしていた。使命もいい、存在意義も悪くないだろう......だがもしも迷いが生まれたならば自分の心の声に耳を傾けてみろ。本当に今が正しいのか......自分が望んだ道なのか、もう一度だけ考えるんだ......儂には、それが出来なかった......」「ミザール様、私に心などというものは存在しません」「いいや、あるさ......お前にはある。だってお前、命令もしていないのにこうして、儂の最後を看取りに来てくれたじゃねえか。他のゴーレムはそんな事してねえぜ」「............」ミザールは震える手でリーブラの手を掴む。かつて数々の芸術を生み出してきた暖かい掌はそこにない。あるのは、リーブラと変わらぬ冷たい造り物の手だ。リーブラは意図せず、そのミザールの掌を少しだけ強く掴んだ。「大丈夫だリーブラ......お前は選べる。命令なんかされずとも、自分の意思で選ぶ事が出来る......このミズガルズのどんなアルケミストも......あのルファスでさえ造り出せなかった『心』を、お前はきっと持っている......。 ――天秤は、揺れる。右に傾くのが正しい。左に傾くのは間違えている。左右の秤に載せた物が知らぬうちに同じくらいの重さになっていたが故に。世界の行く末を左右する終末の戦いは佳境へと入り、その中心とも言うべきルファスもまた龍達を操る存在と対峙していた。ルファスの前に立ち塞がるのはディーナとリーブラ......どちらも、少し前まではルファスの部下として隣にいたはずの者達だ。しかし今は違う。ディーナは女神に操られ、そしてリーブラは生来の存在意義としてそこに立っている。「来たか」ルファスは涼し気な声で言いを見た。全ては最初から予期していた事。この二人がいずれ敵として立ち塞がる事など分かり切っていた。だから驚きはない。ただ決意があるだけだ。返してもらう、などと図々しい事は言わない。ただ奪い取るだけだ。女神のアバターだろうが人形だろうが関係ない。いっそ横暴とも言える決意。それだけが今のルファスにはあった。「ええ。そろそろ貴女を遊ばせておくのも飽きましたのでね。ディーナの姿で、声で。女神が冷たくルファスを見据え、言い放った。しかしルファスは嘲るように笑う。「まるでいつでもどうにか出来たような口ぶりだな。それが出来なかったからこそ今があるのだろう」「ええ、出来ましたよ。その気になればいつでも貴女など消せました。互いにその表情は余裕そのもの。己の勝利を疑っていない。微塵も負けるなどと考えていない。ルファスが軽く指を動かして関節を鳴らし、アイゴケロスがマナを全て集めてしまっているが彼女には関係ない。女神と繋がっている今、ディーナの操るマナの出所は宇宙の外側だ。女神から直接供給されており、無限の力を発揮出来るに等しい。の前にリーブラが歩み出し、呼応するようにスコルピウスがルファスの前へと出た。「待ちなさいよお。裏切り者風情がルファス様と戦えるとでも思ってるのお? 「スコルピウスですか。貴女の能力、動き、弱点は全て把握しています。貴女に勝ち目はありません。「ハッ、言うじゃない。なら試してみなさいよお!」リーブラが片腕を刃にし、その背中にはアストライアと酷似した補助ゴーレムが合体した。オリジナルのアストライア......ではない。あれはルファスが造ったものであり、万一の時にはリーブラではなくルファスの指示に従うように出来ている。故にこの場面でリーブラはアストライアを使えないはずだった。ならばこれは恐らく、女神がリーブラに与えた武装なのだろう。その翼はオリジナルと違って黒く、肩に背負っているのはマナを収束して発射するマナ集束レーザー砲だ。腰には同じくマナを弾丸として発射する砲身が装着され、ほとんど何のオリジナリティもなくアストライアの盗作と呼んで過言ではない出来だ。とはいえ、その性能はオリジナルを凌ぐと見ていいだろう。スコルピウスもルファスより与えられた武器を手にし、犬猿の仲の二人が睨み合う。「ッシャアアア!」スコルピウスが開戦の合図など待たずに先に仕掛けた。蠍の鋏を模した伸縮自在の暗器が飛び、リーブラが空へと飛ぶ。そして腰の砲門から二発の圧縮魔力弾を放ち、大地を抉った。「始まりましたね。とりあえずは前座の観戦といきましょうか」「ところで、一つ聞きたいのですが......どんな気分ですか? 「......その答えは、後で返そう」とルファスが話す中、戦いは続く。煙の中からスコルピウスが飛び出し、髪を自在に操ってリーブラへと向ける。だがリーブラは左腕の刃でそれを弾き、即座に右腕、肩、腰の砲門全てをスコルピウスへと向ける。出し惜しみなしの一斉掃射だ。放たれの閃光が直進し、しかしスコルピウスはその場から引っ張られたように移動した。暗器を地面に刺し、それを縮める事で離脱したのだ。地面に着地したと同時に跳躍し、リーブラの背後を取る。口から吐き出す毒のブレス――だがゴーレムであるリーブラに通じるはずもない。霧を突っ切ってリーブラが接近し、刃と暗器が衝突して火花を散らした。弾かれると同時に二人の姿が消え、ルファスと二つの影が高速で移動し、地面が爆ぜる。リーブラが全速力で突撃し、スコルピウスもまたそれを正面から迎え撃ち衝突。二人を中心として突風が吹き荒れ、大地が抉れる。そのまま互いに一歩も譲る事なく力比べの姿勢へと入り、視線を交差させた。「リーブラ......アンタの事は気に食わなかったけど、ルファス様への忠誠だけは評価してたわ。「三下!?」「スコルピウス。確かにアロヴィナス様は三下まがいの事を平気で行います。そこは否定しません」「否定して下さい!」「しかし、私は元々あの方の道具だった......落ちるも何もありません。私は最初から地の底にいた。それだけの事なのです」「地の底ってなんですか!? 私に仕えるのってそんな扱いなんですか!?」光の刃と暗器が衝突の反動で弾かれ、だがすぐに次の攻撃へと移る。二度、三度......一撃一撃を渾身の力で行うからこその手数の少なさは威力の証明だ。ぶつかるごとに衝撃波が吹き荒れ、地表を吹き飛ばす。もしもまだミズガルズに町があれば、この衝突の余波だけで更地となっていた事だろう。「へえ、それじゃ何? あんだけルファス様にべったりだったのも演技だったっていうの?」「演技というわけではありません。少なくともあの時点では私はルファス様をマスターと誤認していました」「澄ました顔で言ってくれるじゃない」「私の心変わりを期待するならば、それは無駄だと忠告しておきましょう。二人の刃が交差し、スコルピウスの頬から血が流れた。ここまで共に旅をし、戦ってきた事でスコルピウスの動きの癖などは掴まれてしまっている。いかに属性で勝ろうと、データを集めてしまったリーブラに勝利するのは困難だ。リーブラは更に高度を上げて空へと消える。直後に空から、まるで爆撃のように小型誘導弾が雨あられと降り注いだ。次々と大地に突き刺さり、連鎖爆発を起こしながらスコルピウスを追い詰める。その爆発の嵐の中、ルファスは自分に飛んできた誘導弾を手の甲で軽く弾き、「アンタのそういう気取った所が昔から気に食わなかったのよお!」スコルピウスが暗器を振り回し、空を薙いだ。降り注ぐ誘導弾全てを捉え、空中で爆散させる。更に跳躍。リーブラの上へと跳び、蹴りを放つ。しかし腕で防がれており、直撃には至らない。だがその威力だけでリーブラを地表まで落とし、激突の直前でリーブラが停止して再浮上した。リーブラが放つ魔力弾や魔力のレーザーを避け、弾き、スコルピウスが暗器を薙ぐ。だがリーブラは空を翔け回る事で全てを回避し、スコルピウスの頭を踏みつけて叩き落した。「そうですか。私も貴女の事はあまり好ましいとは思いませんでした」リーブラが冷たく言い、そしてふと己の発言の違和感に気が付いた。好ましい......? 好ましいとは何だ。そんなものは自分にはない。好きだの嫌いだの、そんな不確かなもので自分は動いているわけではない。行動原理は即ち存在意義。そう在るべしと造られたからそうしているだけだ。そこに己の意思など何一つとして介入していないし、そもそも介入する自我というものがない。だが......そう、スコルピウスの事は多分あまりいいものとして考えていなかった。いつもルファスの隣にべったりとくっつき、まるでそこが特等席だとばかりに占拠する。夜には夜這いを何度も仕掛けては自分に撃退され、なのに懲りない。毎日同じ事を繰り返す。そんな彼女の事が自分は......。 ......自分は、何だ? まさか“嫌いだった”とでも? 有り得ない。そんな感情など造られていない。 (思考能力にバグが発生......? いえ、至って正常そのもの。異常は何もない。「リーブラ、何をしているのです! 決めてしまいなさい!」「......了解です、アロヴィナス様」アロヴィナスの指示に応え、リーブラは武装を選択する。レベル1000となったスコルピウスのHPは未だ10万以上......ブラキウムは必殺にはならない。だがここでブラキウムを撃てば一気に有利になり、押し切る事も難しくはないだろう。ならば選ぶべき攻撃はブラキウムこそが最善。この攻撃で弱らせて止めを刺せばいい。だが発射しようとした一瞬、リーブラは何故か二百年前の事を......そして王墓でルファスと再会してから今日までの事を思い返していた。「......フルバースト!」リーブラが地面に向けて全砲門からの一斉掃射を放った。違う、これではない。これは最善の選択ではない。地面を抉る砲撃の嵐を予想通りにスコルピウスが避け、暗器が飛んできた。それを回避し、距離を開ける。「どうしたリーブラ。ブラキウムは使わんのか? 「......止めないのですか? 私がそれを行えばスコルピウスは高確率で敗北、死亡する事になりますが」止めて欲しいのかリーブラの問いに、しかしルファスは答えずに代わりに問いを重ねてきた。敵を仕留めるのを止めて欲しいなどと思うはずがない。だが何故だろう......そこに否と言えないのは。自分で自分が分からない。自分は壊れてしまったのだろうか? 「リーブラよ。何故私が今まで其方を遊ばせていたか分かるか?」「......気付いていなかったから......ではなさそうですね」「ああ、気付いていたさ。二百年前の時点でな。だからこそディーナには伝えていた計画も其方には伝えなかった。龍の封印も任せなかった」「ならば何故?」「学んで欲しかったからさ」ルファスは微笑み、そして言う。「リーブラ、其方は最高のゴーレムだ。だがそんな其方にも一つ足りないものがあった」「足りない、もの」「そう、心だ。其方はミザールの最高傑作だったが、奴の技量をもってしても心だけは与えられなかった」心......それはゴーレムには決して存在しないものだ。ゴーレムは造り方次第では高い知能を有する事が出来る。高い思考能力も得られる。だがそこに心や感情はない。判断基準はいつだって正しいか正しくないか。主の利か害か。与えらえた命令に沿うか否か。それだけだ。そこに好きだの嫌いだの、自分が気に食わないだの気に入るだのといった不確かなものは入り込む余地がない。「リーブラ、今の其方のマスターは女神だ。ゴーレムの存在意義に沿うならばこのまま女神に従うのが正しいのだろう。「愚かな事です」リーブラは全ての砲門をルファスへと向ける。撃てばいい。撃って決別を示せばいい。簡単な事だ。だがその簡単な事に何故迷いが生じているのだろう? ゴーレムならば躊躇わずに撃つべき場面ではないのか? いや、それを言うならば最初からおかしかった。タウルスは本当は仕留めようと思えば仕留められたのではなかったか? ポルクスとカストールが駆け付けてきたが、それでもステータスの上がった自分ならばあの場でタウルスに止めを刺すくらいは出来たはずだ。アリエスは何度自分に背を見せた。何度殺す機会があった? ウィルゴは何度無防備を晒した? ルファスの見ていない場所で誰かと二人きりになる場面すらあった。なのに何故自分は何もしなかった? 記憶がなかったから......などと言う事は出来ない。ゴーレムとは必ずマスターの命令に従うものだ。ならば記憶がなくともその行動はマスターの命令に沿うはずだ。 ......何故ずっと、『内部から戦力を瓦解させる』という命令に気付かないフリをしていた? 自分を無防備に信頼するアリエスの笑顔が思い出される。王墓で再会してからの旅の日々。仲間達の声。ミザールの嘆き。それがリーブラの中に、未知の何かを発生させていた。「リーブラ......アンタ、今自分がどんな顔してるか気付いてる?」「......無論気付いています。貴方達を嘲笑っている......そうは見えませんか?」リーブラはルファス達といる時は常に無表情であった。それを思えば、嘲笑という表情を張り付けている今の方が感情というものを表に出しているのかもしれない。しかしスコルピウスはそれを馬鹿にするように吐き捨てた。「ええ、そうねえ。それも女神から教えられた表情なんでしょうけど......何故かしらねえ。スコルピウスは無防備にリーブラへと近付き、その胸倉を掴み上げる。「戻って来なさいよ! アンタの事は大嫌いだったけど、今のアンタはつまらなすぎて、張り合い甲斐がないのよお!」スコルピウスの知るリーブラはいつでも無表情だった。無表情で、自分には感情なんてないというすまし顔で、そのくせルファスのすぐ近くを自分の特等席だといわんばかりに占拠していた。誰よりもその場所に拘っていた。リーブラはそんなスコルピウスを前に嘲笑を消し、氷のような表情で彼女を見た。感情のない声で言い、裏拳をスコルピウスの顔へ叩き込んで彼女を無理矢理に引き剥がした。今の一撃でスコルピウスのHPが十万を切り、今度こそ一撃圏内へと入る。もはやブラキウムの発射を躊躇う理由はどこにもない。撃てば必ず終わる。撃たぬという選択はない。リーブラはスコルピウスをロックオンし、目を閉じる。 ――天秤は揺れる。左右の秤に載せた物が知らぬうちに同じくらいの重さになっていたが故に。揺れて、揺れて、揺れて......。 ......やがて天秤は、揺れる事を止めた。二百年の時を超えて再集結し雄の連携は完璧なものであった。まるでブランクなど感じさせず、つい昨日までチームを組んで戦っていたかのように動きに淀みがない。ベネトナシュが先陣を切って相手を攪乱し、ドゥーベとアリオトが前に出て怒涛の攻めを見せる。その合間合間にメグレズとフェクダが魔法と物理両方の援護攻撃を挟み、敵の攻撃にはメラクが素早く対処する。そしてミザールが戦況を見ては防御と攻撃のどちらにも移行する。かつて彼等はベネトナシュを欠いた状態で月龍に挑み、そして敗れた。それは確かに実力での敗北だったのだろうが、しかし果たしてそれだけだったのだろうか? 友を裏切ってしまった罪悪感、そこから湧き出る一種の自壊衝動......負けてしまいたいという嗜虐的思考が必ずしも無かったとは言い切れない。そして、そんな状態で臨んだ戦いなど真の本気には程遠い。心の何処かで罰と敗北を望んでいてはいかに本気で戦っているつもりでも真に全力など出せはしない。だが今は違う。今こそ彼等は友の為に戦っている。罪を清算する為に、今一度この戦場へと舞い戻っているのだ。ならば士気は十分。今こそ龍に見せ付けよう......七英雄の、本当の全力を。「ところでミザール。確か十二星にはお前が造ったゴーレムがいたはずだが......やばくねえか? 「うむ、やばいな。思い切り選定の天秤としての使命を残しておる。マスターは女神のままじゃ」「おい!?」後方で援護をしながらフェクダが気になっていた事をミザールへと問うが、その答えは肯定であった。やばいなどという次元ではない。リーブラがルファスを裏切るのは完全に予定調和だ。しかしミザールの顔には何故か不安はなかった。自分の造り出した物が友を撃ってしまう恐怖など何処にもなかったのだ。「なあに、心配は要らん。儂は死の間際にリーブラの可能性を見た。ミザールは確信を抱き、そして心底誇らしげに語る。ゴーレムが与えられた存在意義すらも超えて自らの意思で選択したならば、それはもう道具ではない。身体が肉ではなく鉄で出来ているというだけの一個の確たる存在だ。そしてそれが果たされたならばきっと、その時こそミザールがこのミズガルズ一のゴーレムの作り手であると証明される時でもある。ミザールはリーブラが真に『完成』を迎えるその瞬間を待ち望んでいる......信じている。「大丈夫だ、あいつは選べる......何せあいつは、儂の「――アロヴィナス様、申し訳ありません」リーブラは目を閉じたまま主へと謝罪の言葉を告げる。だってほら、こんなにも左の秤に物を載せ過ぎた。右に揺れなければならないはずなのに、もう天秤は揺れていない。「私はどうやら失敗作だったようです」「え?」真のマスターと認識した時、一度はそう呼ぼうとして何故かその後すぐに言い直してしまった。その後もずっとアロヴィナス様と呼び続けた。ルファスの事はあんなにも簡単にそう呼んでいたのに、一体どうしてなのだろう。「貴女を、何故かマスターと呼ぶ気にはなれない」女神より与えられたアストライアをパージし、そして決別の一撃を本来のマスターへと向けて発射した。を再び、今度は自らの意思で破損させ......二度と戻らぬように消去してしまった。天秤は間違えた方向へと傾いた。そして二度と揺れる事はないだろう。壊れた天秤はもう動かない。自らの意思で傾き、そして自らの心に従い壊れたのだ。 ......否。壊れたのではない。リーブラはきっと、今まで未完成だったのだろう。他から見てどれほど見事な出来であっても、製作者が完成と呼ばぬならばそれは未完成だ。故に――そう、これは完成だ。覇道十二星、『天秤』のリーブラは完成されたゴーレムなどではなかった......たった今、完成を迎えたのだ。その光景にルファスは満足そうに微笑み、そして未だ呆然としている女神へと煽るように告げる。ところで、それを答える前に一つ聞きたいのだが――今、どんな気分だ?」女神は答えず、しかし心底悔しそうな表情が全てを物語っていた。	“You know, Libra... I was mistaken. Because of stuff like fear and envy, I was clouded by the emotions that were right in my face and I lost myself in them.” This had happened in the past. It was the very last conversation that she had had with her creator and also a memory that she was unable to erase even now. That conversation happened on the day Mizar was defeated in the battle against the Demon King and during the time he was frail and weak. That was when he confessed to Libra. “Honestly... deep down, I think I should have been aware that I was mistaken. Deep within me, there was something that I couldn’t quite figure out, some... sense of duty or fear which felt like it’d been placed there by someone else. My heart was constantly ringing an alarm, causing me to hesitate. But I didn’t even notice it. ‘I’m right. Ruphas is wrong.’ ... I was caught up in those delusions and ended up betraying my friend.” His arms were no longer thick like they used to be. Instead, they were thin and frail. Furthermore, his arms from the elbows onwards had been turned into cold and lifeless artificial arms. His face was pale, lifeless and devoid of any willpower. Libra was expressionless as ever as she looked down on him lying on his side, as she dutifully spent her time together with her parent during his last moments. “Libra, don’t become like me. Keeping your duty in mind is fine. Thinking about the reason behind your existence is also fine... but if you ever lose your way, listen to what your heart is saying. Ask yourself if what you’re doing at that moment is right... if it’s really the path you yourself wanted to take. Just take a moment and think it through, at least once... I was... unable to do just that...” “Mizar-sama, I don’t have this ‘heart’ that you speak of.” “No, you do... you have a heart. I mean... look. Even though I didn’t give you any orders, you’re taking such dutiful care of me during my final moments. None of the other golems are doing such a thing.” “............” Mizar took hold of Libra’s hand with his trembling hands. What should have been warm hands which had created a countless number of inventions in the past were no longer present. The only thing that was present in that place were cold and manufactured hands just like Libra’s. Without any intention or purpose in mind, Libra returned his action by tightly clenching her hands around his. “It’ll be alright, Libra... You can choose. Even if you’re not ordered to, you can choose what you want to do with your own free will... I believe that you possess... what no other alchemist in Midgard... not even that Ruphas, could create... the thing called a ‘heart’... After all... you are... my masterpiece (daughter)...” – And so, the scales were rattled. To lean to the right would have been correct. To lean to the left would have been wrong. Before anyone had noticed, the loads on each side of the scales had become of equal weight. The battle which would determine the fate of the world had entered its climax. At this moment, arguably the source of everything, Ruphas, was standing off against the one who controlled all of the ouroboroses. The ones who were standing in Ruphas’s way were Dina and Libra... Both of whom had stood alongside Ruphas as her subordinates until just a while ago. But things were different now. Dina was now under the control of the Goddess, and Libra stood alongside her as a result of the very reason for her existence. “You’ve finally come.” Ruphas spoke with a chilly voice as she looked at the two of them. From the very beginning, she had predicted that things would turn out this way. She had very clearly understood that the two of them would stand in her way as enemies sooner or later. That was why she was not surprised. All she felt was a firm determination. She wasn’t going to say something cheesy like, “Give them back to me”. Instead, she would just take them for herself. It was irrelevant to her that they were the Goddess’s avatar and doll. One could say that it was a very tyrannical determination. But that was how determined Ruphas was right now. “Indeed. It was about time I got bored of letting you play around, you see. So shall we have you put an end to it now?” With Dina’s appearance. With Dina’s voice. The Goddess fixed her cold eyes on Ruphas and spoke. But Ruphas laughed in return as if she was ridiculing the whole situation. “You speak as if you could have sorted everything out whenever you wanted to. But aren’t we here because you couldn’t?” “No, I really could have, actually. If I wanted to, I could have erased you at any time. It’s just that I held back a little.” They both had an expression of complacency. Neither side doubted their chance at victory. Neither side considered even for a moment that they might be the one who would end up losing. Ruphas casually flexed her fingers and cracked her joints all the while the Goddess clenched her fist and gathered mana around it. Although Aigokeros had collected all of the mana in the surroundings, such a thing was unrelated to her. Now that she had a connection with the Goddess herself, the mana that Dina was gathering came from outside of the universe that they were in. It was supplied directly from the Goddess, and the amount of power that she could exhibit was effectively infinite. In front of that Goddess, Libra stepped in the way. As if to directly reciprocate that action, Scorpius came to stand in front of Ruphas. “Why don’t you wait for a moment? Does a mere traitor like you think you have the right to fight against Ruphas-sama, hmm? Against someone like you, this mistress is more than enough.” “Scorpius. I’ve already analysed all of your abilities, movements and weaknesses. You have no chance of winning. This statement is made after taking into consideration that you are currently level .” “Huh? Those are some big statements, aren’t they? Why don’t you try it then!?” One of Libra’s arms was currently a blade, and she was merged with a support golem that resembled Astraea on her back. It was... not the original Astraea. The original was designed by Ruphas, and in preparation for the worst-case scenario, was set to obey Ruphas’s orders rather than Libra’s. As a consequence, Libra was unable to use Astraea at this moment. As a result, this was most likely a piece of equipment bestowed upon Libra by the Goddess. The wings on this one were black, unlike the original, and the cannons on the back were the type that condensed and fired mana in the form of a concentrated mana laser. There were more mana cannons equipped around her lower back, but these were the type which fired mana as projectile bullets. All in all, it lacked any form of originality and there was barely any difference compared to the original Astraea, such that it would not be wrong to call it a copy-and-paste item. Having said that, it would be appropriate to assume that this new one’s performance surpassed that of the original’s. Scorpius also similarly had a weapon which had been bestowed upon her by Ruphas in her hands. The two of them were staring each other down as if they were rival cats and dogs. “Tssyaaaa!” Without waiting for a signal to begin, Scorpius transitioned into an attack. Her retractable weapon in the shape of a scorpion’s pincers flew towards Libra, who took off into the sky. Two compressed mana bullets were shot downwards from the cannons on Libra’s waist, gorging into the earth below. “Looks like they’ve started. Well, shall we observe them first?” “By the way, I just wanted to ask you something... How do you feel? How does it feel to be betrayed by someone you believed was loyal to you?” “... The answer to that... I’ll give it to you later.” Even while the Goddess and Ruphas spoke, the battle continued. Scorpius jumped out from the dust cloud. She controlled her hair freely, shooting it towards Libra. But Libra used the blade on her left arm to repel it, then instantly pointed all of the cannons on her right arm, shoulder and waist towards Scorpius. It was an all-out barrage without restraint. The five rays of light which she fired travelled straight towards Scorpius, but Scorpius was yanked away from the position as if she was pulled away by some force. By stabbing her weapon into the ground and retracting that, she was able to pull herself away from that position. Immediately after landing on the ground, she circled around to Libra’s back. She then breathed poison gas from her mouth... but as Libra was a golem, it was only natural that there was no effect on Libra. Cutting through the poison fog, Libra closed in on Scorpius. Libra’s blade and Scorpius’s unique weapon collided with one another, and sparks flew from the impact. When the impact repelled them from one another, they disappeared simultaneously, but Ruphas and the Goddess still chased the two’s movements with their eyes. The two of them were moving at a very rapid speed, such that they appeared as if they were simply shadowy blobs, and the ground exploded shortly after the shadows collided with one another. At this moment, Libra charged in to attack at her top speed. Scorpius in return decided to accept the attack directly from the front. Then... the impact. With the two of them as the centre, a blast of wind projected outwards and the ground below shattered and caved in. The attack this time turned into a battle of pure strength where neither side was willing to give in, as the two of them took appropriate positions to see it through to the end. Incidentally, the two’s line of sight intersected with one another. “Libra... I’ve never liked you from the beginning, but I’ve always acknowledged the loyalty that you had towards Ruphas-sama. So it’s really a shame... That someone like you would fall to the point where you’d become a doll for the third-rate Goddess.” “A third-rate!?” “Scorpius... Indeed, Alovenus-sama does often act third-rate as if it’s the most normal thing in the world. I won’t deny that.” “No way, please deny it!” “But I was her tool from the very beginning... There’s no way I could have fallen anywhere. I was as low as I could have been from the beginning. Nothing more.” “As low as you could have been!? ... What? Is that what you think of serving under me!?” A blade made out of light and Scorpius’s special weapon clashed with one another. The moment the reaction force from the impact rebounded their own attacks, they would immediately move on to their next attacks. Twice, thrice, and for the fourth time... each individual hit was supported by the full force of their might, and the small number of attacks was a testament to that force. On every impact, a shockwave was sent out, blowing away everything in the vicinity. Had there been any cities still left on Midgard, they would have been turned into empty and barren lands from these shockwaves. “Heh? What are you trying to say? Even though you were sticking so closely to Ruphas-sama all the time, were you just acting the whole time?” “It wasn’t technically an act. At the very least, during those times, I had recognised Ruphas-sama as my master.” “Aren’t you saying it quite clearly yourself, hmm?” “I would like to warn you that it’s a waste of time if you are hoping to make me have a change of heart. After all, I have no emotions.” This time, when the two parties’ blades intersected, blood flowed out from Scorpius’s cheek. As they had been travelling and fighting together until recently, Libra was already aware of Scorpius’s movements and habits. Notwithstanding that Scorpius was in a disadvantageous position in terms of attribute, defeating Libra when she had collected and analysed all necessary data would be no easy feat. Libra then flew up high into the sky and disappeared due to the distance she had created. Right afterwards, as if there was an air raid, small guided missiles came pouring down like a hailstorm. One after another, the missiles barraged the ground. Scorpius was pursued by repeated explosions. Within the storm of explosions, Ruphas lightly flicked away the missiles which erroneously came flying towards her location with the back of her hand. Similarly, the Goddess also retained her composure and kept the missiles away from her with just a simple shield. “I’ve always hated how you’re always so pretentious!” Scorpius wildly spun her weapon around and mowed down everything in the air. All the missiles, which were falling down, were caught by this action and ended up exploding midair. She then leapt up into the air. She got above Libra’s position and then kicked her down. But Libra used her arm to guard against the kick, and as a result, it did not result in a direct hit. Yet the force behind the kick was still enough to drop Libra all the way down to the surface. Right before hitting the ground, Libra managed to halt and launch herself back up. Dodging and parrying the mana bullets and mana lasers that Libra fired, Scorpius swung her weapon. But Libra managed to avoid Scorpius’s attacks by flying around in the air then proceeded to step down on Scorpius’s head and swatted her down. “Is that so? I’ve also never liked how you acted.” Libra replied in a chilly voice but noticed the oddity in her words right afterwards. Liked...? What do I mean, liked? I’m unrelated to something like that. To like or to hate, something vague like that is irrelevant to how I behave. The principle behind my actions is the reason for my existence. I was made so that I will do what I am doing, that is all there is to it. My will has no role to play in my decisions. To begin with, I don’t have an ego or a will that can intervene in my decision-making process. But... yes. I most likely had never viewed Scorpius positively. She always stuck right next to Ruphas and she asserted that it was her rightful spot. She would always sneak into Ruphas’s room at night but I would drive her back. Yet she never learnt her lesson. She would do the same thing every night. Towards someone like that, I... ... I... what? Could it be that I “hated her”? That’s impossible. I was not made to be able to feel emotion. Is there a glitch in my thought processor...? No, it’s very much normal. There are no abnormalities. Did Ruphas-sama plant something in its place? No, there are no traces of such a thing. “Libra, what are you doing!? Finish her off!” “... Understood, Alovenus-sama.” After receiving Alovenus’s command, Libra selected her attack. Now that Scorpius was level , her HP reserve had increased. Even at this point in the battle, it was still higher than 100 000... she could not be killed in a single hit by Brachium. However, if Libra was able to hit Scorpius with Brachium at this point, it would put her in a very advantageous position. It might even give her the momentum to allow her to push to the end. As such, the most optimal attack that she could select at this point was Brachium. All she had to do was weaken Scorpius right now and then finish her off afterwards. But the instant when she was about to fire the attack, Libra somehow recalled that time from two hundred years ago... and when she had reunited with Ruphas in that tomb all the way until today. “... Full Burst!” Libra simultaneously fired everything from all of her muzzles as an all-out barrage. Wrong, this is wrong. This is not the most optimal choice. Just as one would have expected, Scorpius dodged all of the attacks which were raining down on her. She then extended her weapon out towards Libra. Libra avoided this attack and then created some distance. “What’s wrong, Libra? Are you not going to use Brachium? If I were you, I would have used Brachium at that moment and ended the battle.” “... Are you not going to stop it? If I had done that, there was a high probability that Scorpius would have lost the battle and died as a result.” “Are you wanting me to stop you?” Libra questioned Ruphas, but Ruphas responded to her with a question of her own. What kind of a stupid question is she asking? Of course, there’s no way I’d ask the enemy to stop me from finishing off my opponent. But why was it...? For some reason, Libra was unable to say that out loud. She was unable to understand why herself. Was she broken? “Let me ask you something, Libra. Why do you think I’ve been letting you do whatever you wanted to up until now?” “... You just simply didn’t notice it... was not the case, I see.” “Indeed, I noticed it. Ever since two hundred years ago, in fact. That’s why I didn’t inform you of my plans as I did Dina. It’s also for the same reason I didn’t entrust you with the sealing of the ouroboroses.” “Then why?” “I wanted you to learn, that’s all.” Ruphas smiled as she talked. “Libra, you’re the most amazing golem. But even then, you lack something.” “I lack... something, you say?” “That’s right. You lack a heart. You are Mizar’s masterpiece, but even with his skill, he wasn’t able to give you a heart.” A heart... that was something that no golem could ever have. A golem’s specifications could be increased depending on how it was constructed. They could even be given high thought-processing functions. But there would still be no heart or emotion. Its decision making process would prioritise whether something was correct or not. Whether it was to the benefit or the detriment of its master. Whether it would be in line with the order it had received or not. That was all there was to it. There was no room for something vague such as their likes and dislikes or their personal opinions to come into play at any time during the decision making process. “Libra, right now, your master is the Goddess. If you wish to act in accordance with the reason for your existence as a golem, then the correct thing for you to do would be to follow the Goddess’s command. Having said that, let me say this to you and your budding heart of yours. I say this to you not as a doll, but as Libra. ... Come back, Libra. You’re on our side. I need your service.” “What a foolish thing to say.” Libra pointed all of her muzzles towards Ruphas. All she had to do was fire. All she had to do was fire and show Ruphas that they had gone their own separate ways. It was a simple thing to do. Yet, in the face of such a simple thing, why was she hesitating? As a golem, was this not the point where she would fire without any qualms? No, even before such a question, she was strange from the very beginning. If she had truly wanted to kill Taurus, then hadn’t she had more than enough opportunities to finish him off? Although Pollux and Castor had caught up with her, with her stats increased, she should have had more than sufficient strength to finish off Taurus at that time. Aries had turned his back on her numerous times. How many opportunities had she had where she was able to kill him? How many times had Virgo been defenceless against her? There were even times when only the two of them had been alone without Ruphas. So why had she not taken any action? A part of her memory was missing... was not an excuse that she could use. After all, golems would always follow through with their master’s command. As a consequence, even if they had no recollection of receiving the command, their actions would still be for the sake of fulfilling the order given to them by their master. ... So why was it that the whole time, she had been pretending to not realise that she had been ordered to “infiltrate and sabotage the enemy from the inside”? At this point, she recalled Aries’s smile, full of the faith that he had in her. The countless days they had travelled together after reuniting with one another in that tomb. The voices of her comrades. Mizar’s grief. Those times had brought forth something within Libra. “Libra... you, do you even realise what kind of face you’re making?” “... Of course I do. It’s a face which is ridiculing you guys... are you not able to see it?” When Libra was with Ruphas and the rest, she was always expressionless. With that consideration in mind, for her to be showing an expression of scorn itself could be thought of as a display of emotion. But Scorpius laughed it off. “Yeah, that’s right. That must be an expression that was taught to you by the Goddess... but I wonder why. To this mistress, it feels like your current expression is far more of a mask than usual. Almost as if you’re wearing a mask with a fixed expression on your face. You just look so pathetic.” Scorpius closed in on Libra without minding her defence, then grabbed Libra by her collar and lifted her off the ground. “Come back, you fool! I really, really hate you, but I’m so sick and tired of how pathetic you are right now that I don’t even feel like competing with you!” The Libra that Scorpius knew of was always expressionless. Despite her always remaining expressionless and acting as if she had absolutely no emotion, she would always station herself close to Ruphas and hog the spot as if it was her rightful place. Libra was fixated on that position more than anyone else. When this happened, Libra erased the sneering expression on her face and then looked back into Scorpius’s eyes with an ice-cold expression. Libra made that statement with a dry and emotionless voice then slammed the back of her fist into Scorpius’s face and forcibly pushed her away. With this attack, Scorpius’s HP dipped below 100 000. As a result, Scorpius could now be finished off with one hit. With how things had developed, there was no longer any reason for Libra to hesitate firing Brachium. Should she fire the skill, it would definitively end the battle. There was no option of not firing it. Libra locked onto Scorpius and then closed her eyes. – The scales then rattled. Before anyone had noticed, the loads on each side of the scales had become of equal weight. They rattled, they rattled, and they rattled... ... And eventually, they stopped rattling. Even after reuniting for the first time in two hundred years, the Seven Heroes’ coordination was perfect. It was as if there had never been a blank period in the first place and they had been fighting together as a team until just yesterday. That was just how fluid their movements were. Benetnash would be the one to charge into the vanguard and disrupt the enemy. Dubhe and Alioth would then push the front line with great vigour and pressure the enemy lines. During this time, Megrez and Phecda would use their arcane magic and long-range physical attacks respectively to provide supporting fire all the while Merak swiftly dealt with the enemy attacks. Mizar would then observe the battlefield and, depending on the situation they were in, would either supplement their offence or their defence. In the past, they challenged the Moon Ouroboros whilst lacking Benetnash and ended up losing. Although they had certainly lost against the Moon Ouroboros with their abilities, was that all there was to it? The guilt of betraying their friend and the resulting urge to self-destruct... it was simply impossible to assert that they felt no subconscious thoughts of wanting to lose or get hurt. And... when they entered a battle with those mindsets, they were far from being able to display their true abilities. If they were seeking punishment and defeat somewhere deep in their minds, even if they thought they were fighting seriously, it was impossible for them to display their true abilities. But this time was different. This time for sure, they were fighting for the sake of their friend. For the purpose of clearing away their debts, they returned and stood on the battlefield once more. As a result, their morale was sky-high. They thought that this time for sure, they would display the true abilities of themselves... of the Seven Heroes... to the ouroboros. “By the way, Mizar. If I recalled correctly, there was a golem that you made within the Twelve Heavenly Stars... isn’t that kinda bad? I mean, if you think about it, when you were making that golem, we were pretty messed up because of the Goddess. We were like... that... right?” “You’re right, it’s kinda bad. I left the order which was in the Selection Scales entirely untouched when I made it. The master of the golem is still the Goddess.” “Oi!” While providing support from the back, Phecda became curious about the topic and asked Mizar a question. The answer that he received affirmed his suspicions. It was not merely at the point of “kinda bad”. The chance of Libra betraying Ruphas was effectively set in stone. However, no concern could be seen on Mizar’s face. There was no fear that his creation would strike his own friend. “Well... whatever, there’s no need to worry about it. Right before I died, I saw potential in Libra. Even though I didn’t give her any orders to do so, she took care of me and stayed beside me during my final moments... A normal golem can’t do something like that.” Mizar firmly believed what he had said and he said so with pride. If a golem was able to select what to do based on their own will irrespective of the commands they received or the reason for their existence, then they could no longer be considered a tool. They would have become an entity of their own, with the only difference being that their body was metallic rather than flesh. If what Mizar believed was true, it would mean that, at that time, he would be proven to be the best golem creator in Midgard. Mizar was hoping for... believing in the moment when Libra would be truly “completed”. “It’ll all be fine. She’s able to decide for herself... after all, she’s my masterpiece (daughter)!” “– Alovenus-sama, I apologise.” While keeping her eyes closed, she apologised to her master. After all, there was far too much weight on her left beam. Even though she should have leaned to the right side, her scales were no longer rocking back and forth. “It seems I am a failed product.” “Eh?” When she had recognised Alovenus as her true master, she had tried to call her “master”, but for some reason, she had corrected herself right afterwards. From then onwards, she continued to refer to Alovenus as “Alovenus-sama”. Even though she was able to call Ruphas her “master” so easily, she could not understand why she was behaving in this way. “My lady, I am unable to make myself want to call you ‘master’.” Libra unequipped the Astraea which had been bestowed upon her by the Goddess, then pointed her muzzle at the Goddess. She then fired a farewell shot at her original master to indicate her choice. She corrupted the memory that the Goddess was her true master, this time on her own accord... then deleted it to make sure that it would not return. The scales had leaned to the wrong side completely. It would not swing back to the other side ever again. The scales, which were broken, would never work again. It leaned to one side according to its own will and it broke itself, also according to its own will. ... Correction. It did not become broken. In all likelihood, Libra was incomplete until this point. Irrespective of how complete she looked in the eyes of a third party, if the creator said that she was yet to be completed, then she was incomplete. And now... yes, now, she was “completed”. Until this point, Libra of the [Scales] in the Tyrannical Twelve Heavenly Stars was not a complete golem... but just now, she had been completed. Watching the whole scene as it transpired, Ruphas smiled in satisfaction and then spoke towards the Goddess, who still looked dumbfounded. “Oh yeah, I haven’t given you the answer to your question. But before that... By the way, I just wanted to ask you something... How do you feel right now?” The Goddess did not give an answer. But the mortified look on her face explained it all.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 17, "inserted_lines_src": 39, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
しかしおそらく最大の問題は、イスラム教学および多くのイスラム教徒の生活が、現代世界からますます乖離している点である。私たちは見通しがよく、外界で起きている事象を見聞きでき、動物のクローンさえ生み出す科学の時代に生きている。そしてこれらのすべてがコーランの信仰とは矛盾するように見えるのである。	But perhaps the greatest problem is the progressive isolation of Islamic scholarship – and much of Islamic life – from the rest of the modern world. We live in an age of science in which people can see around corners, hear and see things happening in outer space, and clone animals.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
セイヤは早速中休みになる、さっそくユアに聞いた。は毎日中休みになるとすぐに教室から出て、屋上に来ていた。生徒は通常立ち入り禁止なのだが、光属性の魔力を使った跳躍なら簡単に屋上まで跳べるため、毎日屋上に来ていたのだ。ついでに屋間目の自習もしていた。理由はクラスメイトの視線から逃れるためである。セイヤが初日の実践訓練で、ファンクラブ会長であるブリックを瞬殺したことにより、クラスメイトたちにセイヤに興味を持ち始めていた。そしてその興味の対象が、学園一の美女と一緒に行動していたならば、着いて行きたくなるのも当然である。「なあ、ユア。ユアはレイリア魔法大会の予選出るのか?」「出ない......でもセイヤが出るなら出る......」セイヤに合わせるというユア。そこでセイヤは、去年はどうしたのかを聞いてみる。「ユアは去年どうしたんだ?」ユアは少し考える素振りをしてから答えた。「出てない......」「なんでだ?」「出るチームメイトがいなかった......」セイヤは自分と同じような理由で出なかったユアに、謎の親近感を覚えながら返事をする。しかし、これはこれでチャンスだと思い、セイヤは自分の意思をユアに伝える。「俺は予選に出たいと思うんだが、一緒に出てくれるか?」ユアはセイヤの質問に即答した。セイヤはこれでまず、一人目のチームメイトを確保したため、次はリリィである。二人は自主練の授業が終わり、昼休みになると、すぐに訓練生の教室に向かう。訓練生の教室では、お目当てのリリィがナーリと一緒に二人のことを待っていた。セイヤとユアに気付いたリリィが、セイヤの方に駆け寄り、その後に続いてナーリも駆け寄りセイヤたちに挨拶をする。「セイヤ! お姉ちゃん!」「あっ、先輩、ユアさん、こんにちは」リリィは元気に二人を呼び、ナーリは二人に礼儀よくあいさつをする。「よお、よかったら一緒に昼飯どうだ?」「行く!」「私もいいんですか?」セイヤが二人を昼食に誘う。リリィは即答で答えたが、ナーリはどこか遠慮がちだ。セイヤはそんなナーリに言った。「気にするな。その方がリリィも楽しいだろうし」ナーリはどこか堅苦しい態度で答える。やはりまだ、年上のセイヤに緊張しているように思えた。そんな四人のことを、教室中の訓練生の男子たちが嫉妬のまなざしで見ている。ユアはこの学園でも知らぬ者はいないと言うほどの美少女として有名であり、リリィもまた、ユアと同じ一族名を持つ美幼女だ。それだけでうらやましいというのに、普通に可愛い美少女ナーリも一緒である。そんな美少女三人といっしょにいる金髪碧眼の少年は、一緒に食事するだけでなく、絶世の美少女たちに懐かれている。同じ男からしてみれば、セイヤのことを嫉妬せずにはいられない。しかしそんな訓練生の男子たちの嫉妬のまなざしを無視して、セイヤはユアたちと昼食へ向かう。四人が来たのは、この前と同じレストランだ。レストランはお昼時だったが、ちょうど四人分空いていたらしく、四人はすぐに座ることができた。セイヤが最初に席に着くと、セイヤの隣にユア、セイヤの正面にリリィが座り、リリィの隣にナーリが座る。四人は席に着くとすぐに注文をした。セイヤとユアはパスタを、リリィとナーリはハンバーグを注文して店員は席を離れる。セイヤは料理が運ばれてくるのを待っている間に、リリィにレイリア魔法大会の予選についての話をする。「リリィはレイリア魔法大会って知っているか?」「なにそれ?」案の定、リリィはレイリア魔法大会を知らなかった。それもそのはずだ。ついこの間までダリス大峡谷にいたのだから、知らないのも当然である。だからセイヤはレイリア魔法大会について簡単に説明する。「レイリア魔法大会っていうのは、この国の最強学生魔法師を決める戦いだ」「へぇ~」リリィはそんな返事をするが、全く理解している雰囲気がない。仕方ないので、後で大人バージョンのリリィに説明してもらおうと考えたセイヤは、話を続ける。「それで、俺とユアはそれに出るんだが、リリィも一緒に出ないか?」「お姉ちゃんも?」「じゃあ出る!」リリィはユアとセイヤが出ているのに、出ないと言うわけもなく、元気よく返事をした。これで予選メンバーが決まった、とセイヤが思ったその時、リリィの隣に座っていたナーリがセイヤに質問する。「いいのですか、先輩?」ナーリの質問がどういう意味か、わからなかったセイヤは素で聞いてしまう。「えっと、訓練生を入れてよかったのか、と言うことです」「あれ、アルセニアの予選って訓練生禁止だったのか?」リリィの本当の強さを知っているセイヤは、ナーリの言いたいことが理解できてい。ナーリは自分の言っていることがおかしいのかな、と不安になりながらも理由を言う。「違いますって。ブリック先輩を瞬殺できるほどの先輩に、ユアさんなら他にチームを組みたがる人がいるのではないのでしょうか、という事です」ナーリの質問で、セイヤの噂が訓練生にまで広がっていることを知ったセイヤ。同時にセイヤはナーリの言いたいことをセイヤは完全に理解した。ナーリは、セイヤが人数不足のため、リリィを勧誘したと思っているのだ。ナーリはリリィがウンディーネと言うことを知らないため、当然ながらリリィの本当の実力も知らない。だからセイヤはナーリの誤解を解く。「違うぞ、ナーリ。リリィは数合わせじゃなく、力が欲しいから勧誘したんだ。リリィは意外に強いんだぞ」「そうだよ! リリィは強いよ!」「そうだったんですか。ごめんなさい」素直に謝ってくるナーリに対し、セイヤは気にするなと答える。そして今度はセイヤがナーリに聞いた。「ところでナーリ。俺の噂って、広まっているのか?」「噂って、ブリック先輩とのことですか?」「そうだ」セイヤは自分の噂が気になって仕方がなかった。もし変な風になっていたら、即刻訂正する必要があるから。「はい、結構広がっていますよ。ブリック先輩はアルセニア魔法学園でもかなりレベルの高い魔法師で、ファンクラブの中でも師匠と呼ばれていたくらいですから。その師匠を瞬殺した先輩は、訓練生の中では憧れの的になっていますよ」どうやらセイヤは一部の訓練生の男子の中で、ヒーロー扱いをされているらしい。おそらく訓練生の中にもコニーのような経験をした者がいるのだろう。同時にセイヤは納得する。先ほどの訓練生たちの視線の中に、嫉妬だけでなく憧れのような好意的な目もあった理由を。そしてしばらくすると、注文していた料理が運ばれてきた。四人は楽しく昼食をとり、学園へと戻る。「すいません先輩。またご馳走になってしまい」「気にするな。二人とも午後も頑張れよ」「はい」「うん!」そう言って、二人と別れたセイヤはユアと一緒に教室へ向かう。「なあユア、今日中に予選の申し込みを済ませた方がいいか?」セイヤが教室へ向かう途中、ユアにいつ申し込むべきかと聞いた。「じゃあ、放課後申し込みに行くか」「それがいい......」ユアはそう言うと、セイヤの腕に自分の腕を絡める。そして午後の授業に臨むのだった。放課後、セイヤ、ユア、リリィ、ナーリで帰る前に事務所に寄り、予選の申し込みを行った。キリスナ=セイヤ魔法学園二年生ユア=アルーニャ魔法学園二年生リリィ=アルーニャ魔法学園訓練生こうして、セイヤたち三人の、レイリア魔法大会アルセニア魔法学園選抜予選の登録が完了した。	As soon as it was break time, Seiya approached Yua. Every day, during this time, they were staying on the rooftop. Students weren’t supposed to be there, but using the mana of light attribute to jump, they were able to come here every day. They also did their rd and th hour training here. The reason is, they were able to escape from the others’ eyes here. After he dominated Brick during the practical training, the classmates showed even more interest in his persona. And if the target of their attention is always with the first beauty of the academy, they just couldn’t let it go. 「Listen, Yua. Will you participate in the qualifiers of the Leiria Magic Tournament? 」「I won’t....But if Seiya wants to, I will....」 Yua’s answer was the same as Seiya’s. There, Seiya asked about the previous tournament. 「What did you do in the previous year?」 After thinking for a while, Yua answered. 「Didn’t participate....」「I didn’t have any teammates.....」 Seiya felt a sense of affinity with Yua, who didn’t participate because of the same reason. Thinking that it is a big chance, Seiya told his intentions. 「I’m thinking of participating in the qualifiers, will you participate with me?」 Yua immediately accepted the proposal. The first teammate was secured, the next was Lily. The two immediately departed for the trainee’s classroom, once it was a time for the lunch break. Once Lily noticed Seiya and Yua, she swiftly ran toward them, following after her, Nari too approached them with a greeting. 「Seiya! Big sister! 」「Ah, senpai, Yua-san. Greetings」 Lily cheerfully called out to them, while Nari greeted them politely. 「Yo, how about a lunch together?」「I’ll go!」「Is it fine for me too?」 Seiya invited them for a lunch. Lily answered at a light speed, but Nari seemed to be holding herself back. To such a Nari, Seiya said. 「Don’t worry. This way, Lily will have a good time too」 []「Understood. Please allow me to accompany you」 Nari answered with a formal attitude. Apparently, she was still nervous before Seiya, who was older than she was. Directed at these four, were the jealous gazes of the male trainees. There was no one who wasn’t aware of Yua’s beauty, and Lily as well was a once in a generation beauty. If only this was the end, but there was also the cute neighbor girl Nari. And the blonde blue-eyed youth was about to have lunch with them. Not just that, the beauties seemed to be well behaved around him. From the standpoint of a male, you couldn’t not be jealous of him. However, ignoring the gazes of the male audience, Seiya went away with them to have a lunch. The four came to the same restaurant as the last time. Although it was a lunch break, there were precisely four vacant seats, so they managed to find a place without a problem. Seiya took his seat first, Yua sat next to him, Lily sat across and Nari next to Lily. Four people ordered as soon as they sat down. Seiya and Yua ordered pasta, Lily and Nari ordered a hamburger. The waiter received their order and swiftly left. While Seiya waited for the food to be brought, he asked Lily about the Leiria Magic Tournament. 「Lily, do you know about the Leiria Magic Tournament?」「What is that?」 Sure enough, Lily didn’t know anything. She just recently left the Great Dalis Canyon, her lack of knowledge is understandable. That’s why Seiya briefly explained about the Leiria Magic Tournament. 「It is a tournament to decide the strongest student magician in this kingdom」「Hee~」 Lily answered as such, she clearly didn’t understand a thing. Seiya thought about explaining it to the adult version and proceeded with the conversation. 「Me and Yua are going to participate, will you join us?」「Big sister too?」「Then I will too!」 Hearing that Seiya and Yua were participating, she immediately responded positively. With this, the team members were decided, while Seiya thought that, Nari, sitting next to Lily, asked a question. 「Is it fine, senpai?」「With what?」 Seiya, who didn’t get what she mean, asked for the details. 「Etto, I was asking if it is okay to include a trainee」「Are they prohibited from entering in the Arsenia Magic Academy?」 Seiya, who knew Lily’s real strength, thought that he understood what Nari meant. Nari however, thought that she was getting weird and worriedly said the reason. 「Wrong. You have the ability to finish off Brick-senpai in a second, and also Yua-san by your side. Maybe you aren’t willing to join the others’ teams? 」 Hearing her, Seiya understood that the rumors already reached the trainees. At the same time, he finally comprehended what she meant. Nari thought that they approached Lily because of lack of people. Nari didn’t know about Lily’s identity as an Undine, as well as her ability. That’s why Seiya dissolved her misunderstanding. 「You are wrong, Nari. We do not want her to fill the numbers, we want her because of her ability. Lily is unexpectedly strong」「That’s right! Lily is strong! 」「So it was like that. Please excuse me」 Towards the apologizing Nari, Seiya said to not worry about it. This time, Seiya asked Nari. 「By the way, Nari. Is the rumor about me still spreading? 」「Rumors about Brick-senpai?」「That’s right」 Seiya had no choice but to worry about the rumors. If there are some strange rumors around, he needs to resolve it fast. 「Yes, it spread pretty fast. In the Arsenia Magic Academy, Brick is considered an outstanding individual, some people in the fan club even call him a teacher. Senpai, who destroyed such a Brick in a second, is greatly admired amongst the trainees」 Apparently, part of the trainee boys considers Seiya a hero. Most likely, some of them experienced the same as Connie. At the same time, he was convinced. Amongst the stares back then, there was adoration mixed with jealousy. After a while, the food arrived. The four had a fun lunch and returned to the academy. 「Sorry, senpai. I was treated again」「Don’t mind. Don’t slack off in the afternoon, you two」「Yes」「Un! 」 Having said so, they spit up, and Seiya and Yua headed for their classroom. 「Hey, Yua. Is it fine if we finish with the registration today? 」 On the way to the classroom, Seiya made a proposal. 「Then, let’s finish it after school」「That is fine too....」 She said so and entangled her arm with Seiya’s. The afternoon classes continued. After school, Seiya, Yua, Lily, and Nari, before going home, successfully finished their registration. Qualifications entry number Kiritsuna Seiya, second year Yua Arunia, second year Lily Arunia, trainee Just like that, their registration on the Leiria Magic Tournament qualifiers has ended.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 7, "inserted_lines_trg": 5 }
当時31歳でワシントン州シアトル在住でしたグレッチェンという婚約者がいて運命の人との結婚を間近に控えていましたある夜二人はおしゃれなレストランで食事を楽しみ家に戻る途中警官に止められましたその日の夕方女性ヒッチハイカーが男にレイプされる事件があったのですがタイタスの車はレイプ犯の車と似たところがありタイタス自身も犯人とどこか似ているというのですそこで警察はタイタスの写真を撮りほかの人の写真と一緒に被害者に見せましたすると被害者はタイタスの写真を指差し「この人が一番近い」と言ったのです警察と検察は逮捕・起訴に踏み切りましたスティーブ・タイタスが強姦罪で公判に付されたときレイプの被害者は証言台に立ちこう言いました「この人で絶対に間違いない」タイタスは有罪判決を受けました彼は無実だと主張し家族も陪審に叫び声をあげ婚約者はその場に泣き崩れましたそしてタイタスは刑務所へ送られますこのときあなたならどうしますか? どうしますか? タイタスは司法への信頼を完全に失いますがあることを思いつきます地元の新聞社に電話しある調査ジャーナリストの協力を得ることに成功しますそしてそのジャーナリストは真犯人にたどり着きましたその男は最終的にこのレイプを自白しこの地区で 50件ものレイプをしていたと考えられていますこの情報が裁判所に提出されタイタスは自由の身となりましたこれで一件落着しすべて終わりとなるべきでしたこれで一件落着しすべて終わりとなるべきでしたタイタスにしてもこれは最悪の一年で冤罪との闘いもようやく終わったと思ったはずですでもそうは行きませんでしたタイタスはかなり憤慨していました仕事を失いそれを取り戻すこともできず婚約者まで失いました彼のしつこい怒りに婚約者は耐えられなかったのですタイタスは貯金も尽き裁判を起こすことを決意しました彼の味わった苦痛の責任を負うべき― 警察などを相手取った裁判です私がこの件に関わったのはその時からで私が解明しようとしたのはなぜ被害者の証言が「この人が一番近い」から「この人で絶対に間違いない」に変わったのかですタイタスはこの裁判にのめりこみ寝ても覚めてもこのことばかり考えていました裁判所に出廷するほんの数日前タイタスは朝目覚めると身もよじれるほどの激痛に襲われストレス性の心臓発作で亡くなりました 35歳でした私がタイタスの事件を頼まれたのは私が心理科学者で記憶の研究をしているからですもう数十年になります飛行機で乗り合わせた人と― ここへ来る時にもありましたが― 飛行機で乗り合わせた人と― 「お仕事は何を?」というやりとりをしますよね「記憶の研究」と私が答えるとたいてい「人の名前を覚えられない」とか「アルツハイマー病や記憶障害の親戚がいる」という話になりますでも私は「忘れる」ことは研究していないのですでも私は「忘れる」ことは研究していないのです私の研究はその反対で「記憶する」こと― 起きてもいないことを覚えていることや実際とは違う風に覚えていることを研究しています私は虚偽記憶を研究しているのです残念ながらスティーブ・タイタス以外にも他人の虚偽記憶によって有罪とされた人たちがいます米国のあるプロジェクトで無実の罪に問われた― 300名の情報を集めました犯していない罪で有罪とされたこの300名の被告は刑務所で 10年 20年 30年を過ごし今になって DNA鑑定により無実が証明されたのですこれらを分析した結果 4分の3のケースは目撃証人の「誤った記憶」が原因でしたなぜこんなことに? これら無実の人たちを有罪とした陪審員やタイタスを有罪とした陪審員をはじめ多くの人が記憶というものを記録装置と同一視しています人は情報をそのまま記録しておいてそれを呼び出して再生し質問に答えたりイメージを認識したりするというわけですしかし何十年にもわたる心理学研究がそうではないことを証明しています私たちの記憶は組み立てられるもので再構成もされます記憶はむしろウィキペディアのようなものです自ら内容を書き換えることもできれば他人が書き換えることもできます私がこの記憶の構成過程の研究に着手したのは 1970年代でしたそのとき行った実験では被験者に模擬犯罪や事故の現場を見せ覚えていることについて質問をしましたある研究では模擬事故を見せこう聞きました車がぶつかった時速度はどれくらいだったか? 別の人たちにはこう聞きました車が激突したとき速度はどれくらいだったか? 「激突」という言葉で質問をしたとき証人たちが証言する車の速度は上がりさらに「激突」という言葉を使うことによってある証言を得る確率が上がりました事故現場でガラスが割れているのを見たというのです実際はガラスは割れていなかったのにです別の研究では車が― 一時停止の標識がある交差点を突っ切る模擬事故を見せました徐行の標識があったことをほのめかす質問をすると多くの証人は交差点にあったのは徐行の標識で一時停止の標識ではなかったと言いました皆さんはこうお考えかもしれませんねこれはビデオだから特に緊迫した状況ではないとではもっと緊迫した状況なら同じ間違いは起こらないのでしょうか? 答えは私たちがほんの数ヶ月前に発表した論文に載っていますこの研究では通常と違い被験者に強いストレスのかかる経験をさせたのですこの研究の被験者は米軍に属し悲惨な訓練に耐えている人たちでした戦争捕虜としてとらえられることがどんなものか学ぶための訓練ですこの訓練の過程で軍人たちは 30分間肉体的虐待を含む攻撃的で厳しい尋問を受けますその後尋問をした人を特定するよう指示されます私たちが別の人物を暗示する情報を与えると私たちが別の人物を暗示する情報を与えると多くの人が尋問した人を間違えましたしばしば実際の人とは似ても似つかない人を選んだりもしましたこれらの研究が示しているのは経験した事実について誤った情報を与えると他人の記憶を歪曲したりねつ造したり変えてしまうことが可能だということです現実世界は誤った情報であふれています私たちが誤情報に触れるのは誘導尋問をされるときだけではありません他の証人と話していて相手が意識的にあるいは何の気なしに言う― 情報が誤っていることもありますまた経験していてもおかしくないことをメディアの報道を通じて見ることによっても私たちの記憶は歪められてしまう可能性があります 1990年代私たちはさらに危険な「記憶」を目にするようになりました何らかの問題で心理療法を受けた患者が― うつや摂食障害などの治療です― 治療を終えると別の問題を抱えるようになっていたのですおぞましい虐待に関する常軌を逸した記憶です悪魔崇拝儀式や本当に異様な要素を含んでいることもあります心理療法を終えたある女性は何年もの間儀礼虐待を受け妊娠までさせられ堕胎もしたと信じ切っていましたでもその話を裏付けるような傷跡やその他の身体的証拠はありませんでした傷跡やその他の身体的証拠はありませんでしたこうしたケースを調査し始めて思いましたこの奇妙な記憶はどこから来るのだろう? そしてほとんどのケースである特殊な心理療法が行われていたことに気づきましたそこで思ったのですこの心理療法で行われていること― 想像訓練や夢判断一部の例では催眠や虚偽の情報にさらすこと― こうしたことが患者に奇妙でありえない記憶を作らせているのではないか? 奇妙でありえない記憶を作らせているのではないか? そこで私は実験を企画しこの心理療法で使われるプロセスを検証できるようにしこのような内容豊かな虚偽記憶がどうやって形成されるか研究しました最初に行った実験の一つで私たちは暗示を使いました問題になっていた心理療法から着想した手法である種の暗示を使って被験者に偽りの記憶を植え付けました子どものとき 5歳か6歳ごろショッピング・モールで迷子になって怖くて泣いていたらお年寄りに助けられ家族と再会できたという記憶ですその結果私たちはこの記憶を被験者の4分の1に植え付けることに成功しましたこうお考えかもしれませんねあまりストレスのある記憶ではないとでも我々研究者はもっと非日常的でもっとストレスのかかる― 内容豊かな虚偽記憶の植え付けも行っていますテネシー州で行われた研究で研究者が植えつけた虚偽記憶は子どものときおぼれかけて救命士に助けられたというものでしたカナダの研究で研究者が植えつけた虚偽記憶は子どものときにどう猛な動物に襲われたようなひどい経験でこの植え付けは被験者の約半分で成功しましたイタリアで行われた研究で研究者が植えつけた虚偽記憶は子どものとき悪魔憑きを目撃したというものでしたこうした実験はまるで科学という名のもとに被験者にトラウマを与えているようですが科学という名のもとに被験者にトラウマを与えているようですが私たちの研究は研究倫理委員会の精査を受け承認されたものだということを付け加えておきます承認されたものだということを付け加えておきます実験において被験者は一時的に不快感を抱くかもしれないがこれらの研究は記憶の過程を理解し世界各地で起こっている記憶の悪用問題を解決するために世界各地で起こっている記憶の悪用問題を解決するために必要だと判断されたのです驚いたことに私がこの研究成果を発表しある特定の心理療法に異論を唱え始めると困った問題が起きましたひどい嫌がらせを受けたのです主に自分たちへの攻撃と捉えた― 抑圧記憶のセラピストからで影響を受けた患者からもです私は時には武装した護衛をつけて招待講演にのぞみました私の解雇を狙った手紙攻撃キャンペーンも展開されましたでもおそらく最悪だったのはある女性の無実を私が主張したことです彼女は成人した娘から虐待者として責められていました娘は母親を性的虐待で非難していましたがその根拠は抑圧された記憶でした告発をした娘は実際に自分の話をカメラの前で語りそれを公開していました私は疑念を抱き調査を始めて最終的に母親が無実であると確信できる情報を見つけました私がこれに関する暴露記事を発表すると告発していた娘はそのすぐ後に訴訟を起こしました彼女の名前は完全に伏せていたのですが名誉棄損とプライバシー侵害で私を訴えたのですほぼ5年もの間泥沼の裁判をし不快な思いもしましたがついにようやく終わって私も自分の仕事に戻れましたでもその過程で私はアメリカの悪しき風潮に巻き込まれました世間で大論争になっていることを話題にしただけで科学者が訴えられるという風潮です研究に戻った私にこんな疑問が湧きました誰かの心に虚偽記憶を植えたら影響はあるのだろうか? その後の考え方や行動に影響を与えるんだろうか? まず試した虚偽記憶は子どものときある食べ物で具合が悪くなったというものですゆで卵やピクルス苺のアイスを使いましたこの虚偽記憶を植えたあと被験者を戸外の食事に招くとこれらの食べ物を以前ほど食べなくなることがわかりました虚偽記憶は悪いことや不快なことである必要はありませんアスパラガスなどの健康的な食べ物にまつわる― 心が温まるような記憶を植えつければアスパラガスをもっと食べたくなるようにできますこれらの研究が示しているのは虚偽記憶は植え付けが可能でその記憶が根付いた後は長期に渡って行動に影響を及ぼすということですこうして記憶を植え行動をコントロールすることはこうして記憶を植え行動をコントロールすることは当然重大な倫理的問題を伴います例えばこの心理技術をいつ使うべきか使用を禁止するべきかといったことです倫理上療法士は患者に虚偽記憶を植えてはいけませんそれが患者のためになるとしてもですでも親が肥満の子どもにこの方法を使うことは止められていませんこれを公言したときまた激しい抗議を受けました「今度は親が子供に嘘をつくことを推奨するのか」サンタはどうなの? つまり別の言い方をするならこれは選択の問題なのです子どもが肥満や糖尿病で寿命を縮め様々な問題を抱えるのとちょっとした虚偽記憶を持つのとどちらが良いか私なら我が子のためにどちらを選ぶか決まっていますでももしかしたら仕事柄人とは考え方が違うのかもしれませんほとんどの人にとって記憶は大切で自分のアイデンティティーや人間としての本質を象徴するものですそれは十分理解しますし私もそう感じますでも私は仕事を通じてどれだけフィクションが世にあふれているか知っていますこの数十年こうした問題を研究してきて何か学んだとすればこれです誰かに何か言われてその人が自信満々で詳細に語ったとしても感情がこもっていたとしてもそれが事実とは限りません虚偽の記憶を確実に見破る方法はありません一つ一つ実証していくことが必要ですこうしたことに気付いたことで友人や家族の日々の記憶違いにより寛容になりました友人や家族の日々の記憶違いにより寛容になりましたこの気付きがあればスティーブ・タイタスを救えたかもしれません虚偽記憶によって彼は将来を奪い取られずに済んだかもしれませんでも同時に心に留めておくべきはしっかり留めておくべきは記憶は自由と同じではかないものだということですありがとうございましたありがとうございます (拍手) どうもありがとうございます (拍手)	He was 31 years old, he lived in Seattle, Washington, he was engaged to Gretchen, about to be married, she was the love of his life. And one night, the couple went out for a romantic restaurant meal. They were on their way home, and they were pulled over by a police officer. You see, Titus' car sort of resembled a car that was driven earlier in the evening by a man who raped a female hitchhiker, and Titus kind of resembled that rapist. So the police took a picture of Titus, they put it in a photo lineup, they later showed it to the victim, and she pointed to Titus' photo. She said, "That one's the closest." The police and the prosecution proceeded with a trial, and when Steve Titus was put on trial for rape, the rape victim got on the stand and said, "I'm absolutely positive that's the man." And Titus was convicted. He proclaimed his innocence, his family screamed at the jury, his fiancée collapsed on the floor sobbing, and Titus is taken away to jail. So what would you do at this point? What would you do? Well, Titus lost complete faith in the legal system, and yet he got an idea. He called up the local newspaper, he got the interest of an investigative journalist, and that journalist actually found the real rapist, a man who ultimately confessed to this rape, a man who was thought to have committed 50 rapes in that area, and when this information was given to the judge, the judge set Titus free. And really, that's where this case should have ended. It should have been over. Titus should have thought of this as a horrible year, a year of accusation and trial, but over. It didn't end that way. Titus was so bitter. He'd lost his job. He couldn't get it back. He lost his fiancée. She couldn't put up with his persistent anger. He lost his entire savings, and so he decided to file a lawsuit against the police and others whom he felt were responsible for his suffering. And that's when I really started working on this case, trying to figure out how did that victim go from "That one's the closest" to "I'm absolutely positive that's the guy." Well, Titus was consumed with his civil case. He spent every waking moment thinking about it, and just days before he was to have his day in court, he woke up in the morning, doubled over in pain, and died of a stress-related heart attack. He was 35 years old. So I was asked to work on Titus' case because I'm a psychological scientist. I study memory. I've studied memory for decades. And if I meet somebody on an airplane -- this happened on the way over to Scotland -- if I meet somebody on an airplane, and we ask each other, "What do you do? What do you do?" and I say "I study memory," they usually want to tell me how they have trouble remembering names, or they've got a relative who's got Alzheimer's or some kind of memory problem, but I have to tell them I don't study when people forget. I study the opposite: when they remember, when they remember things that didn't happen or remember things that were different from the way they really were. I study false memories. Unhappily, Steve Titus is not the only person to be convicted based on somebody's false memory. In one project in the United States, information has been gathered on 300 innocent people, 300 defendants who were convicted of crimes they didn't do. They spent 10, 20, 30 years in prison for these crimes, and now DNA testing has proven that they are actually innocent. And when those cases have been analyzed, three quarters of them are due to faulty memory, faulty eyewitness memory. Well, why? Like the jurors who convicted those innocent people and the jurors who convicted Titus, many people believe that memory works like a recording device. You just record the information, then you call it up and play it back when you want to answer questions or identify images. But decades of work in psychology has shown that this just isn't true. Our memories are constructive. They're reconstructive. Memory works a little bit more like a Wikipedia page: You can go in there and change it, but so can other people. I first started studying this constructive memory process in the 1970s. I did my experiments that involved showing people simulated crimes and accidents and asking them questions about what they remember. In one study, we showed people a simulated accident and we asked people, how fast were the cars going when they hit each other? And we asked other people, how fast were the cars going when they smashed into each other? And if we asked the leading "smashed" question, the witnesses told us the cars were going faster, and moreover, that leading "smashed" question caused people to be more likely to tell us that they saw broken glass in the accident scene when there wasn't any broken glass at all. In another study, we showed a simulated accident where a car went through an intersection with a stop sign, and if we asked a question that insinuated it was a yield sign, many witnesses told us they remember seeing a yield sign at the intersection, not a stop sign. And you might be thinking, well, you know, these are filmed events, they are not particularly stressful. Would the same kind of mistakes be made with a really stressful event? In a study we published just a few months ago, we have an answer to this question, because what was unusual about this study is we arranged for people to have a very stressful experience. The subjects in this study were members of the U.S. military who were undergoing a harrowing training exercise if they are ever captured as prisoners of war. And as part of this training exercise, these soldiers are interrogated in an aggressive, hostile, physically abusive fashion for 30 minutes and later on they have to try to identify the person who conducted that interrogation. And when we feed them suggestive information that insinuates it's a different person, many of them misidentify their interrogator, often identifying someone who doesn't even remotely resemble the real interrogator. And so what these studies are showing is that when you feed people misinformation about some experience that they may have had, you can distort or contaminate or change their memory. Well out there in the real world, misinformation is everywhere. We get misinformation not only if we're questioned in a leading way, but if we talk to other witnesses who might consciously or inadvertently feed us some erroneous information, or if we see media coverage about some event we might have experienced, all of these provide the opportunity for this kind of contamination of our memory. In the 1990s, we began to see an even more extreme kind of memory problem. Some patients were going into therapy with one problem -- maybe they had depression, an eating disorder -- and they were coming out of therapy with a different problem. Extreme memories for horrific brutalizations, sometimes in satanic rituals, sometimes involving really bizarre and unusual elements. One woman came out of psychotherapy believing that she'd endured years of ritualistic abuse, where she was forced into a pregnancy and that the baby was cut from her belly. But there were no physical scars or any kind of physical evidence that could have supported her story. And when I began looking into these cases, I was wondering, where do these bizarre memories come from? And what I found is that most of these situations involved some particular form of psychotherapy. And so I asked, were some of the things going on in this psychotherapy -- like the imagination exercises or dream interpretation, or in some cases hypnosis, or in some cases exposure to false information -- were these leading these patients to develop these very bizarre, unlikely memories? And I designed some experiments to try to study the processes that were being used in this psychotherapy so I could study the development of these very rich false memories. In one of the first studies we did, we used suggestion, a method inspired by the psychotherapy we saw in these cases, we used this kind of suggestion and planted a false memory that when you were a kid, five or six years old, you were lost in a shopping mall. You were frightened. You were crying. You were ultimately rescued by an elderly person and reunited with the family. And we succeeded in planting this memory in the minds of about a quarter of our subjects. And you might be thinking, well, that's not particularly stressful. But we and other investigators have planted rich false memories of things that were much more unusual and much more stressful. So in a study done in Tennessee, researchers planted the false memory that when you were a kid, you nearly drowned and had to be rescued by a life guard. And in a study done in Canada, researchers planted the false memory that when you were a kid, something as awful as being attacked by a vicious animal happened to you, succeeding with about half of their subjects. And in a study done in Italy, researchers planted the false memory, when you were a kid, you witnessed demonic possession. I do want to add that it might seem like we are traumatizing these experimental subjects in the name of science, but our studies have gone through thorough evaluation by research ethics boards that have made the decision that the temporary discomfort that some of these subjects might experience in these studies is outweighed by the importance of this problem for understanding memory processes and the abuse of memory that is going on in some places in the world. Well, to my surprise, when I published this work and began to speak out against this particular brand of psychotherapy, it created some pretty bad problems for me: hostilities, primarily from the repressed memory therapists, and by the patients whom they had influenced. I had sometimes armed guards at speeches that I was invited to give, people trying to drum up letter-writing campaigns to get me fired. But probably the worst was I suspected that a woman was innocent of abuse that was being claimed by her grown daughter. She accused her mother of sexual abuse based on a repressed memory. And this accusing daughter had actually allowed her story to be filmed and presented in public places. I was suspicious of this story, and so I started to investigate, and eventually found information that convinced me that this mother was innocent. I published an exposé on the case, and a little while later, the accusing daughter filed a lawsuit. Even though I'd never mentioned her name, she sued me for defamation and invasion of privacy. And I went through nearly five years of dealing with this messy, unpleasant litigation, but finally, finally, it was over and I could really get back to my work. In the process, however, I became part of a disturbing trend in America where scientists are being sued for simply speaking out on matters of great public controversy. When I got back to my work, I asked this question: if I plant a false memory in your mind, does it have repercussions? Does it affect your later thoughts, your later behaviors? Our first study planted a false memory that you got sick as a child eating certain foods: hard-boiled eggs, dill pickles, strawberry ice cream. And we found that once we planted this false memory, people didn't want to eat the foods as much at an outdoor picnic. The false memories aren't necessarily bad or unpleasant. If we planted a warm, fuzzy memory involving a healthy food like asparagus, we could get people to want to eat asparagus more. And so what these studies are showing is that you can plant false memories and they have repercussions that affect behavior long after the memories take hold. Well, along with this ability to plant memories and control behavior obviously come some important ethical issues, like, when should we use this mind technology? And should we ever ban its use? Therapists can't ethically plant false memories in the mind of their patients even if it would help the patient, but there's nothing to stop a parent from trying this out on their overweight or obese teenager. And when I suggested this publicly, it created an outcry again. "There she goes. She's advocating that parents lie to their children." Hello, Santa Claus. I mean, another way to think about this is, which would you rather have, a kid with obesity, diabetes, shortened lifespan, all the things that go with it, or a kid with one little extra bit of false memory? I know what I would choose for a kid of mine. But maybe my work has made me different from most people. Most people cherish their memories, know that they represent their identity, who they are, where they came from. And I appreciate that. I feel that way too. But I know from my work how much fiction is already in there. If I've learned anything from these decades of working on these problems, it's this: just because somebody tells you something and they say it with confidence, just because they say it with lots of detail, just because they express emotion when they say it, it doesn't mean that it really happened. We can't reliably distinguish true memories from false memories. We need independent corroboration. Such a discovery has made me more tolerant of the everyday memory mistakes that my friends and family members make. Such a discovery might have saved Steve Titus, the man whose whole future was snatched away by a false memory. But meanwhile, we should all keep in mind, we'd do well to, that memory, like liberty, is a fragile thing. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thanks very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
2,3ヶ月後には世界がマイクロソフト研究チームの新たな発明品の幕開けを祝っていることでしょうガリレオが4世紀前に宇宙の見方を変えたのと同様に私達の宇宙の見方に対して大きな影響を与えることでしょうその発明とはWorldWide Telescopeです TEDとマイクロソフトに多くの方に本日これを紹介する機会をいただいたことに感謝しますもしお時間がありましたら下の階のTED Labにも足を運んでみて下さい WorldWide Telescopeは地球上と宇宙空間にある巨大な望遠鏡からの最高の画像を継ぎ目なくつなぎあわせ宇宙の全体像を創りあげました私達の天体観測の方法や天文学の教育法を変えることになるでしょうさらに重要なことは、宇宙における私達自身の見方も変えることになるでしょうもし私達の祖父母の時代にTEDがあったとしてもそれほど大きな話題にはならなかったでしょう例えば1920年代飲酒は禁じられていました女性の投票権はありませんでした夏の夜に星と天の川を見上げて目に見えるものが宇宙の全てと思ったでしょう事実、当時のハーバード大学天文台でも天の川が宇宙全体なのか否かについて真剣に討論していましたハーバート大学は大いに間違っていたのですもちろん、私達の銀河の果てを超えて宇宙は広がっています私達は観測可能な宇宙の端まで見渡すことができます時間をさかのぼりビッグバン直後の時点も見ることができます私達は、光の全スペクトルを観測し今まで見られなかった世界をも見ることができますこのような素晴らしい星のゆりかごもあります自然の計らいで、星が誕生するときの大きさと質量は調整されています見慣れない世界や異質な太陽系も見ることができます現時点で300個、まだ調査は進行中ですそれは私達の世界とは異なるものです私たちの銀河系の中心部にはブラックホールがあり天の川の中や宇宙の他のところでは時間そのものが止まってしまっている様です今まで宇宙の姿はバラバラで断片的でした自然の織成す素晴しい物語の多くは語らわれずにいましたそれが変わりつつあります天文学と教育において、私と同僚とが WorldWide Telescopeにこれほど入れ込んでいるのかどのぐらい革命的なのか 3つの理由を簡単に説明しましょう初めに、皆さんは宇宙を体験することができます WorldWide Telescopeはあなたが行きたいとこどこへでも宇宙中案内してくれる魔法の絨毯みたいなものです次に、天文学者のガイドの下、宇宙ツアーに参加できます見えているものを説明するだけの専門家ではありません宇宙の隅々にまで情熱があってその情熱を皆さんと共有し宇宙に迎え入れてくれる専門家が案内します 3番目に、皆さんのツアーを作ることができます友人とを共有したり一緒に作ることも可能ですそこがこのソフトの面白い点だと思います私達は皆語り手だからですストーリーを語ることで 1人1人がそれぞれのやり方で宇宙を理解していくのです皆それぞれの宇宙を持つことができるのですこれから宇宙の語り手のコミュニティが誕生すると思います WorldWide Telescopeの責任者を紹介する前に 1つ覚えておいて欲しいことがあります「夜空を見て何を思いますか?」と尋ねると「自分はなんて取るに足らない存在なんだ」と、よく言われます宇宙は私達のまなざしで溢れるでしょうそしてWorldWide Telescope製作者達のおかげで今私達は宇宙と対話することが可能です WorldWide Telescopeによって私達は小さい存在だが、本当に素晴しく大切なんだと確信できることでしょうありがとう (拍手) マイクロソフト社のカーティスウォン氏をご紹介しますカーティスウォン: ありがとう、ロイご覧頂いているのは素晴しいプレゼンですがこれはツアーの1つに過ぎません実は初期段階で作られたものの1つですそしてツアーはすべてインタラクティブでもし私がどこかに行くとしたら皆さんはツアーの途中で足を止め情報を参照することも可能です皆さんが行きたそうな星の情報源やWebもたくさんありますズームにも、広角にもできます必要な物全てが皆さんを待っていますこのWorldWide Telescopeは同僚のジム・グレイの多大な貢献によって実現できたプロジェクトですこれは私達の小さなチームにとって愛すべき仕事で子供達の宇宙への探検心と学びを引き出したいと、本当に願っています私達を含む、全ての年齢の子どもが対象です WorldWide Telescopeはこの春公開になります無料でダウンロードできますありがとうクレーグマンディこれはウェブサイト Worldwidetelescope.orgで最新版が使えますそれから、皆さんに今日見ていただいたものは 1%に満たないほんの一部でしたそこで TED Labでは6歳のベンジャミン君が作ったツアーを用意しています皆さん驚く仕上がりになっていると思いますそれではTED labでお会いしましょう、ご静聴ありがとうございました	In a few months, the world is also going to celebrate the launch of a new invention from Microsoft Research, which I think is going to have as profound an impact on the way we view the universe as Galileo did four centuries ago. It's called the WorldWide Telescope, and I want to thank TED and Microsoft for allowing me to bring it to your attention. And I want to urge you, when you get a chance, to give it a closer look at the TED Lab downstairs. The WorldWide Telescope takes the best images from the world's greatest telescopes on Earth and in space, and has woven them seamlessly to produce a holistic view of the universe. It's going to change the way we do astronomy, it's going to change the way we teach astronomy and I think most importantly it's going to change the way we see ourselves in the universe. If we were having this TED meeting in our grandparents' day, that might not be so big a claim. In 1920, for example, you weren't allowed to drink; if you were a woman, you weren't allowed to vote; and if you looked up at the stars and the Milky Way on a summer night, what you saw was thought to be the entire universe. In fact, the head of Harvard's observatory back then gave a great debate in which he argued that the Milky Way Galaxy was the entire universe. Harvard was wrong, big time. Of course, we know today that galaxies extend far beyond our own galaxy. We can see all the way out to the edge of the observable universe, all the way back in time, almost to the moment of the Big Bang itself. We can see across the entire spectrum of light, revealing worlds that had previously been invisible. We see these magnificent star nurseries, where nature has somehow arranged for just the right numbers and just the right sizes of stars to be born for life to arise. We see alien worlds, we see alien solar systems -- 300 now, and still counting -- and they're not like us. We see black holes at the heart of our galaxy, in the Milky Way, and elsewhere in the universe, where time itself seems to stand still. But until now, our view of the universe has been disconnected and fragmented, and I think that many of the marvelous stories that nature has to tell us have fallen through the cracks. And that's changing. why my colleagues and I, in astronomy and in education, are so excited about the WorldWide Telescope and why we think it's truly transformative. First, it enables you to experience the universe: the WorldWide Telescope, for me, is a kind of magic carpet that lets you navigate through the universe where you want to go. Second: you can tour the universe with astronomers as your guides. And I'm not talking here about just experts who are telling you what you're seeing, but really people who are passionate about the various nooks and crannies of the universe, who can share their enthusiasm and can make the universe a welcoming place. And third, you can create your own tours -- you can share them with friends, you can create them with friends -- and that's the part that I think I'm most excited about because I think that at heart, we are all storytellers. And in telling stories, each of us is going to understand the universe in our own way. We're going to have a personal universe. I think we're going to see a community of storytellers evolve and emerge. Before I introduce the person responsible for the WorldWide Telescope, I just want to leave you with this brief thought: when I ask people, "How does the night sky make you feel?" they often say, "Oh, tiny. I feel tiny and insignificant." Well, our gaze fills the universe. And thanks to the creators of the WorldWide Telescope, we can now start to have a dialogue with the universe. I think the WorldWide Telescope will convince you that we may be tiny, but we are truly, wonderfully significant. Thank you. I can't tell you what a privilege it is to introduce Curtis Wong from Microsoft. Curtis Wong: Thank you, Roy. So, what you're seeing here is a wonderful presentation, but it's one of the tours. And actually this tour is one that was created earlier. And the tours are all totally interactive, so that if I were to go somewhere ... you may be watching a tour and you can pause anywhere along the way, pull up other information -- there are lots of Web and information sources you can zoom in, you can pull back out. The whole resources are there available for you. So, Microsoft -- this is a project that -- WorldWide Telescope is dedicated to Jim Gray, who's our colleague, and a lot of his work that he did is really what makes this project possible. It's a labor of love for us and our small team, and we really hope it will inspire kids to explore and learn about the universe. So basically, kids of all ages, like us. And so WorldWide Telescope will be available this spring. It'll be a free download -- thank you, Craig Mundie -- and it'll be available at the website WorldWideTelescope.org, which is something new. And so, what you've seen today is less than a fraction of one percent of what is in here, and in the TED Lab, we have a tour that was created by a six-year-old named Benjamin that will knock your socks off. So we'll see you there. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
結構、セバスチャンさんってこういった話が好きそうだよな。ギフトに関連する事だからかもしれないが、よく見たらセバスチャンさんだけじゃなく、他の皆も興味深そうに俺を見ている。「あれは見た事も無い植物でした。あの後確認しましたが、借りた薬草の本にも載っていませんでしたから」「本にも載っていない植物......」「その時はどういう物かわからない植物だったので、部屋の机に置いておいたんですが......その日の夜、レオが勝手に食べてしまいまして......」「レオ様が......」「ワフ? ......ワーフ」俺の説明で皆の視線がレオに向いた。レオの方首を傾げてから、あーあれかぁと言う様子で頷く。正体不明の植物なんて、もしかしたら毒かもしれないんだから、勝手に食べちゃいけないぞレオ。あの時のは、毒とかじゃない薬草だったから良かったが。「まぁ、そのおかげでその植物の効果がわかったんですけどね」「その効果とは?」セバスチャンさんが身を乗り出して聞いて来る。「その植物を食べたレオは、夜にも関わらず元気になりました。確か......力が漲るとか、限界を越えて体が強くなるとか言ってたっけ。なぁ、レオ?」レオに問いかけると、肯定するように頷いた。「力が漲る......森の中でタクミさんに分けてもらったような、疲労が取れる薬草なのでしょうか?」「セバスチャンさんの言う通りです。その薬草はそんなに試していないのではっきりとはまだわかりませんが、身体能力を上げる物だと考えています」体を強くするって事だからな、その後のレオは寝るまで遊んでやったが、大変だった......。走りたくてウズウズしてるレオを止めるのも厄介だったけなぁ。屋敷の中で走り回るのは、レオの大きさだと色々壊してしまうだろうから。「身体能力を......それはまた凄そうな薬草ですね」「実際、それなりに使える薬草だと思いますよ。自分で試した時は、いつもの倍はジャンプで飛べましたからね。いつもなら重いと感じる物を持っても、軽いと感じるようになりました」「だからタクミ様はあの時、飛んだり跳ねたりしていたのですね」裏庭で俺が『雑草栽培』を研究するところを見ていたライラさん。裏庭で良い年した男が一人で飛んだり跳ねたりする姿はシュールかもなぁと今更ながらに思った。「ただ、まだ試した回数が少ないのでわからない事もあります」「その薬草を食べた時に、どれくらい身体能力が上がるか、です。食べた人によって効果が違うのかわかりませんし、もしかしたら食べた人の持つ身体能力によっても上がる能力に幅があるかもしれません」俺が考えたのは、例えば数値で言うと、10ある身体能力の人が薬草を食べたとする。その人は10から20の能力になったとして、それが10プラスされたからなのか、倍になって20になったのかという事。 10プラスだとするなら、身体能力20の人が食べたら30だし、倍なら40だ。この差は大きい。数値として例を考えたらだが、実際はもっと難しいだろう。人の身体能力を全て総合して数値化なんてここで出来るとは思わないしな。「ええと、話が逸れましたが......その薬草を栽培出来た事で、『雑草栽培』の一つの可能性に気付いたのです」クレアさんまで身を乗り出して聞いて来た。見れば、意味がわかっているのかは不明だが、ティルラちゃんまでワクワクした顔で俺が話す事を聞いている。皆、こういう話しが好きなんだなぁ。好奇心旺盛なクレアさんに近しい人達って似るものなのかな? 「薬草を栽培した時、最初はその植物の効果だけじゃなく、実際の姿を思い浮かべていました。ですが、先程話した薬草は、姿形なんて知らなかったのです。つまり、何となく頭で考えてこういう薬草があればなぁというだけで栽培出来てしまったんです」「どういう事ですかな?」「薬草の姿を想像する事無く、実際にあるかどうかすらわからない薬草を、効果だけ想像して『雑草栽培』を使用しました。まぁ、偶然なんですけどね。そうしたら、完全に想像した通りとまでは言いませんが、想像したものと似た薬草が出来たんです」セバスチャンさんだけ、納得して頷いてる。他の皆はまだ理解が追い付いていないのか、真面目な顔で俺が言った事を考えているようだ。「こんな植物があれば良い、そう考えただけで、雑草という種別に入るのであれば何でも栽培出来る能力じゃないかという事ですね」「確か、野菜は出来なかったんですよね?」「はい、出来ませんでした。ですが、野菜と雑草の分類は曖昧な所がありますからね。考えればいくつか抜け道がありそうです。それもあって森に出発する前日、クレアさんに頼んで裏庭で色々研究させて貰いました」好奇心が強い人だから、あんな言い方をしたら気になって当然か。まぁ、あの時はまだ漠然とした考えだったからはっきり言えなかったんだよな。「ははは、あの時はすみません。研究して結果が出てからと考えていたもので。それにまだ考え付いたばかりで漠然としていて、上手く説明出来そうにありませんでしたから」「いえ......あの時はタクミさんに意地悪をされてるのかもと思った事もありましたが、今こうして教えて下さいましたから」意地悪って......俺はそんな事をするように見えるのかな? 女性には紳士的に接しようとしてるつもりなんだけどなぁ......。出来てるかどうかは......気にしない方向で。	In the end, it was Sebastian who really seemed interested in this subject. Perhaps because it was related to the Gift. Though, it wasn’t just him, as the others were also looking at me eagerly. “It was a plant that I had never seen before. I checked the book that I borrowed later, and it wasn’t in it.” “A plant that isn’t in the book...” “And since I didn’t know what it was, I left it on the table in my room... But that night, Leo ate it without asking...” “Leo did...” “Wuff? ...Wuff.” At this, all eyes turned to Leo. Leo tilted her head to the side once and then nodded as if to say, ‘ah, that’s right.’ It was a mystery plant that could have been poisonous, so you shouldn’t eat such things, Leo. Thankfully, it had not been poisonous at all. “Well, it was also because of Leo that I found out the plant’s effect.” “What effect was it?” Sebastian leaned forward as he asked this. “In spite of it being night time, Leo became very energetic after eating the plant. She said that...it made her swell with power, as if it surpassed her limits and made her stronger. Right, Leo?” “Wuff.” I asked Leo and she nodded in reply. “Swell with power... So is it like the herbs you gave us in the forest that healed our tiredness?” “No, Lady Claire. If it makes your body stronger, then it surely does much more than heal your tiredness.” “Sebastian is right. Though, I haven’t tested it enough to be sure, but I believe that it enhances your physical abilities.” Since it made you stronger, Leo continued to play after that until she finally fell asleep. It had been quite a night... She was so restless and wanted to run around, and I had to stop her over and over again. Leo could not run around inside of the mansion, as she was so large and was bound to break things. “Physical ability...it must be quite amazing then.” “Yes, I do think that it could be very useful. I tested it myself and I was able to jump several times higher than I usually can. And things that normally feel heavy were light when I picked them up.” “That...is astonishing.” “So that’s why you were hopping and rolling around, Mr. Takumi.” Ms. Lyra had been watching me as I worked in the garden. Now that I thought of it, I must have looked quite a fool, jumping around like that at my age. “However, I haven’t tested it as much as I’d like, so there are still things that I don’t know.” “Like what? It seems that you know quite enough already.” “Well, like just how much it enhances your physical ability. The effect may vary from person to person. Perhaps it is more effective on certain types of people.” For instance, if a person’s physical ability was ‘’ and they ate the herb. And then their physical ability became . Was this because their ability was doubled, or because the herb gives you +? If it was +, it would be 30 if someone with physical ability 20 ate it, but if it was doubling the number, then it would be 40. This was a big difference. Of course, if this was true, it would likely be much more complex. Besides, I doubted a person’s physical ability could be measured and turned into numbers. “Uh, I’m getting sidetracked here... But after making that herb, I realized one of the possibilities of Weed Cultivation.” “And what possibility is that?” Now Claire was leaning forward as she asked me this. And while I had no idea if she truly understood, even Tilura looked quite excited as she listened to us speak. They really enjoyed listening to this, huh? Ms. Claire had already proved to be someone that was full of curiosity. Perhaps it had just rubbed off onto everyone close to her? “When cultivating the plants, at first, I was thinking about not just the effect, but the actual appearance. However, the herb I have been talking about was something that I didn’t know about. In other words, I only need a vague idea of what kind of plant I want, and I can cultivate it.” “What do you mean?” “I don’t have to imagine what it looks like. It doesn’t even have to exist. I just need to imagine the desired effect and use Weed Cultivation. Well, it was really an accident. And so while it wasn’t exactly what I had been thinking about, something similar was created.” “I see... So that’s what happened... This Weed Cultivation must be an incredible ability.” Sebastian was the only one who was nodding understandingly. The others appeared to be pondering what I said with serious expressions. “It would be nice to have this kind of plant. Just think that, and as long as it can be categorized as a weed, then you can make it. It is that kind of ability.” “If I remember correctly, you cannot make vegetables?” “Yes, I cannot. However, sometimes the line between vegetable and weed can be blurry. I think there may be some loopholes if I think about it. It was because of this, that before our journey, I asked Ms. Claire if I can test different things in the back garden.” “So that is what you were doing. I was very curious to know about it.” She was a very curious person, and I had made it sound more mysterious than was necessary. Well, I still wasn’t even sure what I thought at the time, so I didn’t feel like talking about it. “Hahaha. I’m terribly sorry about that. I just wanted to tell you once there were some results. It was just a thought that had sprouted in my mind, and I wouldn’t have been able to explain it properly yet.” “No... But it did cross my mind at the time, that you were being mean to me. But I know better now.” Mean... Do I look like that kind of person? I had always strived to be gentlemanly around women.... As for whether I was succeeding... Well, I’d rather not think about it.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 8, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
この世界には竜種と呼ばれる存在がいる。それは大きく分ける類、『竜』と『龍』に分けられる。これを弱い順に説明すると、まず偽竜はトカゲや蛇などの中でも竜っぽい外見の奴等が変異したもの凄く紛らわしい連中で、厳密には竜じゃない。コモドオオトカゲやヨロイトカゲなどの竜みたいな外見の爬虫類は地球にもいるが、そういう連中がマナで変異した竜にしか見えない魔物を総じて『偽竜』と呼ぶ。マルスが以前引き連れていたワイバーンも勿論この部類だ。ちなみに変異前はトビトカゲである。また、蛇が変異したものは龍みたいな外見になるのでこちらは『偽龍』と呼ばれる事もある。実に紛らわしい。後に『龍』の設定が固まった時、プレイヤーから『龍なら1作目に出てるじゃん』と突っ込まれ、製作サイドはこれに大層慌てた。自分達が1作目で既に龍を、しかも雑魚モンスターで出してしまっていた事を完全に失念していたのだ。困りに困った製作者達は『あれは龍じゃない。蛇から変異しただけのそっくりの偽竜なんだ!』と言い訳をして、その結果紛らわしい偽ドラゴンの設定を作ってしまった。これが偽竜誕生の経緯だ。勿論こいつらは外見が似ているだけの、魔物化した爬虫類なのでドラゴンでも何でもない。だから実力も大した事ないし、ぶっちゃけてしまえば見た目だけ強そうなただの雑魚だ。まあ、紛い物とは言え見た目は格好いいので、テイマーには結構人気があったが。次に『恐竜』。これはミズカルズの世界に昔から生息していて、何故かまだ絶滅していない恐竜そのものだ。つまりただの生物であり、魔物ですらない。しかしこれがなかなか強く、弱い魔物や魔神族、冒険者くらいなら容易く捕食されてしまう。少なくとも偽竜なんぞより遥かに怖いし強い連中だ。もっとも、地球の恐竜は最近の研究で羽毛が生えてた事が判明しているので、多分地球の恐竜とはかなり異なるんだろう。 20世紀の頃の恐竜図鑑に出て来るような、巨大な爬虫類の姿だし、こいつら。次に『竜』。この世界でドラゴンと言えば基本的にはこれを指す。勿論これもマナで変異した魔物なのだが、その変異元がやばい。何と前述の恐竜がマナで変異して魔物化したものこそがドラゴンだ。ただでさえ馬鹿みたいに強い恐竜が魔物化したんだから、そりゃもう凄く馬鹿みたいに強い。恐竜が放射能で変異して怪獣になってしまった映画があったが、まさにあんな感じだ。でかいし固いし、火まで吐くしで中堅程度のプレイヤーでは複数で挑んでも苦戦は免れないだろう。特に大型の肉食竜辺りから変異した奴はマジでやばい。だが、そのドラゴンですら霞む化物を超えた化物が存在する。それが、今俺の目の前にいる――『龍』だ。【天龍】種族:龍属性:日 HP 10000000/10000000 SP ∞ STR(攻撃力) ????? DEX(器用度) ???? VIT(生命力) ????? INT(知力) ???? AGI(素早さ) ????? MND(精神力) ???? LUK(幸運) ???? 『観察眼』を使い、ステータスを確認した俺だが、今回ばかりは見ない方がよかったと思ってしまう。 HPが見た事もない数値になってるし、SPに至っては無限。つまりゲームでよくある、『敵だけがスキル使い放題』なアレだ。多分これは、こいつらが世界の守護者だから世界の力をいくらでも使えるとか、そういう事なんだろう。「5龍......実在したのか」俺も5龍の名は知っていた。設定だけではあるが、そういう連中がいるという事だけは知っているつもりだった。だがこうして目の前で見て解る......これはやばい。決して目覚めさせてはならない、次元違いの怪物。ハッキリ言おう。ルファスのスペックを以てしても勝てる気がしない。善戦くらいは出来るだろうが、圧倒的なHPの差で負ける。常にカンストダメージを出すと仮定しても、101回攻撃しないと倒せませんってか。全盛期の7英雄と組んでのフル面子ならいけるかな......。ただ寝ているだけだというのに、その存在がどれだけやばいのかが肌で感じられる。こうして寝顔を見ているだけでビリビリと伝わってくる。しかし世界が真の危機を迎えた際に目覚め、守護の任を果たすのですじゃ』「余がここを封印したのは、此奴を封じる為か」しかし周囲を当時そのままの姿のまま保ち続ければ、外で何が起ころうと龍は感知せずに、平和が続いていると錯覚して目覚める事もない。「......先程アリエス達が派手に暴れたが」『儂も度肝を抜かして慌てました。起きなかったからよかったものの、もしあれで目覚めていたら儂の200年の努力がパーでしたぞ』俺は冷や汗を手の甲で拭い、幸運に感謝した。まさかこんな化物がいるとは思わなかったが、もしさっきの騒動でこいつが起きてたら俺達は揃ってゲームオーバーだったな。いや、逃げ切る事くらいは出来ただろうか? 「メラク達はこいつの存在を知っているのか?」『天翼族でも一部の者しか知らぬ事ですが、メラクは知っているでしょう。「守護神......そうか、スヴェルにいた水龍レヴィアは、これの模倣か」『はい。メグレズの奴が龍をモデルに造り出した紛い物の神。それがレヴィアですじゃ』守護神......か。確かにレヴィアはそう呼ぶに足る威容を持っていた。だがそれも過ぎれば、動くだけで周囲を破壊する破壊神にしかならない。少なくとも俺は、これと同じのが後4体いると聞いて尚守護神と崇めるなど、とても出来る気がしなかった。女神がちょっと気紛れを起こして、こいつら5体を同時に散歩とかさせたならば、それだけで世界が滅びるんだ。動くだけで周囲が壊れて死ぬんだから、そんなのはもう守護神じゃない。破壊神だ。守護神、なんて名乗るにはこいつはあまりにも巨大過ぎる。そこで貴女は世界各地に眠る5龍を先手を打って封印し、魔神王打倒の後にミズカルズの全戦力を率いて女神に独立戦争を挑むつもりだった』「......世界が危機を迎えたら目覚める、と言ったな? 『儂にも解りませぬ。しかし恐らく、その基準は女神の裁定によるもの。「あるいは容認している、という事だな」『然り』容認、か。それならまだマシだろう。最悪のパターンは推進。女神自らが魔神族に命じているのが一番やばい。そして、現状ではその可能性が高まっていると言わざるを得ない。しかし、過去のルファスは無謀というか何というか......。いくら何でも上を狙いすぎだ。結局女神や龍どころか、魔神王すら倒せず7英雄に討たれたのでは世話がない。「他にも封印しているのか?」『然り。貴女様の命を受け、土龍を『牡牛』のタウロスが。「月龍は?」『月龍だけは未だに見付かっておりません。世界のどこか居るはずなのですが』月龍、か。まさか名前の通り月にいるなんて事はないだろうな、と一瞬考えるもすぐに、それはないと思った。日龍が太陽とかではなくちゃんとミズガルズにいるなら、月龍も必ずどこかにいるはずだ。つまり女神が動かそうと思えばいつでも動かせる状況にあると言える。いや、あるいはもう動いているのに誰も気付いていないのか? 「教えてくれて感謝する。皆の所へ戻るぞパルテノス」『はっ』それにしても、過去のルファスは一体何を考えて女神に喧嘩を売ろうとしていた? 俺の知らない事柄が次から次へと出て来て、わけがわからなくなる。だが、一つ解る事がある。『女神のシナリオ』、『反逆』、『女神の小細工』。ここまでくれば俺がいくら馬鹿でも流石に分かる。俺が何故ここにいるのかが。ルファス・マファールは女神にとって、多分かなり都合の悪い存在だった。そりゃそうだ。自分の作った世界で、自分に反逆を企てる奴なんて邪魔以外何者でもない。だから女神は、復活したルファスに何らかの小細工をして記憶を封じた。その小細工こそが――俺だ。くそったれめ......ああ畜生、本当にくそったれだ。俺はまさしく余計な存在だったわけだ。本来のルファスを覆い隠し、その目的を遂げさせない為の蓋だったんだ。それが女神が俺に与えた『新たな役目』だったんだ! 俺という異分子を上に被せる事で本来のルファスを封じ込め、その目指していたものすらも分からなくしてしまった。だが分からない......何故俺なんだ? ルファスが邪魔ならば、もっと都合のいい、女神に心酔している誰かでよかったはずだ。どちらにせよ、旅の目的が増えた。何が何でも女神に会って、何故俺を巻き込んだのを聞き出す。 ......いや、違う。増えたんじゃない。今初めて『得た』んだ。今までの俺はなあなあで何となく流されていただけで目的なんてなかった。地に足が付いていなかった。恐らくはそれも女神の小細工の一貫。そういういい加減で、適当に動く奴を選んだ。深く物事を考えずに楽観的で、悩みもせずに場に流されて......そんな馬鹿を意図的に選んだに違いない。つまりは、俺のような奴だ。召喚されて舞い上がったから旅をしたいと思い、12星が馬鹿やってるから集めたいと思い、とりあえず目的の一つもないと動けないから適当に目的を掲げて、流されるように行動していたんだ。だが、これは違う。俺は知りたい。女神が何故俺を向こうから引っ張り出したのかを。何故俺なのかを。これを知らずに無視する事など出来やしない。何より、俺の知らない所で利用されて踊らされているようで酷く気分が悪い。女神が俺をルファスに入れたのはルファスという存在が女神にとって邪魔だったから。だから本来のルファスを覆い隠す為に俺を入れた。ならば......ならばよし。それが女神の嫌がる事なら、俺もそうしよう。ルファスの本来の目的を探し、本来のルファスがやりたかった事を俺がやる。そうすれば、女神だって黙ってはいられないはずだ。必ず、どこかで俺に接触を図ってくる。その足跡を辿り、彼女の目的を俺が遂げる。これは正義感でもなければ、勇気でもないし、ましてや世界の未来を憂いての事でもない。ただの私怨。俺を巻き込んだ女神への、逆襲だ。ディーナ達と合流した俺は、そのままヴァナヘイムを離れる事を決めた。封印している理由が理由だし、ここで俺達がやるべき事など何もない。幸い、『龍』を封印している12星とその所在地はパルテノスに口頭で教えて貰ったし、他に目的地がなくなれば、そのうち寄ってみるのもいいだろう。何故口頭なのかというと、パルテノス曰く『どこに女神が潜んでいるか分からないから』だという。女神は自ら動く事はありません。しかし自身の思い通りに動く分体を作り、人々を扇動します。と、いう事らしい。『龍』が封印されている場所は3つ。まず『土龍』が封印されているのは地下世界ヘルヘイム。別名地獄だ。地獄という事から分かるように、ここはアイゴケロスの出身地であり、悪魔系統の魔物が大量に出現する高難易度ダンジョンの一つでもある。また、真偽は定かではないが悪しき死者の魂もこの地を循環して転生すると言われおり、実際悪霊系統の敵も出る。ここは『牡牛』のタウロスが封印しているという。次に『火龍』。こいつは南の果て......今は魔神族の領土となっている灼熱地帯ムスペルヘイムに封じられている。この封印を守るのは『水瓶』のアクアリウス。貴重な水魔法要員だったのだが、そっちに行ってしまっていたか。まあ、幸い水魔法ならディーナがいるので何とかなる。最後に『木龍』。こいつの所在地は妖精郷アルフヘイムだ。妖精達が出て来る光の森であり、実際ここで出会う敵は妖精や精霊しかいない。ここを封じるのは『双子』のジェミニ。その名の通り二人で一人の妙な星で、こいつらのおかげで12星は「12星天なのに13人いる」という間抜けな構図になってしまっている。ともかく、こいつらとの合流は後回しだな。封印してる場所に俺がノコノコと出向いても出来る事など何もないし、別に誰かに迷惑をかけているわけでもない。今はとりあえず、人類の生存圏にいるだろう他の12星を探す事だ。とはいえ、確かアルフヘイムは地図を見る限りではギリギリ人類の勢力圏内にあったはずだから、立ち寄ってもいいかもしれない。『申し訳ありません、ルファス様。本当は儂も行きたいのですが、見ての通り儂はもう死人。死して尚貫こうとするその忠義、感謝するぞ」しかし御安心を。儂は行けませぬが、代わりにウィルゴを付けましょう』パルテノスの突然の言葉にウィルゴが呆気に取られた。どうやらこの娘には何の確認もしていないらしい。おいパルテノス。本人に一言もなく勝手に同行させていいのか? 『未だ未熟ですが、最低限の事は教えてきたつもりです。「あの、お婆ちゃん。私まだ何も......」『孫よ。このまま森に引きこもり続けるなど、そんな生活はわしゃ認めんぞ。「えー......」どう見てもあまり乗り気でないウィルゴを田中の中に押しやりながら、パルテノスが勝手に話を決めてしまう。いや、確かに彼女の同行はありがたくなくもない。パルテノスが死んだ以上、新しい『乙女』は必要だし、まあレベル300を超えている彼女は今の時代じゃ普通に優良物件だ。それに魔物じゃないから鍛えれば普通にレベル1000に到達するだろうし、最終的には12星最強も夢ではない。パワーレベリングを繰り返して、敵への止めだけを任せ続ければそのうちカンストするだろう。天翼族だから天法はお手の物だし、基礎ステータスも高い。空も飛べる。うん、悪くないな。「まあ、本人がいいならば助かるが......よいのか、ウィルゴ?」「うー......まあ、お婆ちゃんがこう言った以上、森に残っても追い出されるだけですし......。こうして二代目『乙女』のウィルゴが俺達の仲間に加わり、俺達はヴァナヘイムを後にした。見えなくなるまでずっと、こちらに手を振り続けていたパルテノスの姿がやけに印象的だった。何というか、死んでも元気な奴ってのはいるもんだな。そのうち、また近くに来たら寄ってみるのもいいかな。	In this world, there existed the species called the Dragonkins. The dragonkins could be divided into [Dragon] and [Wyrm]. Pseudo-dragon was the classification given to those mutated from the lizards or snakes which originally had outer appearances similar to that of dragons. Although they were classified as part of the dragonkin, they were technically not dragons. These pseudo-dragons were the post-mutated species of reptiles such as Komodo dragons and giant girdled lizards which also existed back on Earth. Once they were mutated by mana, as they could only be described as dragon-like magical beasts, they were called ‘Pseudo-dragons’. Needless to say, the wyverns that Mars were previously controlling was within this category. As a side note, the pre-mutated state of the wyvern was the gliding lizard. Additionally, when the snakes mutated, as their outer appearances became similar to those of wyrms, they were sometimes called [Pseudo-wyrms]. It was truly confusing. Later on, when the setting for the dragon was established, players retorted back (tsukommi) by saying “dragon already came out during the initial release”, which stomped the developers on what to do about their game. The developers had completely forgotten that they had already introduced dragons as small fry monsters. As they could not come up with a solution to this issue, they made up the confusing settings of “pseudo-dragons” as an excuse after saying “Those are not dragons. They’re just ‘fake dragons’; a mutated form of snakes.” And that was the circumstance behind the birth of the pseudo-dragons. Needless to say, as they were merely reptiles which had mutated into magical beasts with their outer appearances resembling those of dragons, they were not actually dragons. As a consequence, their abilities were not significant and were merely strong-looking small fries. Although they were merely fakes, as their outer appearances were “cool”, they were popular amongst the tamers. Next was the [Dinosaurs]. These creatures existed from the past in this world of Midgard and were authentic dinosaurs that had not yet been wiped out. In other words, dinosaurs were merely animals and thus not even magical beasts. Notwithstanding, the dinosaurs were quite strong to the extent of easily eating weaker magical beasts, demons and adventurers. At the very least, they were a significantly scarier and stronger group compared to the pseudo-dragons. To begin with, as the recent research on the dinosaurs back on Earth had established that dinosaurs had feathers on them, I believe the dinosaurs here were quite different from the dinosaurs there. Essentially, they looked like giant-reptile that were often portrayed in the th-century artworks of the dinosaurs. The next on the list was [Dragon]. Fundamentally in this world, when one mentions the word “dragon”, this category was what they were describing. These creatures were also magical beasts that were mutated by mana, however, their original form was what made them so fearsome. That was because this category of [Dragon] was the result of the aforementioned dinosaurs that had mutated. Even in the base form, the dinosaurs were already monstrously strong, thus after the mutation, they became ridiculously and stupidly overpowered. Back on Earth, there was a movie where the dinosaur was transformed into a monster due to the exposure to the radioactivity. It was essentially the same situation. Dragons had huge and hard bodies as well as the ability to breathe out fire. As a consequence, even if the average players back in the game challenged a single dragon by banding together, they had to struggle through a difficult battle. In particular, those dragons which had mutated from the carnivorous dinosaurs were especially dangerous. Notwithstanding, there was a monster that overshadowed those already overpowered monsters. And that was that what was in front of my eyes – [Ouroboros]. [Heavenly Ouroboros] Level: Species: Ouroboros Attribute: Sun HP: 0 000 000 / 10 000 000 SP: ∞ STR (Strength/Attack Power): ????? DEX (Dexterity): ???? VIT (Vitality): ????? INT (Intelligence): ???? AGI (Agility/Speed): ????? MND (Mindpower): ???? LUK (Luck): ???? I used my [Observing Eyes] to check the status, but just this time alone, I was happy that I could not see anything. Its HP was such a high value that I had never seen before, and its SP was particularly scary as it was set at infinity. In other words, it was one of those common situations in the game where “only the enemy can use whatever and however many skills they want to use”. Perhaps this was because the ouroboros were considered to be the protectors of the world, so they could tap into the power of the world an unlimited number of times. “The 5 Ouroboroses... exists, I see.” I had heard of the term 5 Ouroboroses before. Although they were only mentioned in the lore, I thought I knew about their existence. But looking at the thing that was in front of me, I understood... that it was not good. It was something that must never be woken up, something out of our dimension. I will say it bluntly. Even having Ruphas’s spec, I did not feel like I could win against that. I would probably be able to put up a good fight, but I would still lose due to the overwhelming difference in our HP. Even assuming that I was able to constantly dish out my max damage, it’s suggesting that “you wouldn’t be able to defeat it unless you can attack it 101 times.” Just perhaps, it may be possible if I teamed up with the entire cast of 7 Heroes back in their prime.... Even though it was merely sleeping, I could feel how dangerous it was in my bones. I could feel the tingling sensation just by looking at its sleeping face. “Normally, they are in an eternal hibernation state. However, when the world faces a true peril, they will wake up and fulfil their duties to protect.” “Is the reason I sealed up this place to contain this guy?” “In practice, my containment barrier doesn’t have the power to seal an ouroboros. However, by maintaining the surrounding in a state that it previously was, whatever happens outside would not be sensed by the ouroboros, and thus it would be deluded into thinking that the peace was still being maintained. The reason I drove everyone out of Vanaheim back then was to prevent the people from becoming collateral damage during the one-in-a-million chance the ouroboros wakes from its slumber.” “............Just a while ago, Aries and others went on a rampage but.” “I was also dumbfounded and flustered. Good thing it didn’t wake up but... if it had woken up, my effort for the past 200 years would be gone down the drain.” “A, apologies.” I was sweating from my palm and appreciated the good luck that we had. I neither thought nor expected that there would be a slumbering dragon, but if it had woken up from our uproar a moment ago, it would have been game over for all of us. Or maybe not. It might be possible for us to successfully run away. “Did Merak and the others know about this thing’s existence?” “Even amongst the Flugels, only a few of them knew about its existence. I naturally assume Merak knew about it. However, they believed this ouroboros to be a guardian deity of some sort.” “Guardian deity.... I see, so the water dragon Levia in Svalinn was an imitation of this.” “Yes. It was a fake deity that Megrez created using the ouroboros as a model. That is what Levia is.” Guardian deity... huh. Indeed, Levia had the majestic aura to deserve that title. Notwithstanding, once the creature had too much of that majestic aura to the point of destroying everything in its surrounding every time it moved, it simply become a destruction deity. At the very least, in my personal view, knowing that there were four more of these things around, I thought that it was more of a reason that I could not come to admire them as a guardian deity. If the Goddess suddenly had a whim to simultaneously take all five of these guys out on a stroll, the world would end at that point. Just by moving, the surrounding would be destroyed and people would die. Something like that was no longer a guardian deity. It was a destruction deity. Guardian deity – this thing was too enormous to name itself that. “In the past, milady planned to destroy the Goddess’s scenario. Nevertheless, even if it was milady, there was no chance of winning against the Goddess and the five ouroboroses’ combined might at the same time. Therefore, milady decided to plan ahead and sealed the five ouroboroses first. Furthermore, you decided to take the Demon King down first before unifying and gathering the whole Midgard with its might to challenge the Goddess to a war.” “........ Once the world is in grave danger, it will awaken – is that what you said? What is the criterion for the world to be considered in grave danger? At the moment, the humanoids have already been driven into a corner by the demons. Should the current situation not be considered a grave danger to the world?” “I also do not know. However, I believe the criterion is solely based on the Goddess’s arbitration of the situation. The fact that she has not once in history decided to wake the ouroboros up means that she has never considered that to be a grave danger, or......” “Or that she approves of the situation, is that what you’re trying to say?” “Exactly.” Approval, huh. That’s honestly still the better case. The worst-case scenario would be that she was promoting it. That she was personally ordering the demons to attack the humanoids – that would be the worst-case scenario. And judging by the current situation of the world, there was a high chance that was indeed the case. Anyways, perhaps I should call the past Ruphas reckless.... Whatever was said about her, she was aiming too high. There was not much to say, as let alone the Goddess or the ouroboroses, she was defeated by the 7 Heroes before she even managed to defeat the Demon King, after all. “Are the others also being sealed?” “Correct. After receiving life from milady, Tauros the [Bull] is in charge of the Earth Ouroboros. Aquarius the [Water Bearer] is on the Fire Ouroboros. I am on the Heavenly Ouroboros. And lastly, the Wood Ouroboros is sealed by Gemini the [Twins] after they each drove ou... after evacuating the original citizens of the land.” “How about the Moon Ouroboros?” “The Moon Ouroboros alone has yet to be found. It should be somewhere in the world but....” The Moon Ouroboros, huh. It couldn’t be living on the Moon as its name suggest, could it? – I momentarily had such a thought but convinced myself it couldn’t be the case. Considering that Sun Ouroboros was on Midgard and not in the Sun, the Moon Ouroboros should definitely be here somewhere as well. In other words, should the Goddess feel like ordering it to move, it was currently in a state to be able to take action. No, perhaps it had already started moving and no one noticed it yet? “Thank you for letting me know. Let’s return to where everyone else is, Parthenos.” In any event, I was curious as to why the Ruphas of the past sought to pick a fight with the Goddess. Various affairs that I did not know about kept popping out one after another, and I did not even know what was what anymore. But, there was one thing that I now understood. “Goddess’s scenario”, “Rebellion”, and “Goddess’s Tricks”. Now that it came to this point, even an idiot like me knew what was happening and why I was here in this place. For the Goddess, Ruphas Mafahl was most likely a very, very troublesome existence. And of course, she was. There was no other way to describe a person that was plotting a rebellion in the world that was created by her. Thus the Goddess played some sort of little trick to seal the memory of Ruphas who was being resurrected. And that little trick was – me. What the hell was this sh_t... aaa god da_n it, it truly was a pile of sh_t. I truly was just an unnecessary and extra presence. I was just a gimmick to blanket the real Ruphas and serve as a lid to prevent her from being able to reach her goal. That was the “new role” that the Goddess granted to me! By using an outsider like me as a blanket, she managed to seal the real Ruphas and even make the original goal forgotten and lost. But I did not understand....... Why me? If Ruphas was in the way, it would have been better for her to place someone else who would be devoted to the Goddess. In any event, an objective for my journey just increased. Whatever I had to do, I would meet up with the Goddess and get it out of her why she got me involved in all of this. ... No, that’s wrong. It didn’t increase. I just finally “acquired” it for the first time. Until now, I was just someone who was doing this and that and going with the flow without a real objective in mind. I had never left the starting point until now. In all likelihood, even that was one of the ploys within the Goddess’s tricks. She had most probably chosen someone who move aimlessly on their whim. Someone who was optimistic and went with the flow without worrying about anything... There was no doubt that she had purposefully chosen some idiot like that. In other words, someone like me. After feeling happy that I was summoned into another world, I felt like going on a journey, so I did. I then found out that the 12 Heavenly Stars were causing havoc, so I decided to gather them because I felt like it. I knew I wouldn’t move around at all if there was no ‘goal’ so I created a ‘goal’ on a whim and just went with the flow otherwise. But this time, it’s different. I want to know. I want to know why the Goddess brought me from the other world. Why she chose me over others. I was not able to let things slide without finding that out. And most of all, I could not feel good knowing that I was being used by someone, somewhere without even knowing the reason why. The reason the Goddess put me into Ruphas was because Ruphas was an annoying existence for her. Therefore I was used as a way to blanket the original Ruphas. Then... then it was fine. If that was what the Goddess disliked, then that would be what I would do. I would find out what the original goal of Ruphas was and I would do what original Ruphas was going to do. If I did something like that, even the Goddess would not stay silent. Without a doubt, she would come into contact with me. I would follow in her footsteps and achieve what she was trying to do. This was not my sense of justice, it was also not what one would call courage, and of course, it was not out of concern for the distressing future of the world. It was simply a grudge. It was simply retaliation against the Goddess who had gotten me involved. After we regrouped with Dina and the crew, we decided to leave Vaneheimr. Considering the reason for the seal to be placed in that location, there was nothing left for us to do at that place. We were also orally informed of the locations of the other sealed [Ouroboroses] and the respective 12 Heavenly Stars from Parthenos. Therefore, if there was no other location to go in the future, we could give them a visit. According to Parthenos, the reason for why it had to be given verbally was “because we don’t know where the Goddess is hiding.” “Please take care, Ruphas-sama. The Goddess possesses a special power called [Avatar]. The Goddess will not move on her own. However, she has the ability to create a clone based on what she thinks is ideal and to incite people into doing what she wants to be done. In other words, you may believe some random villager to be an ordinary powerless individual, however that person may turn out to be the Goddess.” That was what she said. There were three locations the [Ouroboroses] were sealed. Firstly, the location where the [Earth Ouroboros] was sealed was the underground world Helheim, also known as Hell. One might recall that the Hell was Aigokeros’s birthplace. It was a high difficulty dungeon where a great number of devil-type monsters resided. Although the truth was unknown, it was said that the souls of deceased evildoers also cycled back and reincarnated here. Nevertheless, it was undisputed truth that evil spirits sometimes appeared as enemies in Helheim. This place was sealed by the [Bull] Taurus. Next was [Fire Ouroboros]. This guy was sealed in the very far end of the South..... In what was currently serving as the domain of the demons; Eternal Burning land of Muspelheim. The protector of this seal was Aquarius the [Water Bearer]. Aquarius was an important person who could wield water arcane magic, but it seemed it had been sent that way. Well, fortunately, there was still Dina who would use water arcane magic. Last on the list was [Wood Ouroboros]. The current residence of this guy was the land of the fairies, Alfheim. It was a forest of light where the fairies came from. And in the game, there was nothing but fairies and spirits as enemies in that place. And the one who sealed this place was Gemini of the [Twins]. Just as its name suggested, it was a strange star where two people served as one. Due to their existences, 12 Heavenly Stars had a dumb composition of having “13 individuals even though it’s called 12 Heavenly Stars”. In any event, meeting up with them would have to wait. There was no use for me to just casually show up in the sealed locations nor was there anything for me to do in those places. Additionally, it was not as if they were burdening people by being in those places. For now, I was planning to find the other 12 Heavenly Stars who were in the domains of the humanoids. Having said that, if I recalled correctly, Alfheim was still barely in the domain influenced by the humanoids, so I did not mind giving that place a short visit. “I apologise, Ruphas-sama. In truth, I also want to go, but as you can see, I am already deceased. As such, I am no longer able to be of use to you.” “It’s fine, do not worry about it. I appreciate your will and conviction on displaying your loyalty even after death.” “Your kind words are too much for someone like me. However, please don’t worry. Although I can’t go personally, I will send Virgo after you in my stead.” “Wha?” Due to Parthenos’s remark, Virgo was taken back. It seemed Parthenos had neither informed nor checked up with Virgo. Oi Parthenos. Was it really alright to send her out without even saying anything to her? “She’s still inexperienced, but I have taught her all the basic minimums that she needs to know. I’m sure she will be of some use to you.” “Umm, grandma. I still don’t know anything.....” “My grandchild, listen. I am not going to approve of you wanting to stay and live in these forests. Just go out and have a look around the world. Right now, it’s something important for you to do.” “Ehhhhhh............” Parthenos pushed the unconvinced and unenthusiastic Virgo into Tanaka and decided things on her own. Well yeah, it was not as if I did not appreciate her coming along. Considering that Parthenos had already passed away, the new [Maiden] was required, and since she was already over level 300, she would be considered a very superior personnel by this age’s standard. Furthermore, since she was not a demon, if she was nurtured properly, she could naturally reach level 1000, thus it was not a dream to say that she could potentially become the next 12 Heavenly Stars in the end. If we continued to power-level her and leave the role of stopping the enemy to her, eventually she should reach a level cap. Additionally, as she was a Flugel, she should know how to use divine magic like the back of her hand and should have a naturally high base stat. She could also fly. Yeah, not bad at all. “Well, it would be good if she is willing herself... Are you fine with it, Virgo?” “Uuuuuuuuu........ well, since grandma said stuff like that already, even if I try to stay behind in the forest, I’ll just get chased out..... So, pl, please take care of me from now on.” And just like that, the second [Maiden], Virgo became our comrade and our travelling companion as we left Vanaheim behind. The sight of Parthenos waving her hand from behind until the very moment we could no longer see her left a lasting impression. I did not know what to say, but I supposed there really was those type of people that were energetic even after their deaths. I guess it would be a good idea to come and visit her the next time I was in this area.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 27, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
ウィリアム・カンカンバ:ありがとう CA:それで、写真が出たねこれはどこですか? WK:私の家ですここに住んでいます CA:どこですか? どの国ですか? WK:カスングのマラウィですカスングにある、そうマラです CA:オーケー君は今19歳だよね? WK:はい今19歳です CA:5年前に君は考えついたことがあるんだよねそれはどんなこと? WK:風車を作りたいと思いました CA:風車? WK:はい CA:それは -- 灯りとかに電気を流すのに? WK:はい CA:それでどうしたの? どうやって実現したの? WK:学校に行くのをやめてから、図書館に行ったんですそれで「エネルギーの利用」という本を読んでそれで風車の作り方を知ってそして作ったんです (拍手) CA:それで、君は本の図面をそのままコピーしたんだね WK:ああ、いや、つまり CA:どうやったの? WK:実は、本の図面では 4、いや3枚の羽根になっていたんですが私の風車は4枚羽根になっています CA:本のは3枚、君のは4枚 WK:はい CA:そして、それは何で作ったの? WK:電力を増やしたかったので、羽を4枚にしました CA:オーケー WK:はい CA:君は3枚でテストして、4枚の方がいいとわかったの? WK:はいテストしたんです CA:それで、風車を何から作ったの? つまりどんな材料で? WK:自転車のフレームと、滑車と、プラスチックパイプと、それからー CA:写真はある? 次のスライドは? WK:そう、これが風車です CA:それで、風車はうまく動いたの? WK:風が吹くと、風車は回って発電しました CA:電力はどれくらい? WK:12ワットです CA:それで、家に灯りが灯ったいくつ? WK:電球が4つとラジオがふたつです CA:すごい WK:でしょう CA:それで(拍手)次のスライドはこれはだれ? WK:私の両親ですラジオを買ったところです CA:それで、ご両親は、君のことを、当時14,5歳だった... 君のことをどう思った? 感心した? WK:はい CA:それで、これから君はこれでどうするつもりですか? WK:ええと... CA:つまり、これから風車を他にも作りたいのかな? WK:はい他にも作りたいです... 水をくみ上げて、作物を灌漑して... CA:それはもっと大きいやつになる? WK:はい CA:どれくらい大きい? WK:20ワットかそれ以上になると思います CA:それだと、村全体を灌漑できる? WK:はい CA:それで君は、ここでTEDの人たちに誰かこの夢を実現するのを助けてくれる人がいないか話すんだね? WK:はい資材を提供しれくれたりとかはい CA:それで、君のこれからの人生についてだけど君は今19歳でこれからも君の夢・エネルギーの仕事をするつもりかい? WK:はいこれからもエネルギーの仕事をやるつもりです CA:すごいウィリアム、君がTEDカンファレンスに来てくれたのはとても名誉なことだよ来てくれてほんとうにありがとう WK:ありがとう	William Kamkwamba: Thanks. CA: So, we've got a picture, I think? Where is this? WK: This is my home. This is where I live. CA: Where? What country? WK: In Malawi, Kasungu. In Kasungu. Yeah, Mala. CA: OK. Now, you're 19 now? WK: Yeah. I'm 19 years now. CA: Five years ago you had an idea. What was that? WK: I wanted to make a windmill. CA: A windmill? WK: Yeah. CA: What, to power -- for lighting and stuff? WK: Yeah. CA: So what did you do? How did you realize that? WK: After I dropped out of school, I went to library, and I read a book that would -- "Using Energy," and I get information about doing the mill. And I tried, and I made it. CA: So you copied -- you exactly copied the design in the book. WK: Ah, no. I just -- CA: What happened? WK: In fact, a design of the windmill that was in the book, it has got four -- ah -- three blades, and mine has got four blades. CA: The book had three, yours had four. WK: Yeah. CA: And you made it out of what? WK: I made four blades, just because I want to increase power. CA: OK. WK: Yeah. CA: You tested three, and found that four worked better? WK: Yeah. I test. CA: And what did you make the windmill out of? What materials did you use? WK: I use a bicycle frame, and a pulley, and plastic pipe, what then pulls -- CA: Do we have a picture of that? Can we have the next slide? WK: Yeah. The windmill. CA: And so, and that windmill, what -- it worked? WK: When the wind blows, it rotates and generates. CA: How much electricity? WK: 12 watts. CA: And so, that lit a light for the house? How many lights? WK: Four bulbs and two radios. CA: Wow. WK: Yeah. CA: Next slide -- so who's that? WK: This is my parents, holding the radio. CA: So what did they make of -- that you were 14, 15 at the time -- what did they make of this? They were impressed? WK: Yeah. CA: And so what's your -- what are you going to do with this? WK: Um -- CA: What do you -- I mean -- do you want to build another one? WK: Yeah, I want to build another one -- to pump water and irrigation for crops. CA: So this one would have to be bigger? WK: Yeah. CA: How big? WK: I think it will produce more than 20 the watts. CA: So that would produce irrigation for the entire village? WK: Yeah. CA: Wow. And so you're talking to people here at TED to get people who might be able to help in some way to realize this dream? WK: Yeah, if they can help me with materials, yeah. CA: And as you think of your life going forward, you're 19 now, do you picture continuing with this dream of working in energy? WK: Yeah. I'm still thinking to work on energy. CA: Wow. William, it's a real honor to have you at the TED conference. Thank you so much for coming. WK: Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
12年ぐらい前にこれを言い始めたときは途上国の話だったのですがここにいる皆さんは世界各国からお越しのようですね自国の地図を頭に浮かべてくださいお気づきになると思います地球上のどの国にもあてはまる場所があります「優秀な教師の行きたがらない地域がある」そんな場所は問題の起きる地域でもあるのですだから皮肉にも優秀な教師というのは最も必要とされる地域に行きたがりませんこの問題に取り組むために 1999年からインドのニューデリーでとても簡単な実験を始めました端的にいえばニューデリーのスラム街でコンピューターを壁に埋め込んだのです子どもたちは学校に通えないので英語を話せませんコンピューターを見たこともなくインターネットなど知りもしませんこれに高速のネット回線をつなげて 1メートルの高さに設置して電源を入れておいたところ後でお話しする興味深い結果が得られましたインドのいたるところで試してその後で世界中で試してみましたそして気づいたのです子どもたちはやり方を知りたいと思うとそれを学習するのですこちらは初めて実験したときの映像で右にいる8歳の少年が 6歳の少女にブラウザの操作を教えていますこちらは中央インドの中部にいた少年こちらはラージャスターン村です子どもたちは自分たちの音楽を録音して再生し合ったりしてそんなことをしながらすっかり夢中になりました初めてコンピューターを目にしてから 4時間で一通りできるようになりました南インドにある別の村では少年たちがビデオカメラを組み立ててマルハナバチを撮影しようとしていましたディズニーのサイトなどからダウンロードしたものです村にコンピューターを設置して14日目のことでしたこのようなことからコンピューターの操作やウェブサイトの見方は子どもたちが自分で学習できるという結論に至りました誰にでも可能で住む場所も関係ありませんこれで少し期待が湧きましたのでコンピューターを使って子どもたちが何か別のことを出来るか調べることにしましたまずはインドのハイデラバードでかなりテルグ語なまりの強い英語を話す子どもたちにあるコンピューターを使ってもらいましたこのコンピューターにはウィンドウズに添付されているような音声テキスト化機能が付いていますので話し声を入力してもらいましたただ話し声を入力しても無意味な文字列が表示されるので「何言っても認識しない」と言うのですが私は「2カ月置いておくから君たちの話をコンピューターに理解させてね」とお願いしました「どうやるの?」と子どもたちが聞くのでこう返しました「分からないよ」そのまま立ち去りました 2カ月後の結果は「情報技術と国際開発」という学術誌にすでに掲載されているのですがなまりに変化がありました音声テキスト化ソフトの設定に使ったくせのないイギリス式の発音にすごく近かったのです皆が教育学者ジェイムストゥーリーみたいに話すのですそれを自分たちの力でやったのですこのあと子どもたちが自分で学習できそうなことを他にも色々と試し始めましたコロンビアから電話を受けて驚いたことがありました亡きアーサー C クラーク氏からでした「何をやっているのか見たい」と言うのです彼は遠出できないので私が行きました二つおもしろいことを言っていました「機械で替えがきく教師は替えるべきだ」そして「子どもたちが興味を抱いたときそこに教育が生まれる」現場でそれを目にするたびに彼のことを思い出します「これは間違いなく人の役にたちますよ子どもたちはやり方をすぐ理解して夢中になって面白いことを探しますからね興味を持てれば教育を受けているのと同じことです」南アフリカでもこの実験をやってみましたこちらは15歳の少年です「ゲームをやってるんだ動物なんかのねあと音楽を聴いたりするよ」「メールは送った?」と聞いたら「うん海の向こうまで届いたよ」と言ってましたこちらはカンボジアの様子ですカンボジアでも田舎の方ですはっきり言ってつまらない算数ゲームをやっています教室や家ならやろうとしないでしょうし「つまらないよ」と投げ返してくるはずですでも道端に設置して大人がどこかに行ってしまえば子どもたちはお互いにできることを自慢するのですこちらは子どもたちが操作しているところですおそらく掛け算をやろうとしているのでしょうインドの全域で 2年ほど試すとその終盤には子どもたちが宿題でグーグル検索を使い出したので教師がこう言っていました「英語力が飛躍的に伸びた」「なにもかも急速に伸びた」「何事も実に深く考察するようになった」たしかにそうなのですグーグルを調べて分かるなら知識を詰め込む必要はないのです次の4年間の終盤には子どもたちはインターネットを使いこなして自分で教材を見つけ出せることが分かりましたそのころ英国のニューカッスル大学ではインドの学校教育を改善するために莫大な資金が集まりました大学からの電話に「デリーでやるよ」と答えたら「デリーにいながら 100万ポンドもの大学の資金を運用するなんて無理だよ」と言われましたですから 2006年には厚手のコートを自分で買ってニューカッスルに移りました私はこのシステムの限界を知りたかったのですニューカッスルでの最初の実験はインドでやったものと同じですが不可能に思える目標を立てました「南インドの村に住んでタミル語を話している 12歳の子どもたちがバイオテクノロジーを英語で自習できるだろうか?」こう予測していました「テストは0点コンピューターを渡してまた戻ってきてテストまた0点 "ある学習には教師が必要だ"と報告だな」 26人の子どもたちを集めましたそこでこう話したのです「とても難しい内容だよ誰も理解できなくても驚かないよすべて英語だし」そう言って立ち去りましたコンピューターを子どもたちに残して 2カ月後に戻ってみると 26人の子どもがとても静かに集まってきて「何か見てみた?」と聞いたら「見たよ」と答えたので「何か分かった?」と聞いたら「なんにも」というのですそこで私が「何も分からないと判断するまでにどれくらいの期間やったの?」と聞いたら「毎日見てたよ」と答えます「2カ月見て何も?」と聞いたら 12歳の少女が手を挙げて実際にこう言いました「DNA分子の不適切な複製で遺伝子疾患が起きるということ以外は何も分からないの」 (拍手) これを発表するまで3年かかりましたちょうど学会誌に掲載されたところです論文を査読した人は「本当にしてはできすぎだ」なんて言っていました残念な発言です自分で勉強した一人の女の子が先生の役をしていましたここにいるのがその子です確認しますが英語学習ではありません編集で切ったのですが「ニューロンはどこ?」と聞いたらこの子は「ニューロン?ニューロン?」と言って目を動かして頭を指しましたあまり品のいい仕草ではありません子どもたちのテスト結果は0%から30%へと良くなりましたこのような地域ではありえない教育結果ですでも30%で合格ではありません子どもたちが一緒にサッカーをする地元の若い女性会計士がいることを知ってその女性にこんなお願いをしてみました「合格点を出せるぐらいまでこの子たちにバイオテクノロジーを教えてくれませんか?」と「どうするの?何も分からないのに」と聞くので「お婆ちゃんになって」と言いました「どういうこと?」と彼女が尋ねるのでこう教えてあげました「子どもたちの後ろに立って子どもたちを励まし続けるんだ "いいね" "すごいね" とか言ったり "それ何?" "もう一度" "もっと見せて" とか言うんだよ」その女性が2カ月間続けるとテスト結果は50%まで良くなりましたバイオテクノロジーに詳しい教師がいるニューデリーの上流階級の学校の生徒が取る点数ですこの結果をたずさえてニューカッスルに戻りましてこの地でも間違いなく真剣に取り組むべきことが起きていると考えました遠く離れたいろいろな地域を経験してきましたが私には一番遠く感じる地域にやってきましたデリーから約8000キロ離れたゲーツヘッドという英国の小さな町ですゲーツヘッドでは 32人の子どもたちを集めてこれまでの手法に手直しを加えました子どもたちを四つのグループに分けて説明しました「どのグループに入るか自分で決めようグループごとに1台のPCを使ってね 4台じゃないよ後ろで監視しているからズルしちゃ駄目だグループを替わるのもよしグループに合わないとか思ったらグループを渡り歩いてもいいよ他のグループの作業を肩越しにのぞいて自分のグループに戻って自分の手柄にしてもよし」さらにこう付け加えました「科学技術の研究ではそうすることが多いんだよ」 (拍手) 子どもたちは熱心に聞いてきます「なにをしたらいいの?」とそこで中等教育卒業資格試験から6問を出題しました一つ目のグループは一番優秀で 20分で全部解きました最下位のグループは45分かかりました子どもたちはニュースグループやグーグル、ウィキペデア、Ask Jeevesなど知る限りの手段を使いました「これが知識を深める学習?」と教師が尋ねるのですが私が言ったのは「試してみてください 2カ月後に戻ってきてペーパーテストを受けさせますコンピューターの使用や相談などは無しです」コンピューターを使ってグループで解くと平均76%の正答率でした 2カ月たってテストを実施してみると 76%という結果ができました子どもたちが頭の中で鮮明に思い出したのではないでしょうかお互いに議論した結果だと思います 1台のコンピュータを一人で使う子にはそんなことはできませんさらにはまったく信じがたいことに時間とともに点数が良くなりました教師の話では子どもたちが放課後もグーグル検索を続けていたおかげのようです実験後にここイギリスでもお婆ちゃん役を募集しましたそうしたらイギリスのお婆ちゃんはとても精力的で 200人のボランティアがすぐに集まりましたしてもらったことは一週間に一度家で座ったまま 1時間インターネットをすることこれをやってもらいましたこの2年 600時間を超える教育がスカイプを通じて実施されました子どもたちはお婆ちゃんネットと呼んでいましたお婆ちゃんネットはどこか向こうにありますがどんな学校にもお婆ちゃんを映し出すことができます「僕を捕まえることはできないさ」「繰り返してね」「僕を捕まえることはできないさ」「僕を捕まえることはできないさ」「僕はジンジャーブレッドマンだ」「僕はジンジャーブレッドマンだ」「いいわよくできましたね」ゲーツヘッドに戻りますと 10歳の女の子が15分でヒンドゥー教を深くまで調べました私が全く知らない知識です TEDトークを見ている子が二人いましたサッカー選手になりたがっていたのに TEDトークを8本見たあとではレオナルドダビンチになりたいと言っていました (拍手) とても分かりやすい例です今このようなものをつくっています自己学習環境 SOLEといいますここの設備を使えば子どもたちが大きな画面の前に座って高速でネットを利用できもちろんグループで利用します必要なときにお婆ちゃんネットを利用できますこちらはニューカッスルにあるSOLEですインドのある人が協力してくれました最後に1つだけ少しお話しして終わりにしましょう 5月にイタリアのトリノを訪れたとき 10歳の児童のグループから教師を引き離ました私は英語だけ子どもはイタリア語だけを話しますから会話するすべがありませんでした黒板に英語で質問を書き始めるとそれを見て「何それ?」と子どもたちが聞くので「とりあえずやってみよう」と言いました子どもたちはグーグルに入力してイタリア語に翻訳しイタリア語のグーグルに戻って 15分たつと ... 次の質問は「カルカッタはどこにある?」これには10分しかかかりませんでしたそこでかなり難しい質問を出しました「Pythagorasは誰? 何をした人?」しばらく静かになったあとで「先生スペルが違うよ Petagorasだよ」と子供たちが言いましたそれから20分がたって直角三角形が画面に表示されるようになりましたそれを見て背筋がゾクゾクしました 10歳の子どもですよ「あと30分で相対性理論を知ったかもさらに ...」 (拍手) なにが起きたのでしょう? 自己学習システムをまさに手にしたところなのです自己学習システムは外部から明確な介入を受けずにその仕組みを構築するものですさらに自己学習システムでは常に創発がみられますつまり予期していないことをこのシステムが実行し始めるのです一見不可能に見えるから皆さんはそんな反応をされるのでしょうが現段階で私のように推測することは可能だと思います教育は自己学習システムですそこでは学習が創発的現象なのです実験的に証明するには数年かかるでしょうがやってみるつもりです今の所こう考えています子ども10億人に対して関係者1億人が必要です地球上にはもっとたくさんいるでしょう SOLEは1000万台必要です 1800億ドルと10年の期間が必要ですきっとすべてを変えられることでしょうありがとうございました	I started with that sentence about 12 years ago, and I started in the context of developing countries, but you're sitting here from every corner of the world. So if you think of a map of your country, I think you'll realize that for every country on Earth, you could draw little circles to say, "These are places where good teachers won't go." On top of that, those are the places from where trouble comes. So we have an ironic problem -- good teachers don't want to go to just those places where they're needed the most. I started in 1999 to try and address this problem with an experiment, which was a very simple experiment in New Delhi. I basically embedded a computer into a wall of a slum in New Delhi. The children barely went to school, they didn't know any English -- they'd never seen a computer before, and they didn't know what the internet was. I connected high speed internet to it -- it's about three feet off the ground -- turned it on and left it there. After this, we noticed a couple of interesting things, which you'll see. But I repeated this all over India and then through a large part of the world and noticed that children will learn to do what they want to learn to do. This is the first experiment that we did -- eight year-old boy on your right teaching his student, a six year-old girl, and he was teaching her how to browse. This boy here in the middle of central India -- this is in a Rajasthan village, where the children recorded their own music and then played it back to each other and in the process, they've enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They did all of this in four hours after seeing the computer for the first time. In another South Indian village, these boys here had assembled a video camera and were trying to take the photograph of a bumble bee. They downloaded it from Disney.com, or one of these websites, 14 days after putting the computer in their village. So at the end of it, we concluded that groups of children can learn to use computers and the internet on their own, irrespective of who or where they were. At that point, I became a little more ambitious what else could children do with a computer. We started off with an experiment in Hyderabad, India, where I gave a group of children -- they spoke English with a very strong Telugu accent. I gave them a computer with a speech-to-text interface, which you now get free with Windows, and asked them to speak into it. So when they spoke into it, the computer typed out gibberish, so they said, "Well, it doesn't understand anything of what we are saying." So I said, "Yeah, I'll leave it here for two months. Make yourself understood to the computer." So the children said, "How do we do that." And I said, "I don't know, actually." And I left. Two months later -- and this is now documented in the Information Technology for International Development journal -- that accents had changed and were remarkably close to the neutral British accent in which I had trained the speech-to-text synthesizer. In other words, they were all speaking like James Tooley. So they could do that on their own. with various other things that they might learn to do on their own. I got an interesting phone call once from Columbo, from the late Arthur C. Clarke, who said, "I want to see what's going on." And he couldn't travel, so I went over there. He said two interesting things, "A teacher that can be replaced by a machine should be." The second thing he said was that, "If children have interest, then education happens." And I was doing that in the field, so every time I would watch it and think of him. Arthur C. Clarke: And they can definitely help people, because children quickly learn to navigate the web and find things which interest them. And when you've got interest, then you have education. Sugata Mitra: I took the experiment to South Africa. This is a 15 year-old boy. Boy: ... just mention, I play games like animals, and I listen to music. SM: And I asked him, "Do you send emails?" And he said, "Yes, and they hop across the ocean." This is in Cambodia, rural Cambodia -- a fairly silly arithmetic game, which no child would play inside the classroom or at home. They would, you know, throw it back at you. They'd say, "This is very boring." If you leave it on the pavement and if all the adults go away, then they will show off with each other about what they can do. This is what these children are doing. They are trying to multiply, I think. And all over India, at the end of about two years, children were beginning to Google their homework. As a result, the teachers reported tremendous improvements in their English -- rapid improvement and all sorts of things. They said, "They have become really deep thinkers and so on and so forth. And indeed they had. I mean, if there's stuff on Google, why would you need to stuff it into your head? So at the end of the next four years, I decided that groups of children can navigate the internet to achieve educational objectives on their own. At that time, a large amount of money had come into Newcastle University to improve schooling in India. So Newcastle gave me a call. I said, "I'll do it from Delhi." They said, "There's no way you're going to handle a million pounds-worth of University money sitting in Delhi." So in 2006, I bought myself a heavy overcoat and moved to Newcastle. I wanted to test the limits of the system. The first experiment I did out of Newcastle was actually done in India. And I set myself and impossible target: can Tamil speaking 12-year-old children in a South Indian village teach themselves biotechnology in English on their own? And I thought, I'll test them, they'll get a zero -- I'll give the materials, I'll come back and test them -- they get another zero, I'll go back and say, "Yes, we need teachers for certain things." I called in 26 children. They all came in there, and I told them that there's some really difficult stuff on this computer. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't understand anything. It's all in English, and I'm going. So I left them with it. I came back after two months, and the 26 children marched in looking very, very quiet. I said, "Well, did you look at any of the stuff?" They said, "Yes, we did." "Did you understand anything?" "No, nothing." So I said, "Well, how long did you practice on it before you decided you understood nothing?" They said, "We look at it every day." So I said, "For two months, you were looking at stuff you didn't understand?" So a 12 year-old girl raises her hand and says, literally, "Apart from the fact that improper replication of the DNA molecule causes genetic disease, we've understood nothing else." It took me three years to publish that. It's just been published in the British Journal of Educational Technology. One of the referees who refereed the paper said, "It's too good to be true," which was not very nice. Well, one of the girls had taught herself to become the teacher. And then that's her over there. Remember, they don't study English. I edited out the last bit when I asked, "Where is the neuron?" and she says, "The neuron? The neuron," and then she looked and did this. Whatever the expression, it was not very nice. So their scores had gone up from zero to 30 percent, which is an educational impossibility under the circumstances. But 30 percent is not a pass. So I found that they had a friend, a local accountant, a young girl, and they played football with her. I asked that girl, "Would you teach them enough biotechnology to pass?" And she said, "How would I do that? I don't know the subject." I said, "No, use the method of the grandmother." She said, "What's that?" I said, "Well, what you've got to do is stand behind them and admire them all the time. Just say to them, 'That's cool. That's fantastic. What is that? Can you do that again? Can you show me some more?'" She did that for two months. The scores went up to 50, which is what the posh schools of New Delhi, with a trained biotechnology teacher were getting. So I came back to Newcastle with these results and decided that there was something happening here that definitely was getting very serious. So, having experimented in all sorts of remote places, I came to the most remote place that I could think of. Approximately 5,000 miles from Delhi is the little town of Gateshead. In Gateshead, I took 32 children and I started to fine-tune the method. I made them into groups of four. I said, "You make your own groups of four. Each group of four can use one computer and not four computers." Remember, from the Hole in the Wall. "You can exchange groups. You can walk across to another group, if you don't like your group, etc. You can go to another group, peer over their shoulders, see what they're doing, come back to you own group and claim it as your own work." And I explained to them that, you know, a lot of scientific research is done using that method. The children enthusiastically got after me and said, "Now, what do you want us to do?" I gave them six GCSE questions. The first group -- the best one -- solved everything in 20 minutes. The worst, in 45. They used everything that they knew -- news groups, Google, Wikipedia, Ask Jeeves, etc. The teachers said, "Is this deep learning?" I said, "Well, let's try it. I'll come back after two months. We'll give them a paper test -- no computers, no talking to each other, etc." The average score when I'd done it with the computers and the groups was 76 percent. When I did the experiment, when I did the test, after two months, the score was 76 percent. There was photographic recall inside the children, I suspect because they're discussing with each other. A single child in front of a single computer will not do that. I have further results, which are almost unbelievable, of scores which go up with time. Because their teachers say that after the session is over, the children continue to Google further. Here in Britain, I put out a call for British grandmothers, after my Kuppam experiment. Well, you know, they're very vigorous people, British grandmothers. 200 of them volunteered immediately. The deal was that they would give me one hour of broadband time, sitting in their homes, one day in a week. So they did that, and over the last two years, over 600 hours of instruction has happened over Skype, using what my students call the granny cloud. The granny cloud sits over there. I can beam them to whichever school I want to. Teacher: You can't catch me. You say it. You can't catch me. Children: You can't catch me. Teacher: I'm the gingerbread man. Children: I'm the gingerbread man. Teacher: Well done. Very good ... SM: Back at Gateshead, a 10-year-old girl gets into the heart of Hinduism in 15 minutes. You know, stuff which I don't know anything about. Two children watch a TEDTalk. They wanted to be footballers before. After watching eight TEDTalks, he wants to become Leonardo da Vinci. It's pretty simple stuff. This is what I'm building now -- they're called SOLEs: Self Organized Learning Environments. The furniture is designed so that children can sit in front of big, powerful screens, big broadband connections, but in groups. If they want, they can call the granny cloud. This is a SOLE in Newcastle. The mediator is from Pune, India. So how far can we go? One last little bit and I'll stop. I went to Turin in May. I sent all the teachers away from my group of 10 year-old students. I speak only English, they speak only Italian, so we had no way to communicate. I started writing English questions on the blackboard. The children looked at it and said, "What?" I said, "Well, do it." They typed it into Google, translated it into Italian, went back into Italian Google. Fifteen minutes later -- next question: where is Calcutta? This one, they took only 10 minutes. I tried a really hard one then. Who was Pythagoras, and what did he do? There was silence for a while, then they said, "You've spelled it wrong. It's Pitagora." And then, in 20 minutes, the right-angled triangles began to appear on the screens. This sent shivers up my spine. These are 10 year-olds. Text: In another 30 minutes they would reach the Theory of Relativity. And then? SM: So you know what's happened? I think we've just stumbled across a self-organizing system. A self-organizing system is one without explicit intervention from the outside. Self-organizing systems also always show emergence, which is that the system starts to do things, which it was never designed for. Which is why you react the way you do, because it looks impossible. I think I can make a guess now -- education is self-organizing system, where learning is an emergent phenomenon. It'll take a few years to prove it, experimentally, but I'm going to try. But in the meanwhile, there is a method available. One billion children, we need 100 million mediators -- there are many more than that on the planet -- 10 million SOLEs, 180 billion dollars and 10 years. We could change everything. Thanks.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
写真をお見せしながら私がどのように家づくりをしているのかお話ししたいと思いますこれらの建物はすべて 70~80%は再利用された材料でできています埋め立て地や焼却場に向かっていた部材です捨てられていたものばかりを使いました私が初めて建てた家です明かり取りの窓がついた玄関の2枚扉は埋め立てゴミになるところでした小さな塔があります受け材についているボタンはちょうどここですこれはクルミの実ですこちらのボタンは鶏の卵ですまず朝食で卵を食べ殻に接着剤を塗り色づけして固定しますあっという間に建築の模様ができます家の中はこうなっています明かり取りの窓があります目線の高さに窓がついていますアンティークなものですこれもゴミになるところでした鍵の部分だけで200ドルにはなるでしょう台所にあるものはすべてゴミから救い出したものです 1952年製オキーフ&メリットのストーブです料理に使ってもカッコいいですね小塔に上る階段ですこの階段は20ドルで手に入れました運送料込みの値段です塔の中を見上げています出っ張りやへこみたるみなどがありますそれで人生が台無しになるならこの家には住まない方がいいです洗濯部屋です靴型がありますアンティークの店にあるような鋳鉄がうちにあったのでそれで簡単な装置を作りました靴型の上に足を乗せると扉がバンと開いて洗濯物を投げ入れるのです上手くいけば洗濯物は洗濯機の上のバスケットに入りそうでなければトイレに投げ込まれます 2フィートx4フィートの木材から自作したバスタブです枠から始めて接着剤や釘打ちで平らにします持ち送り積みにしたものをひっくり返して上に型枠を入れました 2人用です衛生面だけが問題なのではなく楽しまなくてはいけませんこちらの蛇口はオーセージ・オレンジの木でできていますペニスのように見えますがまあ浴室ですからバドワイザーの缶でできた家ですビール缶のようには見えませんがデザインを見れば間違いようがありませんひさしに至るまでただ乗りのデザインです缶の赤白青銀の色をそのまま使っていますひさしから下に伸びている受け材は缶の小さなマークがついています缶をコピー機に乗せて好きなサイズまでデザインを拡大し続けました缶にはこんな文句が ''これが有名なバドワイザー他のビールなんて知らないよ" これをもじって"これが有名なバドワイザーの家他の家なんて知らないよ"とかやりましたこれはかんぬきです 1930年代のうるさい木材加工機で作られた柵についていました柵はもらえましたが機械はくれなかったのでそこからかんぬきを取り外しました凶暴な象でも壊すことはできませんもちろん凶暴な象なんて周りにはいませんがシャワーはビールのグラスをイメージしました泡が登っていちばん上はごつごつしたタイルがありますこのタイルはどうやって入手したかというとタイルではなくトイレを沢山もらったので金槌で解体してごつごつしたタイルを手に入れましたこの蛇口はビールの栓ですこちらのガラス板はアメリカの中流家庭ならどこにでもあるものと同じですもう飽き飽きです使い古されています玄関に使っては失敗デザインですだからどこか別の場所に使わなくてはいけませんきれいなガラス板ですが玄関に使うと「他の連中を真似したんだろうが上手く行ってないよ」となりますだから玄関はダメです二階に2つ目のトイレを作るのもいけませんここにある照明はアメリカ中流家庭の玄関にあるものと同じです玄関はやめましょうシャワーやクローゼットに使うのはいいですが玄関はダメです誰かがビデをくれたこともありましたこの小さな家にある枝状の部分はオーセージ・オレンジで作られています話している間に写真がスクロールしていきます私のような仕事を上手くやるためには建築業界でどんなものがゴミになるのかを知らなければなりません住宅は単なるコモディティになっていますでもゴミを生み出す第一の原因は我々のDNAに組み込まれているのだと思います人間は統覚性を持つために一貫性を保つ必要がありますどういうことかと言うと我々が知覚することは全て以前の同種の知覚と関わりを持つということですさもなければ継続性がなくなり私たちは自らを見失ってしまうでしょう見たことのないような作品をお見せしましょう携帯電話ですでもこれは見たことがないでしょう構造上の特徴のパターンを測っていますデータバンクに行くと - 携帯電話です私がそれを口に入れたらこう言われるでしょう「ちょっと待ってそれは携帯電話じゃなくて新しくできたチョコレート携帯だよ」そして携帯とチョコレートの間に新しいカテゴリーが生まれます私たちはそのように情報を処理するのですそれを建築業界に置き換えると立ち並ぶ窓ガラスの1枚がひび割れていると「何てこったひびが入ってる直さなくちゃひび入りのものは捨てて新しいものに換えよう」それがひび割れた窓の運命ですひびが生活には影響ないことなど考慮されません予期されたパターンと構造上の統一性をかき乱すだけなのにでももし小さな金槌で他のすべての窓にひびを入れればそれがパターンになりますゲシュタルト心理学では部分よりも全体のパターンを認識することを重視しますだから「おぉいいね」となるでしょう私にとって非常に役立つ考え方です反復がパターンを作り出します 2種類の反復が100ずつあれば互いの違いなど無いようなものですくるみから卵ガラス片枝に至るまで繰り返し用いればパターンが生まれます違いがなくなるのですそれが建築界で大量のゴミを生み出しますフリードリッヒ・ニーチェは1885年頃「悲劇の誕生」という本を書きましたそこで彼は文化というのは 2種類の視点を揺れ動くものだと書きました一方にはアポロン的な視点がありますきちんと計画され理性的で完璧なものです他方にはディオニュソス的な視点がありますより情熱や直感に重きを置き有機組織やジェスチャーに寛容ですアポロン的な人が写真を撮ったり飾ったりする際は測角器とレーザーの水平計マイクロメーターの測定器を使うでしょう「写真をあと0.03ミリ左に寄せてそこそこそれで完璧だ」水平直角中心が前提ですディオニュソス的な人が写真を撮る場合は... これが違いです私は傷や有機的なプロセスを重視します - 中道主義のジョン・デューイのようなものですアポロン的な心持ちは大量のゴミを生み出します何かが完璧でなかったり計画されたモデルでなかったりすると「おっと傷があるゴミ箱行きだこれもあれも埋め立てゴミにしろ」 3つ目に言える事は - 産業革命はルネッサンスの時代に人道主義の興隆とともに始まりフランス革命の頃に大きく前進し 19世紀半ばまでには全盛になりましたそれまでは手で行っていたことを代わりにしてくれる機械や装置が現れたのですそのため今では材料も規格化されました木は2×4.8インチのように規格化されたサイズには育ちませんだから材料の規格化は大量のゴミを生みます木はまた配向性ストランドボードやパーチクル・ボードなどの建築材料の元にもなりますでも使われる際に無駄になるならば収穫時点で注意を払っても意味がありませんそれが今起きていることです規格に合わないものは「ああ反っているゴミ箱行きだ」 2×4インチの材木を買って真っ直ぐでなければ返品できます「申し訳ございません真っ直ぐなものをお持ちします」私は曲がった材木をよく使います繰り返し使ってパターンを生み出すのですこれはディオニュソス的な考え方です 4番目に言えることは労働が材料よりも途方もなく高価だということですこれはただの神話です以前ジム・トゥルーズという教え子に言いました「ジム君に骨組みづくりのチームの主任をやってほしいんだ」「ダン僕にはまだ早いよ」「そんなことはないあれ何だか元気がないね」そうやって彼を仕事にやりましたジムは巻き尺を持って現場に行きゴミの山で小口つまり扉の上に使う板の材料を探しました - 教わった通りにやってボスを感心させようとしたのです監督者が寄っていって「何をしてるんだ」と言いました「小口の材料を探してるんです」褒められるのを待っていたのですが「ゴミを漁るために雇ってるんじゃない仕事に戻れ」と言われ勇敢にも「もし僕に時給300ドル払っているならそう言うのもわかるけどいま僕は 1分で5ドル分節約してやってるんだ計算しろよ」「その通りだこれからはまずゴミの山を漁れ」皮肉なことにジムは計算が得意ではありませんでした時々制御室に行くと文字盤が多くて混乱しますそれと同じことが起きたのです 5番目に言いたいのは 2,500年経っても我々はまだプラトンの完全体の考え方に影響を受けているということです曰く私たちは頭の中で自分が望むものを完全に把握していて環境をそれに合わせてしまうのだそうです皆が心の中にアメリカンドリームという完璧な家 - 夢の家を持っていますでもそれは手が届く代物ではありませんだからアメリカンドリームっぽい家つまりモバイル・ホームを手に入れます地球は胴枯れ病にかかっています家具や車のような家財の抵当のことです小切手を切った瞬間に3割も価値が下がります 1年後には家財の7割分にしか保険が効かなくなります 14口径のワイヤにつながれています 12口径のワイヤにしてくれと頼まないのであれば悪いことではありませんそれと同じことが起きていますホルムアルデヒドが出るので新しくモバイルホームを買う人にホルムアルデヒドの危険性を警告する連邦法ができました私たちは鈍感な間抜けになっているのでしょうか壁はこんなにも分厚く構造上は丈夫なのに「パームハーバー村がここにあったはずだけど」「いやー昨晩風が吹いてね吹き飛ばされちまったよ」モバイル・ホームが傷んだらどうするでしょう? いまの建築界はアポロン的プラトン的なモデルを基礎にしていますそれはますます深刻化しています一つには全てのプロフェッショナルが商人から販売人検査人技術者建築家に至るまで皆このように考えていますそれは同じモデルを求める消費者にも言えることです自己実現する予言のようなものですここにマーケティングの担当者や広告主が加わります「いけいけどんどん」必要かどうかもわからないものを買うのです私たちがすべきことは炭酸プルーンジュースの行く末を見ることだけですなんとおぞましいことでしょう結果はご存知ですか? 「ドクター・ペッパーを飲んだよ」と言うのですすぐに何十億リットルも飲み干すことになります本当のプルーンなど入っておらず健康にもなれません体を悪くしますあっという間にだまされますジャン・ポール・サルトルは「実存と無」という本を書きましたすぐに読める本です 1日に8時間読めば 2年ぐらいでざっと読み終わるでしょうそこで述べられているのは分裂した自己です人は独りでいる時と誰かといる時で行動が変わるとサルトルは言います私が独りでスパゲッティを食べていたらバクバクと食べ口を服の袖で拭いたりクチャクチャ噛んで音を立てたり何でも引っかいたりすることもできますでも誰かが来ると「スパゲッティのソースが付いてるよ」となりますナプキンを膝に乗せ噛む時は口を閉じ引っかきもしません私は人はこうあるべきというその人の期待に沿うように行動しています期待を感じるからそれを受け入れ期待に沿うように生きるのです建築業界でも同じことが起きています分譲地は全て同じに見えます時に我々は規格化された文化的な期待さえ持ちます皆さんは左右同じ靴を履いていることでしょうもちろん皆がそれを受け入れていますゲート・コミュニティでは皆が自家所有者協会と同じ規格化された期待を持ちますナチのように思えることすらある期待ですそれがこのモデルを拡大・継続させます最後のポイントは社交性です人間は社会的な生きものですライオンなどの獣と同じく集団で手を差し伸べあうことを好みます野生の動物はライオンと付き合ったりしません食べられてしまいますから人間も同じです自分が属したいと思う集団がすることと同じことをします中学でよく見かける光景ですが子ども達はひと夏の間中ヘトヘトになるまで働いてデザイナー・ジーンズを買おうとします 9月頃にそれを履いて外出し「今日の俺はカッコいいだろう見ろよこのジーンズ触るなよお前はこんなジーンズ持ってないんだろうだからイケてないんだ俺はカッコいい奴らの仲間入りさ」制服を着させる理由として十分ですね建築業界でも同じことが起きていますマズローの欲望の階段を少しだけ変えました一番下は基本的欲求です避難所や洋服食料水子孫を残すことなど二番目は安全でその次は関係です四番目はステータスや自尊心 - つまり虚栄心です虚栄心がここで現れます意味のない決断をする羽目になり抵当を払うこともできず食べられるのは豆だけになりますつまり住宅というのはコモディティ化しています自らの内深くに飛び込み恐怖を乗り越えて心を決め家のコモディティ化を防いで将来に残せるものとすることは少しばかり勇気が要りますそればかりでなく何と失敗することもあるのですでもそれでいいんです失敗にくじけてしまうようならこれは成し遂げられません私は毎日失敗ばかりですとんでもない失敗もしてきました大きなヘマで皆が知るような恥ずかしい失敗です誰もが指を差して笑います「5回もやってるのにまた失敗だなんて間抜けなんだ」以前建設業者がやってきて言いました「ダン君は愉快なやつだでもこれは上手く行かないよなんでこんなことやってるんだ?」言いたいことはこういうことです「卵でもチューチューしてな」でもそうは言いませんそういう人たちが対象だからです私たちがしたことは- 家に関することだけではありません衣服や食料移動の必要性エネルギー - 幾らかを並びたててみました少しでも報道されると世界中の人々から連絡があります私たちは発明をし過ぎたのかもしれません廃棄物の問題は世界中に広がっています大きな問題です弾薬のベルトを胸に巻き赤いバンダナをしている訳ではありませんが我々は大きな問題の渦中にいるのです我々がすべきことは自らの本当に原初的なところとつながり直し決心することです「CDをあそこの壁のところにしまいたいんだどう思う?」上手く行かなければやめればいいのです自らの内深くにあるものとつながり直すのですとてもワクワクすることですどうもありがとう	I have a few pictures, and I'll talk a little bit about how I'm able to do what I do. All these houses are built from between 70 and 80 percent recycled material, stuff that was headed to the mulcher, the landfill, the burn pile. It was all just gone. This is the first house I built. This double front door here with the three-light transom that was headed to the landfill. Have a little turret there. And then these buttons on the corbels here. Right there -- those are hickory nuts. And these buttons there -- those are chicken eggs. Of course, first you have breakfast, and then you fill the shell full of Bondo and paint it and nail it up, and you have an architectural button Then, this is a look at the inside. You can see the three-light transom there with the eyebrow windows -- certainly an architectural antique headed to the landfill. Even the lockset is probably worth 200 dollars. Everything in the kitchen was salvaged. There's a 1952 O'Keefe & Merritt stove, if you like to cook -- cool stove. This is going up into the turret. I got that staircase for 20 dollars, including delivery to my lot. Then, looking up in the turret, you see there are bulges and pokes and sags and so forth. Well, if that ruins your life, well then you shouldn't live there. This is a laundry chute, and this right here is a shoe last. And those are those cast-iron things you see at antique shops. So I had one of those, so I made some low-tech gadgetry, there, where you just stomp on the shoe last and then the door flies open, you throw your laundry down. And then if you're smart enough, it goes on a basket on top of the washer. If not, it goes into the toilet. This is a bathtub I made, made out of scrap two-by-four here. Started with a rim there and then glued and nailed it up into a flat, corbelled it up and flipped it over, then did the two profiles on this side. It's a two-person tub. After all, it's not just a question of hygiene, but there's a possibility of recreation as well. Then, this faucet here is just a piece of Osage Orange. It looks a little phallic, but after all, it's a bathroom. Then, this is a house based on a Budweiser can. It doesn't look like a can of beer, but the design take-offs are absolutely unmistakable. The barley hops design worked up into the eaves, then the dentil work comes directly off the can's red, white, blue and silver. Then, these corbeles going down underneath the eaves are that little design that comes off the can. I just put a can on a copier and kept enlarging it until I got the size I want. Then, on the can it says, "This is the famous Budweiser beer, we know of no other beer, blah, blah, blah." So we changed that and put, "This is the famous Budweiser house. We don't know of any other house," and so forth and so on. Then, this is a deadbolt. It's a fence from a 1930s shaper, which is a very angry woodworking machine. And they gave me the fence, but they didn't give me the shaper, so we made a deadbolt out of it. That'll keep bull elephants out, I promise. And sure enough, we've had no problems with bull elephants. The shower is intended to simulate a glass of beer. We've got bubbles going up there, then suds at the top with lumpy tiles. Where do you get lumpy tiles? Well, of course, you don't. But I get a lot of toilets, and so you just dispatch a toilet with a hammer, and then you have lumpy tiles. And then the faucet, there, is a beer tap. Then, this panel of glass that occurs in every middle-class front door in America. We're getting tired of it. It's kind of cliched now. So if you put it in the front door, your design fails. So don't put it in the front door; put it somewhere else. It's a pretty panel of glass. But then if you put it in the front door, people say, "Oh, you're trying to be like those guys, and you didn't make it." So don't put it there. Then, another bathroom upstairs. This light up here is the same light that occurs in every middle-class foyer in America. Don't put it in the foyer. Put it in the shower, or in the closet, but not in the foyer. Then, somebody gave me a bidet, so it got a bidet. This little house here, those branches there are made out of Bois D'arc or Osage Orange, and these pictures will keep scrolling as I talk a little bit. In order to do what I do, you have to understand what causes waste in the building industry. Our housing has become a commodity, and I'll talk a little bit about that. But the first cause of waste is probably even buried in our DNA. Human beings have a need for maintaining consistency of the apperceptive mass. What does that mean? What it means is, for every perception we have, it needs to tally with the one like it before, or we don't have continuity, and we become a little bit disoriented. So I can show you an object you've never seen before. Oh, that's a cell phone. But you've never seen this one before. is sizing up the pattern of structural features here, and then you go through your databanks -- brrrr, cell phone. Oh, that's a cell phone. If I took a bite out of it, you'd go, "Wait a second. That's not a cell phone. That's one of those new chocolate cell phones." And you'd have to start a new category, right between cell phones and chocolate. That's how we process information. So you translate that to the building industry, if we have a wall of windowpanes and one pane is cracked, we go, "Oh, dear. That's cracked. Let's repair it. Let's take it out. Throw it away so nobody can use it and put a new one in." Because that's what you do with a cracked pane. Never mind that it doesn't affect our lives at all. It only rattles that expected pattern and unity of structural features. However, if we took a small hammer, and we added cracks to all the other windows, then we have a pattern. Because Gestalt Psychology emphasizes recognition of pattern over parts that comprise a pattern. We'll go, "Ooh, that's nice." So, that serves me every day. Repetition creates pattern. If I have a hundred of these, a hundred of those, it doesn't make any difference what these and those are. from hickory nuts and chicken eggs, shards of glass, branches. It doesn't make any difference. That causes a lot of waste in the building industry. Second is, Friedrich Nietzsche along about 1885 wrote a book titled "The Birth of Tragedy." And in there he said that cultures tend to swing between one of two perspectives. On the one hand, we have an Apollonian perspective, which is very crisp and premeditated and intellectualized and perfect. On the other end of the spectrum, we have a Dionysian perspective, which is more given to the passions and intuition, tolerant of organic texture and human gesture. So the way the Apollonian personality takes a picture, or hangs a picture, is they'll get out a transit and a laser level and a micrometer. "Okay, honey. A thousandth of an inch to the left. That's where we want the picture. Right. Perfect." Predicated on plumb level, square and centered. The Dionysian personality takes the picture and goes ... That's the difference. I feature blemish. I feature organic process. Dead-center John Dewey. Apollonian mindset creates mountains of waste. If something isn't perfect, if it doesn't line up with that premeditated model, dumpster. "Oops, scratch, dumpster." "Oops" this, "oops" that. "Landfill. Landfill. Landfill." The third thing is arguably -- the Industrial Revolution started in the Renaissance with the rise of humanism, then got a little jump-start along about the French Revolution. By the middle of the 19th century, it's in full flower. And we have dumaflages and gizmos and contraptions that will do anything that we, up to that point, had to do my hand. So now we have standardized materials. Well, trees don't grow two inches by four inches, eight, ten and twelve feet tall. We create mountains of waste. And they're doing a pretty good job there in the forest, working all the byproduct of their industry -- with OSB and particle board and so forth and so on -- but it does no good to be responsible at the point of harvest in the forest if consumers are wasting the harvest at the point of consumption, and that's what's happening. And so if something isn't standard, "Oops, dumpster." "Oops" this. "Oops, warped." If you buy a two-by-four and it's not straight, you can take it back. "Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. We'll get you a straight one." Well I feature all those warped things because repetition creates pattern, and it's from a Dionysian perspective. The fourth thing is labor is disproportionately more expensive than materials. Well, that's just a myth. And here's a story: Jim Tulles, one of the guys I trained, I said, "Jim, it's time now. I got a job for you as a foreman on a framing crew. It's time for you to go." "Dan, I just don't think I'm ready." "Jim, now it's time. You're the down, oh." So we hired on. And he was out there with his tape measure going through the trash heap, looking for header material, which is the board that goes over a door, thinking he'd impress his boss -- that's how we taught him to do it. And the superintendent walked up and said, "What are you doing?" "Oh, just looking for some header material," waiting for that kudos. He said, "No, no. I'm not paying you to go through the trash. Get back to work." And he had the wherewithal to say, he said, "You know, if you were paying me 300 dollars an hour, I can see how you might say that, but right now, I'm saving you five dollars a minute. Do the math." "Good call, Tulles. From now on, you guys hit this pile first." And the irony is that he wasn't very good at math. But once in a while you get access to the control room, and then you can kind of mess with the dials. And that's what happened there. The fifth thing is that maybe, after 2,500 years, Plato is still having his way with us in his notion of perfect forms. He said that we have in our noggin the perfect idea of what we want, and we force environmental resources to accommodate that. So we all have in our head the perfect house, the American dream, which is a house, the dream house. The problem is we can't afford it. So we have the American dream look-alike, which is a mobile home. Now there's a blight on the planet. It's a chattel mortgage, just like furniture, just like a car. You write the check, and instantly it depreciates 30 percent. After a year, you can't get insurance on everything you have in it, only on 70 percent. Wired with 14-gauge wire typically. Nothing wrong with that, unless you ask it to do what 12-gauge wire's supposed to do, and that's what happens. It out-gasses formaldehyde so much so to warn new mobile home buyers of the formaldehyde atmosphere danger. Are we just being numbingly stupid? The walls are this thick. The whole thing has the structural value of corn. "So I thought Palm Harbor Village was over there." "No, no. We had a wind last night. It's gone now." Then when they degrade, what do you do with them? Now, all that, that Apollonian, Platonic model, is what the building industry is predicated on, and there are a number of things that exacerbate that. One is that all the professionals, all the tradesmen, vendors, inspectors, engineers, architects all think like this. who demands the same model. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. We can't get out of it. Then here come the marketeers and the advertisers. "Woo. Woohooo." We buy stuff we didn't know we needed. All we have to do is look at what one company did with carbonated prune juice. How disgusting. But you know what they did? They hooked a metaphor into it and said, "I drink Dr. Pepper ..." And pretty soon, we're swilling that stuff by the lake-ful, by the billions of gallons. It doesn't even have real prunes. Doesn't even keep you regular. My oh my, that makes it worse. And we get sucked into that faster than anything. Then a man named Jean-Paul Sartre wrote a book titled "Being and Nothingness." It's a pretty quick read. You can snap through it in maybe two years if you read eight hours a day. In there he talked about the divided self. He said human beings act differently when they know they're alone than when they know somebody else is around. So if I'm eating spaghetti, and I know I'm alone, I can eat like a backhoe. I can wipe my mouth on my sleeve, napkin on the table, chew with my mouth open, make little noises, scratch wherever I want. But as soon as you walk in, I go, "Ooh. Spaghetti sauce there." Napkin in my lap, half bites, chew with my mouth closed, no scratching. Now what I'm doing is fulfilling your expectations of how I should live my life. I feel that expectation, and so I accommodate it, and I'm living my life according to what you expect me to do. That happens in the building industry as well. That's why all of our subdivisions look the same. Sometimes we even have these formalized cultural expectations. I'll bet all your shoes match. Sure enough, we all buy into that, and with gated communities, we have a formalized expectation with a homeowners association. Sometimes those guys are Nazis, my oh my. That exacerbates and continues this model. The last thing is gregariousness. Human beings are a social species. We like to hang together in groups, just like wildebeests, just like lions. Wildebeests don't hang with lions because lions eat wildebeests. Human beings are like that. We do what that group does that we're trying to identify with. And so you see this in junior high a lot. Those kids, they'll work all summer long, kill themselves, so that they can afford one pair of designer jeans. So along about September they can stride in and go, "I'm important today. See, look, don't touch my designer jeans. I see you don't have designer jeans. You're not one of the beautiful people. See, I'm one of the beautiful people. See my jeans?" Right there is reason enough to have uniforms. And so that happens in the building industry as well. Maslow's hierarchy of needs just a little bit. On the bottom tier we have basic needs -- shelter, clothing, food, water, mating and so forth. Second, security. Third, relationships. Fourth, status, self-esteem -- that is, vanity. And we're taking vanity and shoving it down here. And so we end up with vain decisions and we can't even afford our mortgage. We can't even afford to eat anything except beans. That is, our housing has become a commodity. to dive into those primal, terrifying parts of ourselves and make our own decisions and not make our housing a commodity, but make it something that bubbles up from seminal sources. That takes a little bit of nerve, and, darn it, once in a while you fail. But that's okay. If failure destroys you, then you can't do this. I fail all the time, every day, and I've had some whopping failures, I promise, big, public, humiliating, embarrassing failures. Everybody points and laughs, and they say, "He tried it a fifth time and it still didn't work. What a moron." Early on, contractors come by and say, "Dan, you're a cute little bunny, but you know, this just isn't going to work. What don't you do this, and why don't you do that?" And your instinct is to say, "Why don't you suck an egg?" But you don't say that, because they're the guys you're targeting. And so what we've done -- and this isn't just in housing. It's in clothing and food and our transportation needs, our energy -- we sprawl just a little bit. And when I get a little bit of press, I hear from people all over the world. And we may have invented excess, but the problem of waste is worldwide. We're in trouble. And I don't wear ammo belts crisscrossing my chest and a red bandana, but we're clearly in trouble. And what we need to do with those really primal parts of ourselves and make some decisions and say, "You know, I think I would like to put CDs across the wall there. What do you think, honey?" If it doesn't work, take it down. What we need to do is reconnect with who we really are, and that's thrilling indeed. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「ん? どうした、ジェラルド」「父さんと母さんは、怖くないの?」先ほどまでは笑っていた両親の顔が、すぐさま心配そうな表情になる。「怖いって、何が?」母さんの問いに俺は俯いた。魔法を使えた瞬間は、父さんと母さんに話したいなんて子どもじみたことを思った。だりそれも終え、ある程度落ち着いた今は逆にそれでよかったのか、本当に魔法が使えることを知らせて大丈夫だったのかという不安を覚えていた。普通の平民は魔法を使えない。学ぶ機会がないためだ。平民が上流階級の世界に紛れ込めば異質なものとして排除されるように、魔術師もまた、平民の中では異物として扱われるのではないか。 ......そうしたら、また俺は腫れ物のように扱われたりするのではないだろうか。前世の俺がそうであったように......。「ねえ、ジェラルドちゃん。聞いて」「わたしはね。魔法って、なんだか怖いもの、乱暴なものって思ってたわ。今も、そう思ってる」優しげな声で、親しげな口調で、俺への恐怖を告げるのだろうか。そう思って拳を強く握り締めた。だが。「でも、まあ、だからってジェラルドちゃんを怖いなんて思わないかなあ、わたしは」軽い調子で呟くかのような母さんの言葉に、父さんもまた同意の声をあげた。 ......って、へ? 「......怖く、ないの? 俺なら、怖いよ。自分よりうんと強い力を持ってる人がいたら、怖くて近づきたくないって、思うよ?」「ええ。わたしもそう思うわ」「なら、どうして......?」不安に揺れる俺の声に、母さんは優しく微笑んで、「だって、ジェラルドちゃんはわたしとラッセルの子どもだもの」「~っ、だからちゃん付けするなって言ってるじゃんかあ」「照れ隠しするならせめて頬の赤いのをどうにかしたほうがいいぞ、ジェラルド思わず俺がそう言うと、父さんと母さんはクスクスと笑みをこぼしていた。「それで、お前はどうしたいんだ。ジェラルド」「俺?」「ああ。お前は、魔法に興味があるか? 魔術師に憧れを感じるか? そして何より、色々な魔術を使いこなせるようになりたいと思っているのか?」「それは......」当然、そんなの決まってる。漫画やライトノベル、ゲームなんかがいつだって俺の遊び相手だったし、まだ見ぬ異世界に夢を描いていたりもした。そんな俺が、魔法を使えることに喜びを覚えないわけがなくて。そんな俺が、魔術師という響きに憧れを感じないわけがなくて。「そんなの......決まってるよ。もっと魔法を覚えたい。色々な魔術を使えるようになってみたい」言いながら父さんが目を細めると、不意に俺の頭を大きな手で撫でる。「ぁう!?」「そう言うと思っていた。さすが、俺とセシルの子だ」「えっと、あの、父さん......?」戸惑う俺には構わず、父さんが髪の毛をわしゃわしゃ撫でた。「ジェラルド。この魔法書はお前にやろう」と言って、まだ手に持っていた魔法書をこちらへ差し出してきた。「......いいの?」「ああ。本っていうのはな、それを読む人間のためにある。ならその魔法書は、お前のためにあるってことなんだろう」 ......俺は、父さんも母さんも世界で一番素晴らしい親だって、胸を張って言えるんだ。父さんは理解を示してくれた。母さんは、いきなり魔術師になった俺を受け入れてくれた。	“Hmm? What’s wrong, Gerald?” “Mother, Father...you’re not afraid?” Anyone could tell that I was uneasy. My parents expressions, which had been filled with laughter, immediately became concerned. “Scared? Of what?” I lowered my eyes in response. As soon as I first used magic, I ran shouting to my parents like a child. After calming down, however, I doubted the wisdom of my actions. It may not have been the best idea to let them know I could use magic. No ordinary commoner could use magic; they wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn how. In fact, only a fraction of the upper class could. If a commoner were to be thrown into the world of the rich and powerful, they would probably be rejected due to their inferior social standing. In the same way, as a magician, commoners might distance themselves from them. Mother and Father might also be frightened of the power I possess. In that case...I wonder if I’ll be treated as if I was a cancerous tumor...just like I was in my past life... I was filled with anxiety and despair. Yet, Mother, who may have seen through my feelings, gently called out to me. “Hey, Gerald-chan. Listen.” “To me, magic is a terrifying and dangerous thing.” ...she’s probably going to say that she’s afraid. She’ll probably tell me, with her sweet loving voice, that she’s afraid of me. My hands balled into fists. Nevertheless... “Even so, we wouldn’t be afraid of Gerald-chan.” Father raised his voice in agreement. Wait...what? “You’re not...afraid? I would be. If there was a person who was much stronger than me, I wouldn’t want to be near them.” “Yes, I think I would too.” “Then, why?” My voice wavered. Mother tenderly smiled and said, “Because Gerald-chan is our child.” “Ack, didn’t I say not to add chan?” “Gerald-chan, if you’re going to hide your embarrassment, at least give us the satisfaction of blushing.” Mother and Father burst into giggles. “And, what do you want to do, Gerald?” “Me?” “So, are you interested in magic? Do you want to be a magician? Most importantly, do you want to master many different spells?” I want to, obviously. I loved books in my past life. I loved the stories they told. Manga. Light novels. Games. They were always by my side. I often fantasized about the many worlds they depicted. It’s impossible for me not to jump in joy using magic. It’s impossible for me not to aspire to be magician. “Definitely. I want to learn more magic. I want to be able to cast hundreds lots of spells.” “Is that so...” Father narrowed his eyes and started patting my head. “Huh?!” “I thought you would say that. As expected of our son.” “Umm...Father?” I was perplexed. As Father continued to energetically ruffle my hair, my head was knocked about making me a little dizzy. Before long, Father stopped and said, “Gerald. I’m giving this grimoire to you,” and held out the grimoire he still had in his hands. “...is that ok?” “I believe that books exist for the reader. So, I suppose this grimoire exists for you. Don’t you think?” Father faced me with a smile. It made me feel all warm and fluffy. I can proudly say that my parents are the best parents in the world. Father gave me his recognition and Mother easily accepted me, who had unexpectedly become a magician. Without a doubt, despite my magic, I felt that my parents were far more amazing than me.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 12, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
今まで多くの挑戦がされてきました私からの挑戦は平和が実際に何を意味するのか定義し直すことです平和は歌を歌って願うものではありません平和は愛らしく描かれるハトや虹でもありません虹やハトを見たときに私が連想するのは心の平静であったり瞑想です私が平和だと思うものは連想しません私にとって平和とは正義や平等が存在し持続可能な平和です世界中で大多数の人が尊厳のある生活を送れるように十分な資源を手に入れられる持続可能な平和です教育や医療を十分に得られる場所にいることができれば貧困や恐れを感じずに暮らすことができますつまり人間の安全保障です私は徹底した平和主義者ではありません友人のマイレッド・マグワイアはとても真剣な反戦主義者です人間っていうのは本当に狂ってます言葉づかいに気をつけるって母と約束したので汚い言葉は使いません本当に気をつけてるのよ母さんわかってね最低限の警察や軍隊は必要ですが防衛のために必要なのです私たちをこの世界で安全にするものは何か再定義する必要があります自国を完全武装することではありませんわが国が生産し売りさばく武器で他国を完全武装させることでもありませんその資金をより合理的に使って世界の国々や人々を安全にすることです議会で進行中の議題に関して私は考えていました 84億ドルを充てるとしています新戦略兵器削減条約は賛成できますが大統領は840億ドルを核兵器の近代化に充てようとしているのです国連のミレニアム開発目標を実現させるための費用は 800億ドルだと知っていますか? それっぽっちなんです私の口座にあればいいのにとは思いますが... 世界的に見ればそれっぽっちという意味ですでもそのお金で要らない兵器を発展させさらに後世に残すことになりますただし私たちが実現のために行動を起こすなら別ですここ二日間で聞いたすべての事柄が人間の安全保障を築くための要素であると信じ始めるなら別ですトラを守ることでありオイルサンドを止めることであり癌を発見できるように医療機器を利用できる環境にいられることですこのような事柄すべてですこのような事柄に資金を使うことであり行動を起こすことです数週間前に私は広島にいましたダライラマも含めノーベル賞受賞者8人が何千人もの人の前に座っていましたダライラマはいたずらっ子のようでした話をする順番を待ちながら皆を見ていたとき身を傾けて言いました “私は仏教僧なんです” 私はこう答えました “袈裟を見ればわかります” (会場:笑い声) 彼はこう言いました “私は瞑想が好きだしお祈りもします” 私は答えました “良いことですね皆にとって大切なことです私はしませんが素晴らしいことです” すると彼は言いました “でも疑いを抱くようになりました瞑想をしてもお祈りをしても世界を変えることはないと思うのです私たちに必要なのは行動だと思います” 袈裟を身にまとうダライラマは私にとってアクションヒーローになりましたアウンサンスーチーと数日前に話をしましたご存じのように彼女はビルマの民主化のヒーローです民主化運動が原因で彼女が過去20年間のうち 15年間軟禁されたこともご存じでしょう彼女は数週間前に釈放されたばかりでどれだけ自由の身でいられるのか私たちは心配でした彼女は既にヤンゴンで変化を求める運動をしているからです国の再建をしようと支持者と共に既に運動をしています私は様々な問題について彼女と話をしましたダライラマの言葉と共通している事を彼女は言いました “ビルマでは民主化実現への道のりが長いけれど望みを叶えるには努力が必要なのです変化をもたらすには行動を起こさなければ実現できません” 私にとってヒーローであり友人のシリン・エバディ博士はノーベル平和賞を受賞した最初のムスリム女性です彼女は過去1年半に渡って異郷で暮らしています住まいはどうしているのかと尋ねると世界中の空港だと言います彼女が旅をしているのは選挙のときに国外にいたからです国に戻る代わりに共に活動する女性たちと話し合いました彼らは彼女に国に戻るなと言ったのです国外にいることで自国の状況を海外へ伝えやすくするためです 1年半もの間彼女はイランにいる女性に代わって活動していますワンガリ・マタイは 2004年にノーベル平和賞を受賞木の女性と呼ばれていますがそれ以上の功績があります平和への活動は非常に創造的で重労働の日々です彼女が植樹をしていたときほとんどの人が気づかなかったと思いますが皆で植樹をする中で彼女は独裁主義的な国をどうやって克服するのか話す機会にしていました人々が集まるのは通常ならば投獄されてしまいますが環境のために植樹をするという名目であれば大丈夫だったのです創造性ですでも皆から尊敬されているシリンやアウンサンスーチーやワンガリのような女性だけではなく世界には世の中を変えるために努力をしている女性たちがいますビルマ人女性で構成される 11の組織が力を強めるためにビルマ女性連盟を結成しました共に活動することで世界が変わります百万人署名キャンペーンに参加しているビルマにいる女性は人権のため民主化のために活動していますある人が投獄されれば別の人がその運動に加わっていきます共に活動すればいつかその国に変化をもたらせるとわかっているからです中央にいるマイレッドと右側のベティは北アイルランドに平和をもたらしていますある話をしましょう IRAの運転手が撃たれ運転していた車が歩行者に突っ込みました母と子ども3人のうち子どもが現場で亡くなりましたその母はマイレッドの妹でしたこの暴力的な出来事で悲しんだり落ち込んだりくじけたりせず彼女はベティと共に行動しました敬虔なプロテスタントとカトリックの2人は民衆の前で “暴力はもうたくさんだ” と訴えました何万人もの女性と彼らに賛同した男性が集結し変化をもたらす運動をしたのです彼らは北アイルランドに平和をもたらす役目を果たし課題が残っているため活動は今も続いていますリゴベルタ・メンチュウもノーベル平和賞を受賞しました彼女は今大統領選挙に出馬していますまたグアテマラの先住民に民主化の意味や民主化の実現方法や投票の仕方について教育していますでも民主化は投票だけではなく活動的市民になることですそれは私が地雷キャンペーンに関わり続けた理由です二つのNGOを世界90ヶ国にわたって何千もの数に増やしたことがこのキャンペーンが成功した理由の一つです地雷撲滅という共通の目的をもち共に活動しましたキャンペーンの参加者には忙しい人もいて少しだけ参加する人や私のように常に活動した人もいましたが皆が活動したことによって変えることができたのです今私たちに必要なのは人々が立ち上がり行動を取って平和の意味を再定義することです悪いことではありません毎日頑張ってやるのですもし大切な物事を気にかける一人ひとりが重い腰を上げて出来る限りボランティアをすれば世界を変え世界を救うでしょう他人任せではだめなのですありがとう	I know there have been many challenges made to people. The one I'm going to make is that it is time for us to reclaim what peace really means. Peace is not "Kumbaya, my Lord." Peace is not the dove and the rainbow -- as lovely as they are. When I see the symbols of the rainbow and the dove, I think of personal serenity. I think of meditation. about what I consider to be peace, which is sustainable peace with justice and equality. It is a sustainable peace in which the majority of people on this planet have access to enough resources to live dignified lives, where these people have enough access so that they can live in freedom from want and freedom from fear. This is called human security. And I am not a complete pacifist like some of my really, really heavy-duty, non-violent friends, like Mairead McGuire. I understand that humans are so "messed up" -- to use a nice word, because I promised my mom I'd stop using the F-bomb in public. And I'm trying harder and harder. Mom, I'm really trying. We need a little bit of police; we need a little bit of military, but for defense. We need to redefine what makes us secure in this world. It is not arming our country to the teeth. It is not getting other countries to arm themselves to the teeth with the weapons that we produce and we sell them. It is using that money more rationally to make the countries of the world secure, to make the people of the world secure. I was thinking about the recent ongoings in Congress, to try to get the START vote. I certainly support the START vote. But he's offering 84 billion dollars for the modernizing of nuclear weapons. Do you know the figure that the U.N. talks about for fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals is 80 billion dollars? Just that little bit of money, which to me, I wish it was in my bank account -- it's not, but ... In global terms, it's a little bit of money. But it's going to modernize weapons we do not need and will not be gotten rid of in our lifetime, unless we get up off our ... and take action to make it happen, unless we begin to believe that all of the things that we've been hearing about in these last two days are elements of what come together to make human security. It is saving the tigers. It is stopping the tar sands. It is having access to medical equipment that can actually tell who does have cancer. It is all of those things. It is using our money for all of those things. It is about action. I was in Hiroshima a couple of weeks ago, and His Holiness -- we're sitting there in front of thousands of people in the city, and there were about eight of us Nobel laureates. We're staring at everybody, waiting our turn to speak, and he leans over to me, and he says, "Jody, I'm a Buddhist monk." I said, "Yes, Your Holiness. Your robe gives it away." He said, "You know that I kind of like meditation, and I pray." I said, "That's good. That's good. We need that in the world. I don't follow that, but that's cool." And he says, "But I have become skeptical. I do not believe that meditation and prayer will change this world. I think what we need is action." His Holiness, in his robes, is my new action hero. I spoke with Aung Sun Suu Kyi a couple of days ago. As most of you know, she's a hero for democracy in her country, Burma. You probably also know that she has spent 15 of the last 20 years imprisoned for her efforts to bring about democracy. She was just released a couple of weeks ago, and we're very concerned to see how long she will be free, because she is already out in the streets in Rangoon, agitating for change. She is already out in the streets, working with the party to try to rebuild it. But I talked to her for a range of issues. because it's similar to what His Holiness said. She said, "You know, we have a long road to go to finally get democracy in my country. But I don't believe in hope without endeavor. I don't believe in the hope of change, unless we take action to make it so." Here's another woman hero of mine. She's my friend, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. She has been in exile for the last year and a half. You ask her where she lives -- where does she live in exile? She says the airports of the world. She is traveling because she was out of the country at the time of the elections. And instead of going home, she conferred with all the other women that she works with, who said to her, "Stay out. We need you out. We need to be able to talk to you out there, so that you can give the message of what's happening here." A year and a half -- she's out speaking on behalf of the other women in her country. Wangari Maathai -- 2004 Peace laureate. They call her the "Tree Lady," but she's more than the Tree Lady. Working for peace is very creative. It's hard work every day. When she was planting those trees, I don't think most people understand that, at the same time, she was using the action of getting people together to plant those trees to talk about how to overcome the authoritarian government in her country. People could not gather without getting busted and taken to jail. But if they were together planting trees for the environment, it was okay -- creativity. But it's not just iconic women like Shirin, like Aung Sun Suu Kyi, like Wangari Maathai -- it is other women in the world who are also struggling together to change this world. The Women's League of Burma, 11 individual organizations of Burmese women came together because there's strength in numbers. Working together is what changes our world. The Million Signatures Campaign of women inside Burma working together to change human rights, to bring democracy to that country. When one is arrested and taken to prison, another one comes out and joins the movement, recognizing that if they work together, they will ultimately bring change in their own country. Mairead McGuire in the middle, Betty Williams on the right-hand side -- bringing peace to Northern Ireland. I'll tell you the quick story. An IRA driver was shot, and his car plowed into people on the side of the street. There was a mother and three children. The children were killed on the spot. It was Mairead's sister. Instead of giving in to grief, depression, defeat in the face of that violence, Mairead hooked up with Betty -- a staunch Protestant and a staunch Catholic -- and they took to the streets to say, "No more violence." And they were able to get tens of thousands of, primarily, women, some men, in the streets to bring about change. And they have been part of what brought peace to Northern Ireland, and they're still working on it, because there's still a lot more to do. This is Rigoberta Menchu Tum. She also received the Peace Prize. She is now running for president. She is educating the indigenous people of her country about what it means to be a democracy, about how you bring democracy to the country, about educating, about how to vote -- but that democracy is not just about voting; it's about being an active citizen. That's what I got stuck doing -- the landmine campaign. One of the things that made this campaign work is because we grew from two NGOs to thousands in 90 countries around the world, working together in common cause to ban landmines. Some of the people who worked in our campaign could only work maybe an hour a month. They could maybe volunteer that much. There were others, like myself, who were full-time. But it was the actions, together, of all of us that brought about that change. In my view, what we need today is people getting up and taking action to reclaim the meaning of peace. It's not a dirty word. It's hard work every single day. And if each of us who cares about the different things we care about got up off our butts and volunteered as much time as we could, we would change this world, we would save this world. And we can't wait for the other guy. We have to do it ourselves. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「レイディルーン⋅セントリクス、彼を渡してもらおうか」クローシェザードの視線がシェイラに移る。何か意味ありげな瞳だ。足りない頭でうんうん唸りながら考え、ハッとした。相手は公爵家の子息。そんな相手を使うなんて、きっと許されない。これはこれで怒られる、ということだ。むしろフェリクスだけでなく、クローシェザードにまで淡々と理詰めで諭されるコースだ。瞬時に青ざめ、寄りかかりかけていたレイディルーンの胸からパッと離れた。「......やっぱりレイディルーン先輩にご迷惑はかけられませんから、クローシェザード先生のお世話になろうかな。ハハハ」下りたいと合図を送るが、なぜかレイディルーンは離してくれない。シェイラの存在など視界にも入っていないらしくは静かに見つめ合っている。なぜだか口を挟んではいけないような雰囲気だ。 ――何だこの雰囲気。よく分からないけど、貴族同士での派閥争いでもあるのかな? 固唾を飲んで見守っていると、レイディルーンが静かに口を開いた。「......私が治癒魔法を施します。先生がお手を煩わせる必要はありません」「治癒魔法は得意分野だ。私が治す方が早い」「............」クローシェザードが即座に返すと、教師相手にこれ以上の問答は無意味と思ったのか、レイディルーンが引き下がった。やたらと緊張感のある問答が終了し、安堵の息をこぼしたのは外野の方だ。疲れた笑みで何やら頷き合っている。レイディルーンの腕から、クローシェザードの腕にゆっくりと引き渡される。シェイラはきちんとお礼を言った。「レイディルーン先輩、ありがとうございました。今度、何かお礼をしますね」「――――フン。庶民の施しを受ける覚えはない」「あ、それもそうですね。じゃあやめておきます」相手の身分に相応しいお礼はできないだろうと、シェイラはあっさり意見を翻した。レイディルーンがこめかみをピクリと動かし、物言いたげにしていたが、クローシェザードがそれ以上の会話を断ち切るように周囲を見回した。彼の腕の中にいるために、レイディルーンの姿が死角に入ってしまう。「慣れない連戦で、体は休息を欲しているだろう。この場に残っている他の生徒達も早く寮に戻り、明日の月の日はゆっくり休息を取るようにしなさい。――――本日の実力テストはこれで終了とする!」終了の宣言を聞き、生徒達がぞろぞろと散っていく。クローシェザードは彼らとは別方向に歩き出す。職員棟に行くのだろう。「私をくだらないことに巻き込むな。こんな子ども相手に馬鹿馬鹿しい............」歩きながら憤然と呟いているが、何のことだか怖くて聞き返せない。代わりに明るい話題に変えようとした。「クローシェザード先生。私、ちゃんと考えたら分かりましたよ。先生は公爵家の子息とまた問題を起こしたらまずいと思って、止めてくれたんでしょう?」彼は眉間にシワを寄せたままだったけれど、答えてくれた。「それもあるが......君が怪我をしたのは太股の付け根に近いだろう。治癒術をかけるとなれば患部に触れなければならない。下履きを脱がなければ露出できない部位の治療を、彼にさせる訳にはいかなかった」「あぁ、そうか。下着は女物ですもんね」なるほど盲点だった。ポンと手を叩くと、クローシェザードが苦虫を噛み潰したような顔になった。「少しは慎みを持ちなさい、馬鹿者」「すみません。これからは用心のため下着も男物を身に着けた方がいい、ということですね」「......すことが非常に面倒になってきた」いまいち噛み合わない会話を続けていると、いつの間にか職員棟の中だった。階段を上り、特別コースの教師専用の執務室に入る。「大体、君には常識が欠落しているんだ。まさか実力テストで全勝などと、予想を遥かに越えた結果になると予想できていたと思うか?」言いながらも、シェイラを椅子に座らせる手付きはひどく慎重で優しい。如何せん椅子自体が堅すぎるが。早速下履きを下ろそうとするシェイラに、膝掛けが差し出された。クローシェザードは無言で背中を向けるが、おそらく脱いだらこれで下着を隠せということだろう。止血していた布を剥ぎ取り、下履きに手をかける。体に沿う細身のタイプなので、どうしても傷が擦れる。これは時間がかかりそうだ。少しでも気を紛らせるために、クローシェザードの言葉に疑問を返す。「あれ?先生に言われた通り、ちゃんと全勝しましたよ?これなら特別コースにも行けますよね?」目標を達成したというのに予想外などと言われ、シェイラはこてりと首を傾げた。褒めてもらえると思ったのに。「私は何としてでも特別コースに入れとは言ったが、全勝しろとは言っていない。普通レイディルーン⋅セントリクス相手に勝つとは思わないだろう。善戦ができれば十分だったというのに......君はつくづく私の予定を裏切るな」「他に何かやりましたっけ?――――あ、準備できました。よろしくお願いします」ずっと扉に向かっていたクローシェザードが振り向き、シェイラの前に屈んだ。患部の肉が少し抉れているのを見て、僅かに顔をしかめる。「あくまでテストだというのにこれほどの無茶をするなど、私からすれば考えられない」「すみません、血を見るのは苦手でしたか」「血が苦手ならば騎士になろうなどと思わないのではないか?」「はぁ。それもそうですよね」クローシェザードが傷口にそっと触れた。まるで産まれたばかりの小さな命を愛でるような慎重な手付き。彼の指先にポウッと柔らかい光が灯り、傷口が温かくなったように感じる。白く優しい光をじっと見つめながら、シェイラはぼんやりと理解した。 ――心配、してくれてるんだ。無表情がほんの少ししかめられただけなので、とても分かりにくいが。厳しい人ではあるけれど、彼は決して冷酷ではないのだ。「男物の下着を着用することに躊躇いがない点についても、正直未知の生物に遭遇してしまった心地だ。だというのにセイリュウ⋅ミフネといい、リグレス⋅オルブラントといい、レイディルーン⋅セントリクスといい..................」クローシェザードは中途半端に言葉を切った。まるでその先を口にして、現実になってしまうのが怖いとでもいうように。片手で目元を覆い、両方のこめかみを丹念に揉みほぐした。「私の頭痛の種をこれ以上増やさないでほしいものだがな」つくづく厄介そうに、クローシェザードが吐き捨てる。冷たい言葉に落ち込まないのは、触れる手が、癒しの光が、とても心地よいから。シェイラが笑いながら「ごめんなさい」と謝ると、クローシェザードは眉間のシワを一層深めた。けれどそれなりに付き合ってきた賜物か、それが一種の照れ隠しだと分かる。シェイラはますます笑ってしまった。けれど一つ、報告しなければならないことがあると思い出し、すぐに笑いを収める。「えーと、すみません。もしかしたらもう一つ頭痛の種を増やすことになるかもしれません」クローシェザードの瞳に間違いなく不機嫌な色が走る。けれど言わないという選択肢は考えられず、シェイラは重い口を動かした。「これは、あくまで勘ですけど............ヨルンヴェルナ先生に、バレた気がします」「バレた?女だということがか?」シェイラはモジモジしながら、そっと視線を逸らした。「............実はそれも、大分初期からバレていたりして」「何?」「そ、そこは面白いから秘密にしてくれるそうなんですけど。............さっき、レイディルーン先輩との試合を見てたんですよね」なぜすぐに報告しなかったと言いたげにじろりと睨まれたが、クローシェザードは目先の問題について考えることにしたようだ。「――――確かに観戦していることには気付いていた。しかしそれだけで精霊術を使ったことが分かるとは思えんぞ。現に他の生徒達も、試合相手のレイディルーン⋅セントリクスでさえ疑っている様子もなかったではないか。私はあらかじめ精霊術の存在を知っていたから分かったが、それだって生身の人間ならばあり得ないだろう、という仮定があってこそだ」「そうですよね。でも、何でかバレた気がするんですよね............」バレないように使えたとは思っている。風を体に纏わせたり剣を強化したり、見ただけでは分からない程度の術だった。たとえ術がなくても耐えれば何とかなることばかりだったから、格別不自然ではなかったはずだ。なのに、嫌な予感が消えないのはなぜだろう。クローシェザードも事態を軽視せず、難しい顔で考え込んでいる。「......君の勘は侮れないからな。しかしヨルンヴェルナに気付かれるとは、また厄介な相手に。そもそも女だと知られてしまっていたために目を付けられたのではないか?」「そうかもしれませんけど、頭蓋骨の形だけで女だと判断されては防ぐ方法がありませんよ」この件に関して怒られるのは理不尽に感じる。シェイラがボロを出したわけではなく、初対面で看破されてしまったのだから。クローシェザードが悩ましげなため息をついた。「頭蓋骨......また滅茶苦茶だな、あいつは」「あれ?お知り合いなんですか?」妙に親しげな言い振りだったので聞き返したが、クローシェザードはやけに毅然とした表情でキッパリと言い切った。「いいや。知人ではあるが、友人では決してない」シェイラの本能が、あまり掘り下げるべきではないと判断した。クローシェザードは今後の対応について続けた。「もし本当に気付かれていたなら、向こうから必ず接触してくるはずだ。打診があった場合は至急私に連絡するように。あと君にできる対策といえば、なるべく一人にならないようにすることだな。他者がいる場では、流石に奴もおいそれと話ができないだろう。実験動物にされたくなければ、この二つを必ず守りなさい」「分かりました。打診があったら連絡する、なるべく一人にならない。二つだけなら私でも何とかなりそうな気がします」自信を持って宣言したのに、疑いの眼差しを注がれた。なぜだろう。いつの間にか治療は終わっていた。傷があった箇所はピンク色の皮膚が盛り上がっている。何だか少しむず痒い。クローシェザードの指が離れていく。「それから、治癒魔法とは体の細胞を活性化させることで素早い再生を促すものだ。ゆえに、体には負担がかかる。明日はフェリクス様の元へ報告に行かねばならないから仕方ないが............せめて向こうでゆっくりと休養を取りなさい」「分かりました。ありがとうございます」礼を述べて下履きを履こうとすると、クローシェザードが怒りの気配を撒き散らしながら素早く背中を向けた。	“Leidyrune Centrix, can you hand him over?” Claushezade’s gaze shifted to Sheila. Something shone in his eyes. She lamented and thought about it in her mind, and then she realized. The other party was the son of a duke. It would be unacceptable to use such a person. They would definitely be offended by this. Not only Felix but even Claushezade could be admonished. Sheila turned pale in an instant and stood up straighter from Leidyrune’s chest, which she was leaning against. “.... Hahaha, I can’t trouble Leidyrune-senpai after all, so I think I’ll go with Claushezade-sensei.” She signaled that she wanted to go down, but for some reason, Leidyrune wouldn’t let go. The two quietly stared at each other, seemingly unaware of Sheila’s presence. There was a tense air around them. What is this atmosphere? I don’t really understand, but is there some kind of factional conflict among the nobles? As Sheila watched with bated breath, Leidyrune quietly opened his mouth. “... I will perform the healing. There is no need for you to trouble yourself with it.” “Healing magic is my area of expertise. I can heal him faster.” “....” When Claushezade immediately replied, Leidyrune backed down, perhaps thinking that further confrontations were meaningless to the teacher. After the conversation ended, the outfielders breathed a sigh of relief. They were nodding to each other with tired smiles on their faces. Sheila was slowly handed over from Leidyrune’s arms to Claushezade’s. She didn’t forget to thank him properly. “Thank you very much, Leidyrune-senpai. I will give you something as thanks next time.” “――Hmm, I don’t remember planning to receive any charity from a commoner.” “Oh, that’s true. I’ll stop then.” Sheila easily changed her opinion, saying that she wouldn’t be able to thank the other party appropriately for his status. Leidyrune’s eyebrows twitched, he was about to say something, but Claushezade cut off any further conversation. “The unfamiliar series of battles will surely make your body feel tired. The other students who are still here should return to their dormitories as soon as possible and take a good rest. ――This concludes today’s competency test!” Hearing the announcement, the students scattered in droves. Claushezade walked off in a different direction. He must be going to the staff building. “Don’t drag me into your nonsense. It’s ridiculous to deal with such a child....” Claushezade muttered indignantly as he walked away, but Sheila was too scared to ask him what he was talking about. Instead, she tried to change the subject to a lighter topic. “Claushezade-sensei, I understood your actions when I thought about it properly. You stopped me because you didn’t want me to get into trouble with the duke’s son again, didn’t you?” His brow remained furrowed, but he answered. “That’s one thing, but.... your injury is probably closer to the base of your thigh. If he was to perform a healing operation, he would have to touch the affected area. I couldn’t allow him to treat an area that couldn’t be exposed without removing your underwear.” “Oh, I see. Underwear is for women, isn’t it?” Right, that was a mistake on her part. When Sheila clapped her hands, Claushezade looked as if he was eating something bitter. “Have some modesty, you idiot.” “I’m sorry. You mean that from now on I should wear men’s underwear as well, just to be on the safe side, right?” “.... It’s getting very tedious to correct each and every word.” As they continued their somewhat irreconcilable conversation, before they knew it, they were in the staff building. He climbed the stairs and entered the office reserved for special course teachers. “The main point is you lack common sense. Do you think I could have predicted that the result would be far beyond my expectations, such as a complete victory in every single one of your matches?” Although he said this, he was very careful and gentle in the way he made Sheila sit in the chair. The chair itself was too hard, though. As Sheila quickly tried to pull down her undergarment, a lap blanket was offered to her. Claushezade silently turned his back to her, probably wanting her to use it to cover herself when she took them off. She stripped off the cloth that had stopped the bleeding and put her hand on her undergarment. They were of the slim type that went along the body, so they inevitably rubbed against the wound. This was going to take some time. To distract herself as much as possible, she questioned Claushezade’s words. “Huh? I won all the matches just like you told me to, didn’t I? This means I can go to the special course, right?” Even though Sheila had achieved her goal, she was told that it was unexpected, so she tilted her head. She thought she would be praised. “I told you to enter the special course no matter what, but I didn’t say that you should win everything. You don’t usually expect to win against Leidyrune Centrix. A good fight would have been enough, but.... you always exceeded my plans.” “Did I do anything else? ――Oh, by the way, I’m ready. Please take care of me.” Claushezade, who had been facing the door the whole time, turned around and bent down in front of Sheila. He frowned slightly when he saw that the flesh in the affected area was slightly gouged. “I can’t imagine that you would be so reckless as to do something like this when it is only a test.” “I’m sorry, are you not good at the sight of blood?” “If I’m not good with blood, I wouldn’t want to be a knight, would I?” “Huh. That’s true too.” Claushezade gently touched the wound. His hand was very careful as if he was handling a small newborn baby. A soft light appeared on his fingertips, and the wound felt warmer. Staring at the white, gentle light, Sheila vaguely understood. He’s worried about me. It was very hard to tell, though, because his expressionless face only slightly frowned. He was a strict man, but he wasn’t cruel. “As for the fact that you had no hesitation in wearing men’s underwear, I honestly feel as if I had encountered an unknown creature. Apart from that, you have encountered the likes of Seiryuu Mifune, Regress Olbrandt, and Leidyrune Centrix....” Claushezade cut off his words halfway through. It was as if he was afraid to say what he was going to say and had it become a reality. He covered his eyes with one hand and carefully rubbed his temples. “I hope you don’t give me any more headaches.” Claushezade spat out, looking annoyed. Sheila wasn’t depressed by the cold words because the touch, the healing light, was so comforting. When Sheila laughed and said, “I’m sorry,” Claushezade’s eyebrows deepened. But after a certain amount of time together, she could tell that he was embarrassed. Sheila laughed more and more. But then she remembered that she had one more thing to report, and she quickly stopped laughing. “Um, sorry. I’m afraid I may have to give you another headache.” There was no mistaking the sullen look in Claushezade’s eyes. But not saying anything wasn’t an option, so Sheila opened her mouth. This is just a hunch, but I have a feeling that... Jornwerner-sensei has found out.” “Did he know? That you’re a woman?” Sheila fidgeted and gently averted her gaze. “..... Actually, he’s known that too, since very early on.” “What?” “W-well, he said that he will keep it a secret because it’s so interesting..... But, that’s not it, he was watching the match with Leidyrune-senpai just now.” He stared at her as if to ask her why she didn’t report it sooner, but Claushezade decided to think about the immediate problem. “――I was certainly aware of the spectacle. But I don’t think that’s enough to know that you used the spirit arts. The other students and even your opponent, Leidyrune Centrix, didn’t seem to have any doubts about it. I knew about it because I knew of its existence beforehand, but usually, people wouldn’t assume that because it would be impossible for a living human being.” “That’s right. But somehow, I feel like I’ve been exposed.....” Sheila believed she was able to use it without being detected. She could wrapped the wind around her body, strengthened her sword, and used other techniques that weren’t obvious to the casual observer. Even if she didn’t have a technique, she could manage it if she endured the situation, so it shouldn’t have been particularly unnatural. Yet, why couldn’t she get rid of this bad feeling? Clauschezade didn’t take the situation lightly, either, and he was thinking about it with a difficult look on his face. “.... Your intuition is not to be underestimated. But to be noticed by Jornwerner, another troublesome opponent. Didn’t you catch his eye because you were exposed in the first place?” “That may be true, but there’s no way to prevent someone from judging you as a woman based on the shape of your skull alone.” It felt unreasonable to be offended about this matter. It wasn’t that Sheila was sloppy, but she had been seen through when they first met. Claushezade let out an annoyed sigh. “Skull.... another trouble, that one.” “Huh? Do you know him?” It was a strangely friendly way of saying it, so she asked him, but Claushezade said it clearly with a resolute expression. “No. We are acquaintances, but we are not friends.” Sheila’s instincts decided she shouldn’t dig too deep. Claushezade continued on to discuss what to do next. “If he is really aware of you, he will approach you again. If you’re approached, come to me immediately. The only other thing you can do is to avoid being alone with him as much as possible. He won’t be able to talk easily in the presence of others. If you don’t want to be used as an experimental animal, be sure to observe these two points.” “I understand. I’ll call you when I’m approached, and I won’t be alone as much as possible. If it’s just those two, I think I can handle it.” Despite her confident declaration, Sheila was met with skepticism. She wondered why. Before she knew it, the treatment was over. The wounded area was now covered with pink skin. It felt a little itchy. Claushezade’s fingers moved away. “Healing magic encourages quick regeneration by activating the cells of the body. Hence, it takes a toll on the body. I have to report to Felix-sama tomorrow, so it can’t be helped, but.... at least get some rest over there.” “I understand. Thank you very much.” As Sheila thanked him and went to put on her undergarment, Claushezade quickly turned his back on her with a look of anger.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
過去の自分を捨てるか、今の自分を捨てるか、そんな選択に苦渋の表情を浮かべる俺に、アストは溜息を吐いた。できる魔道具が欲しいと?」「ああ、頼む。礼はいくらでも出すし、なんだってする」「ほう、なんだってすると?」「あ、いや。不倫にならない程度にな?」いや家庭だけでなく、カップルとかそういうのを壊す存在になりたくない。か......それを魔道具にしたことはなかったな」「じゃあ、お前でも無理なのか?」に込めるだけなら、すぐにでもできるだろう。加工するための材料もある」「なら早くやってくれ!」「ああ、わかったわかった。だが茶飲んでからな。デンの茶は美味いぞ。がっつり仕込んだからな」その言葉と同時に、デンがトレイに「お待たせいたしました。レモングラスとジンジャーをブレンドした茶です」「へぇ、おいしそうじゃん」そんな室内に爽やかな香りが満たされていく。香りだけでも食欲が沸いてきそうだ。「ジンジャーには体を温める効果が、レモングラスには沈静作用があるので、気分が落ち着きますよ」冬は峠を越えたとは言え、夜はまだ肌寒さが残っている。この心遣いは正直にうれしい。「他にも貧血に効いたり、乳の出が良くなったりするそうです」「ブフゥ!?」いや待て、なぜ乳の出が良くなる茶を飲ませようとした? 「いや、貧血の方を心配しまして。ニコル様からは少し血の匂いがいたしましたので」「うっ」そういえば最近また月の物があったばかりである。軽い貧血の症状が出ているのは否めない。「それに、失礼ながら胸部の発達に不具合を覚えました」「あれから半年。育ち盛りであることを勘案しますと、少々心配が――」「もういいから! それに俺たちはやることがあるんだ。ほら、アストもさっさと飲め!」俺は話を打ち切り、アストの口に香茶を強引に流し込んだ。「あっつ! 待て、それはさすがに、あっつ!?」「最近のニコルは熱湯責めにでも目覚めたのかのぅ」「他にも被害者がいるのか?」それにあの召喚者の男も糸で焼いただけだ。熱湯をぶっかけた経験は一度もない。「謂れのない噂を広げるな。ほら夜は短いんだ、急げ急げ」「だから熱い茶を流し込むのはよせ!」すったもんだした挙句、ようやく俺たちはアストの洞窟へと移動することになったのだ。デンは俺の隠れ家を守るという義務感を持っているため、洞窟へついてくることをせず、留守番をすると主張していた。洞窟の奥にある一軒家......という表現は妙だが、奥の部屋には俺が見たこともない素材の山が存在していた。「こりゃすげぇな。前世でも見たことないぞ、こんな素材」「長年集め続けたコレクションだからな」「これだけあれば確かに最上位魔法の「ああ、作業におそらく......そうだな、俺で間くらいはかかるか」「五時間......深夜になるな。いや、明け方近いか?」途中の寄り道で結構時間を食っている。時間にしては深夜零時に近い。「今から作業に入るから、お前たちはそっちの客間で休んでいるといい」「客間あったのか」「一応ここは家だぞ。客間くらいはある」「洞窟の中に埋め込んでおいて、何を今さら」「好きで埋め込んだわけじゃない。ちょっと噴火に巻き込まれた旧家をリフォームしただけだ」「いつからあるんだよ、この家......」この山が噴火したという話はかつて聞いたことがある。だがそれは伝承すら危ういほど昔のはずだ。なんにせよ、客間があるというのはありがたい。夜も更けてきたので俺も眠気は感じていた。天井付近には扇のようなモノを組み合わせた基材が設置され、ゆっくりと回転することで空気を外へと送り出している。こうすることで室内の空気を循環させ、常に新鮮な空気を取り込んでいるのだろう。「ほほぅ、あの扇を回転させることで風を起こしておるんじゃな」「微妙に角度つけてあるのか。夏場には便利そうだな」「確か冷風機にも、あの機構がついておったのぅ」夏場の友と化している冷風機。内部に小型のちなみに開発者はあの白いのだと言われている。信じがたいことだが。しかしそれ以外にも、俺は一つ重要な事実に気が付いた。「おい、この客間......ベッドが一つしかないぞ?」客間には少し小さめのシングルベッドが一つ置いてあるだけだった。「まあ、俺が身体小さいから、寝れねぇことはないか」「そういう問題じゃないじゃろ。お主はそろそろ異性との接触に気を付ける歳になってきておるじゃろうに」「あ? 俺とお前の間に......いまさらだろう」「ああ、もういいわい。ワシは床で寝る」「別に気にしないのに」「ワシが気にするんじゃ!」ローブを掛け布代わりにして横になるマクスウェルに、なにを強情なという視線を向けながら、俺はベッドに横になったのだった。	Seeing me looking bitter, having to ultimately choose whether I would abandon my past or my current self, Aste leaked a sigh. He shrugs his shoulders and leaned to the chair as if exhausted. “Good grief, you really are one troublesome fellow. So you just want a magic item that can allow you to use Polymorph for now?” “Yeah, please. I’ll pay you how much you want, and I’ll do anything.” “Oh, you’ll do anything?” “Ah, no. Except for anything immoral, okay?” I mentioned it just in case after seeing the perverted smile on his face. I’m sorry, but I had no plan of becoming someone who’d cause discord in families. Not just families, even couples and such. “Ah, well. But Polymorph, huh... I’ve never made a magic item with that effect.” “So, it’s impossible for you too?” “No, if it’s just to load it into a scroll, I can do it even now. I even have the materials at hand.” “Then do it already!” “Okay, I got it already. But only after we drink the tea. Den makes some delicious tea. I drove those skills into him.” Along with his words, Den brought herbal tea with a tray. “I have kept you waiting. It’s a blend of lemongrass and ginger.” “Oh, that looks quite delicious.” Given that this place was half-sunk, the air was quite stagnant. The fragrant smell of the tea filled such a place now. The aroma alone stirred our appetites. “Ginger warms the body, while lemongrass has a calming effect, so it should help you calm down.” “Ohoh.” While you could say the winter had passed its peak, the nights were still decently cold. His consideration was really helpful. Was this also due to Aste’s butler training? “Moreover, it is also good for anemia and helps produce milk. “Pffffft!” Wait, why did he try to make me drink something that helps with breast milk production? I don’t even have milk yet to begin with. “Well, I feared you might be feeling anemic. I smelled blood from M’lady.” Now that he mentioned it, I did have my menstruation just recently. I couldn’t deny that I had slight anemia. “And, with all due respect, I have detected some problems with your chest area.” “It has been six months since our meeting. Considering the growth so far, there are some concerns to—” “Enough already! Also, we have things to do. Aste, hurry up and drink your tea already!” Where did I go wrong for even the Ogre that I helped to start sexually harassing me? I forcefully ended the topic and poured the tea in Aste’s mouth. “Hot! Hey, hold on a bit, it’s hoot!” “Did you awaken to hot water torture recently?” “Are there other casualties?” Wait, it wasn’t hot water with Cloud. It doesn’t count! And I burned that summoner guy with threads too. I’ve never splashed hot water at anyone. “Don’t spread baseless rumors. The night is short, hurry up, hurry up.” “Stop pouring hot tea in my mouth already!” After a great fuss, we decided to head to Aste’s cave. Den seemed to hold the sense of obligation to protect my hideout, so he didn’t follow us to the cave and insisted on remaining behind. Thus we headed there with just the three of us, and he guided us inside. The house inside the cave... Was a weird way of putting it, but in the room beyond it, there was a pile of materials that I had never seen before. “This is amazing. I haven’t seen these even in my previous life.” “It’s a collection that I have spent many years collecting.” “With this much, you really should be able to make a high-ranking scroll.” “Yeah, but as for work... Right, it will probably take about five hours even for me.” “Five hours... It’ll be dead of night by then. Or rather, probably better to say it’ll be dawn.” Making a detour shaved away quite a bit of our time. It was already close to midnight. In five hours, it’ll practically be morning already. “I’ll start right away, so you two rest in the guest room over there.” “You had a guest room?” “This is still a house, you know? Of course there is one.” “It’s buried inside a cave, too late to call it a house.” “It’s not like it’s buried because I wanted to. I just reformed my old house that got rolled up in a volcanic eruption.” “Wait, how long has this house been around for...” I have heard that this mountain had erupted before. But that happened so long ago even the folktales of it were uncertain. At any rate, it would suit us if there was a guest room. It was already night, so I was feeling sleepy. I dragged Maxwell who seemed to want to stay and watch, and slipped into the room. It was a room so pleasant it was unfit for an underground place. Near the ceiling, there was a substrate of something like a folding fan attached to it, and it slowly rotated, sending air to the outside. This allowed the air inside to circulate, constantly bringing in fresh air. “Hoho, so that rotating fan is creating wind here.” “It has a strangely good angle too. Must be good during the summer.” “The cold wind machines have similar mechanisms too if I am not mistaken.” The cold wind machines that were your summertime friends. They had Ice Wall spells inside them, and they passed the wind through it, breezing cold air out into the rooms. Incidentally, it was the Whitey who created those apparently. Quite hard to imagine from her. Other than that, I noticed one important thing. “Hey, this room... There’s only one bed.” There was only one smallish bed here. It would be quite cramped to sleep there. “Well I have a small body, so I guess we could sleep somehow.” “That is not the problem here. You should start paying attention to the contact with the opposite sex at that age already.” “Hah? We are companions... What are you saying after all this time?” “Agh, enough. I shall sleep on the floor.” “I said I don’t mind.” “I do mind!” Well, there was a thick carpet on the floor, so he wouldn’t feel cold. Maxwell used his robe as a blanket and lied down. I looked at him with a gaze that questioned his obstinacy, and then also lied on the bed.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 21, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
科学者は世界が温暖化していると言いますしワクチンが安全だとも言いますが彼らが正しいとどうして分かるのでしょうなぜ科学を信用すべきなのでしょうか? 実際科学を信用しない人も大勢います世論調査が絶えず示すのはアメリカ国民のうちかなりの割合の人々が人類の活動のせいで温暖化が起きているとは思わず自然淘汰による進化を信じずワクチンの安全性を疑っていますなぜ私たちは科学を信じるべきなのでしょうか科学者は科学を信じる信じないで語ることを好みません事実彼らは科学と信仰を正反対のものと考え信じるというのは信仰の範疇のものだと言うでしょう信仰は科学とはかけ離れたまったく別のものです科学者に言わせれば宗教は信仰に基づいているかパスカルの賭けの論法に基づいているのですブレーズ・パスカルは 17世紀の数学者で神を信じるべきかどうかという問題に科学的論拠を使おうとした人です彼の賭けはこんな感じですもし神が存在しないのに私はその存在を信じることにしてもあまり損はない日曜日の数時間が取られる程度でももし神が存在するのに私がそれを信じなければ非常にまずいことになるだからパスカルが言うには「神は信じた方がいい」大学時代のある先生の言葉を借りれば「彼は信仰の手すりを求めた」彼は科学と合理主義を捨てて論理を超えた賭けに出たわけですところが実際のところ大抵の人にとってほとんどの科学的主張は論理を超えた賭けですほとんどの場合私たちは自分で科学的主張を評価することはできません実はほとんどの科学者にとっても自分の専門以外の分野ではそうなのです考えてみてください地質学者はワクチンが安全か答えられませんほとんどの化学者は進化論の専門家ではありません物理学者には他の科学者が断言しようともタバコがガンの原因かどうかわかりません当の科学者たちでさえ専門外に関しては論理を超えて賭けに出なければならないならなぜ科学者は他の科学者の主張を聞き入れるのでしょうかなぜ彼らはお互いの主張を信じるのでしょうそして私たちはその主張を信じるべきなのでしょうか私の意見はイエス信じるべきですただし大抵の人が考えるのとは理由が違います大抵の人は学校で科学を信じるべき理由となるのは科学的手法だと教わりました科学者はある手法に従いこの手法が彼らの主張が真であることを保証するのだと教わりました大抵の人が学校で教わった― 教科書どおりの手法は仮説に基づく演繹法です標準的な教科書どおりのモデルによると科学者は仮説を立てその仮説の論理的結論を推論し実際に試してこう問います「さあこの結論は合っているか?」「自然界でこの現象が観測できるか?」そして合っていれば科学者はこう言います「よし仮説は正しいと立証された」まさにこれを行った科学者の有名な例が科学史上にたくさんあります最も有名な例はアルベルト・アインシュタインですアインシュタインが一般相対性理論を構築した時彼の理論における結論の一つに四次元時空は単なるカラッポの空間ではなくそこには布があってその布が太陽のような― 大質量の物体によってたわむというのがありましたつまりこの理論が正しければ光は太陽の傍を通過する時その付近で曲げられることになりますそれはかなり衝撃的な予測でした科学者による確認が可能になるまでに数年かかりましたが 1919年に確認しなんと理論は正しいと実証されました太陽の近傍を通る光は実際に曲がるのですこれが理論を立証する決め手となりました例の斬新な考えが正しいという証拠と見なされ世界中の多くの新聞が大々的に扱いましたさてこの理論あるいはモデルは演繹的・法則的モデルと言われたりしますそれは主に学者が事をややこしくするのを好むせいですが理想的な場合法則が関わるせいでもありますつまり法則が関係しているということです理想的な場合仮説はただの思いつきではなく理想的には自然の法則なのです自然の法則であることがなぜ重要なのでしょうもしそれが自然の法則なら絶対だからですそれがもし法則なら常にいつでもどこでもどんな条件下であれ真なのですどなたでも有名な法則を 1つはご存じですアインシュタインの有名な関係式 E=mc2 エネルギーと質量がどんな関係か示してくれる式ですそしてその関係はどんな時も必ず成り立ちますところがこのモデルにはいくつかの問題があります主な問題はそれが間違っているということ真ではないのです間違いだという根拠を3つお話ししますまずは論理上の問題後件肯定の虚偽という問題ですこれもまた凝った学術的な言い方ですが要は誤った理論からでも真の予測は可能だと言うことですつまり予測が真であるからと言ってその理論が正しいという論理的な証明にはなりませんこれについても科学史に良い例がありますこちらはプトレマイオスの宇宙の図です地球が宇宙の中心にあり太陽と惑星がその周りを回っていますプトレマイオスの説は何世紀もの間非常に聡明な多くの人々に信じられていました何故でしょうか? 答えはその説から真の予測が数多くできたからですプトレマイオスの体系のおかげで天文学者は惑星運動を正確に予測できました実際当初の予測は現在の私たちが真と考える地動説より正確なものでしたこれが教科書モデルの問題点の1つ目です 2つ目は実務上の問題補助仮説の問題です補助仮説とは科学者が持つ前提のことですが彼ら自身も意識していないかもしれませんこれについて重要な例を最終的に天動説の座を引き継いだ地動説からご紹介しますニコラウス・コペルニクスが地球は宇宙の中心ではなく太陽が太陽系の中心で地球は太陽の周りを移動していると言った時科学者たちはこう言いました「いいかいニコラウスそれがもし本当なら太陽の周りを回る地球の運動を検出できることになる」こちらは年周視差として知られる概念の説明です天文学者は言いましたもし地球が動いているならよく見える星たとえばシリウスを見て― まぁマンハッタンでは星は見えませんけどね田舎にいると思ってください田舎暮らしをして― 12月にある星を見るとその星の後ろには遠くの星が見えますもし私たちが同じ観察を半年後に行うと 6月に地球はこの位置に動いていますから同じ星を見るとその背景が違っているわけですこの角度の違いが年周視差ですこちらは地動説による予測です天文学者たちは年周視差を探しましたがまったく何も見つかりませんでしたこれにより多くの人が地動説は誤りだと証明されたと主張しました何故そうなったのでしょうか? 今の私たちには当時の天文学者が 2つの補助仮説を立てていてそのどちらも不適当だったとわかります 1つは地球の軌道の大きさに関する前提天文学者は他の星との距離から算出し地球の軌道を大きく見積もっていました今日私たちが描くのはこんな図です NASAの画像です地球の軌道はかなり小さいでしょう実はここに描かれているよりもずっと小さいんですよそのため年周視差は非常に小さく検出するのは非常に困難なのですこのことは予測どおり行かなかった― 理由の2つ目と関連してきます科学者は自分たちの望遠鏡が視差を検出できるほど高感度だと思っていたのですそうではありませんでした科学者が年周視差を検出するのは 19世紀になるまで不可能でしたさて問題の3つ目です 3つ目の問題は事実に関する問題で科学の多くが教科書モデルに該当しないということです科学の多くは決して演繹的ではなく実際には帰納的なのですつまり科学者は必ずしも理論や仮説から出発するわけではなく世界で起きていることの観察から出発することも多々あるのですこの例として最も有名なのはかの有名な科学者チャールズ・ダーウィンです若き日のダーウィンがビーグル号に乗船して旅に出た時彼は仮説も理論も持っていませんでしたただ科学者としての経歴を持ちたいその一心で彼はデータを集め始めましたなにしろ彼は医学をやるのが嫌でした血を見ると気分が悪くなるからですだから別の進路が必要だったのですそれでデータ収集を始めましたあの有名なフィンチを含め様々なものを集めました採集の際彼はフィンチを袋に放り込みその意味も認識していませんでした何年も後ロンドンでダーウィンはデータを見直し解釈を見出し始めましたその解釈が自然選択説です帰納的な科学に加え科学者がよく使う手法にモデリングがあります科学者が人生で実現したいことの一つに原因の説明がありますどうやるのでしょうか? 方法の一つはアイディアを試すためのモデルを作ることですこちらの写真はヘンリー・キャデル 19世紀のスコットランド人地質学者ですスコットランド人だというのは鹿撃ち帽にウェリントン・ブーツで一目瞭然ですキャデルが解こうとした問題は「山はどうやって出来るのか?」でした彼は気づきましたアパラチアのような山脈を見ると岩が褶曲しているのを見かけますよね岩の独特な曲がり方から彼はピンと来ました岩は側面から圧迫を受けていたのですそしてこのアイディアは後に大陸移動の議論で重要な役目を果たしました彼はこれをモデル化しテコと木材で奇抜な仕掛けを作りました手押し車やバケツや大きなゲンノウもありますねウェリントン・ブーツの理由は不明です雨だったのかしらね彼がこの物理的モデルを作ったのは側面から圧力をかけると岩やこの場合で言うと泥に山にかなり似た模様が作り出せると実証するのが目的でしたそれは山ができる原因についての主張でした最近の科学者は屋内での仕事を好むので物理的モデルはあまり作りませんがコンピュータ・シミュレーションはしますコンピュータ・シミュレーションはモデルの一種ですそれは数学によるモデルで 19世紀の物理モデル同様原因について思考するために非常に重要です気候変動に関する大問題の一つを挙げましょう地球の温暖化については膨大な証拠がありますこちらのスライドの黒い線はここ150年間の科学者による測定結果で地球の温度の着実な上昇を示しています特に最近50年でこのように劇的に上昇しているのがわかります摂氏1度近くあるいは華氏2度ほどの上昇ですでも何がその変化を促しているのでしょう観測された温暖化の原因が何かどうしたらわかるのでしょう科学者はシミュレーションを使ってそれをモデル化できるのですこちらはコンピュータ・シミュレーションの説明図です地球の気候に影響を与え得る様々な因子を残らず調べています大気汚染から出る硫酸塩粒子火山の噴火から出る火山灰太陽放射の変動当然温室効果ガスも入っていますそして科学者は調べますどの変数の組み合わせをモデルに入れると現実に起きていることを再現できるかこの黒い線が現実ですモデルはこの薄いグレーの線そして出た答えは学力試験の選択肢でお馴染みの「上記のすべて」を含むモデルです計測された温度を再現するためには温室効果ガスを含む全ての因子を取り込むより他にないのですとりわけご覧のとおり温室効果ガスの増加がここ50年の間のこの非常に劇的な気温上昇の動きを追っていますですからこれを根拠に気候学者は気候変動が起きているだけではなく温室効果ガスがその理由の主要な部分を占めているのは明らかだと言えるわけですさてこのように科学者が違う研究を行っていることから哲学者ポール・ファイヤアーベントはご存知の通りこう言いました「『何でもあり』の精神こそが科学の進歩を妨げない唯一の原理である」実はこれは言葉尻を取られていてファイヤアーベントは科学では「何でもありだ」とは言っていないのです実際に言った全文はこうです「科学の手法とは何か答えろと迫られたら『何でもありだ』と言わざるを得ない」彼が言おうとしたのは科学者は様々な異なることをしており創造性豊かだということですしかしここであの疑問が戻ってきます科学者の使う手法がバラバラなら何が正しく何が間違っているかどうやって決めるのでしょう誰が判断するのでしょう答えは科学者が判断するのですその判断は証拠の判断によります科学者は様々な異なる方法で証拠を集めますがそれがどんな方法であれ証拠を検査にかけなければなりません社会学者ロバート・マートンは科学者がどうやってデータや証拠を検査するかという問題に着目しその方法を「組織的懐疑主義」と呼びました彼が組織化されていると考えたのは科学者たちが共同で集団として検査を行うからで懐疑主義だと考えたのは科学者がそれを不信をベースに行うからですすなわち立証責任を負うのは新しい主張を持ち込んだその人物ですこの意味で科学は本質的に保守的です科学界を説得し「よしこれは明らかに真だ」と言わせるのは非常に厳しいことですだからパラダイムシフトの概念が支持を集めていようとも実際のところ科学的思考に本当に大幅な変化が起きた例は科学史上比較的まれですこのことはいよいよ私たちを次の考えへと導きます科学者が集団で証拠を判断することから歴史学者は合意の問題に注目してきました歴史学者の最終的な結論はこうです科学というもの科学的知見というものは組織的で集団的な検査のプロセスを通っておりそれは証拠を判断しマルかバツかの断定をした科学の専門家たちの総意であるということですつまり科学的知見は専門家の総意だと考えられます科学とは陪審のようなものだと考えることもできますかなり特殊な陪審ですけどねあまり身近にはいないタイプのオタクの陪審です博士号を持つ人たちの陪審ですそして有罪か無罪か二者択一の通常の陪審と違って科学の陪審には選択肢がいろいろあります科学者は「Yes 真である」と言うこともあれば「No 偽である」と言うこともありますあるいは「真の可能性はあるが― もっと研究を重ね証拠を積み上げる必要がある」とか「真の可能性はあるが― 答えようがないのでひとまず保留にして後々また考えよう」とか言うこともありますこれは科学者が「解決困難」と呼ぶものですしかしこれが最後の問題につながります科学が科学者の意見で成立しているのなら単なる権威への訴えかけではないのでしょうか私たちは学校で権威への訴えは論理上の誤謬だと教わったのではないでしょうかここに現代科学の矛盾があります私が思うに歴史学者や哲学者や社会学者が至った― 科学は権威への訴えだという結論の矛盾ですただし権威と言っても特定の人物のことではありませんプラトンやソクラテスやアインシュタインのようにどんなに頭脳明晰でもある個人のことではないのです権威とは科学界全体のことですある種の「集団の知恵」だと思えばいいです非常に特殊な集団ですけどね科学は権威に訴えかけますが基準は特定の人物ではありませんどんなに頭脳明晰だとしてもです基準となるのはある問題について研究してきた全ての科学者の集団的英知集団的知見集合体としての研究成果です科学者にはある種の集団的不信の文化があります「証明してみろ」の文化ですこちらの素敵な女性が良い例です仲間に自分の見つけた証拠を見せています勿論この人たちは科学者にしてはニコニコしすぎですねさてでは私の最後の論点です大抵の人は朝起きて自分の車を信頼していますここはマンハッタンですから例えが悪いですけどマンハッタン以外に住むアメリカ人のほとんどは朝起きて車に乗りますエンジンをかければ車は動きますそれも非常によく動きます現代の車はめったに故障しませんなぜ車はそんなにうまく動くのでしょうヘンリー・フォードやカール・ベンツやイーロン・マスクらの才能のためではありませんその理由は現代の車が百年以上に渡る何百何千何万もの人々の仕事の積み重ねだからです現代の車は車に関わる仕事をしたすべての人の集合的な研究と知恵と経験の成果でありテクノロジーの信頼性は蓄積された努力の結晶なのです私たちが恩恵を受けているのはベンツやフォードやマスクらの才能だけでなく現代の車に関わったすべての人たちの集団的な知と勤勉のおかげなのです科学も同じですただし科学は車より歴史が長いですが私たちの科学を信頼する根拠はテクノロジーを信頼する根拠と同じで対象が何であれ信頼するときの根拠と同じですすなわち経験がモノを言うのですしかし盲目的な信頼はダメです何事においても鵜呑みはいけません科学自体がそうであるように私たちの科学に対する信頼も証拠に基づいていなければなりませんだから科学者はもっと上手に伝えるようにしなければなりません科学者は私たちに結果だけではなくその過程をも説明しなければなりませんそして私たちはもっと上手に聞けるようにならなければなりませんありがとうございました	Scientists tell us that the world is warming. Scientists tell us that vaccines are safe. But how do we know if they are right? Why should be believe the science? The fact is, many of us actually don't believe the science. Public opinion polls consistently show that significant proportions of the American people don't believe the climate is warming due to human activities, don't think that there is evolution by natural selection, and aren't persuaded by the safety of vaccines. So why should we believe the science? Well, scientists don't like talking about science as a matter of belief. In fact, they would contrast science with faith, and they would say belief is the domain of faith. And faith is a separate thing apart and distinct from science. Indeed they would say religion is based on faith or maybe the calculus of Pascal's wager. Blaise Pascal was a 17th-century mathematician who tried to bring scientific reasoning to the question of whether or not he should believe in God, and his wager went like this: Well, if God doesn't exist but I decide to believe in him nothing much is really lost. Maybe a few hours on Sunday. But if he does exist and I don't believe in him, then I'm in deep trouble. And so Pascal said, we'd better believe in God. Or as one of my college professors said, "He clutched for the handrail of faith." He made that leap of faith leaving science and rationalism behind. Now the fact is though, for most of us, most scientific claims are a leap of faith. We can't really judge scientific claims for ourselves in most cases. And indeed this is actually true for most scientists as well outside of their own specialties. So if you think about it, a geologist can't tell you whether a vaccine is safe. Most chemists are not experts in evolutionary theory. A physicist cannot tell you, despite the claims of some of them, whether or not tobacco causes cancer. So, if even scientists themselves have to make a leap of faith outside their own fields, then why do they accept the claims of other scientists? Why do they believe each other's claims? And should we believe those claims? So what I'd like to argue is yes, we should, but not for the reason that most of us think. Most of us were taught in school that the reason we should believe in science is because of the scientific method. We were taught that scientists follow a method and that this method guarantees the truth of their claims. The method that most of us were taught in school, we can call it the textbook method, is the hypothetical deductive method. According to the standard model, the textbook model, scientists develop hypotheses, they deduce the consequences of those hypotheses, and then they go out into the world and they say, "Okay, well are those consequences true?" Can we observe them taking place in the natural world? And if they are true, then the scientists say, "Great, we know the hypothesis is correct." So there are many famous examples in the history of science of scientists doing exactly this. One of the most famous examples comes from the work of Albert Einstein. When Einstein developed the theory of general relativity, one of the consequences of his theory was that space-time wasn't just an empty void but that it actually had a fabric. And that that fabric was bent in the presence of massive objects like the sun. So if this theory were true then it meant that light as it passed the sun should actually be bent around it. That was a pretty startling prediction and it took a few years before scientists were able to test it but they did test it in 1919, and lo and behold it turned out to be true. Starlight actually does bend as it travels around the sun. This was a huge confirmation of the theory. It was considered proof of the truth of this radical new idea, and it was written up in many newspapers around the globe. Now, sometimes this theory or this model is referred to as the deductive-nomological model, mainly because academics like to make things complicated. But also because in the ideal case, it's about laws. So nomological means having to do with laws. And in the ideal case, the hypothesis isn't just an idea: ideally, it is a law of nature. Why does it matter that it is a law of nature? Because if it is a law, it can't be broken. If it's a law then it will always be true in all times and all places no matter what the circumstances are. And all of you know of at least one example of a famous law: Einstein's famous equation, E=MC2, between energy and mass. And that relationship is true no matter what. Now, it turns out, though, that there are several problems with this model. The main problem is that it's wrong. It's just not true. And I'm going to talk about three reasons why it's wrong. So the first reason is a logical reason. It's the problem of the fallacy of affirming the consequent. So that's another fancy, academic way of saying that false theories can make true predictions. So just because the prediction comes true doesn't actually logically prove that the theory is correct. And I have a good example of that too, again from the history of science. This is a picture of the Ptolemaic universe with the Earth at the center of the universe and the sun and the planets going around it. The Ptolemaic model was believed by many very smart people for many centuries. Well, why? Well the answer is because it made lots of predictions that came true. The Ptolemaic system enabled astronomers to make accurate predictions of the motions of the planet, in fact more accurate predictions at first than the Copernican theory which we now would say is true. So that's one problem with the textbook model. A second problem is a practical problem, and it's the problem of auxiliary hypotheses. Auxiliary hypotheses are assumptions that scientists are making that they may or may not even be aware that they're making. So an important example of this comes from the Copernican model, which ultimately replaced the Ptolemaic system. So when Nicolaus Copernicus said, actually the Earth is not the center of the universe, the sun is the center of the solar system, the Earth moves around the sun. Scientists said, well okay, Nicolaus, if that's true we ought to be able to detect the motion of the Earth around the sun. And so this slide here illustrates a concept known as stellar parallax. And astronomers said, if the Earth is moving and we look at a prominent star, let's say, Sirius -- well I know I'm in Manhattan so you guys can't see the stars, but imagine you're out in the country, imagine you chose that rural life — and we look at a star in December, we see that star against the backdrop of distant stars. If we now make the same observation six months later when the Earth has moved to this position in June, we look at that same star and we see it against a different backdrop. That difference, that angular difference, is the stellar parallax. So this is a prediction that the Copernican model makes. Astronomers looked for the stellar parallax and they found nothing, nothing at all. And many people argued that this proved that the Copernican model was false. So what happened? Well, in hindsight we can say that astronomers were making two auxiliary hypotheses, both of which we would now say were incorrect. The first was an assumption about the size of the Earth's orbit. Astronomers were assuming that the Earth's orbit was large relative to the distance to the stars. Today we would draw the picture more like this, this comes from NASA, and you see the Earth's orbit is actually quite small. In fact, it's actually much smaller even than shown here. The stellar parallax therefore, is very small and actually very hard to detect. And that leads to the second reason why the prediction didn't work, because scientists were also assuming that the telescopes they had were sensitive enough to detect the parallax. And that turned out not to be true. It wasn't until the 19th century that scientists were able to detect the stellar parallax. So, there's a third problem as well. The third problem is simply a factual problem, that a lot of science doesn't fit the textbook model. A lot of science isn't deductive at all, it's actually inductive. And by that we mean that scientists don't necessarily start with theories and hypotheses, often they just start with observations of stuff going on in the world. And the most famous example of that is one of the most famous scientists who ever lived, Charles Darwin. When Darwin went out as a young man on the voyage of the Beagle, he didn't have a hypothesis, he didn't have a theory. He just knew that he wanted to have a career as a scientist and he started to collect data. Mainly he knew that he hated medicine because the sight of blood made him sick so he had to have an alternative career path. So he started collecting data. And he collected many things, including his famous finches. When he collected these finches, he threw them in a bag and he had no idea what they meant. Many years later back in London, Darwin looked at his data again and began to develop an explanation, and that explanation was the theory of natural selection. Besides inductive science, scientists also often participate in modeling. One of the things scientists want to do in life is to explain the causes of things. And how do we do that? Well, one way you can do it is to build a model that tests an idea. So this is a picture of Henry Cadell, who was a Scottish geologist in the 19th century. You can tell he's Scottish because he's wearing a deerstalker cap and Wellington boots. And Cadell wanted to answer the question, how are mountains formed? And one of the things he had observed is that if you look at mountains like the Appalachians, you often find that the rocks in them are folded, and they're folded in a particular way, which suggested to him that they were actually being compressed from the side. And this idea would later play a major role in discussions of continental drift. So he built this model, this crazy contraption with levers and wood, and here's his wheelbarrow, buckets, a big sledgehammer. I don't know why he's got the Wellington boots. Maybe it's going to rain. And he created this physical model in order to demonstrate that you could, in fact, create patterns in rocks, or at least, in this case, in mud, that looked a lot like mountains if you compressed them from the side. So it was an argument about the cause of mountains. Nowadays, most scientists prefer to work inside, so they don't build physical models so much as to make computer simulations. But a computer simulation is a kind of a model. It's a model that's made with mathematics, and like the physical models of the 19th century, it's very important for thinking about causes. So one of the big questions to do with climate change, we have tremendous amounts of evidence that the Earth is warming up. This slide here, the black line shows the measurements that scientists have taken for the last 150 years showing that the Earth's temperature has steadily increased, and you can see in particular that in the last 50 years there's been this dramatic increase of nearly one degree centigrade, or almost two degrees Fahrenheit. So what, though, is driving that change? How can we know what's causing the observed warming? Well, scientists can model it using a computer simulation. So this diagram illustrates a computer simulation that has looked at all the different factors that we know can influence the Earth's climate, so sulfate particles from air pollution, volcanic dust from volcanic eruptions, changes in solar radiation, and, of course, greenhouse gases. And they asked the question, what set of variables put into a model will reproduce what we actually see in real life? So here is the real life in black. Here's the model in this light gray, and the answer is a model that includes, it's the answer E on that SAT, the observed temperature measurements is with all of these things put together, including greenhouse gases, and in particular you can see that the increase in greenhouse gases tracks this very dramatic increase in temperature over the last 50 years. And so this is why climate scientists say it's not just that we know that climate change is happening, we know that greenhouse gases are a major part of the reason why. So now because there all these different things that scientists do, the philosopher Paul Feyerabend famously said, "The only principle in science that doesn't inhibit progress is: anything goes." Now this quotation has often been taken out of context, because Feyerabend was not actually saying that in science anything goes. What he was saying was, actually the full quotation is, "If you press me to say what is the method of science, I would have to say: anything goes." What he was trying to say is that scientists do a lot of different things. Scientists are creative. But then this pushes the question back: If scientists don't use a single method, then how do they decide what's right and what's wrong? And who judges? And the answer is, scientists judge, and they judge by judging evidence. Scientists collect evidence in many different ways, but however they collect it, they have to subject it to scrutiny. And this led the sociologist Robert Merton to focus on this question of how scientists scrutinize data and evidence, and he said they do it in a way he called "organized skepticism." And by that he meant it's organized because they do it collectively, they do it as a group, and skepticism, because they do it from a position of distrust. That is to say, the burden of proof is on the person with a novel claim. And in this sense, science is intrinsically conservative. It's quite hard to persuade the scientific community to say, "Yes, we know something, this is true." So despite the popularity of the concept of paradigm shifts, what we find is that actually, really major changes in scientific thinking are relatively rare in the history of science. So finally that brings us to one more idea: If scientists judge evidence collectively, this has led historians to focus on the question of consensus, and to say that at the end of the day, what science is, what scientific knowledge is, is the consensus of the scientific experts who through this process of organized scrutiny, collective scrutiny, have judged the evidence and come to a conclusion about it, either yea or nay. So we can think of scientific knowledge as a consensus of experts. We can also think of science as being a kind of a jury, except it's a very special kind of jury. It's not a jury of your peers, it's a jury of geeks. It's a jury of men and women with Ph.D.s, and unlike a conventional jury, which has only two choices, guilty or not guilty, the scientific jury actually has a number of choices. Scientists can say yes, something's true. Scientists can say no, it's false. Or, they can say, well it might be true but we need to work more and collect more evidence. Or, they can say it might be true, but we don't know how to answer the question and we're going to put it aside and maybe we'll come back to it later. That's what scientists call "intractable." But this leads us to one final problem: If science is what scientists say it is, then isn't that just an appeal to authority? And weren't we all taught in school that the appeal to authority is a logical fallacy? Well, here's the paradox of modern science, the paradox of the conclusion I think historians and philosophers and sociologists have come to, that actually science is the appeal to authority, but it's not the authority of the individual, no matter how smart that individual is, like Plato or Socrates or Einstein. It's the authority of the collective community. You can think of it is a kind of wisdom of the crowd, but a very special kind of crowd. Science does appeal to authority, but it's not based on any individual, no matter how smart that individual may be. It's based on the collective wisdom, the collective knowledge, the collective work, of all of the scientists who have worked on a particular problem. Scientists have a kind of culture of collective distrust, this "show me" culture, illustrated by this nice woman here showing her colleagues her evidence. Of course, these people don't really look like scientists, because they're much too happy. Okay, so that brings me to my final point. Most of us get up in the morning. Most of us trust our cars. Well, see, now I'm thinking, I'm in Manhattan, this is a bad analogy, but most Americans who don't live in Manhattan get up in the morning and get in their cars and turn on that ignition, and their cars work, and they work incredibly well. The modern automobile hardly ever breaks down. So why is that? Why do cars work so well? It's not because of the genius of Henry Ford or Karl Benz or even Elon Musk. It's because the modern automobile is the product of more than 100 years of work by hundreds and thousands and tens of thousands of people. The modern automobile is the product of the collected work and wisdom and experience of every man and woman who has ever worked on a car, and the reliability of the technology is the result of that accumulated effort. We benefit not just from the genius of Benz and Ford and Musk but from the collective intelligence and hard work of all of the people who have worked on the modern car. And the same is true of science, only science is even older. Our basis for trust in science is actually the same as our basis in trust in technology, and the same as our basis for trust in anything, namely, experience. But it shouldn't be blind trust any more than we would have blind trust in anything. Our trust in science, like science itself, should be based on evidence, and that means that scientists have to become better communicators. They have to explain to us not just what they know but how they know it, and it means that we have to become better listeners. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「貴族が商売をする。これのブランドなのです」「ブランド......」「領主である貴族が商売をした時、その領内に住む民は、領主が売り出した物だから買うという民もいます。これは領主が領民に信頼されているかどうかによって違いますが、領民から愛されてる領主貴族の売り出す物は、一般の商人が売り出す物よりも売れるのです」「質の良し悪しというのもありますな。まぁ貴族であるなら質の悪い物を売り出さないだろうとの信頼はもちろん、貴族としても粗悪な物を売って信頼を失うわけには参りません」「つまり領民と領主の信頼で成り立っている商売がブランドになる、と?」「そういう事です」貴族がブランド品を売る......高級ブランドかな? 信頼されてる貴族が売るという事がブランドなわけか。クレアさん達公爵家は利益をかなり出してるという事は、領民からの信頼は厚いようだ。「私が考えているのは、タクミさんの栽培した薬草をリーベルト家のブランド品として売り出す事です。公爵家が取り仕切る事で、確かな物であるとの信頼を得る事が出来ます。もちろんタクミさんには、責任を持って我がリーベルト家から相応の報酬が出る事になります」「ふむ」「市場を混乱させないために、公爵家が取り仕切り、タクミさんには薬草の栽培をしてもらう。さすがに何でもかんでも大量に栽培して売るわけにも行きませんから、そこは実際に売る商店の方で調整してタクミさんに栽培してもらいます」公爵家が持つ商店で販売する代わりに、生産する量は公爵家や商店から指示が来る......という事で良いのかな? 「もちろんタクミさんが、公爵家に頼らずご自身で商売をなさりたいのであれば私は止めません。報酬はしっかり用意するよう考えていますが、ご自身で売られた方が利益は出しやすいでしょう」「んー......そこは気にしてませんね。俺が主体になって商売がしたいわけではありませんから」右も左もわからないような世界、実際に売るのは任せてしまった方が得策だろう。利益が自分で売るより下がるのは仕方ないが、知らないうちに使えるようになった能力だしな。能力使用も労力として大したことは無いのだから、ほとんど楽して儲けるようなもの。かなりの好条件だと思う。「俺は、クレアさん達公爵家に任せたいと考えます。......俺には商売の才能はあまりないでしょうからね」「わかりました。とは言え、草案のようなものです。本来公爵家の現当主はお父様です。許可も無しに薬草を追加したり、タクミさんを雇うに近い形で生産してもらうわけには行きません」「クレアさんの......という事は今すぐには?」「ええ。一度お父様と話す必要があります。おそらく許可が取れない事は無いでしょうが......」「ん?」「......お父様と会って話す時、必ずお見合い話をされるのが億劫だな、と......」「それは......確かに......」昨日散々愚痴った程だ、よっぽど父親からのお見合い話は多いんだろう......確かほとんど毎日って言ってたっけ。そんな父親と離れて暮らしてるクレアさんが久しぶりに会うんだ、絶対お見合いの話は来るだろうなぁ。少しだけクレアさんに同情した。「お父様に会うまでにタクミさんとの契約内容等、色々考えておきますね。タクミさんも、もう一度よく考えて契約を結ぶかを決めて下さいね。......お見合いの断り文句も考えておかないと......!」「......わかりました」最後の一言に一番力が入ってたな......。お見合いの件にはあまり触れないようにしよう。その後、俺は本を見ながら色々な薬草を、『雑草栽培』で栽培出来るのかを試した。本に載ってる薬草はほとんど栽培出来たが、中には出来ない物もあった。ネーギという、どう考えても日本で言うネギと同じ物だ。使い方の一つに首に巻くと病を鎮めるなんてのがあった。「どこの民間療法だ......」それはともかく、ネーギは『雑草栽培』では栽培出来なかった。セバスチャンさんに聞いてみた所、ネーギは食用として流通してるようなので、農業用の植物として能力が効かなかったのだと思う。一体誰が雑草と農業用とで判別してるのか気になったが、考えてもわからないので気にしない事にした。「......ふぅ」昼食の時間まで、色々と『雑草栽培』を試してみた。色んな薬草が栽培出来て、今裏庭はちょっとした薬草畑になってる。ただ、本に載ってる薬草を栽培していく中で一つだけ本にも載ってない、今まで見た植物の記憶にもない物が栽培された。その植物に関する情報が一切無いのに栽培出来てしまった植物だ。「......頭に思い浮かべた植物が栽培されるんじゃなかったのか?」これが出来た時は何を考えていただろうか......。確か......レオとティルラちゃんが裏庭を走り回って遊び始めた姿をぼんやりと見ながら、あれに混じったら疲れるだろうなぁと考えていたと思う。その後、栄養ドリンクの事を思い出して、疲れの取れる物ってないかなぁとか考えながら地面に触れたはずだ。気付いたら、土から茎のない紫色の葉っぱが1枚だけ顔を出していた。一応それを摘んだけど、効果のわからない物を使ったり売るのは怖い。クレアさんやセバスチャンさんにも見せたが、知らないとの事だったので、部屋に持ち帰る事にした。「とりあえず、ここに置いておくか」見た事のない植物をとりあえずと部屋にある机の上に置いておき、俺は食堂へと向かった。さすがにもう行き方は覚えたので、今回はライラさんに案内してもらわずに済んだ。今日の昼食は、パスタだった。日本で言うスパゲッティのような細く長いパスタでは無く、平麺で幅が数センチある麺だ。ヘレーナさんの作る料理は美味しい物ばかりだから、これも美味しいんだろうな、なんて考えながらお皿の横に置いてあるフォークを手に取った。	“Nobles owning a business. It is like its own brand.” “A brand...” “When a landed noble owns a business, the people who live on the land will often buy it, because it’s a product from their landlord. Obviously, this would only happen in cases where there is mutual trust. And so a landlord who is loved by the people will have an easier time selling something than the average merchant.” “Well, the quality of the product will also matter. But people trust that a noble would not sell something of low quality, because that would quickly affect their reputation.” “In other words, a business that is based on trust between the landlord and the people becomes its own brand?” “Exactly.” Brands sold by nobles...would they be like luxury brands? I suppose that being sold by a trusted noble was part of the brand as well. Ms. Claire’s family business brought in great profits, so that must mean they had the people’s trust. “What I am thinking is this. The medicinal herbs that you make, Mr. Takumi, will be sold as a branded product of the Liebert house. By having a duke’s house manage things, people will trust that the product is of good quality. And of course, Mr. Takumi, you will be properly compensated for your work.” “Hmm.” “So in order to avoid disrupting the market, this family will handle things while you make the medicinal plants, Mr. Takumi. As it would not be wise for you to just make anything and in great quantities, we will have to organize things with the stores, and then have you cultivate them.” So they would be sold in stores owned by the duke, and I would get orders for the amount to produce...was that right? “Of course, if you would rather not rely on us and start your own business, I will not try to stop you. While I mean to pay you properly, it’s possible that you could make more of a profit if you did it all alone.” “Hmm... Well, that’s not something that I’m concerned about. And I don’t have any desire to be the central figure in the business either.” This was still a world where I barely knew right from left. And so it felt wise to leave the actual selling to them. While it could not be helped that less of the profits would go to me, this was just a power I was suddenly able to use. It’s not something that I had worked hard to attain. And so I would be making money very easily. These were very favorable conditions. “I think that I will leave it to your family, Ms. Claire. ...Besides, I surely do not have the same talent for trade.” “Very well. That being said, it is just an early idea. My father is still the head of this house. And so we will not be able to add the medicinal plants to our stores without permission, nor can we ask you to cultivate them as an employee.” “So, Ms. Claire... We won’t be able to do it immediately?” “Yes. I must speak with my father first. However, I doubt that he won’t give his permission... Though...” “Huh?” “...I was just thinking about how troublesome it will be that he will bring up my marriage again when I talk to him...” “Ah...that’s true...” She had grumbled about him for a long time yesterday. He must bring it up with her a lot... She said that it had been nearly every day. Ms. Claire was living away from her father now, and they would be meeting after a long while. And so it was very likely that he would start trying to find her a match once again. I felt a little sorry for her. “I’ll think about the terms of the contract and other details before I meet him. Mr. Takumi, you must also think about it very carefully and decide whether to do it or not. ...And I must also think of ways to turn those marriages down...!” “...Of course.” She sounded the most determined during the last part... I would try to avoid bringing the subject up with her from now on. After that, I looked through the book and tested to see what other plants I could make with Weed Cultivation. While I was able to make most of the plants in the book, there were also some that I was unsuccessful with. There was one called ‘Neegi,’ which was like a Japanese green onion. It even said in the description that it would heal ailments if you wrapped it around your neck. “What kind of folk medicine is...” Regardless, I was not able to make it through Weed Cultivation. When I asked Sebastian, he said that it was commonly sold as food. If it was considered farm produce, then that would explain why I am unable to make it. It did make me wonder who exactly decides if a plant is part of agriculture or not, but I decided to not think about it too deeply, as there would be no answers. “...Phew.” I continued to try to grow different plants until lunch time. A great variety of plants were now growing in the back garden so that it looked like a little field. However, out of all of the plants that were there, there was one single plant that was not in the book. And I had no memory of ever seeing such a plant before. A plant had been made when I had no knowledge of it at all. “...I thought plants were only supposed to grow after I imagined them?” What had I been thinking about when making this? I think...I had been thinking vaguely about how Leo and Tilura were running around and playing in the garden, and how tired I would be if I joined them. After that, I thought of energy drinks, and wondered if there wasn’t something here that would give me energy. And then I touched the ground. And before I knew it, a single purple leaf with no stem had sprouted from the dirt. I had then plucked it. But I wouldn’t dare use or sell something if I didn’t know what effect it would have. I showed Ms. Claire and Sebastian, but neither knew of the plant either. And so I decided to take it back to my room. “I’ll put it here for now.” I placed the unfamiliar plant on the desk in my room, and then I headed to the dining hall. By now, I knew how to reach it, and did not need Ms. Lyra to show me the way. For lunch, we had pasta. It wasn’t the thick, long type of spaghetti often eaten in Japan, as the noodles were flat a few centimeters wide. Everything that Ms. Helena made was delicious, so this should be no different. It was with such thoughts that I picked up the fork that lay next to my plate.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
セイヤが客席に着くと、周りにはたくさんの観客がいた。その人数はざっは超えており、すでに席は埋まっていた。セイヤは立ち見になるかと思ったが、そのと所を中心に空いているエリアを見つける。そのエリアは、席が空いているにもかかわらず、誰も近づかない。なぜか皆、あえて立ち見を選択する。「セイヤか。ユアとリリィはどうしたんだ?」空席の中心にいたのは、特級魔法師で、ユアの父親でもあるライガー=アルーニャ。観客たちは、ライガーが特級魔法師と言うことで、距離を取っていたのだが、セイヤは気にせずライガーの隣に座る。ライガーの隣に座り、タメ口で話すセイヤの姿を見た観客たちは、一斉に背筋を凍らせた。一部の客は「なにをやっているんだ、あの餓鬼!?」、「死にたいのか!?」、「馬鹿か!?」などと言っているが、セイヤには聞こえてない。セイヤは周りを気にせず、ライガーの質問に答える。「そうか。目当てはメロンパンか?」「まあな。ところでメリナはどうしたんだ?」「あいつなら金を渡したから、祭りを見物しているよ」「なるほど」どうやらメリナは祭りを満喫しているらしい。ところで、なぜライガーがここにいるのか、セイヤは気になっていた。いくら挨拶だからと言って、ミスコンを見るであろうか? それに、ライガー程の人間が見るのであれば、客席じゃなく、来賓用の席があるはずだ。「ここにいるのは仕事か?」「まあな。優勝者が攫われる可能性があるから、その警戒だ」「なるほど、特級の抑止力か」「そんなところだ」どうやらライガーは人攫いに対して、特級魔法師がいるという抑止力らしい。実際、ライガーはアクエリスタンだけでなく、王国全土でも知られる魔法師だ。抑止力にはもってこいである。二人がそんなこと話していると、ついにミスコンが始まった。参加人数は全部。その中にはもちろんユアとリリィもいたが、二人のレベルは格が違っていた。正直ほかの参加者たちがかわいそうになるレベルだ。そしてセイヤはあることに気付く。それはリリィの体が、いつもよりいろいろと大きいことだ。なんと、リリィはいつもの美幼女ではなく、妖艶な雰囲気を纏う大人バージョンになっていた。セイヤの視線に気づいたリリィは、セイヤの方を見ると、妖艶な笑みを浮かべる。そんなリリィに対してセイヤが苦笑いをしていると、司会の女性が大声で叫び始めた。「さーて、今年もアクアマリンミスコン、通称「アマコン」をはじめまーーーーす」「「「「「「「「「ウォァァァァァァァ」」」」」」」」」司会の女性が開幕を宣言すると、観客たちの歓声がまるで地鳴りのように鳴り響く。最初はインタビューのようで、左から順にインタビューされていく。ユア目、リリィが五番目だ。インタビューは参加の動機やら、メロンパンを狙っているのか、などが聞かれていた。最初の二人のインタビューが終わり、ついにユアの番が来る。司会の女性がユアに質問を始めた。「エントリーナンバー三番は、可愛い御嬢さん。名前はなんですか?」「ユア......」「ユアさんですね。なぜこのアマコンに参加したのですか?」「婚約者のため......」「えっ、婚約者がいるんですか?」ユアの回答に会場がどよめく。司会のお姉さんも反応に困っているが、それ以上に、なぜか会場の雰囲気がおかしくなり始めていた。「婚約者のためとは素敵ですね。ところで、そんな幸せな婚約者さんは会場にいますか?」会場中の客が、誰だ? 誰だ? と周りを見るが、その目にはなぜか殺気がこもっている。司会の女性は、そんな観客の様子などを気にせず、「どこですか?」とユアに質問する。すると、ユアは迷いなく、セイヤの方を指さした。「セイヤ......」「えっ!? あそこって、ライガー様の隣ですか!?」司会の女性もだが、観客たちもセイヤの方を見る。そこにいたのはライガーの隣で、困った顔をしているセイヤの姿。周りの観客たちのセイヤを見る目には、殺意やら殺気がこもっているが、幸いライガーが抑止力になっているため、襲ってくる観客はいない。セイヤはこの時、心の中でライガーは便利だな、と思っていたが、それは決して口には出さない。司会の女性は勇気があるのか、セイヤの方に向かってくる。セイヤの隣のライガーを見ながらだが、確実に一歩ずつ、セイヤに向かってくる女性。そして、セイヤの前に来ると、お決まりの質問をした。「こっ、婚約者さん! ユアさんに一言お願いします」セイヤはそんなことを聞かれたセイヤは素直に答える。「がんばれ、ユア」「うん......」セイヤがユアに応援メッセージを送ると、ユアはステージの上から満面の笑みで頷く。その顔はとても可愛く、ユアの笑顔を見た周りの観客たちはセイヤに向かって怨念を送り始めるが、セイヤは気にしない。ユアの番が終わると、次の女性になる。四番の女性はユアの後で、とてもやりにくそうだったが、何とか頑張っていた。そして四番目の女性のインタビューが終わると、次は大人バージョンのリリィの番だ。司会の女性はリリィにマイクを渡して、質問を始める。「次は五番の方です。お名前はなんですか?」「リリィよ」「リリィさんは、なぜアマコンに参加したのですか?」「愛する人のためかしら」妖艶な雰囲気を纏いながら質問に答えるリリィの姿に、会場にいる男性陣たちは、心なしか全員が前かがみになっていた。そしてほとんどの歓喜客たちがリリィの答えに、前かがみになりながらも、ユアの時と同様に、殺気のこもった目で周りを見る。もちろん、リリィの愛する人を探しているのだ。「愛する人とは、彼氏さんですか?」司会の女性が質問を進める。「違うわよ。もっと進んでいるわ」「もしかして、婚約者ですか?」「それも違うわね」リリィの答えに、首をかしげる司会の女性。彼氏より進んでいて、婚約者ではないと言われ、答えは何か考えている。しかし、司会の女性は結局、答えがわからなかったようで、リリィに答えを聞いた。「じゃ、じゃあ、ズバリどんな関係ですか?」司会の女性の質問に、観客たちは静かに息をのみ、リリィの答えを待つ。そんな中、リリィは今まで以上に妖艶な雰囲気を纏って答えた。「愛人よ」リリィの答えに、司会の女性がフリーズした。それは会場にいる観客たちも同じだ。唯一、セイヤがリリィに向かって困ったような顔をするが、リリィはまるで楽しそうに笑う。「えっ?」「愛人ですか? 婚約者じゃなくて?」「仕方ないじゃない。愛人には婚約者がいるんだもの」リリィの発言に、会場の観客たちは先ほど以上に殺気立つ。その目には「こんな美女を愛人だと!? そんなふざけた男はどこだ?」という思いが込められており、おそらく見つかったら集団で襲われるだろう。ということで、その愛人を探すことはやめるべきだとセイヤは思った。だが、司会の女性は馬鹿なのか、質問を続ける。「その幸せな愛人さんはどこですか?」なぜ聞いた!? セイヤは心の中で叫んだ。なぜなら、この後の展開がすでに予想できていたから。リリィはニヤリと悪女のような笑みを浮かべると、静かにセイヤのことを指さした。「あそこにいるユアちゃんの婚約者よ。ねっ、セイヤ君♡」次の瞬間、会場の観客たち全員がとなって、セイヤに襲い掛かる。「「「殺せ......殺せ......あいつを殺せえええ。このハーレム野郎ぉぉぉぉぉ」」」となった観客たちが、セイヤに向かって突撃を始める。セイヤは立ち上がると、全力で殴り掛かってくるそんな様子を見たライガーが、セイヤに言う。「怪我させるなよ」ライガーはセイヤの心配ではなく、会場の観客の心配をしていた。「魔力解放」とかした観客たちが、その場で倒れ始める。そして、会場の観客たちが、セイヤとライガーを残し、全員気絶した。セイヤが行ったのは、セイヤが転校初日に職員室で行った魔力解放だ。といっても、解放した魔力量はセイヤの一割にも過ぎないため、怪我をすることはない。一斉に気を失った観客たちを見て、司会の女性が困ったように言う。「えっと、アマコンはどうしましょう?」優勝者は会場の観客たちの投票によって決まるのだが、セイヤとライガー以外気絶してしまったため、総投票数は二票になってしまう。そんな中ライガーが大声で言う。「俺はユアに投票だ」「じゃあ、俺はリリィに投票だ」ライガーはユアに、セイヤはリリィに投票することを宣言した。司会の女性は困ったように周りを見るが、二人以外は全員倒れているため、どうしようもない。「えっと、優勝は三番ユアさんと、五番リリィさんです。優勝賞品のメロンパンは各自一つずつでどうぞ......これにて今年のアマコンは終了です。わーーーい......」司会の女性は、どこかうつろな瞳で閉会を宣言する。ユアとリリィは優勝賞品のメロンパンが貰い、うれしそうな表情を浮かべるが、他のエントリーした女性、特にインタビューもされなかっ以降の女性たちは不満な顔をしている。こうして、レイリア史上最少投票数のアマコンは幕を閉じるのであった。「俺は後始末がありそうだな。セイヤは二人を連れて先に帰っていろ」ライガーがそんなこと言う。「悪いな、面倒事を押し付けて」「気にするな」「ありがとう」ライガーに感謝しながら、ユアとリリィに合流するセイヤ。この時すでに、リリィは大人バージョンから子供バージョンに変わっていた。その後、三人はライガーにいわれた通り、家に戻るのであった。そして帰り道の途中、ユアとリリィが優勝賞品のクリーム入りのメロンパンを、セイヤに渡してくる。「いいよ。二人で食べろよ」「でもセイヤが欲しがっていた......」「大丈夫だ。せっかくだし、ユアが食っとけ」ユアは若干不満そうな顔をしてメロンパンを見る。そして、何かひらめいたような顔をして、メロンパンを半分に割る。そして片方をセイヤに渡した。「ありがとな、ユア」そう言い、セイヤはユアから半分メロンパンを貰う。「リリィも半分あげる!」「いいのか?」「うん! だってセイヤのために獲ったんだもん!」笑顔でメロンパンの半分をセイヤに渡すリリィ。「ありがとな」「うん!」三人はクリーム入りメロンパンをおいしく食べながら、家に帰るのであった。そんな三人の様子を遠くから見る男の姿があった。その男は、白い鎧をまとった長い銀髪の男性。銀髪の男性の視線の先には、美少女のユアでも美幼女のリリィでもなく、二人の真ん中にいる金髪碧眼の少年が映っている。「やはりまだ事件は終わっていなかったか。あの少年に、あの施設のことを聞かなければ」そう言いながら銀髪の男、バジル=エイトは覚悟を決めるのであった。	When Seiya arrived at the spectators’ seats, there were already plenty of people. Their numbers exceeded five hundred; they took all of the seats. Just as Seiya thought to watch the contest while standing, he discovered an empty seat in the center. Even though the seat was empty, no one approached it. For some reason, everyone chose to stand. 「Did you come to greet some people in the beauty contest, Raiga?」[]「So it’s Seiya. What is happened with Lily and Yua? 」 Sitting there was a special magician as well as Yua’s father, Raiga Arunia. The spectators took their distance from Raiga, but Seiya didn’t bother and sat next to him. Seeing him sitting next to Raiga and casually starting a conversation, everyone around got suddenly agitated. Some of them said「What is this brat doing!?」,「Do you want to die!?」,「Are you an idiot!?」, but Seiya didn’t hear that. Without any care for his surroundings, Seiya answered Raiga’s previous question. 「I see. Is your target the melon bread? 」「Kind of. By the way, what about Melena? 」「As for her, I handed her some money, so she is sightseeing the festival right now」 It seems that Melena is enjoying the festival. [] However, why is he in such a place, though Seiya. How does the greeting of important people lead him to be here? Besides, a person of Raiga’s status should usually be in the section for the important guests. 「Are you here for a job?」「You can say that. There is a possibility that the winner will be kidnapped. I’m a countermeasure」「I see, you are the special deterrent」「That’s about right」 Apparently, Raiga uses his presence to deter any possible kidnappers from an action. Raiga is famous not only in Aquaristan but across the whole kingdom. He is perfect as the deterrent. While the two were talking about those things, the beauty contest finally began. There were nine participants. Of course, Lily and Yua were among them, but they were on a completely different level from the rest. To be honest, it’s on the level when you can only pity other participants. And Seiya noticed something. That is, Lily’s body was bigger than usual in certain places. Instead of the little girl, she changed into the enchanting adult version. When she became aware of Seiya’s gaze, Lily showed him a smile. While Seiya was smiling in response, the host woman said loudly. 「All right, this year’s aquamarine beauty contest, in short「Amacon」, starts now」「「「「「「「「「Woaaa!」」」」」」」」」 When the woman said her piece, the audience erupted in loud cheers. First is the interview, in order from left to right. Yua is third and Lily is fifth. The interview included questions about motivation, melon bread and so on and so forth. When the first two’s interview has ended, it was finally Yua’s turn. The host asked Yua: 「Entry number three, such a cute girl. What is your name? 」「Yua....」「So you are Yua-san then. Why are you participating in the Amacon? 」「For my fiancé......」「Eeh, so you have a fiancé?」 The hall became quiet. The host big sister was troubled how to react too, adding to that, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat weird. 「So it is for your fiancé, how wonderful. By the way, is he present in the audience right now? 」 The audience was looking around with 「 Who is it? Who is it? 」 question in their eyes. For some reason, their stares also contained bloodlust. Not caring about the audience, the host asked Yua「Where is he? 」. And Yua, without any hesitation, pointed at Seiya with her finger. 「Seiya....」「Eh?! You mean, the one next to Raiga-sama?!」「Yes....」 The host, as well as the audience, stared there. There, next to Raiga, was the figure of Seiya with the troubled facial expression. The audience eyed Seiya with killing intent and blood thirst, but thankfully, Raiga was there, so no one pounced on him. At that time, Seiya though that Raiga is quite convenient. Of course, he never said that aloud. The host gathered her courage and tried to approach Seiya. While looking at Raiga next to him, the host woman approached Seiya step after step. And when she finally reached him, she immediately asked a question. 「Fiancé-san. Can you please say something to Yua-san? 」 Being asked that, Seiya honestly answered. 「Do your best, Yua」 When Seiya showed his support, a broad smile appeared on Yua’s face. Her smile was dazzling. Everyone who saw her smile sent the hateful stare at Seiya, but he didn’t care. Yua’s turn has ended and it was the turn for the next one. The fourth woman was somewhat nervous after Yua, but she tried her best. And after her, it was the adult version of Lily’s turn. The host woman handed the mike to her and started asking questions. [] 「The next one is number five. What is your name? 」「It’s Lily」「Why are you participating in the Amacon, Lily-san?」「For the person I love, I suppose」 Answering the questions, while wearing a bewitching atmosphere, she immediately stole the attention of the males in the hall. And after hearing Lily’s answer, just like with Yua, they started looking around with frenzied eyes. Of course, they were looking for the person she loves. 「Is the person you love your boyfriend?」 The host proceeded with the questions. 「That’s wrong. We have already passed that step」「Could it be, a fiancé?」「That is also different」 The host tilted her head at Lily’s answer. Further than a boyfriend but not a fiancé, just what was the answer, she thought. Without reaching any conclusion, she asked Lily. 「Then, then what is your relationship?」 Hearing the host, the audience held their breath and waited for an answer. And Lily, radiating even more allure than before, answered. 「A Mistress」 After her answer, the host froze, the same applied for the audience. Only Seiya was making a troubled face. Lily laughed as if she was enjoying it. 「Eh?」「A mistress? Not a fiancé? 」「Can’t be helped. My lover has a fiancée after all」 At her answer, the audience gets even more agitated than before. In their eyes, you could read「This beauty is a mistress!? Who is this idiot!?」. If they ever find their target, they will immediately pounce on him. You should stop searching for that lover, thought Seiya. However, the idiot host proceeded with the questions. 「Where is that fortunate lover of yours?」 Why did you ask?! Seiya screamed in his heart. After all, he could already tell what will happen after that. Lily flashed an evil grin and quietly pointed at Seiya. 「There, it’s Yua-chan’s fiancé. Nee, Seiya-kun♡」 In the next moment, the people in the audience became berserk. 「「「Kill......Kill...Kill him. This harem *******」」」 While shouting that, the berserk audience assaulted Seiya. Seiya stood up and looked at the berserkers, coming at him at full power. Seeing his plight, Raiga said. 「Don’t hurt them too much」「Sure」 Raiga wasn’t worried about Seiya, he was worried about the audience. Facing the pouncing berserker, Seiya gathered his mana. 「Mana release」 The moment Seiya muttered that the berserkers started to fall one after another. Also, the rest of the audience, excluding Raiga and Seiya, have all fainted. What Seiya did was mana release that he used in the first day in the new academy. Although he released only about a tenth, so no one got hurt. The host was troubled, looking at the fainted audience. 「Etto, what should we do about the Amacon?」 The winner is determined by the votes of the audience, but everyone except Raiga and Seiya has fainted, so the total number of votes will be just two. In that moment, Raiga proclaimed. 「I vote for Yua」「Then I give my vote to Lily」 Raiga gave his vote for Yua and Seiya for Lily. The troubled host looked around, but everyone except those two has fainted, so she had no choice. 「Etto, the winners are number three, Yua-san, and number five, Lily-san. You are free to receive a melon bread....This year’s Amacon ends at that. Wai...」 The host declared the results with hollow eyes. Yua and Lily received their prizes with happy expressions, but other entries, especially from number six, had a dissatisfied expression. With that, the Amacon with the least number of votes in history has officially ended. 「I will deal with the aftermath. Seiya, take the two and return first」 Said Raiga. 「Sorry, you have to deal with annoying things」「Don’t worry」「Thank you」 After thanking Raiga, he met up with Yua and Lily, who was already in her child version. After that, just as Raiga said, they headed home. On the way home, Yua and Lily passed their prize, the melon bread with cream, to Seiya. 「All right. Let’s eat it together」「But Seiya wanted it...」「It’s fine. Might as well eat some」 Yua stared at melon bread with the distressed face, then, as if being enlightened, she tore the bread in two and handed one part to Seiya. 「Thanks, Yua」 Having said that, he received a half of melon bread from Yua. 「Lily will give a half too!」「Is it fine?」「Un! I got it for Seiya in the first place! 」 Lily handed a half of melon bread to Seiya with a smile! 「Thanks」「Un!」 The three headed home while eating the delicious bread. There was a man looking at the trio from afar. It was a silver-haired man in the white armor. This man wasn’t looking at Yua and Lily. He was looking at the blonde blue-eyed young man between them. 「As I thought, the incident hasn’t ended yet. I need to question this youth about the facility」 The silver-haired man, Bagil Eight, said that with determination.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 18, "inserted_lines_trg": 7 }
「ハハハハ......って勅命? 受ける? 説得? 何の事じゃ?」全体何がどうなっているんだ? 婆さんの中で済まされてもこっちが困るんだがな。「ちゃんと説明してくれないか? 我輩たちにはさっぱりわからんのだが」「あ、これは失礼しました。――コホン......では改めて愚、ライリー王の勅命をお伝えします。豪拳ダリル、あなたは勇者デール殿に力を貸し共に魔王デイルワッツを討伐せよ、との事です」「「「はい?」」」いやいや、力を貸すも何もさっきまで一緒に戦っていたんだが......爺さんは現状こんな状態だけど。 ......こんな......状態............。「あ~、ちょっと話を待てくれ。ベルトラ、先に爺さんを出してやってくれ」駄目だ、あんな姿でいられるとどうも気になって話に集中できん。「あ、そうですね」「あ~やっと出れるのか......やれやれ......」「いや~自由に動けるとは素晴らしいのぉ~、ほいほい!」地面から出たばかりで屈伸している......本当に元気な爺さんだな。疲労した感じがまったく見えない、我輩はもうクタクタなのだが「で、話を戻すが......わしが勇者殿と共に討伐をって事だったな?」「はい、ですが勅命とはいえ謹慎を受けている身......その事で不満を持っているかもしれないので私が説得しようかと。もっとも無駄足のようだったみたいですが」不満か、どころかそれを理由に隠居を楽しんでいるようにも思えるのだが。「ふむ、話はわかった......が、負に落ちん事がある。ハミルトとリュウナはどうした? わしよのほうが適任だと思うのじゃが?」 ......ま~た知らない名前が出てきたな。「ベルトラ、ハミルトとリュウナとは誰なのだ?」「ああ、ハミルト様はお2人のご子息でリュウナはハミルト様の娘です、リュウナは私と同い年でけどね。2人ともアルフレドの騎士なんですよ」なるほど、たしかに隠居した爺さんより若い二人のほうが適任そうではある。「ハミルトは今、アルフレド王国の守護隊長として西砦にいます、リュウナも同じく西砦の守護に回っています。なので今、この国で! 実力があり! 暇をもてあましている! あなたに! 白羽の矢が! 立ったわけ! です!」「わかった! わかったからそんなに顔を寄せるな! 怖い!」あ~そうだった、今は主力をさける余裕はないと言っていたな......。む? だとするとこっちも負に落ちない事があるぞ。「だとするとベルトラ、何故貴様は我輩たちに着いてきたのだ? 主力ならば貴様もそうであろう?」王もベルトラに関しては仕方なくという感じではあったが。「......それは......私の父が悪王の一匹「なるほどな......。「......敵討ちで同行したわけか」「フレイザーは私が必ず......必ず......」この話はこれ以上しないほうがよさそうだな、触らぬベルトラになんとやらだ。 ......ってベルトラと話している間に爺さんがまた正座をさせられておるのが。「で! 何か! 問題でも! ありますか!?」「ない......です......はい......」「では承諾という事でいいですね?」「......はい」なんか我輩達を置いて勝手にいろいろ決まってしまったのだが......。もともと逃げる目的で着いて来たのに、どうなるかわからんものだな。「デール様」「どうか主人を......ダリルをよろしくお願いいたします」はっ! 釣られて我輩も頭を下げてしまった! 人間相手にこの我輩がぁああああああああ! 「さて、話は決まりましたね」勝手にな......。「つきましては、今アルフレド城では勝利の宴の準備をしております」なぬ!? 宴とな!? 「やったぁあああ! ゴハンだ~!」「腹減ったのぉ~」たった1日しかたっていないのにベルトラ飯を食わされてから城の飯が恋しくて恋しくてたまらんかったぞ。「ではあの馬車にお乗りください、アルフレド城まで送りましょう」「は~い!」エリンの奴、猛スピードで馬車に飛んでいった。「サリーサ様、ご好意感謝いたします。ですが......」あれ? これは何かいやな予感がするぞ。「申し訳ありませんが、今城に戻るわけには参りません」「「えっ!?」」やっぱりいいいいい! 何いっとるんだこいつは!? あ、エリンの奴が馬車にぶつかった。いや、今はそれよりも! 「おい! 自分が何を言っているのかわかっておるのか!?」「いたた......そうだよベル! 何言っているの!? 頭をぶつけちゃった!?」ぶつけたのはお前だろ。「何か悪い物でも食ったか!? だったら今すぐ吐き出すんじゃ!」それ、しいて言うならそれはベルトラ飯だと思うのは我輩だけだろうか。「自分が何を言っているかもわかっていますし、頭をぶつけてもいませんし、悪い物も食べてもいません!」 ......これはもう何を言っても無駄なベルトラだ。「我々は悪魔四天王の1匹を倒したのですよ。これで他の悪魔四天王が動き出すのも時間の問題です、手遅れになる前に行動していかないと......そうですよね!?」そうですよね!? って言われても! この急かし様は絶対にフレイザーの馬鹿のせいだ! 我輩は休みたいのに! 「いや! 言いたい事もわかるが、少しくらいはいいではない――」「ベルトラ......意思は堅いのですね。わかりました、愚弟には私から伝えておきます」「――かって......ええ!?」ちょっ我輩達の意見は? 「ちょっと!!! アタシはおいっしいいいいいいご飯食べてふかふかのベッドで寝たい! このまま行くのは反対!」「わしも年をとったからのぉ体力的にきつくなってきているんじゃが......」ベルトラの奴、話も聞かず淡々と出発の準備している......。「――この先に町があります、そこで旅の準備を整えましょう」ええい! こうもベルトラの好き勝手されては、よし! ここは我輩がビシッと言ってやる。「ゴホン、ベル――」「エリン、諦めろ......こうなってはダメだ......行こう......」「ぶ~ぶ~」「――トラよ今急いでもだな......って......あれ? 誰もいない?」「皆様ならもう行かれましたわよ?」「なぬ!?」な!? もうあんな先にいやがる! 「デール殿、何しているんですか~! 早く行きますよ~!」「貴様らああああああああ!! 我輩の話を聞けやぁあああああああああ!!」	“Hahahaha...... Imperial command? Receiving? Persuasion? What is this?” What on earth is going on? Even though that old lady seemed to have settled everything, our side is still troubled. “Could you please explain this properly? We don’t know anything about this.” “Ah, my apologies. –Ehem...... Well then, I shall convey you my fooli, King Riley’s imperial command. Master Fighter Darryl, you shall lend your strength to Hero Dale-dono and subdue the Demon Lord Dalewatts together with him.” “””Yes?””” No, no, about him lending his strength or something, we fought together just now, but...... The old man is in such a state now. ......Such a......state.......... “Ah~ please wait with this conversation a little. Bertra, could you get the old man out.” It’s impossible. I can’t concentrate on this conversation while he looks like that. “Ah, right” “Ah~ are you getting me out of here at last?...... Good grief......” “No~ It’s wonderful to be able to move freeeely~ Hoi, hoi!” He just came out of the ground and is now stretching...... He really is an energetic old man. He doesn’t seem to be tired at all, but I am already very exhausted. “So, back to the conversation......It was about me going along with Sir Hero on this subjugation, right?” “Yes, however, even if it’s an imperial command you were still undergoing punishment...... so you might still hold some dissatisfaction, that’s why I came to persuade you. Though it seems like it was a fool’s errand.” Dissatisfaction? Far from it. It seems like he was able to enjoy his retirement because of it. “Fumu, I’ve understood what you said...... I’ve grown rusty in some places though. What about Hamlit and Ryuna? Don’t you think those two are more suitable than me?” ......Aaagain names I don’t know got mentioned. “Bertra, who are Hamilt and Ryuna?” “Aah, Hamilt-sama is those two people’s son and Ryuna is Hamilt-sama’s daughter. Ryuna is the same age as me. Both of them are knights of Alumgam.” I see, two younger people certainly seem more suitable than a retired old man. “Hamilt is now at the Western Fort acting as a Guardian Captain of Alumgam Kingdom, Ryuna is also on the way to the same Western Fort for the protection of the Kingdom. So, right now, in this country! Someone who is highly skilled! And has a lot on time on their hands! Is you! Who stands as straight! As a white feathered arrow!” “Understood! I got it so you don’t have to make such a face! It’s scary!” Ah~, that’s how it was, you’re saying you can’t afford to reduce the man power of the main force....... Mu? In that way, we won’t have any disadvantage as well. “So Bertra, why did you want to come with us? Shouldn’t you also be in the main force?” The King also felt reluctant to let Bertra go. “......That’s......My father was killed by one of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings [Fire Eater Fraser], therefore–” I see...... “......You came with us for revenge, is it?” “Fraser....... I have to, no matter what...... no matter what......” It seems better not to continue talking about this, this topic shouldn’t be touched with Bertra. ......And while I was talking to Bertra the old man was sitting in Seiza again. “So! Do you! Have! Any Problem! With that?!” “None......” “So I take it you accept then?” “......Yes” Looks like they settled various things without us, though..... He originally planned to go with us to escape, so I don’t know how it became like this. “Dale-sama” “Please, take care of my husband...... Darryl” Hah! I was tempted to also lower my head! Even though the one before me is a humaaaaaaaan! “Well then, with this the talks have concluded” Without my consent...... “Therefore, we will now go and prepare the victory celebration in Alumgam Castle” What? A celebration, you say?! “Allriiiiiight! It’s rice~!” “I’m huuungry~” It’s only been a day but after being fed Bertra’s food I really missed the castle’s food. “Then please board the carriage we will take you to Alumgam castle” “Yeeees~!” That Erin flew into the carriage with some frightening speed. “Salisa-sama, we thank you for your goodwill. However......” Huh? What’s this bad feeling? “My apologies, but we cannot return to the castle now” “”Eh!?”” As I thooooooouuught! What is she saying?! Ah, Erin bumped into the carriage. . No, more importantly! “Oi! Do you understand what you are saying?!” “Ouch...... That’s right, Bell! What are you saying?! Did you hit your head?” The one who hit her head is you, though. “Did you eat something bad?! Then why don’t you just spit it out right now?!” That, if you say that, does that mean it’s just me who thinks that Bertra’s cooking is bad? “I know what I’m saying, I didn’t hit my head and I didn’t eat anything bad either!” ......No matter what we say it’s useless on Bertra. “We defeated one of the Four Demonic Heavenly Kings. It will only be a matter of time before the other Heavenly Kings start to move. We have to act before it’s too late...... Isn’t that right?!” Even if you say “Isn’t that right?!”! Her rushing like that is definitely that idiot Fraser’s fault! Even though I want to rest! “No! I know what you want to say, but isn’t just a little fi–” “Bertra...... Your intentions are strong. Understood, I shall tell that to my foolish brother.” “–ne......Eeh!? Wait, what about my opinion? “Wait!!! I want to eat deliiiiiiiiiiiiicious food and I want to sleep in a fluffy and soft bed! I’m opposed to how things are going right now!” “My age is advanced so my physical fitness has also deteriorated.......” That Bertra, she’s calmly preparing for our departure without even listening to them...... “—-There’s a town ahead, let’s prepare to go there.” Eei! This is also what Bertra wants to do, alright! I said that with a whack. “Ehem, Bell–” “Erin, give it up......It’s already come to this so it’s useless...... Let’s go......” “Buh~buh~” “—-Bertra, let’s hurry up and...... Eh...... Huh? Nobody’s there?” “If you mean the others they are already gone, you know?” “What?!” Wha?! They’ve already went ahead! “Dale-dono what are you doing~?! Let’s hurry up and go~!” “You Baaaaaastaaaaaards!! Listen to me when I taaaaaaaaaaaaalk!!”	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
「も、ももも、勿論、いいとも!」「よ、よよよ、喜んで!!」よし、掴みはバッチリ! * * 「そういうわけで、この町は......」モテモテである。なぜなのか! ここは当然、13歳くらいに見られる、姉役である私の方がモテるのではないのか! サビーネちゃんは、まだ......、って、この前、12歳になったよね、確か......。初めて会った時には10歳だったよね。あれから、もう2年かぁ。ここでは13歳くらいに見られる私との身長差も、もう殆どないなぁ......。 ......え? 何? もう既に、女子力でサビーネちゃんに負けてるってこと? サビーネちゃん、12歳。 ......私、20歳。この男の子達、15〜16歳くらい。ああ! あああああああっっ!! ......と、とにかく、そういうわけで情報収集は順調に進んでいる。サビーネちゃんによって......。で、その結果、得られた情報はと言うと......。ここの領主は、領民にとっては、そう悪い領主ではなかったらしい。 ......かといって、『良い領主』というわけでもないけれど......。普通に、標準的な税を取り立て、普通に、領地運営を行う。上の方のことは分からないが、領民達にとっては、普通の領主。それは、平民達にとっては、望外の幸運であるらしい。しかし、帝国による侵略が、その平民達の幸運を奪った。戦いと略奪により、農作物と金品、......そして領民に大きな被害が出て、領地運営に悪化。国からの支援はあったが、到底失われただけのものを全て補填できるようなものではなかったらしい。なので、領主は国や他領、そして大商人達に低利での借款の申し入れ、その他諸々の施策で王都での活動が忙しくなり、そのため内政に割く時間が取れなくなり、......そして代官を置いた。 ......その代官が「それで、領民達、特に農民が大変でさ......」え? そこは詳しく聞かなくちゃ! 「農民の税率は、何割なんですか?」を退治するために俺達若手の傭兵を雇ってくれる余裕がなくなって、困ってるんだよなぁ......。あ、いや、ボランティアだよ? 農民を助けるために、小遣い銭程度で安く受けてあげてるだけだよ、あはは......」いや、そんな見栄を張っても、サビーネちゃんにはバレバレだよ......。そして、今の会話で分かる通り、このふたりは私の言葉は全てスルーして、サビーネちゃんにしか話し掛けないのだ。これっとしっているか男子はさびーねちゃんにしかはなしかけない ......って、うるさいわっ! とにかく、私が話し掛けると、『メイドは引っ込んでろ!』というような感じで睨まれるのだ。そして、サビーネちゃんは自分の任務を自覚しているから、ニコニコしてそう、サビーネちゃんが、私を馬鹿にしたり無視したりする者を許すはずがない。今は、優先すべき任務の遂行中だから、必死で我慢しているだけなのだ。いつもなら完璧に演技するサビーネちゃんが、私が気付く程度には化けの皮が剥がれている。 ......つまり、それだけ激怒しているってことだ。それに気付いていないのは、何とかサビーネちゃんとお近づきになろうとして必死の、この男の子ふたりだけ。今、この飯屋にいる者達......他のお客さんや、店員達......は、全員が気付いている。そりゃ、一緒に旅をしている相棒が邪険に扱われて、怒らない者はいないだろう。このふたりは、いったい、何を考えているのか......。「......それで、農民の税率は何割なのかな?」「ああ、7割5分らしいよ」「「なっ......」」サビーネちゃんが聞けば、この通り、ちゃんと教えてくれる。そして、そのあまりの高率に、絶句する私とサビーネちゃん。農民の税の相場は、最低で4割、最大で6割。 4割などというのは、領内に非常に儲かる財源......鉱山があるとか、周辺地域の商業の中心地だとか、香辛料が栽培できるとか......がある場合で、かつ、領主が底抜けにお人好しである場合だけだ。 ......つまり、滅多にない、ということだ。そして6割は、継続できる税率の限界。 7割になると、農作物は豊作であったが別の理由でどうしても領地としてお金を必要とする場合の、単年度のみの特別措置である。これを2年以上続けると、農民か領主一族、どちらかが死に絶えることになると言われている。 ......それが、7割5分で、ずっと継続。「......馬鹿なのかな?」サビーネちゃんが、そんなことを言うけれど......。「いや、多分違うと思うよ。......馬鹿じゃなくて、大馬鹿!」「それだっ!」いや、そんな税率で、農民が保つわけがない。それに、農民に掛ける税率がそれなら、通行税や売買税とかも想像が付く。帝国による被害の復興のためとしては、逆効果だ。それこそ、本当に領地が潰れてしまう。 ......本当に、正気なのか? そして、それからしばらくこのふたりの男の子から情報収集して、もう有益な情報が出尽くした。所詮、15~16歳の新米傭兵だ。そんなに政治的な情報を持っているわけじゃない。それに、その情報も、ただの噂話であり、信頼性に欠ける。そういう場合は、情報量を増やして、比較検討や分析をしなくちゃね。なので、サビーネちゃんに合図を送る。『もう、出涸らし。次に行こう』ってやつを。その合図を受けて、やっとコイツらの相手を終えられるのかと、ホッとした様子のサビーネちゃん。 ......まぁ、かなり我慢していたみたいだからねぇ......。なので......。「ありがと。じゃあ、私達はこれで。食事の代金は払っておきますので......」「え? いや、もっと色々な面白い話があるよ? 店を替えて、甘味処かどこかで......」ニコニコしていたサビーネちゃんが、急に真顔になって話を打ち切ったため、慌てる男の子達。「でも、おふたりは姉様のことが気に入らないのでしょう? 大好きな姉様に対してあからさまな悪意を示す人とは、これ以上お話ししたくありませんわ!」平凡な容姿の『平らな顔族』である私に対して、サビーネちゃんは『ふわふわの、如何にもなお嬢様』だ。そのため、私はお付きのメイドだと思い、軽くあしらっていた、少年達。それが、まさかの姉妹であり、妹が敬愛するお姉様であったとは、思ってもいなかったのだろう。そして、がっくりと肩を落とすふたりの少年を後に、支払いを済ませて店を出る私達。他のお客さんや店員さん達は、せっかく掴めたかもしれないチャンスを自分達の愚かな行動でみすみすドブに捨てた少年達を、馬鹿にした顔で見ていたよ。うん、確かに、もしあの少年達がちゃんと私達ふたりに対応してくれていたならば、数日間雇って、私達の護衛や情報収集の仕事を依頼する、という可能性もゼロじゃなかったし、真面目に働くなら、その後も色々と優遇してあげたかもしれない。でも、もうその可能性はなくなった。さ、次行こ、次!	“O, of- of course, no problem!” “Wi, with, with pleasure!” Alright, we got a good grip! ****** “That’s why this town is...” But why?! Isn’t it natural that I would be more popular here, being seen as about years old and playing as the older sister? I mean, Sabine-chan... She just turned years old, right? She was when I first met her and it’s been two years since then. The height difference between me, which can be seen as a -year-old, and her, is hardly there anymore... ......Eh? What? Does that mean I’ve already lost to Sabine-chan in terms of femininity? Sabine-chan, a 12-year-old? ......I am 20 years old. And these boys are about 15-16 years old. Aah Aaaaaah ......Anyway, the information gathering is progressing smoothly. Because of Sabine-chan... And as a result, the information obtained are as follows: Apparently, the lord here wasn’t a lousy lord to his subjects. ...But it’s not like he’s a “good lord” either... He collects taxes at a standard rate and manages the territory in the normal way. I don’t know about the upper class, but for the common folks, he’s a normal lord. It seems that for the commoners, it’s an unexpected good fortune. However, the infamous imperial invasion robbed the commoners of their fortunes. Due to the fighting and looting, the crops, money, goods, and the people of the territory suffered great damage, and the management of the territory suddenly deteriorated. There was some support from the government, but apparently not enough to make up for all they have lost. So, the lord was busy with his activities in the royal capital asking for loans at low-interest rates from the state, other lords, and large merchants, also taking other measures, which made it difficult to devote time to domestic affairs... Thus, he puts a deputy in place. ...The deputy was the mistake... “And so, the people, especially the farmers, are having a hard time...” Eh? I have to ask about that in detail! “What is the tax rate on farmers?” (Mitsuha) “You see, they can’t afford to hire us young mercenaries to exterminate monsters like the mogera moles and the zumo worms, so they’re in a pickle...... Oh right, we’re volunteers, you know? We’re just getting pocket change to help the farmers, haha......” (Boy 1) No, even if you act like that, Sabine-chan will find out... And, evidently from this interaction, these two ignored all my words and only talked to Sabine-chan. Right, the boys only talk to Sabine-chan... ......This is so annoying! Anyway, when I talked to them, they’d stare at me like saying, “Maid, stay back!”. And Sabine is aware of her mission, so she is smiling and continuing her information-gathering skills...... with a streak of blue veins on her temple. Yes, Sabine-chan will never forgive those who make fun of or ignore me. Right now, she’s carrying out a priority mission, so she’s just desperately enduring it. Sabine-chan, who usually performs perfectly, has been unmasked to the extent that I could notice. ......In other words, that’s how furious she is. The only ones who didn’t realize it were the two boys desperately trying to get closer to Sabine-chan. Right now, the people in this restaurant, the other customers, and the store clerks. All of them have become aware of it. Of course, there would be no one who wouldn’t get angry if their partner, who was traveling with them, was treated unfairly. What the hell are these two thinking...? “......So what’s the tax rate for farmers?” (Sabine) “Yeah, 75%, apparently.” (Boy 2) “”Wha-...”” As you can see, if Sabine-chan is the one who’s asking, they’ll immediately tell her. And at that high rate, Sabine-chan and I are at a loss for words. The farmer’s tax rate is 40% at the lowest and 60% at the highest. 40% is only possible if the territory has a very lucrative financial resource... owns a mine, is a commercial center in the surrounding area, or can grow spices... and if the lord is a good-natured person. ...Which is to say, very rarely. And 60% is the limit of the tax rate that is still sustainable. At 70%, this is a special measure for a single year only, when the crops were good but the territory desperately needed the money for other reasons. It is said that if this continues for more than two years, either the farmer or the lord’s family will perish. ......And yet, that’s 75%. Moreover, it’s continuous. That’s insane. “...Are they stupid?” (Sabine) Sabine-chan says that but... “No, probably not. They’re not stupid, but huge idiots!” “Yeah, exactly!” No, at such a high tax rate, there’s no way farmers can keep up much longer. Besides, if that’s the tax rate on farmers, I can only imagine the toll tax, the sales tax, and so on. If it’s for the restoration of the damage caused by the empire, then it’s counterproductive. That would only lead to the destruction of the territory. ...Are they really insane? After that, we collected information from these boys, and after a while, they ran out of useful information. After all, they are only 15-16 years old novice mercenaries. They don’t have that much information about politics. Besides, the information is based on rumors and lacks credibility. In those cases, we have to increase the amount of information, compare, and analyze. So, I sent a signal to Sabine-chan. The one that says, “They’re running dry, let’s move on”. Receiving that signal, Sabine-chan looked relieved, wondering if she could finally finish her opponent. ...Well, it seems like she was holding back quite a bit... And so... “Thanks. Now then, we’ll take our leave. I’ll pay for the meal...” (Sabine) “Eh? No, we have many more interesting things to talk about. How about we change shops, we can go to a sweets shop or somewhere...” (Boy 1) The boys panicked because Sabine-chan, who had been smiling, suddenly turned serious and cut off the conversation. “But you two don’t like my Oneesama, do you? I don’t want to talk with someone who shows such blatant ill will towards my beloved Oneesama!” (Sabine) I have a “plain face” with a very ordinary appearance, whereas Sabine-chan is a “fluffy, proper young lady”. Therefore, the boys thought of me as her maid, so they treated me lightly. They probably didn’t even think that I was her actual sister, but someone she held in high regard. And then, we paid and left the store, leaving the two boys who dropped their shoulders in disappointment behind. The other customers and the store clerks looked at the boys like they were fools for throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity by their own foolish actions. Yes, indeed, if those boys had treated the two of us properly, there was a non-zero possibility that we would hire them for a few days, ask them to work as our escorts, or gather information. And, if they worked diligently, I might have given them various preferential treatment after that. But that possibility is already gone. Now, on to the next. Forward!	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 8, "inserted_lines_trg": 3 }
しかし、今日の工場化した農場では、妊娠した雌豚は、向きも変えられないほど、あるいは前にも後ろにも一歩以上動けないほど狭い木枠に入れられる。わらなどの、ベッドになるものが何も敷かれていない、むき出しのコンクリートに横たわる。またすぐに妊娠させることができるように、子豚は母豚からなるべく早く取り上げられるが、畜殺場に連れて行かれるその時まで、母豚が木枠から出されることはない。	They lie on bare concrete without straw or any other form of bedding. The piglets are taken from the sow as soon as possible, so that she can be made pregnant again, but they never leave the shed until they are taken to slaughter.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
......ま、まぁ、仕方ない。幼女がやったことだ......。でも、あの子にそう教えたヤツがいるってことだよねぇ、これって......。多分、大人。あ、大人達は勿論だけど、5~6歳以上の子達は、ぷるぷると震えている。さすがに、それくらいの年齢だと、今のはマズかったって分かるか......。うちの方は、幼年組の子達は何も気にしていないみたいだけど、本体組の方は、顔を引き攣らせている。で怒るような子達じゃないけれど、ちょっと衝撃が大きかったか......。下手にフォローするのも、アレだ。後で、孤児院内で『誰が子供にそんなことを言ったのか』とかの、犯人捜しが始まるのも気まずいし......。ここは、スルー、何もなかったことにするしかないな。よし! 「あ、ちょっと忘れ物......」そう言って建物に入り、みんなの視界から外れたのを確認して、日本の家へ転移。こんな時のために用意してある『Aセット』の袋を掴み、掛けていたショルダーバッグに突っ込んで、急いで転移。そして、庭に出て......。「さぁさぁ、みんな、飴ちゃん食べようね!」いつ幼女や猫や小鳥に出会ってもいいように、私はいつもショルダーバッグに飴玉とマタタビの小枝とベビースターラーメンを入れている。日本の、初代みっちゃんに『大阪のおばちゃんかっ!』と言われたけれど、普通だよね? チャンスに備えるのは、乙女の嗜みだよ! ......でも、さすがにこんな大勢に行き渡るほどの量は入れていないので、急いで補充に戻ったというわけだ。こういう場合に備えて、バッグは充分な容量があるものを使っている。ちなみに、大量に用意してある追加物資は、幼女用の飴玉がAセット、小鳥用のベビースターラーメンがBセット、猫用のマタタビがMセットである。孤児院の子供達だけでなく、幼年組の子達も集まってきた。いくら貴族の子供でも、レフィリア貿易の商品がそう簡単に無制限に手に入るわけじゃない。とは全然違う。幼い子供達であっても、貴族であればレフィリア貿易が取り扱っているヤマノ領の食べ物がどれだけ美味しいかは知っているのだ。 ......それに、幼年組の子供達は、お茶会でうちの食べ物の何たるかは充分理解しているからね。そして孤児院の子供達は、『お菓子らしい』というだけで、アリンコのように無条件で群がってきた。 ......よし、無事、さっきのアルフィーとかいう子の発言はうやむやになった。まあ、アルフィーちゃん以外の全員が、あの発言を『なかったこと』、『聞かなかったこと』にしたいと思っているだろうから、当たり前か......。 * * そして、再び交流会が再開された。誰も、先程のことには触れない。今日は、みんながこれから目指すものを見せるのと、顔合わせの懇親会のみだ。いきなり練習を始めたりはしない。楽器を揃えたり、演奏者を集めて鍛えたりするのに時間がかかるから、それまではここの大人達が教えられること......お遊戯とか、歌とか、振り付けの真似事とか......をのんびりやればいいだろう。基本的なことの練習や勉強が大事だからね。勉強とは言っても、別に譜面を読めるようにするとかじゃない。ただ、みんなで歌ったり踊ったりして、遊びのように......。辛い練習なんかさせないよ。こういうのは、楽しくやらなくちゃ。嫌々やってるのを観ても、誰も幸せな気持ちにはなれないよね。そして、それじゃあ観客の心を掴むことはできるはずがないよ。まあ、後は孤児院側の頑張り次第だ。あまりここにばかり関わるわけにはいかない。私達にそんな時間はないし、特定のところに過度に肩入れすると、それを見た色々なところから、うちにも協力しろと無茶な要求が殺到するだろうからね。このまま投げ出すわけにもいかないから、後のことは、幼年組設立の発案者であるセルミアちゃんに任せるか。何でもかんでも、全てを私やみっちゃんがフォローしていては、身体が保たない。仕事は、全てを自分ひとりで抱え込むのではなく、上手く他の者に割り振るのが肝要だ。の中でも、そして貴族界や平民の間でも、孤児達のために尽力する慈愛の少女として名が売れて、充分な見返りがあるだろう。 ......勿論、私からもソサエティーの名を上げた功労者として、報奨の品や功績ポイントを授与するつもりだ。そして私は、好きな時に子供達と遊びに来る。 ......よし、あとは任せた!! 「......え? 婚......約、ですか?」「そうだ」ボーゼス侯爵様から、突然そんな話を振られた。「......誰の、ですか?」「お前だ、お前!!」「えええええええ~~っっ!!」な、何じゃ、そりゃあああああ~~っっ!! 「で、でも、以前侯爵様、私への縁談は全て、後見人である自分が断っている、って......」「それにも、限界というものがあるのだ......。ミツハに打診することもなく全ての申し込みを私が握り潰しているとなると、うちがミツハを囲い込んで、とかの勝手な憶測が広まったりしてな......」「あ~......」確かに、私が懇意に......というか、頼りにしている貴族はボーゼス侯爵様だけだ。サビーネちゃんを通じて王様やザール宰相様とも仲良しだけど、それはちょっと違うからね。雷の姫巫女様と懇意にしたいという貴族は多いだろう。でもそれは、ミツハという名のひとりの女性ではなく、爵位持ちで、女神の加護があり、異国の技術や製品がオマケに付いてくるという、『手に入れるとメリットが大きい女』という理由で、だ。嫌だよ、そんなのは......。「そして、他国の王族や上級貴族からの申し込みは、私が手紙ひとつで断るわけにもいかん。 ......勿論、陛下はミツハを他国に嫁がせるつもりなど全くないが、ミツハが祖国を捨ててこの国に来たということは広く知られているから、祖国に幼い頃からの婚約者が、という逃げ口上は使えん。なので、どうにかせんといかんのだ......」「あ......」状況は、理解した。というか、今までよく持ち堪えてくれていたなぁ、侯爵様......。普通なら、とっくに揉め事になってるよね、うん。 ......で、どうすべえ......。	...Well, well~, it can’t be helped. It’s a little girl who did that... But I guess that means someone taught that to that kid... Probably one of the adults. Ah, adults aside, children over the age of or are trembling. As expected, at that age, they knew that what happened just now was bad... On our side, the children of the Juvenile Group don’t seem to care about anything, but the main group’s face is twitching. ...Yeah, they aren’t the kind of girls that would get mad at what a child said, but it was still a little shocking... It’s also not good to do a follow-up carelessly. It would be awkward to start looking for the culprit in the orphanage later, like, “Who said that to the child?” So, in this case, I have no choice but to pretend nothing happened. Alright! “Oh, I forgot something...” (Mitsuha) After saying that, I entered the building once I confirmed that I was out of everyone’s sight, and transferred to my house in Japan. I grabbed the “A-set” bag I had prepared for such occasions, shoved it into my slung shoulder bag, and hurriedly went back. Then I went out into the garden... “Now, come on, everyone, have some candy!” I always carry hard candy, matatabi twigs, and Baby Star Ramen in my shoulder bag, just in case I meet a little girl, cat, or bird. I was told by the first-generation Micchan back in Japan, “You’re acting like an obachan from Osaka!” but that’s normal, right? It’s every maiden’s privilege to be ready for any opportunity! ...But, as expected, I didn’t have enough for such a large crowd, that’s why I hurriedly returned to replenish. In preparation for such a case, I use a bag with sufficient capacity. Incidentally, the additional supplies prepared in large quantities are A set of candy balls for young girls, B set of Baby Star Ramen for small birds, and M set of matatabi for cats. Not only the children from the orphanage but also those from the juvenile group gathered. No matter how aristocratic a child they are, they don’t have such easy and unlimited access to the goods of the Rephilia trade. And the candy made in Japan is completely different from the candy made around here... Even the noble young children know how delicious the Yamano territory food handled by the Rephilia trade is. ...And the kids of the juvenile group have a good understanding of what our food is all about at the tea party. Then the children at the orphanage unconditionally flocked like ants just because there were “sweets”. ...Alright, it’s safe, the remarks of the girl named Alfie just now became vague. Well, I guess it’s no surprise that everyone except Alfie-chan would like to ‘pretend’ that that statement ‘never happened’ or ‘was never heard’... ****** Then the social meeting resumed again. No one touched on what happened earlier. Today, it’s only a social gathering to show everyone what they’re aiming for in the future. We wouldn’t start practicing all of a sudden. It takes time to prepare instruments, gather performers, and train them, so until then, they have to do what the adults here teach them... play, sing, imitate choreography, etc., that would be good enough for now. It’s important to practice and study the basics. Even if I say study, it’s not like they can read music sheets. Just singing and dancing together, just for fun... I’m not going to make them practice too hard. These things have to be fun. No one is going to be happy if you make them do something they don’t want to do. And that’s not going to win the hearts and minds of the audience. Well, the rest is up to the orphanage side. Although, we can’t get too involved here all the time. We don’t have that kind of free time, and if we get too attached to one particular place, we will be inundated with unreasonable demands from various places and demand us to cooperate as well. I can’t just throw it out like this, so let’s leave the rest to Serumia-chan, the originator of the establishment of the juvenile group. If Micchan or I was to follow up on everything, we would not be able to keep up physically. It’s essential to skillfully assign work to others, rather than taking it all on yourself. It may be a bit difficult for Serumia-chan, but she seems to like children, and she will be well rewarded by making a name for herself among the Society and among the nobility as well as commoners as a compassionate girl who is committed to the orphans. ...Of course, I will also be granting them a reward gift and achievement points for their service in bringing the Society’s name to the forefront. And I could come and play with the kids whenever I want. ...Alright, let’s leave the rest to her!! “...Eh? En... gagement?” (Mitsuha) “Yes.” (Bozes) Marquis Bozes-sama suddenly dropped a bomb. “......Who’s?” (Mitsuha) “You, it’s yours!” (Bozes) “Eeeeeeeeeeeee~h~!!” Wh-what the hell is that?! “But, Marquis-sama, you once told me that you, as my guardian, have turned down all marriage proposals to me...” (Mitsuha) “Yeah, but of course, there are limits... Mitsuha, if I simply turn down all the applications without even letting some of them approach you, there will be a lot of speculation that we’re confining you...” (Bozes) “Ah~...” (Mitsuha) Certainly, the only noble I rely on is Marquis Bozes-sama. I’m also good friends with the King and Priminister Zaar through Sabine-chan, but that’s not quite the same thing. Many nobles would like to get to know Hime Miko of Thunder. But it’s not because I’m a woman named Mitsuha, but because I’m a “woman of great merit” with a title, the blessing of a goddess, and foreign technology and products as a bonus. I don’t like that... “And so, I can’t turn down an application from a royalty or a senior nobleman from another country with a single letter. ...Of course, His Majesty has no intention of marrying you off to another country, Mitsuha. But since it’s widely known that you left your homeland and came to this country, you can’t use having a childhood fiancée in your homeland as an escape route. So we have to do something about it...” (Bozes) “Ah~...” (Mitsuha) I understand the situation. Or rather, I’m surprised that Marquis-sama had been patient until now... Normally, I would have been in trouble long ago, yeah. ...Now then, what should I do...	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 6, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
コルティナ宅に戻った俺は、まず奇妙な違和感を覚えていた。「コルティナ、なにかあった?」「んー、なんでもないよー」なんでもない様なことを言っているが、マクスウェルから事情を聴いている俺は、彼女が無理にいつも通りを演じようとしていることに気付く。だが、それを演じているということは、俺に知られたくないということでもあるはず。ここは無理に追求せず、事態の打開を待つ......つまり、アストにどうにかしてもらうまで待ってもらおう。「あ、そうだ。これお土産。髪がサラサラになるんだよ?」「はい、本当ですよ。見てください、私の髪もツヤツヤです」俺が洗髪剤をコルティナに渡し、その効果のほどをフィニアが自分の髪で提示して見せる。「うわぁ、艶もいいけどしなやかになってるわね。前も悪くない髪質だったけど、それ以上」「ですよね! 私もびっくりしました」「あの白い子には感謝しないとね。これ、量産したらお店で売れるレベルよ?」「素材がモンスターだから、そんなに数は作れないと思うけど。でもそれほど難しい相手じゃないし、駆け出し冒険者のいい儲け話になるかも」「へぇ......」浮きワカメ自体は、それほど難敵ではない......いや、別方向で難敵ではあったが、まあ命の危険を感じるような相手ではない。冒険者に成りたての新人ならば、いい小遣い稼ぎになるはずである。問題は採取場所が海沿いである点だが、浮きワカメの表皮は乾燥させることもできるし、水で戻せば粘度も戻る。長期輸送も可能なため、交易という手段にも訴えることができる。「それとコルティナ様、見てください! ニコル様とお揃いなんですよ?」ね。手作りなんだ? 素材は何?」「ファングウルフです。ミシェルちゃんとクラウドくん、あとフィーナちゃんともお揃いです」「へぇ......ねぇ、ちょっと私、お出かけしてきてもいいかな?」「え、どこへ?」「うん、ちょっとマクスウェルに運んでもらって、ファングウルフ獲ってくる」「今から!?」時間はすでに夕方に差し掛かっている。今からフィニアの作る夕食を食べ、それからファングウルフを狩りに行く場合、それは深夜に及ぶ可能性があった。とにかく今は話を逸らす方向にもっていきたい。「えっと、その......そうだ、マクスウェルが儀式魔術の勉強をするから、今夜泊まれって言ってたよ」「え、マクスウェルの屋敷に?」「ううん、別の場所。儀式魔術にちょうどいい場所を見つけたんだって」これも嘘ではない。儀式魔術にちょうどいい場所は確かに見つけている。それも魔神召喚の。「儀式魔術ねぇ。ニコルちゃんに必要なの?」「えと、えっと......そう、転移魔術!」「ああ、確かにアレも儀式魔術の一種と言えば一種か」一般的に広まっている、魔法陣の力を借りる転移は術者の力量不足を補うための物だ。マクスウェルのように、詠唱だけで使用するのはかなり難しいが、これならば俺でも近いうちに使えるようになるかもしれない。みて、コルティナは俺の外泊を許可してくれた。「せっかく帰ってきたばっかりなのに、また外泊とか......ひょっとして、不良化の兆候?」「ちがうから!」俺としても悲しむコルティナにさらに嘘をつくという行為は心苦しい。しかしこれも、彼女のためである。「でも、夜中にニコルちゃんだけ出歩かせるわけにはいかないわよ?」「そこもマクスウェルは考えてた。フィニアに護衛してもらえって。ついでに屋敷の掃除もしてもらうって」「あの爺ィ......だんだん横着になってきてるわね。マテウスの奴はどうしたのよ?」「お休みだって。それにコルティナも、途中まで一緒に行くんでしょ?」彼女がファングウルフの牙を入手しに行くなら、マクスウェルの転移魔法は不可欠だ。少々思惑と違う形にはなったが......まあ、これはこれで良しとしておこう。結局コルティナも引き連れて、マクスウェルの屋敷を訪れることになった。「あのやろ、この数日でどうしてここまで屋敷を荒らせるってのよ」彼女の意見ももっともで、マテウスが通っていた時はそれなりに片付いていた屋敷が、合宿出発前後のどさくさで元の木阿弥と化していたのだ。確かにこれならば、フィニアに掃除を頼みたくなる気持ちもわかる。「来て早々、ずいぶんな言い草じゃな」「せっかくあの男を家政夫にしたってのに、あっという間に荒れてるじゃない。そりゃ溜息の一つは出るってものよ」「掃除を頼むフィニア嬢には悪いと思ってるよ。じゃがこればっかりは性質というかのぅ」「まあ、ニコルちゃんがくる前のあんたの屋敷を思い出せば、当然の帰結だったかもしれないわね」「それはそれとして、コルティナは何しに来たんじゃ?」「私も『お揃い』!」「は?」何か言語中枢に不具合をきたしていたのかもしれない。「いや、私もニコルちゃんたちとお揃いのが欲しいってこと」「と言われても予備なんてないぞ?」困り顔のマクスウェルに、俺は事情を説明して見せる。「お主ではファングウルフの奇襲は危ないかもしれんじゃろぅ? それに守るものもおらん」「じゃあ、ガドルスを連れてきてよ」「そんな個人的都合に呼び出されるあやつが不憫じゃな」奴としても、コルティナには多少後ろめたい気持ちを残しているから、断り切れなかったのだろう。そうしてコルティナを別の場所に隔離した後、俺たちはアレクマール剣王国のマレバまで転移したのだった。なお、フィニアには後日掃除代として、報酬が支払われることになったと言っておこう。	When I returned to Cortina’s home, I felt a strange out-of-place feeling. Cortina was acting strangely cheerfully while dealing with me. She was normally cheerful, yes, but her conduct looked almost theatrical now. “Cortina, did something happen?” “No, nothing at all.” She said that, but as I already knew the situation from Maxwell, I could tell that she was just trying to act like her usual self. Emotions weren’t so easy to put back together once they exploded, after all. Still, since she chose to act like everything was fine, that meant that she didn’t want me to know about it. Instead of pursuing the matter, I decided to instead wait until I broke the deadlock... That is, until Aste could do something about me. “Ah, right. This is for you. It’ll make your hair really smooth.” “Yes, it’s true. Please look at my hair, it’s so glossy.” As I handed the shampoo to her, Finia came to demonstrate the effect it had on her hair. Even Cortina was a woman, so seeing that made her change her expression and inspect her hair. “Wow, the glossiness is one thing, but it has also turned so supple. You already had good hair before, but now...” “Isn’t that right? It surprised me as well!” “We have to thank that white girl. This is already on the level that could be lined up in the stores if mass-produced.” “It needs monster materials, so we can’t make that many. That said, it’s not that difficult of an opponent, so newbie Adventurers could make good money out of it.” “Oho...” Floating Wakame weren’t such difficult opponents... I mean, they were in a different sense, but they couldn’t pose any danger to people’s lives. Newbie Adventurers could make extra money through them. The problem was that they had to be collected at the seaside, but their epidermis could be dried and returned to its viscous state with water when needed. Since they could be transported for long periods of time, you could bring them into trades. “Lady Cortina, look at this too! I have a matching pair with Lady Nicole!” “Ohh, is that a talisman? And handmade? What is it made of?” “Fang Wolves. Michelle, Cloud and Fina also have theirs.” “Heh... Hey, can I step out for a bit?” “Huh, where to?” “Yeah, well, I’ll get Maxwell to take me to hunt some Fang Wolves.” “Now!?” It was already nearing evening now. If she headed to hunt wolves after eating the food Finia made, it would be late night already. While it suited me for her to be absent, her camping alone at night would be worrying. At any rate, it was best to change the topic now. “Err, uhh... Ah, right, Maxwell is teaching me ritual magic today, so he told me to stay over at night.” “Huh, to his mansion?” “No, somewhere else. He apparently found a good place for the ritual.” This was not a lie. We did find a perfect place for the ritual magic. Not to mention, one where a Devil was about to be summoned. Though where we planned to go had nothing to do with it. “Ritual magic, huh. Do you need that stuff?” “Er, err... Right, Teleportation magic!” “Ah, right, that does belong to ritual magic too.” Teleportation that was used widely was the type that borrowed the magic circle’s power to supplement the lack of magic power. It was very hard to use it as a chanted spell like Maxwell did, but I might be able to use this method before long. Considering all that, Cortina decided to let me spend the night away. “You finally came back, and you’re going away again... Could this be a sign of turning into a delinquent?” “No, it’s not!” I denied it with all I had, but honestly, the fact that I was going to do shady stuff behind her back probably made her point hit close. It pained me to tell her, who was already suffering as is, yet another lie. But that was also for her own sake. “But you can’t just walk alone in the dead of night, right?” “Maxwell thought about that too. He told me to get Finia to escort me. And to have her help clean the mansion.” “That old man... Getting lazier by the day. What about that Mateus fellow?” “Looks like he has a day off. Also, you’re coming along part way too, right?” She was going to get the Fang Wolf fangs, so Maxwell’s teleportation was essential for her. She was going somewhere else after that, so there was no fear of her finding out what we were going to do ourselves. It turned out a little different from my expectations... But I suppose this was good in its own way. In the end, we came to Maxwell’s mansion together with Cortina. After taking one step inside, Cortina leaked a sigh and spoke. “This geezer, how did he manage to make such a mess of his mansion in just a few days.” She had a point — This mansion was relatively clean while Mateus was still around, but after the events around the training camp period, it had gone back to the disastrous sight it used to be. Given the state, I could see why he’d want to ask Finia to help. “That is quite a rude remark to make right after arriving.” “You finally made that guy be a housekeeper, but you still ended up in this state in the blink of an eye. It’s obvious that it’d get a few sighs out of me.” “I do feel bad to ask little Finia for help, but this is who I am, I cannot do anything about it.” “Well, consider how it used to be before Nicole arrived in this city, I guess this was a natural outcome.” “Setting that aside, why are you here, Cortina?” “I want a too!” “Huh?” Maxwell was confused at her sudden declaration. It probably caused some error in his language center. “I mean, I want a matching talisman with Nicole and others.” “Even if you tell me that, I have no spares around.” I decided to explain the situation to the troubled Maxwell. Hearing it, he frowned and spoke evasively. “It could be dangerous to hunt Fang Wolves on your own, you know? With no one to cover you on top.” “Then let me take Gadius along.” “Do you not pity him to call him for something so personal?” He still held some guilty conscience towards Cortina so he probably couldn’t refuse her. Thus, after sending Cortina elsewhere, we went to Maleva of the Sword Kingdom of Alecmarle. In addition, it was decided that Finia would be paid compensation for cleaning his house at a later date.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 17, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
「―――何だよ、いきなり。料理教室ってどういうことだ?」ますます訝しげな顔になるゼクスを尻目に、てきぱきと準備を始める。「薬草茶作りを実演しようかな、と。実は材料なんかもちゃんと揃えてあるんだ」このためにエイミーには、カウンターの中に簡易の調理台を用意してもらっている。暖炉から火を移し、鉄鍋の下で火種が大きくなるのを待ちながらエプロンを装着した。自ら採取したものや、エイミー薬店で取り扱っているもの。薬草茶に必要な材料は全て揃えてあった。それらを並べると準備は完了だ。「ではここで、シェイラのお料理教室の始めたいと思いま~す」「何で急に敬語なんだよ。あと勝手に始めたわりにやる気ねぇな」盛り上げるために拍手をしてみたが、誰もノッてこない。シェイラは気にせず薬草茶作りに取りかかった。「用意するのは玄米、クマザサ、カンゾウの根。チンピなどなど」「などなどって何だよ。そこちゃんと言っとかねぇと料理教室が成立しないだろ」「玄米は、既に黒くなるまで煎ってあります。完成品の香ばしい風味はこれですね」「観客の抗議を聞けコラ」いちいちツッコミを入れるゼクスの隣で、エイミーが疑問を口にした。「煮出した色が黒いのも、玄米由来なのかしら?」「そうかもしれません。クマザサは結構薄い液色ですしね」昔から当たり前に作っているため、どれが液色に影響しているのか考えたことはなかった。調べてみるのもいいかもしれない。「次に取り出したのは、カンゾウの根。ここまでの大きさになるには何年もかかるんですよ。それとチンピ。これは食べた蜜柑の皮を干しておけば勝手にできまーす。キランソウ、ハハコグサは採取時期もまちまちだから、既に乾燥させたものを今日は用意しましたー」「って、もうできてんのかよ! それじゃ製造方法分かんねぇだろ!」「採取方法や時期、乾燥させるやり方など、詳しくはこちらをご覧ください」「書いてあるなら先に言え! ツッコミ損だろ!」「ちゃんと書いておいたのに文句言わないでよ~」「いや、確かにここは礼を言うべきなんだろうが......。わけの分からん料理教室に付き合わされてるこっちの身にもなれよ」ゼクスがガックリ脱力するのを、コディが同情の入り交じった顔で見下ろしていた。「では、クマザサを用意していきまーす。クマザサは免疫力の向上、整腸作用だけじゃなく、外用薬にもなるし防腐効果もあります。ただ、血圧を下げる効果もあるため低血圧の人にはお勧めしません」「つまり販売は、ある程度薬の知識がある人間に任せた方がいいってことだな」しっかり者の性か、色々文句を言いつつも大事なことはきちんと書き留めていくゼクス。シェイラはこっそり笑って作業を進めた。「最初に、クマザサを蒸します。適当な大きさに千切った茶葉をさっと水で洗って水分を拭き取りまーす」「さっきから気になってたんだが、その間延びした喋り方は何なんだよ。それにホント驚くほどテンション低いな」「あらかじめ温めておいた蒸し器に、クマザサを入れて蒸します。ふんわり甘い香りがしてきたら引き上げまーす」「無視かよ、オイ」ゼクスの訴えをまともに取り合わずにいると、数分もかからない内に爽やかな香りが漂ってくる。シェイラはすぐに葉を取り出し、ザルにまんべんなく広げた。村にいる頃ならばここで風の精霊の力を借りるのだが、今回は自力で扇いで冷ました。「ある程度冷めたら火にかけた鍋で煎っていきまーす。このままでも使えるけど、煎った方が香ばしくておいしくなります。葉が焦げ付かないように、弱火でじっくりいきましょう」「まだ続くのかよ、この茶番は」「ある程度水分を飛ばしたら鍋から取り出して、茶葉を揉んで水気を絞りまーす。とっても熱いから気を付けてね」「オイ、いい加減無視はやめろ。傷付く」威勢のよかったツッコミが、段々と力をなくしていく。さすがに疲れてきたらしい。「揉んだらまた鍋に戻して、同じように煎っていきまーす。水分が完全に出なくなるまでこの作業を何度も繰り返しますよ」僅かに立ち上る蒸気を見つめながらも、忙しく動かす腕は休めない。「完全に水気がなくなったら、火から上げて更に乾燥させます。茶葉が結構細かくなっているので、目の細かいザルを用意しておいてください。それでもすり抜けちゃうほど細かい茶葉は、クッキーに混ぜるなどして活用しちゃいましょう。独特の風味なので好む人は少ないですけどね~」「それ、作る意味あるのか......?」ゼクスが風前の灯火といった体で呟くが、もちろん聞かなかったことにする。村では乾燥させた薬草を刻む者、玄米を煎る者、クマザサ茶を作る者とで分かれてかけて薬草茶を作ったものだ。最終的に村民全員で分け合うため、どの材料も物凄い大量だった。大変だったけれど、まるでお祭りのように楽しかった。作り終えたあと大人達は、完成祝いと称してどんちゃん騒ぎをして。賑やかな日常を懐かしみながら、シェイラは調理台の火を消した。「まぁ何度も煎る作業は根気がいります。今日は省略して、乾燥させたものがこちらになりま~す」「完成品あんのかーい!!」衰えつつあったゼクスのツッコミが、ここで最高潮に轟いた。さすがだと称賛しようと思ったところで、悪ノリを制止するように扉のきしむ音が響いた。珍しい来客は、シェイラ達もよく知る人。「イザークさん」コディの呟きとほぼ同時にカウンター下に身を隠したのは、本当に咄嗟のことだった。『シュタイツ学院のシェイラ』と、黒髪眼鏡に変装している『薬店のシェイラ』。からくりを知っているエイミー以外で唯一、両方と顔見知りである彼には、極力会わないよう心がけていた。忙しいはずのイザークがなぜか頻繁に顔を出すため、ほとんど条件反射だった。 ――いつもの癖で焦っちゃったけど、変装時じゃないんだから隠れても意味なかった......。このままだと友人らに不審に思われる。慌てるのは逆にまずいと判断し、シェイラは何食わぬ顔で立ち上がる。そしてたった今気付いたと言わんばかりに、イザークを振り返った。一部始終を見ていたエイミーは無言だ。「あれ、イザークさん。お久しぶりです」「おう、久しぶりだなお前ら。こんなところで何してるんだよ」「えっと、ちょっと商談と、料理教室みたいなことを少々?」「何だそりゃ。相変わらずわけ分かんないな」應揚に笑うイザークの元へ、コディとゼクスが嬉しそうに駆け寄っていく。「イザークさん、寮長......アックス先輩はお元気ですか?」「どうせあの人のことだから、鍛練ばっかしてるんでしょ。国境警備の仕事が始まるまで待ちきれないとか言って」にわかに騒がしくなった男性陣を、シェイラとエイミーはカウンターから眺めていた。「あ、イザークさんの弟と幼馴染みで、仲がいいんですよ」「まぁ。それであんなに楽しそうなのね、イザーク様」もしかしたら、イザークとも親しくしていたのかもしれない。研修の時はあくまで職場だったため公私を分けていたようだけれど、気の置けない様子を見ているとそう感じる。イザークの分の薬草茶を淹れようか、と考えていると、エイミーが静かな声を発した。「......イザーク様だけは、冬になっても足繁く通ってくださってるのよ」カウンター内を片付ける彼女の横顔には、笑みが浮かんでいた。それはどこか儚げなもので、普段の溌剌とした雰囲気は鳴りを潜めている。シェイラはにわかに、イザークの体調が心配になった。「イザークさん、そんなに具合悪いんですか?」声音を潜めて訊くと、エイミーは目を瞬かせた。そしてしばらくして、おかしそうに吹き出す。「バカね。目当てはあなたに決まってるじゃない」「へ?」「正確に言えば変装しているシェイラちゃん、かしらね」「イザーク様は、あなたのことが好きなのよ」「――――――――へ?」エイミーの言葉がどうしても理解できず、今度はシェイラが瞬きを繰り返した。	“――What, out of the blue? What do you mean by, a cooking class?” With Zechs’ face becoming more and more confused, Sheila quickly began her preparations. “I thought I’d give a demonstration on how to make herbal tea. I’ve already prepared all the ingredients.” For this purpose, Sheila asked Amy to set up a simple cooking table near the counter. She moved some wood from the fireplace and put on an apron while waiting for the sparks to grow under the iron pot. Some of the ingredients were collected by herself, and others from Amy’s Pharmacy . All the ingredients necessary for making herbal tea were ready. Once they were laid out, the preparations were complete. “Now, let’s start Sheila’s cooking class everyone~” “Why the sudden honorifics?” Sheila tried clapping to liven things up, but no one was getting into it. She didn’t care much and went on with making herbal tea. “We need to prepare brown rice, bamboo grass, and daylily’s root. Oh, and some citrus peel, and also others.” “What do you mean by ‘others’? If you don’t say that properly, this cooking class won’t work, you know?” “The brown rice needs to be roasted until it turns black. That’s the savory flavor of the finished product.” “Listen to the audience’s protests, you!” Next to Zechs, who was complaining every single thing about her teachings, Amy expressed her doubts. “I wonder if the black color of the boiled rice also comes from the brown rice?” “I think so. The bamboo grass has a rather light liquid color.” Sheila had never thought about which of these factors affected the liquid color, as she had always taken it for granted. It might be a good idea to look into it. “Next is the root of the daylily. It takes years for them to grow to this size. And then the citrus peel. This can be done on its own by drying the peels of the citrus fruits you eat, everyone~ Since the harvesting times of bugleweed and cudweed are different, let’s use the ready-to-use ingredients for today―” “So, you’ve already had it! Then you don’t know how to prepare them!” “For more information on how and when to collect them and how to dry them, please look here.” “If it’s already written, say it first! You’re missing the point!” “Please don’t complain when I’ve written it all down~” “No, it’s true that I should thank you, but.... No, I’m the one who is forced to go along with a cooking class I don’t understand.” Cody looked down with a face mixed with sympathy as Zechs gawked and deflated. “Now, let’s prepare the bamboo grass~ Bamboo grass not only improves immunity and regulates the intestines but it can also be used as an external medicine and has antiseptic effects. However, it also lowers blood pressure, so it’s not recommended for people with low blood pressure.” “In other words, it’s better to leave sales to people who have some knowledge of medicines.” Zechs complained about many things but still wrote down all the important information. Sheila secretly laughed and went on with her work. “First, steam the bamboo grass. Rinse the tea leaves that have been shredded into appropriate sizes with water and wipe off the moisture, everyone~” “I’ve been wondering since a while ago, but what’s with your slow, drawn-out tone?” “Put the bamboo grass in a preheated steamer and steam it. When you start to smell the soft sweet aroma, pull it out~” “Oi, you’re ignoring me, aren’t you?” Ignoring Zechs’ comments, within a few minutes, a fresh aroma wafted through the air. Sheila immediately took out the leaves and spread them evenly on a colander. When she was in the village, she used the power of the wind spirit, but this time she cooled them down by fanning them on her own. “When the leaves have cooled down to a certain degree, we will roast them in a pan over a flame. You can use the leaves as they are, but they will be more fragrant and delicious if they are roasted. Let’s roast it slowly over low heat so that the leaves don’t get burnt, everyone~” “Is this farce still going on?” “After a certain amount of water has evaporated, take it out of the pot and rub the tea leaves to squeeze out the water, everyone~ It’s very hot, so be careful.” “Oi, stop ignoring me for goodness sake. It hurts.” The vigorous criticism was gradually losing its power. He seemed to be getting tired. “After kneading them, put them back in the pot and roast them in the same way~ Repeat this process over and over until the water is completely absorbed.” Even while staring at the slightly rising steam, Sheila couldn’t rest her busy arms. “When the water is completely gone, remove the tea from the heat and let it dry further. The tea leaves are quite slick, so please prepare a good colander. If the tea leaves are too slick that they still slip through, you can use them in cookies. It will have a unique flavor that not many people like~” “Is there any point in making that...?” Zechs muttered to himself, but of course, Sheila pretended not to hear it. In the village, the villagers would spend a day making herbal tea, dividing the time between those who chopped dried herbs, those who roasted brown rice, and those who made bamboo grass tea. All the ingredients were in huge quantities because they were shared by all the villagers in the end. It was a lot of work, but it was as fun as a festival. After they finished making the tea, the adults had a big party to celebrate the completion. Sheila put out the fire under the cooking pot while reminiscing about her bustling daily life in the village. “Well, roasting something over and over again takes a lot of patience. I’ll skip it today and show you the finished product~” “There is even a finished product!?” Zechs’ waning tsk-tsk roared to a climax here. Just as Sheila was about to praise him for his complaining skill, the creaking sound of the door echoed as if to stop her evil comment. The unusual visitor was someone Sheila and the others knew well. “Isaac-san.” Almost as soon as Cody muttered, Sheila ducked under the counter. “Sheila from the Steitz Academy” and “Sheila from the Pharmacy ” disguised as a dark-haired glasses girl. He was the only one, other than Amy who was acquainted with both of them, so Sheila had to try as much as possible not to see him. It was almost a conditioned reflex, because Isaac, who was supposed to be busy, often appeared. ‘I got careless out of habit, but this time, I wasn’t in a disguise, so there was no point in hiding...’ If this continued, her friends would become suspicious of her. Deciding that it would be a bad idea to panic, Sheila stood up with a nonchalant look on her face. She looked back at Isaac as if she had just noticed him. Amy, who was watching the whole thing, was silent. “Eh, Isaac-san. It’s been a while.” “Hey, long time no see, you guys. What are you doing here?” “Um, a little bit of a business meeting and a cooking class?” “.... What? I don’t get it.” Cody and Zechs happily ran up to Isaac, who smiled at them. “Isaac-san, the dorm leader―How is Axe-senpai?” “I don’t mind, you can call that muscle idiot like you used to. Anyway, that guy’s all about working out, isn’t he? He couldn’t wait to start his border patrol work.” Sheila and Amy watched from the counter as the men suddenly became noisy. “Those two are childhood friends with Isaac-san’s younger brother, so they are on good terms.” “Oh my, that’s why they look so happy with Isaac-sama.” Perhaps they were also close friends with Isaac. Although they kept their private and public lives separate during the training because they were only at work, Sheila felt that way when she saw them at ease with each other. While she was thinking about whether she should make some herbal tea for Isaac, Amy spoke quietly. “.... Isaac-sama is the only one who visits frequently even in winter.” There was a smile on her face as she cleared the counter. Sheila suddenly became worried about Isaac’s physical condition. “Isaac-san, is he that sick?” Amy blinked her eyes. After a moment, she burst out laughing. “You’re an idiot. You’re the one he is looking for.” “Eh?” “Or to be more precise, he is looking for the Sheila-chan in disguise.” “Isaac-sama likes you.” “―――Eh?” Sheila blinked repeatedly this time, unable to understand Amy’s words.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
ケーテ、セルリス、シア、ニアの、ヴァンパイアロードに対する攻撃は激しい。次々と狩られていく。ニアも未熟ながらも、セルリスやシアをサポートして時折とどめも刺している。さっきまで尻尾を股に挟んでいたガルヴもロードに牙を突き立てている。俺はサポートに徹する。ケーテやセルリスたちの背後から襲い掛かろうとするロードを威力を高めた俺の魔法の矢はロードの頭を軽々と吹き飛ばす。霧に変化しようとしても許さない。魔神王の剣で斬り裂いてとどめを刺した。「まだ出てくるのか......」魔法陣からは続々とヴァンパイアが出現し続けている。出現したヴァンパイアどもは、激しい戦闘が行われているのをみ驚く。その隙を俺は逃さない。魔法の矢を使って吹き飛ばしていく。「ぼくも! 頑張ります!」俺の手法を見ていたようで、出現した直後のヴァンパイアを狙っている。ルッチラの魔力弾の威力はかなり高い。アークヴァンパイアならば、一撃で倒せるようだ。ロードはルッチラの一撃では倒せない。だが、ひるんで大きな隙ができる。「りゃあああああ!」「たああああ」「ふん!」その隙を見逃すシア、ニア、セルリスではない。的確に首をはねていく。すでに最初に俺に凍らされたヴァンパイアはすべて倒されている。それでも、ひるまずにガルヴは戦う。爪で押さえつけ牙を突き立てる。ケーテは少し上空に位置取って、俯瞰してみているようだ。そして、魔法陣の端に出現したヴァンパイアを爪で切り裂き、風魔法で切り刻む。ヴァンパイアどもの判断も早い。ガルヴに抑えられ、変化できないヴァンパイア以外逃亡を図り始めた。被害を抑えるためにはそれが正しい。「変化するぞ。一匹も逃がすな!」俺は注意を促すために、もう一度叫んだ。ヴァンパイアどもは、ルッチラの魔力弾で頭を吹き飛ばされながらも、霧に変化しようとする。ケーテの爪で胴体に大穴をあけられながらも、小さなコウモリやカエルに変化しようとする。変化が完了してしまうと厄介だ。言うまでもなく、霧に変化されると面倒だ。普通の剣が効かなくなる。コウモリ一匹も見逃せない。なのにコウモリもカエルも数が多く大きさも小さいのだ。「コケコッコオオオオオオオオオ!」俺の懐に入っていたゲルベルガさまが高らかに咆哮した。逃亡を図っていた数匹のヴァンパイアが一瞬で灰になる。「ゲルベルガさま、助かった」やり切ったという表情で、ゲルベルガさまは満足げに鳴く。そして、俺の懐から頭だけ出して、周囲をきょろきょろとみる。変化しかけたヴァンパイアを見かけるたびに鳴いてくれる。変化が可能な上級ヴァンパイアとの戦いではゲルベルガさまがいれば大きく有利になる。俺は全員の後方に立つ。戦いながら皆が窮地に陥っていないか様子をしっかり観察する。最初から強かったケーテ以外は、初めてあったころに比べて、急速に成長しているようだ。そして、ケーテも急速ではないが、着実に強くなっていると思う。ゲルベルガさまの鳴き声も、出会ったばかりの頃より範囲や威力が上がっている気がする。頼もしい限りである。味方全員の討伐したヴァンパイアの総数匹を超えたとき。強大な昏き気を放つヴァンパイアが出現した。出現直後の隙を狙ったルッチラの魔力弾が、そのヴァンパイアの顔面にあたり炸裂する。「これは、どういうことだ?」何事もなかったかのように、そのヴァンパイアは周囲を睨みつける。「魔力弾が完全に入ったのに......」「あいつは俺に任せろ。ルッチラは雑魚を頼む」「はい、わかりました!」ルッチラは一瞬呆然としたが、俺の指示を聞いて意識をすぐに切り替える。強大なヴァンパイア以降も、続々と新たにヴァンパイアが出現してきている。そのヴァンパイアたちはシアたちやケーテ、ガルヴが対応する。ルッチラは出現直後の奇襲と、前衛への支援を担当してくれている。俺は味方を横目で見ながら、強大なヴァンパイアに話しかけた。「お前らの作戦が失敗したようで何よりだ」あえて煽るように笑顔で言ったのに、ヴァンパイアは俺の方を見ない。怪訝な表情をしたまま、周囲を観察している。依然として激しい戦闘が継続中だ。戦況はこちら側の圧倒的な有利で推移している。「なぜ、壊滅していない? そもそもここはどこだ?」「貴様。説明すれば、命だけは助けてやろう」どうやら俺から情報を引き出そうとしているらしい。情報を引き出そうとしたことは何度もあるが、引き出される側になったのは初めてだ。新鮮な気分になる。「立場をわきまえろ。コウモリ野郎。こっちの方が圧倒的に有利なんだ。いうわけないだろ」「ふむ。ならば、お前らを不利にしてやればいいのだな?」その言葉と同時にヴァンパイアは俺に向かって襲い掛かってきた。	Kathe, Serulis, Shia, and Nia launched their ferocious attack on the Vampire Lord. They went down one after another. While Nia was still young, she supported Serulis and Nia, occasionally dealing the final blow. Grulf had had his tail between his legs until a moment ago, but he now had his fangs in a Lord’s neck. I took a supporting role myself. This included shooting magic arrows at any Vampire Lords that tried to attack Kathe and Serulis from behind. As they were more powerful than usual, the arrows easily blew off the heads of the Lords. And I wouldn’t allow them to turn into mist either. I slashed at them with the Devil King Sword. “They’re still coming...” The vampires continued to appear from the magic circle. Still, most of the new vampires looked shocked when they saw what was happening on this side. And that was to our advantage. I immediately shot them down with magic arrows. “I will help too!” It seemed that she had been watching my technique, and targeted vampires that were fresh out of the gate. And they were quite powerful bullets as well. They would be able to take down an Arch Vampire in one shot. But Luchila couldn’t take down a Lord in one shot. Still, they flinched, giving the others an opening to attack. “Hmph!” Shia, Nia, and Serulis never missed an opportunity. They expertly cut off the heads. Now, all of the vampires that had been frozen in the beginning were dead. Still, Grulf continued to fight bravely. He held them down with his claws and buried his fangs into their flesh. Kathe rose into the sky where she could get a better view. And then she would attack the vampire who came out of the magic circle. She used her claws and wind magic to shred them to pieces. The vampires were also quite quick to change tactics. With the exception of the ones held down by Grulf, they started to flee. It was probably the right thing for them to do. “They’re transforming! Don’t let them get away!” I shouted once again. The vampires tried to transform, even while Luchila’s bullets blew their heads off. Kathe’s claws opened large holes in their bodies, and yet they still tried to turn into frogs and bats. It would be bad if the transformation was completed. That went without saying. A normal sword would no longer be effective once they turned into mist. And so I did not let a single bat escape. Still, there were many frogs and bats, and they were all small. “Cock-a-doodle-dooooo!!” Lord Gerberga let out a loud cry from inside my jacket. In a flash, several vampires that had been trying to escape now turned into ash. “Lord Gerberga. Thank you.” Lord Gerbera clucked with a note of smugness in his voice. And then he poked his head out and looked around. He repeated his deadly cry every time he saw a vampire that was trying to transform. When battling against powerful vampires that could transform, having Lord Gerberga was a huge advantage. I stood behind everyone. While fighting, I wanted to see if anyone needed help. Kathe had been strong from the beginning. But the others had grown a lot since I first met them. And while it had not been that fast, Kathe had become stronger as well. Even Lord Gerberga’s deathly cry seemed to be stronger than it had been before. They were a reliable group. It happened just as the total number of vampires we killed reached . A large vampire with incredible dark energy appeared. Luchila immediately shot the vampire with a magic bullet, but it just burst on his face. “What does this mean?” The vampire glared at us as if it was nothing. “It hit him square in the face...” “Leave that guy to me. Luchila, you take the weaker ones.” “Yes. Of course!” While Luchila was shocked, she quickly pulled herself together and obeyed my order. Aside from the large vampire, there were other new ones coming in. Shia, Kathe, and Grulf took care of them. Luchila focused on ambushing the newcomers while also offering support. I kept everyone in my sight as I talked to the giant vampire. “I’m glad that your plan failed.” I smiled provocatively. But the vampire didn’t look at me. His expression was full of suspicion as he scanned the field. The battle was as vicious as ever. And it was also clearly going in our favor. “Why isn’t it destroyed? Where are we?” “Bastard. Tell me what happened and I will spare your life.” Apparently, he wanted information from me. I had drawn information from enemies before, but had never had them try to draw it from me. It was a new sensation. “Know your place, bat. We have the advantage here. Why would I tell you anything?” “Hmph. In that case, I’ll just have to turn the tide, won’t I?” As he said this, the vampire came charging towards me.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 6, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
「......遠慮はいらん。事が終われば、俺を斬るがいい――」拘束されたウィンゼルが目を覚まし、そう述べた。「ば、馬鹿言うなよ......! 俺はそんなつもりは――!」「何も馬鹿な事ではない――お前が王になるというならば、俺はそれに牙を剥いた反逆者だ。それを放置することは許されん......他の者への示しがつかん」「だ、だけどさ――!」「俺はお前を見誤っていたようだ。それは認めよう。だがそれだけに――これ以上、お前の足を引っ張るつもりはない」「......ラティ王子、ウィンゼル王子の仰られることあるかと――最低でも国内には留め置けません。ウィンゼル王子も、そのように要求されておいででした」「......でもさ、兄貴は特級印を持ってるんだぞ――!? そんな奴を殺したり国から追放したりするのは――」「それがただの反乱であるならば、力を惜しむというのも良いでしょう。しかしこれは、王権を争う王族の戦い――そうは参りません」「――とはいえ、この国以外のために働く気はない。ならば、お前の命で俺を斬れ。逃がすよりも、その方が新たな王の威厳も高まるだろう。特級印を持つ俺を打ち破り、斬って見せた強き王としてな......」「い、嫌だって言ってるだろ、そんなの......!」「ならば俺に自決せよと? それも構わんが――薄情ではないか?」「薄情でもなんでも! 俺はそんなつもりじゃねえって言ってんだよ――! なあおいルーイン! 何とかならねえのかよ――!? イングリスは勝った後の事を何か言ってなかったのか――!?」「いえ、前も申し上げましたが、決着をつけるべし――とだけです」そして何も言わず、ウィンゼルに近づいていく。「当たり前だ。あのティファニエやそれに魂を売り、「うんうん、い~ねぇ! じゃあそれを本当にしてやる気はねえかい? 俺と一緒に来れば――やってやれん事はないぜ、きっとな?」「......今は血鉄鎖旅団の手の者だと言っていたか――俺を引き抜こうというのか......? ゲリラに身を落とせと――?」「悪かないと思うがねえ? お前さん、この国意外のために働く気はないくせに、この国に居場所もないんだろ? だったらウチがうってつけだ。俺達はどこの国にも属さねえ、逆に言えば全ての国のために動いてるって事だ。全ての国の中には、当然アルカードも含まれてる――」「......大きく出たものだな。世界のためと言いたいのか――」「ま、うちのボスがな、そういう奴だからなあ。見た目はすげー怪しいんだが、中身は悪くないやつでな、これが」「――お前もそうだというのか......?」に絞り上げられ続ける現状は、変えて然るべきだとは思うわな。俺の命の使い所はそこだ――ってな」「......俺は、そこまで大げさな事は考えた事はない。ただ、あのクズどもが憎いだけだ」「それでもいいんじゃね? 人が行動してる理由なんて人それぞれだ。それぞれの理由で、自分の目的に合った居場所を選ぶ――この国を荒らした奴らも追えるさ、そいつらを潰してから後の事を考えちゃどうだい? その方が弟も悲しませねえで済むんじゃねえか? 間接的にだが、役に立ってもやれる――やっぱ兄弟を悲しませるのは良くねえよ。全く人の事を言えた義理じゃねえがな――」「弟、か......」ウィンゼルはラティの方を見る。「兄貴――! それでいい――! そうしてくれ! 処刑だとか自害だとか、そんなのは止めてくれ......! ちゃんと生きてくれ――!」「......いいだろう――それも悪くはない」「兄貴......! ありがとうな、レオンさん――!」「よ、良かったです......! どうもありがとうございます――!」ラティもプラムも、ほっと胸を撫で下ろした様子だ。「いやー、はっはっは。こっちも貴重な戦力が増えてありがてえよ。独断専行しちまったから、手土産の一つも欲しかった所だったからなあ」「ではラティ王子――早速残りの兵達への降伏勧告を行いましょう」「ああ、そうだな......! じゃあレオーネ。元に戻してくれるか?」を解除し、元の場所に復帰する。風雪と、魔石獣に偽装した神竜の尾と、身を潜めていた雪と氷の塊が返って来る。暫く風雪の無い異空間の中にいたので、急に戻って来ると、身震いする寒さだった。「ウィンゼル王子殿下に付き従いし者達よ......! よく聞いてくれ――!」「戦いは終わりだ......! もう戦う必要はねえ――!」ルーインとラティがウィンゼルを伴い、先頭に立って呼びかけを始める。「「な、何だ......!?」」「「魔石獣じゃなかったのか――!?」」「「ウィンゼル王子も一緒だぞ......!」」敵兵達の間に戸惑いが生まれる。「皆この者達の話をよく聞け――! そして従うのだ......! よいな――!」ウィンゼルが騎士達に呼びかける。「「「は......ははっ!」」」どうやら、事後処理の方は上手く行きそうではある―― レオーネはレオンの方に近づいていく。「お兄様、助けてくれてありがとうございます――」レオンは両手を合わせて深々と頭を下げて来た。「すまん、レオーネ......!」「? どうかしましたか?」「兄弟を悲しませるのは良くねえ! なんて言っちまったけどよ......! 全く俺の言えた義理じゃねえ――我ながらよくお前のいる前で言えたもんだ......! 悪かった――!」「ああ――だったらこれから、私が笑っていられるようにしてくれたら......それでいいです。確かにお兄様が血鉄鎖旅団に行って、私は辛い目に遭いました。だけど今そのおかげで、友達を悲しませずに済んだから――おあいこです」レオーネはレオンに柔らかく微笑んで見せる。「レオーネ――」の事は、イングリスが教えてくれました。だから......お兄様はお兄様の信じる道を行ってください。私は私で、私の信じる道を行きます。大丈夫、仲間達と上手くやっていけますから――」レオーネがそう言うと、レオンはレオーネを抱き寄せ強く抱きしめた。「......お前はホントいい子だな、俺なんかの妹にしとくには勿体ねえや――」家族の――兄の温もりをこんなに近く感じるのは。そしてその潤んだ視界の先にいたリーゼロッテも、こちらを見て目を潤ませていた――	「...No need to hesitate. It’s over, just put me down!」 Restrained still, the half-awake Weinsel made that statement. 「D-, don’t be stupid! Like hell I’ll kill you!」「Who’s being stupid! If you’re going to be king, then I’m a traitor who threatens your sovereignty. Don’t allow any threat to go unchecked... it will set a bad example.」「B-, but still!」「I was wrong about you, that I will take upon myself. But that’s all the more reason! I am not going to drag you down any further.」「...Prince Lahti, I must say that Prince Weinsel made a point... at the very least, we cannot keep him within the borders. Prince Weinsel himself requested it.」「...But, big bro’s a holder of a Special Grade Rune, right?! Killing him or banishing him from the country is a huge military loss!」「If it was any other form of rebellion, then perhaps we can spare him. However, this is a fight over the crown between royalties... it isn’t as simple.」「—However, I will not see myself serving any other country. If so, then slay me with your own hands. As the newly crowned king, you will have more credibility slaying me than letting me escape. You will be known as a strong king who has defeated and slayed a Special Grade Rune holder...」「A-, and I’m telling you I don’t want that!」「So you want me to commit suicide? I am fine with that, but won’t it come off as a little heartless?」「No, nothing of that sort, dang it! I’m telling you, I don’t want anyone dying by my hands!! Come on, Luwin! Don’t you have anything?! What did Inglis say we oughta do after we win?!」「No, as I mentioned before, her plan was to settle the fight, that was all.」 Without saying a word, he approached Weinsel, crouched down near the restrained prince, and... 「Obviously. Tiffany and those who sold their souls to her to become Highlanders deserve no less than death.」「Yup, yup, I like that! Then, are you interested in actually working on that? Come with me, then you might get to do that yourself, see?」「...You mentioned that you’re an agent of the Ironblood Chain Brigade, are you trying to recruit me? Do you think I want to steep as low as joining a guerilla organization?」「Pretty sure it ain’t that bad, though? Mister, you don’t want to serve any other country than this, but you don’t have any place in this country, am I right? Then our little group is the right place for you. We don’t belong to any one country, if anything, we serve the good of every country. Of course, Alucard included.」「...You sure are selling it big, when fundamentally you’re saying you’re trying to make a better world!」「Well, our boss is that kind of person, see? Sure he looks fishy as all hell, but he’s not a bad person inside, funnily enough.」「—And, you’re just the same?」「Well, in a manner of speaking... I personally think that we can’t continue being squeezed dry and oppressed by the Highlanders forever. So, I’m just positioning meself in a better place to bet my life on, is all.」「...I never thought of something that grandiose. I just hate those scum.」「That’s a good enough reason, though? We all have our own reasons for doing what we do. We choose the right place to enact our purpose! Why don’t you think of it like this, you’re joining to go after those people who ruined your country. And once you’re done, then you can think about what to do next. That’s gonna save your brother a lot of grief, won’t it? You can be useful to him indirectly! You’re brothers, don’t make each other sad. Though, I’m not sure I’m one to talk about it...」「Brothers, huh...」 Weinsel then looked at Lahti. 「Big bro! Just do it, take his hand! Stop all this nonsense about execution or whatnot! I want you to live!」「...Very well, it doesn’t sound half bad.」「Big bro! Thank you, mister Leon!」「I-, I’m glad to hear it...! Thank you very much!」 Lahti and Pullum both looked relieved. 「Ha ha ha, man! If anything, I’m the one who’s glad we got a really valuable asset. I’m here outside of authority, see, so I was hoping I could get something to bring back with me.」「Well then, Prince Lahti... let us get on with advising the rest of the troops to surrender.」「Right, we should! Leone, can you bring us back??」 Leone released the subspace Gift, and they all returned to their previous location. The wind, the snow, the tails of the Dragon God disguised as Magic Stone beasts, and the chunks of the snow and ice that the volunteer soldiers had been hiding in, all returned. Having been in the subspace without any wind and snow for a while, coming back so suddenly brought a shivering cold. 「Followers of His Royal Highness Prince Weinsel! Listen up and listen well!」「The fight is over! Put down your weapons!」 Luwin and Lahti, accompanied by Weinsel, walked out of the forest and shouted. 「「Wh-, what?!」」「「Those weren’t Magic Stone Beasts?!」」「「Prince Weinsel is with them!」」 Confusion arose among the enemy soldiers. 「Everyone, listen to these two! And obey them! Am I understood?!」 Weinsel called out to the Knights. 「「「S......Sir yes sir!」」」 It seemed like the aftermath of the battle would be concluded neatly. And so, Leone approached Leon. 「Big brother, thank you for savi...」 Before Leone had a chance to give her thanks... Leon came up to her and bowed deeply with both hands together. 「I’m sorry, Leone......!」「? What’s wrong?」「Brothers don’t make each other sad! That’s what I said, but...! I know I’m the last person who has any right to say that! I shouldn’t have said that right in front of you! I’m sorry!」「Aah— Then you just need to make me smile instead from now on... that’s all. Sure, you going to the Ironblood Chain Brigade gave me quite a hard time. However, because of that, you saved my friend from having to suffer a grief he shouldn’t— so we’re even.」 Leone smiled softly at Leon. 「Leone—」「As for your situation... Inglis had told me about the Holy Knights and the Hyrule Menaces. That’s why... I want you to go down the path you believe, brother, just like me going down the path I believe. Don’t worry, I have a lot of friends I get along with!」 When Leone said this, Leon pulled her into a hug and held her tightly. 「...You’re such a good girl, too good to be my sister, really!」 How many years had it been? How many years since she felt the warmth of a family, the warmth of her own brother so close to her? She wasn’t even sad, and yet her eyes were clouded with tears. And Liselotte too, whom Leone saw beyond her moistened vision, was also looking at her with her own eyes wet...	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 5, "inserted_lines_src": 16, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
川の中から街を出た俺たちは、そのまま西側に上陸し、森に紛れるように北上していた。すでに背後の城壁では、戦闘の激しい音が聞こえている。それくらいには、絶望的な戦力差なのだ。「クソ、こんな時に戦えないのは歯痒いぜ」「いいからさっさと先に進め。時間が惜しいのだろう?」今回の奇襲に参加するのは、俺とケイルたちパーティ。それにこの街に来るときに世話になったレオンとエレンという冒険。一時はフィニアが剣の基礎を教わっていた相手でもある。こでゴブリンロードに奇襲をかける。正直人数的には不安しかない戦力だが、これ以上人員を割くとコルティナの方に負担がかかると思って、やや少なめに選抜していた。の魔法はケイルのパーティにいる魔術師が使えるため、問題なく後ろに回り込むことができるだろう。もちろん二人とも本気で嫌っているわけではなさそうだが、事あるごとにケイルが愚痴を漏らし、レオンが窘めるという行為を繰り返している。それをエレンが溜め息交じりに注意するという行動を、何度も繰り返していた。「二人とも、そろそろ控えてくれ。ゴブリンがこちらを見ていないとも限らない」「おっと、そうだった。すまねぇな、《《アスト》》」ギデオンは一剣術流派を起こしたほどの強者で、それだけにその勇名は知られている可能性もあった。俺がその事実に気付いたのは、出発してからだったのが間の抜けた話だ。変装の際、細かな部分で粗が出てはいけないと思い、この街で誰も知らず、しかも俺が良く知るという条件で選んだのが失敗だったかもしれない。幸いなことに俺の姿に違和感を持った者はいなかったので、今は事なきを得ている。こうなると、この姿から俺へたどり着くことは不可能に近い。ハウメアのように足が着く危険性も少ないだろう。いや、本当にアイツには足を向けて眠れないな。「なあ、この辺なら連中の背後に出れるんじゃないか?」しばらくして、ケイルが仲間に向かってそう声を掛けた。確かにそろそろ集団の背後に出る頃合いだ。しかし魔術師は黙然と首を振り、その意見を却下した。「なんでだよ、一刻を争うんだろ?」「ここからでは場所が悪い。川には流れがある。ケイルの苦言に、億劫そうに魔術師の男が答えた。南側とは、すなわち街の方角である。敵のすぐ後ろから川を渡って襲い掛かった場合、水の流れに乗って南へと移動し、敵の中ほどに突撃してしまうことになる。無論北寄りに進むことでその可能性は排除されるのだが、その場合斜めに進むことで遮蔽物のない川の上を長く渡ることになってしまう。それは失敗の許されない任務において、できるだけ避けねばならない事態だった。「くっ、もう少し北から渡るしかないのかよ」「そうだ。だから先を急げ」それから俺たちは急ぎ足で北上を続けた。途中で何度もゴブリンがこちらを注視する場面があったが、そのたびに俺が先回りして注意し、身を潜ませておく。幸い発見されることなく充分な距離を稼ぎ、後ろに回り込めた。「よし、ここから川を渡って奇襲を仕掛けるぞ」「ようやくか! 腕が鳴るぜ」「それにしても連中、本当に糧食とか運んでないんだな」「しょせんゴブリンの進化系だもの。それに彼らの食料は彼ら自身でもあるわ」本来ならば、その食糧難により群れの大きさが制限されるのだが、ゴブリンロードがいれば繁殖力と成長力が強化されるため、肉は無限に供給される状態と言ってもいい。そうして保持できる限界を超えた軍隊が形成され、飢えと洗脳によって狂乱し、大軍を持って人里に襲い掛かってくるのだ。「よし、行くぞ!」それを確認してから、俺たちは黙々と川の上を駆け出した。戦争ならば鬨の声を上げて襲い掛かるところなのだろうが、これは奇襲だ。敵に気付かれるのは遅いに越したことはない。まっすぐ進んでいるつもりなのに、流れに沿って進行方向がズレていくのだ。まるで床が動いているかのような感覚に、微妙に足が遅れてしまう。それでも陸地と同じように走れるというのは大きな利点だ。「だぁっりゃああああぁぁぁぁぁ!」「せやぁっ!」「グギャッ!? ギャアァァァァウ!」五階位のケイルはもちろんだが、レオン位の腕前を持っており、決して見劣りするものではなかった。突然背後に現れた俺たちの奇襲に、明らかにゴブリンは浮足立っていた。だからと言ってのんびりはしていられない。たった八人の襲撃。数は比べるべくもない。俺も縦横に槍を振るい、ゴブリンを屠っていく。ちらりと視線を空に向けると、そこには一羽のハトが飛んでいた。これはおそらく、コルティナが放っただろう。戦況を詳しく知るために、こうして空から戦場を観察しているのだ。これとギルド職員の報告から、詳細に状況を知ることができる。相手がゴブリンだからこそ通用する偵察法と言っていい。そしていつの間にか、俺の目の前には一回り以上大きなゴブリンが存在していた。「......ゴブリンロード。よりによって俺の目の前に出てくるのかよ」乱戦の最中、俺の周囲に仲間はいなくなっている。というか、自分のことで手一杯の状況だ。「こいつは俺がやれってことだよな?」「グルルルルルルォォォォォオオオオオオッ!!」まるで太鼓を連打するような低い雄叫びが、俺の鼓膜を打った。こうして俺は、意図せず敵の首魁と一騎打ちする羽目になったのだった。	After we left the city through the river, we landed on the western side and then headed north while hiding in the forest. We could already hear fierce sounds of the battle from the castle walls behind. If they started going for the walls, we had to hurry and take down the Goblin Lord from behind as fast as we could. The difference in numbers was just that big. “S̲h̲i̲t̲, it pissed me that I can’t fight at a time like this.” “Forget that and just keep moving. We are short on time, right?” The ones participating in this surprise attack were Kayle’s party, myself, as well as Leon and Ellen, the Adventurers that helped me when coming to Raum. They also have taught Finia the sword for some time. Us eight were planning to deal a surprise attack on the Goblin Lord. Honestly, our numbers were quite worrisome in terms of combat power, but if we took any more people it would only burden Cortina’s side, so we decided to go with a bit less. The magician in Kayle’s party could use Breathing and Water Walking spells, so we could go around the Goblins without problems. That said, Kayle and Leon seemed to have a bad affinity, they quarreled all the time. They didn’t really hate each other, of course, but whenever Kayle started complaining Leon would start to rebuke him. Ellen warned about that over and over while mixing sighs. Even I wished they stayed quiet for a bit. “You two should quiet down already. There’s no guarantee that Goblins aren’t looking our way.” “Whoops, you’re right. Sorry about that, Aste I also used Aste as my nickname this time around. Gideon was a strong enough fighter to create his own swordsman sect, so his name might have been known. It was pretty stupid that I only realized that after we had already departed. Then I was disguising myself, I thought I had to make sure not to get exposed in any way, so I chose to go with someone who no one in this city knew, yet I knew, which might have been a mistake. Fortunately, no one found my appearance to be out of place, so it ended without incident. At this rate, it would be quite impossible for anyone to trace my appearance to the actual me. There would be fewer risks of getting traced compared to Haumea. Yeah, I’m really grateful towards that guy now. “Hey, can’t we get behind them from around here?” After a while, Kayle said that towards his comrades. We were certainly in a good place to reach their backs now. However, the magician silently shook his head and rejected his proposal. “Why now? Aren’t we in a race against time?” “It would be bad to do it from here. The river has its currents. If we try to cross it here with Water Walking, we’ll get carried southward.” The magician replied in annoyance at Kayle’s honest opinion. Southern side, in other words, towards the city. If we started crossing the river right behind them, the currents would drag us to the south and we’d end up right in the middle of the monsters. Naturally, we could advance north to eliminate that possibility, but in that case, we’d have to advance diagonally for a long time above the river with no obstacles to hide us. That was something that we’d rather avoid given that our mission was something that was not allowed to fail. “Kh, so we have no choice but to cross it after heading north some more?” “Yeah. So hurry up.” After that, we hurried up to the north. On the way, there were few places where Goblins were vigilant, but each time I went ahead and warned everyone so they hid themselves. Fortunately, we managed to earn enough distance to not get detected and managed to get behind them. “Okay, let’s cross the river here and begin our attack.” “Finally! I can’t wait anymore.” “Still, these monsters really don’t have any provisions on them, huh?” “They are still just evolved Goblins, in the end. Besides, they themselves are their own food.” They kept going on a forced march, and used their weakened comrades as food on the place. Normally, the group numbers were limited due to such food shortages, but with the Goblin Lord around, their high level of reproduction gave them an unlimited supply of meat. Like that, they formed a force that went beyond their normal retention rate, being maddened through hunger and brainwashing, and forced to attack human settlements in great numbers. “Okay, let’s go!” With Kayle’s signal, the magician man cast Water Walking on all of us. Once we confirmed that, we silently dashed across the river. In battles, this would normally be the time we raised war cries, but this was a surprise attack. It was to our advantage for the enemy to notice us as late as possible. It felt strange for sure crossing the river above it. We were advancing forward, but the direction of our movement was off due to the currents. The sensation as if the floor under our feet was moving made our legs slow down. Even so, being able to run on it as we would on the ground was a huge plus. We luckily managed to get to the other side without being detected and succeeded in our attack from the back. “Taryaaaaaaaaa!” “Seyaaaa!” “Gugya!? Gyaaaaaa!” Kayle and Leon in particular took the initiative to charge and cut their way through the Goblins. Fifth-ranked Kayle was one thing, but even Leon held the skill of a fourth rank, so neither of them was falling behind the other. From our sudden appearance behind their back, the Goblins clearly grew restless. That said, we couldn’t relax here. It was a surprise attack of eight people. Our numbers couldn’t even be compared to theirs. Unless we put an end to the Goblin Lord fast, we would get surrounded in the blink of an eye. I also kept slaughtering the Goblins by swinging my spear in every direction. I stole a glance towards the sky, and I found a single pigeon there. It was probably the familiar that Cortina dispatched. She was observing the battle from above like this to understand the full situation. With this and the Guild staff, she could access the information quickly. Naturally, scouting done by a familiar would get found out if it was used against humans. But the opponents were Goblins, so this method of scouting could be used. I took down the second and third Goblin, continuing to cut through the enemy’s rear guards. And before long, one Goblin that was a size bigger than normal stood before me. “...Goblin Lord. To think I would be the one to find it first.” Due to the confused battle, there were no comrades nearby me. Rather, everyone was busy fending for themselves. There was no hope for reinforcements to come. In other words... “So you’re telling me I have to defeat this guy myself, huh?” “GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOARR!!” A low-pitched war cry like that of repeated blows of drum had reached my eardrums. With that as a sign, the Goblin Lord charged at me. Like this, without intending it, I ended up having to face the enemy ringleader in a solo battle.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 24, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
俺が剣に手をかけると同時に、ゴブリンロードは吠えた。「GAAAAA」ゴブリンロードは少女から、俺へと警戒対象を移す。さすがはゴブリンとはいえ、判断が素早い。「今のうちに逃げてもいいぞ」「足手まといなのです! お前の方が逃げるのです」少女は強がった。俺は魔神王の剣を抜くと同時に、大上段にとびかかる。「GA......」ゴブリンロードは鋼鉄のこん棒で俺の斬撃を防ごうとした。「武器比べでもしてみようぜ!」こちとら正当なる純粋戦士ではないのだ。技術など知ったことではない。こん棒のうえから、力任せに剣をたたきつける。鋼鉄のこん棒に大きな傷が入った。どうやら魔神王の剣の方が、鋼鉄のこん棒より強いらしい。「GA!」ゴブリンロードは斬撃の重さに耐えきれず体勢を崩す。そこに俺は横なぎの斬撃を繰り出した。振り回しすぎたせいで坑道の岩壁に大剣が当たる。 ――ガガガガガガガガガ「G......」ゴブリンロード、怯えの表情を浮かべた。鋼鉄のこん棒ごとゴブリンロードの胴体を切り裂いた。胴の中ほどに分かれたゴブリンロードは、それでもまだ生きている。呻きながら、両手の平をこちらに向けて、命乞いをしている。だが、ゴブリンを生かしておく理由はない。ゴブリンロードはすぐに動かなくなった。そうしてから俺は少女へと尋ねる。「怪我してないか?」「お前は......いや、あなたは一体何者でありますか?」そう言ってから少女はハっとした表情になる。「失礼をしたであります。あたしの名はシアでありますよ。危ないところを助けていただいてありがとうございます」深々と礼をする。礼儀正しい少女だったようだ。名を尋ねるときはまず自分から。その基本を思い出したのだろう。さっきまで助けはいらないとか、足手まといだなどと言っていた少女とは思えない。恐らくそれらの言葉は、俺が気兼ねなく逃げられるよう言っていたのだろう。シアの立場なら、それもよくわかる。ゴブリン退治に来て、哀れにもゴブリンロードに遭遇したFランク冒険者。そして、それは当たっている。ギルドの公式の記録では、俺たちはFランの冒険者パーティーなのだ。「ロックと呼ばれている。Fランク冒険者だ」「それは嘘であります」シアは信じていないようだ。だから俺はどや顔で冒険者カードを見せつけた。「ほ、ほんとにFランクであります......」「だろー?」「なぜ、Fランクであることを誇らしげにするでありますか......」話を聞くと、シアはBランク冒険者らしい。 Bランクは一流冒険者のランクだ。若いのに大したものだ。「Fランクでその強さは異常なのでありますよ」「そうでありましたか」シアは深くは聞いてこない。冒険者などという稼業に就いている者には色々と秘密がある事が多い。だから、詳しいことは聞かないのがマナーなのだ。その時、後ろから声をかけられた。「......ロック。大丈夫か?」「申し訳ありません。俺たちだけ逃げてしまって」アリオとジョッシュだ。逃げた後、一向に来ない俺が心配になって戻ってきたのだろう。「気にするな。逃げろと言ったのは俺だ」「だが......」「本当にすみません」アリオたちと俺が話している間、シアはゴブリンロードの死骸を調べていた。そんなシアに向けてアリオが頭を下げる。「あんたもありがとう」「気にするなでありますよ」シアも笑顔で応じる。そんなシアに聞かねばならないことがある。「ゴブリンロードと戦っていた時、雑魚が邪魔するな! みたいなことを言っていたけど」「確かに言っていたぞ。ゴブリンロードが雑魚ってことは、奥にさらに強いのがいるってことか?」「......」シアは黙り込んだ。言いたくないことがあるのかもしれない。「ま、言いたくないならそれでもいいさ」放置はできない。ゴブリンはおおむね倒した。だが、より強い魔物が奥にいるのなら、近くの村に安寧は訪れない。討伐しておくべきだ。俺はアリオたちに向けて言う。「すまないが、ここで待っていてくれないか? ちょっと奥を見てくる」「いや、ロック。なにを言っているんだ。危なすぎるだろう」「そうですよ。ゴブリンロードより強いのがいるのかもしれないのでしょう?」アリオたちは慌てる。落ち着かせるために、俺は冷静に諭すように言う。「この前も言ったが。俺はあまり若くなくてな。アリオやジョッシュよりだいぶ年上なんだ」「それは聞いたが......って、いや、それがどうしたんだ?」「うむ。長い間、ゴブリンよりずっと強い奴らと戦っていたんだ。戦士として冒険者登録したのは先日だが、戦闘経験自体はかなりあるんだよ」俺がそういうと、アリオたちは何度もうなずく。「確かに新人の動きじゃないと思いました」「剣もやけに立派だしな。新人らしくないとは感じていた」アリオたちは新人なのに、詮索しないという冒険者のマナーを守ったようだ。優秀なFランクだと思う。「だから、結構強いから安心してくれ。やばそうなら逃げる。こう見えて逃げ足も速いんだ」そういって、アリオたちを説得してから、俺は奥へと歩き出した。「ロックさん、待って欲しいでありますよ」「言っておくが、いくらBランクでも剣がないなら足手まといだぞ?」シアは悔しそうにする。そんなシアにジョッシュが言う。「これを使いますか?」「これ......いいでありますか?」「はい、俺は弓使いですから」ジョッシュが差し出したのは、ただのブロードソードだ。道中で倒したゴブリンが持っていたものだ。あまり品質は良くない。「剣さえあれば、足手まといにはならないであります!」「まあ、いっか」俺とシアは奥へと歩いて行った。	The Goblin Lord howled just as I put a hand to my sword. “GAAAAA!” It’s attention moved from the girl to me. Even if it was just a goblin, there was a reason that these were called ‘Lords.’ It was quick to react. “You might as well run while you can.” “No, you are just getting in my way! It is you that should run!” She said stubbornly. I unsheathed the Devil King’s sword and jumped while holding it above my head. “GA...” The Goblin Lord attempted to block my attack with its steel club. “Let’s compare weapons then!” I was not a pure Warrior. It was not about skill for me. I swung down onto the club with all of my strength. It caused a large gash to appear on it. It was clear that the Devil King sword was the stronger weapon. “GA!” The Goblin Lord could not stand the weight of the hit, and he lost his balance. I struck repeatedly to his side. Perhaps I was swinging too much because my great sword was hitting the walls of the tunnel. —GGGGGGGGGGGGG “G...” For a second, I could see the fear in its expression. The sword cut through the steel club and slashed into the Goblin Lord’s body. The Goblin Lord was cut into half at the waist, and yet it was still alive. It moaned as it raised its hands in the air and plead for mercy. But there was no reason to allow it to live. It immediately stopped moving. And then I asked the girl. “Are you hurt?” “You...no, what are you?” Then she suddenly seemed to remember something. “Pardon me. My name is Shia. Thank you for helping me when I was in danger.” She gave a low bow. She was rather polite. You should introduce yourself first if you are asking for someone’s name. She had remembered that. It was hard to believe that this was the same girl who said she didn’t need help and that I was getting in her way. She had likely only said it so that I could run away without feeling bad about it. I could understand her position. We were pitiful F Rank Adventurers who were hunting goblins, only to bump into a Goblin Lord. And she was right. According to the guild’s official records, we were a party of F Rank Adventurers. “I’m called Locke. I’m an F Rank Adventurer.” “That’s a lie.” She did not believe me. And so I smugly showed her my Adventurer’s Card. “Yo-you, you really are an F Rank...” “See?” “Why are you so proud to be an F Rank...” When I asked her, she said that she was B Rank. B Ranks were great Adventurers. It was impressive given her age. “It is very unusual for an F Ranker to be so strong.” “Is that right.” She didn’t ask any further. People who worked as Adventurers tended to have a lot of secrets. And so it wasn’t good manners to ask. Right then, I heard a voice from behind me. “...Locke. Are you alright?” “I’m so sorry. We ran away without you.” It was Ario and Josh. They had come worried that I had not come out, and so they returned. “Don’t worry about it. I’m the one that told you to run away.” “But...” “We’re so sorry.” As I talked with Ario and Josh, Shia began to inspect the Goblin Lord’s corpse. Then Ario lowered his head to her. “And thank you as well.” “Do not mention it.” She said with a smile. I had something to say to her myself. “When you were fighting the Goblin Lord, you said it was a weakling.” “Did I really?” “You did say that. Did you perhaps say that because you knew that there was a stronger monster deeper in here?” “...” Shia became quiet. Perhaps there was something that she didn’t want to say. “Well, it’s fine if you don’t want to say it.” I couldn’t leave it. We defeated most of the goblins. But if there really was something even stronger in here, the nearby villages would not be safe. We had to kill it. I turned to Ario and Josh. “I’m sorry, but could you two wait here? I have to take a look further in.” “No, Locke. What are you saying? It’s too dangerous.” “Exactly. You think there could be something stronger down there, don’t you?” They said frantically. I decided to answer them cooly in order to calm them down. “I told you this before. I’m not that young. I’m actually quite a bit older than both of you.” “You did say that...but, uh, what does that have to do with anything?” “Hmm. Well, I have fought much stronger enemies than goblins for a long time. I only registered as a Warrior the other day, but I actually have a lot of fighting experience.” I say this, and Ario and Josh nod. “I did notice that you didn’t move like a newcomer.” “And your sword is oddly impressive. A newcomer wouldn’t have something like that.” While both of them were new, they had followed the etiquette of Adventurer’s of not prying into personal business. They were great F Rankers. “So don’t worry, I’m pretty strong. And I’ll just run away if it’s too dangerous. I’m fast on my feet, in spite of appearances.” And so I persuaded them before walking down the tunnel. “Mr. Locke, please wait a moment.” “I’m going to be blunt here. Even if you are B Rank, you’ll just get in my way if you don’t have a sword.” Shia looked conflicted. Josh spoke to her. “Would you use this?” “This...are you sure?” “Yes, I am an archer, anyway.” Josh handed her a plain broadsword. It was something he had picked up from a goblin that we had killed. It was not of very good quality. “I will not be called a burden if I have a sword!” “Uh, fine then.” And so Shia and I walked deeper into the tunnel.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 10, "inserted_lines_src": 2, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
2010年ウガンダでは国民の不満を恐れた政府が人々の携帯電話を監視することがないように技術開発がなされましたその後北アフリカでも政府がコントロール手段として意図的に通信回線を遮断しても活動家たちが連結していられるように同じ技術が使用されましたしかし長年にわたりこれらの技術について考え携わっていくうちにある疑問が浮かび上がってきたのですもし我々が技術の使い道を間違えたなら我々が力になろうとしている人々を逆に傷つけてしまうのではないだろうかということです素晴らしい技術を開発すれば世界中の人々に役立つものになるそれが世界の技術産業に共通する考え方ですこうした革新は世に送り出され人々の役に立つでしょうしかし必ずしもそうとは限りません手放しの技術賞賛を「技術開発におけるトリクルダウン理論」と呼びましょうレーガン大統領ありがとう私たちは選ばれた少数の人々のために技術を開発すればいずれ全ての人々に行きわたると考えがちですしかし必ずしもそうではありません技術や革新は富や資本と同じように広がっていきますそれらはごく一部の人々によって確かなものとなり残りの人々に行きわたることは稀です皆さんは週末にこんな事を議論して過ごしたりしないでしょうそこでいくつかの例を挙げてお話ししたいと思いますウェアラブルやスマートフォンによって運動で消費したカロリーや運動量が足りているかなど個人の健康状態を管理できるアプリが話題となっていますこれらの技術は医療施設において患者により良いサービスを提供し同様に医療施設でもより効率的な医療を期待できますこうしたデジタル機器が医療界に浸透し使用されるようになると逆にどのような不都合が起こるでしょうか? 自分たちの健康管理をしてくれる 400ドルの携帯電話や時計を持っていない人々にとって医療はどのようなものになるのでしょうか? 彼らは医療システムから取り残されてしまわないでしょうか? また必要に応じたサービスを受けられるでしょうか? 経済界では仮想通貨による貨幣流通の革命が起こっていますがしかしこうした技術革新は越えがたい壁になってしまいますよね? それに対応する携帯電話や携帯機器が必要ですしまたそれに対応するアプリを使用するためにはある程度の資本を必要とします世界が電子通貨に変わって行く中で紙幣を使い続ける地域はどうなるのでしょうか? 私の故郷であるフィラデルフィアでのことをお話しましょう先日公立の図書館へ行ったのですがその図書館は存続の危機に直面しています公的資金が減少しているので開館時間を短縮せざるを得ないのですその一つの解決策として多くの本がデジタル化されつつありますこれは多くの子供たちには素晴らしいシステムですね? 家にいながら本を借りて通学途中や学校にいる時に調べ物だってできますしかしこれはあくまで2つの仮定を前提とした場合です一つ目は家からインターネットに接続できるということ二つ目は携帯電話を持っているということですしかしフィラデルフィアの多くの子どもたちはそうではありません従来勉強には欠かすことのできなかった図書館も本がデジタル化されてしまうとこれらの子供たちにとって教育とはどのようなものになるでしょうか? どのように他の学生と競い合っていけばよいのでしょうか? 最後に地球の反対側の東アフリカについてお話します様々な理由によって土地の所有権がデジタル化されつつあります移住者からなる地域やシニア世代の死亡また不十分な登録作業によって誰がどこの土地を所有しているのか分からなくなりましたそこで土地所有者の情報をオンライン上で公開し誰がどこの土地を所有しているのかを人々や地域に知らせる改革がなされましたしかし結果は意図しなかったものでした資産家や投資家不動産業者が殺到しこのような地域で土地を買い占めてしまったのですなぜなら彼らはそうした事を可能にする技術を使用する事ができるからですこのように私たちの開発する技術がこうした思わぬ結果を招いているのです時として私たち技術開発者は有効性よりも効率を重視します私たちはそれによって引き起こされる結果に目を向けませんこれは改善されるべき事実です世の中をコントロールする技術であるからこそ技術によって引き起こされる結果に目を向けるべきなのです 90年代後半投資や銀行業務における道徳性が大幅に見直されましたそして2014年現在科学技術においても同じような見直しが必要とされているのではないでしょうか事業家、社長、技術者、そして開発者として皆さんにもこれから開発していく技術の招く結果について考えていただきたいと思いますなぜなら真の革新とは全ての人々に行き渡る方法を見出す事だからですありがとうございました	This is in 2010 in Uganda, working on a solution that allowed local populations to avoid government surveillance on their mobile phones for expressing dissent. That same technology was deployed later in North Africa for similar purposes to help activists stay connected when governments were deliberately shutting off connectivity as a means of population control. But over the years, as I have thought about these technologies and the things that I work on, a question kind of nags in the back of my mind, which is, what if we're wrong about the virtues of technology, and if it sometimes actively hurts the communities that we're intending to help? The tech industry around the world tends to operate under similar assumptions that if we build great things, it will positively affect everyone. Eventually, these innovations will get out and find everyone. But that's not always the case. I like to call this blind championing of technology "trickle-down techonomics," to borrow a phrase. We tend to think that if we design things for the select few, eventually those technologies will reach everyone, and that's not always the case. Technology and innovation behaves a lot like wealth and capital. They tend to consolidate in the hands of the few, and sometimes they find their way out into the hands of the many. And so most of you aren't tackling oppressive regimes on the weekends, so I wanted to think of a few examples that might be a little bit more relatable. In the world of wearables and smartphones and apps, there's a big movement to track people's personal health with applications that track the number of calories that you burn or whether you're sitting too much or walking enough. These technologies make patient intake in medical facilities much more efficient, and in turn, these medical facilities are starting to expect these types of efficiencies. As these digital tools find their way into medical rooms, and they become digitally ready, what happens to the digitally invisible? What does the medical experience look like for someone who doesn't have the $400 phone or watch tracking their every movement? Do they now become a burden on the medical system? Is their experience changed? In the world of finance, Bitcoin and crypto-currencies are revolutionizing the way we move money around the world, but the challenge with these technologies is the barrier to entry is incredibly high, right? You need access to the same phones, devices, connectivity, and even where you don't, where you can find a proxy agent, usually they require a certain amount of capital to participate. And so the question that I ask myself is, what happens to the last community using paper notes when the rest of the world moves to digital currency? Another example from my hometown in Philadelphia: I recently went to the public library there, and they are facing an existential crisis. Public funding is dwindling, they have to reduce their footprint to stay open and stay relevant, and so one of the ways they're going about this is digitizing a number of the books and moving them to the cloud. This is great for most kids. Right? You can check out books from home, you can research on the way to school or from school, but these are really two big assumptions, that one, you have access at home, and two, that you have access to a mobile phone, and in Philadelphia, many kids do not. So what does their education experience look like in the wake of a completely cloud-based library, what used to be considered such a basic part of education? How do they stay competitive? A final example from across the world in East Africa: there's been a huge movement to digitize land ownership rights, for a number of reasons. Migrant communities, older generations dying off, and ultimately poor record-keeping have led to conflicts over who owns what. And so there was a big movement to put all this information online, to track all the ownership of these plots of land, put them in the cloud, and give them to the communities. But actually, the unintended consequence of this has been that venture capitalists, investors, real estate developers, have swooped in and they've begun buying up these plots of land right out from under these communities, because they have access to the technologies and the connectivity that makes that possible. So that's the common thread that connects these examples, the unintended consequences of the tools and the technologies that we make. As engineers, as technologists, we sometimes prefer efficiency over efficacy. We think more about doing things than the outcomes of what we are doing. This needs to change. We have a responsibility to think about the outcomes of the technologies we build, especially as they increasingly control the world in which we live. In the late '90s, there was a big push for ethics in the world of investment and banking. I think in 2014, we're long overdue for a similar movement in the area of tech and technology. So, I just encourage you, as you are all thinking about the next big thing, as entrepreneurs, as CEOs, as engineers, as makers, that you think about the unintended consequences of the things that you're building, because the real innovation is in finding ways to include everyone. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
私達は今夜この開放的な私達は今夜この開放的な素晴らしい円形の劇場で涼しい夜を楽しんでいるわけですが涼しい夜を楽しんでいるわけですが 10年後の2022年にカタールでサッカーワールドカップがサッカーワールドカップが開催されるのは太陽が照りつけ暑さのとても厳しい 6月と7月のことです開催地がカタールに決定すると世界中である疑問が浮上しました選手達はこの砂漠の気候の中で選手達はこの砂漠の気候の中でフィールドを駆け回り素晴らしいプレーをすることができるだろうか? プレーをすることができるだろうか? 観客は灼熱の中野外スタジアムに座って楽しく試合を観戦できるだろうか? 我々トランスソーラー社のエンジニアはアルバート・シュペーア&パートナーの建築家と共同で 100%太陽エネルギー駆動の空調設備を備えた野外スタジアムの建設に取り組んできましたさて最初にお話するのは快適さについてです多くの人はよく分からずに多くの人はよく分からずに温度快適性と雰囲気温度を温度快適性と雰囲気温度を混同しているようですこの図を見て下さい赤い部分は6月と7月の気温を表しています赤い部分は6月と7月の気温を表していますお気づきの通り 45度を越える日もあって事実とっても暑いんですしかし快適さを左右する気候の要素は気温だけではありません気候の要素は気温だけではありませんここで同僚が世界中でワールドカップやオリンピックを対象にした快適さについての調査結果をお見せしましょう快適さの度合いに注目し快適さの度合いに注目しそこから人々が感じた快適さを分析したものですメキシコから見てみましょうメキシコの気温は 15度から30度の間でみなさん快適に観戦を楽しんだようですメキシコシティでの試合はとても気持ちよかったようですねオーランドの同じような野外スタジアムではこの日の午後は日差しが強く湿度もとても高かったため快適とは言えず試合を楽しむことができなかったようです試合を楽しむことができなかったようです気温はさほど高くなかったのに快適ではなかったようですソウルはどうでしょう? 放映権の関係で試合は全て午後遅くに行われました太陽が沈んだ後の試合だったので快適だったとの回答が帰ってきましたアテネはどうでしょう? 気候は地中海性ですが太陽が照りつけて快適ではなかったようですスペインはしばしば「太陽と影」と表現されます日陰の席の値段は日向の席のチケットよりも高いんです快適な環境で試合を観戦できるからです北京では? こちらも日中日差しが強く湿気も高かったので快適ではありませんでした湿気も高かったので快適ではありませんでしたこれらの結果を重ねて比較してみるとこれらの結果を重ねて比較してみると全ての場所で気温は概ね全ての場所で気温は概ね 25度から35度だと分かりますね次に30度のところを上から下に見てみると野外で感じた全ての快適さが野外で感じた全ての快適さが記録されていることがわかります記録されていることがわかります「非常に快適」から「とても不快」まで様々です「非常に快適」から「とても不快」まで様々です「非常に快適」から「とても不快」まで様々ですなぜでしょう? 温度快適性には温度以外の要素も影響しているからです太陽は直射光や拡散光になり風はと言うと強風にそよ風そして私達の周囲の放射温度を左右している周囲の放射温度を左右している湿気の存在もありますもちろん気温もあります全ての要素が身体の感じる快適さに影響を与えます全ての要素が身体の感じる快適さに影響を与えます全ての要素が身体の感じる快適さに影響を与えますそこで科学者は体感温度という変数を設けましたそこで科学者は体感温度という変数を設けましたこの変数のおかげでスタジアムの設計者にとってどんな要素が快適さと不快さの原因となっているのかを突き止めることが容易になりました突き止めることが容易になりましたまた体感温度とも関係していますまた体感温度とも関係しています更にこれらの気候要素は更にこれらの気候要素は私達の代謝とも関係があるんです私達人間は代謝のおかげで私達人間は代謝のおかげで熱を生み出しています私が熱を上げて話をしている間にも私が熱を上げて話をしている間にも 150ワット程の熱を生み出しています席についている 150ワット程の熱を生み出しています席についている皆さんは一人当たり 100ワット程の熱を産出していることでしょうこの熱は身体から逃がさなくてはいけませんこの熱は身体から逃がさなくてはいけません私達の身体は快適さが低い状態の時にはこの熱の放出が上手くできなくなりますこの熱を発散できなければもちろん死んでしまいますもちろん死んでしまいますこれらのデータと 2022年のワールドカップを重ね合わせてみましょうどうなるかといいますと重ね合わせてみましょうどうなるかといいますともちろん気温はとても高くなるでしょうもちろん気温はとても高くなるでしょうしかし試合は午後に予定されているので快適さは他の会場と同じになるでしょう快適さは他の会場と同じになるでしょうつまりは快適ではないんですつまりは快適ではないんですそこで目標を掲げてチームを組みました「野外での快適な体感温度を目指そうじゃないか」この下の青い丸のところですすなわち摂氏32度という気温はすなわち摂氏32度という気温は快適指数が非常に高くなる気温なんです快適指数が非常に高くなる気温なんです人は野外環境にいると気持ちがよくなるものなんですこれはどういうことでしょう? 先ほどの結果を考えてみましょう気温がとても高い環境では優れた建築デザインと気候工学を駆使しても状況はあまり改善できませんもっと能動的な対策が必要です例えば放射冷却技術に例えば放射冷却技術に優しい空調技術を組み合わせることができます内部はどうなっているのでしょう? スタジアムの内部には外の快適さを生み出す要素が隠されてますまずは影です温度が高く強く吹き付ける風から観客を守るための大切な要素です観客を守るための大切な要素ですそれだけではありません能動的なシステムを採用する必要がありますスタジアム内に寒々しい突風を吹き付けるのではなくて放射冷却技術を使えばいいんです放射冷却技術を使えばいいんです床暖房と同じ原理で床下にパイプが埋められておりパイプ内に冷たい水を流すことでパイプ内に冷たい水を流すことで日中にスタジアム内に吸収された熱を逃がせますこうして快適な状況を作るだけでなく冷たい空調ではなくこうして快適な状況を作るだけでなく冷たい空調ではなく乾いた空気を加えることで観客も選手達もそれぞれの居場所や観客も選手達もそれぞれの居場所や熱バランスに応じて体温調整することで熱バランスに応じて体温調整することで快適さが得られるんです個人がそれぞれにあった快適さへと調整ができるんですおそらく 12のスタジアムがこのシステムを採用するでしょうしかしそれぞれの国に練習用グラウンドがひとつずつあり全部では32個ありますひとつずつあり全部では32個ありますそこでも同じコンセプトを用いて練習場に影を造り風よけを設置して芝生を植えました水やりのされた天然芝の優れた水やりのされた天然芝の優れた冷却効果で温度を安定化させます冷却効果で温度を安定化させますまた乾燥した空気も快適さを高めますしかし優れたデザインでも受動的なものには限界がありますしかし優れたデザインでも受動的なものには限界があります能動的なシステムが必要です能動的なシステムが必要ですそこで100%ソーラーエネルギー駆動の冷却システムを思いつきましたそこで100%ソーラーエネルギー駆動の冷却システムを思いつきましたこれはスタジアムの屋根を太陽光発電システムで覆ってしまうというアイディアを基にしたものです覆ってしまうというアイディアを基にしたものですこうすれば化石燃料に頼らなくて済みますこうすれば化石燃料に頼らなくて済みますつまりは隣国へのエネルギー依存もなくなるわけです屋根や練習グラウンドに設置された柔らかく大きな太陽光発電膜から集めたエネルギーを利用しているんです数年後には可能性としては日光を遮りながら数年後には可能性としては日光を遮りながら可能性としては日光を遮りながら同時に発電ができる太陽光発電膜を実現する産業も太陽光発電膜を実現する産業もでてくることでしょう現在太陽エネルギーは年間を通して回収されており従来の化石燃料に取って代ろうとしています蓄電が可能ですから太陽熱冷房のために蓄えていた太陽エネルギーを必要に応じて蓄えていた太陽エネルギーを必要に応じて蓄電設備から取り出して従来の冷房設備に使用することができます従来の冷房設備に使用することができます従来の冷房設備に使用することができます貯蓄は1年目から可能で向こう貯蓄は1年目から可能で向こう 10~20年でバランス良く使っていくことができますつまり現在カタールのグリッドに蓄電されているエネルギーが 20年後のカタールワールドカップの空調には必要になるんですつまり (拍手) ありがとうございます (拍手) スタジアムだけでなく活用できるところは多くあるんです更に我々はアラブ首長国連邦の更に我々はアラブ首長国連邦の未来都市「マスダール」の開発を行ってきました未来都市「マスダール」の開発を行ってきました私は中心の商業地域の開発に携われたことを私は中心の商業地域の開発に携われたことを嬉しく思いますここでも心地よい屋外空間を作り出すシステムを導入しましたシステムを導入しました空調で冷えた施設よりもこの屋外空間を好む人もでてきましたこの屋外空間を好む人もでてきました私達が目指したのは午後とか夏の暑い日にも人々が出てきてくれて家族と一緒に楽しい時を過ごすことができる外部環境を作り出すことでした外部環境を作り出すことでした同様にして日光や風の遮断同様にして日光や風の遮断そして身近で回収できる太陽エネルギーの利点をそして身近で回収できる太陽エネルギーの利点を最大限活用できるように取り組んできましたこちらのパラソルもその一つです皆さんも温度快適正について熱環境について皆さんも温度快適正について熱環境について今夜でも明日にでも考えて見て下さい今夜でも明日にでも考えて見て下さい温度環境についてもっと詳しく知りたい方は温度環境についてもっと詳しく知りたい方は私達のウェブサイトをご覧下さい私達のウェブサイトをご覧下さい屋外の快適さを調べられるちょっとした屋外の快適さを調べられるちょっとした体感温度計もありますよ体感温度計もありますよエンジニアやデザイナーがこういった気候要素を全て有効に活用できるようなアイディアが全て有効に活用できるようなアイディアがアイディアがあればぜひ共有して頂きたいと思います本当に快適な野外空間を造ることができるようになりますし私達の屋外空間での快適な私達の屋外空間での快適な温度に対しての概念を変えることにも繋がりますそれには受動的なデザインはもちろんですがそれには受動的なデザインはもちろんですが能動的なエネルギー利用も必要ですカタールではそれが太陽エネルギーなんですカタールではそれが太陽エネルギーなんですありがとうございましたありがとうございました (拍手)	We are in this wonderful open-air amphitheater and we are enjoying ourselves in that mild evening temperature tonight, but when Qatar will host the football World Cup 10 years from now, we already heard it will be in the hot, very hot and sunny summer months of June and July. And when Qatar has been assigned to the World Cup all, many wondering, how would it be possible that football players show spectacular football, run around in this desert climate? How would it be possible that spectators sit, enjoy themselves in open-air stadia in this hot environment? Together with the architects of Albert Speer & Partner, our engineers from Transsolar have been supporting, have been developing open-air stadia based on 100 percent solar power, on 100 percent solar cooling. Let me tell you about that, but let me start with comfort. Let me start with the aspect of comfort, because many people are confusing ambient temperature with thermal comfort. We are used to looking at charts like that, and you see this red line showing the air temperature in June and July, and yes, that's right, it's picking up to 45 degrees C. It's actually very hot. But air temperature is not the full set of climatic parameters which define comfort. Let me show you analysis a colleague of mine did looking on different football, World Cups, Olympic Games around the world, looking on the comfort and analyzing the comfort people have perceived at these different sport activities, and let me start with Mexico. Mexico temperature has been, air 15, up to 30 degrees C, and people enjoyed themselves. It was a very comfortable game in Mexico City. Have a look. Orlando, same kind of stadium, open-air stadium. People have been sitting in the strong sun, in the very high humidity in the afternoon, and they did not enjoy. It was not comfortable. The air temperature was not too high, but it was not comfortable during these games. What about Seoul? Seoul, because of broadcast rights, all the games have been in the late afternoon. Sun has already been set, so the games have been perceived as comfortable. What about Athens? Mediterranean climate, but in the sun it was not comfortable. They didn't perceive comfort. And we know that from Spain, we know that "sol y sombra." If you have a ticket, and you get a ticket for the shade, in a more comfortable environment. What about Beijing? It's again, sun in the day and high humidity, and it was not comfortable. So if I overlay, and if you overlay all these comfort envelopes, what we see is, in all these places, air temperature has been ranging something from 25 to 35, and if you go on the line, 30, of 30 degrees C ambient temperatures. If you go along that line you see there has been all kind of comfort, all kinds of perceived outdoor comfort, ranging from very comfortable to very uncomfortable. So why is that? This is because there are more parameters influencing our thermal comfort, which is the sun, the direct sun, the diffuse sun, which is wind, strong wind, mild wind, which is air humidity, which is the radiant temperature of the surroundings where we are in. And this is air temperature. All these parameters go into the comfort feeling of our human body, and scientists have developed a parameter, which is the perceived temperature, where all these parameters go in and help designers to understand which is the driving parameter that I feel comfort or that I don't feel comfort. Which is the driving parameter which gives me a perceived temperature? And these parameters, these climatic parameters are related to the human metabolism. Because of our metabolism, we as human beings, we produce heat. I'm excited, I'm talking to you, I'm probably producing 150 watts at the moment. You are sitting, you are relaxed, you're looking at me. It's probably 100 watts each person is producing, and we need to get rid of that energy. I need, with my body, to get rid of the energy, and the harder it is for myself, for my body, to get rid of the energy, the less comfort I feel. That's it. And if I don't get rid of the energy, I will die. If we overlay what happens during the football World Cup, what will happen in June, July, we will see, yes, air temperature will be much higher, but because the games and the plays will be in the afternoon, it's probably the same comfort rating we've found in other places which has perceived as non-comfortable. So we sat together with a team which prepared the Bid Book, or goal, that we said, let's aim for perceived temperature, for outdoor comfort in this range, which is perceived with a temperature of 32 degrees Celsius perceived temperature, which is extremely comfortable. People would feel really fine in an open outdoor environment. But what does it mean? If we just look on what happens, we see, temperature's too high. If we apply the best architectural design, climate engineering design, we won't get much better. So we need to do something active. We need, for instance, to bring in radiant cooling technology, and we need to combine this with so-called soft conditioning. And how does it look like in a stadium? So the stadium has a few elements which create that outdoor comfort. First of all, it's shading. It needs are sitting against strong and warm wind. But that's not all what we need to do. We need to use active systems. Instead of blowing a hurricane of chilled air through the stadium, we can use radiant cooling technologies, like a floor heating system where water pipes are embedded in the floor. And just by using cold water going through the water pipes, you can release the heat which is absorbed during the day in the stadium, so you can create that comfort, and then by adding dry air instead of down-chilled air, the spectators and the football players can adjust to their individual comfort needs, to their individual energy balance. They can adjust and find their comfort they need to find. There are 12 stadia probably to come, but there are 32 training pitches where all the individual countries are going to train. We applied the same concept: shading of the training pitch, using a shelter against wind, then using the grass. Natural-watered lawn is a very good cooling source stabilizing temperature, and using dehumidified air to create comfort. But even the best passive design wouldn't help. We need active system. And how do we do that? Our idea for the bid was 100 percent solar cooling, based on the idea that we use the roof of the stadia, we cover the roofs of the stadia with PV systems. We don't borrow any energy from history. We are not using fossil energies. We are not borrowing energy from our neighbors. We're using energy we can harvest on our roofs, and also on the training pitches, which will be covered with large, flexible membranes, and we will see in the next years an industry coming up with flexible photovoltaics, giving the possibilities of shading against strong sun and producing electric energy in the same time. And this energy now is harvested throughout the year, sent into the grid, is replacing fossils in the grid, and when I need it for the cooling, I take it back from the grid and I use the solar energy which I have brought to the grid back when I need it for the solar cooling. And I can do that in the first year and I can balance that 20 years, this energy, which is necessary to condition a World Cup in Qatar, the next 20 years, this energy goes into the grid of Qatar. So this -- Thank you very much. This is not only useful for stadia. We can use that also in open-air places and streets, and we've been working on the City of the Future in Masdar, which is in the United Emirates, Abu Dhabi. And I had the pleasure to work on the central plaza. And the same idea to use there, to create outdoor conditions which are perceived as comfortable. People enjoy going there instead of going into a shopping mall, which is chilled down and which is cooled. We wanted to create an outdoor space which is so comfortable that people can go there in the and they can enjoy and meet there with their families. And the same concept: shade against the sun, shade against the wind, and use, use and take advantage of the sun you can harvest on your footprint. And these beautiful umbrellas. So I'd like to encourage you to pay attention to your thermal comfort, to your thermal environment, tonight and tomorrow, and if you'd like to learn more about that, I invite you to go to our website. We uploaded a very simple perceived temperature calculator where you can check out about your outdoor comfort. And I also hope that you share the idea that if engineers and designers can use all these different climatic parameters, it will be possible to create really good and comfortable outdoor conditions, to change our thermal perception that we feel comfortable in an outdoor environment, and we can do that with the best passive design, but also using the energy source of the site in Qatar which is the sun. Thank you very much. Shukran.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
カファル曰く、お父様。宴の最中に突然現れたその老爺は、まるで噴火中の火口みたいに暴力的エネルギーをその身に秘めていると感じられた。「誰?」「ママが、『お父様』って」でも迂闊に動かしてはいけない心地になり、身構えた姿勢のまま、見えない鎖で縛られたかのように凍り付く。深紅の老爺はルシェラたちを睨め付けると、威厳に満ちた流暢な人間語で語りかける。この場にて真の姿は顕せぬが、何者であるかは自ずと知れような」シュレイなる者は、そう名乗った。ドラゴンはただでさえ常人には及びも付かぬ力を持つものだが、そのドラゴンを束ねる群れ長ともなれば、歳経て力を蓄えた超越的存在に間違いない。人の形をとっていようと、それは災禍の暴威にも等しい力を秘めている。重圧と緊張感の中で最初に動いたのはビオラだった。「ベルマールの竜王陛下におかれましてはご機嫌麗しゅう...... 「結構。そなたらが只人に過ぎぬことは承知している」ビオラの挨拶はシュレイに遮られた。焔色をしたシュレイの双眸を観察する。「う......!」「なるほど、実に奇怪だ。卑小なれど人よりは儂らに近い」それだけでルシェラは死を錯覚した。シュレイに促され、いや、命じられて。カラカラに干からびていたルシェラの舌はようやく動いた。『......るしぇら、と、もうします』『ほう?』ルシェラは意地と勇気を振り絞って、ドラゴン語で名乗った。見下されて当然の力の差があるということは分かっていたが、それでは、いけない。ルシェラはカファルの娘になると決めた。ならば強大なドラゴンと相対そうとも、少しでも、ほんの少しでも対等であれと。『クハハハハ! 小生意気××ドラゴンの言葉×××××!』シュレイは、笑う。ルシェラは吹き飛ばされてしまいそうに思ったが踏みとどまった。『お父様......何故、×××××場所×』カファルは父の来訪に戸惑った様子だ。実際、ここは人の国と人の国の狭間だし、ベルマール火山からは遠く離れているはず。『儂も×××、娘の命×人間ども××××××つもりはない。助け×××××思ってな。だがな......』カファルとシュレイの会話を必死で聞き取ろうとしていたルシェラは、すぐにドラゴン語について行けなくなった。カファルとの会話だと向こうがルシェラのペースに合わせてくれたからどうにかなったのだが、ドラゴン同士の会話はルシェラにはペースが速すぎる。 ――悔しいけど、これ使おう......多分重要な話だ。意地を捨ててルシェラは、ジゼルの指輪を指に嵌める。途端、モノクロだった世界が色鮮やかになったかの如く、意味の奔流がルシェラの頭に流れ込んできた。が生き延びんと欲するなら自ら戦うか、それとも群れへ戻るか、だのう』『群れへ、ですか? それは......』『都合が悪かろうな』シュレイはカファルと会話しながら、一瞬、ルシェラの方を見やった。 ――ドラゴンの住む場所で生きていくのは......無理、かな......だからママは...... ルシェラとて、人の領域を離れてドラゴンの支配する世界を見た事はないが、ただ『変異体』が跋扈しているだけのクグセ山など及びも付かぬほど危険な場所だという事は想像が付く。クグセ山を捨てて群れへ帰るなら、カファルはマルトガルズの脅威から逃れられるだろうけれど、それにルシェラが付いて行けるかと問われれば......分からなかった。この山に少しばかり、竜気と『変異体』を足してやろう。それしかできぬが、それだけはできる』『本当ですか! ありがとうございます』援助の申し出は本当に思いがけないものだった様子で、カファルは驚きながら喜んでいた。しかし、それから、笑顔が戸惑いの色に陰る。ルシェラも同じ心地で。 ......話がうますぎる。何かが怪しいと『まあ、待て。助けるとは言うたが、儂らの山はいささか遠い。『近場? それは、まさか......』空気の重さが倍にも増したようにルシェラは感じた。夜天に舞う翼が、さらに一つ。三つの騎影、それぞれに一人ずつ。し、同盟も組んでいる相手よ。儂が頼み込んだところ、話だけは聞くと言うておった』翼竜が一斉に滑空し、山に近づいたところで、騎乗者は飛び降りる。『納得してくれるかは分からぬがな』腕組みをしたシュレイは、獅子でも睨み殺せそうな顔で笑っていた。隠者の如き老爺の姿をしたシュレイに対し、この三人は若く洗練された貴公子の姿だ。彼らは何かの象徴であるかのように身体の各所に青いものを身につけ、腰には装飾的な剣を刷き、いずれの者も鮮烈に青い髪を短く整えている。そんな中で一際気迫に満ちた美丈夫が、刃のように鋭い目でこちらを見ながら進み出た。『久しいな、カファル。我が氏族よりルジャを奪いし者よ』カファルの顔までも青くなった。	He was her father, according to Kafal. The old man that suddenly showed up gave off an impression as if he was carrying a violent energy akin to a caldera during an eruption. “Who’s this?” “Mom called him father.” Both the adventurers and Lucella were frozen stiff as if bound by invisible chains, feeling like they weren’t allowed to carelessly move a single finger. The crimson old man glared at Lucella’s group and spoke in fluent and majestic human tongue. “I am Shurei, the head of the Volcanic Group of Belmar. I cannot show my true form here, but you should naturally guess who I am.” Leader of a dragon group, that’s what the man called Shurei addressed himself. Dragons were already strong beyond normal people, but the leader that controlled their groups must have been a transcendental existence that accumulated power over many years. Even in human form, he was hiding power akin to the tyranny of a disaster. Amid the strong pressure and tension, Viola was the one to move first. She took a step forward and bowed by bending her knee while pinching her skirt in a strangely accustomed manner. “Greetings, your highness the Dragon King, I am...” “No need. I am well aware that you are but normal humans.” Shurei interrupted Viola’s greeting, as if saying it would be a waste of time. Shurei’s flaming red eyes observed the four of them. Eventually, his gaze pierced Lucella. “Ugh...!” “I see, quite mysterious. Quite shabby but still closer to us than to humans.” He smiled in amusement. That alone made death cross Lucella’s mind. Shurei urged, nay, ordered Lucella to speak. With that Lucella’s dry tongue finally moved. “...I am... called... Lucella.” “Oh?” Lucella gathered her obstinacy and courage and introduced herself in Dragonian, all while knowing she was being looked down on. She was well aware that there was enough gap in their power to warrant being looked down on, but she still couldn’t allow it. She decided to become Kafal’s daughter. As such, even if she was facing a mighty dragon, she wanted to act as an equal, even if a bit, only a bit. “Gahahahaha! XXXX impudence to XXXXXXXXX in Dragonian!” Shurei laughed, quite loudly at that. Lucella was almost blown back by it, but she endured it somehow. “Father... what XXXXXX * here?” Kafal seemed bewildered by her father’s visit. This place was between two human kingdoms and far away from Belmar Volcano. Certainly not a place where the leader of a dragon group who rarely showed up before humans would just drop by casually. “I too XXXX my daughter’s life XX mere human’s XXXXX. You may XXXXXX helping *. However...” Lucella tried to process their conversation with all she had, but she quickly lost track of it. With Kafal she could still handle it since she was matching her pace, but a conversation between two dragons was too fast-paced for her. —I’m really reluctant, but I’ll use this... This is probably something important. Lucella threw away her stubbornness and put on Giselle’s ring. Immediately, a torrent of meaning flowed into Lucella’s head as if a monochrome world had turned vibrant. “You should know this already, but the dragon groups do not involve themselves in human quarrels. If you wish to survive, you have to either fight by yourself or return to our group.” “Return? That’s...” “I imagine it is inconvenient.” Kafal momentarily glanced at Lucella while talking with Shurei. It seemed that he was already aware of Lucella’s circumstances. —Living where the dragons are would be... impossible for me... That’s why mom is... Lucella had never gone away from the human regions and seen the world of dragons, but she could imagine it to be a place incomparably more dangerous than Mount Kuguse which was simply overrun by Variants. If Kafal abandoned Mount Kuguse and went back, she could avoid the Maltgartz threat, but she didn’t know if Lucella could accompany her there. “In that case... I shall increase the dragon aura and Variants on this mountain a little. I cannot do anything more, but I can do that at least.” “Really?! Thank you very much!” It seemed like Kafal didn’t expect him to offer help and couldn’t contain her surprise and delight. However, her smile soon was shadowed by colors of confusion. And Lucella was the same. ...It all sounded too good. Her intuition as a manager was screaming that something was up. “Now now. While I have pledged my aid, the distance to my mountain is considerable. Transporting Variants to this location would prove to be a formidable task. Therefore, I must implore the assistance of those who dwell in the vicinity to lend me their strength.” “In the vicinity? You can’t mean...” It happened just as he spoke the plan. Lucella felt the atmosphere’s pressure turn twice as heavy. The wings dancing in the sky multiplied by one, two, and three. Silhouettes flew toward them with the moon floating above their backs. They were pterosaur Variant riders similar to Shurei. The three mounts carried one person each. They looked human in appearance, but only in appearance. “These individuals are not unfamiliar to you, and we have forged an alliance with them. Upon hearing my entreaty, they have expressed their willingness to hear you at least.” The pterosaurs glided through the sky all at once and their riders jumped off as they neared the mountain. “Whether they will be convinced or not would be up to you.” Shurei folded his arms and smiled so ferociously it could kill a lion. Three people, nay, three dragons swooped down from above. Unlike Shurei who was in a hermit-like getup, the three looked like young and refined nobles. They were dressed in blouses with frilly jabots and trousers that emphasized their slim leg lines. They had blue ornaments in various places on their bodies as if some kind of symbol, with decorative swords on their hips, and each of them had short, vivid blue hair. The most spirited of them stepped out while glaring toward them with eyes as sharp as a blade. “It has been too long, Kafal, the one who robbed Luja from our clan.” “It can’t be...” Kafal’s expression turned pale.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 26, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
俺はレオの様子が気になったが、クレアさんは襲われてたと思われるフェンリルの方が気になっているようだ。まぁ、レオが座ったまま動かないのが変と思ってるのが俺だけなんだろうけどな。レオは俺とクレアさんから声を掛けられると、元気の無さそうな声を出し、そのまま顔を下に向けて鼻先を赤くなってる地面へ擦り付けるように動いた。 ......いや......地面じゃないな......何かいる。「レオ......それがフェンリルか......?」「ワフ」「これがフェンリル......」「この森に本当にフェンリルがいたのですな」レオが鼻先を擦り付けてる相手は、土色と赤色の混じった生き物だった。レオと似ていて、多分犬や狼と同じなんだろう。しかし、その大きさは中型犬程で、レオが銀色の毛で包むように座っているのと比べると随分小さい。そういえば、フェンリルはシルバーフェンリルより小さいって言ってたっけ。レオは時々こちらを見ながら、鼻先をそのフェンリルに擦り付け続けている。「どうした......レオ」「ワフ......ワフゥ」「少し、良いですかな?」セバスチャンさんが目を凝らすようにしてレオの前に出た。俺もセバスチャンさんが前に出るのと同じタイミングでレオの横に行く。クレアさんも隣について来た。「......これは......酷い怪我ですな......」「毛が土と同じ色だと思ってましたが、これは......」「酷い......」セバスチャンさんが怪我の具合を見るようにフェンリルに触れる。レオはそれを見て鼻先を擦り付けるのを止めた。俺とクレアさんは、そのフェンリルを見て勘違いに気付く。フェンリルの毛色が土と同じ色だと思っていたが、実は違った。怪我をしてるせいか、そこから血が流れ、トロルド達に攻撃されたため、土で汚れていたからそう見えたんだ。所々、汚れていない場所もあって、そこからは綺麗な白い毛が見えた事から、本来は白くて綺麗な毛並み何だと思う。レオはフェンリルを心配するように声を上げ、様子を見ているセバスチャンさんを見る。「うぅむ......これは......」「どのような具合なの、セバスチャン?」「......少し、駆けつけるのが遅れたようです......今はまだ何とか生きていますが......長くはもたないでしょう......」「......そんな......せっかくフェンリルを見つけたと思ったのに......」「......」どうやら、怪我の具合はかなり悪いようだ。トロルドにこっぴどくやられたんだろう。よく見ると、後ろ脚の片方が折れて変な方向に曲がっていた。あの巨体から繰り出される棍棒に当たったのかもしれない。足が折れてるから、逃げることも出来ず、俺達が気配で発見した時感じた様に囲まれていたぶられていたんだろう......。「レオ......」レオから切望の眼差し。そしてお願いをする時によくやる声で鳴く。どうやらレオはこのフェンリルを助けたいようだ。「......何とかならないの?」「......多少の知識はありますが、私は医者ではありません。しかし......これ程となると医者でも手の施しようがないのではと......」クレアさんも何とかならないかとセバスチャンさんを問い詰めてるが、どうにもならないようだ。フェンリルの怪我から流れる血は、今も尚出続けており、地面を濡らしている。体に力が入らないのか、辛うじてまだ息はしているが体を動かす事も、声を上げる事もしない。 ......さすがにこの姿を見たらな......オークやトロルドと同じ人間を襲う魔物とは言え......見た目が犬......狼で、レオに似ているせいか何とかしたいと思う。でもな......俺は医者でも無ければ獣医でも無い。 ......どうする事も出来ないんだ。俺はこのままだと死んでしまうであろうフェンリルを見ながら唇を噛み締めた。「......レオ様......タクミさん......どうにもならないんでしょうか......」「......クレアお嬢様。ここまでの致命傷となると......もう......」クレアさんもフェンリルを助けたいようで、俺とレオに懇願するような声を上げるが、セバスチャンさんから言われて悔しそうに眼を閉じた。レオからも懇願するような声......。それを聞いてさらに唇を噛み締める力が強くなる。「俺達にはどうする事も出来んな......」「魔物で、自然の摂理とはいえ......黙って見ているしか出来ないとは......」フィリップさんとニコラさんまでもが悔しそう呟いている。皆、このフェンリルを助けたいが、どうにも出来ない状況に顔を俯けた。 ......ふと、自分の唇を噛み締める力を緩めた。口の中に残ってる味。 ......これはさっき食べた薬草の味。水を飲んでないからまだ少しだけ口の中に残っていたんだろう。「......セバスチャンさん」「......何でしょう、タクミさん」「以前、俺が栽培したロエは怪我で治す薬草でしたよね?」「......はい......ロエは確かにそのような効果ですが......これ程の怪我となるともうロエでは......」「いえ......ロエじゃないですよ」ロエを参考に、違う薬草を作り出す! 致命傷であろうともたちどころに治す薬草。味なんて考える余裕は無い。ロエは患部に葉の中にあるゼリー状の部分を触れさせれば効果を出す。それなら、そのロエと同じ使い方でいいから、とにかく効果の高い薬草を求めれば良いかもしれない。「タクミさん?」「タクミ様?」クレアさんとセバスチャンさんの呼ぶ声が聞こえるが、俺はそれに構わず頭に思い浮かべた物を根付かせるために集中しながら手を地面に付く。無言でそのまましばらく待つ。他の皆も、俺が『雑草栽培』を使うんだとわかって何も言わずに見守ってくれる。数秒後、いつもは無い小さな光が手と地面の間で放たれたと思った瞬間、ロエに似た形の白い葉っぱが伸びて来た。 20秒程だろうか、成長しきった1枚の葉っぱを摘み取り、俺はセバスチャンさんから渡されていたショートソードを抜く。そして葉の表面部分を、リンゴの皮を剥くように剥ぎ取る。処理の終わった葉っぱを持って、レオの近くで倒れ伏してるフェンリルへと近付いた。「タクミさん......」「......きっと、大丈夫ですよ」固唾を飲んで見守る皆の中から、クレアさんとレオから声を掛けられたが、大丈夫とだけ言って俺はその薬草を、倒れてるフェンリルの怪我部分に触れさせた。	While I was wondering what was wrong with Leo, Ms. Claire was more concerned about the fenrir that was supposed to have been attacked. Well, I suppose I was the only one who would think it was strange that Leo was just sitting there without moving. But after Ms. Claire and I called to her, Leo barked weakly and then rubbed her nose against the ground, which had been drenched in red. ...No...that wasn’t the ground...there was something there. “Leo...is that the fenrir...?” “Wuff.” “The fenrir...” “So there really are fenrirs in this forest.” What Leo was rubbing her nose against was a living creature that was a mixture of brown and red. And it looked similar to Leo. Like it was a dog or a wolf. However, it was no larger than a medium-sized dog, which seemed very small compared to the silvery Leo who sat behind it. But now that I thought about it, fenrirs were supposed to be considerably smaller than Silver Fenrirs. Leo would occasionally glance at us and then continue to rub her nose against the fenrir. “What is it...Leo?” “Wuff...wuff...” Leo barked despondently. “May I take a closer look?” Sebastian squinted his eyes and moved closer to Leo. At the same time, I moved to stand next to Leo. And then Ms. Claire followed to stand next to me. “...These are...terrible wounds...” “I had thought that the fur was brown, but...” “How horrible...” Sebastian’s hand touched the fenrir as he inspected the wounds. Upon seeing this, Leo stopped rubbing her nose over it. And as Ms. Claire and I watched, we realized that we had misunderstood. I had assumed that the fenrir’s fur was a brown color, but it was not. So much blood had flowed from the wounds and then it had been covered in dirt as the trolls attacked it. There were patches that weren’t caked in soil, and you could see that the fur was still white. This was proof that it usually had a clean, white coat. Leo sounded very worried about the fenrir as she looked at Sebastian. “Hmm... This...” “How bad is it, Sebastian?” “...I think that we arrived too late... While it is still alive now...that will not last for long...” “...No... And after it took us so long to finally find one...” “...” Apparently, the wounds were very bad. The trolls must have beaten it severely. On closer inspection, one of its hind legs was broken and bent in a strange direction. Perhaps the trolls had hit it with their giant clubs. The broken leg would have prevented it from running away, and then it must have been surrounded... “Leo...” And then she barked in the same way that she did when asking me to do something. Apparently, Leo wanted to help this fenrir. “...Isn’t there anything we can do?” “...While I do have a little knowledge, I am no doctor. And...I doubt that even a trained doctor would be able to do anything now...” While Ms. Claire asked Sebastian if there wasn’t any hope, he replied that there was none. The blood was still continuing to flow from the fenrir’s wounds as it pooled on the ground. It must not have any energy left, as though it was still breathing, it could not move its body or raise its voice. ...Seeing it in such a state...even though it was a monster that attacked humans, just like orcs and trolls...and the fact that it resembled a dog...or a wolf, and looked so much like Leo, made me want to do something. But...I wasn’t a doctor or a veterinarian. So there was nothing that I could do. And so I just bit my lip and watched the fenrir that was sure to die. “....Good Leo...Mr. Takumi...is there really nothing that we can do...?” “...Lady Claire. The wounds are too deep. It is too late...” Still wanting to help it, Ms. Claire now turned to me and Leo. But at Sebastian’s words, she closed her eyes tightly with regret. Leo also entreated... And I bit my lip even harder. “There is nothing that we can do...” “While it is a monster, and this is the way of nature...I do feel so powerless...” Even Phillip and Nicholas were muttering sadly. They were all affected by this situation of wanting to help the fenrir, but being unable to do so. ...Suddenly, I relaxed my jaw. There was a taste that remained in my mouth. ...It was the taste of the herb I had eaten earlier. It was likely still there because I hadn’t had any water since then. “...Sebastian.” “...What is it, Mr. Takumi?” “The Loe I made before. You said that it’s able to heal wounds in an instant, yes?” “...Yes... Loe does have that ability...but not when the wounds are this serious...” “Bu...if it’s not Loe...” I would use Loe as a reference and make a different herb! A herb that can even heal fatal wounds. There was no time to think about taste. Besides, with Loe, you extracted the gel from the leaves and covered the wounds with them. In that case, I should make something similar. It just had to be something that was highly effective. “Mr. Takumi?” “Sir?” I could hear Ms. Claire and Sebastian calling to me, but I ignored them and focused as I put my palms on the ground. And I waited silently for some time. They then understood that I was using Weed Cultivation, and so they watched me without saying anything. A few seconds later, a small light, which had never shone before, flashed between my hands and the ground, and then a white leaf began to sprout from the ground. It was similar in shape to Loe. After about twenty seconds, it was fully grown. And so I picked it and cut it open with the short sword that Sebasstian handed to me. And then I pared it as if it was an apple. Once that was done, I approached the fallen fenrir that was in front of Leo. “Mr. Takumi...” “...I’m sure that it will be fine.” As the others gulped, Ms. Claire and Leo spoke to me, but I just reassured them and then touched the fenrirs wounds with the herb.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 4, "inserted_lines_trg": 4 }
.....がいる気配がない。「どうかしたのか?」「......どうして私がここにいるって分かったのですか?」私の質問に、デューク様は少し間をおいてから答えた。「子が教えてくれた」「ヴィアンと会ったの!?」驚きのあまり声が大きくなる。デューク様は「ああ」と何事もなかったかのように返事をする。王子同士の対面ってそんな気楽に出来るものなの? 今まで閉鎖的な態度を見せていたデュルキス国の王子をラヴァール国が快く迎え入れるとは思えない。 ......ヴィアンと一体どんな会話をしたのかしら。というか、デューク様、ここに来て大丈夫なのかしら。勝手に来たことがバレれば、処罰は重い。「心配するな」私の考えを読み取ったのか、彼は優しく私の頭を撫でた。デューク様の腹の内を探ることなんて出来ないのに、彼は簡単に私の心の中を見透かしてくる。 ......やっぱりデューク様には敵わない。「ジルやウィルおじさんたちは元気ですか?」皆の近況が知りたくて、私はデューク様にそう聞いた。彼は、何を思ったのか分からないが、一瞬難しい表情を浮かべた。けど、すぐにフッと笑みを浮かべて話し始めた。「元気だ。色んなことがあって、アルバート達に学園のことは任せているし、ジルはずっと熱心に研究している。貧困村はもうなくなって、伯父上は今王宮にいる」随分ざっくり説明してくれたのだろうけど、情報量が多すぎる。どうして、あのリズさんにぞっこんのお兄様達に学園を任せられることになったの? 貧困村がなくなったってどういうこと? 私の知らないところで、デュルキス国が大きく変化している。私はウィルおじさんを貧困村から出すことは出来なかった。それをデューク様はあっさり解決した。ああ、私がデューク様に勝てる日なんてくるのかしら。 ......デュルキス国に関して不明瞭なことがいっぱいだけど、帰国したら全て分かるわよね。「えっと、ジルはなんの研究をしているのですか?」私は一番答えやすそうなことをデューク様に聞いた。デューク様は少し言いにくそうに答えた。「もうほとんど終わったが、マディの研究だ」「マディ? ......どうしてマディを?」「実は」デューク様が何か言いかけた瞬間、後ろから大きな声が聞こえた。「ガキ! 無事か!?」「主! 大丈夫ですか?」私はその声に振り向く。馬に乗ったヴィクターとレオン、そして、その隣にライの姿が見えた。あの巨大な猪と戦ったせいなのか、服は少し汚れていて、レオンの頬にかすり傷が新しく出来ている。 ......あの猪と戦って、これだけで済むって本当に二人とも超人ね。「大丈夫よ」目の前に現れる二人に向かって、私は笑顔を浮かべ、彼らを安心させる。彼らは急いで馬から降り、私の方へと駆けつけてきてくれる。 ......こんなに心配してくれるなんて嬉しいわね。ヴィクターは私の顔へと手を伸ばし、私に傷がないか確かめようとした瞬間だった。後にグッと引っ張られる。「触るな」デューク様の声が耳元で聞こえる。いつの間にかデューク様の片腕が私の肩を掴んでおり、後ろから抱かれた状態になっている。ヴィクターは鋭い目をデューク様に向け、二人は睨みあっている。 ......え、え? 何!? 私がまだ状況を判断できない中、ヴィクターとデューク様は会話をする。「あ? お前誰だよ」「さっき会っただろ」「......このガキがそんなに好きなのかよ」ヴィクターはデューク様を馬鹿にするように鼻で笑う。「ああ。何よりも大切な女だ」恥ずかしがらずに即答するデューク様にヴィクターは声を荒げた。「は!? こいつを女として見る人間なんかいたのかよ。物好きだな」もうヴィクターが困っていても助けてなんかやらないわよ。私は軽くヴィクターを睨む。レオンは少し驚きながらも今の状況を理解しようと黙って私達の様子を見ていた。 ......そういえば、さっき肝心なことをデューク様から聞けなかったような。なんだったかしら。	...There was no sign of the two of them. “What’s wrong?” “...How did you know I was here?” Duke-sama responded to my question. “The First Prince told me.” “You met Vian!” Duke-sama responded with an “ah” as if nothing had happened. Was it really that easy to meet the two princes ? It was difficult to believe that Ravaal would be so eager to welcome a prince from Duelkis, who had been so closed-minded up until then. I wondered what kind of conversation he had with Vian. Or, Duke-sama... I wonder if it was safe for him to come here. He would be severely punished if it was discovered that he came here without permission. “Don’t worry.” Perhaps reading my thoughts, he gently patted my head. I could never get inside Duke-sama’s psyche, but he could easily see right through me. I knew that I was no match for Duke-sama. “How are Gilles and Grandpa Will and the others?” I asked Duke-sama, wanting to know what everyone was up to. I didn’t know what he had thought of, but he had a difficult expression on his face for a moment. But then he smiled and began to speak. “They are fine. A lot of things have happened, Albert and his team are in charge of the school, and Gilles has been studying diligently for a while now. The impoverished village is no more, and my uncle is now at the palace.” I’m sure he explained everything very briefly, but it was too much information. How did they end up putting the academy in the hands of the brothers who were so smitten with that Liz-san? What did he mean when he said that the impoverished village was no more? Duelkis Kingdom was changing rapidly without my knowledge. I could not get Grandpa Will out of the impoverished village. But it seemed like Duke-sama solved the problem easily. Oh, I wondered if the day would ever come when I could beat Duke-sama. ...There were so many things about Duelkis that were unclear to me, but I guess I would know everything when I get back home. “Well, what kind of research is Gilles doing?” I asked Duke-sama a question about what seemed the easiest to answer, but he responded with difficulty. “He’s almost done, but he’s working on Maddie.” “Maddie? ...Why Maddie?” “Actually.” Just as Duke-sama was about to say something, a loud voice was heard from behind him. “Kid! Are you okay?” “Master, are you okay?” I turned around at the sound of their voices. Victor and Leon were riding their horses, with Rai close behind. Their clothes were a little dirty, probably from fighting that huge bear, and Leon had a new scratch on his cheek. ... You two were truly superhuman to fight that boar and only get away with some scratches. “I’m okay.” I smiled at them as they approached, reassuring them. They jump off their horses and run towards me. ...It was nice of them to be so concerned about me. Victor reached for my face and just as he was about to check me for any wounds. He was pulled back with a yank. “No need to touch her.” I heard Duke-sama’s voice in my ear. Before I knew it, one of Duke-sama’s arms was gripping my shoulder, holding me from behind, and Victor’s sharp eyes were on Duke-sama, and they were glaring at each other. What? While I was still unable to assess the situation, Victor and Duke-sama were conversing. “Ah? Who are you? “We met him a while ago.” “...You like this kid that much?” Victor snickered at Duke-sama as if he were making fun of him. “Yeah. She’s more important than anything else.” Duke-sama answered immediately without embarrassment, and Victor raised his voice. “What? Who would ever look at her as a woman? You’re a sucker, aren’t you?” I didn’t feel like helping Victor anymore, even if he was in trouble. I lightly glared at Victor, while Leon, a little surprised, silently watched us, trying to understand the situation. I was wondering if Duke-sama had told him anything important earlier. I wondered what it was.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
自動運転車ではありませんまずは100年ばかり時を遡るところから始めましょう実はUberよりずっと以前に Uberがあったからです仮にそれが存続していれば交通機関の未来はたぶんもう実現していたことでしょう皆さんに「ジットニー」を紹介します 1914年に L・P・ドレイパーという男が考案したものです LAの自動車販売業者だった彼にはあるアイデアがありました私の故郷でもある LAの市街を彼が運転していると市電が見えましたそこには目的地に向かう人々の長い列がありました彼はこう思いました「自分の車に看板を掲げてジットニー1枚で目的地まで乗せて行くのはどうだろう?」ジットニーとは 5セント硬貨の俗称です人々は先を争って乗りました LAだけでなくアメリカ中いたる所でです 1年後の 1915年にはシアトルで1日5万人カンザスでは4万5千人 LAでは1日15万人が利用していました比較して欲しいのですが LAでは現在 1日15万7千人が Uberを利用しています 100年経っているのにです彼らは市電の乗務員です当時独占的な交通機関でした彼らはジットニーの大群には明らかに不満でしたそこで運動を始めて国中の都市に出向きジットニーの発展を遅らせるために規制を設けさせました実に様々な規制がありました免許は多くの場合費用が高額でした一部の街ではジットニーの運転手には 1日16時間の乗車が義務付けられていましたまたいくつかの街ではジットニー1台につき運転手が2人必要でした中にはすごく面白い規制もありました後部座席に照明をつけるというものですジットニー全部に設置して新種の有害行為いちゃつきを防止するためですさてその結果どうなったでしょうかジットニーは1年で大流行しましたが 1919年までには規制の強化で完全に消滅しました残念なことですなぜなら車を共用できなければ自分で持つしかなく自動車の所有率が急増したからです 2007年に米国には男性も女性も子どもも含む全国民1人あたり1台の自動車があったのも不思議はありませんこの現象は地球規模で広がりました 2011年には中国での自動車販売台数がアメリカを抜きましたこのような自動車の個人所有には当然社会的コストが伴いましたアメリカでは私たちは渋滞の中で年に70億時間を無駄に過ごしています渋滞に巻き込まれることで 1,600億ドル分の生産性が失われ二酸化炭素排出量全体の 5分の1は私たちが乗る車から大気中に放出されていますただこれは問題全体のわずか4%を占めるに過ぎません車を個人で所有しても 96%の時間は使っていないからです結果として私たちの土地や空間は最大で3割もがこの鉄の塊を収容するために使われているのです自動車だけのために作られた高層ビルまでありますこれが今日私たちの暮らしている世界ですこの問題には多くの都市が何十年も取り組んできました公共交通機関ですでも世界有数の人口密集地帯である NYのような街では世界的にも優れた公共交通機関があるにもかかわらず毎日 250万台もの車が橋を行き来していますなぜでしょう公共交通機関は乗客みんなを家の前まで送り届ける方法をまだ見出していないからです私が住むサンフランシスコなんか状況はさらに深刻ですというより世界中で深刻なのです 2010年にUberを始めた時目指していたのはボタン一つで車が呼べることでした壮大な計画があったわけではありませんでも実際やってみるとボタン一つで車を呼びたい人はたくさんいてさらに経路がダブるケースが多いことがわかりました同じボタンを同じ頃に押しほぼ同じ場所へ行こうとする人たちをたくさん目にしたのですそこで考え始めました経路の重なる2つの賃走を 1つにまとめるにはどうすればいいかもしまとめられれば運賃は相当安くでき最大で5割くらい下げられるでしょうもちろん都市部なら多くの乗客をずっと少ない台数でさばけるようになりますここで大きな疑問はうまくいくのかということですみんなが進んで相乗りしようとするほど運賃を安くできるだろうか? 幸いその答えは圧倒的にイエスでしたサンフランシスコでは相乗りサービスuberPOOLができる以前はどこへ行くのにも誰もが自分の車で出かけていました明るい色の部分は車が密集している場所です私たちがuberPOOLを開始すると明るい部分はほとんどなくなりました多くの人が少ない台数で街の中を移動することで道路から車が減っているのです uberPOOLはうまくいくようですそれで LAにも展開しました 8か月前のことです私たちはそれ以来交通量を走行距離にして1,270万キロ分減らし大気中の二酸化炭素を 1,400トン削減していますただ私が本当に... (拍手) 私が気に入っている統計がありますいいですか私はLA出身で何年もの間ハンドルを握りながらどうにか改善できないものか考えてきたのです私が気に入っているのはこの8か月で相乗りを毎週利用するという人が 10万人増えている点です中国ではすべてが超巨大で uberPOOLの利用は 1か月当たり1,500万件 1日だと50万件です確かに私たちは今急速に成長しています実は同じことがLAでも見られますだからと言って私たちは会社で「毎週10万人が相乗りしているぞ成功だ」などとは言いません「どうすれば100万人にできるか?」と考えています中国なら数百万人にできるはずです uberPOOLは都市部での相乗りにはかなり有効な解決策ですただ郊外ではどうでしょう? ここは私が育ったLAにある通りでノースリッジという郊外の住宅街です延々と郵便受けが並んでいます毎朝ほぼ同じ時間にそれぞれの家から車が出てきますほとんどは1人しか乗っていませんそしてみんな仕事しに都市部へと向かいますそこで考えたのはどうすればこのたくさんの通勤する車を — 文字通り何千万台もあるんですが全部相乗りに切り替えられるかということですこれにぴったりなのが最近開始したuberCOMMUTEです朝起きて会社に行く準備をしコーヒーを飲んで車に乗って Uberアプリを立ち上げるとその瞬間に皆さんは Uberドライバーに早変わりしますそしてUberが通勤中の皆さんを近所の人と組み合わせます実にすばらしいただ一つ問題があります「規制」です「1マイル54セント」何だと思いますか? これはアメリカ政府が決めた 1マイル当たりの自動車の所有コストです国内では誰でも自分の車に乗せてどこにでもすぐ連れて行けますが運賃は1マイル54セント以下でなければなりませんもし1マイル60セント請求すると犯罪になるのですでももし1マイル60セントにすれば LAで相乗りが50万人増えるとしたらどうでしょう? 1マイル60セントにすればアメリカ全体で相乗りが5千万人増えるとしたら? もしそれが可能ならやったほうがいいに決まっていますジットニーの教訓を振り返りましょうもしもジットニーが流行した1915年に規制が行われずそのまま成長し続けていたら私たちの住む都市は今頃どうなっていたでしょう? 駐車場になっている場所は公園だったかもしれません私たちはチャンスを逃したのですでもテクノロジーによって新たな機会を得ました自動運転車には私も期待していますが本当に5年 10年 20年と待たなければ新しい街は実現できないのでしょうか? 今ポケットの中にある技術とより賢明な規制さえあれば車をすべて共用車に変え自分たちの街を取り戻せますしかも今日からありがとう (拍手) クリス・アンダーソン:ありがとうトラビス・カラニック:ありがとうクリス:あなたが作った会社は本当に驚異的です今はそのごく一部特に影響の大きな部分について話していただきました自家用車を公共交通機関に変えるというアイデアです素晴らしいと思いますただ 2つほど質問させてくださいみんな知りたがっていることなので 1つ目ですが確か先週スマホからUberを予約しようとしたらアプリが見つからなかったんですがとても大胆で思い切った大幅なデザイン変更をしましたねトラビス:ええクリス:どうでしたかその日アプリを見つけられなかった人はいませんでした? このデザインの変更で人々を取り込めそうですか? トラビス:まずはじめに言っておきたいのは私たちが何をしようとしたのかですこの会社の歴史を少し知っておいてもらうとわかりやすいと思います私たちは最初は黒塗りの高級車からスタートしましたボタン一つでベンツSクラスがやって来るというものです私たちがやっていたのは未熟な高級ブランドとでも言うべきものだったので高級車のエンブレムみたいにしたのですその後世界進出を果たして Sクラスからインドの三輪タクシーまで拡大するにつれ私たちにとって重要になってきたのはもっと利用しやすくすることもっと地元に密着すること人々が暮らす街と関わることでしたそれがあの模様や色に込められています象徴性も重要です「U」の文字はサンスクリット語でも中国語でも意味をなしませんこれが変更した意図の一部ですそれにしてもこういうものを発表する時は手は汗ばむし誰だってちょっとは不安になるものですしかし実際に目にしたのはアプリを開く人の数の増加です開くとどうなるか興味を引いたんですだから数字は私たちの予想を少し上回りましたクリス:なるほどところであなたには少し謎めいたところがありますねずっとあなたを支援している支持者や投資家はこう考えているようですタクシー業界などが持つ強大な既得権益に食い込める可能性があるとしたら強烈で容赦のないライバルが現れる以外にないあなたはそういう存在であることを証明してきましたただあなたがやり過ぎだと感じている人もいます 1〜2年前物議を醸すことがあって多くの女性が怒りをあらわにしましたその時期社内はどんな感じでしたか? 業績の低下はありましたか? そこから学んだことは? トラビス:私は高校の頃から起業家でした起業家というのはいろいろな困難に直面します私たちにとって 1年半前がそんな場面で私たちにも辛い時期でした内側にいると何というか... いろいろあっても自分たち自身では良いことをしている良い人間だと感じていましたが外からはそれがわかりませんしなければならないことがたくさんありました例えば... 私たちは小さな会社から出発しわずか2年半前には社員は400名でしたが今は6,500名ですこれほどの成長を遂げると自分の文化的価値観を強固なものにして常に伝えていかなければなりませんそしてみんながそれを常に確認しなければなりません「自分たちは良いことをしている良い人間だろうか」とそれを確認したら次にやるのは自分のメッセージを確かに伝えることです私たちはいろいろ学びもしましたがその時期を乗り切ってより逞しくなったと思いますでも確かに大変な時期でしたクリス:あなたはどこを向いても誰かに難題を吹きかけられるようです NYなどでは一部のUberドライバーが運賃の変更に怒り狂っていますあなたが料金体系を変更したせいでやっていけないと訴えていますどうして... あなたは言いましたね Uberを始めたそもそものきっかけはボタン一つで車が呼べるクールさだったとそれが成功して現在世界中の経済に影響を与えています望むと望まざるとにかかわらずあなたは世界を変革する世界的ビジョナリーにならざるをえませんでも本当は何者なんですか? そうなりたいですか? そういう者としてやっていく覚悟はありますか? トラビス:盛りだくさんな質問ですねまず料金については... 忘れないでほしいのは UberXを始めた頃は黒塗りの高級車版より 10%〜15% 低料金でした現在は多くの街でタクシーの半額です手元にあるどのデータを見ても Uberドライバーはタクシー運転手より 1時間当たりの収入が多いのです運賃を値下げすると人々がUberを 1日のもっと多くの時間帯で使うようになり以前は車で行かなかった場所にも Uberを使うようになりますするとドライバーにとっては客をどこで降ろそうと戻る時他の客を拾える可能性がずっと高くなるのですそうなると1時間当たりの賃走時間が増加し利益を上げている時間が長くなって実際に収入が増加しますいくつかの街で私たちは 5〜6回値下げをしていますがそのたびに収入は増加しているのです NYについても『4 Septembers』というブログ記事で収入の比較をしています 9月次の9月さらに次というように毎年同じ月を比べますすると運賃が下がる中で収入が時とともに増加しているんです当然最適な価格があって下げ続けるわけにはいきません運賃を下げても収入が増加しなかった場所では運賃を元に戻していますこれが最初の質問への答えですそれから謎めいているとか何とかという点ですが私は起業家の中でも難問を解決することにワクワクするタイプなんです数学教授のようなものという説明をよくしています数学の教授は解くべき難問がないと実に悲しいものです Uberで働く私たちも難問が好きです難問に直面しそれを解くことにワクワクするんですでも問題なら何でもいいわけではなくできるだけ難しい問題を求めています解けたときに大きな喜びを得られるような問題を求めているんですクリス:数年後いつかはわかりませんが例えば5年後素晴らしい自動運転車を展開してそれは現状のUberよりもコストが安くなるでしょうその頃 100万人を超えているであろうドライバーたちにどう説明しますか? トラビス:すみませんいつの話ですか? クリス:自動運転車が登場する時ですトラビス:なるほどすみません聞き逃してましたクリス:ドライバーにどう言いますか? トラビス:第一にそれにはかなり時間がかかると考えています大げさな宣伝やメディアの予想より時間がかかるでしょうこれが1つ目です第二に移行にはさらに時間がかかるだろうということ自動運転車はうまくいく場所行かない場所があります挑戦しがいがあることですなぜなら Googleは2007年から投資していますしテスラ・モーターズや Appleも始めるでしょう自動車メーカー各社も始めるでしょうそういう世界は実現しそうだし実現すべきです年に100万人が自動車事故で亡くなりますそれに世界中の人々が何十億時間いや何兆時間も車のシートに座ってストレスや不安を感じながら運転しています生活の質がどれだけ改善されるか考えてください人々の時間を取り戻し不安を取り除いたなら良いことがたくさんあります私たちはこれを挑戦ととらえています前向きに進めていくという挑戦ですタクシー業界や市電業界のようにテクノロジーに抵抗するのではなくそれを受け入れて未来に参加すべきですでもどうすれば前向きに進められるでしょう? 市当局と連携する道はあるでしょうか? 移行期間に向けた職業訓練や教育システムを用意する方法はあるでしょうか? この移行期間は私たちの予想よりもずっと時間がかかるでしょうでもそれが未来の世界でしょうしそれはよりよい世界になるでしょうクリス:あなたが築いているものは本当に素晴らしいここTEDで率直な話を聞かせてくれたことに感謝しますありがとうございましたトラビス:こちらこそ	not self-driving cars. But to get started we've got to go back over 100 years. Because it turns out there was an Uber way before Uber. And if it had survived, the future of transportation would probably already be here. So let me introduce you to the jitney. In 1914 it was created or invented by a guy named LP Draper. He was a car salesman from LA, and he had an idea. Well, he was cruising around downtown Los Angeles, my hometown, and he saw trolleys with long lines of people trying to get to where they wanted to go. He said, well, why don't I just put a sign on my car that takes people wherever they want to go for a jitney -- that was slang for a nickel. And so people jumped on board, and not just in Los Angeles but across the country. And within one year, by 1915, there were 50,000 rides per day in Seattle, 45,000 rides per day in Kansas and 150,000 rides per day in Los Angeles. To give you some perspective, Uber in Los Angeles is doing 157,000 rides per day, today ... 100 years later. And so these are the trolley guys, the existing transportation monopoly at the time. They were clearly not happy about the jitney juggernaut. And so they got to work and they went to cities across the country and got regulations put in place to slow down the growth of the jitney. And there were all kinds of regulations. There were licenses -- often they were pricey. In some cities, if you were a jitney driver, you were required to be in the jitney for 16 hours a day. In other cities, they required two jitney drivers for one jitney. But there was a really interesting regulation which was they had to put a backseat light -- install it in every Jitney -- to stop a new pernicious innovation which they called spooning. All right. So what happened? Well, within a year this thing had taken off. But the jitney, by 1919, was regulated completely out of existence. That's unfortunate ... because, well, when you can't share a car, then you have to own one. And car ownership skyrocketed and it's no wonder that by 2007, there was a car for every man, woman and child in the United States. And that phenomenon had gone global. In China by 2011, there were more car sales happening in China than in the US. Now, all this private ownership of course had a public cost. In the US, we spend 7 billion hours a year, wasted, sitting in traffic. 160 billion dollars in lost productivity, of course also sitting in traffic, and one-fifth of all of our carbon footprint is spewed out in the air by those cars that we're sitting in. Now, that's only four percent of our problem though. Because if you have to own a car then that means 96 percent of the time your car is sitting idle. And so, up to 30 percent of our land and our space is used storing these hunks of steel. We even have skyscrapers built for cars. That's the world we live in today. Now, cities have been dealing with this problem for decades. It's called mass transit. one of the most densely populated in the world and one of the most sophisticated mass transit systems in the world, there are still 2.5 million cars that go over those bridges every day. Why is that? Well, it's because mass transit hasn't yet figured out how to get to everybody's doorstep. And so back in San Francisco, where I live, the situation's much worse, in fact, much worse around the world. And so the beginning of Uber in 2010 was -- well, we just wanted to push a button and get a ride. We didn't have any grand ambitions. But it just turned out that lots of people wanted to push a button and get a ride, and ultimately what we started to see was a lot of duplicate rides. pushing the same button at the same time going essentially to the same place. And so we started thinking about, well, how do we make those two trips and turn them into one. Because if we did, that ride would be a lot cheaper -- up to 50 percent cheaper -- and of course for the city you've got a lot more people and a lot fewer cars. And so the big question for us was: would it work? Could you have a cheaper ride cheap enough that people would be willing to share it? And the answer, fortunately, is a resounding yes. In San Francisco, before uberPOOL, we had -- well, everybody would take their car wherever the heck they wanted. And the bright colors is where we have the most cars. And once we introduced uberPOOL, well, you see there's not as many bright colors. More people getting around the city in fewer cars, taking cars off the road. It looks like uberPOOL is working. And so we rolled it out in Los Angeles eight months ago. And since then, we've taken 7.9 million miles off the roads and we've taken 1.4 thousand metric tons of CO2 out of the air. But the part that I'm really -- But my favorite statistic -- remember, I'm from LA, I spent years of my life sitting behind the wheel, going, "How do we fix this?" -- my favorite part is that eight months later, we have added 100,000 new people that are carpooling every week. Now, in China everything is supersized, and so we're doing 15 million uberPOOL trips per month, that's 500,000 per day. And of course we're seeing that exponential growth happen. In fact, we're seeing it in LA, too. And when I talk to my team, we don't talk about, "Hey, well, 100,000 people carpooling every week and we're done." How do we get that to a million? And in China, well, that could be several million. And so uberPOOL is a very great solution for urban carpooling. But what about the suburbs? This is the street where I grew up in Los Angeles, it's actually a suburb called Northridge, California, look, those mailboxes, they kind of just go on forever. And every morning at about the same time, cars roll of out their driveway, most of them, one person in the car, and they go to work, they go to their place of work. So the question for us is: well, how do we turn all of these commuter cars -- and literally there's tens of millions of them -- how do we turn all these commuter cars into shared cars? Well, we have something for this that we recently launched called uberCOMMUTE. You get up in the morning, get ready for work, get your coffee, go to your car and you light up the Uber app, and all of a sudden, you become an Uber driver. And we'll match you up with one of your neighbors on your way to work and it's a really great thing. There's just one hitch ... it's called regulation. So 54 cents a mile, what is that? Well, that is what the US government has determined that the cost of owning a car is per mile. You can pick up anybody in the United States and take them wherever they want to go at a moment's notice, for 54 cents a mile or less. But if you charge 60 cents a mile, you're a criminal. But what if for 60 cents a mile we could get half a million more people carpooling in Los Angeles? And what if at 60 cents a mile we could get 50 million people carpooling in the United States? If we could, it's obviously something we should do. And so it goes back to the lesson of the jitney. If by 1915 this thing was taking off, imagine without the regulations that happened, if that thing could just keep going. How would our cities be different today? Would we have parks in the place of parking lots? Well, we lost that chance. But technology has given us another opportunity. Now, I'm as excited as anybody else about self-driving cars but do we have to really wait five, 10 or even 20 years to make our new cities a reality? With the technology in our pockets today, and a little smart regulation, we can turn every car into a shared car, and we can reclaim our cities starting today. Thank you. Chris Anderson: Travis, thank you. Travis Kalanick: Thank you. CA: You know -- I mean the company you've built is absolutely astounding. You only just talked about a small part of it here -- a powerful part -- the idea of turning cars into public transport like that, it's cool. But I've got a couple other questions because I know they're out there on people's minds. So first of all, last week I think it was, I switched on my phone and tried to book an Uber and I couldn't find the app. You had this very radical, very bold, brave redesign. TK: Sure. CA: How did it go? Did you notice other people not finding the app that day? Are you going to win people over for this redesign? TK: Well, first I should probably just say, well, what we were trying to accomplish. And I think if you know a little bit about our history, it makes a lot more sense. Which is, when we first got started, it was just black cars. It was literally you push a button and get an S-Class. And so what we did was almost what I would call an immature version of a luxury brand that looked like a badge on a luxury car. And as we've gone worldwide and gone from S-Classes to auto rickshaws in India, it became something that was important for us to be more accessible, to be more hyperlocal, to be about the cities we were in and that's what you see with the patterns and colors. And to be more iconic, because a U doesn't mean anything in Sanskrit, and a U doesn't mean anything in Mandarin. And so that was a little bit what it was about. Now, when you first roll out something like that, I mean, your hands are sweating, you've got -- you know, you're a little worried. What we saw is a lot of people -- actually, at the beginning, we saw a lot more people opening the app because they were curious what they would find when they opened it. And our numbers were slightly up from what we expected. CA: OK, that's cool. Now, so you, yourself, are something of an enigma, I would say. Your supporters and investors, who have been with you the whole way, believe that the only chance of sort of taking on the powerful, entrenched interests of taxi industry and so forth, is to have someone who is a fierce, relentless competitor, which you've certainly proved to be. Some people feel you've almost taken that culture too far, and you know -- like a year or two ago there was a huge controversy where a lot of women got upset. How did it feel like inside the company during that period? Did you notice a loss of business? Did you learn anything from that? TK: Well, look, I think -- I've been an entrepreneur since I've been in high school and you have -- In various different ways an entrepreneur will see hard times and for us, it was about a year and a half ago, and for us it was hard times, too. Now, inside, we felt like -- I guess at the end of the day we felt like we were good people doing good work, but on the outside that wasn't evident. And so there was a lot that we had to do to sort of -- We'd gone from a very small company -- I mean if you go literally two and a half years ago, our company was 400 people, and today it's 6,500. And so when you go through that growth, you have to sort of cement your cultural values and talk about them all of the time. And make sure that people are constantly checking to say, "Are we good people doing good work?" And if you check those boxes, the next part of that is making sure you're telling your story. And I think we learned a lot of lessons but I think at the end of it we came out stronger. But it was certainly a difficult period. CA: It seems to me, everywhere you turn, you're facing people who occasionally give you a hard time. Some Uber drivers in New York and elsewhere are mad as hell now because you changed the fees and they can barely -- they claim -- barely afford the deal anymore. How -- You know, you said that you started this originally -- just the coolness of pressing a button and summoning a ride. This thing's taken off, you're affecting the whole global economy, basically, at this point. You're being forced to be, whether you want it or not, a kind of global visionary who's changing the world. I mean -- who are you? Do you want that? Are you ready to go with that and be what that takes? TK: Well, there's a few things packed in that question, so -- First is on the pricing side -- I mean, keep in mind, right? UberX, when we first started, was literally 10 or 15 percent cheaper than our black car product. It's now in many cities, half the price of a taxi. And we have all the data to show that the divers are making more per hour than they would as taxi drivers. What happens is when the price goes down, people are more likely to take Uber at different times of the day than they otherwise would have, and they're more likely to use it in places they wouldn't have before. And what that means for a driver is wherever he or she drops somebody off, they're much more likely to get a pickup and get back in. And so what that means is more trips per hour, more minutes of the hour where they're productive and actually, earnings come up. And we have cities where we've done literally five or six price cuts and have seen those price cuts go up over time. So even in New York -- We have a blog post we call "4 Septembers" -- compare the earnings September after September after September. Same month every year. And we see the earnings going up over time as the price comes down. And there's a perfect price point -- you can't go down forever. And in those places where we bring the price down but we don't see those earnings pop, we bring the prices back up. So that addresses that first part. And then the enigma and all of this -- I mean, the kind of entrepreneur I am is one that gets really excited about solving hard problems. And the way I like to describe it is it's kind of like a math professor. You know? If a math professor doesn't have hard problems to solve, that's a really sad math professor. And so at Uber we like the hard problems and we like getting excited about those and solving them. But we don't want just any math problem, we want the hardest ones that we can possibly find, and we want the one that if you solve it, there's a little bit of a wow factor. CA: In a couple years' time -- say five years' time, I don't know when -- you roll out your incredible self-driving cars, at probably a lower cost than you currently pay for an Uber ride. What do you say to your army of a million drivers plus at that time? TK: Explain that again -- at which time? CA: At the time when self-driving cars are coming -- TK: Sure, sure, sure. Sorry, I missed that. CA: What do you say to a driver? TK: Well, look, I think the first part is it's going to take -- it's likely going to take a lot longer than I think some of the hype or media might expect. That's part one. Part two is it's going to also take -- there's going to be a long transition. These cars will work in certain places and not in others. For us it's an interesting challenge, right? Because, well -- Google's been investing in this since 2007, Tesla's going to be doing it, Apple's going to be doing it, the manufacturers are going to be doing it. This is a world that's going to exist, and for good reason. A million people die a year in cars. And we already looked at the billions or even trillions of hours worldwide that people are spending sitting in them, driving frustrated, anxious. And think about the quality of life that improves when you give people their time back and it's not so anxiety-ridden. So I think there's a lot of good. And so the way we think about it is that it's a challenge, but one for optimistic leadership, Where instead of resisting -- resisting technology, maybe like the taxi industry, or the trolley industry -- we have to embrace it or be a part of the future. But how do we optimistically lead through it? Are there ways to partner with cities? Are there ways to have education systems, vocational training, etc., for that transition period. It will take a lot longer than I think we all expect, especially that transition period. But it is a world that's going to exist, and it is going to be a better world. CA: Travis, what you're building is absolutely incredible and I'm hugely grateful to you for coming to TED and sharing so openly. Thank you so much. TK: Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
冒険者ギルドを後にしたメルクは、背後から巧妙に気配を消してついてくる存在に気付いたが、およそ害意と言うものが感じられなかったことと、その正体を察したために無視することにした。そんなことよりも、定められた期日に間に合うための行動を優先する本来であれば、時間がないためすぐにでもログホルト市を目指して移動したいが、あいにく旅支度と言うものができていない。支給された地図を見れば、ところどころ水を補給できそうなところはある。しかし、どうにも食料は、現地調達でも十分間に合うはずだ。そうやって狩りで獲物をとるのには慣れている。「試験はもう終わったの?」宿泊している『愛の剣聖亭』へ戻ると、困惑顔のルゼイが出迎えてくれた。たしかについ半時ほど前に出かけたメルクがこれほど早く戻ってきたら驚くことだろう。どんなに簡単な試験だって、もう少しくらいかかるはずだ。「いや、試験会場が変更になったらしい。すまないが、すぐにこの街を発つことになった、「そりゃあ大変だね。水を分けるのは別に構わないけど、こんなにお金はいらないよ」「良いから受け取っておいてくれ。世話になったし、ほんの気持ちなんだ」メルクが半ば無理やりに握らせると、ルゼイは「わ、分かったわよ......」と押され気味に頷いて受け取った。 (まぁ、本当にただの自己満足なんだが......でもきっとエステルトは、あんたたちの宿の水を汲みに行ってくれたルゼイを見送りながら、メルクは内心でそんなに出ていたはずだ。そして歳の差をからかいつつ、きっと仲間たちと盛大に祝っていたはずだ。だからこれは、ある意味でのけじめだ。世話になった彼らの祝い事を祝えなかった負い目を無くすための、単なる自己満足なのだ。「お、メルク。まだ行ってなかったのか?」メルクがちょっとした感傷に浸っていると、ヨナヒムが少し驚いた顔でやってきた。「おいおい、も刻は過ぎてるじゃないか。寝坊か?」「エレアじゃあるまいし、そんなわけないだろう。試験の場所と日時が変更になったんだ。今から一週間後、どうやらログホルト市で行われるらしい」「ログホルト? 一週間でログホルトか......ギルドもなかなか無茶を言うなぁ」メルクの言葉に何故か感心したように頷いた後、ヨナヒムはこちらへ同情するような視線を送ってくる。「もしかしたら、今回の試験は『当たり』かもな」「当たり? なんだそれは?」「いや、これは単なる噂なんだが......どうやらギルドの試験は極端に難易度の高い時があるらしいんだ」「なに? それはどういうことだ?」以前ルカから聞いた話では、ギルドの試験は毎回内容が異なるらしい。「なんでもギルド全体で現役冒険者の数が想定よりも多い場合、難易度を吊り上げて受験者のほとんどを落とすつもりで試験をするらしいんだ。その裏付けとして、複数回受けている者の中には以前に比べて難易度が上がった、下がったと言う感想を持つ者もいるらしい」「......なんだそれは。それではほとんど運の勝負じゃないか」「そうさ。だからそれを皮肉って、難易度が高い試験の時を『当たり』と言うようなんだ......まぁ、これはさっきも言ったがあくまでも噂だ。俺が実際に経験したわけではないし、冒険者試験は基本的に難しいとして知られている。もしかしたらどうギルドが元々今回の試験で合格者を出さないつもりなら、これほど無茶な移動期間を設けたのにも納得がいく。だがその反面、『 (まぁ、あの救済案ってのは疑わしいがな) 今のところメルクの心情としては、あの胡散臭いブレガが職員をしている時点で、ギルドが試験の難易度を意図的に操作している可能性も十分に考えられるのだった。「しかし、これからログホルトに行くのか......どうせなら俺も一緒に行こうか?」「......はぁ? 何故、そうなるんだ?」突拍子のないヨナヒムの提案に、ギルドの疑惑について考えていたメルクは虚を突かれた形となった。』級に上がったばっかりだろう? だからしばらくパーティーでの活動は休止中なんだ。つまり暇なんだよ」「いや、そんなこと言われてもだな......大体、冒険者試験を受けるために冒険者がついてきてどうするんだ。それもお前は二等級だろうが。あれか? 過保護な母親か? お前は」 (そんなことされたら、また私が晒し者になってしまうだろうが......) この数日でヨナヒムたちがどれだけ周囲に認知され、期待され尊敬され、アイドル的な存在であるかが痛いほど解った。 (――エレアに寝首を』に貫かれて燃え上がる自分を想像し、メルクは身震いした。もちろん、ただでやられるつもりも毛頭ないが、恋する乙女は怖ろしいものだ。そんなやっかいな存在を敵にしてまで、ヨナヒムと行動を共にしたいかと言われると「否」である。「しかしだなぁ。一週間の旅ともなると一人では暇じゃないか? 道連れはいた方がいいぞ」「......道連れか」旅の供をしきりに勧めるヨナヒムの言葉に少しだけ考え、メルクは「それもそうだな」と頷いた。「よし、じゃあ――」「大丈夫、心当たりがある。だからお前の出番はない」そしてきっぱりとそう告げてやった。	Merc sensed a presence skillfully hiding itself behind her after leaving the Adventurer’s Guild, but she chose to ignore it because she felt no animosity and was aware of its identity. Rather, she chose to make getting to the designated location on time a priority. Merc would have preferred to leave for Logholt right away since she didn’t have enough time, but she had to first make preparations for her voyage. Merc discovered that there were various places along the route where she could get water after studying the map. The map, on the other hand, had come from none other than the dubious Brega. Since Merc wasn’t sure how much she could trust it she decided it would be better to at least prepare some water. When it came to food, she felt confident that she would come across some along the way. Merc was quite used to hunting after all. “Is the exam already over?” As Merc reached the Pavilion of the Esteemed Sword Saint, Luzei welcomed her with a puzzled look. Her shock was understandable. Given that it had only been half an hour since Merc had departed. She should have taken a little longer to return, no matter how simple the exam was. “No. They changed the venue. I apologize, but I’ll need to leave this city as soon as possible. I’ll immediately pay for the nights I’ve stayed... Could I also ask you to get some water for me?” “That must’ve been shocking. I don’t mind getting the water for you, but this money is too much.” “It doesn’t matter, just take it. You’ve done a lot for me so I want to pay you back.” Luzei ultimately gave up as Merc forced the money into her hands, saying, “O-Okay...” Ultimately, this is for my own ego’s sake... Even so, I’m sure Estert would have liked to give you even more. Merc thought as she watched Luzei prepare the water for her. If Estert was still alive he would have certainly blessed Luzei and Binard’s marriage. Even though he would have teased them about their age gap, he would have joined his buddies in celebrating their happy occasion. The money Merc had provided Luzei was largely for the purpose of paying off old debts. It was largely a way for Merc to appease her ego and relieve the load she had been carrying from not being able to thank them for their care all this time. “Oh, Merc. Didn’t you go already?” Jonahim appeared out of nowhere, a little surprised, just as Merc was sorting through her emotions. His surprise grew as he shifted his gaze to the clock on the wall. “It’s already past o’clock! Did you oversleep?” “I’m not Elea, and I wouldn’t do something like that. They changed the day and the place of the exam. I have one week to get to Logholt.” “Logholt? One week to get to Logholt huh... The Guild really has a knack for making things difficult.” Jonahim said after thinking over Merc’s words. He then gave Merc a sympathetic look and stated, “It seems like this exam is a hit.” “A hit? What is that?” “This is just a rumor, but it appears that the Guild occasionally makes the exam unreasonably difficult.” “What? Just what does that mean?” Luka had previously informed Merc that the exam was different each time. This was, however, the first time she’d heard about the difficulty changing. “When the number of active adventurers exceeds a particular threshold, the Guild allegedly makes the exam extremely difficult in order to purposely fail all of the examinees. This rumor originates from those who have taken the exam multiple times and have noticed the difficulty level shift from easy to difficult.” “What the... Then isn’t passing the exam mostly based on luck then?” “You could say that. This is why the difficult exam is referred to as a hit, primarily to mock them. However, as I already stated, this is only a rumor. I haven’t experienced it myself and the exam is well-known for its difficulty. The rumor may have originated from people who had struggled but ultimately failed to pass the exam.” Merc believed it was feasible despite Jonahim’s claim that it was simply a rumor. The conditions of this time’s exam made sense when she considered that the Guild had no intention of allowing anyone to pass. On the other hand, they had gone to great lengths to prepare the Belball carriage, so she couldn’t be completely certain at this point in time. That thread of hope, in and of itself, is suspicious. Given that the exam was being led by the dubious Brega, Merc believed it was highly possible that the Guild had really purposefully upped the difficulty. While Merc was contemplating the exam, Jonahim suddenly said, “Still, Logholt huh... Want me to come with you?” “Huh? How did you come up with that?” “Blazing Impact managed to rise up to Grade because we completed that mission in the elf village, didn’t we? As a result, we all agreed to take a break from our regular activities. Which leaves me quite free.” “Even if you say that... To begin with, what good is it for me to take the exam with a full-fledged adventurer by my side? Furthermore, you’re Grade , Grade ! What are you? An overprotective mother?” I’ll attract even more attention if he joins me... In the previous few days, Merc had painfully realized just how well Jonahim and the others were acknowledged, respected, and idolized. If she traveled with him again, she was certain that she would have to deal with annoying stuff. Elea will definitely take my head while I’m sleeping... Merc shook simply thinking about Elea’s Liquid-Ignition Spear piercing her. Merc, of course, had no intention of giving up without a fight, but she was well aware that maidens in love could be quite terrifying. If you asked Merc if she still wanted to travel with Jonahim despite the fact that she would be bringing such an adversary upon herself, she would firmly decline. “Still, if you’re alone for a week, you’ll probably get bored. It’s better to have a travel buddy.” “A travel companion huh...” As Jonahim mentioned, Merc became lost in thought, and she then said, “You’re right.” “Then...” “It’s fine, I already have someone in mind. There’s no need for you to come.” Merc stated her position firmly.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 5, "inserted_lines_src": 22, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
「凄いらしいぞ!」授業が終わって暫くしたら急に騒がしくなった。何事だ? ゲイルがあからさまに嫌な顔をする。「どんな子なの?」「黒髪の小さい女の子らしいよ!!」俺はすぐにアルバートの方を向いた。アルバートは目を少し見開いて小さな声で、まさか、と呟いた。デュークが真っ先に教室を出て旧図書室の方へ駆けて行った。旧図書室の小さな扉から溢れるくらい人が沢山いた。俺達はそう言いながら前へ進んでいった。他の生徒達は俺達を見た瞬間、道を作り通してくれた。視線の先には小さな女の子が椅子に乗り、せっせと黒板に文字を走らせている。 ......アリシア。俺達はその黒板を眺めた。誰も何も言葉を発する事無く、ただ黙って黒板を眺めた。何について書いているんだ? 黒板の上にあるお題はいつも色々な先生が全ての生徒に対し出しているものだ。『ラヴァール国を傘下に置く方法誰でも自由に案を書いてよい』今回のお題......。僕は彼女が書いた黒板を上から順番に見ていった。『目標ラヴァール国を傘下に置くラヴァール国→大国独裁政治周囲国から恐れられている周囲国→デュラン国カルベラ国メルビン国コイル国ラヴァール国の傘下→カルベラ国、メルビン国、コイル国デュラン国を買い取る残りをデュルキス国が支援→囲い込み戦周囲の国のラヴァール国への恨みを利用→ラヴァール国を孤立させる →デュルキス国は他の国に恩を売る例・デュラン国はあと数年で経済崩壊の可能性ありデュルキス国が買い取る溺れる者は藁をも掴む→デュルキス国が孤立したラヴァール国を支援 (嘘) デュルキス国がラヴァール国を保護し後に支配』アリシアは最後の文字を書き終えると、小さく息を吐いて周りを見渡した。「え?」アリシアは目を丸くしながら覇気のない間抜けな声を上げた。まさか俺達に気付いてなかったのか? ゲイルが眼鏡を光らせながらそう言った。殴り書きされた黒板をもう一度見た。 ......これが本当に十歳の頭で考えた事なのか? 自分の目を疑う。誰もが小さな女の子を前に固まった。この黒板に殴り書きされた意味は簡単に要約すると、ラヴァール国を嫌っている周囲国を利用してラヴァール国を孤立させ、そこに我が国があたかも助けるかのようにラヴァール国を保護するが、それは最終的にラヴァール国を支配下に置くという事になるという事だ。けど、何故デュラン国が経済崩壊する可能性があると思うんだ? アリシアは少し怯えた顔でアルバートの方を見た。勝手に学校に侵入した事を怒られると思ったのだろう。暫く俺達は静寂に包まれたまま黒板を眺め続けた。	“Apparently she’s amazing!” After classes had been over for a while, all of a sudden the students became boisterous. They were so excited, I could feel the vibrations of their pounding feet as they run through the halls. And their yelling resounds throughout each classroom as they stampede by. What exactly is going on? Sitting next to me, I notice Gayle’s face contorting into a frown, openly displaying his annoyance. “What sort of girl?” “Apparently a little black-haired girl!!” Instantly my eyes fly towards Albert. His eyes have gone slightly wide as he whispers, “No. It couldn’t be....” under his breath. Hearing the description, Duke had bolted from the room, running along with the rest of the students in the hallway towards the library. And just a beat behind, the rest of us also follow suit and hurry in that direction. When we get there, there’s no room to walk. The library is filled to capacity, with students even overflowing into the hallway. “Please move aside,” we request, as we slowly make our way through the crowd. As each student turns to look and notices us standing there, they all quickly jump out of our way, opening up a path for us to go through. We continue slowly making our way forward in that manner until we reach the interior of the old library. And there, right in front of us, is a tiny little girl standing on a chair and diligently writing line after line on the blackboard. Without showing any interest in the mob of students milling about behind her, she just focuses on her task with unparalleled concentration. .......Alicia. We observe the board. No one lets out a sound, we just stand there in silence and watch. What is she writing about? We notice a statement written at the very top of the board. The professors always have some sort of topic placed there for the student body to mull over. And even though it always states that anybody can freely express their thoughts, barely anyone ever writes anything. “Methods for taking over the Ravaal Kingdom” This time’s theme..... Starting from the top, I read what she has written. “Objective: Take over the Ravaal Kingdom Ravaal Kingdom→ powerful nation, despotic government, feared by the surrounding countries Surrounding countries→ Duran, Calverra, Melvyn, Koyre Subjugated countries under Ravaal→ Calverra, Melvyn, Koyre — Buy out Duran, provide assistance to remaining countries→ box-in maneuver — Utilize the countries’ hatred of Ravaal→ isolation — Duelkis Kingdom will offer to provide protection to Ravaal (a ruse) → Ingratiate Duelkis with the other countries and demand reciprocation Example→ Duran is likely to experience an economic meltdown in a few years, pay off their debts — A drowning man will even clutch at straws→ Ravaal will be forced to accept Duelkis’s help After finishing writing the last step, Alicia lets out a little sigh of contentment. She surveys her work and then finally turns around. “Huh?” she mumbles dumbly, her eyes growing round and blank. Could she... really not have realized? “What remarkable focus,” Gayle remarks while cleaning his glasses. I give her work on the board another once-over. ....Is that really a plan that a -year-old could come up with? I can’t believe my own eyes. We all move forward, creating an arc around the puny girl. To summarize her proposal in simple terms, she suggested we use the neighboring countries’ hatred to isolate Ravaal, then we act as their defender, pretending to provide protection and support, and finally we use that favorable position to attain control of the country. But, why does she think that the Duran Kingdom has the possibility of an impending economic collapse? There’s currently no evidence that their economy is experiencing any signs of a meltdown. With a slightly apprehensive expression, Alicia glances towards Albert. Since she sneaked her way into the academy as she pleased, she must be thinking that he’ll be angry. However, instead of anger, he looks more shocked than anything else. For another long moment, we remain silent and continue to glance from Alicia to the blackboard and back. and	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 12, "inserted_lines_trg": 8 }
初めて着いたのは汗ばむ朝のコートジボワールアビジャン空港ウォールストリートを辞め髪はマーガレット・ミード風にして持ち物をすべて処分し必需品のみ持って到着しました詩集洋服そしてギター世界を救うならアフリカ大陸から始めようって思ったのですでも着いたその日何人かの西アフリカ人女性から「気持ちはうれしいけどアフリカは救済なんて必要ないわ少なくともあなたからはね」と言われました私は若すぎ結婚もまだ子供もいませんでしたアフリカの知識もなくフランス語はひどいものでした私の人生の中でものすごく辛い時期でした同時に謙虚に聞くことの大切さを学びました失敗は大きな原動力にもなりますそれから私はケニアに移動しウガンダで働きルワンダの女性グループに出会い 1986年に彼女達がキガリ初のマイクロファイナンスを設立する手助をし私達はそれを「デュタランブレ」と名づけました「情熱の赴くままに」という意味ですそのうち存続可能な女性起業のビジネスが少ないと気付きビジネスを立ち上げてみようと思いましたいろいろ検討し始め 20人の娼婦が経営するパン屋のことを耳にしました好奇心をそそられそのグループに会いに行くとそこには生き延びようと必死な未婚の母親達がいましたその時から私は言葉の持つ力を理解し始めました呼び名によって私達は彼らから距離を作り彼らを小さく見せているのですまたそのパン屋がビジネスなどではなく善意ある人による古典的な慈善事業であることを知りましたその人は月600ドルを出資してこれらの女性に工芸品や焼き菓子などを作らせ 1日50セントを支払いますが彼女達は貧しいままです私は彼女達と取引をしました「慈善はやめて事業としてやりましょう私が手伝うから」と彼女らは不安そうに同意し私も不安ながら始めもちろん物事は予想したよりも大変でした最初にセールスチームが必要だと思い私達は明らかに「Aチーム」ではないので私がトレーニングを引き受けました典型的な例は手本を見せようと私がバケツをもってキガリの繁華街ニャマランボーに乗り込んだ時の事バケツに入ったドーナッツを全部売って戻って彼女達に「ほらね?」と言ったら「あのねジャクリンニャマランボーの誰が背の高いアメリカ人女性にオレンジのバケットから差し出されたドーナッツを買わないと思う?」と言われたしかにそうねそれからすべてがアメリカ式でした競争チームと個人すべて失敗しましたでも徐々に彼女達は独自の方法で売ることを学んでいきましたそして市場に耳を傾けるようになりキャッサバやバナナチップそしてソルガムパンといったアイデアを持って帰ってくるようになり瞬く間にキガリマーケットの一角を占め国民平均の3倍から4倍の収入を得るようになりました自信がついたところで本物のパン屋を仕立てようと色を塗りましょうと提案すると「それは素敵なアイデアだわ」と彼女達私が「じゃあ何色に塗りましょうか?」と聞くと彼女達は「あなたが決めて」と言い私は「だめよあなた達のパン屋なんだからあなた達が決めて」と言いましたが彼女らは意見を聞かせてくれませんそうやって 1週間 2週間 3週間が過ぎ最後に私が「じゃあ、青はどう?」と聞くと「青は大好きだわ青にしましょう」私はメンバー中のでも強情者のゴダンスと一緒に店に行き塗料とカーテンを作るための布を仕入れました塗装の日皆でニャマランボーに集まり白地に青の縁取りとフランス風のパン屋に仕立てるつもりが物足りず朝の青空のように真っ青に塗りましたすべて真っ青壁は青窓も青前の歩道も青アレサ・フランクリンの「リスペクト」を流し彼女達の腰は音楽に揺れ子供達はブラシを奪い合い本当に楽しそうでした終わったとき道をはさんで仕上がりを眺めながら私が「とっても綺麗」と言うと彼女達も「本当にそうね」そして私が「完璧な色よね」と言うとゴダンス以外の皆がうなずき私が「どうしたの?」と聞くと「べつに」と彼女私がしつこく「なんなの?」聞くと彼女「素敵だけど、私達の色は本当は緑なの」聞くことは忍耐のみではないことを学びましたチャリティーに依存しながら生きる人生で自分がどう思うかを言うのは難しいことですまず誰も意見を聞かないし聞いても本当のことに興味はないでしょうこの経験で私は聞くことは待つことではなくいかに上手く質問するかということだと学びましたこうして私はキガリで2年半過ごしましたそれは素晴らしい経験でしたそして私に3つの教訓を与えてくれました今日の私達にとって大切な教訓です特に私の仕事において最初に人間の精神にとって大切なのは富よりも尊厳ですエレーナが言ったように収入を得たとき人は選択肢を得ますそれが尊厳の基本ですしかし私達は互いに会いたい互いに聞いて欲しいと願う人間であることも忘れてはなりません 2つめは従来のチャリティーやエイドでは貧困問題の解決にはならないということアンドルーがすでに詳しく語っているので 3つめに行きますそれはマーケットのみでも貧困問題を解決できないということです私達はこれをビジネスとして運営していますがトレーニングや経営支援戦略アドバイスを得るには誰かの慈善的援助が必要でしたそしてたぶん最も大切なのは新しい取引相手ネットワークマーケットへのアクセスですミクロレベルでは投資と慈善の連携に重要な役割があります一方マクロレベルでは健康さえも民営化されるべきと何人かの講演者が提議しましたでも私は心臓病の父親を持って家族で賄える分が必要な費用に満たないことを知り親しい友人の助けを借りた経験からすべての人が支払い可能な範囲で健康へのアクセス権利を持つべきだと信じますマーケットは良い方法を教えてくれるでしょうでもそれには慈善要素がかかせませんでなければ私達は自分達が住みたいと思う社会を築けないでしょうこれらの教訓があって私は6年前にアキュメン・ファンドを創立することを決めました貧しい人のための非営利のベンチャー投資資金ですひと言でいうと少し矛盾してますが慈善基金を個人財団そして企業から募り集めた資金を南アジアやアフリカの低所得者に手が届く範囲で健康管理住居エネルギー安全な水を提供する営利または非営利の事業体に投資や融資を行います低所得者が自分で選択肢をもてるように私達は約2000万ドルを20社に投資することで 2万人の雇用を創出し何千万というサービスをそれまで手が届かなかった人々に提供しましたアフリカでの2つの物語を紹介します共にサービスに献身的で市場に詳しい起業家への投資の話です彼らは公衆衛生と事業の合流点に生きています両者とも製造業者なので直接職を創出し間接的に収入を生み出します両者ともマラリアセクターでの仕事でありアフリカでは年間130億ドルがマラリアによって失われているので人々の健康と共に豊かさにも貢献します最初の会社はアドバンス・バイオ・エクストラクト社(ABE) 有能な企業家パトリック・ヘンフレイと3人の同僚が 7年ほどまえにケニアに設立しました彼らは過去30年において農業の浮き沈みをすべて体験したベテランの農業家達です現在アルテミシアを生産していますアルテミシアは中国や極東に原生しマラリアの治療薬として知名度の高いアルテミニシンの主要成分ですパトリック達はアフリカでのマラリアの有病率の高さとその付加価値の高さを考慮しアフリカで育てることにしました農家はトウモロコシに比べ 3-4倍の収穫を得られます寛容な資本つまり彼らが前もって募ったお金を使い -- これは市場収益率を下回るのに長期に渡る投資を喜んで行い経営や戦略の支援も行う資本です -- 7500の農家から仕入れる企業を作りましたこの影響は5万人に及びます訪問された方もいると思いますがこれらの農家はキックスタートとテクノサーブが自給率をあげる手伝いをしています彼らはアルテミシアを農家から買い上げ乾燥させ工場に運びます工場の購入資金はマラリア治療薬Coartemの原料確保に熱心な製薬会社ノバルティスの寛容な資本も充てられましたアキュメンは過去一年半にわたってABEと一緒に働き共に新しい事業計画や拡張計画を見たり経営支援を提供したり投資条件の作成や資金調達の支援を行っていますそして私が寛容な資本の意味を心から理解したのはほんの先月あたりのことでした彼らの生産する製品が治療薬Coartemにふさわしい高品質であることを証明できるまであと10日となった時会社は最大の財政難に直面していました私達は知っているすべての社会投資家に連絡しかれらの中にはアフリカに大変興味を持ち農業の大切さを理解して農家にも助けを差し伸べましたもし ABEが倒産すれば 7500人が職をなくすと説明してもビジネスと社会性の分岐点に立たされることがありますこれらをどう結合させるかもっと独創的に考えるべきですアキュメンは 2つのつなぎ融資をしました嬉しい事に彼らは世界レベルの品質を認められ次の段階に進む為の 2千万ドルの調達交渉の最終段階に来ています ABEは東アフリカで最も重要な会社の一つですこれがサミュエル彼は農業家です実はキベラのスラムに住んでいました彼の父親がアルテミシアについて語ったとき彼は農家に戻り現在では 7エーカーの土地を耕作中ですサミュエルの子供達は私立学校に通い周辺農家へのアルテミシア参入の手助けをしています尊厳は富よりも大切です次のケースは 2年前にオックスフォードで少し話しました AtoZ社です訪問された方もいるでしょう東アフリカの偉大な企業のひとつで公衆衛生と事業の合流点にいるもう一つの会社ですこれは官民協働による解決策が上手く機能した実例と言えます始まりは日本でした住友化学がポリエチレン樹脂から出来た繊維に有機殺虫剤を練りこむ技術を開発しそれでベットカーテンをつくれば蚊帳として5年の防虫効果がありますでもアルテミニシンと同じく東アジアでの生産のみでしたが社会責任の一貫として「アフリカ用のものはアフリカで生産しよう」と住友が言いユニセフが「私達が蚊帳を買って世界基金の一部で国連の妊婦子供への貢献の一貫として無料配布しましょう」と申し出ましたアキュメンは寛容な資本で参入しアフリカでパートナーシップを組める起業家探しを手伝いエクソンが最初の樹脂を提供しました起業家を探していた時 AtoZ社のアヌージュ・シャーが最適だと思いました AtoZ社は 40年の歴史を持ち製造業に精通しています社会主義から資本主義のタンザニアへ移行し繁栄を続けています最初に訪れた時は 1000人の従業員を雇っていましたこうしてアヌージュはアフリカでマラリア撲滅を促進するエイド機関のため公共財を生産する起業家リスクを請負ました彼らは成功しています最初の蚊帳が作られた 2003年の10月当初は年間15万枚を予想していました今年の生産は年間800万枚になります 5千人を雇用し 90パーセントが未熟練女性です住友とジョイントベンチャーでアフリカにおける事業の視点と公共衛生の視点両方から成功といえますでも貧困撲滅の視点から見ればまだ道半ばですひとつの大顧客に頼っているため長期的に持続可能ではありませんもし鳥インフルエンザでも流行しようものなら世界はマラリアどころではなくなりすべてが水の泡ですアヌージュとアキュメンは民間部門への試みを話し合いましたエイド機関の仮定ではタンザニアのような国は国民の80パーセントが1日2ドル以下で生活しており蚊帳の生産コストは 1枚6ドル流通網の設立にまた6ドルかかるので自由市場での市場価格は1枚12ドルになります手が届かない値段ですだから無料配布となりますが私達は言いました「他の選択肢があります顧客の声を聞く手段として市場を活用してみましょう選択する誇りを得るために買い手がいくら払うかを理解しましょう現地に流通網を作るすることもできますし公共部門にとっても安くつきます」そして AtoZ社に二度目の寛容な資本を融資して A to Z が価格設定に幅を持たせられるよう助成金も出し市場調査を初めていろんな事を知りましたまずは人によって払ってもいいと思う価格が違うことそれでも 1枚1ドルだったら買う決断を下すという人がほとんどでした彼らは他に趣向についても沢山意見を聞かせてくれました最初に大丈夫と踏んだルートが駄目だったこともありましたが実験的なおかつ反復的な試みが寛容な資本には許されるのでやっと民間部門での流通コストが一ドルでそして購入価格は1枚1ドルと知りました方針上市場にでれば選択肢があります 1枚12ドルで顧客からお金を受け取らないか実験的に顧客に1ドル請求して公共部門には6ドルの負担で抑えるか人々に選択の尊厳をあたえ流通システムは将来的に自立していくかもしれません私達はこう話を進めるべきですマーケットを有効利用するのが一番ですまた他の人を引き込むことも大事です AtoZ社へ行くたびに私の祖母ステラのことを思います彼女はミシンの後ろに座っている女性達によく似ています彼女はオーストリアの農家で育ち貧乏でした教育もあまりうけていません彼女は合衆国に来てセメント運搬業者の祖父と知合い 9人の子供を授かりますが 3人は赤ん坊のうちに死亡結核を患い裁縫店で働き 1時間10セントでシャツをつくっていました彼女や AtoZ社のほとんどの女性は毎日必死で働き苦難を知っています信仰深く子供を愛し施しは絶対受け取りませんでもそれは市場での機会があったからです安全な社会で生活し健康や教育へのアクセスもありました彼女の子供や孫は目的を持って夢に向かって生きることができます私の兄弟姉妹や従兄弟達を見渡してもそのような人は沢山います教師や音楽家ヘッジファンドのマネージャーデザイナー姉妹の1人は他人の願いをかなえ私の願いは毎日一生懸命働くこれらの女性や農家の人々に会ったときまた大陸のすべての人を思うとき彼らが子供達が偉大な目的を持って生きるという機会と可能性を感じ確信を持ってサービスを利用することですそんなに難しいことではないはずですでも私達全員の貢献が必要です陳腐な仮説を信じないこと馬鹿げた思い込みから抜け出ることサービスにそして成功に全力を傾ける起業家に投資をすること両腕を大きく広げて見返りを期待せず説明責任を要求するそして皆に説明責任を果たす一番大事なのは私達皆が勇気と忍耐を持つこと貧富の差アフリカ人かどうか地元民か移民か右か左か関係なく本当にお互いの話を聞くことありがとうございました	I had just left Wall Street, cut my hair to look like Margaret Mead, given away most everything that I owned, and arrived with all the essentials -- some poetry, a few clothes, and, of course, a guitar -- because I was going to save the world, and I thought I would just start with the African continent. But literally within days of arriving I was told, in no uncertain terms, by a number of West African women, that Africans didn't want saving, thank you very much, least of all not by me. I was too young, unmarried, I had no children, didn't really know Africa, and besides, my French was pitiful. And so, it was an incredibly painful time in my life, and yet it really started to give me the humility to start listening. I think that failure can be an incredibly motivating force as well, so I moved to Kenya and worked in Uganda, and I met a group of Rwandan women, who asked me, in 1986, to move to Kigali to help them start the first microfinance institution there. And I did, and we ended up naming it Duterimbere, meaning "to go forward with enthusiasm." And while we were doing it, I realized that there weren't a lot of businesses that were viable and started by women, and so maybe I should try to run a business, too. And so I started looking around, and I heard about a bakery that was run by 20 prostitutes. And, being a little intrigued, I went to go meet this group, and what I found was 20 unwed mothers who were trying to survive. And it was really the beginning of my understanding the power of language, and how what we call people so often distances us from them, and makes them little. I also found out that the bakery was nothing like a business, that, in fact, it was a classic charity run by a well-intentioned person, who essentially spent 600 dollars a month to keep these 20 women busy making little crafts and baked goods, and living on 50 cents a day, still in poverty. So, I made a deal with the women. I said, "Look, we get rid of the charity side, and we run this as a business and I'll help you." They nervously agreed. I nervously started, and, of course, things are always harder than you think they're going to be. First of all, I thought, well, we need a sales team, and we clearly aren't the A-Team here, so let's -- I did all this training. And the epitome was when I literally marched into the streets of Nyamirambo, which is the popular quarter of Kigali, with a bucket, and I sold all these little doughnuts to people, and I came back, and I was like, "You see?" And the women said, "You know, Jacqueline, who in Nyamirambo is not going to buy doughnuts out of an orange bucket from a tall American woman?" And like -- -- it's a good point. So then I went the whole American way, with competitions, team and individual. Completely failed, but over time, the women learnt to sell on their own way. And they started listening to the marketplace, and they came back with ideas for cassava chips, and banana chips, and sorghum bread, and before you knew it, we had cornered the Kigali market, and the women were earning three to four times the national average. And with that confidence surge, I thought, "Well, it's time to create a real bakery, so let's paint it." And the women said, "That's a really great idea." And I said, "Well, what color do you want to paint it?" And they said, "Well, you choose." And I said, "No, no, I'm learning to listen. You choose. It's your bakery, your street, your country -- not mine." But they wouldn't give me an answer. So, one week, two weeks, three weeks went by, and finally I said, "Well, how about blue?" And they said, "Blue, blue, we love blue. Let's do it blue." So, I went to the store, I brought Gaudence, the recalcitrant one of all, and we brought all this paint and fabric to make curtains, and on painting day, we all gathered in Nyamirambo, and the idea was we would paint it white with blue as trim, like a little French bakery. But that was clearly not as satisfying as painting a wall of blue like a morning sky. So, blue, blue, everything became blue. The walls were blue, the windows were blue, the sidewalk out front was painted blue. And Aretha Franklin was shouting "R-E-S-P-E-C-T," the women's hips were swaying and little kids were trying to grab the paintbrushes, but it was their day. And at the end of it, we stood across the street and we looked at what we had done, and I said, "It is so beautiful." And the women said, "It really is." And I said, "And I think the color is perfect," and they all nodded their head, except for Gaudence, and I said, "What?" And she said, "Nothing." And I said, "What?" And she said, "Well, it is pretty, but, you know, our color, really, it is green." And -- -- I learned then that listening isn't just about patience, but that when you've lived on charity and dependent your whole life long, it's really hard to say what you mean. And, mostly because people never really ask you, and when they do, you don't really think they want to know the truth. And so then I learned that listening is not only about waiting, but it's also learning how better to ask questions. And so, I lived in Kigali for about two and a half years, doing these two things, and it was an extraordinary time in my life. And it taught me three lessons that I think are so important for us today, and certainly in the work that I do. The first is that dignity is more important to the human spirit than wealth. As Eleni has said, when people gain income, they gain choice, and that is fundamental to dignity. But as human beings, we also want to see each other, and we want to be heard by each other, and we should never forget that. The second is that traditional charity and aid are never going to solve the problems of poverty. I think Andrew pretty well covered that, so I will move to the third point, which is that markets alone also are not going to solve the problems of poverty. Yes, we ran this as a business, that came into the training, and the management support, the strategic advice and, maybe most important of all, the access to new contacts, networks and new markets. And so, on a micro level, there's a real role for this combination of investment and philanthropy. And on a macro level -- some of the speakers have inferred that even health should be privatized. But, having had a father with heart disease, and realizing that what our family could afford was not what he should have gotten, and having a good friend step in to help, I really believe that all people deserve access to health at prices they can afford. I think the market can help us figure that out, but there's got to be a charitable component, or I don't think we're going to create the kind of societies we want to live in. And so, it was really those lessons that made me decide to build Acumen Fund about six years ago. It's a nonprofit, venture capital fund for the poor, a few oxymorons in one sentence. It essentially raises charitable funds from individuals, foundations and corporations, and then we turn around and we invest equity and loans that deliver affordable health, housing, energy, clean water to low income people in South Asia and Africa, so that they can make their own choices. We've invested about 20 million dollars in 20 different enterprises, and have, in so doing, created nearly 20,000 jobs, and delivered tens of millions of services to people who otherwise would not be able to afford them. I want to tell you two stories. Both of them are in Africa. Both of them are about investing in entrepreneurs who are committed to service, and who really know the markets. Both of them live at the confluence of public health and enterprise, and both of them, because they're manufacturers, create jobs directly, and create incomes indirectly, because they're in the malaria sector, and Africa loses about 13 billion dollars a year because of malaria. And so as people get healthier, they also get wealthier. The first one is called Advanced Bio-Extracts Limited. It's a company built in Kenya about seven years ago by an incredible entrepreneur named Patrick Henfrey and his three colleagues. These are old-hand farmers who've gone through all the agricultural ups and downs in Kenya over the last 30 years. Now, this plant is an Artemisia plant; it's the basic component for artemisinin, which is the best-known treatment for malaria. It's indigenous to China and the Far East, but given that the prevalence of malaria is here in Africa, Patrick and his colleagues said, "Let's bring it here, because it's a high value-add product." The farmers get three to four times the yields that they would with maize. And so, using patient capital -- money that they could raise early on, that actually got below market returns and was willing to go the long haul and be combined with management assistance, strategic assistance -- they've now created a company where they purchase from 7,500 farmers. So that's about 50,000 people affected. And I think some of you may have visited -- these farmers are helped by KickStart and TechnoServe, who help them become more self-sufficient. They buy it, they dry it and they bring it to this factory, which was purchased in part by, again, patient capital from Novartis, who has a real interest in getting the powder so that they can make Coartem. Acumen's been working with ABE for the past year, year and a half, both on looking at a new business plan, and what does expansion look like, helping with management support and helping to do term sheets and raise capital. And I really understood what patient capital meant emotionally in the last month or so. Because the company was literally 10 days away from proving that the product they produced was at the world-quality level needed to make Coartem, when they were in the biggest cash crisis of their history. And we called all of the social investors we know. Now, some of these same social investors are really interested in Africa and understand the importance of agriculture, and they even helped the farmers. And even when we explained that if ABE goes away, all those 7,500 jobs go away too, we sometimes have this bifurcation between business and the social. And it's really time we start thinking more creatively about how they can be fused. So Acumen made not one, but two bridge loans, and the good news is they did indeed meet world-quality classification and are now in the final stages of closing a 20-million-dollar round, to move it to the next level, and I think that this will be one of the more important companies in East Africa. This is Samuel. He's a farmer. He was actually living in the Kibera slums when his father called him and told him about Artemisia and the value-add potential. So he moved back to the farm, and, long story short, they now have seven acres under cultivation. Samuel's kids are in private school, and he's starting to help other farmers in the area also go into Artemisia production -- dignity being more important than wealth. The next one, many of you know. I talked about it a little at Oxford two years ago, and some of you visited A to Z manufacturing, which is one of the great, real companies in East Africa. It's another one that lives at the confluence of health and enterprise. And this is really a story about a public-private solution that has really worked. It started in Japan. Sumitomo had developed a technology essentially to impregnate a polyethylene-based fiber with organic insecticide, so you could create a bed net, a malaria bed net, that would last five years and not need to be re-dipped. It could alter the vector, but like Artemisia, it had been produced only in East Asia. And as part of its social responsibility, with whether we can produce it in Africa, for Africans?" UNICEF came forward and said, "We'll buy most of the nets, and then we'll give them away, as part of the global fund's and the U.N.'s commitment to pregnant women and children, for free." Acumen came in with the patient capital, and we also helped to identify the entrepreneur that we would all partner with here in Africa, and Exxon provided the initial resin. Well, in looking around for entrepreneurs, there was none better that we could find on earth than Anuj Shah, in A to Z manufacturing company. It's a 40-year-old company, it understands manufacturing. It's gone from socialist Tanzania into capitalist Tanzania, and continued to flourish. It had about 1,000 employees when we first found it. And so, Anuj took the entrepreneurial risk here in Africa to produce a public good that was purchased by the aid establishment to work with malaria. And, long story short, again, they've been so successful. In our first year, the first net went off the line in October of 2003. We thought the hitting-it-out-of-the-box number was 150,000 nets a year. This year, they are now producing eight million nets a year, and they employ 5,000 people, 90 percent of whom are women, mostly unskilled. They're in a joint venture with Sumitomo. And so, from an enterprise perspective for Africa, and from a public health perspective, these are real successes. But it's only half the story if we're really looking at solving problems of poverty, because it's not long-term sustainable. It's a company with one big customer. And if avian flu hits, or for any other reason the world decides that malaria is no longer as much of a priority, everybody loses. And so, Anuj and Acumen have been talking about testing the private sector, because the assumption that the aid establishment has made is that, look, in a country like Tanzania, 80 percent of the population makes less than two dollars a day. It costs, at manufacturing point, six dollars to produce these, and it costs the establishment another six dollars to distribute it, so the market price in a free market would be about 12 dollars per net. Most people can't afford that, so let's give it away free. And we said, "Well, there's another option. Let's use the market as the best listening device we have, and understand at what price people would pay for this, so they get the dignity of choice. We can start building local distribution, and actually, it can cost the public sector much less." And so we came in with a second round of patient capital to A to Z, a loan as well as a grant, so that A to Z could play with pricing and listen to the marketplace, and found a number of things. One, that people will pay different prices, but the overwhelming number of people will come forth at one dollar per net and make a decision to buy it. And when you listen to them, they'll also have a lot to say about what they like and what they don't like. And that some of the channels we thought would work didn't work. But because of this experimentation and iteration that was allowed because of the patient capital, we've now found that it costs about a dollar in the private sector to distribute, and a dollar to buy the net. So then, from a policy perspective, when you start with the market, we have a choice. We can continue going along at 12 dollars a net, and the customer pays zero, or we could at least experiment with some of it, to charge one dollar a net, costing the public sector another six dollars a net, give the people the dignity of choice, and have a distribution system that might, over time, start sustaining itself. We've got to start having conversations like this, and I don't think there's any better way to start than using the market, but also to bring other people to the table around it. Whenever I go to visit A to Z, I think of my grandmother, Stella. She was very much like those women sitting behind the sewing machines. She grew up on a farm in Austria, very poor, didn't have very much education. She moved to the United States, where she met my grandfather, who was a cement hauler, and they had nine children. Three of them died as babies. My grandmother had tuberculosis, and she worked in a sewing machine shop, making shirts for about 10 cents an hour. She, like so many of the women I see at A to Z, worked hard every day, understood what suffering was, had a deep faith in God, loved her children and would never have accepted a handout. But because she had the opportunity of the marketplace, and she lived in a society that provided the safety of having access to affordable health and education, her children and their children were able to live lives of real purpose and follow real dreams. I look around at my siblings and my cousins -- and as I said, there are a lot of us -- and I see teachers and musicians, hedge fund managers, designers. One sister who makes other people's wishes come true. And my wish, when I see those women, I meet those farmers, and I think about all the people across this continent who are working hard every day, is that they have that sense of opportunity and possibility, and that they also can believe and get access to services, It shouldn't be that difficult. to essentially refuse trite assumptions, get out of our ideological boxes. It takes investing in those entrepreneurs that are committed to service as well as to success. It takes opening your arms, both, wide, and expecting very little love in return, but demanding accountability, and bringing the accountability to the table as well. And most of all, most of all, it requires that all of us have the courage and the patience, whether we are rich or poor, African or non-African, local or diaspora, left or right, to really start listening to each other. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「ふっ、はっ、とう!」俺はひたすらに特定の色の燐光を生み出す事を念じながら踊り続ける。どうやら、色の変化には特定動作を行いつつ念じるの良いらしく、また体の強化と同じように慣れれば慣れただけ効率が良くなる性質を持っているらしい。と言うわけで傍目に見れば奇声を上げつつ南瓜が踊り狂っていると言う奇妙な光景になっていることを理解しつつも修練を重ねる。「よしっ!成功!」そしてその結果として今度は青緑色っぽい燐光を生み出す事に成功する。ただ、その量は黄緑色と同じようにとても少ない。まあ、量については初めてだからしょうがないか。「うし、どんどんやってやる!」で、その後も他の色を生み出せないか試したところ、黄緑、青緑、薄緑、深緑と通常の緑色以外にも4色の色を出すことに成功した。どれも緑系統の色じゃないかって? いや、一瞬なら赤系統以外の色限定でもう少し緑色から離れた色も出せたんだよ。ただ、修行不足なのか一瞬で散っちゃったし、量も前述の4色と比較してもさらに少なかったんだよ。これはきっとあれだ。色彩の表があるだろ。アレで表したときに元の色の隣の色は2の光で1の光を生み出せるけど、その隣は3や4以上の光で1しか生み出せないとかそう言う法則があるんだと思う。だからこそ緑色の正反対の位置にある赤系の光はそもそも光の絶対量が少なくて生み出せないとかそんな感じなんだろう。 ......。ええそうですとも、最終結論はやっぱり修行不足字ですよ。「だが諦めん!諦めんぞおおぉぉ!!」そうしてこの日から俺の修行メニューに色の変化が追加されたとさ。てか、基本的に水と光だけで生きていける身体じゃなかったら確実に死んでるような生活をしてるよなー俺。多少は気分転換とかもしないと精神まで植物になりそうだわ。 -------------- 「うし」と言うわけで数日後、いつも通りの修行を終えた所で今日はちょっと偵察に出かける。目標は以前見たパワースポットと思しき湖。樹の方を選ばなかったのは溢れ出てる燐光の総量的にこっちの方が少なかったので、万が一何かがあった際に逃げられる可能性が少しでも高いかもしれないと判断したためである。後、あれだけ燐光溢れる湖の水を飲んだら俺のパワーアップに繋がるかもしれ無いと言う打算も有る。「じゃあ行くか。ヒュロロロォォ」俺は猪の胃袋を加工して作った袋モドキを手に取って拠点を勢いよく飛び立つと湖に向かって樹上を高速で飛んでいく。今更ながらに思うが俺が空を飛ぶ原理も謎だよなぁ。羽も翼もプロペラすらも無いってのに何で飛べるんだか。まあ、便利だからその内改良の為に調べるのは有りかもしれない。「と、見えてきた見えてきた」そしてしばらく飛んだところで湖が見えてきたので、減速し、一先ず湖の様子を窺うために木陰に身を隠してゆっくりと地上から接近していく。予想通りと言うべきなのかこの湖は複数の沢と繋がっているようで、湖周辺の植物はその沢から水を得ているためなのか他の場所の植物に比べると生き生きとしている気がする。いやまあ、今は秋だから落葉し始めてる木も結構多いんだけどさ。ああそれとだ。語る機会が無かったので今の内に語ってしまうが、色を変化させる修業を始めてから俺の燐光を見る能力がちょっとだけ強化された。具体的に言うと以前よりも細かく色を見極められるようになったし、感知するために必要な光量の閾値も低くなった。おかげで最近は出している燐光の色の違いから動物や植物の種族違いを見極められるようになってきたので色々と便利である。「ふむ......こうして見ると色々な光が混じってるな」でだ。森を抜けて直接湖が見える位置まで来て強化された眼で湖を見てみると、樹の方はほぼ完全に単色だったのに対して、湖の方は青を主体としつつも多様な色が混じっていることが分かる。恐らくは湖に生息している魚や水草が出しているのだろうが、正に塵も積もれば山となると言った感じである。「ただ、やっぱり主は居るっぽいなぁ」ただ、これだけ広くて栄養がありそうな場所なら当然の様に縄張り争いも有るようで、湖から漏れてくる光にも濃淡や強さなどが場所ごとに違っており、中には周りと比較して圧倒的と評すしかない様な光が出ている場所もある。恐らくだが、あの圧倒的な光を出している主がこの湖の主だろう。俺の様に常時外に光を漏らさないように強化しているなら話は別だが。「まあ、とりあえず光的にも視覚的にも直接的に脅威になりそうなものは無さそうだしもう少し近づいてみますかね」俺は周囲を見渡して安全を確認すると、湖岸から3m程の距離にまで近づく。で、そこから袋モドキを持った手を伸ばして湖の水を袋一杯分回収するとすぐさま森の中に逃げ込む。一瞬主が出していると思しき光に動きがあったのでビビったがまあ大丈夫だろう。あれだけの光を出しているなら沢を伝って湖の外に出れるようなサイズとは思えん。「ふう。さて肝心の水はっと」俺は青色の燐光を大量に放出している袋の中に根の一本を付けて吸い上げてみる。「!!?」最初に感じたのは今まで飲んでいたのは水ではなかったのかとまで思わせる味の濃さ。そして続けて体全体に気力が漲る感じと様々な栄養が混ざったことによる複雑な味わいを感じ取り、最後にそれほどまでの味をしていたにも関わらずすっきりとした後味を残す。簡潔に言ってしまえばだ...... 美味い。ただその一言に尽きるだろう。ああ......これは何としてでも毎日飲みたいな。既にタイムスケジュールはパンパンだけど毎日湖まで往復するのを修行に加えてもいいかもしれない。「いや、いくらなんでもたかが水に感動しすぎでしょう」「んだとごらぁ!こちとら普通のもんは食えねえからこういうのが生き甲斐になんだよ!」と、感動に浸っていたら後ろから突然身も蓋もないような言葉を背後からかけられたため、多少の怒りを露わにしつつ俺は振り返る。「っつ!?」「あ、飛べるんだ」そして相手の姿を視認すると同時に気が付かない内に背後を取られていたことを察して俺は宙に飛び上がって戦闘態勢を取る。確かに湖の水に感動していて注意を多少疎かにしていたが、それでも警戒網代わりに周囲に蔓を敷き詰める事で俺以外の生物の接近に気づけるようには俺はしていた。「お前何者だ?」だがこいつは......水を人の形に押し込めて固定化したような姿を持つこの生物は俺の警戒網を難なくすり抜けた。それはこいつをに警戒するべきという判断を下すには十分な事柄だ。「人に物を尋ねる時は自分からって言われなかった?」	“Fuh, hah, tou!” He continued to dance while concentrating on producing a specific color of phosphorescence. Apparently, the most efficient way to change the color of phosphorescence would be to imagine it while performing a specific action, and similar to the strengthening of the body, the more he became accustomed to it, the more efficient it would become. Therefore, he continued his training while aware of what a bizarre sight of a pumpkin dancing around while emitting strange noises from the side looked like. “Alright! I did it!” He consequently succeeded in producing blue-greenish phosphorescence this time. But the amount is very small, just like the yellowish-green. Well, since this is my first time, I guess it can’t be helped. “I’ll keep trying!” After that, he tried to determine if other colors could be produced, and succeeded in making four different shades of green: yellowish-green, blue-green, light green, and dark green. They are all greenish colors, huh? No, if it were only for a moment, he could have produced colors a little more distant from green, limited to colors other than those in the red spectrum. However, perhaps due to a lack of training, the colors dissipated in an instant, and the quantity was even less than the four colors mentioned above. This must be it. There is a color chart, right? I think there is a law that says that the color next to the original color can produce light with lights, but the color next to it can only produce light with or or more lights. That’s why red light, which is the exact opposite of green, can’t be produced in the first place because the absolute amount of light is too small, or something like that. ... Oh yes, the final conclusion is still the four words: a lack of training. “But I’m not giving up! I won’t give uppppp!!” From that day on, color change was introduced to his training menu. Basically, if he didn’t have a body that could survive on water and light, he would undoubtedly be dead. Unless there was some change of pace, even his psyche itself would turn into a plant. ————– “Alright.” So, a few days later, after completing his regular training, he went out for a short reconnaissance today. His target was a lake that he thought to be a sacred place that he had looked at before. Since the total amount of phosphorescence overflowing from the tree was weaker here, he decided that if something were to happen to him, he might have a better chance of escaping. Also, he calculated that drinking water from a lake that was brimming with phosphorescence might lead to an increase in his power. “Then off I go. Hyulololoooo.” He took off from the base, clutching a pouch made from a boar’s stomach, and soared swiftly over the trees towards the lake. After all this time, the principle of being able to fly in the sky was still a mystery to him. He wondered how he could fly without any feathers, wings, or even a propeller. Well, it’s useful, so I may investigate to refine it in the future. “Oh, I can see it now.” When the lake came into view after a period of flying, he slowed down and approached it from the ground, lurking in the shade of a tree to observe the lake first. The lake, as expected, appeared to be connected to multiple streams, and the plants surrounding the lake seemed to be more vibrant than those elsewhere, possibly because they were receiving water from the streams. Well, it’s autumn now, so many of the leaves are beginning to fall off the trees. Oh, and I haven’t had an opportunity to disclose this, but my ability to discern phosphorescence has been enhanced a bit since I started practicing color change. To be more exact, I am now able to distinguish colors more precisely than before, and the threshold for the amount of light needed to detect it has been lowered. It was now feasible for him to distinguish between different species of animals and plants based on the color of the phosphorescence they generate, which was extremely useful in a variety of ways. “Hmm... it looks like a mixture of different lights.” After passing through the forest to a position where he could directly see the lake, he viewed the lake with his enhanced eyes and found that while the trees were almost completely monochromatic, the lake was mainly blue, but with a variety of colors mixed in. This is likely the fish and aquatic plants that inhabit the lake, but as the saying goes, many a little makes a mickle. “But after all, it seems that the master of this place is here.” Nonetheless, there were territorial conflicts, as one might expect in such a vast and fertile area, and the light leaking from the lake varied in shade and intensity from place to place, with certain areas having a light that could only be characterized as overpowering in comparison to its surroundings. Perhaps the owner of this lake was the one who was producing that overwhelming light. Unless, of course, they have reinforced the light so that it wouldn’t leak outside at any time, like how he did. “Well, there doesn’t appear to be any immediate hazard in terms of light or vision, so I’ll endeavor to approach a bit closer.” After looking around to make sure it was safe, he moved closer to about three meters away from the shore of the lake. He then reached out with a pouch and scooped up a bag of water from the lake before fleeing into the forest. For a second there was movement in the light that he thought was coming from the master, which freaked him out, but it was probably nothing to worry about. If it was emitting that much light, surely it couldn’t have been big enough to climb out of the lake through the stream. “Phew. Now, the most important thing is the water.” When he put one of the roots into the bag, which was emitting a lot of blue phosphorescent light, he sucked it up. “!!?” The first sensation was a strong taste that caused him to wonder if it wasn’t water that he had been drinking. This was followed by a feeling of energy throughout the body, a complex taste from the mixture of various nutrients, and finally, a clean aftertaste despite the fact that it had so much flavor. To put it concisely... It’s delicious. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it. Ah... I want to drink this every day no matter what it takes. My time schedule is already packed, but I might as well add a daily round trip to the lake to my training. “No, I think you’re too moved by a little bit of water.” “What the heck! Given my inability to eat regular meals, this is what makes my life worth living!” Someone spoke to him from behind while he was engrossed in his delight, exhibiting a hint of wrath as he turned around. “Huh!?” “Oh, you can fly.” As soon as he caught sight of the other figure, he realized that his back had been seized without him realizing it, and he leaped up into the air and assumed a fighting stance. Although it was true that he had been so moved by the lake water that he had been somewhat distracted, he still managed to keep an eye out for any other creatures approaching by spreading vines around the perimeter as a warning net. “Who are you?” But this fellow... a creature that resembles water compressed and immobilized into the shape of a human being, slipped effortlessly past my vigilance netting. That was enough to convince him that he needed to be extra cautious. And with a laugh, the creature added, “Haven’t you ever heard of the saying, ‘When you ask someone for their name, you have to introduce yourself first’?”	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
否、爆発したのではない。その向こうにいた何者かが、剣りで木箱の山を丸ごと吹き飛ばしたのだ。それはまるで、雪のように細かく砕かれ、コルティナとマテウスに降り注いだ。「なん――だ!?」突如巻き起こった破壊に、マテウスは驚愕の声を上げる。舞い散る木くずの向こうから、一人の男が現れる。「――ライエル!? なぜここに!」「そりゃ、客が窓を突き破って飛び出したんだもの。宿の人が訝しんで様子を見に来てくれるのは当然よね。なら残してきた書き置きも見つけてくれるわ。ライエルを呼んでくれるように指示しておいたの」「そんな不確定な......頼みを聞いてくれるとは限らねぇだろうに?」「それを聞いてくれるからこそ『信頼できる宿』なのよ。それに書き置きがあったのに無視して私を死なせたとあったら、今後の信用問題になっちゃうもの。ちょっと考えれば、聞いた方がマシだってすぐわかるわ」「だが、誘い込む場所まではわからないはず......」「そうね、だから目印の魔法を打ち上げたのよ。下から上へ、ね?」茶目っ気たっぷりにウィンクして見せるコルティナの言葉に、マテウスは上空を振り返った。「攻撃魔法に混ぜて、攻撃魔法だなんて言ってないわよ」地面を転がるコルティナから放つ魔法は、上方向への攻撃がほとんどだった。その中に目印となる信号弾代わりのこれを目印にして、ライエルは駆け付けたのだった。「あなたの話に付き合って軽口を叩いていたのも、時間稼ぎ。疑わずに付き合ってくれてありがとうね」「くそ、妙に余裕振ってると思ったら......」「――で、お前がマテウスって奴か?」コルティナの思惑にまんまと嵌まり、歯噛みして屈辱を噛み締めるマテウスに、ライエルが初めて話しかけた。「あー、くそ。本来なら逃げたいところなんだが?」「させると思うか?」背中を見せた瞬間、踏み込まれて斬られる。マテウスには、ありありとその光景が脳裏に浮かんでいた。この相手に、背は見せられない。ならば前に進むしかない。だがその足が、恐怖で前に出ない。「悪いが、娘にまとわりつく悪い虫を駆除させてもらおう」「......こりゃヤベェわ?」ライエルの到着に、コルティナは大きく息を吐いた。「ライエル、私は足を怪我したから、手伝えないわ。悪いけど一人で対処して」「承知した。安心してそこで見ていろ」それだけで、マテウスの全身が総毛立った。それでも彼は強引に足を動かし、前に出る。それしか生き残る道がないと判断したからだ。動かぬ足を意志の力で無理矢理動かし、裂帛の気合と共に剣を振る。「おおおおおぉぉぉぉおおぉぉぉぉぉ!」めったに見せない雄叫びを上げて、全力での一撃をライエルに見舞う。だが彼は、それを虫でも払うかのように、軽々と剣で弾き返して見せた。斬りかかったマテウスの方が弾かれた剣に引き摺られ、大きく仰け反る。片手での攻撃の重さが自慢だったマテウスの、そのさらに上を行く一撃。反対側の剣を使って続けざまに斬り付ける。だがライエルはその斬撃を、有ろう事か左腕で受け止めて見せた。「なっ!?」人間の腕一本なら、容易に斬り飛ばす自信がマテウスにはあった。だがライエルの腕から返ってきた感触は、まるで鋼鉄に斬りかかったような感触だった。いや、鉄と違って弾力はある。だが刃が通らない。皮は裂けた。だが肉が切れない。薄く、一筋の血が流れ落ちる程度。それがマテウスの全力を受けたライエルのダメージだった。「この......化け物め――!」圧倒的高密度の筋肉が、マテウスの攻撃を受け止めた。それは彼にとって常識外の存在の証だった。「ライエル、クレインの居場所を吐かせるんだから、殺しちゃダメよ」押し殺した一言だけ返し、今度はライエルが剣を一閃した。マテウスは両手の剣を交差させて、その一撃を受ける。だが両手で受けてなお受け止めきれず、数メートルも路地を跳ね飛ばされてしまった。一本の剣は砕け、もう一本も無残にひしゃげている。だがおかげでマテウスの命は守り切ることができた。地面を無様に転がって顔を上げるマテウス。それはライエルとマテウスの距離が開いたことでもある。この機を逃がすまいととっさに起き上がり、逃亡しようと背を向けた。恐る恐る背後を振り返ると、そこには跳ね飛ばした距離を一足飛びで間合いを詰めたライエルの姿があった。「うっそだろ!?」直後ライエルの腕が大きく振られた。無論、マテウスの肩を握ったままだ。まるで小石のようにマテウスは投げ飛ばされ壁に叩きつけられる。「がはっ!」それでも剣を手放さなかったのは、さすが歴戦の暗殺者と言える。「お、おい......」またしても無造作にライエルの腕が振られる。幼児が人形を振り回すように、マテウスの身体が宙を舞う。そのまま地面に叩きつけられ、今度こそ血反吐を吐いて剣を手放してしまう。とっさに頭をかばうのが精一杯で、叩きつけられた衝撃で胸の辺りでパキパキと音が聞こえた気がした。ライエルは、さらにマテウスの身体を振り回す。二度とマテウスの体を地面に壁にと叩きつける。その度にマテウスは血を吐き、どこかしらの骨が砕けていく。それでもマテウスは意識を失っていなかった。いや、全身を襲う激痛の嵐に、気を失うことすらできなかった。そしてついにマテウスの身体を再度壁に投げつけ、ライエルの猛攻が止まる。しかし、もはやマテウスには反撃の手段はない。逃亡の術さえ無い。足は砕け、肋骨は砕け、肩も砕けていた。もはや無事な場所の方が少ないくらいの惨状。力なく壁にもたれかかるマテウスに向け、ライエルは拳を握り締め、振りかぶった。「は、はは......こんなの、どうしろって......いうんだよ?」「娘の仇だ。覚悟しろ」「ちょっと、ニコルちゃんは死んでないわよ!」「......娘?」年齢不相応な戦闘力を発揮したニコル。その親がライエル。ならば母はマリアということになる。竜殺し雄。その血筋を濃縮したような少女。苦戦するはずである。「そりゃ......手こずるはずだわ」そしてライエル。六英雄最大の個人戦闘力を持つ聖剣の後継者。自分の全力すら皮を切る程度に留まり、その後はまるで玩具のように振り回された。圧倒的な実力差。比べることすらおこがましい戦力差。彼が現れた直後に敗北を認め、命乞いをすべきだったかもしれない。ここまで圧倒的な敗北は、ジェンド派の頭目に敗れて以来だった。だがそんなことは全く関係なかった。いつだって強者は唐突に目の前に現れ、嵐のように暴れ回り、そして全てを蹂躙して奪い去っていく。目の前の、この男のように。かつてのジェンド派の師匠のように。絶望的な気分で、マテウスは目を閉じる。こんな相手に、抵抗は無意味。そう全てを観念した表情で。そして――ライエルの拳が振り下ろされた。	Nay, they did not explode. To be more accurate, someone on the other side had blown them into pieces with one swing of their sword. A pile of boxes was pulverized into dust with just that one swing. They were broken into tiny fragments, and rained down on Cortina and Mateus like snow. “What just—happened!?” Mateus had lost his words at this unexpected destruction. That said, he immediately leaped back to secure his safety, which was proof of his skill. As the wood chips rained down, one man appeared from the other side. That man was someone Mateus had been the most vigilant of. “—Lyell!? Why is he here!” “Well, I broke through the window so flashily. The staff should have gone there to check it. And they would also discover the letter that I left behind. I asked them to call Lyell.” “That’s so uncertain... What made you think they would do as you asked?” “I decided that that inn was ‘reliable’ exactly because I knew that they would do it. Not to mention, if they let me die despite finding my note, it would lead to trust problems for them. If you think a bit, you’d realize that it would be better to do as it said.” “That still doesn’t explain how he found the place I lured you to...” “Ah, right. That’s why I kept firing signaling magic. From below to above, you see?” Hearing Cortina’s playful words, Mateus moved his gaze overhead—towards the sky. There, he saw a tiny Light spell shining high in the air. “You mixed Light spell among the offensive magic that you were firing at me?” “I never said everything I was firing was As Cortina rolled on the ground, the spells she fired were mostly directed upwards. Among them, she mixed in a Light spell that could be used in place of a signal flare. And Lyell rushed over as he followed that mark. “The reason I was so chatty with you was to gain time. Thank you for playing along without suspecting anything.” “S̲h̲i̲t̲, I wondered why were you so composed...” “—So, I take it you are Mateus?” As Mateus was feeling humiliated for falling for Cortina’s tricks, Lyell addressed him for the first time. He was normally a sociable person, but this time, he was talking with a threatening tone. The intimidating air... no, pure dread that he was releasing made Mateus take a step back. “Agh, s̲h̲i̲t̲. I would like to make my escape now, you know?” “Think I would let you?” The moment he showed his back would be the moment he would be cut down. Mateus could vividly picture that scene in his mind. He could not show his back against this opponent. That only left him one choice — to move forward. However, his legs were frozen in place from fear. “Sorry but I’m going to exterminate any undesirable bugs lurking near my daughter.” “...I’m in deep s̲h̲i̲t̲, huh?” The cold sweat ticking down his spine made the difference between their skills plainly obvious. With Lyell’s arrival, Cortina heaved a big sigh. “Lyell, my leg’s injured so I can’t support you. Sorry but deal with him alone.” “Understood. Relax and just watch from there.” With those words, he raised his dangling sword and directed it towards Mateus. Just that action was enough to have all his hair stand on ends. Even so, he forced his legs to move and step forward. It was because he judged that that was his only way of survival. He forced himself forward by pure willpower and swung his sword together with a roar. That swing carried all the power that he could muster. “Uuoooooohhhh!” He raised a war cry that he only rarely showed, and attacked Lyell with everything he had. Lyell, however, brushed his sword aside as easily as swatting a fly. Mateus who was the one attacking was pulled along by the momentum of his repelled sword, bending backward greatly. It was a blow even stronger than the one-handed strike of Mateus whose heaviness he so prided. Thus, he used his other sword to follow-up on his previous attack. But again, Lyell stopped even this attack, and this time, with his right arm of all things. “Wha-!?” Mateus was confident that he could easily chop off a human arm. However, the feeling that was transmitted from his sword made him feel as if he tried to slice steel instead of an arm. No, that was not quite right. Unlike steel, it has some elasticity. Yet the blade failed to slice it. It managed to cut his skin, but not his flesh. His injury only resulted in a faint, almost insignificant streak of blood. That was the entire damage that Mateus’ full-powered attack managed to deal. “You...Monster!” His muscles of overwhelming density stopped his blow. This was proof for Mateus that Lyell was someone outside of common sense. Just what kind of training, what kind of battles one had to experience to gain a body like this? “Lyell, we need to get Klein’s whereabouts out of him, so don’t kill him.” He answered curtly, and this time, it was his sword that moved. Mateus crossed his swords and received that attack. However, even his two hands could not stop his attack completely, and he was flung several meters backward through the alley. One sword got broken, another got terribly dented. But thanks to them, Mateus managed to hold on to his life. After rolling on the ground, he raised his face. The fact that he got blown away also meant that the distance between the two had widened now. Mateus wasn’t about to let this chance to escape go, thus he stood up and turned around to flee. However, the next instant, his shoulder was grasped by a strong hand. As he fearfully looked behind, he found Lyell, who had covered such a big distance in one step. “Are you kidding me!?” This was the first time when Mateus had lost all his composure during a battle, raising a scream. A moment later, Lyell swung his arm greatly. Naturally, the same arm that was holding Mateus’ shoulder. Mateus was flung away like a pebble, crashing into a wall. “Gahh!” Yet he still did not let go of his swords, proving that he was an experienced assassin. However, his face was dyed in despair the following instant. “H-Hey...” As Mateus lay there against the wall, Lyell went and grabbed his leg. And once again, he easily swung his arm. Mateus’ body floated in the air like a doll played by a child. And then, he was slammed down into the ground, and this time, he ended up letting go of his swords, all while vomiting blood. It took his all just to protect his head during the crash, and he could even hear his chest creaking from the shock. Lyell once again raised his body up. And slammed him to the ground once again, and again. Each time, Mateus vomited blood as some of his bones broke. The leg Lyell was holding him with had long since broken and was now dangling in the impossible direction. And yet, Mateus stayed conscious through all that. Nay, the wave of sharp pain spreading through his body did not allow him to lose consciousness. Then, finally, Lyell slammed his body back to the wall, and his rampage had come to an end. However, Mateus no longer had a way to counter attack. Alas, he could not even escape. His legs were broken, his ribs were broken, even his shoulders were broken. At this point, it was easier to count the parts that were still intact. As Mateus was leaning on the wall, Lyell made a fist and aimed it at him. Being all broken and no way to avoid it, Mateus could only respond with an empty laugh. “Ha-Haha... What can I do against... A monster like this?” “This is revenge for my daughter. Prepare yourself.” “Hey, Nicole isn’t dead!” “...Daughter?” Hearing that, Lyell connected all the dots. Nicole had a fighting strength far beyond a girl her age. If her father was Lyell, then her mother would be Maria. Her parents were the Dragonslayer Six Heroes. The two Heroes’ blood was condensed in her. It was natural that he had such a close fight against her. “Of course... She would be so strong.” And Lyell was the successor of the Holy Sword, the strongest among the Six Heroes in personal fights. Even his utmost was only enough to cut his skin, and after that, he was thrown around like a toy. The difference in skill was overwhelming. It would be laughable to even compare them. Perhaps it would have been better to admit defeat and beg for mercy the moment Lyell appeared. He had not tasted such overwhelming defeat ever since losing to the head of the Jend Sect. He intentionally approached the Jend Sect, planning to defeat its head. However, all of that was irrelevant. The strong always appeared suddenly, rampaged like a storm, and then left after trampling down on everything. Just like this man before his eyes. Just like the Master of the Jend Sect once did. Filled with hopelessness, Mateus closed his eyes. For resistance was futile against opponents like these. His expression told that he had accepted his fate. And thus—Lyell had swung down his fist.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 22, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
俺たちの実力も評価も順調に上昇し、今では位、かつてのレオンと同じレベルにまで成長している。そんな俺たちの前に、一つの問題が持ち上がっていた。「フィニア、今週はいくつ?」です。ミシェルちゃんは?」「わた。ニコルちゃんはぁ?」「........................二十一件」この件数はこなした依頼の数ではない。そう......告白された回数である。なお、女も含む。あれから三年。俺の身長はさらに伸び、百五十センチ程度にまで伸びている。結果として、その体型と美貌で俺に一目惚れする者が続出。日に三件はそういう連中に絡まれる羽目になっている。マリアと言ってもいい体型に育っており、彼女の純朴さとあいまって、一部のマニアックなファンまでいる模様。「これはどうにかしないといけないね」「そうだね、毎日呼び出されるのも億劫だし」「私の生活リズムは、あまり変わりませんけど?」ガドルスの宿『大盾の守護』で俺たちは憂鬱な溜息をついていた。そんな俺たちと違って、気楽な表情で会話に参加するバカ野郎が一人。「俺も聞いてくれよ。今週二人に告白されたんだぜ」「死ね」「辛辣ぅ!」「そのまま結婚引退してもいいよ?」「ヤだよ、まだ冒険したいし」言うまでもなくクラウドである。俺とミシェルちゃんが十五歳になり、同様にクラウドも十七歳へと成長していた。彼は半魔人らしく色白な肌にすらりと伸びた体躯を持ち、そこにしっかりと筋肉のついた彫像のようなスタイルに成長している。「イケメン死ね。慈悲はない」「なんでだよ! ミシェルも何とか言ってくれよ?」「クラウド君のすけべぇ」「ひっでぇ!」クラウドに話を振られ、テーブルに突っ伏したままぷくっと頬を膨らませて不機嫌を示す彼女は、同性から見ても愛らしい。「でも、こうまで注目されてしまうと、さすがに身動きが取りにくいよね」「どこに行くにしても、監視されている気分になってしまいますね」「なんか視線が胸の辺りに集中してるしぃ」こればかりは男の気持ちが理解できる。俺も中身は男だからな......まだ。「街に馴染んだのはいいけど、こうも目立っちゃうのは問題だよね」「そーだねー」「もういっそラウムに戻りますか?」「......むぅ」ラウムを旅立ってから三年。そろそろマクスウェルの言っていた『ほとぼり』が冷めた頃合いと見ても問題はないはず。腐敗貴族たちの首魁であるリッテンバーグの首は獲ったが、奴が派閥のすべてというわけではない。「もう少し、かかるかなぁ?」事はミシェルちゃんの身の安全にかかわる。いや、彼女だけではない。彼女の家族にまでその被害は及ぶ。考えてみれば、俺は月に一回ラウムに顔を出しているが、ミシェルちゃんは手紙でのやり取りだけしか行っていなかった。「んー、でも詳しいことはマクスウェルに聞かないとわからないし......いっそこっちにご両親を呼び寄せれば?」「それはぁ、できなくもないけどぉ......」ラウムに越して八年でまた他所に引っ越すことに、彼女は懸念を表明しているのである。「さすがにわたしのせいで引っ越してって言うのはね」「そっか。とにかく今度戻った時に様子を見てくるよ」「うん、お願いね」「ついでに孤児院の様子もお願い」「クラウドの頼みは聞きたくないけど、孤児院は気になるから見てくる」「素直じゃないなぁ」「あぁん?」この気安い態度が、俺と奴の関係を疑われる元になっているとわかっていても、やめられないのである。	Three years had passed since we arrived in Stollar. Both our power and fame rose favorably and we were fourth rank now, same as Leon was at one point. However the person in question had taken one step further and was fifth rank now, taking on the title of the strongest Adventurer in this region. His party had gained two more members and they were spending their Adventurer life smoothly. And now, we were facing a certain problem. “Finia, how many this week?” “Seven. Michelle?” “Six for me. And you, Nicole?” “............Twenty one.” Those numbers weren’t the commissions we finished. Yes... They were the number of confessions. Some from women too. It has been three years since. I had grown even taller and was about cm tall now. As for my body figure, while it didn’t approach Maria’s, it had still turned feminine enough that I could hold my head high anywhere I went. As a result, my figure and beauty made people fall for me at first sight one after another. I ended up having to deal with at least three cases a day. Finia hadn’t really changed appearance-wise, but she still became a bit plumper and started to exhibit womanly charms. However, she was being confessed to just as much ever since we came to this city, so nothing had changed for her in that regard. As for Michelle, her body had developed to the point she could be called mini Maria, and coupled with her simplistic nature, she had even gained some maniac fans. I was even starting to worry whether she would get deceived or kidnapped someday. “We really have to solve this somehow.” “Yes, it’s troublesome to get called out day after day.” “My life rhythm hasn’t changed much, though?” We gave gloomy sighs at Gadius’ inn, “Greatshield’s Protection.” Given that love was involved, we couldn’t get violent over it, so we were having a tough time rejecting them every day. And there was one dumbass who joined in on our convo with a carefree expression. “Hear me out too. I got confessed twice this week.” “Die.” “Oh come on!” “Why not just go get married and retire?” “No way, I wanna adventure more.” Needless to say, it was Cloud. Michelle and I had turned , while Cloud . He had fair skin and a slender body that was a characteristic of half-demons, and he had gained a sculpture-like figure with forged muscles. He was tall too, of about 80 centimeters, making him stand out even from afar. He was certainly not on the taller side as far as Adventurers went, but his body balance was perfect. It was even fanning my jealousy. I used to be shorter than him in my previous life, and didn’t have as much muscle. “Handsome guys should die. They get no mercy.” “Whyy?! Michelle, say something, will you?” “Cloud you perv.” “So meeeean!” Michelle looked charming even from the same-sex perspective as she puffed her cheeks in displeasure while sprawled on the table at Cloud’s appeal. Her body that was in imbalance with her pure expression was giving off even more seducing charm. “Still, it’s really hard to move freely when we’re in the center of attention like this.” “It feels like we are being observed wherever we go.” “And their gazes are constantly on my chest.” The way ‘that’ swayed as she walked was a brutal weapon that attracted the eyes of men regardless of their will. I could understand the feelings of men at least in this aspect. I was still a guy on the inside... so far. “It’s good that we have gotten adapted to the city, but standing out this much is a problem too.” “That it is.” “Should we just go back to Raum already?” “...Mgh.” It has been three years since we left Raum. The ‘residual heat’ that Maxwell mentioned should have died down by now. The problem was that we didn’t know what was going on there. I showed my face once a month at Cortina’s house, so I had a certain grasp on the situation. Lichtenberg, who was the ringleader of the corrupt nobles was silenced by me, but that didn’t mean that his entire faction fell with him. There was even a war among nobles spurred by lust for power to succeed him. Maxwell moved about to bring that strife to a close, but the results weren’t very favorable. “Maybe it’ll take a bit longer.” This concerned Michelle’s safety. No, not just her. Even her family was at risk. We had to act carefully or next time I may not make it in time to save them. As I was thinking so conservatively, Michelle responded in dejection. “So it’s not good, huh...” Thinking about it, I was showing my face there once a month, but Michelle had only been exchanging letters. It was natural that she would yearn for her family after three whole years of separation. “Hmm, well I have to ask Maxwell for the details first... Why not just call your parents over instead?” She responded unusually evasively. Her family had already moved from the north to Raum. Changing houses over and over wasn’t only problematic financially but mentally too. She was worried about making them move houses again after settling in Raum for eight years. “I don’t feel good about making them move due to my own circumstances.” “I see. At any rate, I’ll check how things are the next time I go there.” “Please do.” “Also check how the orphanage is doing please.” “I wouldn’t hear your request normally, but I’m also worried about the orphanage so I will.” “You’re never honest.” “Huuh?” Cloud’s attitude rubbed me wrong so I went and rubbed his temples with firsts. I knew this kind of familiar behaviour was becoming the source of people misunderstanding our relationship, but I just couldn’t stop.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 25, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
討伐に向かうことを決めると、セルリスが立ち上がる。「私も連れて行ってください」「ダメだ」ゴランが即答した。「私も戦えます。まだ冒険者になったばかりだけど戦闘訓練はずっと続けてきました」「戦闘訓練でいくら鍛えていても、今回は力不足だ」「ですが......」「エリックやラックは優しいから言いにくいだろう。だから俺が父親として言おう」ゴランはセルリスの目をしっかりと見る。「はっきり言って足手まといだ。ヴァンパイアハイロードを殺しにいくんだ。お前をかばっている余裕はない」「......わかり......ました」父親にそこまで言われれば、セルリスは引き下がるしかない。セルリスは悔しそうにうつむいて、こぶしを握りしめていた。「セルリス。経験は少しずつ積むしかない。今にパーティーを組もう」「ありがとうございます」エリックも優しく声をかけた。「セルリスが訓練していることは知っておる。今回は我が娘の護衛についてくれぬか?」「はい」「我が妻レフィも病み上がり故な......多少心配ではあるのだ」レフィは勇者パーティーの元ヒーラーだ。国でも有数の治癒術士で、戦闘能力もかなり強い。杖捌きは中々のものだ。「かしこまりました。全力で守らせていただきます」セルリスの頭をゴランがわしわしと撫でた。「セルリス。頼むぞ」「はい。パパ。わかったわ」そして、俺はルッチラからゲルベルガを受け取る。ルッチラも王宮で待機だ。ルッチラは優れた幻術つかいではある。だが、ヴァンパイアハイロードとの戦いでは活躍するのは難しい。「コッコ」「ゲルベルガさま。しばらくは俺と同行してくださいね」ルッチラは優しくゲルベルガを撫でる。「ゲルベルガさまも英雄ラックと一緒に行動出来て嬉しいでしょう」俺はセルリスに呼びかける。「セルリス、ルッチラのことも頼むぞ」「任せておいて」セルリスはだいぶ立ち直ったようだ。やる気のある目をしている。それから、俺たちは準備を済ませて仮眠をとる。ゲルベルガは俺と一緒にベッドで眠る。気持ちよさそうに眠っていた。ゲルベルガはふわふわで温かかった。そして間後に起床する。胸当てを工夫し、ゲルベルガを中に入れた。「ゲルベルガさま、狭いかもですが我慢してくださいね」「コッコ!」そして、俺たちは王宮を出立した。時間が惜しい。階が倒れたことは、すぐにハイロードの耳に入る。対策をとられるよりも早く仕掛けたいのだ。馬に乗って走りながら、エリックがゴランに尋ねる。「獣人族の長たちには連絡してくれたか?」「おう。昨日のうちにな。どうしても一方的な通告みたいになってしまったがな。シア。すまんな」獣人族には今朝攻め込むとだけ伝えることになった。足並みそろえて作戦をなどといった暇はないという判断だ。狼の獣人族といっても複数の部族がある。すべての部族に連絡するだけでも大変だ。「いえ、王宮にまで攻め込まれているでありますよ。メンディリバル王家は既に当事者。横から獲物を奪ったということにはならないであります」メンディリバルは王国の名であり、エリックの家名でもある。「獣人族は怒らぬか?」「少しは愚痴をこぼすものもおりましょうが、攻撃を急ぐ王家側に筋があることは皆理解するでありますよ」「ならばよいのだが......」エリックは心配している。国王としての色々な立場があるのだろう。「エリック。終わった後に国王的な解決をすればいい」「感状や官職をやるとかな」俺に大公爵やら長い称号を与えたようにすればいいのだ。大公爵を与えるとなると政治的に大変だが、騎士爵ぐらいならば角も立つまい。「少し。考えてみよう」エリックは真面目な顔で考え始めた。ヴァンパイアハイロードのアジトは王都から北に一日進んだところだ。馬ならば間ほどの道のりだ。数回、馬を交換しながら走り、日の出のすぐ後に何とか到着した。そこは岩が多く、木々の少ない山地だった。「この山地のどこかにいるってことだな」「広すぎるのではないか? この広さを探索していては時間がかかりすぎてしまうぞ」「さてどうするか。逃げられるわけにはいかないしな」そんなことを話していると、一人の狼の獣人が走ってきた。 50前後の身体の大きな男だ。シアをちらりとみてから、エリックに向かって頭を下げる。「お待ちしておりました。国王陛下」「そなたは?」その男は、狼獣人部族の族長。その一人だという。族長はエリックに報告を始める。狼の獣人部族の連合体は全力を挙げて、本拠地の場所を調べ上げたらしい。「味方の被害はどうであるか?」「少なくない被害が出ました。ですが、本拠地を調べないことには後手後手に回ってしまいます」「大儀である」エリックがそういうと、族長は改めて深く頭を下げてから言う。「味方の被害は多く、その上ヴァンパイアの数も多く、我らの力では攻めきれぬというのが現状です」「我らがハイロードを討伐しよう。他のロードたちは任せることは可能か?」「お任せください。我ら部族の誇りにかけましても」「陛下と、ともに戦えることは我らにとって光栄であります」エリックは獣人たちの戦力を聞きながら、要領よく作戦をまとめていく。タイミングが一番大切だ。俺たちがハイロード拠点攻撃と同時に、狼獣人たちがロードの拠点に攻め込むのだ。周囲にはロードがこもる拠点が複数あるのだ。一つも逃すわけにはいかない。エリックと族長の作戦会議が終わる。「では、そのようにしてくれ」それから、族長はシアに言う。「陛下に我ら狼の獣人族の勇猛さをご覧いただく機会である。そなたの一族と父の名に懸けて、奮戦することを我らは望む」シアの返事を聞いて満足そうにうなずくと、作戦を伝えるため、族長は走り去った。	Once we decided on that, Serulis stood up. “Please take me with you.” “No.” Goran said immediately. “I can fight too. I may be new as an Adventurer, but I’ve trained for a long time.” “You may have trained a lot, but you are still not strong enough for this occasion.” “But...” “Eric and Ruck are kind, and so they will not tell you. And so it is up to me as your father.” Goran looked Serulis in the eyes. “The truth is that you would get in our way. We are going to go and kill a Vampire High Lord. We won’t be able to protect you at the same time.” “...I...under...stand...” With her own father saying this much, Serulis had no choice but to back off. She looked down in frustration and clenched her fists. “Serulis. You will just have to gain experience a little at a time. Let’s go as a party next time.” “Thank you.” Eric also added kindly, “I know that you are training hard. Would you please help guard my daughters?” “Yes.” “My wife has only just gotten better from her illness...and so I’m a little worried.” Refi was the former healer of our old party. She was one of the best healers in the kingdom and also strong in battle. Her use of the staff was a sight to behold. “Yes. I will protect them with all of my power.” Goran patted Serulis on the head. “Serulis. We’re counting on you.” “Alright, daddy.” And then I took Gerberga from Luchila. Luchila would stay in the palace as well. He was a brilliant illusionist. But it would be hard to make much use of that ability in a fight against a Vampire High Lord. “Cluck.” “Lord Gerberga. Please stay with me for a short while.” “Cluck!” Luchila petted Gerberga gently. “It seems that Lord Gerberga is happy to be able to move with the Hero Ruck.” I turned to Serulis. “Serulis, please look after Luchila as well.” “Leave it to me.” Serulis seemed to have found her footing again. Her eyes looked motivated. After that, we made preparations and took a short rest. Gerberga slept with me in my bed. He looked very comfortable. Gerberga was soft and warm. And then we got up three hours later. I altered a chest protector to hold Gerberga inside. “Lord Gerberga, it may be cramped in there, but please bear it for a short while.” And then we left the palace. There was no time to lose. The High Lord would hear news of the th Officer’s death immediately. I wanted to attack them before they had a chance to make any plans. As we traveled on horseback, Eric asked Goran, “Did you contact the chiefs of the beastkin tribes?” “Aye. I did yesterday. Though, it ended up being more of a one-sided notification. Shia. I’m sorry about that.” They had only told the beastkin that they would be attacking this morning. This was because they did not have time to gather together and plan. These beastkin wolves were separated into different tribes. It was hard enough to make contact with all of them. “No, they have attacked the royal palace. The Mendilibar royal family are concerned in this affair. We would not consider this as robbing us of our prey.” Mendilibar was the name of the royal family and Eric’s family name. “So they will not be angry?” “I am sure some of them will complain, but they should understand why the royal family must rush to the attack as well.” “I hope that is the case...” Eric was worried. As the king, there were many things to consider in his position. “Eric. Once this is done, you can resolve this in a kingly way.” “Hm? What are you suggesting?” “Like offering commendations and positions.” Just like I had been made Grand Duke and given some unnecessarily long titles. Of course, he would not be able to easily pass out the title of Grand Duke, but knighthoods should not be a problem. “I see. I will have to think about that.” Eric said with a serious expression. The Vampire High Lord’s base was a day’s travel to the north of the capital. That was about hours by horse. We changed horses a few times as we rode, and arrived shortly after sunrise. It was a mountainous area covered in rocks and a few trees. “So it is somewhere in this area?” “This place seems a little large to search? It will take too long to search every corner.” “What should we do? We cannot allow them to escape.” As we stood there talking, a single beastkin wolf came running towards us. It was a large man who appeared to be in his fifties. He glanced at Shia before turning to Eric with a bow. “We have been waiting for you, Your Majesty.” “Who are you?” The man was the chief of one of the tribes. He then began his report to Eric. The beastkin tribes had all worked together in order to search for the location of the enemy base. “Have you suffered any casualties?” “Our casualties are not light. However, we had no choice but to search for it before it was too late.” “That is commendable.” Eric said, and the chief gave a deep bow before continuing. “Many of our friends have died. But not as many as the vampires. However, the truth is that we are not strong enough to break them.” “We will kill this High Lord for you. Can we leave the other Lords to you?” “Of course. On the honor of our tribes.” “It is a great honor for us to be able to fight alongside Your Majesty.” Eric asked him about the beastkin numbers and quickly put together a strategy. Timing was the most important. At the same time as we attacked the High Lord’s base, the beastkin would attack the Lords’ bases. There were several bases in the area where the Lord’s were shut in. And we could not let any of them escape. Eric and the chief finished their war council. “Well then, do as we discussed.” And then the chief turned to Shia. “This is an opportunity for His Majesty to witness the bravery of our tribes. I hope that you fight gallantly in the name of your tribe and your father.” He looked satisfied at Shia’s answer as he nodded. Then he ran back in order to relay the plan to the others.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 2, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
ルファスは瀬衣の言葉に考え込むように腕を組む。瀬衣は覚悟を決めてその様子を見守るしかない。次に口を開いた時、その口からどんなとんでもない言葉が飛び出しても平静さを保てるように心を強く保つ。だがそんな彼の、まるで死地に赴く兵士のような心境とは裏腹にルファスが発した答えは何とも気の抜けるものであった。「特に何も」「な、何も? 何もないって事ですか?」「うむ。元々この国に来たのも部下にちょっとした腕試しをさせる為だ。ルファスのその返答に瀬衣は表情に出さないように考える。恐らく、嘘は吐いていない。だが全てを話しているわけでもなさそうだ。何故なら、本当にもう用が済んでいるのなら彼女がこの国に残っているはずがない。狩猟祭が終わってまだこの国に滞在しているという事は、そうする理由があるという事だ。だがそれは、恐らくこの国に対して何かを行うというものではない。その図体は何もしていなくとも無駄に相手を威圧する。早く人化しておけ」ルファスが後ろに声をかけると、そこに佇んでいた巨大な怪物達に掻き消えた。代わりに白髪の老紳士、露出の多い女性、赤い服装の青年が姿を現す。その姿を瀬衣は覚えていた。そうだ、間違いない.....前、ウィルゴと一緒に列に並んでいたあの奇人集団だ。という事はつまり、ルファスが言う所の『腕試しをしていた部下』とは、ウィルゴだという事になる。 (道理でやたら強いわけだ......) 瀬衣はその事実に驚きはしなかった。むしろ妙な納得すらあった。英雄でも覇王でもなく、それでいてフリードリヒに匹敵しマナそのものを消し去る異能の持ち主。ああ、なるほど。只者であるわけがない。だがルファス・マファールの部下だというなら納得出来る。何せ彼女は他者のレベルを簡単に上げてしまえるのだから。 (......騙されていた......わけじゃないな) 一瞬ウィルゴが自分たちを欺いていたのかと疑惑が生じるが、すぐに瀬衣はそれを自ら否定した。少なくともウィルゴ自身は本当に純粋だったし、いい子だった。そこに間違いなどなく、もしあれが演技だったならそれは自分の人を見る目がなかったという事だ。どうせ己の頭の出来など良くはないのだ。ならばここは直観を信じる。実際に接して、話して、共に戦った彼女の事を信じることにした。そしてここでウィルゴを信じるという選択を選ぶ事により、また一つ新たな道が瀬衣の前へと開かれる。「......今、あの山の麓では俺達と一緒に戦っていたウィルゴという子が残ってと戦っています。「なるほど、其方も狩猟祭の上位入賞者だったか。......リーブラ」「はい、間違いありません。確かに山の方にウィルゴの生体反応を感知しました」ウィルゴの事を聞いてルファスがすぐに傍に控えている侍女へと声をかける。すると侍女は待ってましたとばかりに、まだ言葉にすら出されていない主の命令を実行に移して同胞の無事を確認した。瀬衣としてはこの距離でも相手の事が分かるのか、と戦慄するしかない。けど、実際問題として俺達は、その、物理攻撃に偏ったメンバーだから、いくら意気込んでも出来る事がなくて......みっともないとは思うけど、こうして何とか出来そうな人に助けを求める事しか出来ない」「......」「だから、俺達と一緒に、戦ってくれませんか?」 ――さあ、どう出る!? 瀬衣は汗で掌を濡らしながら、ルファスの次の台詞を待った。彼の狙いは、言い方は悪いがウィルゴを引き合いに出しての共闘関係の構築であった。いや、共闘というのは少しどころではなくかなりおこがましいか。何せ力の差がありすぎる。だがここで友好関係を築けるか否かが未来に直結すると直感が告げている。そして決して勝算は低くない。ルファスがメグレズが教えてくれた通りに悪党の類ではないのならば、部下の一人くらいは助けてやろうという寛大さを持っているはずだ。逆を言えばここでウィルゴを見捨てるような人物ならば、瀬衣は考えを根底から変えねばならないだろう。果たして、ルファスが発した答えは彼が期待した通りのものであった。「うむ、よかろう」「ほ、本当ですか!?」柔らかな笑みを浮かべてそう言うルファスに、瀬衣は表情を綻ばせる。何だ。聞いていたよりもずっと話の通じる人じゃないか。もしかしたら、伝説だけが一人歩きしてしまっただけでそんなに恐ろしい人ではないのかもしれない。そう安堵した直後、ルファスを後ろから飲み込もうとするように水が激流となって押し寄せた。どうやら話している間にここまで来ていたらしい。瀬衣は咄嗟に「危ない」と叫ぼうとした。だがそれは声にならず、何より彼が叫ぶよりも早くルファスは行動に出ていた。すぐ後ろに立っていた青髪の少女の襟を掴んで射線上から退避させる。そしてすかさず、まるで羽虫でも払うかのように掌打を放った。すると驚くべき事に、眼前まで押し寄せてきていた激流が霧散し、更に拳圧によって遥か後方へと弾き飛ばされる。「!? !!?」 ――物理攻撃無効の水を殴って吹っ飛ばした!? 物理法則も何も関係ない。圧倒的な力とレベルこそが法則だ。そう言わんばかりの出鱈目ぶりに瀬衣は口を広げ、そして思う。前言撤回。やっぱりルファスは怖い人だ。思いがけぬ勇者からの共闘の持ちかけに俺のテンションは今鰻登りであった。今ならこの鰻で鰻重が作れる気がする。勿論そんなのは無理に決まっているのだが、要するにそれくらい最高にハイってわけだ。いやね、正直勇者との関係をどうするかは問題点の一つではあったのよ。下手に敵対すると多分二百年前の焼き直しからのフルボッコルート突入の可能性もあったし。今はまだ負ける相手ではないが、何せ勇者だ。女神のテコ入れが入ればどう化けるかわかったもんじゃない。物語でもあるだろう。本来なら勝つどころか戦いすら成立しないはずの実力差だったはずなのに、勇者があれよあれよという間に理不尽に強くなって覚醒やら仲間の死からの怒りやら、封印されていた力やらであっという間にラスボスより強くなる展開。勿論これは架空の物語だ。現実とは違う。だから俺のこの考えは単なる空想と現実の混在になる。だがな......困ったことに、この世界は女神の物語なんだ。そして彼女は王道展開が大好きで、その為ならば多少の矛盾や整合性を無視してしまう奴なのだろうと俺は思っている。だから彼女の創り出したこの世界では物理法則が全く仕事をしていないし、もしかしたら鎧の重量で落ちる速度が変わったりするかもしれない。両手に爪の武器を装着すればパワーが二倍になるのかもしれない。つまり勇者を侮って無視していると、女神のテコ入れで気付いたら俺を超えていた、となっても全く不思議ではないのだ。そんなわけで俺としても勇者との友好関係の構築は歓迎すべき事態だ。とはいえ、サジタリウスの事は隠しておいた。下手にベラベラ話して『サジタリウスやっつけよう』とか思われても困るし。「ところでルファス様、何かあちらの方でずっとルファス様を見ている人達がいるんですけど」「ああ、あれか」「はい、しかもそのうちの何人かは顔見知りです」ディーナに言われ、俺は多分勇者パーティーだろう人達の顔をよく見る。虎の獣人とゴリラの獣人は分からないが、それ以外は確かに見覚えのある顔だ。スキンヘッドのおっさんは確かスヴェルで会ったガンツだし、あっちの冒険者は確かジャンだったか。他は印象が薄いのでよく覚えていないが、とりあえずウォーリアばかりのバランスの悪いパーティーだった事は覚えている。それに泡吹いて気絶してるのは俺が初めて召喚された時に色々教えてくれたエルフのイケメンさんか。これなら案外、すんなり話せるかもしれんな。俺はそう考え、とりあえず一行へと近付いてみる事にした。すると虎の獣人が真っ先に逃げて木の裏へ隠れ、ジャン達が警戒を露にする。あまり警戒してないのはガンツくらいか。まあ一人でもこういう人物がいてくれるのは有り難い。「久しいな、ガンツ。元気そうで何よりだ」「......ああ、アンタもな。スファル......いや、ルファス・マファール」ガンツは意外にもあまり驚いている様子はない。むしろ、どこか納得しているようにすら見える。「その反応、もしや気付いていたか?」「まあ、何となくな。アリエスを殴り飛ばせる奴なんて七英雄か魔神王くらいしかいねえ。「いえ、私は本名です」ガンツの言葉にディーナが答えるが、果たして本当に本名なのかどうか......。いや、今はこいつの正体を考察している場合でもないか。ともかくガンツがいてくれたのは嬉しい誤算だ。これならば存外楽に話を進める事が出来るだろう。後は......そうだな、ジャン達の記憶操作も、もう要らんだろう。俺を見てしきりに考えているジャンを一瞥し、それからディーナへ目配せをする。すると彼女も頷き、指を鳴らした。「っ! そうだ、思い出した! 自由商人のスファルさんとディーナさん! ジャン達冒険者組は一斉にハッと我に戻り、そして唐突に戻った記憶のせいで混乱してしまったようだ。まあ彼らからすれば覚えていなければならない重大な事を今の今まで忘れていたわけだから、自分で自分が不思議になってしまったのだろう。とりあえず彼が混乱から立ち直るまで少しかかりそうなので、俺はその間にエルフの兄さんを起こす事にした。あまり治癒の術は得意じゃないんだが、使えないわけじゃない。とりあえず......この気絶している状態をステータス異常の『睡眠』と仮定し、異常治療でもかければ何とかなるかな。『睡眠』は本来ならば敵から攻撃を受ける事でも解除されるので軽く叩く事でも起きるのだが、これは明らかに気絶だから叩いても起きないだろう。術をかけるとエルフは起き上がり、そして俺を見て顎が外れんばかりに驚いた。「ル、ルル、ルファス・マファールゥゥゥ!!?」俺を見るやエルフさんは座ったままの姿勢で後ずさりながら自らを覆う半球状のシールドを展開した。おい、地味に傷付くぞその反応。それにしても随分うっすいシールドだな。大丈夫かこれ? なんか極薄の硝子を張ったみたいになってるぞ。俺は少しばかり強度が心配になり、とりあえずシールドを軽くノックしてみた。するとシールドは音を立てて崩れ去り、エルフが呆然としている。おお、脆い脆い。まるで昭和アニメのよく割れるバリアのようだ。「落ち着け。余は其方を害する気はないし、そのつもりならこんな薄いシールドなど何の意味も為さん」別に怖がらせたいわけではないのだが、それにしてもノックで割れるシールドって正直どうなのよ。これじゃシールドじゃなくてシールだよ。ペタッとその辺に貼り付けておくくらいにしか使えそうにない。「そ、それでは一体......」「詳しい話はそこの勇敢な子と、ディーナにでも聞いておけ。俺はそう言い、勇者一行へ笑みを向ける。すると彼らは呆けたような顔になり、そして瀬衣を見た。やれやれ、俺の悪名を考えれば仕方のない事かもしれんが普通に接する気があるのは勇者とガンツ、それから......勇者の足元で舌を出して尻尾を振っているワンコだけか。虎の獣人に至ってはさっきよりも後ろに下がってるし。俺は犬の頭を撫でながら、自業自得ではあるがこの先を思い、少しだけ溜息を吐いた。	Ruphas crossed her arms as if she was thinking about Sei’s words. Sei could only brace himself and wait to see Ruphas’s reaction. While waiting for the next time Ruphas opened her mouth, he tried to maintain his mind to remain calm in anticipation for whatever surprises the next few words may entail. Nevertheless, contrary to Sei fortifying his mind as if he was a soldier walking towards certain death, Ruphas’s answer was extremely trivial and off-putting. “Nothing in particular.” “N, nothing? You mean to say there’s no reason?” “That’s right. To begin with, we only came to this country to test my subordinate’s abilities. Now that it’s done, I have no intention of proactively doing anything to this country.” In response to that reply by Ruphas, Sei tried to ponder on it without showing anything on his face. In all likelihood, she was not saying a lie. However, it did not seem like she was saying everything. That was because if everything was actually done, there would have been no more reason for her to remain in this country. Since she was still remaining in this country now that the hunting festival had concluded, it meant there was a corresponding reason. Nevertheless, he believed that reason did not involve doing anything to this country. “Anyways, you lot, how long do you plan to stay in those appearances? Those forms intimidate others even if you’re not doing anything. Hurry up and turn back to your human forms.” When Ruphas called out to those behind her, all of the giant beasts on standby all vanished at once. In their places were a white-haired gentleman, a lady with a large amount of exposed skin, and a young man with red clothing. Sei recalled those appearances. That’s right, there was no mistaking it... It was the group of eccentric people who were in the line together with Virgo two days ago. Which meant, the individual that was referred to would be Virgo when Ruphas earlier said: “to test my subordinate’s abilities.” (No wonder she was overly strong...) Sei was not surprised by this fact. If anything, he even felt happy to finally figure out why. An individual who was not a Hero or a Supreme Ruler and yet was able to rival Friedrich and possessed the ability to erase mana itself. Ahh, no wonder. Of course, there was no way she was just an average person. However, if that individual was a subordinate of Ruphas Mafahl, he could accept it. After all, she was someone who was able to raise the level of others easily. (..... It wasn’t as if I was.... being deceived.) Just for a moment, Sei felt like Virgo was deceiving them, however, he immediately rejected that thought himself. At the very least, Virgo herself was extremely pure and a good girl. There was no mistaking that. And even if that was all an act, it only meant that he didn’t have the eyes to judge other people properly. He admitted that he was not highly intelligent. As such, he decided to believe in his instincts. After personally interacting, speaking, and fighting together, he decided to believe in her. Then, as a result of choosing to believe in Virgo, another option became available for Sei to take. A brand new path opened up right in front of Sei for him to tread upon. “... Right now, at the bottom of that mountain is a girl called Virgo who was fighting together with us. She stayed behind and is currently in a battle against one of the Luminaries. She is... your subordinate, right?” “I see, you were also one of the high-ranked participants from the hunting festival. ... Libra.” “Yes, there is no mistake. I have indeed found Virgo’s biological response from the direction of the mountain.” After hearing about Virgo, Ruphas immediately turned to speak to the attendant who was standing by on the side. When she did so, the attendant reacted as if she had been waiting to be asked and replied back with the confirmation of information even before her master had given the order. Sei could only shudder at the fact that she was able to detect a person even from this distance. “S – so, honestly, I personally believe that it is pitiful to let her fight alone. But... as a practical problem, our party consists of no one but members who rely on physical attacks. However much we will it, there is not much that we can do and... Although I realise it’s quite shameful... like this, all we could do was try and find someone who seemed capable in order to ask for their help.” “.....” “So, would you fight together with us?” – Now, how would she react!? Sei awaited Ruphas’s next few words as his palms were drenched with sweat. Although the way he asked was bad, Sei’s aim was to establish a cooperative relationship through fighting together for Virgo’s sake. No, to call it “fighting together” was way more than a little presumptuous. After all, there was just simply too much difference in power. Nevertheless, his instinct told him whether he could directly establish a cordial relationship here or not would determine what would happen in the future. Additionally, the chance of that succeeding was not low by any means. If Ruphas was really not a bad person as Megrez had taught Sei, she would at least be magnanimous enough to decide to help one of her subordinates. Putting it the other way around, if she was someone that would abandon Virgo here, Sei would have to fundamentally change the way he thought about things. He wondered if the response from Ruphas would be what he had been hoping for. “Yeah, that is fine.” “Re, really!?” Looking at Ruphas who was saying that with a delightful smile, Sei’s expression brightened. Seriously. She’s much more of a reasonable person than what I’ve been hearing. The legends may have been wildly exaggerated, maybe she’s not such a scary person after all. Just as he was feeling reassured, from behind Ruphas came rushing a torrent of water as if it was trying to swallow everything in its path. It seemed it had already reached this point as they were talking. In the heat of the moment, Sei almost tried to shout, “It’s dangerous!” However, that did not occur, and above all, even before he could shout out loud, Ruphas had already moved into action. She grabbed the nape of a young girl with blue hair and evacuated her from the line of fire. And without a moment of delay, as if she was sweeping away a fly, she thrust her palm forward. Surprisingly, when she did so, the torrent of water which had already came rushing right in front of them dispersed away. Additionally, due to the pressure from the fist, the torrent was blown far away. “!? !!?” – Water, which was supposed to have been invulnerable to physical attacks, was blown away!? Physics, natural law, and everything else was all irrelevant. Overwhelming power and level itself became the law. As if such an unreasonable thing was being stated, Sei’s mouth dropped wide open and he thought for a moment. I take back what I just said. Ruphas is definitely a scary person. Due to an unexpected prompt by the Hero for collaboration, my mood skyrocketed. With this eel-ated feeling, I even felt like I could make a broiled eel on rice out of it. Of course, something like that was definitely not possible, but what I was trying to say was that I was feeling the highest peak of happiness from this thrill. But yeah, in all honesty, one of the problems I had been facing was how to establish a relationship with the Hero. If I had badly chosen to be hostile, there were more than enough chances for the full-power one-sided fighting from two hundred years ago to occur all over again. Although he was not currently an enemy I would lose against, he was still a Hero, after all. If the Goddess interfered and played her hand, I did not know what kind of a monster he would turn into. You know, like the scenario you might see in the stories. Originally, it was a battle that he could not win due to the sheer difference in abilities. Then, the hero suddenly became unreasonably strong for various reasons like being angry over the death of his companion or awakening a random sealed power, then overwhelming the last boss in a single moment. Of course, those things only happened in stories. It was different from reality. Therefore, what I was thinking of was blurring the line between reality and fantasy. But... unfortunately for me, this world was the Goddess’s story. Furthermore, I believed she was someone that liked mainstream developments. Worse yet, to achieve that mainstream development, she was someone who would ignore plot holes and inconsistencies that might occur as a result. That was why, in this world that she created, the laws of physics were not doing their jobs at all. It was very much possible that the rate of acceleration downwards would change based on the weight of the armour equipped. It was very much possible that equipping claws on both hands would double the amount of power one had. In other words, if I were to underestimate the Hero carelessly, the Goddess could come in and interfere and it would not be strange for him to have surpassed me by the time I noticed. With all that taken into consideration, a collaboration with the Hero was a great development that I gladly welcomed. Having said all that, I had hidden the matter about Sagittarius. If I carelessly blabbered and resulted in them saying, “Let’s just defeat Sagittarius in case,” it would be troublesome for us. “Oh, by the way, Ruphas-sama, there seems to be a group of people that’s been staring at Ruphas-sama from over there.” “Ahh, them?” “Yes. And it seems we are acquainted with several of those faces.” After being prompted by Dina, I had a careful look at the people who mostly comprised the Hero’s party. Although I was not acquainted with the tiger and the gorilla beastkin, I remembered previously meeting the rest of the people. The bald man was definitely Gants whom I met at Svalinn and the adventurer on the side was called Jean if I recalled correctly. Because the other three had weak presences, I could not remember them properly, but I could at least recall they were part of the warrior-only party which had an unbalanced party composition. And the person who had already fainted whilst spewing foam out of his mouth was the handsome elf nii-san who had taught me many different things when I was first summoned to this world. If it’s something like this, I might just be able to casually talk with them. Thinking in that way, I decided to first approach them. When I tried to do so, the tiger beastkin immediately fled and hid behind a tree and Jean and his crew raised their guard. Gants seemed to be the only one who did not raise his guard. Well, I’m thankful that there’s at least one acting in this way. “It’s been a while, Gants. I’m glad to see that you’re healthy above all else.” “...... Ahh, you too. Saphur... no, Ruphas Mafahl.” Unexpectedly, Grats did not seem to be that surprised. If anything, he seemed to be content after confirming his suspicions. “That reaction, could it be that you had already noticed?” “Well, somewhat. To be able to blow Aries away with a punch...The possibilities would be limited to someone like the Heroes or the Demon King. So when that happened, even an idiot like me knew you weren’t some random person. Oh, by the way, since you were using an alias, does Dina-chan also have some other name?” “No, mine is my real name.” Dina replied to Gants’s question, however, I wondered if it really was her real name or not... No, it was not the time to be questioning her identity. In any event, it was a joyful miscalculation that Gants happened to be at this place. Since he was here, we could probably progress the conversation more easily. And... hmm... I suppose we also no longer required memory manipulation on Jean and his party. I took a glance at Jean, who was looking at me and trying to figure out something, then signalled at Dina with my eyes. When I did so, Dina nodded and snapped her fingers. “Tsk! That’s right. I remember now! The travelling merchants Saphur-san and Dina-san! And, Libra of the Heavenly Stars! Wh, why did we believe until now that we were the ones who had conquered the Tomb ourselves?” It seemed Jean’s crew were suffering from slight confusion after suddenly regaining all the memories they had lost until now. Though, from their perspectives, they had forgotten about a very important matter until this point, thus they would have been feeling strange about themselves. For now, during the time until they recovered from their confusion, I decided to wake up the elf nii-san. Recovery techniques were not my specialty, however, it was not as if I could not use them at all. Anyways... If I consider his fainted state to be a status defect induced by [Sleep], I could do something about it just by dispelling a debuff. Originally the sleep debuff would be dispelled when the individual received an attack from the enemy, therefore it would have been possible to wake him up just by tapping him lightly. However, in this case, since he had fainted, he probably would not wake up even if we hit him. When I cast the spell, the elf nii-san woke up and dropped his jaw with a face that screamed his surprise as he looked at me. “Ru, Ruru, Ruphas Mafaahhlllllll!!?” When he saw me, the elf-san deployed a hemispherical shield which covered himself whilst sitting down. Oi, that reaction really hurts you know. But... this is such a thin shield, is that even fine? It looked somewhat like he had put up a super thin piece of glass around himself. As I was slightly worried for him about the strength of the shield, I tried knocking softly to check. When I did, the shield gave off a sound and shattered, causing the elf to become stunned. Oi, so fragile, so fragile. It was just like the barriers that easily broke from Showa-era anime. “Calm down. I have no intention of doing anything to you, and even if I did, a thin shield like that would be meaningless in helping you.” It was not as if I was trying to scare him, but I honestly questioned the usefulness of a shield which would break from a soft knock. With that, it couldn’t even be called a shield, it was just a seal. It looked like its only use would be to stick it randomly somewhere. “Th, then what exactly....” “For a detailed explanation, you should hear it from that brave boy or Dina. But speaking just the conclusion, we’ve decided to collaborate with you. Well, it would probably just be for the duration of us staying in this country, but... I look forward to working with you.” Whilst saying that, I smiled towards the Hero’s party. When I did, their faces showed an expression as if they had turned stupid and then looked towards Sei. Such a hassle. Although it was not that surprising if you consider my notoriety, the only ones who interacted normally with me was the Hero, Gants and....... the puppy which was swinging its tail around with a tongue sticking out at the foot of the Hero. If one were to talk about the tiger beastkin, he’s even gone further back than before. As I was patting the head of the puppy, I thought about what was to come in the future that I had just put myself into and sighed a little.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 10, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
「なんだ!? なにが起こった!?」の一つを奪われた帝国貴族達が混乱と動揺に声を震わせながら怒声を上げる。「狼狽えるな! 魔法で光をつくっがぁ!?」「何が起こっていっあぐっ!?」比較的冷静だった者が、指示を出しながら魔法で光球を作り出し灯りを確保しようとする。が、直後には悲鳴と共に倒れ込む音が響いた。同時に、混乱する貴族達が次々と悲鳴を上げていく。その異様な光景に再び場は混乱に陥った。特に、令嬢方は完全にパニックに陥っており、闇雲に走り出したようで、そこかしこから転倒音や衝突音が聞こえ始める。「落ち着けぇ! 貴様等それでも帝国の軍人かぁ!」暗闇の中、ガハルドの覇気に満ちた声が響き渡る。闇夜を払拭しそうなほど大音量の喝は暗闇と悲鳴の連鎖で恐慌に陥りかけた帝国貴族達の精神を強制的に立て直させた。しかし...... ヒュ! ヒュ! ヒュ! 「っ!? ちっ! こそこそと鬱陶しい!」そのガハルド目掛けて闇の中から無数の矢が飛来する。通常では考えられないほど短いくせに驚く程の速度と威力を秘めたからガハルドを襲ったのだ。その上、絶妙にタイミングをずらし、実に嫌らしい位置を狙って正確無比に間断なく撃ち込まれるので、さしものガハルドも防戦一方に追い込まれてしまった。とても態勢を立て直す為の指示を出す余裕はない。それでも真っ暗闇の中、風切り音だけで矢の位置を掴み儀礼剣だけで捌いているのは流石というべきだろう。怒声を上げるガハルドを中心にギン! ギン! ギン! ギン! と金属同士が衝突する音が鳴り響く。次々と上がる悲鳴と物や人が倒れる音が響く中、ガハルドの喝と、そのガハルドが襲撃を受けていることから冷静さを取り戻した者達が灯りとして火球を作り出すことに成功した。険しい表情で周囲を見渡しつつ衛兵を大声で呼ぶ彼等。その視界の端に何か黒い影のようなものがヒュッ! と風を切りながら横切る。咄嗟に、その影に向かって火球を飛ばそうとした帝国貴族の男。しかし、直後に背後の闇から飛び出した黒装束(+ウサミミ)が暗闇と同化したような黒塗りの小太刀を一閃すると、まるで冗談のように、一瞬で首を刈り取られてしまった。ポ~ンと首が飛びクルクルと回って生々しい音と共に地面に落ちる。その頭は、どこかキョトンとしており、自分の首が刈り取られたという事に気がついていないかのようだった。気が付けば、周囲を照らしていた幾つかの火球は全て消えて、再び闇一色となっている。光に誘われる蛾のように火球を作り出した者のところへ向かっていた帝国貴族や令嬢達は、火球が消滅する寸前に垣間見えたウサミミを生やした黒装束が、一瞬で人の首を飛ばす光景を目の当たりにした。そして再び、闇に紛れて消えた襲撃者に無様にも腰を抜かしていく。「ひっ、ば、化け物ぉ~!」「し、死にたくないぃ~、誰かぁ!」腰を抜かした者の多くは令嬢や文官達だったが、少なからず軍の将校もいる。前線から退いて贅沢の極みを尽くしてきた彼等には死神の鎌に等しい暗闇と襲撃者の存在に精神が耐えられなかったのだ。そんな彼等は、一人の例外もなく、何も出来ないまま、そしてしないまま、音もなく肉薄した黒装束達に手足の腱を切られて、痛みにのたうちながら倒れ伏すことになった。そんな情けない者達もいるが、ここが実力至上主義を掲げる軍事国家である以上、いつまでも混乱に甘んじているわけがない。ガハルドのように儀礼剣は持っていないが護身用の懐剣を頼りに何度か襲撃を凌いだ猛者達が、仲間の気配を頼りに集まり陣形を組みだした。背中合わせになり、中央に術者を据えて詠唱を任せる。見事な連携だ。ガハルドの比較的近くにいた者達も直ぐに陣形を組んでガハルドの背後を守りだした。注意すべき範囲が一気に半分になったガハルドに、もう矢による攻撃は通じない。余裕が出来たガハルドは何十という数の矢を片手間に叩き落としながら詠唱を始めた。とんでもない発動速度で瞬く間に作り出された十近い火球。それは、一瞬で会場に広がり、始源の煌きを以て闇を払い始めた。反撃開始だ! そう息巻いたガハルド等だったが、直後、目の前に金属塊がコロコロと転がってくる。「なんだ? これは......」訝しみながらも正体を確かめようと接近するガハルドの側近を務める男。それは、彼だけでなく離れた場所で灯りを確保した者達も同じだった。猛烈に嫌な予感がしたガハルドは、咄嗟に制止の声をかける。ガハルドの言葉に反射的に従って後ろに飛び退ろうとした側近だったが、その金属塊のもたらす効果からすれば無意味な行動だ。それは、次の瞬間に証明された。カッ! キィイイイイイン!! 突然、金属塊が爆ぜたかと思うと、強烈な光が迸り、莫大な音の波が周囲を無差別に蹂躙したのである。「何がァ!?」光が爆ぜた瞬間、咄嗟に目を瞑って腕で顔を庇ったガハルド達だったが、余りの不意打ちに完全には防ぎきれず、一時的に視力を失う程にきっちりと目を灼かれ、酷い耳鳴りによって聴覚も失う事になった。そして、その絶好のチャンスを襲撃者たるハウリアが見逃すはずもない。絶妙なタイミングで急迫した黒装束のハウリア達が極限の気配殺しで標的の懐に踏み込む。そして、漆黒の小太刀を一閃。五感の二つをいきなり奪われ、抵抗する余裕など微塵もない将校達の手足の腱は、あっさりと切り裂かれてしまった。激烈な痛みに悲鳴を上げて倒れ伏す側近達。直後、口にナイフを突き込まれて舌を裂かれる。詠唱封じの目的だ。離れた場所でも同じように数人が手足の腱を切られて倒れ伏し口から血を流していた。大きな魔術を行使しようとしていた者は容赦なく首を飛ばされている。そんな中、ギンギンギン! と金属同士の激突音が響いた。何と驚いたことに、ガハルドだけは、目も耳も潰された状態で、極限まで気配を殺したハウリア族二人の斬撃を凌いでいたのである。これには襲撃しているハウリア族の二人も黒装束から覗く瞳を大きく見開いて驚きをあらわにした。その一瞬の動揺を感じ取ったのか、隙を突いて気合一発、ガハルドは大きく踏み込み震脚によって衝撃を発生させる。体勢を崩された二人のハウリアが思わず呻き声を上げた。そして、ガハルドは、目も耳も使えないとは思えないほど正確な踏み込みで二人に横殴りの斬撃を浴びせる。「散らせぇ! 〝風壁〟!」辛うじて小太刀で受けつつも強烈な破壊力を秘めた斬撃によって弾き飛ばされた二人のハウリア族と入れ違いに、凄まじい数の矢がガハルドを集中砲火するが、たった二言で発動した風の障壁によって、その全てはあっさりと軌道を逸らされてしまった。「撃ち抜けぇ! 〝炎弾〟!」そして再び二言で魔法を発動。〝火球〟より威力のある〝炎弾〟を一度に十も作り出し、〝風壁〟によって感じ取った矢の射線に向かって一気に掃射する。発動速度も威力も尋常ではないガハルドに戦慄する気配が無数に湧き上がる。気配を殺していたハウリア達が動揺して気配を僅かに漏らしたのだ。ガハルドの閉じたままの瞼が僅かに開き、見えていないにもかかわらずギラリと野獣じみた危険な光を宿す。そして、グリン! と首を回しその視線が闇の奥のハウリアを正確に捉えた。先程、僅かに漏れた気配を感じ取ったのだ。「おぉおおお! 爆ぜろぉ、〝炎弾〟!」放った炎弾には背を向けながら、闇の奥のハウリアに向かって一直線に突進するガハルドは再度詠唱した。天井からクロスボウで援護をしていたハウリア達は、炎弾を回避するためにその場から急いで撤退していたのだが、炎弾が爆発したせいで広範囲に衝撃と熱波が撒き散らされたために完全にはかわすことが出来なかった。少なくとも、足場にしていた場所は崩落してしまい、次の狙撃ポイントに移るまで僅かな時間、援護が途絶えてしまった。「舞い踊る風よ! 我が意思を疾く運べ、〝風音〟!」その隙にガハルドは次の魔法を行使する。風系統の補助魔法〝風音〟。周囲の空気に干渉して音を増幅したり、小さな音を遠くに運んだり出来る魔法だ。大音量に狂わされた聴覚を、この魔法で補助して僅かにでも取り戻そうというのだろう。確かに、応用すれば気配感知の技能の魔法バージョンと言えるかもしれない。と言っても、結局は聴覚を通じて感知するので精度は下がるし、感じ取るのに集中力も必要で近接戦闘時に使うには不向きな魔法ではある。基本は斥候や諜報員が使う連絡・諜報用の魔法なのだ。「らぁああ!!」「ッ――!!」裂帛の気合と共に、斬撃が鞭のようにしなりながら変幻自在に振るわれる。それを苦悶の声を上げながらも、気配に緩急をつけてガハルドの感覚を誤魔化しつつ、連携で何とか凌いでいくハウリア達。しかし、〝風音〟のせいで気配操作は余り役に立っていないようだ。ハウリア族が動いた時の微妙な風切り音をしっかりと感じ取っているらしい。視覚を奪われながら、おそらく発動しても〝気配感知〟には程遠い効果しかないだろう連絡・諜報用の魔法に身を委ねて躊躇うことなく踏み込めるガハルドの胆力と凄絶な殺気の奔流。これが皇帝。これが軍事国家の頭。力こそ全てと豪語する戦闘者たちの王なのだ! それを、身を持って実感したハウリア達は...... しかし、萎縮するどころか誰もがその口元に凄惨な笑みを浮かべた。覆面の隙間から覗く瞳はギラギラと獰猛に輝き、一人一人から濃密な殺気が噴き出す。気配操作が意味をなさないのなら、連携で仕留めてやんよぉ! と言わんばかりに、ハウリア達はまるで一つの生き物のように動き出した。「ククク、心地いい殺気を放つじゃねぇか! なぁ、ハウリアぁ!」四方八方からヒット&アウェイを基本とした絶技と言っても過言ではないレベルの連携攻撃が殺到する。その斬撃を独特の剣術で弾きながら、ガハルドは楽しげに叫んだ。どうやら、とっくにハウリア族とばれていたようだ。ハウリア達は、ガハルドの雄叫びを聞いても無言だ。ただ、ひたすら殺意を滾らせていく。「あぁ? ビビって声も出せねぇのか!?」言葉からして、やはり、魔法のおかげで聴力だけは少し回復しているらしい。そのガハルドの叫びに、一際強烈な殺気を振りまくハウリア――カムが小太刀の二刀を振るいながら、その溢れ出る殺意とは裏腹に無機質な声をポツリと返した。「戦場に言葉は無粋。切り抜けてみろ」暗闇に火花が舞い散り、更に激しさを増す剣戟は嵐の如く。しかし、双方の体に刃は届かない。数十秒か、数分か......会場で意識はあるものの口も手足も切り裂かれて苦悶に表情を歪める者達は、なぜ外から誰も駆けつけないのかと苛立ちながらも自分達の王の勝利を祈る。同時に、剣戟の火花により時折浮かび上がる影で襲撃者が兎人族であると察し、有り得ない事態に、その未知に、恐怖に慄く体を必死に押さえ込んでいた。と、その時、彼等の期待を裏切るように事態が動いた。「っ! なんだっ? 体が......」ガハルドが突如ふらつき始め、急速にその動きを鈍らせたのである。「待ってましたぁ!」と言わんばかりに、四方八方からハウリア達が飛びかかる。何とかそれを弾き返すガハルドだったが、最初からガハルドの異変は想定済みだったようで、絶妙なタイミングで放たれた矢がガハルドのふくらはぎを深々と貫いた。ガクンと膝を折るガハルドにカムが小太刀を振るう。辛うじて剣で受け止めるもののもう片方の小太刀で腕の腱を切られ、ガハルドは遂に剣を取り落とした。ガハルドは、瞬時に魔法を発動しようとするも、刹那のタイミングで交差するようにすれ違った二人のハウリア族が、戦闘中に確かめていた位置に小太刀を振るい、隠し持っていた魔法陣やアーティファクトを破壊または弾き飛ばす。同時に、残りの腕と足の腱も切断した。「ッ――」迸る激痛に、しかし、悲鳴は上げないガハルドだったが、その体は意志に反してゆっくりと傾き、ドシャと音を響かせてうつ伏せに倒れてしまった。静まり返るパーティー会場。誰も言葉を発しない。それは、物理的に口を閉じさせられているからというのもあるが、きっと、たとえ口が利けたとしても、言葉を発する者はいなかっただろう。ヘルシャー帝国皇帝の敗北。暗闇に視界を閉ざされていようが、理解できてしまう。その事実は、人から言葉を、あるいは思考自体を奪うには十分過ぎる衝撃だった。ハウリア族の一人が、倒れ伏すガハルドにスっと近寄る。そして、視力と一応聴力を回復させる薬をガハルドに施した。これからの交渉に必要だからだ。「ふん、魔物用の麻痺毒を散布してここまで保つとはな」「くそがっ、最初からそれが狙いだったか......」衣服に仕込まれた魔法陣やアーティファクトも全て取り除かれ死に体となったガハルド。視力と聴力が回復してきたところでカムから体の不調の原因を聞かされて悪態をつく。そんなガハルドに、突如、頭上から光が降り注いだ。ハウリア達の装備の一つでフラッシュライトのようなものだ。それがまるでスポットライトのようにガハルドを照らしているのである。『どどどどど、どういうことですか!? ここここ、これは!? にゃにゃにゃ、にゃぐもさん! いいい、一体ぃ!!』『いいから、ちょっと落ち着け姫さん。今、クライマックスなんだから』手足の腱を切り裂かれ、魔法陣の破壊の為にあちこち衣服を切り裂かれて地に伏せるガハルドが光に照らされて現れたのを見て、ハジメに羽交い締めにされて口元を塞がれているリリアーナが動揺もあらわにハジメを問い詰める。襲撃の際、皇太子バイアスの傍らにいたリリアーナだったが、ハジメが瞬時に回収して元の位置に戻って来ていたのだ。ハウリア族の作戦遂行中、ハジメ達は皆、邪魔にならないように会場の端っこに集まっていた。幾人もの帝国貴族達が死んだことを感じ取っているようで光輝が盛大に顔をしかめている。鈴や雫、龍太郎も難しい表情で黙り込んでいた。これが、亜人の境遇を改善する最大のチャンスであり、文字通りハウリア達の運命を左右する一戦であることを理解しているためじっとしているが、やはり目の前で繰り広げられる惨劇をあっさり割り切ることは出来ないのだろう。もっとも、たとえ割り切れなくとも静観する以外に道はない。もし感情に任せて、「これ以上はやり過ぎだ!」等と言いながらカム達の邪魔をしようものなら、その瞬間、背後からレールガンに襲われることになるだろう。動揺のまま大声を出しそうなリリアーナを羽交い締めにしながらも、きっちり光輝を視界と意識に収めているハジメ。いざとなれば何をする気か察している雫は、ある意味、ハウリア族の繰り広げた殺戮劇よりも光輝の動向とハジメの視線に冷や汗を流していた。「さて、ガハルド・D・ヘルシャーよ。今生かされている理由は分かるな?」「ふん、要求があるんだろ? 言ってみろ、聞いてやる」「......減点だ。ガハルド。立場を弁えろ」姿は見えず、パーティー会場全体に木霊するように響き渡る男の声。正体はカムだ。這い蹲るガハルドに声をかけたカムだったが、ガハルドの横柄な態度に、僅かな間の後、まるで機械のような声音で忠告を発した。そして、その忠告は言葉だけではなかった。突如、ガハルドから少し離れた場所にスポットライトが当たる。そこには、ガハルドと同じく手足の腱を切られ、詠唱封じのために口元も裂かれた男の姿があった。その男にスポットライトの外から腕だけが伸びてきて髪を掴んで膝立ちにさせたかと思うと、次の瞬間には、男の首が嘘のようにあっさりと斬り飛ばされた。「減点」思わず怒声を上げるガハルド。他の場所からも生き残り達が見ていたのだろう。悲鳴や息を呑む音が聞こえる。しかし、そんなガハルドの態度に返ってきたのは機械じみた淡々とした声。そして、再び別の場所にスポットライトが辺り、同じように男の首が刈り取られた。「ベスタぁ! このっ、調子にのっ――」側近だったのか、たったいま首を刈り取られた男の名前を叫び、悪態を吐くガハルドだったが、それに対する返しは、やはり淡々とした声音と刈り取られる男の首だった。「......」ギリギリと歯ぎしりしながらも押し黙り、それだけで人を殺せそうな眼光で前方の闇を睨むガハルド。そんなガハルドに、やはりカムは淡々と話しかける。「そうだ、自分が地を舐めている意味を理解しろ。判断は素早く、言葉は慎重に選べ。今、この会場で生き残っている者達の命は、お前の言動一つにかかっている」その言葉と同時に、いつの間にかスポットライトの外から伸びてきた手が素早くガハルドの首にネックレスをかけた。細めの鎖と先端に紅い宝石がついたものだ。「それは〝誓約の首輪〟。ガハルド、貴様が口にした誓約を、命を持って遵守させるアーティファクトだ。一度発動すれば貴様だけでなく、貴様に連なる魂を持つ者は生涯身に着けていなければ死ぬ。誓いを違えても、当然、死ぬ」言外に、帝室の人間は確保しており、同じアーティファクトが掛けられていると伝えるカム。ガハルドもそれを察したようで苦虫を万匹くらい噛み潰したような表情になる。カムがガハルドの首にかけた〝誓約の首輪〟と呼ばれるネックレス型のアーティファクトは、魂魄魔法を生成魔法によって付与した宝石と鉱石で作られたもので、カムの言葉通り、口にした誓約を魂魄レベルで遵守させる効果を持つ。具体的には、発動状態で口にした誓約が直接魂魄に刻まれ、誓約を反故にしたり〝誓約の首輪〟を外したりすれば魂魄自体が消滅することになる。また、連なる魂を持つ者、すなわちガハルドの一族に対しても効果があり、同じく〝誓約の首輪〟を着けなければ死ぬ事になる。要するに、皇帝一族全員に、末代まで誓約を守らせるというアーティファクトなのだ。(姻族に対しては別途アーティファクトが必要) 「誓約......だと?」「誓約の内容は四つだ。一つ、現奴隷の解放、二つ、樹海への不可侵・不干渉の確約、亜人族の奴隷化・迫害の禁止、四つ、その法定化と法の遵守。わかったか? わかったのなら、〝ヘルシャーを代表してここに誓う〟と言え。それで発動する」「呑まなければ?」「今日を以て帝室は終わり、帝国が体制を整えるまで将校の首が飛び続け、その後においても泥沼の暗殺劇が延々と繰り返される。我等ハウリア族が全滅するまで、帝国の夜に安全の二文字はなくなる。帝国の将校達は、帰宅したとき妻子の首に出迎えられることになるだろう」「帝国を舐めるなよ。俺達が死んでも、そう簡単に瓦解などするものか。確実に万軍を率いて樹海へ侵攻し、今度こそフェアベルゲンを滅ぼすだろう。わかっているはずだ。奴隷を使えば樹海の霧を抜けることは難しくない。戦闘は難しいが、それも数で押すか、樹海そのものを端から潰して行けば問題ない。今まで、フェアベルゲンを落とさなかったのは......」「畑を潰しては収穫が出来なくなるから......か?」「わかってるじゃねぇか。今なら、まだ間に合う。たとえ、奴の力を借りたのだとしても、この短時間で帝城を落とした手際、そしてさっきの戦闘......やはり貴様等を失うのは惜しい。奴隷が不満なら俺直属の一部隊として優遇してやるぞ?」「論外。貴様等が今まで亜人にしてきた所業を思えば信じるに値しない。それこそ〝誓約〟してもらわねばな」「だったら、戦争だな。俺は絶対、誓約など口にしない」どうだ? と言わんばかりに口元を歪めるガハルドに、カムは、どこまでも機械的に接する。「そうか。......減点だ、ガハルド」再度、その言葉が発せられ、降り注いだスポットライトに照らし出されたのは...... 「離せェ! 俺を誰だと思ってやがる! この薄汚い獣風情がァ! 皆殺しだァ! お前ら全員殺してやる! 一人一人、家族の目の前で拷問して殺し尽くしてやるぞ! 女は全員、ぶっ壊れるまでぇぐぇ――」皇太子バイアスだった。皇太子の喚き声に混じって息を呑む音がそこかしこから聞こえる。直後、何の躊躇いもなく銀線が翻り、ヘルシャー帝国皇太子の首はあっさり宙を飛んだ。	“What!? What happened!?” The aristocrats of the Empire who were suddenly deprived of one of their senses shouted out angrily in a shaky voice which contained confusion and unrest. “Don’t panic! Use magic to create ligh-ga~a!?” “What happen-gu~!?” A relatively calm person tried to create a sphere of light while giving out instructions to others to secure their vision. However, the sound of a scream and something falling down happened right afterwards. At the same time, the confused aristocrats all begin screaming one after another. The place soon sanked into confusion once again. Especially, the mademoiselles who completely fell into panic and began running around blindly, the sounds of collisions and people falling resounded out rapidly from various places. “Calm down! Can you bastards still call yourselves soldier’s of the Empire!” Gaharudo’s voice filled with ambition resounded throughout the hall in the darkness. With the loud scolding voice, the aristocrats who started falling into panic and screaming due to the darkness stopped. However...... Hyu! Hyu! Hyu! “~!? Chi! Sneaking around so annoyingly!” Countless arrows came flying towards Gaharudo from the darkness. With short notice, a surprise attack of arrows which held amazing speed and power attacked Gaharudo from all directions. Moreover, it was pulled off with exquisite timing, being bombarded with arrows which were incredibly accurate was definitely a bad position to be in, with so much flying towards him Gaharudo had no choice but be pushed into a one-sided defensive battle. He couldn’t afford to give out instructions to recover the situation anymore. Still in the pitch black darkness, while fending the blows with the ceremonial sword, he could only grasp where the arrows were coming from due to the noise of them cutting through the air. The noise surrounding Gaharudo began raising out roars. Gin! Gin! Gin! The sound of metal colliding resounded out. The sounds of peoples screams resounded one after the other while collapsing, due to Gaharudo’s scolding, people who regained their calm created fireballs to act as a light. They called out to the guards loudly while looking around their surroundings with a fierce expression. Something like a black shadow zinged by in the edge of their sights! It traveled quickly as if slicing through the wind. Immediately the aristocrat man tried to shoot a fireball towards the shadow. However, the shadow that dashed out from the darkness dressed in black (+Usamimis) immediately pulled out a small black sword which completely blended in with the darkness, as if it was a joke, a head was mown down instantly. ~Pon~ the head flew through the air and rolled around on the ground with the vivid sounds. The head had a blank face, it seems he didn’t notice that he was no longer connected with his body. Before anyone noticed, all fireballs which were illuminating the surroundings had disappeared and the only color left was the darkness. The aristocrats and mademoiselles gathered towards the people who created fireballs like moths being provoked by the light, they managed to catch a glimpse of the shadow’s Usamimis immediately before the fireball was extinguished, then the spectacle of the persons head flying through the air was witnessed immediately afterwards. Then once again, their waists gave out against the assailant who disappeared under the cover of the darkness. “Hi~, m, monster~!” “I, I don’t want to die~, someone, anyone!” Most of the people unable to stand up were the mademoiselle and civil officers, quite a few of the military officers as well too. Their minds couldn’t endure the darkness which was equivalent to the death god’s sickle and the assailant’s existence which appeared right in front of their eyes. As such, without exception, without being able to do anything, and while doing nothing, the tendons in their hands and feet were cut by the person dressed in black soundlessly, they fell laying on the ground writhing in pain. Although there were those pathetically miserable people, as a military nation which adheres to the principles that abilities reigned supreme, some couldn’t permit themselves to continue wailing away in confusion forever. Veterans who survived countless battles, although they didn’t have a sword like Gaharudo, relied on their daggers which they kept in their breast pocket for self defense, they united with their companions and began creating a battle formation. while back to back with one another, the magicians were placed in the center. It was splendid cooperation. The people who were relatively nearby to Gaharudo immediately created a battle formation to defend his back. The range that Gaharudo had to consider was immediately decreased by half, now the attacks were no longer a problem. Gaharudo began chanting while knocking down dozens of arrows to the side. A bit less than fireballs were produced in an instant and shot out at surprising speeds. They spread out throughout the hall and began to brighten up the darkness. Begin the counter attack! Though it was Gaharudo yelling out threateningly, immediately afterwards, a lump of metal rolled around in front of him. “What? Is this......” The man who serves as Gaharudo’s aid moved in closer to check out the objects purpose with suspicion. It wasn’t only him though, others who secured their lightsource at different areas were the same. Gaharudo had an severely unpleasant premonition, he immediately yelled out in a controlling voice Although the aid who heard Gaharudo’s words reflectively tried to leap back but, that action was meaningless judging by the effects of the lump of metal. That was proven in the next instant. Ka! Kyiiiiiin!! All of the sudden, just when you thought the lump of metal popped, intense light surged out and an immense sound indiscriminately violated the surroundings. “What is!?” The moment the light bursted out, Gaharudo shut his eyes and covered his face with his arms, he wasn’t able to completely block out the surprise attack, although his eyes were shut tight he still couldn’t see temporarily, he also lost his hearing due to the severe ringing in his ears as well. And, the Hauria assailants couldn’t overlook this golden opportunity. The Hauria’s dressed in black rushed forwards with exquisite timing and immediately came within the targets bosom while they killed off their presence. Then with one spark from the small jet black sword, a second spark emitted again. With of their senses taken away from them, the tendons in the officers hands and feet were easily cut without any kind of resistance. The aides screamed in pain as they fell and laid on the ground. Immediately, their tongues were torn through by a knife. The purpose was to restrict them from chanting. Several people prostrated themselves in the same manner in various places, bleeding on the ground with the tendons in their hands and feet cut and from their mouths. People who tried to fire off big magics were mercilessly beheaded. Meanwhile, ~Gin Gin Gin~! the sound of metal clashing resounded out. Surprising it was Gaharudo who had lost his sight and hearing, he was able to slash back at the two Haruia tribe members who killed off their presence to the utmost limit. The two Haura members which were attacking opened their eyes wide in surprise from this demonstration. Did he feel their unrest in that instant, taking advantage and with fighting spirit, Gaharudo generated a shock wave by using Quake Legs. The haruia whose stance was broken instinctively let out a groan. And Gaharudo accurately sliced sideways towards the side of the people as if his eyes and ears weren’t damaged at all. “Scatter and disperse! “Wind Wall”!” The two haruia members were pushed aside by the sword’s destructive power as they were just barely able to receive the attack with their small swords, a terrific barrage of arrows were shot at Gaharudo and with the wall of wind which only took words to cast, all of the arrows trajectory was easily averted. “Shoot out! “Flame Bullet”!” The magic was once again duplicated. “Flame Bullets” were produced which were stronger than the “Fire Balls” from before. It shot back towards the trajectory at which the arrows had originated from when in contact with the “Wind Wall”. They shuddered from the abnormal presence of Gaharudo who shout out countless magic with power and speed. The Hauria who had hidden their presence unintentionally leaked out their presences slightly. Gaharudo’s closed eyelids opened up slightly, although he shouldn’t be able to see yet, his eyes carried the light of a dangerous wild beast. And with a grin! he turned his neck and glanced accurately at the direction where the Hauria were in the darkness. He had felt the presence that leaked out a while ago. “Oooo~o! Burst out, “Flame Bullet”!” While turning his back against the Flame Bullets he shot out, Gaharudo rushed straight towards the Hauria in the darkness and chanted once again. Immediately, the flame bullet in the back flew towards the ceiling of the party hall and exploded loudly with a roar. The Hauria who were on the ceiling providing support with their crossbows, quickly withdrew to evade the flame bullet, but because the flame bullet exploded, it wasn’t possible to completely dodge it due to the heat wave generated that scattered widely. At the very least, the places which were used as scaffolding were collapsing down, in the little time before they manage to reach the next sniping point, support cover has completely ceased. “Dancing wind! Carry out my will, “Sound of Wind”!” Gaharudo casted his next magic in that timeframe. Supplementary magic “Sound of Wind” from the wind system. It interferes with the surrounding air and amplifies sound, it’s a magic that allows small sounds in the distance to be heard. His hearing was amplified to megavolume, with the assist of this magic he’ll likely regain his hearing. Certainly, it could be said that this was the magic version of the skill presence perception when applied. Though I say that, the accuracy decreases because they’re being perceived through hearing only, concentration was required to make sense of what’s heard due to that it’s an unsuitable magic to be used during the proximity of battle. This was a basic magic that scouts and secret agents used for information gathering. “Raa~aa!!” “Tsu——!!” Along with the yell of fighting spirit, his slashes bent and transformed as if he were using a whip. While raising out a voice of anguish, Gaharudo deceive his senses by overriding them to feel the presences, the Haruia managed to get through it by cooperating with each other. However, because of “Sound of Wind” their presences were seen though. With each step the Hauria took, they generated a subtle sound in the wind. With his sight deprived, although the method being used was far from proper “Presence Perception”, with a torrent of blood thirst, courage and ferociousness, Gaharudo moved forwards without hesitation and entrusted his body to the information gathering magic. This is the Emperor. This is the head of a military nation. The king of warriors who boast that power is everything! This was what the Hauria’s managed to feel first hand..... However, everyone had a ghastly smile on their lips that was far from shrinking away. The eyes that pierced through the masks shone ferociously in glare, a heavy thirst for blood surged out from each and everyone of them. If they couldn’t hide their presence, then they’ll just cooperate and bring him down! As if announcing that, the Haruia began to move as if they were all one creature. “Kukuku, You’re giving off quite the good thirst for blood there! Na~a, Hauria’s!” The cooperation attack was on the level that wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that it exceeded the techniques based on hit and run from all directions pouring in. While fighting back against the peculiar swordsmanship, Gaharudo shouted out happily. It appears that he found out that they were the Hauria tribe long ago. Even though they heard Gaharudo’s shout, the Haruia were silent. They only singlemindedly released their murderous intent. “A~a? You guys won’t let out shocked voices!?” Judging from his words, as expected, only his sense of hearing has recovered a little thanks to the magic. Towards Gaharudo’s shout, the Haruias released especially strong thirst for blood——while Cam was brandishing his two short swords, he replied back while overflowing with murderous intent. “Those are tasteless words on the battlefield. Survive if you can” Sparks danced in the darkness and the sword swings became much more intense like a storm. However, the blades didn’t reach either bodies. Tens of seconds, several minutes.....the people whose mouths, arms, and legs were cut in a certain places began to have anguished expressions, they prayed for their kings victory while being irritated that no one was rushing in from the outside. At the same time, they guessed that the assailants from the shadows were Usagininzoku due to seeing as the sparks were produced by the swords, towards that impossible scene and towards the unknown, they were desperately holding in the fear they felt. Then, at that time, their expectation was betrayed by the situation. “~!, What the? my body.....” Gaharudo suddenly began to stagger, his movements rapidly dulled. As if saying, “We were waiting for this!”, the Hauria sprang from all directions. Although Gaharudo somehow managed to resist back, it appears that Gaharudo’s oddness was assumed to happen from the beginning, an arrow shot out with exquisite timing and dug deeply into Gaharudo’s calf. Cam wielded his small sword towards Gaharudo who was folding from his knees. While blocking Gaharudo’s sword with one short sword, the other was used to cut through the tendon in his arm, his sword finally dropped to the ground. Although Gaharudo tried to move instantly with magic, 2 of the Haruia’s blocked his way at that exact moment and wielded their small swords in confirmation of the battle still going on, they destroyed and blew away the magic formation and the artifact that was being concealed. At the same time, the remaining arm and legs tendons were cut. “Tsu——-” Severe pain was gushing out, however, Gaharudo didn’t scream out, his body began to incline slowly against his will, and ~Dosha~ it was the sound of his body falling prone on the ground. The party hall fell silent and no words were emitted. Though a few were physically unable to say anything due to their mouths being forced shut, surely, even if they could open their mouths, none of them would have been able to actually say anything. The Emperor of the Hoelscher Empire was defeated. Even if their view was shut by darkness, they could tell. Towards that fact, the shock was so huge it erased everything else from their minds. One of the Haruia tribe members approached Gaharudo who was still laying on the ground. And for now, gave him medicine to recover his sight and hearing. This was done in order to negotiate about the future. “Fu~n, a monsters paralysis poisoning was scattered here so that you’d stay in place” “Damn it, were you aiming for that from the beginning......” Gaharudo was removed of all magic formations and artifacts that were inscribed onto his clothing. When Cam told him of the reason why his body was acting abnormally after restoring his sight and hearing, he cursed out at him. Light suddenly poured down over Gaharudo’s head. It was due to one of the Hauria’s equipment which acted as a flashlight. It shined down on Gaharudo as if it was a spotlight. “Wwwwwwww, what does this mean!? Ttttttt, this!? Nyanyanya, Nyagumo-san!? jjj, just what!!” “It’s fine, calm down a little princess. Right now is the climax after all” With the tendons in the hands and feet cut, clothes torn up here and there because of the destruction of the magic formations, the appearance of Gaharudo being illuminated by the light appeared on the ground, with lots of agitation Ririana’s mouth closed and opened while shakingly asking Hajime questions who she assumed was the reason for such an event. During the attack, although Ririana was besides the crowned prince Bias, Hajime instantaneously retrieved her and returned to his original position. During the Hauria’s strategy execution, Hajime and them all gathered in the corner of the hall so that they don’t become obstructive. Kouki was frowning grandly as he noticed that many aristocrats were dead. Suzu, Shizuku, and Ryutaro fell silent with a difficult expression. This was the biggest chance of improving the Demi-humans standings, because they understood this they kept silent as the battle was literally deciding the Haruia’s fates, though they still couldn’t fully accept the tragedy that unfolded in front of their presence so easily. In the first place, there was no other choice but to just watch things happen. If they let out their emotions, “Anymore than this is overdoing it!”, they’d be obstructing Cam, at that instant, they would be attacked in the back by a railgun. Although Ririana was speaking loudly and shakingly in unrest, Hajime had Kouki well within view and consideration. Shizuku was thinking about what to do in the case that that does happen, in another sense, cold sweat appeared more from Hajime’s glances at Kouki than of the Haruia’s massacre. “Now then, Gaharudo D. Hoelscher. Do you understand why you’re still alive right now?” “Fu~n, you have demands right? Just say them, I’ll listen” “......Points deducted. Gaharudo. Know where you stand” The appearance wasn’t seen but the voice of a man echoed throughout the hall. It’s true identity was Cam. Although Cam called out to Gaharudo who was on the ground, from Gaharudo’s insolent attitude, after several intervals, he gave out advice in a mechanical voice. And, the advice didn’t stop at just words. Suddenly, the spotlight distanced itself from Gaharudo. There, with the tendons in their hands and legs cut just like Gaharudo, it was the appearance of a man whose tongue was torn to seal off chants. An arm extended from outside of the spotlight and was gripping onto the man’s hair and forced him to stand on his knees, in the next instant, the man’s head as if jokingly was easily cut off. “Points deducted” Gaharudo instinctively raised out an angry voice. The other survivors should have seen it perfectly from where they were at. Breathtaking screams could be heard. However, in a serene voice just like a machine was returned towards Gaharudo’s attitude. Then, the spotlight once again moved to a different place, and that man was similarly beheaded. “Vesta! You, getting so carri—-” Was it an aide, the name of the man who was beheaded was called out, Although Gaharudo was cursing out, in return, the indifferent voice sounded out and another man was beheaded. “.......” While grinding his teeth tightly he fell silent, Gaharudo’s stared into the darkness with eyes that seemed to be able to kill a person with just a glare. Towards such a Gaharudo, Cam indifferently talked anyways. “That’s right, understand that your position has reached rock bottom. Judge quickly and choose your words wisely. Right now, the lives of all the people in this hall, depends on your speech and behavior” Simultaneously with those words, a hand extended from outside of the spotlight and placed a necklace on Gaharudo’s neck before he was aware. It was a thin chain with a bright red jewel attached on the tip. “This is the “Collar of Oath”. Gaharudo, the oath which you’ll pledge to from your mouth, this artifact will be holding your life as lateral. If it triggers even once, not just you, but anyone else who’s connected with your soul throughout your life will die. If the oath is broken, naturally, you’ll die” The implied meaning, all humans in the room have been secured, Cam informed him that all others have been forced to wear the same artifact. Gaharudo seemed to have understood and his expression twisted as if he was forced to chew 10,000 bitter worms and insects. The necklace artifact called “Collar of Oath” that Cam placed onto Gaharudo’s neck, the jewel and ore it was made out of was created through Generation Magic which infused Spirit Magic into it, according to Cam’s words, it has the effect of making sure that the oath that comes out of his mouth stays carried out on a spiritual level. Specifically, the oath that is said will be directly engraved onto their spirit, if the oath is broken or the “Collar of Oath” is removed, their spirit itself will disappear. Moreover, it even affects the next in line souls, in other words, it affects Gaharudo’s entire clan, similarly they would all die if they don’t wear the “Collar of Oath”. In short, towards every one of the Emperor’s clan, the oath from the artifact will have to be followed throughout all generations to come. (A separate artifact is needed for people who become relatives through marriage) “An oath....you say?” “There are 4 contents to the oath. First, the emancipation of all the existing slaves, second, a definite promise of nonaggression and nonintervention with the Sea of Trees, third, prohibiting the enthrallment and persecution of Demi-humans, fourth, make all conditions legal laws. Have you understood? If you understand, say, “I swear it here on behalf of Hoelscher”. After that it’ll activate” “And if I don’t?” “The Imperial house ends today, the necks of officers will continue flying until the empire straightens out the situation, afterwards, assassinations would be carried out repeatedly for a long time to come. Until we, the Haruia tribe is annihilated, the Empire’s safety in the night is long lost. Officers of the Empire when coming home will only find the heads of their wife and children” “Don’t underestimate the Empire. Even if we die, it won’t collapse so easily. An army will definitely be led to invade and attack the Sea of Trees and this time, Fair Bergen will definitely be destroyed. You should already understand. It’s not difficult to navigate through the fog of the Sea of Trees if a slave is used. Although combat is harder, it can easily be done through numbers, there are no problems through smashing the Sea of Trees from the edge inwards. Up until now, the reason why we haven’t crushed Fair Bergen.....” “Because it would be impossible to harvest if you crushed the field......right?” “So you do understand. Right now, you’ll still be in time. For example, even if you borrowed that guys power, the skills to bring down the Imperial castle in such short time, and that last battle.....as expected, losing you guys would be regrettable. If you guys don’t want to be slaves then I will give you preferential treatment to be under my direct command as my personal troops?” “Out of the question. You do not deserve our trust based on your behavior of Demi-humans thus far. That’s why I’ll have you pledge to the “oath”” “Then, it’s war huh. I will definitely not pledge to the oath” How about it? Gaharudo was about to say until his lips distorted, Cam was as mechanical as always. “Is that so? .....Point’s deducted, Gaharudo” Once again, those words resounded out, what was picked out by the spotlight which poured down was....... “Let go! Who do you think I am! This impudent bunny beast dares! I’ll massacre you all! I’ll kill every last one of you! One by one, I’ll torture you in front of your families until you die! Even the women, until they break I-egu~e———” It was crowned prince Bias. The sounds of the crowned prince’s shout could be heard throughout the place. Immediately following that, without any hesitation, a silver line fluttered and the head of the crowned prince of the Hoelscher empire was easily flung into the air.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 14, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
「うおおおぉぉぉ......」「くせ者じゃ......」「許さぬ......」屋敷の中はまさに悪霊の巣窟だった。武家屋敷というだけあって霊は武士......いや、落ち武者のような姿をしたものが多い。急に現れては刀を振り回し、何かつぶやきながら襲い掛かってくる彼らシュールだが、普通に俺にとっては厄介な特性をいくつか持っている。まず、急に『近く』に現れるのだ。うめくような声がしたら出現のサインで、それから数秒後には目に見える範囲に現れる。この屋敷はマンションほどサイズ感が大きくないので、長い廊下にいる時以外は必然的に視界も狭くなり、近くに出てきてしまうのだ。スキル【居合撃ち】を習得しているので急な接近にも対応は出来るが、ここで困るのが次の特性『物理攻撃耐性』だ。ぼんやりしていて実体のない霊たちには物理攻撃が効きにくい。アンヌの鉄球も物理だが幽霊に特効があるスキルを使えば問題ないし、ガー坊も特効スキルを持っている。俺にはなにもない......わけじゃない。グロウカードにスタンプを押したことで手に入れた【退魔防壁】がある。このスキルもアロー系と同じく特殊な効果を持った矢を生成するものだが、生成した矢は弓で撃つだけではなく、手に取って足元に投げつけることでも効果を発揮する! 足元に投げつけた矢を中心にドーム状の結界が展開する。ぼんやりと青く光る半透明の結界は内側からの攻撃を素通りさせて、外側からの攻撃は通さない。つまり、結界があるうちは一方的な攻撃が可能ということだ! 特に幽霊たちからの攻撃に対しては頑丈で、【退魔防壁】という名前に恥じぬ活躍をしてくれる。まさにホラーゲームにおける安全圏、セーブポイントのような安心感だ。ただ、ぱっと見すごく薄いバリアなので、プレイヤーやパワー自慢のモンスター相手にどこまで通用するかは未知数だな......。パリンパリン良い音をたてて割れてくれそうな気もする。奥義ではなくスキルなので気軽に使えるが、基本的に敵の奥義は受けきれないということも覚えておこう。また、1度に展開できる結界は1つだけだ。「結界のおかげで探索がはかどりますね!」「本当にね......!」目当ての『十』と描かれた皿を探す時も、結界を張っておけば背後を気にせずに済む。一番怖いからなぁ......振り返ると何かいるってシーンが。ホラー要素を台無しにしている気もするが......いいじゃないか。最近のアクションゲームは苦手な人のために救済として無敵モードがあったりする。ホラーゲームにもストーリーを楽しみたい人のために無敵モードがあってもいいじゃないか......! 「他の皿はたくさん見つかるんだけどなぁ......」赤、青、黄......カラフルな7色の小皿を回収している。この小皿はアイテムボックスにしまうことができるので、何かしら使い道があるはずだが......と思いつつ探索を続けると、あからさまにお皿を飾る台座を7つ発見した。「どういう順番で並べましょうか?」「......お皿の色合い的に虹っぽいし、赤から並べてみよう」結論から言って正解だった。左から赤、橙、黄、緑、青、藍、紫の順に皿を並べると、ゴゴゴと屋敷全体が震えるほど揺れた。どこかで何かの仕掛けが動いたようだ......。謎に派手な仕掛けもホラーゲームあるあるだよなぁとか思いつつ、その仕掛けが動いた場所を探す。玄関から見て最奥の廊下の壁がごっそりなくなり、地下へと続く階段が伸びているのを発見した。うーん、地下か......。行きたくないが、この先に目当てのお皿があるのは間違いない。アンヌを先頭に階段を下りていく。さて、どんなおぞましい物が待ち受けているのか......。地下牢か? 謎の儀式の祭壇か? 研究施設か? 答えは......どれでもなかった。「ここは......道場?」使い込まれた木の床は剣道場か? 武家屋敷だから違和感はないが......ここに皿があるのか? 道場に皿なんて割れるビジョンしか見えないが......。その時、道場全体が明るくなった。光源はわからないが、とにかく明るくなったのだ。そして、松明では照らしきれなかった道場の奥で正座している『何か』がいることに気づいた。兜と鎧をつけて刀を側に置いているが、人間ではない。緑色の肌、手足には水かき、くちばし......。カッパだ......! 武者カッパだ......! あ! お皿ってまさかそういう......!? 自分の中のひらめきに驚いている間に、カッパはすくっと立ち上がり刀を抜いた。体格は人間と変わらない。人型の敵は知能が高く動きもいい。気をつけなければならない......! 「レターアロー!」まずは敵の情報を......と思いきや、カッパは刀で【レターアロー】を切り払った。こいつ......出来る! 夜明けの星球アンヌが間髪入れず奥義を放つ。カッパは分厚い水の壁で対抗した。大きな鉄球は水の抵抗をもろに受け、みるみる勢いが衰える。さらにカッパはそのまま大量の水を生み出し続ける。道場はみるみる水で満たされていく......! 「退魔結界!」よし、この結界は水の侵入も防げる! 道場は水没したが、結界の中だけは無事だ。 NSOは水中でも呼吸をすることが出来るので、別に水の中でも死にはしないが、水の中でカッパと戦う気は起きないな......! ピシッ......! 結界にヒビが入る。水の中をすごいスピードで泳ぐカッパはヒット&アウェイで結界にどんどんダメージを与えていく。だが、こちらにも水中で本領を発揮する仲間がいる! 「ガー坊!」「ガー! ガー!」水中のガー坊は目で追うのもしんどい速さで泳ぎ、高速戦闘を展開する。カッパも流石で、刀を使ってガー坊をいなしている。しかし、動きは確実に鈍くなった。これなら安定して矢を当てられる......! 「海弓術.....型・ここで登場『海弓術』! 水中で効果を発揮する特殊なスキルたちだ。グロウカード〈海弓術型〉の装備によって使用可能になるが、しばらく水中での戦闘がなかったので本当に久々の出番だ。まさか武家屋敷の地下で使うことになるとは思わなかったがな! 】は貫通力と速度アップの素直な効果を持つ。何発かをガー坊と戦闘中のカッパに当てる。カッパは狙い撃たれないように再び高速で泳ぎ始めたがもう遅い。】は俺がダメージを与えた相手をホーミングする矢だ。射程の外まで逃げるか、攻撃によって相殺すれば追尾を振り切れるが、俺の射程の外に逃げるのは簡単じゃないし、相殺しようと刀を振ればその隙にガー坊の攻撃が入る。完璧な連携だ......。やはり水中のガー坊は強い! 「トドメだ、ガー坊! 赤い流星!」「ガー! ガー!」】に食いつかれ動きが止まったところに奥義が直撃する。戦闘空間を水没させるというプレイヤーによっては詰みになりかねない能力を持っているからか、カッパ自身のスペックはそれほど高くなかった。俺とガー坊だけでHPゲージを削り切り、撃破に成功した! 「み、見事......」カッパは最後にそうつぶやくと、光となって消えた。道場を満たしていた水が消滅し、ドロップアイテムが自動回収される。その中には探し求めていた『十』の文字が描かれた皿もあった。「すごいですね! キュージィ様もガー坊ちゃんも! 私の鉄球は水の抵抗で勢いが死んじゃうんで、水中戦が本当に苦手なんですよね......」「誰にでも得手不得手があるさ。俺も海弓術とガー坊の協力がなかったらダメダメだし。まあでも、今回はカッコいいところを見せられて良かったよ。前回は任せっきりだったからね」何はともあれ、積み重ねてきた冒険は嘘をつかないってことだな。持っててよかった海弓術! ボスを倒して敵が出なくなった屋敷を後にした俺たちは、お菊さんのいる井戸に戻り『十』の皿を彼女に手渡した。「ああ......ありがとうございます......。すいません......実はこれがお皿じゃないって気づいてたんです......」うん、知ってた。でも突っ込まずに素直にお礼を言ってスタンプを受け取る。すると井戸の上に木の蓋が出現し、スタンプを押すのにちょうどいい机になった。「これで2つ目!」武家屋敷と井戸、そしてぼんやりとお菊さんが描かれたスタンプをカードに押す。これで〈破魔弓術・一印〉は〈破魔弓術〉となった。そして、新たなスキル【斬魔攻刃】を獲得。またまた矢のスキルっぽくない名前だな......。【退魔防壁】のように俺の戦術を広げてくれるものだといいな。「さあ、次の恐怖スポットは『トンネル......かぁ。あの狭苦しい感じと独特の薄暗さ、長さによっては先が見えず、どこか別の世界に繋がっているんじゃないかと思わせる恐怖スポットの王道......。前と後ろの出口を塞がれると密室になってしまうのも嫌な想像を助長する。でも、結局のところトンネルというのは抜けてしまえばいいのだ。複雑なルールはなさそうだし、何も考えずに走ればなんとかなる......か?	“Uooooo...” “A ruffian...” “I won’t forgive you...” The mansion really was a nest for evil spirits. And since it was a samurai residence, many of the ghosts were warriors... Well, they looked like deserters. They appeared out of nowhere, swinging their swords and muttering something. It was all very surreal, but they also had characteristics that were very dangerous. First, they appeared ‘close’ to me. If you heard the painful groan, you knew they were coming. And within a few seconds, they would appear within sight. And since this mansion was not particularly large, unless you were in a long hallway, they would appear very close by. But since I had acquired the skill Quickdraw, I was able to deal with them approaching suddenly. However, that was where their next characteristic, ‘physical attack resistance’ troubled me. Physical attacks were rarely effective against these barely visible ghosts without bodies. While Anne’s iron ball was a physical object, it was fine because she had effective skills. And so did Garbow. But I didn’t have any... Well, not exactly. I had acquired Exorcism Barrier through stamping the Grow Card. Like the arrow type skills, it created arrows with a special effect. But this arrow wasn’t just to shoot, but it could also be used by throwing it on the ground! “Exorcism Barrier!” And then a dome-shaped barrier appeared around the arrow at my feet. It was semi-transparent and glowed with a blue light. It allowed attacks from within to go through, while blocking attacks from the outside. In other words, as long as the barrier was up, you could unleash one-sided attacks! It was especially durable against the ghost attacks, as you might expect from something called Exorcism Barrier. It was a safe space within a horror game, and felt as comforting as a save point. However, it also looked quite thin, and so I wasn’t sure how it would hold up against players or more powerful monsters... I had a feeling that it would shatter loudly like glass. As it was a skill and not a charge attack, I didn’t have to think too much before using it, but I decided to assume that it would generally not be enough to block enemy charge attacks. Also, I could only make one barrier at a time. “The exploration is going smoothly thanks to the barrier!” “That’s true...!” If I had the barrier up as we searched for the plate with the ‘+’ mark, then I wouldn’t have to worry about my back. That was the scariest thing, after all...turning around. It did occur to me that I was ruining the horror atmosphere...but I didn’t care. Recent games had invincible modes for people who aren’t good at fighting. And so why shouldn’t horror games have a similar mode for people who just want to enjoy the story...! “But we’ve found a lot of other plates...” Red, blue, yellow... We had gathered other colorful plates. As you could put these plates away in your inventory, they must have some kind of use... I thought as we continued to explore. And then I found a stand that was clearly supposed to be a display for the plates. “But what order should we line them in?” “...Well, they seem to be the colors of the rainbow. So let’s start with red.” Ultimately, that was correct. From the left, we lined them in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and purple. Then the mansion began to shake loudly. Some contraption somewhere was moving... Such mysterious contraptions were common in horror games. And so we decided to search for the place where it had moved. From the foyer, you could now see that the wall at the far back of the hallway had disappeared, and there was now a long staircase that led underground. Hmm... Underground... I didn’t want to go down there, but it would likely lead to the plate that we needed. And so we went down the stairs with Anne in the lead. Now, what horrible thing would be waiting for us... A prison? A mysterious ceremonial altar? A research facility? The answer...was none of them. “This place...is a dojo?” Was this well-worn wooden floor that of a kendo hall? It wasn’t too odd, since this was a samurai residence...but would there really be a plate here? Any plate that was here was bound to be shattered immediately... Just then, the dojo suddenly grew brighter. I didn’t know what the lightsource was, but it just grew brighter. And I then noticed that ‘something’ was sitting in the back that I hadn’t been able to see before with just the torch light. While it was wearing armor and a helmet and a sword was resting at its side, it was not human. It had green skin, webbed hands and feet, and a beak... It was a kappa...! A warrior kappa...! Ah! Is that what she meant by plate...!? As I was surprised by this revelation, the kappa stood up and unsheathed the sword. It was the same height as a human. Humanoid enemies tended to be intelligent and move quickly. I would have to be careful...! “Letter Arrow!” I had to acquire information on the enemy first... Is what I thought, but the kappa cut Letter Arrow down with a swipe. This guy...was good! “Daybreak Star!” Without a moment’s delay, Anne unleashed her charge attack. The kappa blocked it with a thick wall of water. The iron ball quickly lost its momentum after hitting it. Furthermore, the kappa continued to create more and more water. And like that, the dojo began to flood...! Alright, now the barrier would block the water! While the dojo had flooded, it was safe within the barrier. Since it was possible to breathe underwater in NSO, I wouldn’t have died. But I didn’t want to fight a kappa in the water...! Pishi...! A crack appeared in the barrier. The kappa was swimming in the water at a great speed and slamming itself into the barrier, damaging it with every hit. However, I too had a buddy who was stronger in the water! “Garbow!” “Gar! Gar!” Garbow began to swim so fast that it was difficult to follow him with my eyes. And so began the high-speed battle. The kappa was strong, and it used its sword to parry Garbow’s attacks. However, it had clearly slowed down as well. Now I would be able to shoot at it...! “Seabow Arts...Form , Swordfish!” I would use it here, my Seabow Arts! They were special skills that showed their true worth in the water. You could use them by equipping the Grow Card, but since I hadn’t fought in the water for a long time, it was off duty for a while. I did not expect to bring it back in the underground dojo of a samurai residence! Swordfish had the simple effect of raising piercing ability and speed. And so I shot it several times at the kappa who was fighting Garbow. The kappa then started to swim faster again in order to avoid being hit, but it was too late. Shark was a homing arrow that targeted enemies that you had damaged. You could avoid it by escaping my range or hitting it with an equal attack, but it was not easy to escape my range, and if it tried to cancel it out, then Garbow would have an opening to attack. This was perfect cooperation... Garbow really was strong in the water! “The final blow, Garbow! Red Meteor!” “Gar! Gar!” Just as it was bitten by Shark and its movement stopped, the charge attack slammed into it directly. Perhaps due to being able to flood the battle arena, which would be a huge disadvantage to the player, the specs of the kappa were not that high. And so Garbow and I were able to cut down its HP gauge and destroy it! “W-wonderful...” Muttered the kappa as it turned into light and disappeared. The water that had filled the dojo now vanished, and the drop items went into my inventory. Among them was the plate with the ‘+’ mark on it. “That was amazing! Both you and little Garbow! The water killed the momentum of my iron ball. I really don’t like fighting in the water...” “Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. I too would not have been able to do anything with the help of Garbow and my Seabow Arts. Well, I’m just glad that I didn’t embarrass myself. You did all of the work last time.” In any case, it meant that all of my adventures had been worth it. It was a good thing that I had Seabow Arts! Now that the boss was dead, the regular enemies stopped spawning, and so we left the mansion and went back to the well and handed the plate to Okiku. “Ah...thank you... I’m sorry... I did know that this isn’t really a plate...” Yes, she did. But I just thanked her and accepted the stamp. And then a lid appeared over the well, which would be a good table for stamping the card. “Now that’s two!” The stamp that I pressed depicted the mansion, the well and a faded Okiku. Now (Exorcism Bow Art – mark) became (Exorcism Bow Art – marks) And I acquired the new skill, ‘Demonbane Attack Blade.’ This also didn’t sound like it was related to arrows... I just hoped that it was like Exorcism Barrier, and allowed me more strategic variety. “Now, the next terror spot is the Snake and Scorpion Tunnel! Let’s go!” Tunnel...huh. Cramped, dark and lonely. You can only see ahead and would be instilled with fear over what world you would be connected to on the other side... The fact that you would be trapped if the back and front were closed off also made me feel claustrophobic. However, in the end, you just had to make it out the other side. The rules were bound to be simple, so maybe we could just run through without thinking too much...?	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 3, "inserted_lines_trg": 3 }
僕は、アメリカよりも1.5倍大きい 5500平方マイルの土地にいるただ1人の人間でした 2000人以上の人がエベレストに登り月に降り立った人も12人いますが僕を含めて北極点にスキーの単独行でたどり着いたのは4人しかいませんその理由は (拍手) ありがとう - その理由はまあ、クリスが言うように、クレイジーだからですこの旅は正に人間の能力の限界を試すものです僕は31回のマラソンを連続して走るのと同じだけの距離をスキーで走りました。10週間で800マイルです必要とする全ての食料や備品、装備、寝袋を自分で引いて行きました下着の着替えひとつで3か月近くを過ごしました残りの16分ほどの間で 3つの問いに答えたいと思います。最初の問いは「なぜ?」です次にマイナス40度の世界でのトイレの済ませ方です「ベン、マイナス40度の世界では肌が露出すると 1分もせずに凍傷になるんだって?ならどうやって用を足すんだい?」今は答えたくありません。一番最後にします 3つ目は、どうやってやり遂げたのか、次は何をするのかということですすべては2001年に始まりました僕の最初の探検は、ペンハドウという経験豊かな奴と一緒でした僕にとっては極地の見習い実習のようなものでしたここにあるセヴェルナヤゼムリャ諸島から北極点までスキーで行こうとしていました僕が北極点に惹かれたのはそれが海のど真ん中にあるからです地図ではこうなっていますがそこにたどり着くには文字通り凍った大地、北極海に浮かぶ氷の膜の上をスキーで行かなければなりませんあらゆる専門家と話し、たくさんの本を読み、地図や海図を学びましたでも探検に出た最初の日に自分が一体何をしようとしているのかそれまでは全然知らなかったことを悟りました僕は23歳でした。その年頃でこんなことをしようとする人はいませんあっという間に、まずいことになる可能性があったほぼ全てのことがその通りになりました 2日目にホッキョクグマに襲われ、左足の親指が凍傷になり、食料が底をつき始めました。2人ともお腹を空かせ、体重がガクンと落ちました天候が不順で、氷の状態も不安定でした僕たちは明らかに旧式のコミュニケーション道具しか持っていませんでした衛星電話は高すぎたので、高周波無線を持って行きましたスキーのポールがテントの屋根から飛び出ているのが見えるでしょう両端からワイヤがぶら下がっていますがそれが高周波無線のアンテナです 2か月のうち外の世界と双方向のやり取りができたのは2時間もありませんでした最終的に、時間切れになりました僕たちは400マイルをスキーで進み、あと200マイルも行けば北極点でした。でも時間切れだったのです夏に入り、氷が解け始めていました無線でロシアのヘリコプターの操縦士と話をした時に「君たち、もう時間がない迎えに行かなくては」と言われました完全に自分は失敗したんだと思いました自分は出来損ないだと思い出せないほど昔からずっと夢見てきたたった一つの目標だったのに、そばに辿りつくことすらできませんでしたその最初のスキー行の中で、僕は2つの映像を繰り返し頭の中で想像して先に進むのがつらくなった時に自分を奮い立たせましたひとつは、北極点に着く瞬間ですロックミュージックのような音楽が背後で鳴り響く中ヘリコプターから撮影されながらスキーのポールとユニオンジャックを持っている自分の姿を鮮明に思い浮かべることができました自分がその旗を北極点に立て-栄光の瞬間です- 音楽が最高潮に達するところを思い浮かべることができたのですもうひとつの映像は自分がヒースロー空港に戻るところでしたカメラのフラッシュが焚かれパパラッチや追っかけのファン、出版社のエージェントたちが僕を取り囲む姿もはっきりと頭の中に描くことができたのですもちろん、そんなことはどちらも起きませんでした僕たちは北極点にも行っていないしプロモーションをするお金もありませんでした。だからこの探検のことは誰も知らなかったのですヒースローに戻った時、母親と兄がいましたおじいちゃんも来てくれて、小さなユニオンジャックを持っていましたそして僕はまた母と暮らすことになったのです僕の体は消耗しきっていて精神的にも参っていて、自分を敗者だと思っていましたこの探検行のために膨大な借金を抱えながら 1日中母の家のソファに寝そべり昼間のテレビを見ていました兄が携帯電話のショートメッセージを送ってきましたそれはシンプソンズからの引用でこう書いてありました「お前は最善を尽くして取り組み、惨めに失敗した教訓は、そんなことをするなということだ」 3年が過ぎ、僕はようやくソファから起きだして別の探検行を計画し始めました。今回は自分だけで、地図のてっぺんにあるロシアから真ん中のねじれているところにある北極点に行きそれからカナダに行こうと思いました大西洋を単独で完全に渡り切った人はまだ誰もいませんでした 2人のノルウェー人がチームを組んで2000年に達成しましたが、単独ではいないのですとても高名で優秀なイタリア人の登山家ラインホルトメスナーが1995年に挑戦しましたが 1週間後に救助されました彼は、この探検はエベレストより 10倍危険だと言いましたどういう訳か僕はそれをやってみたかったのですが無事に帰ってくるためには、まして大西洋を横断してカナダまでたどり着くためには、過激なやり方をしないといけないことはわかっていました切り詰めた2グラムの歯ブラシを作り上げることから世界を代表する栄養学者のひとりと協力して日に6000カロリーを摂取する全く新しい革新的な栄養の取り方を一から考え出すことまであらゆることに取り組みました探検は昨年の2月に始まりましたしっかりしたサポートチームです。映画のクルーに物流の担当者が2~3人、そして僕の彼女と写真家です最初のうちはとても分別がありました。ブリティッシュエアウェイズでモスクワまで飛びました次はシベリアでクラスノヤルスクまでクラッシュエアというロシアの国内線で行きました K-R-A-Sと書きますそしてすごく古いロシアの飛行機をチャーターしてハタンガという文明の最果てのような街まで飛びましたカメラマンが、実は順調な時でも飛行機に乗るのをひどく心配する人だとわかったのですが彼が飛行機に乗る前に操縦士に飛行時間を尋ねましたパイロットは、全く無表情に答えました 6時間だ。もし生きていればな、とハタンガに着きました面白いことに、ハタンガは世界の果てではありませんがハタンガからはそれが見えるのです一晩のみの滞在の予定ですが、10日間足止めされました料金に関する烈火のような言い争いがヘリコプターのパイロットとその所有者の間で起きたのですそれで僕たちは足止めされ、動くことができませんでした 11日目の朝にようやく全てが解決しヘリコプターに荷物を詰め込み-2機のヘリコプターを飛ばしました- 群集した氷の際に僕を降ろしましたヘリコプターがいる間に大急ぎで45分ほどフィルムや写真の撮影をして衛星電話でインタビューを受けましたそれから皆がヘリコプターに乗り込んでドアが閉まると僕は一人きりでしたあの瞬間のことは言葉では言い表せないかもしれません考えられるのはヘリコプターに駆け戻ってドアを叩き、「みんな聞いてくれ、僕にはやっぱりこんなことできないよ」と言うことだけでしたさらに悪いことに、スクリーンの右上の方に白い点が見えるでしょう。満月ですロシアで足止めされていたのでそうなりました満月は潮の満ち引きが最大になります凍った海の表面にいる時には潮が満ち引きするというのは面白いことが起きるということなのです-氷が動き始めるのですご覧いただけるように僕は2つのそりを引っ張っていました 95日分の食料と燃料があり全部で180キロ、ほぼ400ポンドの重さでした氷が平らであれば何とか両方を引っ張れましたが平らでなければそんなことはとても無理でしたひとつを引っ張り、それを置いてもうひとつを取りに戻らなくてはいけませんでしたまさに起伏氷を乗り越えていたのです- 氷が海流や風、潮の力を受けてつぶされていたのですから NASAは、昨年の氷の状態が観測史上最悪だと述べましたしかも叢氷はいつも漂っているのです昨年ひとりでスキー行をした10週のうち 9週は向かい風でしたそしてほとんどの時間、後ろ向きに流されていました 2.5マイル後ろに下がったのが最高記録です朝起きて、テントを畳んで7時間半北にスキーで進み、テントを立てると、出発した時よりも 2.5マイル後退していたのです本当に、氷が流されるのについていけなかったのです :22日目ですテントに横になり出発の準備をしていますひどい天気で昨晩のうちに 5マイルほど押し流されました探検行の後半になると問題なのはもはや氷ではなく氷がないことー開水面でしたこうなるだろうとは知っていました。北極が温暖化しているからです開水面がもっと広がるだろうと思っていたので秘密の武器を隠し持っていたのですこれは僕のちょっとした生物模倣です北極海のホッキョクグマは一直線に動きます海のところに来ると、飛び込んで泳いで渡りますそれで僕はノルウェーのチームと協力し、救命服をもとにしたドライスーツを開発していたのですヘリコプターのパイロットも着るでしょうし僕も着ることができます。その服はブーツや手袋を覆い顔の周りも覆ってしっかりと隠してくれますだから僕はとても薄い氷の上でもスキーで行けたのですもし落ちたとしてもそれで終わりではありませんでしたもし仮に最悪の事態が起きたとしても僕は海に飛び込んで泳ぎそりを引っ張ることができたでしょう本当に急進的な技術で過激なやり方でしたが、完璧に上手く働きましたもうひとつ僕たちが昨年行ったすごいことはコミュニケーションの技術に関するものでした 1912年のシャクルトンによるエンデュアランス号の探検行にはトーマスオーデリーという船員がいて「2012年の探検家たちはもし探検する場所が残されているのならば間違いなく無線の望遠鏡がついたワイヤレスの小型電話を持っていくだろう」と言いましたオードリーの予想は8年ほど外れました。これは僕の小型携帯電話、イリジウムの衛星電話です無線の望遠鏡はポケットにしまいこんでいたデジタルカメラです僕がひとりで氷上にいた72日間の毎日僕はテントからブログを書きちょっとした日記や自分が走破した距離の情報、氷の状態、温度、そして日々の写真を送っていました思い出して下さい、2001年には僕たちは外の世界と無線を使った連絡を2時間もできなかったのです昨年はエベレストよりも10倍危険だと言われた探検行からライブでブログを書きましたそんなにハイテクだった訳ではありません。これは猛吹雪の中でナビゲートしているところです霧や低い雲が立ち込めている時、風が雪を巻き上げますすると視界が効かなくなります。僕のスキーポールに結んである黄色いリボンがやっと見えるぐらいですそんな時は風の方向を利用して進路を取りますハイテクとローテクの奇妙な結びつきです北極点には5月11日に着きましたロシアからそこに着くのに68日かかりました北極点には何もありませんでしたポールすらないのです。何もないのはそこが海氷だからです。漂っているのですそこに旗を立てて置いておくと、すぐに通常はカナダかグリーンランドの方に漂い始めるでしょうそれは知っていましたが、僕は何かを期待していました奇妙な感情が混ざり合っていました:その頃にはものすごく気温が高くなっていました開水面がたくさんありましたもちろん、自力でたどり着いたという高揚感もありましたが 400マイル離れたところにあるカナダまでそのままずっと横断していくチャンスはどう考えてもわずかしかないということに気づき始めてもいました僕が北極点にたどり着いた唯一の証拠は GPSという小さな衛星ナビゲーションツールのぼやけた写真です見て下さい 9と0の文字列があります北緯90度-まさに北極点です僕はそれを写真に収め、そりに座り、ビデオ日記を収録しました少し写真を撮り、衛星電話を出しました脇の下で電池を温め、 3か所に電話しました。母親とガールフレンドとスポンサーの社長です 3つともボイスメールになりました :北緯90度格別の気分だ地球の全てが僕の足元で回っている全世界が僕の下にあるようやく母親をつかまえました。スーパーの列に並んでいるところでした母は泣き始めました。僕に、かけ直してくれと言いました北極点を過ぎて1週間スキーで進みました危険過ぎて進めないという状況になるまでにできる限りカナダに近づきたかったのですこれが氷上での最後の日ですプロジェクトのマネジメントチームと話した時「ベン、状況が危険になり過ぎている。君のすぐ南に巨大な開水面がある。君を迎えに行きたい滑走路を探してくれ」と言われましたこれは、この致命的な電話をしている時のテントの外の風景です。僕は決して滑走路を作ろうなんてしていませんでした。マネージャーのトニーが言いました「いいか、ベン。500メートルの平らで分厚くて安全な氷を見つけるんだ」僕が見つけることのできた唯一の氷は- 滑走路を見つけるのに36時間スキーで探しまわったのですが- 473メートルでした。自分のスキーで測ることができたのですそのことはトニーにもパイロットにも言いませんでした何とかなるだろうと思ったのです :うわー、うわー、うわーちょうど何とかなりました。本当に劇的な着陸でした飛行機は4回通り過ぎ、僕は飛行機が着陸しないんじゃないかと少し心配しましたパイロットはトロイと呼ばれていました。こんなことを仕事にするパイロットはとてもタフな男だろうと思っていました飛行機が着陸する頃には僕は泣き叫んでいました。感動的な瞬間ですトロイのために自分を落ち着かせなくてはと思いました自分は頑健で屈強な探検家のようでなければいけないのだと飛行機が僕の立っているところにやって来ましたドアが開き、男が飛び降りてきました。これぐらいの背の高さです。彼は「やあ、僕はトロイだ」と言いました副操縦士はモニカという女性でした彼女は手編みのジャンパーを着て座っていました僕があった中で最もマッチョから程遠い人たちでしたが、僕を楽しませてくれましたトロイは、氷の上でタバコを吸っていました何枚か写真を撮りました。トロイは梯子を上り、「後ろに来てくれ」と言いました彼は煙草を投げ捨てて前に行き僕が後ろに上りました滑走路を何度か行き来して少し平らにした後、トロイは「よし、行くぞ」と言いました今ではいつもそうするのだと知っていますがその時は不安になりましたトロイは手をスロットルに置きましたエンジンの制御装置が操縦席の天井にあるのが見えるでしょうそこの小さなバーです。トロイは手をそのスロットルに置きましたモニカがそっと彼女の手をトロイの手の上に置きました「さあ行くぞ。いちかばちかだ」と僕は思いました前方に猛スピードで走り、滑走路を跳ねながら、飛行機は飛び立ちました片方のスキーが滑走路の端にある氷丘脈を打ちつけ、飛行機が傾きました操縦席の中が見えました。トロイは制御機と格闘しながら片手を外し、後ろにやって操縦席の天井にあるスイッチを弾きましたそれは壁にある「シートベルト着用」のサインでした空からようやく僕は全体像を見ることができましたもちろん、氷の上にいる時には氷丘脈にしても水にしてもいちどにひとつの障害物しか見えませんそれで恐らく僕は滑走路の長さをあまり気にしなかったのだと思いますそれは本当に崩れ始めていたのですなぜか?僕は伝統的な意味での探検家ではありません僕はスキーをしながら地図を描いたりはしません北極がどこにあるかは皆が知っていることです南極には巨大な科学基地がありますし滑走路もあります喫茶店も、旅行者向けの店もあります僕にとって、これは人間の限界を試す、生理機能や心理、技術の限界に挑むということなのですそのことに僕はわくわくするのですまたそれは個人レベルでの可能性に関することでもあります探検は、僕にとって限界を試す機会- 本当に自分の可能性の限界を押し広げ、どこまでいけるかを試す機会なのですより広いスケールで言えば、人々が自らの可能性のほんの表面を撫でるだけ、実際にできることの 3~5%の能力を使うだけで暮らしているということに僕は驚きますだから、この旅が他の人々を刺激して、一生というわずかな時間の中で自らのポテンシャルを生かして自分は何をやりたいのかということを考える機会になればいいなと思いますそれが僕のまとめです次の質問は、マイナス40度でどうやってトイレを済ませるのかということです答えはもちろん「それは企業秘密だ」ですそして最後の質問は、次は何か?です。できるだけ速く答えます最後に1分残っていれば、もっと詳しくお話しましょう次は何か: 南極です南極は地球上で最も寒く、標高が高く、風が強くて乾燥している大陸です 1911年の後半から1912年の前半にかけて南極点-南極大陸の中心-への最初の到達を競うレースがありましたもし沿岸の氷棚を含めるのなら -巨大なロス氷棚が見えるでしょう- ロス氷棚はフランスほどの大きさがあります南極は、氷棚を含めるとオーストラリアの2倍の大きさがあります。広大な場所です犬ぞりとハスキー犬を連れたノルウェーのアムンゼンとイギリスのスコット船長の間で南極点に到達する競争がありましたスコットは小型の馬とトラクター、そして少しばかりの犬を連れていましたが、どれもうまく機能しませんでした。それでスコットと4人の隊員は徒歩で行くことにしました彼らは1912年の1月後半に南極点に到達し、ノルウェーの旗がすでにそこにあるのを見つけましたそこにはテントとノルウェー国王への手紙がありましたスコットたちは引き返し、沿岸に向かい、帰路の途上で全員が命を落としましたそれ以来、誰もスキーで- これは93年前のことですがーそれ以来、誰も南極の沿岸からスキーで南極点に行って戻ってきた人はいないのです南極への探検行はどれも南極点から飛行機で帰ってくるか、もしくは横断のどこかで車や犬や凧を使っています帰路までやり遂げた人はいないのです。それが計画です 2人でやろうとしていますそれで十分ですトイレの問題に行く前に最後に言いたいのはこれに目を通そうとして忘れていたのですが僕の学校のリポートです。13歳の時のもので家の机の上にありました。こう書かれています「ベンは何か価値のあることを成し遂げる勢いに欠けている」 (拍手) もし自分が何かを学んだのなら、それはこういうことです: 自分の可能性についての権威になれるのは自分以外にない自分だけが、自らがどこまで行けるのかや何ができるのかを決めることができるのです皆さん、これで私の話を終わります。ありがとうどうもありがとう	I was the only human being in an area one-and-a-half times the size of America, five-and-a-half thousand square miles. More than 2,000 people have climbed Everest. 12 people have stood on the moon. Including me, only four people have skied solo to the North Pole. And I think the reason for that -- -- thank you -- I think the reason for that is that it's -- it's -- well, it's as Chris said, bonkers. It's a journey that is right at the limit of human capability. I skied the equivalent of 31 marathons back to back. 800 miles in 10 weeks. And I was dragging all the food I needed, the supplies, the equipment, sleeping bag, one change of underwear -- everything I needed for nearly three months. What we're going to try and do today, in the 16 and a bit minutes I've got left, is to try and answer three questions. The first one is, why? The second one is, how do you go to the loo at minus 40? "Ben, I've read somewhere that at minus 40, exposed skin becomes frostbitten in less than a minute, so how do you answer the call of nature?" I don't want to answer these now. I'll come on to them at the end. Third one: how do you top that? What's next? It all started back in 2001. My first expedition was with a guy called Pen Hadow -- enormously experienced chap. This was like my polar apprenticeship. We were trying to ski from this group of islands up here, Severnaya Zemlya, to the North Pole. And the thing that fascinates me about the North Pole, geographic North Pole, is that it's slap bang in the middle of the sea. This is about as good as maps get, and to reach it you've got to ski literally over the frozen crust, the floating skin of ice on the Artic Ocean. I'd spoken to all the experts. I'd read lots of books. I studied maps and charts. But I realized on the morning of day one that I had no idea exactly what I'd let myself in for. I was 23 years old. No one my age had attempted anything like this, and pretty quickly, almost everything that could have gone wrong did go wrong. We were attacked by a polar bear on day two. I had frostbite in my left big toe. We started running very low on food. We were both pretty hungry, losing lots of weight. Some very unusual weather conditions, very difficult ice conditions. We had decidedly low-tech communications. We couldn't afford a satellite phone, so we had HF radio. You can see two ski poles sticking out of the roof of the tent. There's a wire dangling down either side. That was our HF radio antenna. two-way communication with the outside world in two months. Ultimately, we ran out of time. We'd skied 400 miles. We were just over 200 miles left to go to the Pole, and we'd run out of time. We were too late into the summer; the ice was starting to melt; we spoke to the Russian helicopter pilots on the radio, and they said, "Look boys, you've run out of time. We've got to pick you up." And I felt that I had failed, wholeheartedly. I was a failure. The one goal, the one dream I'd had for as long as I could remember -- I hadn't even come close. And skiing along that first trip, I had two imaginary video clips that I'd replay over and over again in my mind when the going got tough, just to keep my motivation going. The first one was reaching the Pole itself. I could see vividly, I suppose, being filmed out of the door of a helicopter, there was, kind of, rock music playing in the background, and I had a ski pole with a Union Jack, you know, flying in the wind. I could see myself sticking the flag in a pole, you know -- ah, glorious moment -- the music kind of reaching a crescendo. The second video clip that I imagined was getting back to Heathrow airport, and I could see again, vividly, the camera flashbulbs going off, the paparazzi, the autograph hunters, the book agents coming to sign me up for a deal. And of course, neither of these things happened. We didn't get to the Pole, and we didn't have any money to pay anyone to do the PR, so no one had heard of this expedition. And I got back to Heathrow. My mum was there; my brother was there; my granddad was there -- had a little Union Jack -- -- and that was about it. I went back to live with my mum. I was physically exhausted, mentally an absolute wreck, considered myself a failure. In a huge amount of debt personally to this expedition, and lying on my mum's sofa, day in day out, watching daytime TV. My brother sent me a text message, an SMS -- it was a quote from the "Simpsons." It said, "You tried your hardest and failed miserably. The lesson is: don't even try." Fast forward three years. I did eventually get off the sofa, and start planning another expedition. This time, I wanted to go right across, on my own this time, from Russia, at the top of the map, to the North Pole, where the sort of kink in the middle is, and then on to Canada. No one has made a complete crossing of the Arctic Ocean on their own. Two Norwegians did it as a team in 2000. No one's done it solo. Very famous, very accomplished Italian mountaineer, Reinhold Messner, tried it in 1995, and he was rescued after a week. He described this expedition as 10 times as dangerous as Everest. So for some reason, this was what I wanted to have a crack at, but I knew that even to stand a chance of getting home in one piece, let alone make it across to Canada, I had to take a radical approach. This meant everything from perfecting the sawn-off, sub-two-gram toothbrush, to working with one of the world's leading nutritionists in developing a completely new, revolutionary nutritional strategy from scratch: 6,000 calories a day. And the expedition started in February last year. Big support team. We had a film crew, a couple of logistics people with us, my girlfriend, a photographer. At first it was pretty sensible. We flew British Airways to Moscow. The next bit in Siberia to Krasnoyarsk, on a Russian internal airline called KrasAir, spelled K-R-A-S. The next bit, we'd chartered a pretty elderly Russian plane to fly us up to a town called Khatanga, which was the sort of last bit of civilization. Our cameraman, who it turned out was a pretty nervous flier at the best of times, actually asked the pilot, before we got on the plane, how long this flight would take, and the pilot -- Russian pilot -- completely deadpan, replied, "Six hours -- if we live." We got to Khatanga. I think the joke is that Khatanga isn't the end of the world, but you can see it from there. It was supposed to be an overnight stay. We were stuck there for 10 days. There was a kind of vodka-fueled pay dispute between the helicopter pilots and the people that owned the helicopter, so we were stuck. We couldn't move. Finally, morning of day 11, we got the all-clear, loaded up the helicopters -- two helicopters flying in tandem -- dropped me off at the edge of the pack ice. We had a frantic sort of 45 minutes of filming, photography; while the helicopter was still there, I did an interview on the satellite phone; and then everyone else climbed back into the helicopter, wham, the door closed, and I was alone. And I don't know if words will ever quite do that moment justice. All I could think about was running back up to the door, banging on the door, and saying, "Look guys, I haven't quite thought this through." To make things worse, you can just see the white dot up at the top right hand side of the screen; that's a full moon. Because we'd been held up in Russia, of course, the full moon brings the highest and lowest tides; when you're standing on the frozen surface of the sea, high and low tides generally mean that interesting things are going to happen -- the ice is going to start moving around a bit. I was, you can see there, pulling two sledges. Grand total in all, 95 days of food and fuel, 180 kilos -- that's almost exactly 400 pounds. When the ice was flat or flattish, I could just about pull both. When the ice wasn't flat, I didn't have a hope in hell. I had to pull one, leave it, and go back and get the other one. Literally scrambling through what's called pressure ice -- the ice had been smashed up under the pressure of the currents of the ocean, the wind and the tides. NASA described the ice conditions last year as the worst since records began. And it's always drifting. The pack ice is always drifting. I was skiing into headwinds for nine out of the 10 weeks I was alone last year, and I was drifting backwards most of the time. My record was minus 2.5 miles. I got up in the morning, took the tent down, skied north for seven-and-a-half hours, put the tent up, and I was two and a half miles further back than when I'd started. I literally couldn't keep up with the drift of the ice. : So it's day 22. I'm lying in the tent, getting ready to go. The weather is just appalling -- oh, drifted back about five miles in the last -- last night. Later in the expedition, the problem was no longer the ice. It was a lack of ice -- open water. I knew this was happening. I knew the Artic was warming. I knew there was more open water. And I had a secret weapon up my sleeve. This was my little bit of bio-mimicry. Polar bears on the Artic Ocean move in dead straight lines. If they come to water, they'll climb in, swim across it. So we had a dry suit developed -- I worked with a team in Norway -- based on a sort of survival suit -- I suppose, that helicopter pilots would wear -- that I could climb into. It would go on over my boots, over my mittens, it would pull up around my face, and seal pretty tightly around my face. And this meant I could ski over very thin ice, and if I fell through, it wasn't the end of the world. It also meant, if the worst came to the worst, I could actually jump in and swim across and drag the sledge over after me. Some pretty radical technology, a radical approach --but it worked perfectly. Another exciting thing we did last year was with communications technology. In 1912, Shackleton's Endurance expedition -- there was -- one of his crew, a guy called Thomas Orde-Lees. He said, "The explorers of 2012, if there is anything left to explore, will no doubt carry pocket wireless telephones fitted with wireless telescopes." Well, Orde-Lees guessed wrong by about eight years. This is my pocket wireless telephone, Iridium satellite phone. The wireless telescope was a digital camera I had tucked in my pocket. And every single day of the 72 days I was alone on the ice, I was blogging live from my tent, sending back a little diary piece, sending back information on the distance I'd covered -- the ice conditions, the temperature -- and a daily photo. Remember, 2001, we had less than two hours radio contact with the outside world. Last year, blogging live from an expedition that's been described as 10 times as dangerous as Everest. It wasn't all high-tech. This is navigating in what's called a whiteout. When you get lots of mist, low cloud, the wind starts blowing the snow up. You can't see an awful lot. You can just see, there's a yellow ribbon tied to one of my ski poles. I'd navigate using the direction of the wind. So, kind of a weird combination of high-tech and low-tech. I got to the Pole on the 11th of May. It took me 68 days to get there from Russia, and there is nothing there. There isn't even a pole at the Pole. There's nothing there, purely because it's sea ice. It's drifting. Stick a flag there, leave it there, pretty soon it will drift off, usually towards Canada or Greenland. I knew this, but I was expecting something. Strange mixture of feelings: it was extremely warm by this stage, a lot of open water around, and of course, elated that I'd got there under my own steam, but starting to really realize that my chances of making it all the way across to Canada, which was still 400 miles away, were slim at best. The only proof I've got that I was there is a blurry photo of my GPS, the little satellite navigation gadget. You can just see -- there's a nine and a string of zeros here. Ninety degrees north -- that is slap bang in the North Pole. I took a photo of that. Sat down on my sledge. Did a sort of video diary piece. Took a few photos. I got my satellite phone out. I warmed the battery up in my armpit. I dialed three numbers. I dialed my mum. I dialed my girlfriend. I dialed the CEO of my sponsor. And I got three voicemails. : Ninety. It's a special feeling. The entire planet is rotating beneath my feet. The -- the whole world underneath me. I finally got through to my mum. She was at the queue of the supermarket. She started crying. She asked me to call her back. I skied on for a week past the Pole. I wanted to get as close to Canada as I could before conditions just got too dangerous to continue. This was the last day I had on the ice. When I spoke to the -- my project management team, they said, "Look, Ben, conditions are getting too dangerous. There are huge areas of open water just south of your position. We'd like to pick you up. Ben, could you please look for an airstrip?" This was the view outside my tent when I had this fateful phone call. I'd never tried to build an airstrip before. Tony, the expedition manager, he said, "Look Ben, you've got to find 500 meters of flat, thick safe ice." The only bit of ice I could find -- it took me 36 hours of skiing around trying to find an airstrip -- was exactly 473 meters. I could measure it with my skis. I didn't tell Tony that. I didn't tell the pilots that. I thought, it'll have to do. : Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. It just about worked. A pretty dramatic landing -- the plane actually passed over four times, and I was a bit worried it wasn't going to land at all. The pilot, I knew, was called Troy. I was expecting someone called Troy that did this for a living to be a pretty tough kind of guy. I was bawling my eyes out by the time the plane landed -- a pretty emotional moment. So I thought, I've got to compose myself for Troy. I'm supposed to be the roughty toughty explorer type. The plane taxied up to where I was standing. The door opened. This guy jumped out. He's about that tall. He said, "Hi, my name is Troy." The co-pilot was a lady called Monica. She sat there in a sort of hand-knitted jumper. They were the least macho people I've ever met, but they made my day. Troy was smoking a cigarette on the ice; we took a few photos. He climbed up the ladder. He said, "Just -- just get in the back." He threw his cigarette out as he got on the front, and I climbed in the back. Taxied up and down the runway a few times, just to flatten it out a bit, and he said, "Right, I'm going to -- I'm going to give it a go." And he -- I've now learned that this is standard practice, but it had me worried at the time. He put his hand on the throttle. You can see the control for the engines is actually on the roof of the cockpit. It's that little bar there. He put his hand on the throttle. Monica very gently put her hand sort of on top of his. I thought, "God, here we go. We're, we're -- this is all or nothing." Rammed it forwards. Bounced down the runway. Just took off. One of the skis just clipped a pressure ridge at the end of the runway, banking. I could see into the cockpit, Troy battling the controls, and he just took one hand off, reached back, flipped a switch on the roof of the cockpit, and it was the "fasten seat belt" sign you can see on the wall. And only from the air did I see the big picture. Of course, when you're on the ice, you only ever see one obstacle at a time, whether it's a pressure ridge or there's a bit of water. This is probably why I didn't get into trouble about the length of my airstrip. I mean, it really was starting to break up. Why? I'm not an explorer in the traditional sense. I'm not skiing along drawing maps; everyone knows where the North Pole is. At the South Pole there's a big scientific base. There's an airstrip. There's a cafe and there's a tourist shop. For me, this is about exploring human limits, about exploring the limits of physiology, of psychology and of technology. They're the things that excite me. And it's also about potential, on a personal level. This, for me, is a chance to explore the limits -- really push the limits of my own potential, see how far they stretch. And on a wider scale, it amazes me how people go through life just scratching the surface of their potential, just doing three or four or five percent of what they're truly capable of. So, on a wider scale, I hope that this journey was a chance to inspire other people to think about what they want to do with their potential, and what they want to do with the tiny amount of time we each have on this planet. That's as close as I can come to summing that up. The next question is, how do you answer the call of nature at minus 40? The answer, of course, to which is a trade secret -- and the last question, what's next? As quickly as possible, if I have a minute left at the end, I'll go into more detail. What's next: Antarctica. It's the coldest, highest, windiest and driest continent on Earth. Late 1911, early 1912, there was a race to be the first to the South Pole: the heart of the Antarctic continent. If you include the coastal ice shelves, you can see that the Ross Ice Shelf -- it's the big one down here -- the Ross Ice Shelf is the size of France. Antarctica, if you include the ice shelves, is twice the size of Australia -- it's a big place. And there's a race to get to the Pole between Amundsen, the Norwegian -- Amundsen had dog sleds and huskies -- and Scott, the British guy, Captain Scott. Scott had sort of ponies and some tractors and a few dogs, all of which went wrong, and Scott and his team of four people ended up on foot. They got to the Pole late January 1912 to find a Norwegian flag already there. There was a tent, a letter to the Norwegian king. And they turned around, headed back to the coast, and all five of them died on the return journey. Since then, no one has ever skied -- this was 93 years ago -- since then, no one has ever skied from the coast of Antarctica to the Pole and back. Every South Pole expedition you may have heard about is either flown out from the Pole or has used vehicles or dogs or kites to do some kind of crossing -- no one has ever made a return journey. So that's the plan. Two of us are doing it. That's pretty much it. One final thought before I get to the toilet bit, is -- is, I have a -- and I meant to scan this and I've forgotten -- but I have a -- I have a school report. I was 13 years old, and it's framed above my desk at home. It says, "Ben lacks sufficient impetus to achieve anything worthwhile." I think if I've learned anything, it's this: that no one else is the authority on your potential. You're the only person that decides how far you go and what you're capable of. Ladies and gentlemen, that's my story. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
だがしっかりと自分の足で立っているところを見ると、それほど深い傷というわけでもなさそうだった。やめろ、その状況で爽やかな笑顔を浮かべても怖いだけだ。見ろ、フィーナがドン引きしているじゃないか。「ニコル! 来ていたのか。フィーナもお出迎えしてくれたのかな?」両手を広げ、こちらに迫ってくるライエルだが、俺はフィーナを抱えて素早くバックステップした。渾身のハグを空振りしたライエルは、情けなさそうな顔でこっちを見上げる。「悪いけど父さん、お風呂に入ったばかりだから」「なんてこった。怪我をして帰ってきたパパを、慰めようという気はないのか?」「そんなに元気に動き回る怪我人とかいないでしょ」俺に反論されしょんぼりと肩を落とすライエル。ようやく怪我人らしくなってきたな。「はいはい、でもニコルの言うことあるわよ? はい、マリアの魔法で、瞬く間にライエルのこめかみの出血が止まる。は、数ある治癒魔法の中でもダントツで治癒力が低いというのに、この威力である。「はい、おしまい。でも血「おう、そしたらニコルをハグできるんだな!」「それはニコル次第」「断固として拒否する」「なんてこった......」俺とフィーナに無邪気に拒否権を発動され、今度こそ地に腕をつき、うなだれるライエル。その背をマリアがポンポンと叩いて慰めるのも、いつもの光景だった。今この屋敷には、家族全員と住み込みの家政婦がいるのだが、彼女は今ライエルの服を洗濯してくれている。「それで、父さん。なにがあったの?」と聞いて森に入ったんだが――」「別の何かがいたと?」「いや、オウルベア自体はすぐ見つかって討伐はすぐに済んだ。ああ、土産の肉は持ち帰っているから、ミシェルちゃんにも持って行ってあげなさい」「それはすごく喜ぶと思うよ。でもまさか、オウルベアにその怪我を負わされたわけじゃないよね? それとも鈍った?」「まさか。怪我一つなく一刀の元に両断したさ。問題はその後だ」その中には先の話題に出たオウルベアの肉も入っている。新たに具材を追加したらしい。「森の奥から羽音がするので見に行ってみれば、奥から角を持った一メートルほどの甲虫が飛んできたんだ」「一メートル......」角を持った虫というのはいくつか心当たりがある。だが一メートルとなるとかなりの大きさだ。「そうね、そんなところかしら」だがその答えに俺自身は納得ができていない。その理由は一つだ。「あれって、世界樹の中の迷宮でしか、確認されていなかったんじゃ?」「そうね。中層の敵って話だったかしら」「他の場所に出たって話は聞かないんだけど」「今回が初の目撃情報になるわね」ただ内部で繁殖したモンスターだけでなく、世界樹の防御機構として異界から召喚された存在......いわゆる魔神も存在するからだ。「なんか変だね」「そうね。迷宮からモンスターが抜け出したという事例は、今まで聞いたことがないわ」「それも聖都フォルネウスでなく、この北部で......」「少し調べた方がいいかもしれないわね」「そうだな。だがもう日も暮れている。森の中に探索に行くとなると、夜目の利かない俺たちの方が不利だ」「村に被害が出てないなら、そう急ぐ必要もないわ。明日にしましょう」「そうだな」ライエルとマリアは、翌日の予定についてに話題を移していた。もちろんスープの部分は飛び散って、周囲は惨憺たる有様になっている。帰ってから着替えればいいだけの話だ。どうせ今日は、もう戻って寝るだけである。「うん、ありがとうね」どうにかスプーンに掬い上げた肉をこちらに差し出してくる。その口元は、シチューでべたべたになっていた。俺は一口でその肉を飲み込むと、テーブルナプキンを取って、その口元を拭ってやる。「にゃうぅぅ」顔を拭われてむずがる様子は、まるで小動物のように愛らしい。「あーもう、この子ってば反則ぅ!」「むぎゃー!」俺に背後から抱きすくめられ、フィーナは悲鳴のような声を上げて笑っていた。	He had been bleeding a lot from his temple, and all that blood had flowed down to his shoulder. But seeing how he was standing on his own, it was probably not that deep a wound. When he noticed us, his half-bloody face brightened up. Stop, pulling a refreshing smile in such a state is scary instead. Look, even Fina is pulling back. “Nicole! You came. You also came to welcome me, Fina?” He rushed towards us with his arms wide, but I quickly grabbed Fina and jumped back. He looked like some undead monster with so much blood on his face. Lyell’s arms passed right before me as I dodged him by a hair’s breadth. That was close. Having missed his body hug, Lyell looked miserably at me. “Sorry, father, but we just came out of the bath.” “How could this be! Do you hate giving your injured daddy some healing so much?” “I’ve never seen an injured person acting as lively as that.” He slumped his shoulders at my rebuttal, finally looking like an injured person. “There there, but Nicole has a point, you know? Here, Cure Light.” Lyell’s temple stopped bleeding instantly with Maria’s spell. Cure Light of the interference system was by far the weakest healing spell among all healing spells, but it showed this much effect now. It was worlds apart from my own spell. “There, done. But you are all bloody so go take a bath first, okay?” “Okay, then I can finally hug Nicole!” “That’s up to her.” “Definitely not.” “How could this be...” Having gotten innocently vetoed by Fina and me, Lyell fell to his hands this time and dropped his head. Maria patted him on the back to comfort him. When Lyell got out of the bath, we went to have dinner in the dining room. Currently, this mansion had a maid settled in with her whole family, but she was busy washing Lyell’s clothes now. She was working hard despite it being night. “So, father. What happened?” “Well, I heard there was an Owl Bear and entered the forest but—” “There was something else?” “No, I found the Owl Bear itself quickly and subjugated it. Oh, I’ve brought the meat back so take it back as a gift and share it with Michelle too.” “She would be overjoyed. But still, you can’t tell me some Owl Bear managed to injure you, right? Or have your skills grown duller?” “Of course not. I bisected it with one swing. The problem was what happened after that.” He frowned as he spoke while eating the stew Maria made. The stew had the meat of Owl Bear that he just mentioned too. She apparently added new ingredients. “I heard flapping of wings from deeper inside the forest, and when I went to check it, a meter long horned beetle flew out of there.” “A meter long...” I had some knowledge about horned beetles, but a meter long one was too big. If we’re talking about one that could hurt Lyell... “Yes, that would be the case.” Maria gave her approval to my guess. But I myself wasn’t convinced with my answer. The reason was simple. “But haven’t they only been witnessed within the World Tree Labyrinth?” “Yes, they were monsters of the middle floors from what I hear.” “I’ve never heard of them appearing anywhere else.” “So this would be the first sighting huh.” The World Tree Labyrinth contained a special ecosystem. Not only were there monsters that bred within it, but also being summoned from another world as a defensive mechanism... The so-called Devils also existed there. “That sounds strange.” “Yes. We never had a precedent of a monster escaping from the labyrinth.” “And it escaped not to the Holy Kingdom of Forneus, but all the way here...” “It would be wiser to investigate this.” “Yeah. But the sun is already set. If we go search in the middle of the night, it is us who can’t see in the dark who will be at a disadvantage.” “Since there’s no harm to the village, there’s no need to hurry. Let’s do it tomorrow.” “Right.” Lyell and Maria started talking about tomorrow’s plans. I ignored that and focused on taking care of Fina. She was sitting on my lap and having a hard fight against the stew with a spoon gripped in her hand. Of course, that caused the soup to fly around everywhere, and her surroundings were in a total mess. I already accepted I would be part of that disaster when I placed her on my knees, so I wasn’t very worried. I could just get changed once I got back. I had nothing to do but sleep once I returned anyway. “Oh, thank you.” She somehow managed to scoop up the meat with the spoon and offered it to me. Her mouth was stained with soup too. I ate the meat in one bite and took a napkin to wipe her mouth. “Nyauuu.” The way she disliked getting her face wiped made her appear as charming as a little animal. “Oh god, this child is just too adorable!” “Mugyaa!” As I hugged her from behind, she raised a shrill and laughed. This was how I’ve been spending my dinner as of late.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 21, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
いいことです素晴しい人達の後で休憩できますからなんていうか僕がここにいるなんてちょっと場違いですよねだって僕の仕事なんか人生において何の役にも立ちませんからねまるで自分自身が役立たずな気がしますよましてキャロリンや他の講演者の後ですから僕なんかまるで“糞” 全くもってなんで僕がココにいるのか分かりませんまるで悪夢の中で替え玉としてオペラ座に来た途端無理矢理「お前歌え!」みたいな... よくわかりませんけどそういうわけでお見せするものも言うべきこともないのでなにか他の事でも話してみましょうよろしければ手始めに... 面白くもなんともないんですが...僕の仕事の進め方でもお話しましょうあなたは何で知られた人かと聞かれたら― レモン絞り器便器用ブラシ爪楊枝美しい便座にそれに歯ブラシですかね僕は歯ブラシをデザインしようとはしません “おぉきっとキレイなモノになる”なんてつもりもないですそんな事に興味ありませんからデザインにも色々な種類があります一つは僕らが“ひねくれデザイン”と呼ぶもので― 50年代にレイモンド=ローウィが提唱したものがあります彼は“醜いと売れない ”と言いましたひどいもんですデザインはマーケティングの武器に徹するべき商品をもっとセクシーにして売り上げを伸ばすためのものというわけです最低で時代遅れでバカバカしいなので僕は “ひねくれデザイン”と呼びますその後に出てきたのが“自己陶酔デザイン” 偉大なデザイナーによる他の偉大なデザイナーのためのデザインですそのまた後で僕のような人達が出てきた存在価値を見出そうと― 役に立たない仕事を恥じつつも別のやり方を模索して― がんばるわけですモノのためのモノ作りじゃなく結果のために人類の利益のためそれを使う人のためにね歯ブラシを手にしても歯ブラシの事なんて考えませんよね僕なら“どれだけよく磨けるだろう?”と考えます口の中での歯ブラシの働きを理解するには必ずこう思い浮かべます “この口は誰の口だろう? その人の人生はどんなだろう? どんな社会に生きてるんだろう? どんな文明がその社会を作ったんだろう? どんな動物種がその文明を作ったんだろう?” そこまでいくと...頭良くないんで 1分くらいかかるんですが... 動物種レベルまでいくとがぜん面白くなるんですよ僕なんかが何かを変える力なんて皆無ですよ立ち戻ればなんで変えない方がいいかわかります今日変えない方が変えるよりいいんです動物種としての自分の位置付けに考えを及ぼすと― 見るべきものに気付きます大きな挑戦もあります僕らの目の前の挑戦ですなぜなら人類の生み出すもので僕の言う“全体像”の外側に存在するものなんてないからです “全体像”とは僕らの物語詩やロマンです僕らの詩とは僕らの変異や生命です思い出してください 10歳になる息子の本にもあるように生命はおよそ40億年前に誕生しましたえ?42? 45! 45ですね勘弁して下さいね僕は一介のデザイナーですからクリスマスプレゼント専門のねもともと“原始のスープ”といわれるものがありましたこの最初のスープはボコボコボコとなんていうか汚い泥で生命も何もありませんするとビカビカ!...雷が落ちて...ビカッ!...さあ来た... ビカッ!...命ができて...ボコボコ!...死にました数百万年後...ビカビカ!ボコボコ!...おーい起きろぉ! ついにうまくいって生命の誕生です僕らはとても馬鹿な一番馬鹿な微生物でした僕ら生殖法さえ真似てますよね言いたいことわかります? それとか...おっと何でもないですその後僕らは魚になったそんでカエルになりサルになり今日の僕らスーパーモンキーの出現というわけです面白いことに僕らスーパーモンキーはまだ物語の中盤です想像できます? あんなに馬鹿な微生物だった僕らが携帯パソコンに iPod ですよ 40億年の間にキャロリンをはじめ皆さんご存知の通り太陽はいずれ内部破裂します地球は燃えちゃってとか爆発しちゃってとかよく知りませんけど... それが 40億年後の予定でしたっけ? そんなとこですつまり僕らはまだ物語の中ほどなんですよこりゃすごい!美しいじゃありませんか! 想像できます? とても象徴的ですだって40億年前の微生物は今日の僕らの姿を知る由もなかったそして今日の僕らには 40億年後の僕らを知る由もありませんこの辺りが素晴しいんですよこれが僕らの詩なんです美しい物語です僕らのロマンです突然変異僕らは突然変異種ですここをしっかり押さえて物語に組み込まない限り全くわけがわからなくなりますだってみんな自分達が最後の世代だと思ってるでしょ僕らの地球の見方は一つほらわかるでしょ “俺こそが人類人類の完成形 40億年間突然変異を繰り返し今この俺が出てきたから進化終了終演最後の最後永久の最後が赤いジャケットのこの俺” って感じですさぁどうだかまだこんなことを言っているくらいですからやることは山積みですとても新鮮ですここで一つ天才であることは誰の義務でもありませんが参加する事はみんなの義務です突然変異の皆さんご参加の際には最低限の訓練がありますスポーツとも言えますまず始めにですね― とても簡単なやつ視覚の訓練があります説明しますよやってみますこんな風に歩くとまぁまぁです歩けますでも目を伏せているので視界が悪いおっと穴がある落ちちゃいます死んじゃいますいたって危険だから多分これ位の視野の角度を試すでしょうよし見えます何か見つけたらおっとっとそのままおっとっと目線を上げましたがまだとっても...自分勝手で自分本位で...自己中ですでも生き残れはしますまぁ大丈夫そして目線をもう少しだけ上げると “おやここにいましたかご機嫌いかが? お助けしましょう新しい歯ブラシをデザインしますよ新しい便器用タワシはいかが?” 社会の中で暮らしコミュニティと共に生きていると言えますいいですよ知性の領域に足を踏み入れましたこの地点から目線を上げれば上げるほどあなたは社会にとってより重要になります上げれば上げるほど文明にとってより重要になります上げれば上げるほど遠く高くが見えるあなたは突然変異の物語にとってより重要になりますつまり知的な人々はここにいるのですここが知的領域ですここからここの角度は天才ですプトレマイオスエラトステネスアインシュタインとかです天才である義務なんて誰にもありません結構ですが義務ではありませんしっかり訓練して良い突然変異になってください危険や罠はあります一つは垂直です垂直になってこんな風に見上げると “おぉ神よ!神がおられる!あぁ神よ!” 神は罠です神を持ち出すのは僕らが答えを知らないときですつまり脳みその大きさが不十分でよく理解できないとき “あぁ神だ!神の成せる業だ!”とやっちゃうこれは馬鹿げてますだから跳ねますこんな風にいや跳ねないでよ戻ってきてだってもう一つ罠がありますからこんな風にのけぞると今度は過去を見てしまいます体が柔軟だと自分の内側が見えてしまいますそしたら総合失調症になってこれまた死んでしまいますだから毎朝良い突然変異種なんだからこそ目線を上げるんです外へより水平に知的生命体として決して忘れないで下さいこんな感じこんな感じこれとってもとってもとっても大切です他に何があったかななぜこの訓練をするのか遠くから見ると僕らの進化の道のりは一筋の線で― その線は明らかに前進しています遠くから見るとそうとても滑らかですでもレンズでのぞくとまるでガタガタのデコボコそれに光と影からできています光は文明を影は野蛮を表しています僕らがどこにいるのか知っておくことはとても重要ですなぜならそれによって自分の役目が変わってくるからです考えてみてください素晴しかったとは言いませんが 80年代はあまり戦争がなかったほんの短い間すると文明が開化していきますよねそんな状況なら僕みたいな人々は受け入れられます “贅沢の時代”と言ってもいい考える時間があって...他には何だろう― 芸術とかを語る時間があるんですいいんですよ僕らは明るい地点にいますからでも今日のようにたちまち暗闇へ落ち野蛮になることもあります野蛮といっても実に色々あります僕らには馴染みのない野蛮も出てくるでしょう野蛮にも色んな種類がありますからだから適応しなくちゃいけない野蛮な時代が来たなら美しい椅子やホテルは忘れてデザインも...それに失礼ですが芸術だって忘れてくださいキレイさっぱりともっと大事で緊急なことがありますから政治へ急進化へ回帰せざるを得ません今の言い方変だったらごめんなさい戦いへ戻り立ち向かう必要がありますだから今日はこの仕事が恥ずかしいんですだからこそ僕はココで最善を尽くしますでも最善を尽くしたところで (だから僕って最高!) 何にもなりませんだって時期が違いますから良いモノだって光の地点じゃないと輝かない美しい夢や文明の時期じゃなきゃ意味ないんですそれに僕らは物語の完結に向けて頑張らないといけませんこの文明のシナリオは愛や進歩などについてですそれはそれでいいんです違う文明の違うシナリオもあり得るでしょう僕らの文明のシナリオは力を得て知能を高める事です例えば僕らの生み出した神という概念のように今は僕らが神ですもう物語の完結は間近ですあとは仕上げるだけですとてもとても重要なところです何が実際に起きているのかわかってないとそこに行き戦ったり働いたり創ったりできませんこんなふうに後ろ向きに未来へ進むとおっと危ない落ちちゃいますすごく危ないだから絶対にわかってなきゃだめです繰り返しますが物語の完結は間近です素晴しい点は 50~60年後この文明を完結し子供たちに新たな物語詩ロマンを創造する可能性を差し出せることです僕ら以前に何十億もの人々が生まれ働き生きて死んだ彼らの努力のお陰で今僕らは美しいもの贈り物知識を山ほど持っています子供たちへ言えます僕らの物語は出来上がりおしまいさぁ今度はあなたの番新しい物語詩を紡ぎなさいルールはただ一つ次の物語はまだまっさら白紙をあげましょう創造してください最高の最高の道具をあげますからさあ始めてくださいだから僕は働き続けますたとえそれが便器用タワシのためだとしても	It's good for you because you can have a break after all these fantastic people. I must tell you I am like that, not very comfortable, because usually, in life, I think my job is absolutely useless. I mean, I feel useless. Now after Carolyn, and all the other guys, I feel like shit. And definitively, I don't know why I am here, but -- you know the nightmare you can have, like you are an impostor, you arrive at the opera, and they push you, "You must sing!" I don't know. So, so, because I have nothing to show, nothing to say, we shall try to speak about something else. We can start, if you want, by understanding -- it's just to start, it's not interesting, but -- how I work. When somebody comes to me and ask for what I am known, I mean, yes, lemon squeezer, toilet brush, toothpick, beautiful toilet seats, and why not -- a toothbrush? I don't try to design the toothbrush. I don't try to say, "Oh, that will be a beautiful object," or something like that. That doesn't interest me. Because there is different types of design. The one, we can call it the cynical design, that means the design invented by Raymond Loewy in the '50s, who said, what is ugly is a bad sale, la laideur se vend mal, which is terrible. It means the design must be just the weapon for marketing, for producer to make product more sexy, like that, they sell more: it's shit, it's obsolete, it's ridiculous. I call that the cynical design. After, there is the narcissistic design: it's a fantastic designer who designs only for other fantastic designers. After, there is people like me, who try to deserve to exist, and who are so ashamed to make this useless job, who try to do it in another way, and they try, I try, to not make the object for the object but for the result, for the profit for the human being, the person who will use it. If we take the toothbrush -- I don't think about the toothbrush. I think, "What will be the effect of the brush in the mouth?" And to understand what will be the effect of the toothbrush in the mouth, I must imagine: Who owns this mouth? What is the life of the owner of this mouth? In what society [does] this guy live? What civilization creates this society? What animal species creates this civilization? When I arrive -- and I take one minute, I am not so intelligent -- when I arrive at the level of animal species, that becomes real interesting. Me, I have strictly no power to change anything. But when I come back, I can understand why I shall not do it, because today to not do it, it's more positive than do it, or how I shall do it. But to come back, where I am at the animal species, there is things to see. There is things to see, there is the big challenge. The big challenge in front of us. Because there is not a human production which exists outside of what I call "the big image." The big image is our story, our poetry, our romanticism. Our poetry is our mutation, our life. We must remember, and we can see that in any book of my son of 10 years old, that life appears four billion years ago, around -- four billion point two? Voice offstage: Four point five. Yes, point five, OK, OK, OK! I'm a designer, that's all, of Christmas gifts. And before, there was this soup, called "soupe primordiale," this first soup -- bloop bloop bloop -- sort of dirty mud, no life, nothing. So then -- pshoo-shoo -- lightning -- pshoo -- arrive -- pshoo-shoo -- makes life -- bloop bloop -- and that dies. Some million years after -- pshoo-shoo, bloop-bloop -- ah, wake up! At the end, finally, that succeeds, and life appears. We was so, so stupid. The most stupid bacteria. Even, I think, we copy our way to reproduce, you know what I mean, and something of -- oh no, forget it. After, we become a fish; after, we become a frog; after, we become a monkey; after, we become what we are today: a super-monkey, and the fun is, the super-monkey we are today, is at half of the story. Can you imagine? From that stupid bacteria to us, with a microphone, with a computer, with an iPod: four billion years. And we know, and especially Carolyn knows, that when the sun will implode, the earth will burn, explode, I don't know what, and this is scheduled for four, four billion years? Yes, she said, something like that. OK, that means we are at half of the story. Fantastic! It's a beauty! Can you imagine? It's very symbolic. Because the bacteria we was had no idea of what we are today. And today, we have no idea of what we shall be in four billion years. And this territory is fantastic. That is our poetry. That is our beautiful story. It's our romanticism. Mu-ta-tion. We are mutants. And if we don't deeply understand, if we don't integrate that we are mutants, we completely miss the story. Because every generation thinks we are the final one. We have a way to look at Earth like that, you know, "I am the man. The final man. You know, we mutate during four billion years before, but now, because it's me, we stop. Fin. For the end, for the eternity, it is one with a red jacket." Something like that. I am not sure of that. Because that is our intelligence of mutation and things like that. There is so many things to do; it's so fresh. And here is something: nobody is obliged to be a genius, but everybody is obliged to participate. And to participate, for a mutant, there is a minimum of exercise, a minimum of sport. We can say that. The first, if you want -- there is so many -- but one which is very easy to do, is the duty of vision. I can explain you. I shall try. If you walk like that, it's OK, it's OK, you can walk, but perhaps, because you walk with the eyes like that, you will not see, oh, there is a hole. And you will fall, and you will die. Dangerous. That's why, perhaps, you will try to have this angle of vision. OK, I can see, if I found something, up, up, and they continue, up up up. I raise the angle of vision, but it's still very -- selfish, selfish, egoiste -- yes, selfish. You, you survive. It's OK. If you raise the level of your eyes a little more you go, "I see you, oh my God you are here, how are you, I can help you, I can design for you a new toothbrush, new toilet brush," something like that. I live in society; I live in community. It's OK. You start to be in the territory of intelligence, we can say. From this level, the more you can raise this angle of view, the more you will be important for the society. The more you will rise, the more you will be important for the civilization. The more you will rise, to see far and high, like that, the more you will be important for the story of our mutation. That means intelligent people are in this angle. That is intelligence. From this to here, that, it's genius. Ptolemy, Eratosthenes, Einstein, things like that. Nobody's obliged to be a genius. It's better, but nobody. Take care, in this training, to be a good mutant. There is some danger, there is some trap. One trap: the vertical. Because at the vertical of us, if you look like that, "Ah! my God, there is God. Ah! God!" God is a trap. God is the answer when we don't know the answer. That means, when your brain is not enough big, when you don't understand, you go, "Ah, it's God, it's God." That's ridiculous. That's why -- jump, like that? No, don't jump. Come back. Because, after, there is another trap. If you look like that, you look to the past, or you look inside if you are very flexible, inside yourself. It's called schizophrenia, and you are dead also. That's why every morning, now, because you are a good mutant, you will raise your angle of view. Out, more of the horizontal. You are an intelligence. Never forget -- like that, like that. It's very, very, very important. What, what else we can say about that? Why do that? It's because we -- if we look from far, we see our line of evolution. This line of evolution is clearly positive. From far, this line looks very smooth, like that. But if you take a lens, like that, this line is ack, ack, ack, ack, ack. Like that. It's made of light and shadow. We can say light is civilization, shadow is barbaria. And it's very important to know where we are. Because some cycle, there is a spot in the cycle, and you have not the same duty in the different parts of the cycle. That means, we can imagine -- I don't say it was fantastic, but in the '80s, there was not too much war, like that, it was -- we can imagine that the civilization can become civilized. In this case, people like me are acceptable. We can say, "It's luxurious time." We have time to think, we have time to I don't know what, speak about art and things like that. It's OK. We are in the light. But sometimes, like today, we fall, we fall so fast, so fast to shadow, we fall so fast to barbaria. With many, many, many, many face of barbaria. Because it's not, the barbaria we have today, it's perhaps not the barbaria we think. There is different type of barbaria. That's why we must adapt. That means, when barbaria is back, forget the beautiful chairs, forget the beautiful hotel, forget design, even -- I'm sorry to say -- forget art. Forget all that. There is priority; there is urgency. You must go back to politics, you must go back to radicalization, I'm sorry if that's not very English. You must go back to fight, to battle. That's why today I'm so ashamed to make this job. That's why I am here, to try to do it the best possible. But I know that even I do it the best possible -- that's why I'm the best -- it's nothing. Because it's not the right time. That's why I say that. I say that, because, I repeat, nothing exist if it's not in the good reason, the reason of our beautiful dream, of this civilization. And because we must all work to finish this story. Because the scenario of this civilization -- about love, progress, and things like that -- it's OK, but there is so many different, other scenarios of other civilizations. This scenario, of this civilization, was about becoming powerful, intelligent, like this idea we have invented, this concept of God. We are God now. We are. It's almost done. We have just to finish the story. That is very, very important. And when you don't understand really what's happened, you cannot go and fight and work and build and things like that. You go to the future back, back, back, back, like that. And you can fall, and it's very dangerous. No, you must really understand that. Because we have almost finished, I'll repeat this story. And the beauty of this, in perhaps 50 years, 60 years, we can finish completely this civilization, and offer to our children the possibility to invent a new story, a new poetry, a new romanticism. With billions of people who have been born, worked, lived and died before us, these people who have worked so much, we have now bring beautiful things, beautiful gifts, we know so many things. We can say to our children, OK, done, that was our story. That passed. Now you have a duty: invent a new story. Invent a new poetry. The only rule is, we have not to have any idea about the next story. We give you white pages. Invent. We give you the best tools, the best tools, and now, do it. That's why I continue to work, even if it's for toilet brush.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
俺はシアたちに尋ねる。「おはよう。みんなで訓練してたのか」「そうであります!」「実戦に参加した後には復習を兼ねて訓練するのがいいと思うの」セルリスは真剣な表情だ。確かに忘れないうちに訓練するのは効果的かもしれない。「昨日の戦闘は激しかったからな。学ぶことも多かっただろう」「ルッチラさんに手伝ってもらったのです」ニアの尻尾がばっさばっさと揺れている。「ルッチラに手伝ってもらったというと、幻術か?」「そうなの! ルッチラはすごいわね!」「ルッチラにあたしとセルリスが昨日の戦闘の話をして幻術で再現してもらったであります」その訓練はシアたちだけでなく、ルッチラにとってもいい練習になるだろう。「ありがとうございます。でも、どれだけ再現できたか......」ニアと同じくルッチラも留守番組だ。実際に見ていないのだから、再現は難しかろう。「ロックさん、あとで幻術で見せていただけませんか?」ニアとルッチラに頭を下げられた。徒弟に頭を下げられたら、是非もない。「わかった。任せてくれ。ガルヴとタマの散歩が終わったら訓練しよう」「ありがとうございます!」「嬉しいです」「あたしも訓練に混ぜて欲しいでありますよ!」「私も!」「シアとセルリスは休憩した方がいいと思うが......、すべては散歩が終わってからだな」「わかったであります」「私は元気だわ!」名前を呼ばれたことに、もしくは散歩という言葉に反応したのかガルヴとタマがやってくる。俺の周りを尻尾を振りながら、身体をこすりつけるようにしながらぐるぐる回る。そう言って俺は空いていた長椅子に座る。ガルヴが俺の右ひざに、タマが俺の左ひざにあごを乗せてくる。甘えたいのだろう。俺はガルヴとタマをモフモフと撫でる。すると、フィリーがゆっくりと話し出す。「ロックさん。そろそろよいかの?」「ああ、待たせた。説明だったな」ちょうど、ミルカがやって来た。全員分のお茶とお菓子を持ってきている。「お茶を淹れて来たぞ!」「ありがたい」お茶を配り終わると、ミルカは俺の右隣りに座った。これで今度こそ、この屋敷にいる全員がこの場に揃った。俺はミルカが淹れてくれたお茶を飲みながら説明を始める。き者どもは大爆発とその直後の転移という作戦を用いたわけだが」「話を聞くだけで、恐ろしい」フィリーは眼鏡に右手を添えた。「ああ、厄介だ。しかもそのトリガーが「はい。魔力探査をかけなければ、爆弾かどうかわからないですし......」ルッチラが困った表情をするので、ゲルベルガさまがそっと寄り添う。「ふむ。で、その魔道具の素材はなんなのだ?」錬金術士のフィリーは、やはり素材に興味があるようだ。「メインの素材は両方とも愚者の石だったな」「ほう? 構造はどうなのだ? わかる範囲でよい」フィリーに問われて、ルッチラは困ったような表情を見せる。「......えっと。ぼくが魔力探査を担当したのですけど......」「わからなかったのか?」「魔力探査自体は成功したのですけど、その瞬間に......」「爆発してしまったということなのだな?」「はい」「ふーむ」フィリーは真剣に考えこみ、ルッチラは少し申し訳なさそうにしている。「ルッチラをかばうわけではないが、魔力探査の難度自体がとても高かったんだ」「ふむ?」「だから、魔力探査自体に集中して構造解析する余裕がなかったとしても仕方がない」「なるほど......。そうなのだな」フィリーは俺の言葉を聞いてまた考え始める。するとミルカが首を傾げた。「ロックさん聞いていいかい?」「なんで、敵はその魔力探査とかいうのの難度を高めたんだい?」「魔力探査に失敗したら爆発しなくて、敵の作戦も失敗してしまうじゃないかってことか?」「そう! それだよ!」ミルカの問いは当然だ。ルッチラが優秀な魔導士だったから魔力探査に成功したが、並の魔導士では魔力探査に失敗しただろう。その場合、魔力探査の成功がトリガーとなる爆発は起きない。「ミルカは賢いな。いい質問だ」「えへへ、そうかい?」「今回の罠は、最初の魔力探査は失敗するのを前提にした作戦だったんだ」「どういうことだい?」俺は自分の推理をミルカに説明する。敵の狙いは王都であること。そのためには失敗させて、詳しく調べられる研究機関に持ち込ませる必要があること。もし成功していたら、王都が火の海になっていたこと。そんな俺の説明を聞いて、ミルカは慌てた。「まずいんじゃないかい! もし他の冒険者が同じ爆弾を持ち込んだら、大変なことになるじゃないか!」「確かにそうなったらとても困るな」そのとき、ちょうどエリックとゴランが居間に入って来た。	I asked Shia and the others, “Good morning. Were you all training together?” “That’s right!” “I think that it’s a good idea to train and go over what happened after you participated in a fight.” Serulis had a serious expression. Indeed, it was probably more effective to train before you forgot. “Well, it was quite a vicious battle. And so there would be a lot to learn.” “And Luchila helped us.” Nia’s tail was wagging from side to side. “Luchila helped you? Do you mean with illusions?” “That’s it! Luchila is amazing!” “Serulis and I told Luchila about what happened yesterday, and she recreated it with illusion magic.” This training wouldn’t just benefit Shia and Serulis, but it was good practice for Luchila as well. “Thank you. But I don’t know how accurate it was...” Like Nia, Luchila also stayed behind. And since she hadn’t actually seen it, it would be hard to recreate. “Mister Locke, can you show it to me later through illusion magic?” Nia and Luchila bowed their heads. If your two apprentices were making a request and bowing, you could hardly refuse. “Alright. Leave it to me. We’ll train after Grulf and Tama have finished their walk.” “Thank you!” “Please let me join in the training as well!” “Me too!” “Shia and Serulis. I think you two should rest... Well, it’s all after the walk, anyway.” “I understand.” “I’m not tired!” They must have heard their names, or they were reacting to me talking about their walk, as Grulf and Tama came up to me. They both rubbed up against me while wagging their tails and then ran in a circle around me. I said as I took a seat on the bench. “Woof.” Grulf put his chin on my right knee, while Tama did the same on my left. They wanted to be petted I suppose. And so I tousled their fur. And then Philly started to talk slowly. “Mister Lock. Are you ready now?” “Ah, sorry to keep you waiting. You wanted an explanation.” Just then, Milka came in. She was carrying tea and treats for everyone. “I put on some tea!” “Thank you.” Once everyone’s tea was poured, Milka sat down to my right. Now, everyone in the mansion was here. And so I drank the tea that Milka had poured while I started to explain. “This time, the dark ones used a plan that involved a great explosion and teleportation immediately after.” “It sounds horrifying.” Philly said as she adjusted her glasses. “Aye, it’s very troublesome. Not only that, but Magic Exploration was the trigger.” “Yes. But you wouldn’t know if it was a bomb if you didn’t use Magic Exploration...” As Luchila looked agitated, Lord Gerberga moved closer. “Hmm. So, what material was the magic tool made of?” As an alchemist, Philly was interested in the materials. “The main material for both was a Fool’s Stone.” “Oh? And what about the structure? Just tell me as much as you know.” Philly said. Luchila had a troubled expression. “...Umm. While I was the one who cast Magic Exploration...” “You don’t know?” “The spell was a success. But right after...” “It exploded?’ “Yes.” Philly started to think about this seriously, while Luchila looked on with an apologetic expression. “I’m not saying this just to defend Luchila, but the difficulty of Magic Exploration itself was very high.” “Huh?” “And so it cannot be helped that Luchila was concentrating on using Magic Exploration, and was not able to analyze the structure.” “I see... Indeed.” Upon hearing my words, Philly was once again deep in thought. And then Milka tilted her head. “Mister Locke. Can I ask you something?” “Why did the enemy raise the difficulty of this Magic Exploration thing?” “Do you mean because if Magic Exploration failed, it wouldn’t explode and their plan would fail?” “Yes! That’s it!” Milka’s question made sense. It had succeeded because Luchila was a brilliant sorcerer. However, an average one would have failed if they cast Magic Exploration. In that case, the explosion would not have been triggered. “You’re very smart, Milka. That’s a good question.” “Ehehe. Really?” “They had planned it that way. The trap involved having the first attempt at Magic Exploration fail.” “What do you mean?” And so I explained my theory to Milka. The enemy was targeting the royal capital. If we had failed, then it would have to be carried back to a research facility where it could be studied more thoroughly. And if it succeeded then, the royal capital would have gone up in flames. Upon hearing this, Milka became frantic. “But that’s horrible! If other Adventurers brought in a similar bomb, it would turn into a disaster!” “Indeed, that would be very bad.” Just then, Eric and Goran entered the room.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 5, "inserted_lines_trg": 4 }
当時医大生だった私は外科医を目指していました解剖学に興味があって動物の解剖には好奇心を駆り立てられました同じ頃私はニューヨークが大好きになりニューヨークの街全体が生命体として見れる事に気づき始めたのです街を切り裂いて隠れた層を見たかったのですそのやり方とは芸術的手段を用いるものでした結局私は医師ではなく美術学修士号を取得することにしました大学院生のとき街の片隅に棲む生き物に興味を持つようになりましたニューヨークでネズミは通勤者たちの生活の一部になっていますネズミを見ても無視する人や怖がる人がほとんどですが私は社会のへりで暮らしている― ネズミが好きになりましたネズミは人間の命のために実験で使われますが害虫としても見られています私はニューヨークを見て回り始め写真を撮ろうとしましたある日地下鉄の線路を撮影していましたネズミが出てくるといいなと思っているとある男性が近づいてきて “ここで撮影は出来ません交通局がカメラを没収しますよ” と言われ私はかなりびっくりしましたそれならばネズミを追ってみようと思ったわけですそしてトンネルの中へ入り込みましたそこでこの街の新しい側面に気づきました人の目に触れる事はほとんどない光景です同じ時期に私は同じ趣味を持つ人たちと出会いました彼らは自らを都市探検家冒険家洞窟探検家ゲリラ歴史家などと呼んでいます定期的に都市部にある廃墟を探検している― インターネット基盤のネットワークに私は迎えられました彼らは使われなくなった地下鉄の駅やトンネル下水溝水路工場病院造船所などを探検しています私はこのような場所の写真を撮ったとき写真に何かが足りないと感じました間もなく取り壊される建物を単に記録するのは手ごたえがなかったのでこのような地下に棲む架空の人物か動物を作り出したいと思いました当時一番簡単だったのは自分がモデルになることでした洋服を着用したくなかったのは文化や時代を醸し出す要素が入らない― 構図を作りたかったのですこのような衰退していく放置された場所に存在する生きている肉体を表す簡単な方法が欲しかったのですこれはブルックリンのレッドフックにあるリビエラ砂糖工場で撮りました現在は空の状態の約7,300坪の敷地で新しいイケアの正面にあるショッピングモールとなる場所ですここは私の好きな場所です放置されている巨大な産業用建物を自分で探しだしたのはここが初めてだからですそこに初めて入った時犬が吠えていて番犬がいるのかと思い怖くなりましたがそこに棲む野良犬でした水辺のそばだったので白鳥やアヒルが泳いでいて木が至る所に生えていて蜂が砂糖樽の中に巣を作っていましたその敷地全体に自然が息を吹き返していました私は写真の中の人物像を自然と一体化させたかったのですこの場所に慣れてしまうと大きな遊び場のようにも感じました私はタンクを上って丸出しになった角材を跳び越えたりしてまるで子どもに戻ったように感じましたこれはクロトン水路で撮ったものです初めてニューヨーク市に淡水を供給した水路です建設は1837年に始まり約5年間続きました 1890年に新しいクロトン水路ができてから放置された状態ですこのような空間に入ると過去に直接アクセスしていることになります何十年も手付かずのままになっているからです私は歴史をもつ空間のオーラを感じるのが大好きです再現された建物を家で見るのではなく手で積み上げられたレンガを実際に感じわずかな隙間を上ったり下りたり濡れて泥だらけになって懐中電灯で照らしながら暗い通路を歩くのですこれはリーバーサイドパークの下にあるトンネルですロバートモーゼが1930年代に建てたものですこの壁画はグラフィティ画家が 1991年にトンネルが再開した際に追い出された何百人ものホームレスの人たちを記憶に残すために描いたものですこのトンネルの中は静かでとても落ち着きます回りには誰もいません真上にある公園で遊ぶ子どもの声が聞こえ下にあるものの存在には全く気づくことはないのですこのような場所へよく出かけていた頃の私は大きな不安や孤独を感じていました人生の中で寂しい時期にいたのですそれで私は自分の作品を「裸都の憂鬱」と題しましたシャルルボードレールから取ったものです「裸都」とはニューヨークの別名で「憂鬱」とは都会の環境から疎外されている― 感覚から生まれる鬱や無力の状態を表現していますこれは同じトンネルです通気口から太陽光が差し込んでいて列車が近づいているのが見えますこれはヘルズキッチンにある使われなくなったトンネルです私は独りで撮影の準備をしていたらホームレスの男の人が近づいてきました私は彼の生活空間に侵入してしまったのです初めは怖かったのですが落ち着いて自分の計画を彼に説明したところ問題はないようでしたそれでカメラをセルフタイマーにセットして行ったり来たり撮影しました撮影が終わった時彼は自分のシャツを差し出し足を拭いていいと言い親切に送り出してくれました私のようなお客さんが来ることはないでしょうねそんなことがあってからある事に取りつかれましたこのような空間には街から捨て去られた沢山の想い出が詰まっていますそのホームレスの男性は私にとって街の無意識な要素を象徴していました彼は地上では暴力を受けかつては刑務所にいましたがついにこのトンネルで平穏無事な日々を得たそうですトンネルは以前街の繁栄のために建てられたものですが今は世間に見捨てられた人たちの避難所となっています彼らは都会に住む普通の人の日常から完全に忘れられた存在ですこれは私の母校であるコロンビア大学の下ですこのトンネルはマンハッタン計画の開発時期に使われたことで有名ですこのトンネルの面白さはコロンビア大学を建設することになり 1890年に取り壊された精神病院の土台の原型が見れることですこれはニューヨーク市ファームコロニーです 1890年代から1930年代にかけてステートンアイランドにあった救貧院です私の写真の大半は何十年も放置されている場所をとらえていますでもこれは例外ですこの小児病院は1997年に閉鎖されましたニューアークにあった病院ですそこへ3年前に行った時窓は割れて壁は剥がれ落ちていましたが何もかもがそのままになっていました解剖台遺体トレイエックス線装置があり使用済み手術器具まで解剖台の上にあるのがわかります使われなくなったばかりの建物を探検してから何でもすぐに廃墟になりうると感じました家会社ショッピングモール教会周囲にある人間の作り出した建物なら何でも... 私たちが感じる安心感とはいかにもろくて人がどれだけ無防備で傷つきやすいのか気付かされました私は旅行が大好きでベルリンはお気に入りの街のひとつです歴史ある街で戦時中に使われていた地下壕や廃墟もたくさんありますこれは1885年に建てられた 1,100人を収容できるホームレスの保護施設で撮りました電車に乗っている時にこの建物が目に入ったので次の駅で降りて行ってみるとそこの人たちがカタコンベのような地下へと入れてくれましたそこは戦時中に弾薬倉庫として使われていた場所である時期にはユダヤ人避難民の隠れ家としても使われていましたこれはパリのカタコンベですそこでは立ち入り禁止になっている場所をずいぶん探検し一目惚れしてしまいました地下通路は約300kmの長さがありますが博物館として公開されているのは約1.6kmだけですはじめの地下通路は紀元前60年まで遡りますずっと石灰岩の採石場として採掘されていましたが 18世紀に至る頃陥没している箇所が危ないと指摘されましたそれで政府は既存の採石場の強化を命じ全体を監視して地図を作るために新しい監視用の通路を掘ったのです見てわかるようにこのシステムはとても複雑で広大ですこの中で迷い込んでしまうと非常に危険です同時期にこの街にはあまりにも墓地が多すぎるという問題があったため遺骨が墓地から採石場へと移されカタコンベになりました 600万人以上の骨がここに収容されていて中には1,300年以上前の骨もありますこれはモンパルナス墓地の下で撮りましたほとんどの骨つぼがここにあります 50年代に使われていた電話線や第二次世界大戦時代のえんぺい壕がたくさんありますこれはドイツ軍のえんぺい壕で近くにはフランス軍のえんぺい壕があります通路システム全体はあまりにも複雑でドイツ軍とフランス軍は一度も遭遇しなかったそうですこの通路はレジスタンスが使っていたことで有名でビクトルユーゴーがレミゼラブルの中で触れています 1800年代に描かれたこのような落書きをたくさん見ましたパリの地下を探検したあとはどこかに登ってみることにしましたそしてパリの真ん中にあるゴシック様式の記念塔に登りましたこれはサンジャックの塔です 1500年代初頭に建てられました一月中旬に裸でガーゴイルの上に座るのはお勧めしませんあまり気持ちのいいものではありませんでしたそしてこのかたロンドンの下水溝に行くまで私はこのような場所でネズミを一匹も見かけたことはありませんでしたここはおそらく探検するのが一番大変だった場所です有毒ガスが立ちこめていたのでこの写真を撮ったとき以外はガスマスクを装着しなくてはいけませんでした廃棄物の波が押し寄せるとまるで嵐が近づいてきているような感じがしますこれは「盲目の扉」と題した私が最近作った映画からのスチールです私は動きや手触りをとらえることに興味がさらに湧いてきました 16ミリの白黒フィルムは異なる感じを醸し出しますこれは私が初めて取り組んだシアタープロジェクトですアウグストストリンドベリの「ドリームプレイ」を脚色して作り出しましたそしてブルックリンのアトランティックアヴェニュートンネルで一度きりの公演をしたのですアトランティックアヴェニュートンネルは1844年に建設された― 世界で一番古い地下鉄トンネルとされています最近はこのような共同企画をやるようになりましたでも機会があるごとにいつも自分の作品シリーズに取り組んでいます最後に私が訪れたのはホンジュラスにあるコパンのマヤ遺跡ですこれは本堂の中にある考古学通路の中で撮りました私は探検だけではなくそれ以上のことをするのが好きですこのような空間が永遠に失われてしまう前に思い出を残すために創造的な方法で命を吹き込み人間味を与える義務を私は感じるのですありがとう	At the same time, I fell in love with New York City. I started to realize that I could look at the whole city as a living organism. I wanted to dissect it and look into its unseen layers. And the way to it, for me, was through artistic means. So, eventually I decided to pursue an MFA instead of an M.D. and in grad school I became interested in creatures that dwell in the hidden corners of the city. In New York City, rats are part of commuters' daily lives. Most people ignore them or are frightened of them. But I took a liking to them because they dwell on the fringes of society. And even though they're used in labs to promote human lives, they're also considered pests. I also started looking around in the city and trying to photograph them. One day, in the subway, I was snapping pictures of the tracks hoping to catch a rat or two, and a man came up to me and said, "You can't take photographs here. The MTA will confiscate your camera." I was quite shocked by that, I'll follow the rats." Then I started going into the tunnels, which made me realize that there's a whole new dimension to the city that I never saw before and most people don't get to see. Around the same time, I met like-minded individuals who call themselves urban explorers, adventurers, spelunkers, guerrilla historians, etc. I was welcomed into this loose, Internet-based network of people who regularly explore urban ruins such as abandoned subway stations, tunnels, sewers, aqueducts, factories, hospitals, shipyards and so on. When I took photographs in these locations, I felt there was something missing in the pictures. Simply documenting these soon-to-be-demolished structures wasn't enough for me. So I wanted to create a fictional character or an animal that dwells in these underground spaces, and the simplest way to do it, at the time, was to model myself. I decided against clothing because I wanted the figure to be without any cultural implications or time-specific elements. I wanted a simple way to represent a living body inhabiting these decaying, derelict spaces. This was taken in the Riviera Sugar Factory in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It's now an empty, six-acre lot waiting for a shopping mall right across from the new Ikea. I was very fond of this space because it's the first massive industrial complex I found on my own that is abandoned. When I first went in, I was scared, because I heard dogs barking and I thought they were guard dogs. But they happened to be wild dogs living there, and it was right by the water, so there were swans and ducks swimming around and trees growing everywhere and bees nesting in the sugar barrels. The nature had really reclaimed the whole complex. And, in a way, I wanted the human figure in the picture to become a part of that nature. When I got comfortable in the space, it also felt like a big playground. I would climb up the tanks and hop across exposed beams as if I went back in time and became a child again. This was taken in the old Croton Aqueduct, which supplied fresh water to New York City for the first time. The construction began in 1837. It lasted about five years. It got abandoned when the new Croton Aqueducts opened in 1890. When you go into spaces like this, you're directly accessing the past, because they sit untouched for decades. I love feeling the aura of a space that has so much history. Instead of looking at reproductions of it at home, you're actually feeling the hand-laid bricks and shimmying up and down narrow cracks and getting wet and muddy and walking in a dark tunnel with a flashlight. This is a tunnel underneath Riverside Park. It was built in the 1930s by Robert Moses. The murals were done by a graffiti artist to commemorate the hundreds of homeless people when the tunnel reopened for trains. Walking in this tunnel is very peaceful. There's nobody around you, and you hear the kids playing in the park above you, completely unaware of what's underneath. When I was going out a lot to these places, I was feeling a lot of anxiety and isolation because I was in a solitary phase in my life, and I decided to title my series "Naked City Spleen," which references Charles Baudelaire. "Naked City" is a nickname for New York, and "Spleen" embodies the melancholia and inertia that come from feeling alienated in an urban environment. This is the same tunnel. You see the sunbeams coming from the ventilation ducts and the train approaching. This is a tunnel that's abandoned in Hell's Kitchen. I was there alone, setting up, and a homeless man approached. I was basically intruding in his living space. I was really frightened at first, but I calmly explained to him that I was working on an art project and he didn't seem to mind and so I went ahead and put my camera on self-timer and ran back and forth. And when I was done, he actually offered me his shirt to wipe off my feet and kindly walked me out. It must have been a very unusual day for him. One thing that struck me, after this incident, was that a space like that holds so many deleted memories of the city. That homeless man, to me, really represented an element of the unconscious of the city. He told me that he was abused above ground and was once in Riker's Island, and at last he found peace and quiet in that space. The tunnel was once built for the prosperity of the city, but is now a sanctuary for outcasts, who are completely forgotten in the average urban dweller's everyday life. This is underneath my alma mater, Columbia University. The tunnels are famous for having been used during the development of the Manhattan Project. This particular tunnel is interesting because it shows the original foundations of Bloomingdale Insane Asylum, which was demolished in 1890 when Columbia moved in. This is the New York City Farm Colony, which was a poorhouse in Staten Island from the 1890s to the 1930s. Most of my photos are set in places that have been abandoned for decades, but this is an exception. This children's hospital was closed in 1997; it's located in Newark. When I was there three years ago, the windows were broken and the walls were peeling, but everything was left there as it was. You see the autopsy table, morgue trays, x-ray machines and even used utensils, which you see on the autopsy table. After exploring recently-abandoned buildings, I felt that everything could fall into ruins very fast: your home, your office, a shopping mall, a church -- any man-made structures around you. I was reminded of how fragile our sense of security is and how vulnerable people truly are. I love to travel, and Berlin has become one of my favorite cities. It's full of history, and also full of underground bunkers and ruins from the war. This was taken under a homeless asylum built in 1885 to house 1,100 people. I saw the structure while I was on the train, and I got off at the next station and met people there that gave me access to their catacomb-like basement, which was used for ammunition storage during the war and also, at some point, to hide groups of Jewish refugees. This is the actual catacombs in Paris. I explored there extensively in the off-limits areas and fell in love right away. There are more than 185 miles of tunnels, and only about a mile is open to the public as a museum. The first tunnels date back to 60 B.C. They were consistently dug as limestone quarries and by the 18th century, the caving-in of some of these quarries posed safety threats, so the government ordered reinforcing of the existing quarries and dug new observation tunnels in order to monitor and map the whole place. As you can see, the system is very complex and vast. It's very dangerous to get lost in there. And at the same time, there was a problem in the city with overflowing cemeteries. So the bones were moved from the cemeteries into the quarries, making them into the catacombs. The remains of over six million people are housed in there, some over 1,300 years old. This was taken under the Montparnasse Cemetery where most of the ossuaries are located. There are also phone cables that were used in the '50s and many bunkers from the World War II era. This is a German bunker. Nearby there's a French bunker, and the whole tunnel system is so complex that the two parties never met. The tunnels are famous for having been used by the Resistance, which Victor Hugo wrote about in "Les Miserables." And I saw a lot of graffiti from the 1800s, like this one. After exploring the underground of Paris, I decided to climb up, and I climbed a Gothic monument that's right in the middle of Paris. This is the Tower of Saint Jacques. It was built in the early 1500s. I don't recommend sitting on a gargoyle in the middle of January, naked. It was not very comfortable. And all this time, I never saw a single rat in any of these places, This was probably the toughest place to explore. I had to wear a gas mask because of the toxic fumes -- I guess, except for in this picture. And when the tides of waste matter come in it sounds as if a whole storm is approaching you. This is a still from a film I worked on recently, called "Blind Door." I've become more interested in capturing movement and texture. And the 16mm black-and-white film gave a different feel to it. And this is the first theater project I worked on. I adapted and produced "A Dream Play" by August Strindberg. It was performed last September one time only in the Atlantic Avenue tunnel in Brooklyn, which is considered to be the oldest underground train tunnel in the world, I've been leaning towards more collaborative projects like these, lately. But whenever I get a chance I still work on my series. The last place I visited was the Mayan ruins of Copan, Honduras. This was taken inside an archaeological tunnel in the main temple. I like doing more than just exploring these spaces. I feel an obligation to animate and humanize these spaces continually in order to preserve their memories in a creative way -- before they're lost forever. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
だから俺はケーテにいう。「歩いて行こう。精間程度だ。ケーテもついてくるなら人型になってくれ」行きの三時間とゴブリン退治でアリオとジニーもケーテに慣れるだろう。そうなれば、帰りはケーテの背に乗せて貰えばいい。それだけで充分時間の短縮になるだろう。もしかしたら日没までに戻れるかも知れない。「じゃあ、人の姿になってくるのだ」そういって、ケーテは近くの森の中へと走って行った。ケーテは急に裸になることはなくなった。人の風習に慣れてくれたらしい。すぐに人の姿になったケーテが戻ってきて、俺たちは村へと歩き始める。ケーテはジニーに楽しそうに話しかける。「ジニーはゴブリン退治が得意なのであるか?」「得意ってわけではないけど......」「我は得意なのだ。人族とゴブリンの見分け方もばっちりであるからなー」「うん? そうだね」ジニーは、ケーテの言葉の意味がわかっていなさそうだ。「ケーのゴブリンを倒すだけなら簡単だ。だが、それだけではダメなんだ」「そうなのか? 倒せばいいと思っていたのである」「ゴブリンは群れを作るからな。群れ全体を退治する必要がある」被害は一つの群れによるものか、複数の群れによるものか。はぐれゴブリンによるものか。また、どこの巣から来たゴブリンの群れなのか。それらをしっかり調べる必要がある。そして、巣ごと退治しなければならない。そんなことを伝えると、ケーテはうんうんと頷いた。「勉強になるのである」「ケーテは強いが冒険者としては初心者なのだし、俺の言うことをしっかり聞かないとダメだからな」「了解したのである」村までの道のりは三時間とたっぷりある。その時間を利用して、俺は歩きながらゴブリン退治についてケーテに語る。「ほうほう! そういうものなのだな!」「勉強になります」ケーテだけでなく、ジニーとアリオも真面目に聞いてくれた。途中で休憩を挟みながら、歩いて三時間後、村が見えてきた。「あの村ですね」元狩人にして弓スカウトのジニーは目がいいので、すぐに村に気づいた。「小さな村ですね」「ああ、何か物が不足しても村で補充することは期待できなさそうだな」アリオはそんなことを言う。冒険者の常識として、基本的には補充なしでやれるように準備してある。だが、不測の事態というのはよくある。そういうときに現地で補充できると、すごく助かるのだ。「アリオ、ジニー。交渉は基本そっちに任せる」「はい! 任せてください」「俺たちも、あれから何度か冒険しているからな。交渉も慣れたもんだよ」そんなことを話しているうちに村の入り口のすぐ近くまで来る。「......がう」突然、ガルヴが俺の袖を咥えた。「どうした?」「ガウウゥーー!」ガルヴは村の中を睨みながら、低い声で唸り始めた。	And so I said to Kathe, “Let’s walk. It’s only about three hours. If you want to come with us, you’ll have to do it in human form.” During the three hour journey and goblin hunt, Ario and Ginny would likely get used to Kathe. And then perhaps they could ride on her back on the way home. That would save us enough time. We might be able to return before sundown. “Alright then. I shall go and turn into a human.” So saying, Kathe went running into the nearby forest. She no longer took her clothes off without warning. That showed she had grown accustomed to the traditions of humans. Kathe returned quickly in her human form, and then we started to walk towards the village. Kathe looked very cheerful as she began to talk to Ginny. “Are you good at hunting goblins, Ginny?” “I wouldn’t say that I’m good...” “Well, I am good at it. After all, I can even tell humans and goblins apart!” “Huh? Oh, indeed.” It seemed that Ginny had no idea what Kathe was talking about. “Kathe. It’s easy if all you have to do is defeat one or two goblins. However, there is more to it than that.” “Really? I thought all you had to do was defeat them.” “Because goblins create herds. And so you must hunt the entire herd.” Were the attacks from a single herd? Multiple herds? Or was it just some stray goblins? And from what nest did the herd come from? It was necessary to learn all of these things. We would then need to destroy the entire nest. When I told Kathe all of this, she nodded understandingly. “How very educational this is.” “While you are strong, Kathe, you are still a beginner as an Adventurer. And so you must listen carefully to what I say.” “I understand.” We had three hours to reach the village, which was plenty of time. And so I would use that time to explain goblin hunting to Kathe as we walked. “Oh! Oh! So that’s how it is!” “This is very helpful.” “Aye. I am learning.” It wasn’t just Kathe, but Ginny and Ario also listened carefully. We took a few breaks on the way, and after walking for three hours, the village came into view. “So that’s the village.” As a former hunter and bow scout, Ginny had good eyes and saw it immediately. “It’s a small village.” “Aye. If we happen to lack any supplies, I doubt that we’ll be able to replenish them here.” Ario muttered. As Adventurers, you would generally prepare so that you didn’t have to rely on replenishing. However, there were always unexpected situations. And so it would be incredibly helpful if you could restock on location. “Ario, Ginny. I will leave the negotiations to you.” “Yes! Please leave it to us.” “We have some experience with quests since then. So I’m used to negotiating now.” As we talked about such things, we reached the entrance to the village. “...Grrr.” Suddenly, Grulf started to tug at my sleeve. “What is it?” “Grrrrrraaau!” Grulf began to growl in a low voice as he glared into the village.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
「そうだ。客間に女を待たせている......戻らねば」今後について執事長であるポルトと話し合っていたフォナン伯爵は、話の切れ間に思い出しポツリと漏らした。「女? その女とは、誰です? お知り合いですか?」「いや......今朝、ギルドから戻る途中で出会った女だ。町娘にしては美しくてな......思わず連れてきてしまった」めると、ポルトは懐疑的な視線を向けてくる。「その女は本当にただの町娘ですか? このようなタイミングで見ず知らずの女がここにいる......いささか不審が過ぎるのでは?」「馬鹿な。公爵や帝国の間者とでも言う気か? あの美しさはそのような次元にはない。あの女からは神々しさにも似た何かを感じるのだ――スパイなどではあるまい」「気はたしかですか、旦那様?」「ポルト。貴様が言うように、仮にあの女が間者やスパイだったとして、この短時間で書類のある部屋を見つけ出し、なおかつ高位の魔法使いがかけた結界を見破れるとでも?」「それは......ともかく、なにがあるか分かりません。室内だけでもご確認ください」「......やれやれ、心配性な奴だ」譲ろうとしないポルトを翻意させる手間を考えれば、部屋を覗くことなど大した労力ではないだろう。それに、ほとんど可能性はないだろうが万が一ということもある。伯爵はポルトを伴い自室を出ると、屋敷の玄関近くにある書斎に偽装した部屋へと向かう。そこにこそ、重要書類などを保管しているのだ。「まぁ、おそらくは何ごともないだろうがな。女にはメイドをつけている。勝手には行動できん」「......」めて言うと、ポルトは無言のまま扉を早く開くように促してくる。するように改めて気だるげに呟きながら、伯爵は部屋の扉を開けた。「――ほら見ろ。なんら異常はない」そして、中にはやはり特に変わった様子のない偽装された手狭な書斎があるのみだ。一度漁って配置を元に戻すには、とてもではないが時間が足りない。伯爵がこの部屋の書類を確認して再び足を踏み入れるまで、それほど時間は経っていないのだ。書類がどの部屋にあるのか見当をつけ、そのうえ結界に隠された書類の「......念のため、いま一度書類のご確認を」「馬鹿を言え。そこまでする必要はない。見たところ壁にも異常はない......調べるだけ無駄だ」「しかし結界が正常に働いているかは、実際に旦那様が壁へ触れてみなければ分かりません」「いい加減にしろ、ポルトっ。だいたいあの女は手ぶらであった。仮に書類を盗み出しているのであれば隠しようもないはずだ。貴様も女を見て確認すればいい」あまりに心配性が過ぎる従者にうんざりし、伯爵は少し強めの口調で吐き捨てた。こんな無駄なことをしている暇があれば、客間にいる女に不審がないかを探ればいいのだ。伯爵は乱暴に偽装された書斎の扉を閉めると、客間に向かって歩き出す。「だ、旦那様っ! 何かあってからでは遅いのですぞっ!」「くどいぞ、ポルトっ。貴様も先ほどは部屋の確認だけでいいと言ったはずだ」足早に歩く伯爵に足並みを合わせ、執拗にポルトが言いってくる。そしてとうとう、客間の扉の前に辿り着いた伯爵の前にポルトが立ちはだかった。「ポルト......さすがに無礼だぞ」め、怒りを露に忠臣の執事長を「お願いです、旦那様。どうぞ、ご再考を......このポルト、何やら嫌な予感が......」「はぁ......ポルト。貴様の今までの忠義には感謝している。だがはない」半ば絶望するようなポルトの声に、伯爵はゆっくりと「貴様が書類を確認することで納得すると言うのであれば、手間ではあるが仕方ない。ぐずぐずするな、例の部屋へ戻るぞ」「お、おお......あ、ありがとうございます」内心では苛立ちながらも、小うるさい執事長を納得させなければ連れてきた女との伯爵はあくまでも自分のためにこそ、無意味と思われる書類の確認へと戻ることにしたのだが、ポルトはすっかり感激してしまったようだ。「――あら、伯爵さま。どちらへ行かれるのですか?」するとたった今、背を向けたばかりの客間の扉が開き、澄んだ奇麗な声が伯爵を呼び止めた。「おお、ゼラ。待たせてすまんな」そして振り向けば、やはりこの世の者とは思えないほどの美しさを誇る女が佇んでいた。ゼラと言う名らしいその女は、こちらの言葉に首を振り、不安げな眼差しで見上げてきた。「いえ、謝られる必要なんて......ただ、伯爵さまはなにやらお忙しいご様子。どうやら私はお邪魔な時に来てしまったみたいですね。せっかくのご縁ですが、これで失礼いたします」「なに? 待ってくれ、その必要はない。用事なら終わった......さぁ、話をしようじゃないか」「だ、旦那様っ!」ゼラはこの街の人間ではない。ここで帰してしまっては、今度はいつ会うことができるか分かったものではないのだ。なんとか今日中に卑しい想いを内心に隠しながらゼラを客間に戻るよう促すと、隣にいたポルトが驚いたように声を荒らげた。「いけませんっ! 確認が先ですっ!」「ポルト。貴様は......」ポルトの鋭い声を受けて、ゼラが怯えるように身を竦める。そんな繊細な様子にも心惹かれながら、ゼラを無意味に驚かせたポルトに対して腹立たしい思いが生まれてくる。「この女性にはもう少しお待ちいただき、やはりここは書類の確認をっ!」「黙れっ! 彼女をよく見ろっ! 打算があって私に近づいたように見えるのか? 書類も何も持ってはいないではないかっ!」ゼラへと値踏みするような視線を向けるポルトを叱りつけ、伯爵は柔らかな笑みを浮かべて彼女を見る。「ゼラ。うちの執事が失礼したな」「い、いえ......けれどやっぱり私はこれで失礼します。本当にその、ごめんなさい」しかしどれだけ伯爵が笑みを浮かべてとりなしたところで、ゼラはすっかりポルトに対して恐怖心を抱いてしまったようだ。ポルトへ怯える視線を向けたまま、頑なに屋敷から出ようとする。「旦那様。今は美女に現を抜かしている場合ではないのです。フォナン家の存亡がかかっているのですぞ? ここは一旦、追い返すべきです」「なにをっ――」小声で耳打ちをしてきたポルトを怒鳴りつけようとした伯爵の脳内に、この執事長が言うことも一理あるという思いが生まれる。ポルトが危惧するようにフォナン家が取り潰しになってしまえば、もはや自分も生きてはいけないのだ。そうなると、女を楽しむどころではなくなってしまう。する伯爵を見かねたように、ゼラが近寄ってきて一枚の紙きれを差し出してきた。「私の宿泊先が書かれています。本当は明日には発つつもりでしたが、もう少しだけ滞在することにしました。だから......もしご用事が終わってそれでも私を気に掛けて下さるなら――」「ああっ。必ず会いに行くともっ!」「――あっ?」潤んだ瞳で見上げてくるゼラの腰を掴んで、伯爵はぎゅっと抱きしめた。その突然の抱擁に一瞬だけゼラが驚いたように低い声を出したが、しかし一拍の間を置いておそるおそるこちらの胸に顔を寄せた。そして震えを抑えつけたような声を出し、やんわりと伯爵の身体を掌で押して身を離す。そしてこちらの顔を美しい翡翠の瞳で見上げてくるのだ。その表情を見ただけで、まるで初めて恋をした少年のように伯爵の心は締め付けられてしまう。まさに魔性の女である。ふと、そんなゼラを抱いた時に妙な感覚を覚えたのだが、伯爵はその正体を深く考える前に彼女の頭へとゆっくり右手を置いた。「必ず迎えに行く。待っていてくれ」笑みを浮かべてそう言えば、ゼラも小さく微笑した。その可憐さに、今すぐ自分のモノにしてしまいたいという想いが生まれた伯爵だったが、「こほんっ。誰か、お客様がお帰りだっ! お見送りしろっ!」	“Come to think of it, that girl is still in the guest room... I should go see her.” Count Fonan recalled the girl he’d left in the guest room during a pause in his discussion about the future with his head butler, Porto. “Girl? What girl? Is she an acquaintance of yours?” “No... I ran into her on my way back from the Guild this morning. She’s extremely gorgeous for a country girl, and I couldn’t help but bring her with me.” “What?!” Porto frowned at the Count’s remark and looked at him suspiciously. “Is she really nothing more than a country girl? To think she’d show up now, of all times... She’s far too suspicious.” “Don’t be stupid. She can’t possibly be the Duke’s or Empire’s spy. Her beauty transcends this line of work. There’s something divine about her... She can’t possibly be a spy.” “Are you truly certain, Master?” “Porto. Even if the girl is a spy, as you claim, do you believe she could locate that room and dismantle a powerful magician’s barrier in such a short time?” “I don’t know... But we can’t be certain. So, if nothing else, please take a look around the room.” “Good grief... You’re such a worrywart.” The Count reasoned that it would be quicker to examine the room than to try to persuade the stubborn Porto to reconsider. Besides, even though the chance was minimal, it wasn’t zero. The Count and Porto exited the Count’s room and made their way to the room disguised as a study near the mansion’s entrance, where the important documents were kept. “I doubt that something has happened. After all, I even attached a maid to that girl. She won’t be able to act as she pleases.” “......” As they reached the room, the Count said as he put his hand on the doorknob. Porto, on the other hand, did not answer and merely urged him to open the door. The Count entered the room, mumbling languidly once more as if mocking the unyielding head butler. “See. Nothing wrong.” The tiny room disguised as a study appeared to have remained unchanged. Even if it was small, there would not have been enough time to rummage through it and then rearrange everything. After all, not much time had elapsed between the Count’s first visit to review the documents and this one. In such a short period of time, determining which room had the documents and then locating them, behind the barrier, would have been impossible. “Just in case, please check the documents as well.” “Don’t be stupid. There’s no need to go that far. Everything appears to be in order. There’s no need to double-check them.” “However, only you, Master, can determine whether the barrier is functioning properly.” “Porto, that’s enough! For starters, she was empty-handed. Even if she did steal them, she’d have nowhere to hide them. Just confirm for yourself once you see her.” The Count admonished his overly concerned subordinate in a somewhat harsher tone, fed up with him. He reasoned that if Porto had this much time on his hands, he should go into the guest room and look at the girl in person. The Count slammed the door to the study shut and hurried to the guest room. “M-Master! If something actually happens, it’ll be too late!” “Porto, enough already! You stated that all I had to do was examine the room.” The Count moved quickly, and Porto struggled to keep up with him. When the Count finally arrived in front of the guest room, Porto stood in front of him. “Porto... This is crossing the line.” The Count roared angrily at the head butler. In turn, the old man knelt and bowed. “Master, please reconsider... I have a bad feeling about this...” “Porto... Fine! You should thank yourself for being so loyal all this time. However, know this. There won’t be a second time.” Porto’s voice was laced with anguish as the Count slowly turned around. “Although it’s annoying, if double-checking the documents will make you listen then so be it. Don’t dawdle. We’re going back.” “U-Understood. T-Thank you.” Although irritated, the Count knew he wouldn’t be able to enjoy his time with the girl he had brought back unless he first addressed his nagging butler. So, for his own sake, he decided to double-check the paperwork, which he still considered pointless. Regardless, this left a very good impression on Porto. Porto hurriedly followed the Count as he turned back and walked to the study. “Count Fonan, where are you going?” The door to the guest room, which the Count had just turned away from, opened, and he was stopped by a clear, lovely voice. As though ensnared by the lovely voice, the Count came to a halt and turned his body back toward the guest room, his smile unmasked. “Zera. I apologize for making you wait.” When the Count turned around, he saw a woman of otherworldly beauty. Zera shook her head and raised her concerned eyes toward the Count. “It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize... I can see that you are a busy man, and it appears that I have arrived at an awkward time. I appreciate you inviting me here, but I’m afraid I’ll have to leave.” “What? Please, wait. There’s no need to go. I’ve finished my business, so let’s go and talk.” “M-Master!” Zera was not from the City of Logholt. Count Fonan realized that if he let her go now, he wouldn’t be able to see her again for a long time. So he resolved to make her his today. Count Fonan attempted to keep his avaricious intentions disguised as he convinced Zera to return to the guest room, but Porto, who stood next to him, protested. “Master, you can’t! We must go and check!” “Porto. You...” When Zera heard Porto yell, she shuddered in fear. Because Count Fonan was enthralled by Zera’s delicate appearance, he was enraged at Porto for inadvertently scaring her. “Please, let her wait a bit longer. The documents should be prioritized!” “Silence! Look at her! Does she really look like someone who would approach me with some kind of scheme? The documents and such can wait!” After the Count chastised Porto for his opinion of Zera, he smiled softly at Zera. “Zera. I apologize for my butler’s behavior.” “I-It’s okay... However, I really should go. Please excuse me.” Despite the Count’s smiles and interventions, Zera seemed terrified of Porto. She attempted to leave the mansion while glancing fearfully at Porto. “Master. Now is not the time to be distracted by women. The Fonan family’s life is at stake. Please, reconsider.” Count Fonan was about to yell at Porto for whispering in his ear when it occurred to him that his head butler could have a point. If the Fonan family was disposed of, just as Porto feared, then he himself would perish as well. He wouldn’t be able to spend time with women if that happened. Count Fonan had an innate sense for self-preservation. The fear of ruin rattled his head, which was imprisoned by the gorgeous woman in front of him. As though she couldn’t bear seeing the Count’s anguish any longer, Zera approached him and handed him a piece of paper. “This is the address of the inn where I’m staying. I was planning to depart tomorrow, but I decided to extend my stay. You are welcome to come see me once your business is completed.” “Thank you. I’ll definitely come!” “Ah?!” The Count grabbed Zera by the waist and hugged her passionately as she stared up at him with moist eyes. Zera let out a tiny cry of shock at the unexpected embrace, but after a moment, she slid her face hesitantly toward his chest. “I’ll be waiting.” She whispered, her voice shaking, as she gently pressed her palm against the Count’s chest and stepped away. She then raised her dazzling jade eyes to the Count. The Count’s heart stopped just by glancing at Zera’s expression. He felt like he’d just discovered love for the first time. He believed that Zera was truly a magical woman. Count Fonan sensed an odd sensation during their embrace, but he chose not to dwell on it and instead placed his right hand on Zera’s head. Zera also smiled in response. Her beauty tempted the Count to make her his right now, but his butler’s tactless words jolted him back to reality. “Ahem! Our guest is leaving! Have someone escort her!”	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 21, "inserted_lines_trg": 6 }
完成した薬は薄い黄色の混じった乳白色の、どろりとした液体だった。「いい、この薬を飲んだだけじゃ、解放力は伸びないの」「え、それじゃ役に立たない」「いえ、正確に言うとちょっと違うのかな。解放力は伸びているんだけど、それを有効に活用できないというか......」「鍛錬が必要?」「まぁ、それに近いかな? ほら、堤防の穴をあけてもそこに水を誘導しないと水が抜けないでしょ。その誘導に、結構慣れが必要になるのよ。で、最初は誰かに補助してもらわないといけないのよね」人差し指を立てて俺に説明している姿は、それなりに女医らしい。だがなぜか、その態度に俺の危険感知能力が反応していた。それでもこの先、人並みの生活を送るためには、話を聞いておかねばならない。「えーと......補助って?」「そうね。具体的に言うと体内に溜まった余剰魔力を無理矢理引っ張り出してもらうの」「そんなこと、できるの?」「できるわ。そのために解放力を大きくしたんだし。で、その方法なんだけどぉ」そこでトリシア女医はニヤリと底意地の悪い笑みを浮かべた。「それはもちろん、キスで吸い出してもらうのよ!」キスだと? なぜそんな事をする必要があるのか。「魔法を使うにはキーワードが必要になるわね? まぁ、マリア様みたいな例外はあるけど」「もう、呼び捨てでいいって言ったのに......」様付けに膨れるマリアはこの際置いておこう。トリシア女医の説明の方が重要だ。「つまり、魔力は口から出るのよ。口というか、声を形作る喉かな? 声に魔力を乗せるような?」「口から魔力が出るなら、そこは一番魔力が漏れ出しやすい場所って事なの。そして他者が魔力を引き出すには、同じく口を使った方が魔力を掴みやすい訳」なんだかよくわからない謎理論に飛躍した気がする。「式も陣も無いのに魔力が中空に放出されるなら、蓄過症なんて病気は発症しない。魔力は基本的に体内に滞留しようとする性質がある。ならば体内から体内へ移動させてやる方が、楽に抜けるわ。そこでキスよ!」つまり、口から口へと魔力を引き抜き、他者の体内に魔力を移すために、直接唇を合わせ、魔力を委譲するという訳か? 「そういう訳で、誰がニコルちゃんのキスのお相手になるのかな?」実に楽しそうに、トリシア女医が爆弾を叩き付けてきた。「ハイ、ハイ! 娘の唇を他者に奪わされる訳にはいかんし! ここは頼りになる父親の出番だろう?」「異性とのキスにはまだ早いわよ。やはり母親の私じゃないかしら?」しかし乳すら吸えなかった俺が、接吻などできようはずもない。「あなた、ニコルが冷たいの!」「もう親離れの時期なのだろうか......少し早すぎないか?」「そういう問題じゃなく。そもそは村に戻ってる事が多いでしょ。わたしはいつ倒れるかわからないし、いざという時にやってもらわないといけないのなら、こっちに住んでる人の方が勝手がわかってると便利」「む、我が娘ながら、なんという冷徹な分析力」「確実にあなたには似てないわね」「ぐふぅ!?」勝手にショックを受けているライエルは置いておくとして、異性である......いや、精神的同性であるマクスウェルとガドルスは除外。残るはトリシア女医とコルティナ、レティーナとミシェルちゃん、それにフィニアというところか。「うん、レティーナはない」「えー、なんでよ!」「侯爵令嬢とキスしたなんて噂になったら、何が起こるかわからないもの」そう、こう見えてもレティーナは国の重鎮の娘である。「それにトリシア先生も無理かな。いつも医務室に閉じこもってるから」ホイホイ倒れてしまう体質上、迅速な処置が必要なのに相手が遠いというのは致命的だ。そう考えると、同じ理由でミシェルちゃんも除外。彼女は昼間は隣の冒険者育成学園に通っているのだから。「となると、担任のコルティナと、フィニアが妥協点?」「なんか売れ残りみたいに言うのヤメテ。まぁ異論はないけど」「多少、願望が混じってるのも、ある」「ン、何か言った?」「なんでもない」多少......いや、かなり卑怯な気がしないでもないが、俺としてはこの機会を逃したくない。多少、いやかなり情けない気はしないでもないが。「それじゃやり方を教えるわね。まず舌にこの蜜を塗って。それから口付けして、舌と舌を合わせるの。後は勝手に飽和量の少ない方に魔力が流れていくはず」「その蜜、一回だけ飲むんじゃないんだ?」「解放力を広げる役目もあるからね。何度か飲み続けて、身体を慣らさないといけないのよ」すると強い花の香りと共に、痺れるような刺激が舌に走った。舌というのは刺激には鈍いはずなのに。「それじゃ、行くわよ......なんだかドキドキするわね」彼女にしてみれば、親友の娘にキスする程度なので、ペットに口付けるのと同程度の感覚なのかもしれない。だが俺としては、前世越しの宿願でもある。心臓がバクバクと暴れ出し、思わず胸元の服を強く握りしめてしまった。「ほら、緊張しないで。行くわよ――ん」すぐにぬるりと温かい舌が潜り込み、こちらの舌をまさぐってくる。まるで背骨から神経を引き抜かれるかのような激烈な刺激。あまりの刺激の強さに、痛いのか痺れているのか、全く判別がつかない。「んっ!? んぅっ!」よくわからない感覚に翻弄され、痙攣し、硬直し、やがて脱力する。その頃になってようやくコルティナは唇を放した。「ぷぁ。どうかな。ニコルちゃん?」「はぅ、えぅぅ」身体の倦怠感は確かに消えている。しかし俺は別の感覚に翻弄され、答える事ができなかった。こんな行為をこれから頻繁に行う必要があるのか? 「オッケーっぽいかな? じゃあ、それを朝晩毎日繰り返してね」「毎日!?」「そりゃそうよ。薬だって毎日飲むでしょ?」「うっ、そうだけど......ニコルちゃんがこの有様じゃ、負担が強すぎない?」「リハビリみたいなものだからね。そのうち慣れるわよ」地面にへなへなとへたり込みながら、聞くとはなしに周囲の喧騒を聞いていた。「ああ、ニコルが、ニコルが穢されてしまったぁ!」「ちょっと、そこ! 人聞きの悪い事を言わないでよ!」「あ、でもちょっとだけメスの顔してるかも?」「マリア、なんて事言うの、アンタも!?」コルティナとライエル達は大騒動を起こしている。これを俺は、毎日繰り返さねばならない。これからの毎日を思い浮かべ、俺は溜息を吐かざるを得なかったのである。	The finished medicine was thick, milky-white liquid with tinges of yellow mixed in. Before I drank it, I listened to Tricia’s explanation on how to go about it. “Listen, just drinking this won’t improve the strength of emission.” “Huh, so it’s useless in the end?” “No, I suppose that wasn’t quite accurate. It does strengthen it, but you can’t make proper use of it...” “So it needs training?” “Well, you could say that, I guess? Look, even if you make a hole in the bank, if you don’t guide the water through it you can’t draw it out, right? And guiding it requires quite a bit of getting used to. So at first, someone has to assist you with it.” She looked like a real doctor now that she was explaining all that to me with her index finger pointed up. However, looking at her behaviour my danger sense started to act up. Even so, if I wanted to live like an ordinary person from now on, I had to muster my courage and ask. “Uhh... Assist me how?” “Let’s see. Specifically, they have to forcefully suck out the excess magic accumulated in your body.” “That’s possible?” “Of course. That’s why I strengthened your emission. But well, about the method...” Saying that, Tricia revealed an impish smile stemming from her innermost feelings. It gave me chills and I took a step back while hugging my shoulders. “It goes without saying, it has to be sucked through a kiss!” I yelled out without thinking. A kiss, she said? Why did I have to do something like that? “Well, you need keywords to use magic, right? Aside from exceptions like Lady Maria.” “I told you to stop referring to me with that title...” Maria started sulking because of the lady treatment, but let’s leave her aside for now. Tricia’s explanation was more important than that. I could see Gadius restraining Lyell who was about to lose control. “In other words, magic power comes out through the mouth. Or rather, I suppose the throat itself would be more accurate, since that’s what produces that voice? And the magic power follows the produced voice, get it?” “Since it comes out from the mouth, that place is the easiest to extract it from. So when it comes to extracting magic through it, it stands to reason that it would be easier for the extractor to use the mouth too.” I felt like she just made a big leap in logic with that weird theory. “If magic could be released in the atmosphere without spells or magic circles, there would be no buildup disease. And magic power fundamentally has the inclination to build up inside the body. So transferring from one body to another would prove to be far easier. And that’s where the kiss comes in!” So in other words, our lips needed to be in direct contact to transfer my magic power to the other person? Her explanation revolved so fast I was not fully convinced, though. “With that being the case, who’s going to help Nicole?” Tricia dropped a bomb with a totally amused expression. Hearing that, Lyell raised his hand with all his strength. “Me, me! I can’t let another man take my daughter’s lips! It’s time for the reliable daddy to make his appearance, wouldn’t you agree?” “She’s too young to kiss a man. So it should be me, her mother, instead, right?” Certainly, Maria was the most suitable choice from the medical perspective. But there was no way I could kiss her, considering I couldn’t even suck her breasts before. “Dear, Nicole’s so cold to me!” “Did her rebellious age come already...? Isn’t it a bit too early, I wonder?” “That’s not the problem here. In the first place, don’t you always return to the village? We don’t know when I will collapse and need emergency help, so it would be better to choose someone who actually lives in this town.” “Gh... As expected from my daughter, but I’m still impressed by that cool-headed analysis.” “She’s actually nothing like you.” “Whaa-!?” Leaving the shocked Lyell aside, Maxwell and Gadius who were opposite... or rather, same as my mental gender, out of question. Which left Tricia, Cortina, Letina, Michelle and Finia, I suppose? “Okay, Letina is out.” “Ehhh, why!” “If the rumours spread that I kissed the daughter of the Marquis, I’m not sure what that could lead to.” Indeed, Letina was the daughter of a leader of this kingdom, even if she didn’t look the part. I didn’t want any bad rumours spreading around her. “And I suppose Dr. Tricia is not good either. She never leaves her office, after all.” There was no knowing when I would collapse, so choosing someone so separated from me when I needed immediate treatment would prove to be fatal. Based on that same logic, Michelle was not an option either, because she spent the day in the nearby Adventurer Training School. Besides, it would be too pitiable if I took her first kiss. “Which leaves Cortina, who’s my homeroom teacher, and Finia, I guess?” “Stop wording it like we are some leftovers. I have no objections though.” “Maybe my desires played some part there...” “Hmm? Did you say something?” “No, it’s nothing.” I had an opportunity to kiss the girl I confessed to once. I felt it was a bit... no, quite a cowardly thought, but I didn’t want to let go of this chance. It did make me feel a bit... quite a bit pathetic, though. “Well then, I’ll teach you how to do it. First, smear this nectar on your tongue. Then, kiss and entwine your tongues. After that, the magic power should flow towards the less saturated direction on its own.” “So I have to drink the medicine more than once?” “Well, yes, it’s used to expand the power of the emission. You have to keep drinking it and have your body get accustomed to it.” I took the medicine from the doctor and timidly smeared it on my tongue. Along with the strong flowery scent, a numbing stimulus spread through it. Tongues weren’t supposed to be so easy to stimulate. “Okay, here I go... It’s making me nervous for some reason.” Cortina put her hands on my cheeks and drew her slightly flushed face closer. She was simply kissing the daughter of her close friends, so it was probably on the level of kissing a pet for her. But I was different – I had desires that followed me from my previous life. My heart started to violently pound, and I instinctively clutched the clothes near my chest. “Don’t be so nervous. Here I go—mmph.” A little bashfully, Cortina overlapped her lips to mine. Then, her warm tongue quickly invaded my mouth and played with my own. It was followed by an immediate change. It felt as if all the nerves on my back were being pulled out. They received such stimulus that I couldn’t even distinguish whether it was pain or shock that I was feeling. “Mgh!? Mnn!” My body became completely stiff and started to convulse. The unknown sensation tormented me; making me twitch, stiffen and finally lose all my strength. After that, Cortina finally withdrew her lips. “Phew. How did that go, Nicole?” “Haa, ahh.” The fatigue had certainly left my body. But a different sensation assaulted me now, making me unable to answer. We had to keep doing something like this? “Well that was okay-ish, I guess? Do that in the morning and evening every day.” “Every day!?” “Of course. They drink medicine every day right?” “Ugh, well, yes, but... But look how Nicole’s acting. Wouldn’t that put a burden on her?” “Just think of it as rehabilitation. She’ll get used to it before long.” She said it casually, but I couldn’t even feel my back. I weakly collapsed on the ground and overheard the surrounding conversations. “Aah! Nicole has... Nicole has been dirtieeed!” “Hey! Don’t say something so scandalous!” “Oh, but doesn’t she look like a proper female now?” “Maria, not you too, what are you saying!?” Cortina and Lyell were in an uproar. I had to keep on doing this every day. It was needed to get healthy, but would I really last through it all? It was tough both physically and mentally. Imagining what was to come, I couldn’t help but heave a deep sigh.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 17, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
これが難しい理由はエイリアンや恐竜とは違って私達が人の顔を毎日見ているからです私達がコミュニケーションを取る上で顔は重要な役割を果たしているのでレンダリングされた顔が微細な部分まで再現していないと本物らしく見えないのですこれからの5 分間で写実的な顔を合成しようと私達が試みたプロセスを辿っていこうと思いますこれには私達がImage Metrics 社と開発した CG の技術を使っています対象としたのはここに出ているエミリーオブライエンという女優の顔ですこれは実際にレンダリングで生成された彼女の顔です動いているところを後でお見せします出発点となるのはエミリー本人です彼女はマリーナデルレイにある私達のラボまで来てこのLight Stage 5 での撮影を快く引き受けてくれましたこの球面は顔をスキャンする装置で 156 個のLED が取り付けられており照明の状況を自由にコントロールしながら撮影ができるようになっています私達が最近使う照明の種類はこのようなものですこの全部を3 秒ほどで撮れますこれで基本的に十分な情報を得られます彼女の顔の等高線を描き出すビデオプロジェクタのパターンと Light Stage による様々な方向からの光で彼女の顔を粗いスケールと微細なスケールで把握しますこの写真を拡大してみましょう彼女を捉えたとても良い写真ですあらゆる方向から同時に照らされていて顔のテクスチャがよく現れています私達はすべての照明に偏向フィルタを付けています偏向サングラスが路面のぎらつきを押えるように偏光フィルタは肌のてかりを押えますこれにより正反射なしにテクスチャマップが得られます偏光フィルタを少し回すと肌の正反射が再び現れ光って脂ぎって見えますこの2 つの画像の差分を取ると球面全体に照らされた肌の反射だけを取り出すことができます私達がここでやったような写真は今まで撮られたことはないと思いますこれは捉えるべき非常に重要な光です顔の一番表面で反射された光で肌の透明な層を通ったぼやけた光は除かれていますそのため私達みんなが持っていて本物の人らしく見せている肌のキメや細かい皺のとても良い情報が得られますこの正反射から得られた情報を使うと従来の顔のスキャンによる顔の全体的な輪郭や基本的な形状に肌のキメや細かい皺の情報を付け加えることができますここで重要なのはこの測光プロセスには3 秒しかかからないということです私達はエミリーのたくさんの顔の表情の写真をある日の午後だけで撮影することができました彼女が目や口を動かしている写真が並んでいますこれらを使って写実的なキャラクタを作り出しますこのエミリーのスキャン画像を見ていると人の顔というのが驚くほど多彩な表情を作れるのがわかりますここでは顔の形状の変化だけではなくあらゆる肌の屈曲や皺のパターン肌のキメの変化を見ることができます引き延ばされたところから通常の肌のテクスチャまで眉の畝とその微細構造の変化筋肉に引っ張られて眉毛が下がりしかめ面のときは額の肉が盛り上がりますこのような高解像度の形状に加えカメラが捉えた顔に使えるすばらしいテクスチャマップがあります赤、緑、青という照明の異なる色の成分は拡散の仕方が違いそれを考慮して肌のシェーディングを行いますそうすると石膏で出来たマネキンみたいだったのが生きた人間の肉体に見えるようになりますこれはImage Metrics 社がデジタル版のエミリーの作成に使ったもので粗いスケールの形状による彼女のデジタル操り人形ですこれらの糸を引くと私達が撮ったスキャン画像に合った形で動きます粗いスケールの形状に加えディスプレイスメントマップを使って微細な部分を作りますこれは動かすこともできますこれがディスプレイスメントマップ彼女の動きに応じて違った皺が現れています次にアニメーションを付けますデータの元としてエミリー本人が演じた映像を使いましたそのビデオをコンピュータビジョンのテクニックを使って解析しコンピュータが生成した動きを持った顔を作り出しましたこの後見ていただくのは完成したデジタルの顔ですボリュームを少し上げましょう Image Metrics はマーカーなしパフォーマンス駆動アニメーションの会社ですテレビゲームや映画のためのハイクオリティな顔のアニメーションを専門としています Image Metrics はマーカーなしパフォーマンス駆動アニメーションの会社ですテレビゲームや映画のためのハイクオリティな顔のアニメーションを専門としていますレイヤに分解してみましょうこれは光の拡散の部分ですこれは正反射部分のアニメーション皺が現れているのがわかりますこれは下にあるワイヤフレームのメッシュそしてエミリー本人今後どうするかですが Light Stage 5 を一歩先へ進めたLight Stage 6 を作りましたこのテクノロジーを人の体全体に適用しています彼は研究メンバーのブルースローメンで走っているところをキャプチャするモデルになってくれましたコンピュータで生成した彼が新たな環境の中で走っているのをご覧くださいどうもありがとうございました	And one of the reasons it is so difficult is that, unlike aliens and dinosaurs, we look at human faces every day. They are very important to how we communicate with each other. As a result, we're tuned in to the subtlest things that could possibly be wrong with a computer rendering, in order to believe whether these things are realistic. And what I'm going to do in the next five minutes is take you through a process where we tried to create a reasonably photo-realistic computer-generated face, using some computer graphics technology we've developed, and also some collaborators at a company called Image Metrics. And we're going to try to do a photo-real face of an actress named Emily O'Brien, who is right there. And that's actually a completely computer-generated rendering of her face. By the end of the talk, we're going to see it move. The way that we did this is we tried to start with Emily herself, who was gracious enough to come to our laboratory in Marina Del Rey, and sit for a session in Light Stage 5. This is a face-scanning sphere, with 156 white LEDs all around in a series of very controlled illumination conditions. And the lighting that we use these days looks something like this. We shoot all of these photographs in about three seconds. And we basically capture enough information with video projector patterns that drape over the contours of her face, and different principle directions of light from the light stage, to figure out both the coarse-scale and the fine-scale detail of her face. If we zoom in on this photograph right here, we can see it's a really nice photograph to have of her, because she is lit from absolutely everywhere at the same time to get a nice image of her facial texture. And in addition, we've actually used polarizers on all the lights -- just like polarized sunglasses can block the glare off of the road, polarizers can block the shine off of the skin, so we don't get all those specular reflections to take this map. Now, if we turn the polarizers around just a little bit, we can actually bring that specular reflection of the skin back in, and you can see she looks kind of shiny and oily at this point. If you take the difference between these two images here, you can get an image lit from the entire sphere of light of just the shine off of Emily's skin. I don't think any photograph like this had ever been taken before we had done this. And this is very important light to capture, because this is the light that reflects off the first surface of the skin. It doesn't get underneath the translucent layers of the skin and blur out. And, as a result, it's a very good cue to the detailed shape of the skin-pore structure and all of the fine wrinkles that all of us have, the things that actually make us look like real humans. So, if we use information that comes off of this specular reflection, we can go from a traditional face scan that might have the gross contours of the face and the basic shape, that puts in all of that skin pore structure and fine wrinkles. And, even more importantly, since this is a photometric process that only takes three seconds to capture, we can shoot Emily in just part of an afternoon, in many different facial poses and facial expressions. So, here you can see her moving her eyes around, moving her mouth around. And these we're actually going to use to create a photo-real digital character. If you take a look at these scans that we have of Emily, you can see that the human face does an enormous amount of amazing things as it goes into different facial expressions. You can see things. Not only the face shape changes, but all sorts of different skin buckling and skin wrinkling occurs. You can see that the skin pore structure changes enormously from stretched skin pores to the regular skin texture. You can see the furrows in the brow and how the microstructure changes there. You can see muscles pulling down at flesh to bring her eyebrows down. Her muscles bulging in her forehead when she winces like that. In addition to this kind of high-resolution geometry, since it's all captured with cameras, we've got a great texture map to use for the face. And by looking at how the different color channels of the illumination, the red and the green and the blue, diffuse the light differently, we can come up with a way of shading the skin on the computer. Then, instead of looking like a plaster mannequin, it actually looks like it's made out of living human flesh. And this is what we used to give to the company Image Metrics to create a rigged, digital version of Emily. We're just seeing the coarse-scale geometry here. But they basically created a digital puppet of her, where you can pull on these various strings, and it actually moves her face in ways that are completely consistent with the scans that we took. And, in addition to the coarse-scale geometry, to create a set of what are called "displacement maps" that animate as well. These are the displacement maps here. And you can see those different wrinkles actually show up as she animates. So the next process was then to animate her. We actually used one of her own performances to provide the source data. So, by analyzing this video with computer vision techniques, they were able to drive the facial rig with the computer-generated performance. So what you're going to see now, after this, is a completely photo-real digital face. We can turn the volume up a little bit if that's available. Emily: Image Metrics is a markerless, performance-driven animation company. We specialize in high-quality facial animation for video games and films. Image Metrics is a markerless, performance-driven animation company. We specialize in high quality facial animation for video games and films. Paul Debevec: So, if we break that down into layers, here's that diffuse component we saw in the first slide. Here is the specular component animating. You can see all the wrinkles happening there. And there is the underlying wireframe mesh. And that is Emily herself. Now, where are we going with this here? We've gone a little bit beyond Light Stage 5. This is Light Stage 6, and we're looking at taking this technology and applying it to whole human bodies. This is Bruce Lawmen, one of our researchers in the group, who graciously agreed to get captured running in the Light Stage. And let's take a look at a computer-generated version of Bruce, running in a new environment. And thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
ですから私に与えられた課題は克服できないものかもしれません挑戦しようと思います私がこの4日間で耳にしたのは一体何だったでしょうか? TEDに参加するのはこれが3回目で 1つはTEDMED そしてもう1つはご存じの通り 2年前の通常のTEDでした私が今回耳にしたのは素晴らしいことでした― 先の2回のTEDでは少ししか取り上げられていなかったことです社会的責任とでも言うべき感覚が実に多くのトークに入り交じり織り込まれ混ざり合っていたのです― 国際的な責任とも言えるそれは啓発された利己心に訴えるものでありながらそれ以上のものでしたおそらく10人位の講演者が話してきたことで最も印象的だったことの1つはある気付きです注意して耳を傾ければ彼らはこれをすべきだこれをしてほしいと言っているのではなく― 彼らは自分がこれを成し遂げたのはそれがわくわくさせられる素晴らしいことであり何かを得られるからだと言っているのですもちろん素晴らしいことを成し遂げたからでもありますこれは昔からある実にギリシャ的な本来の意味での「博愛」という考えです「博愛」つまり人類愛ですこの4日間耳にしていることについて私にできる唯一の説明はそれが一種の愛情に起因しているということですこのことは私に大きな希望を与えてくれますもちろん希望というのが私が話すべき話題なのですがここに到着するまで完全に忘れていました到着したときこの言葉を辞書で調べた方がいいかもしれないと思いましたそこで私は妻のサラと公共図書館へと向かいました 4ブロック先のパシフィック通りにありますオックスフォード英語辞典で調べると「希望」には14の定義がありましたがどれもしっくりきません適切と思えるものがないのですそれもそのはずでというのも「希望」は抽象的な現象・概念であり具体的な単語ではないからですこれによって少し手術のことを思い出します 1つの病気に対して 1つの手術であれば効くとわかりますが 15も手術があればどれもうまくいかないのだと思うでしょうこれが言葉の定義にも当てはまります虫垂炎ならば虫垂を摘出すれば治ります逆流性食道炎ならば 15もの治療法がありジョー・シュモーがある方法で治療する一方ウィル・ブロウは別の方法で治療を行うものの全部うまくいかない「希望」という言葉もそうなのです何かいいことがあるはずだという期待に終始してしまうのです私の発見をお教えしましょうインド・ヨーロッパ語の「希望」という言葉の語源は「K-E-U」という語幹にあるのです「K-E-U」とつづり「コイ」と発音するのですが― これは「カーブ」と同じ語源ですですがもとのインド・ヨーロッパ語では方向を変えること違う道を行くことという意味ですこれは実に興味深くまた挑発的だと思いましたというのもこの数日で耳にしたのは異なる方向へ行くという感覚だったからです各問題に特有であり独特の方向です異なるパラダイムもあるでしょうこの4日間で何度か耳にしたことと思いますし皆さんクーンによるパラダイムという考え方をご存知だと思いますですから希望について考えるとき私たちはこれまでとは違う方向を見なければならないのです定義ではありませんが印象的な希望についての説明がありますヴァーツラフ・ハヴェルのもので― 素晴らしい著作『平和を乱すということ』において彼はこう述べています希望とは物事が思い通りに進むという期待ではなくいかなる結果であろうとも何らかの意味をなすはずだという期待のことであると数日前にディーン・カメン氏が行った素晴らしいプレゼンテーションの最後のひと言で私は大変な安堵感を覚えました正確に聞き取ったのか定かでなかったのでインターセッションで彼を探しました彼は体格のよい男性と話していましたが割って入り「こうおっしゃいましたか?」と尋ねると「そうです」という答えでしたそれを今ここで繰り返します「インターネットにはこの世界を救えない」素晴らしいですね何が世界を救うと思いますか? それは人間の精神ですしかし人間の精神と言っても神がかったものや超自然的なものではありません私のような懐疑主義者がそんなことは言いません私が言いたいのは私たち皆が持っている自分自身よりも優れたものになろうとする― 普段の自分から立ち上がり当初はとても無理だと考えていたことをやってのける能力のことです基本的なレベルでは私たちは皆その精神を子供が誕生したときに感じたことがあるでしょうラボの中や作業台で感じたことがある人もいるでしょうコンサートでも感じますね私は手術室やベッドのそばで感じました私たち自身を超越して高められるような感覚です私はそれがそのうちにこの数日間で多くの講演者から少しずつ耳にしたような人間の精神の要素になるのだと思いますこの会場に何か行き渡っているものがあるとすればまさしくそれです私は 19世紀初めに生まれたある概念に興味があります― 実際には 1810年代のことですが― 27歳の詩人パーシー・シェリーによるものです現代ではシェリーは偉大なロマン派の詩人として知られていますが私たちの多くが彼は素晴らしい散文も書いたことを忘れがちです最もよく知られている散文は「詩の擁護」という詩論ですこれは 5、6、7 いや8ページほどあるもので 3ページ目以降は何やら深遠で難解になるのですが 2ページ目のある箇所で彼は「道徳的な想像力」と呼ぶ概念について語り始めます彼は「道徳的な想像力」と呼ぶ概念について語り始めます大体の解釈ですがこれがその内容です人間は― 一般的な人ということですが人間は非常に善くあるためには明確に想像しなければならない自分自身と世界を別の誰かそして多くの他者の視点から見なければならない自分自身と世界を見るのです― 世界だけでなく自分をも私たちが何億人もの人々から期待されていること― ローリー・ギャレットが先日非常に的確に「絶望と不平等」と述べたもののうちに生きる人々から一体何を期待されているのでしょう? 彼らが私たちに求めることのできるものとは一体何でしょうか? 私たちが人間性と人間の精神に基づき自らに求めることのできるものとは何でしょうか? 皆さんはご存じですねアメリカが大国として世界の警察― 世界の保安隊となるべきかという議論がよくなされますが私たちが世界を癒やすべきかについて議論などすべきではないのですこの4日間この会場でそんな議論は全くなされませんでした私たちが世界を癒やすものにならんとするなら世界のすべての恵まれない人々はアメリカの人々も含めて私たちの患者ということになりますもしかするとこの国も含めてすべての恵まれない国家が私たちの患者になります「患者」という言葉の語源を考えるのも面白いでしょうラテン語の“patior” に由来し「耐え忍ぶ」あるいは「苦しむ」の意味です古いインド・ヨーロッパ語の語源に戻ると何がわかるでしょう? 語幹は「ペイェン」と発音され “P-A-E-N” と綴るのですが― 驚いたことにこれは「思いやり」という言葉の語源と同じなのです教訓は明らかですね私たちの患者― 世界そして世界の恵まれない人々は私たちの思いやりを受けるにふさわしいということですしかし思いやり以上にはるかに大きなことは道徳的想像力とこの世界に住む 1人1人を大きな1つの森だと捉えるのでなく個々の木であると捉えることですもちろんこんな時代に個々の木をワシントンのブッシュに覆われないようにするのは大変ですがさて私たちは道徳的に世界を癒やすものにならんと努力せねばなりません私たちはいくつもの例を何度も目にしてきましたたった今この15分間で聞いているのもそうです努力せんと決意を固めただけでなくカリスマ性才能を持っている人々― この会場では「才能」という言葉を使うのは実に簡単ですね自らの探求の少なくとも最初は成功する才能そして自らの動機に賛同する人が増えていく限りその成功を信じて疑わない人々の例ですさて今私たちは医療について― 癒やすことについて話していますのでぜひ引用したい人がいます世界中の全員が引用されたような感じですねポゴが引用されシェイクスピアもあらゆる角度からすべて引用されています私の分野でよく知られた偉人の1人を引用したいと思います本当にそう言ったのかは疑問ですがヒポクラテスでさえ実際のところはわかりませんからですがギリシャの偉大な医者の 1人が次のように述べたことは確かですヒッポクラテスの著作とされる本にも記録されています『指針』という本ですここで読みたいと思います私は本来博愛について話していることを心に留めていただきたい人間同士の愛― 一個人としての人間ですそして 1人の人間はそういった愛情を行動に変えることができ啓発された利己心へと変えることもあるのですその人物の2,400年前の言葉です「人類の愛がある所には愛という癒やしが存在する」今日私たちはそれを認識し感じました― そしてこの3日間不屈の人間の精神力でそれを目の当たりにしたのですありがとうございます	So, the assignment I've been given may be an insuperable obstacle for me, but I'm certainly going to try. What have I heard during these last four days? This is my third visit to TED. One was to TEDMED, and one, as you've heard, was a regular TED two years ago. I've heard what I consider an extraordinary thing that I've only heard a little bit in the two previous TEDs, of a sense of social responsibility in so many of the talks -- global responsibility, in fact, appealing to enlightened self-interest, but it goes far beyond enlightened self-interest. about what some, perhaps 10, of the speakers have been talking about is the realization, as you listen to them carefully, that they're not saying: Well, this is what we should do; this is what I would like you to do. It's: This is what I have done because I'm excited by it, because it's a wonderful thing, and it's done something for me and, of course, it's accomplished a great deal. It's the old concept, the real Greek concept, of philanthropy in its original sense: phil-anthropy, the love of humankind. for some of what you've been hearing in the last four days is that it arises, in fact, out of a form of love. And this gives me enormous hope. And hope, of course, is the topic that I'm supposed to be speaking about, which I'd completely forgotten about until I arrived. And when I did, I thought, well, I'd better look this word up in the dictionary. So, Sarah and I -- my wife -- walked over to the public library, which is four blocks away, on Pacific Street, and we got the OED, and we looked in there, and there are 14 definitions of hope, none of which really hits you between the eyes as being the appropriate one. And, of course, that makes sense, because hope is an abstract phenomenon; it's an abstract idea, it's not a concrete word. Well, it reminds me a little bit of surgery. If there's one operation for a disease, you know it works. If there are 15 operations, you know that none of them work. And that's the way it is with definitions of words. If you have appendicitis, they take your appendix out, and you're cured. If you've got reflux oesophagitis, there are 15 procedures, and Joe Schmo does it one way and Will Blow does it another way, and none of them work, and that's the way it is with this word, hope. They all come down to the idea of an expectation of something good that is due to happen. And you know what I found out? The Indo-European root of the word hope is a stem, K-E-U -- we would spell it K-E-U; it's pronounced koy -- and it is the same root from which the word curve comes from. But what it means in the original Indo-European is a change in direction, going in a different way. And I find that very interesting and very provocative, because what you've been hearing in the last couple of days is the sense of going in different directions: directions that are specific and unique to problems. There are different paradigms. You've heard that word several times in the last four days, and everyone's familiar with Kuhnian paradigms. So, when we think of hope now, we have to think of looking in other directions than we have been looking. There's another -- not definition, but description, of hope that has always appealed to me, and it was one by Václav Havel in his perfectly spectacular book "Breaking the Peace," in which he says that hope does not consist of the expectation that things will come out exactly right, but the expectation that they will make sense regardless of how they come out. I can't tell you how reassured I was by the very last sentence in that glorious presentation by Dean Kamen a few days ago. I wasn't sure I heard it right, so I found him in one of the inter-sessions. He was talking to a very large man, but I didn't care. I interrupted, and I said, "Did you say this?" He said, "I think so." So, here's what it is: I'll repeat it. "The world will not be saved by the Internet." It's wonderful. Do you know what the world will be saved by? I'll tell you. It'll be saved by the human spirit. And by the human spirit, I don't mean anything divine, I don't mean anything supernatural -- certainly not coming from this skeptic. What I mean is this ability that each of us has to be something greater than herself or himself; to arise out of our ordinary selves and achieve something that at the beginning we thought perhaps we were not capable of. On an elemental level, we have all felt that spirituality at the time of childbirth. Some of you have felt it in laboratories; some of you have felt it at the workbench. We feel it at concerts. I've felt it in the operating room, at the bedside. It is an elevation of us beyond ourselves. the elements of the human spirit that we've been hearing about bit by bit by bit from so many of the speakers in the last few days. And if there's anything that has permeated this room, it is precisely that. I'm intrigued by a concept that was brought to life in the early part of the 19th century -- actually, in the second decade of the 19th century -- by a 27-year-old poet whose name was Percy Shelley. Now, we all think that Shelley obviously is the great romantic poet that he was; many of us tend to forget that he wrote some perfectly wonderful essays, too, and the most well-remembered essay is one called "A Defence of Poetry." Now, it's about five, six, seven, eight pages long, and it gets kind of deep and difficult after about the third page, but somewhere on the second page he begins talking about the notion that he calls "moral imagination." And here's what he says, roughly translated: A man -- generic man -- a man, to be greatly good, must imagine clearly. He must see himself and the world through the eyes of another, and of many others. See himself and the world -- not just the world, but see himself. What is it that is expected of us by the billions of people who live in what Laurie Garrett the other day so appropriately called despair and disparity? What is it that they have every right to ask of us? What is it that we have every right to ask of ourselves, out of our shared humanity and out of the human spirit? Well, you know precisely what it is. There's a great deal of argument about whether we, as the great nation that we are, should be the policeman of the world, but there should be virtually no argument about whether we should be the world's healer. There has certainly been no argument about that in this room in the past four days. So, if we are to be the world's healer, every disadvantaged person in this world -- including in the United States -- becomes our patient. Every disadvantaged nation, and perhaps our own nation, becomes our patient. So, it's fun to think about the etymology of the word "patient." It comes initially from the Latin patior, to endure, or to suffer. So, you go back to the old Indo-European root again, and what do you find? The Indo-European stem is pronounced payen -- we would spell it P-A-E-N -- and, lo and behold, mirabile dictu, it is the same root as the word compassion comes from, P-A-E-N. So, the lesson is very clear. The lesson is that our patient -- the world, and the disadvantaged of the world -- that patient deserves our compassion. But beyond our compassion, and far greater than compassion, is our moral imagination and our identification with each individual who lives in that world, not to think of them as a huge forest, but as individual trees. Of course, in this day and age, the trick is not to let each tree be obscured by that Bush in Washington that can get -- can get in the way. So, here we are. morally committed to being the healer of the world. And we have had examples over and over and over again -- you've just heard one in the last 15 minutes -- of people who have not only had that commitment, but had the charisma, the brilliance -- and I think in this room it's easy to use the word brilliant, my God -- the brilliance to succeed at least at the beginning of their quest, and who no doubt will continue to succeed, as long as more and more of us enlist ourselves in their cause. Now, if we're talking about medicine, and we're talking about healing, I'd like to quote someone who hasn't been quoted. It seems to me everybody in the world's been quoted here: Pogo's been quoted; Shakespeare's been quoted backwards, forwards, inside out. I would like to quote one of my own household gods. I suspect he never really said this, because we don't know what Hippocrates really said, but we do know for sure that one of the great Greek physicians said the following, and it has been recorded in one of the books attributed to Hippocrates, and the book is called "Precepts." And I'll read you what it is. Remember, I have been talking about, the love of humankind, the individual humankind and the individual humankind that can bring that kind of love translated into action, translated, in some cases, into enlightened self-interest. And here he is, 2,400 years ago: "Where there is love of humankind, there is love of healing." We have seen that here today with the sense, with the sensitivity -- and in the last three days, and with the power of the indomitable human spirit. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
理解をしていただきたいと思います写真左下に見えている私の祖母は1931年に 8年を卒業しました情報を得るために学校に行っていました学校が情報源だったからです本の中先生の頭の中など情報を得るには学校へ行く必要がありましたこれが当時の学習でした少し時代を遡って見ましょうこれは私の父が通っていたオークグローブの教室が1つしかない学校です彼も学校に行っては先生から情報を集めてはの頭の中の揮発性メモリーに入れては持ち帰るこの手の作業が必要でした当時はこうして世界中で先生から学生に情報伝達が行われていたからです私が子供の頃は皆自宅に百科事典のセットを持っていました私の事典は私の生まれ年に購入したもので多いに役立ちました情報収集にも図書館に行く必要がありませんでした情報源は家の中にありました素敵でしたこれは私の前の世代の経験とは異なっており小さなところでも私の情報との関わり方に影響していました情報は私の身近にあっていつでもアクセスが可能でした私が高校生だった頃と私が教育に従事し始めた― 時の間に遂にインターネットがその幕を開けました学習教材としてインターネットが普及すると同時に私はウィスコンシンを離れカンザスに引っ越しましたそこの小さく愛らしい町のカンザス学区で教師になりましたそこで私の大好きな教科米国政府の教鞭をとりました 1年目やる気に満ち溢れていました私は政治システムが大好きでした 12年生の子供達はそれほど米国の政体について興味を示しませんでしたけどね 2年目少し学習して作戦を変更しました実経験の場を提供して自発的な学習を促しました目的も方法も告げませんでした彼らにちょっとした課題を与えました彼らの自治体の選挙フォーラムの運営です彼らはチラシを作り事務所に問い合わせスケジュールを確認し秘書たちと話をして候補者をよりよく知ってもらおうと選挙フォーラムの冊子を作成しました彼らは夕方のあるディスカッションに皆を招待しました政府や政治に始まり道路の建設計画のよしあし― について話し合う体験学習です私より経験のある高齢の先生は私を見てこう言いました「あらかわいい頑張ってるわ」「なにをしていいのか分からないのね」しかし子供達が成果をあげてくれることを知っていましたし信じていました私の期待することを毎週彼らに話しましたその夜90人全ての生徒が正装し彼らの職務を全うしました私はただ座って眺めていただけですすばらしい実体験の機会となりました彼らに何かを残せたことでしょうこうして彼らは成長していくのです私はカンザスから美しいアリゾナへ引越しフラッグスタッフで数年教えました今回の相手は中学生でした幸運にも今回は政体の授業ではなくもっとおもしろい地理を教えることになりました今回も学ぶことにわくわくしていましたしかし私のこのアリゾナでの仕事で面白いと感じた点は公立の中学校で驚くほど多種多様な子供達と一緒に過ごせたことですこういった体験は皆さんもされるべきです私達はポール・ルセサバギナという『ホテル・ルワンダ』のモデルになった男性と話す機会がありました彼は隣の高校でスピーチすることになっていましたバスに乗る必要もなく歩いていける距離で費用もかからない絶好の遠足でしたしかし問題が浮上してきました 7、8年の生徒に集団殺害の話をしどうすれば彼らは責任と敬意を持ってこの問題を理解できるでしょうか何をすべきか諭すことが出来るでしょうかそこでポール・ルセサバギナを人生をかけて問題解決に取り組む模範的な男性の例として取り上げ子供達に人生の中話の中もしくは世界で何か類似した活動をしている人物を探してその人物についての簡易動画プレゼンを課しましたこれは初めての試みで誰もパソコン上での動画作成の経験などありませんでしたしかしやる気を感じたので自らの意見も入れるよう指示しました自分の声で周りに語りかけることは実は子供達も望んでいることであって私に大きな発見をさせてくれました最後の課題の質問はこうですあなたの人生を他の人に役立てるにはどのような計画を立てますか? 子供達に発言の機会を与えこちらが聞く耳をもった時には子供達は素晴しいことを言うものです私が今いるペンシルベニアまで話を早送りしましょう私はサイエンスリーダーシップアカデミーというフランクリンインスティチュートとフィラデルフィアの学区との提携校で教えています私たちは公立校12のうち9番目ですが他校とはだいぶ異なっています当初私の理解する子供達の学習方法を立証できる学習環境に身を置くためここに移動しました過去のパラダイムや私の祖母父私が学校にいた当時の情報不足を過去のものとして忘れ去れるなら情報があふれかえる今日私は目の前にある可能性を調査したいと考えました情報に囲まれていったい何をしますか? 情報源としての役割をもう果たさない学校になぜ子供達を通わすのでしょうか? フィラデルフィアでは「ノートパソコン1人1台プログラム」を実施し生徒が常にノートパソコンを携帯し情報へのアクセスを常に確保していますそして生徒達に情報獲得の道具を与える際には折り合いをつけなくてはいけないことがあります子供達に学習過程の段階で間違いを犯してしまうことを容認するということです「答えは常に一つ文化」に溺れる私たちが相手にしているのは正しくマークされるべき回答欄がある選択式問題にあふれた教育システムです皆さんにもご理解頂きたいですこれは学習のあるべき姿ではありません子供達に間違いをしてはいけないと言うことそれ自体が間違いです常に正解を求めることは彼らの学習動機を高めることになりませんこれは私たちが始めたプロジェクトの作品の1つです人には滅多に見せないんです失敗という問題点がありますからね年末に行った授業で生徒達は原油流出事故に関するポスターを作製しました私は彼らにマスメディア上に溢れるこのような図表を手に取りどんな要素が興味をそそるか考察させ米国史に残るこの人災について彼らの手でポスターを作るよう指示しました彼らにも判断する能力はありましたが初の試みで皆どうしていいのか確信が持てず少し躊躇していましたもちろん彼らは話せますし文章作成能力も十分ですしかしいつもと違うコミュニケーションの方法に少し戸惑っていたようですそこでこの作業専用に部屋を用意し「ここでポスターを作ろうよ」「できることを考えてみよう」と促しました根気強く視覚にこだわったある生徒の作品は皆に気に入られました作業には2、3日程かかりましたこれは生徒達が協力して作り上げた作品です生徒を座らせて「誰の作品が一番?」と問うと全員すぐに「これー」といって内容も読まずに「これー」でした私は聞きました「どこがいいのかな?」すると「デザインがいいし色使いが上手それからね...」そこで「読んでみて」というと彼らは「あぁこれあんまりよくないね」と言って別のところに行きました視覚的にはパッとしないが情報に富むものですこの学習過程について1時間話し合いましたなぜならこれは作品が完璧か否か何が作れるのかという種の話でなく自ら何を作りたいかを問うものだったからです生徒たちに失敗させ考察を促し失敗からの学習機会を与えました今年同じ活動をもう一度やる時には彼らはより円滑に作業できるでしょう学習というものは失敗を包括しているべきだからです失敗することが学習につながるからですここには百万もの写真があって慎重に選ぶ必要がありましたこれは私のお気に入りの1つです生徒たちの学習学習のありかたを考える際生徒が情報獲得のために学校へ来るべきという考えを取り払い情報の活用法を問いましょう本当に興味の持てる質問をしてくださいそうすれば彼らは裏切りません外に連れ出してください彼ら自身の目で見て実際に体験したり遊びを通じて考えるのですこれもお気に入りの1枚ですこれは火曜日に撮られたものです私が投票に行くよう指示した日ですこの子はロビーこの日は初めての投票で皆と共有したかったようですしかしこれも学習ですね外の現実世界に出るように言っていますから要点は我々が教育を学校に足を運び情報収集することとみなし経験からの学習― 学生の発言権や失敗からの学習を見逃すことは学習の趣旨に反するということですそして我々の提案とはこれらの価値を重視できない教育システムが存在する限り実現不可能なのです「答えは常に一つ文化」や標準化されたテストが障害となるからです改善法を理解した今こそ改革の時なのです	She went to school to get the information because that's where the information lived. It was in the books; it was inside the teacher's head; and she needed to go there to get the information, because that's how you learned. Fast-forward a generation: this is the one-room schoolhouse, Oak Grove, where my father went to a one-room schoolhouse. And he again had to travel to the school to get the information from the teacher, stored it in the only portable memory he has, which is inside his own head, and take it with him, because that is how information was being transported from teacher to student and then used in the world. When I was a kid, we had a set of encyclopedias at my house. It was purchased the year I was born, and it was extraordinary, because I did not have to wait to go to the library to get to the information. The information was inside my house and it was awesome. This was different than either generation had experienced before, and it changed the way I interacted with information even at just a small level. But the information was closer to me. I could get access to it. between when I was a kid in high school and when I started teaching, we really see the advent of the Internet. Right about the time that the Internet gets going I take off from Wisconsin and move to Kansas, small town Kansas, in a lovely, small-town, rural Kansas school district, where I was teaching my favorite subject, American government. My first year -- super gung-ho -- going to teach American government, loved the political system. Kids in the 12th grade: not exactly all that enthusiastic about the American government system. Year two: learned a few things -- had to change my tactic. And I put in front of them an authentic experience that allowed them to learn for themselves. I didn't tell them what to do or how to do it. I posed a problem in front of them, which was to put on an election forum for their own community. They produced flyers. They called offices. They checked schedules. They were meeting with secretaries. They produced an election forum booklet for the entire town to learn more about their candidates. They invited everyone into the school for an evening of conversation about government and politics and whether or not the streets were done well, and really had this robust experiential learning. The older teachers -- more experienced -- looked at me and went, "Oh, there she is. That's so cute. She's trying to get that done." "She doesn't know what she's in for." But I knew that the kids would show up, and I believed it, and I told them every week what I expected out of them. And that night, all 90 kids -- dressed appropriately, doing their job, owning it. I had to just sit and watch. It was theirs. It was experiential. It was authentic. It meant something to them. And they will step up. From Kansas, I moved on to lovely Arizona, where I taught in Flagstaff for a number of years, this time with middle school students. Luckily, I didn't have to teach them American government. Could teach them the more exciting topic of geography. Again, "thrilled" to learn. But what was interesting about this position I found myself in in Arizona, was I had this really extraordinarily eclectic group of kids to work with in a truly public school, and we got to have these moments where we would get these opportunities. And one opportunity was we got to go and meet Paul Rusesabagina, that the movie "Hotel Rwanda" is based after. And he was going to speak at the high school next door to us. We could walk there. We didn't even have to pay for the buses. There was no expense cost. Perfect field trip. The problem then becomes how do you take seventh- and eighth-graders to a talk about genocide and deal with the subject in a way that is responsible and respectful, and they know what to do with it. And so we chose to look at Paul Rusesabagina as an example of a gentleman who singularly used his life to do something positive. I then challenged the kids to identify someone in their own life, or in their own story, or in their own world, that they could identify that had done a similar thing. I asked them to produce a little movie about it. It's the first time we'd done this. Nobody really knew how to make these little movies on the computer, but they were into it. And I asked them to put their own voice over it. It was the most awesome moment of revelation that when you ask kids to use their own voice and ask them to speak for themselves, what they're willing to share. The last question of the assignment is: how do you plan to use your life to positively impact other people? The things that kids will say when you ask them and take the time to listen is extraordinary. Fast-forward to Pennsylvania, where I find myself today. I teach at the Science Leadership Academy, which is a partnership school between the Franklin Institute and the school district of Philadelphia. We are a nine through 12 public school, but we do school quite differently. I moved there primarily to be part of a learning environment that validated the way that I knew that kids learned, and that really wanted to investigate what was possible when you are willing to let go of some of the paradigms of the past, of information scarcity when my grandmother was in school and when my father was in school and even when I was in school, and to a moment when we have information surplus. So what do you do when the information is all around you? Why do you have kids come to school if they no longer have to come there to get the information? In Philadelphia we have a one-to-one laptop program, so the kids are bringing in laptops with them everyday, taking them home, getting access to information. And here's the thing that you need to get comfortable with when you've given the tool to acquire information to students, is that you have to be comfortable with this idea of allowing kids to fail as part of the learning process. We deal right now in the educational landscape with an infatuation with the culture of one right answer that can be properly bubbled on the average multiple choice test, and I am here to share with you: it is not learning. That is the absolute wrong thing to ask, to tell kids to never be wrong. To ask them to always have the right answer doesn't allow them to learn. So we did this project, and this is one of the artifacts of the project. I almost never show them off because of the issue of the idea of failure. My students produced these info-graphics as a result of a unit that we decided to do at the end of the year responding to the oil spill. I asked them to take the examples that we were seeing of the info-graphics that existed and take a look at what were the interesting components of it, and produce one for themselves of a different man-made disaster from American history. And they had certain criteria to do it. They were a little uncomfortable with it, They can talk -- they're very smooth, and they can write very, very well, but asking them to communicate ideas in a different way was a little uncomfortable for them. But I gave them the room to just do the thing. Go create. Go figure it out. Let's see what we can do. And the student that persistently turns out the best visual product did not disappoint. This was done in like two or three days. And this is the work of the student that consistently did it. And when I sat the students down, I said, "Who's got the best one?" And they immediately went, "There it is." Didn't read anything. "There it is." And I said, "Well what makes it great?" And they're like, "Oh, the design's good, and he's using good color. And there's some ... " And they went through all that we processed out loud. And I said, "Go read it." And they're like, "Oh, that one wasn't so awesome." And then we went to another one -- it didn't have great visuals, but it had great information -- and spent an hour talking about the learning process, because it wasn't about whether or not it was perfect, or whether or not it was what I could create. It asked them to create for themselves, and it allowed them to fail, process, learn from. And when we do another round of this in my class this year, they will do better this time, because learning has to include an amount of failure, because failure is instructional in the process. There are a million pictures that I could click through here, and had to choose carefully -- this is one of my favorites -- of students learning, of what learning can look like in a landscape where we let go of the idea that kids have to come to school to get the information, but instead, ask them what they can do with it. Ask them really interesting questions. They will not disappoint. Ask them to go to places, to see things for themselves, to actually experience the learning, to play, to inquire. This is one of my favorite photos, because this was taken on Tuesday, when I asked the students to go to the polls. This is Robbie, and this was his first day of voting, and he wanted to share that with everybody and do that. But this is learning too, because we asked them to go out into real spaces. The main point is that, if we continue to look at education as if it's about coming to school to get the information and not about experiential learning, empowering student voice and embracing failure, we're missing the mark. And everything that everybody is talking about today isn't possible if we keep having an educational system that does not value these qualities, because we won't get there with a standardized test, and we won't get there with a culture of one right answer. We know how to do this better, and it's time to do better.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
翌朝は王城に出仕。驚いたのは王城に入った後だ。なんかあちこちに戦闘の跡がある。これだけの戦いが起きていたことも驚きだがそれが王城の城壁一つ跨ぐとほとんど感じられないのも凄い。誰が主導してるのかわからんが情報統制力と言うか統率力すごいな。いつもの手順をややハイペースで進めて王太子殿下の執務室に入室。殿下もこの後予定が詰まってたりするんだろうか。そう思いながらいつものように礼をする。「ヴェルナー・ファン・ツェアフェルト、参りました」「よく来てくれた、ヴェルナー卿。そしてよくやった」「恐れ入ります。ですが、私一人の成果ではありません」「フィノイの件ではない。アーレアの件だ」予想外の発言に不思議そうな顔を浮かべてしまう。表情だけで意味を伺うと殿下が説明をしてくれた。「まず、勇者マゼルの家族を守った点、これは称賛に値する」「それと、マゼルの妹が拉致されかけたときのことをおぼろげながら覚えていた。卿が家族を先に王都に送り届けてくれていたため、事情聴取の際に彼女から詳しい話を聴けていたのがなければ被害はもっと大きくなっていただろう」「それほどの話がありましたか」 “何か”を飲み込まされそうになったリリーさんは『素体』『復活』という単語は覚えていたらしい。素体という言葉の意味は解らなかったそうだが。記憶力の良さも兄譲りかね。そしてあの黒い宝石には何らかの魅了するような得体の知れなさがある、ということも魔術師団長からの報告にあった。専任で調査をしていたピュックラー卿の様子がおかしい、という疑いもある。そして王都にあるはずの黒い宝石の一つがアーレアで回収された。もう一つも無事かどうかはわからない。それらの情報を集約した王太子殿下の回答は一つだったようだ。「おそらくあの黒い宝石は魔族の魂のようなものなのだろう。素体と言うからにはあの黒い宝石は犠牲者の肉体を乗っ取るか、操ることができるとみてよい。そして一つが持ち出されていた以上、最低でも誰かが既に魅了されていると判断できる」「なるほど......」「それに、卿の調べていたマンゴルトの件も参考になった。卿の情報を基に調査をしたところ、マンゴルトと接触していたフードの男がピュックラーだということが判明したので、すべてつながった」納得するしかない。そしてゲームで魔軍が復活してきた理由もわかった。コアを破壊しないと復活してくるタイプの敵だったってわけ......ん? ちょっとぞっとした。もしも肉体を乗っ取るような形で三将軍が復活してきたんだとすると、アーレア村でリリーさんが食わされそうになってたのはドレアクスのだったのか。もしそうなったらフィノイかどこかでマゼルが妹の身体を奪った黒い宝石の危険性は説明する必要があるからマゼルに話すのはしょうがないが、リリーさんには言う必要のないことだな。黙っておこう。で戦死したことになっている王太子殿下や騎士団長とかだったんじゃないか。実は死んだんじゃなくて捕虜にされていたのだとしたら。この想像が正しいとすると魔物暴走で王国軍大敗、騎士団壊滅なんて事態にならなかったことでこのストーリーの変化が始まっていたのかも。考えると色々怖い感じもする。さらに別の疑問が浮かぶ。王都襲撃の内容だ。仮にピュックラー卿が俺と会ったあの時には既に魔族に乗っ取られていたのだと仮定してみる。時間軸で言えばまだラウラが勇者パーティーに参加する前からだ。ゲームであの黒い宝石は出てこなかったが、魔物暴走を操った魔族がいた場所を王国が調査すればマゼル以外の誰か調査員が拾うこともあっただろう。もしそうなら実はゲームでも早い段階で魔族は王都の中に入り込んでいたということになる。王の王都破壊イベントは外からの襲撃だけかと思っていたが、実は城内でも魔族が暴れていたのかもしれん。だがそうなると何のためにという疑問が湧く。だろうと思っていたが、そんな早くから魔族が襲撃を考えていたのだとすると別の目的があってもおかしくない。もし別の目的があったとしたらそれは何だ? 思わず考え込みそうになったが意識的に疑問を追い出す。今考える事じゃない。王太子殿下の話が続いているし。「ピュックラーと接触した相手を丹念に追うことで王都内にいた怪しい者たちを選別することもできた。昨日のうちに衛兵や騎士団の働きによって城下の方は大体は片付いたのだが」「ピュックラー、いや、ピュックラーの身体を乗っ取っていた魔将ゲザリウスと名乗った相手には恐らくだが逃げられた。包囲が完成する前に功績争いから先走る者が出たのは痛かったな」殿下が自嘲していたが俺はそれどころじゃない。ゲザリウス? 誰だそれ!? そんな名前ゲームに出てこないぞ。俺の知っている魔将軍はドレアクス、ベリウレス、それに後半に出てくるアバドラスの三将軍だけだ。ゲームにはそんな名前の魔将は間違いなく出てこない。いやちょっと待てよ。魔王城の最終決戦前、ボス連戦マップで四つの扉を守るのは復活三将軍だった。単に扉と扉の間にある部屋を守衛しているのかと思っていた。けど本来は文字通り門番だったのだとしたら。四つの扉をそれぞれ守る魔将軍だったのか? メモリの都合でもあったのかゲームではカットされた四人目の魔将が現実には存在している、と言うのならその部分はひとまず納得はできる。できるんだがそれでもいろいろ疑問はあって頭の中がぐちゃぐちゃになってるがひとまず全部後回しだ。「おそらく、と言うのはどういう事なのでしょうか」「魔術師隊や近衛、城の衛兵らが囲んで致命傷かそれに近い傷を与えたのは確かだ。だが相手は王城の城壁を越えた後に姿を消し、あの黒い宝石も見つかってはいない。卿はどう見る」「あまり想像したくありませんが、人の姿に戻ることもできる事を考慮すべきかと」「私も同感だ」もし人間の姿に戻れるとなると王都の人口の中から一人を探し出すのは流石に骨だ。魔除け薬も魔将クラスには効かないだろうし。って言うか魔将ってゲームだとそもそも避けられないボスキャラなわけだが。「こちらにも損害が?」「死傷者や行方不明者も相応に出ている。ピュックラーが怪しいとまでは周知していたし、警戒もしていたが、魔将クラスが問答無用で研究所内で正体を現し暴れだすのは流石に想定外だ」だろうなと俺も思う。ごまかし一切なしでいきなり暴れだされたんじゃ兵士に被害が出るのも避けられないだろう。フィノイ強襲に失敗したということが分かった時点で向こうも警戒していたのかもしれない。しかも詳しく話を聴くと内側からピュックラー卿の身体が膨らむと破裂するように魔将が現れたらしい。目の前でそれ見たら普通は思考停止するか。冒険者とかでも驚くかもしれん。しかしそうか、ある程度準備が整っていれば騎士団や魔術師隊でもゲームのボスクラスと戦えるのか。この辺もゲームとは違うな。それが再確認できたのはむしろ良かったと思おう。初めから計画していたとまでは言わないが、そのぐらいの保険はかけてあっても不思議じゃない。だとすると行方不明者の中に変装した魔族がいたのではないかとも思うが、これは後で確認すればいいだろう。そういえば何で魔王が復活したのかも謎と言えば謎なんだよな。もし魔王も同じように何者かの身体を乗っ取る形で復活したのだとしたらどうなんだろうか。いやだからそういうのを考えるのは後だ後。「対範囲魔法研究の方への影響は大丈夫でしょうか」実害はなかったという事か。研究者が無事なら問題なしと考えていいんだろう。逆に言えばあんまり進んでないとも言えるのかもしれんが、被害が軽微ならまあ良しとするべきだろうな。下手に進んでいたら逆に魔族に警戒されたかもしれんし。「そういえば、魔将はどのような外見でしたか」「外観は人間と獅子を合わせたような姿だ。動きも素早く力も強かった。だが何より面倒だったのは跳躍力が高くてな」あれ、ということは。「......旧トライオット方面が危ないでしょうか」「よく気が付いたな。いや、卿はそれも調査済みだったか?」殿下が驚いた表情を浮かべている。ゲームだとトライオットがあったあたりのフィールドで「トライオットの難民たちから人狼などに襲撃されたという話は私も調査済みだ。もし奴が健在なら卿が危惧したように奴がそちらに逃れて戦力を整えていると考えてよいだろう」「そうなると、トライオットに隣接しているクナープ侯の領地がまず危険では」「だが貴族家領だけにうかつに兵力を増強するわけにもいかないからな」面倒なことだ。今のクナープ侯が独力だけで守り切れるかと言うと無理だろう。だが王家が勝手に防衛施設などを作ると、その地域を接収するのかとか、ぎくしゃくする問題が発生してしまうし、兵力を込めると誰が食料等を手配するのかという問題にもなる。事情を説明して理解できたクナープ侯が助けを求めてきたとかいう状況になれば別だが、それをクナープ侯や家臣団が納得するかねえ。	I went to the palace first thing in the morning. I was surprised to see the traces of battle in the palace but what surprised me more was the fact that once you crossed a certain wall in the palace, you would hardly see any trace of battles. Although I didn’t know who was in charge of the battle in the palace, they sure had amazing skills in controlling information and leadership. After I finished the procedure needed to enter the palace in a rather high-paced fashion, I entered the Crown Prince’s office. While wondering if His Highness had a lot of things to do after our meeting, I bowed to him. “Your Highness. Welner von Zeavert, at your service.” “Sir Welner. Thank you for coming and good work.” “I am grateful for your words, but it was not my achievement alone.” “I’m not talking about Finnoi. I’m talking about the incident in Alea village.” As I looked at His Highness with a confused expression, he started to explain. “First of all, I commend you for protecting the family of the Hero Mazell.” “Mazell’s little sister vaguely remembered what happened when she was almost kidnapped, so we were able to gain information from her. We were only able to question her because Sir let the Hearthing family return first to the capital. If we did not have her information, the damage we suffered might be worse.” “What kind of information did she have to make you say so, Your Highness?” According to His Highness, when Lily-san was about to be fed ‘something’, she heard the words [use her body] and [resurrection] but she didn’t understand what they meant by [use her body]. I guess, just like her brother, she had an excellent memory. The Mage Captain also reported that the black gem had a mysterious ability to fascinate people who saw it, and there was also a report that Sir Puckler, who was investigating the gem, had been acting strangely. The last piece of information was that one of the black gems which was supposed to be in the capital was somehow discovered in Alea Village. Putting all known information together, His Highness had one guess. “Most likely, the black gems are the devil’s soul. The words [use her body] meant that the black gems can take over or manipulate their victim. Since one of the black gems had been taken out of the capital, we can assume that someone has fallen to its fascination.” “I see...” “In addition, I used the Mangold investigation’s result, which Sir has given us, as a reference, and began my own investigation. I found that the hooded figure who Mangold had been meeting with was, in fact, Puckler, so it all fits.” With His Highness’s explanation, I finally understood how the Demon Generals in the game were resurrected. So they were the type of enemies who wouldn’t die until you didn’t destroy their cores. Wait... If the demon generals revived by taking control of someone else’s body... if the black gem that appeared in the Alea Village was Dreax’s core and if Lily-san had eaten it... Wouldn’t that mean that Mazell would have to fight the Demon General Dreax, who had taken control of his sister’s body, in Finnoi or in some other dungeons? In short, Mazell would have ended up pointing his sword toward his own sister!? If I didn’t make it in time... a chill ran down on my spine. I needed to explain the danger of the black gems to Mazell, but let’s keep it a secret from Lily-san. Still, I wondered whose body the Demon Generals used to revive in the game? Maybe it was His Highness’s body or maybe the body of the Knight Captain? Was it possible that they didn’t die but were captured alive in the demon outbreak (Stampede) event? If they were actually captured alive in the demon outbreak, that would mean that the story began to change all the way to when we defeated the demon outbreak. Yet another question came to my mind. Just how exactly did the capital get destroyed in the game? Let’s assume that when I met Sir Puckler, which means before Laura joined the hero party, demons had already infiltrated the capital. In the game, maybe Mazell didn’t find the black gem. But after he left the place where he defeated the outbreak mastermind, the kingdom should have sent an investigator to that place and the investigator should have found the gem. But in the end, that gem didn’t appear in the game, so perhaps the person who found it might be a demon disguised as a human, which was why they hid the gem’s existence. If that was true, that means even that early into the game, the demon had infiltrated the capital. At first, I thought that the capital was destroyed in the game because of an external attack, but maybe what had actually happened was the capital was destroyed by the infiltrating demons. Which begat a question, why? I assumed the event where the capital was destroyed in the game was a convenient plot device to make Mazell a king but if the demons had planned to destroy the capital from the very start and even made this intricate plan to do so, the demon must have had a proper purpose to destroy the capital, but what was that purpose? I almost began to get lost in my own thoughts, but I stopped. This wasn’t the time to think about that. His Highness then continued his story. “By carefully tracking down the people who had contacted Puckler, we were able to sort out who was suspicious in the capital. Thanks to the hard work of the guards and the knights, the palace was cleaned up yesterday, but...” “But?” “Puckler, or rather, the devil who claimed to be one of the demon generals, Gezarius, who had taken over Puckler’s body might have escaped. One of our men who was greedy for achievements attacked Puckler before the encirclement was finished, causing him to escape. This was a painful mistake.” His Highness was mocking himself, but what caught my attention wasn’t that but the devil’s name. Gezarius? Who the hell was he? That name never appeared in the game. The Demon Generals I knew were Dreax, Beliulace, and the guy that appeared later in the game, Avadorus. A Demon General named Gezarius didn’t appear in the game. Wait a minute... At that time, I thought what the Demon Generals were guarding was the room, not the doors, but what if what they were actually guarding were the doors? Since there were four doors, that would mean there were supposed to be four Demon Generals, not three. Maybe there was actually the fourth demon general, but he was cut off from the game because of insufficient memory. If this was true, then Gezarius’ appearance would make sense, but there were still too many questions that I didn’t have any answer to, but for now, let’s focus on thinking about the problem in front of me. “What do you mean by ‘might’?” “The encirclement composed of the Mage Unit, the Royal Guard, and the palace guard has certainly given him a close to fatal wound. But after that, he crossed the palace walls to escape and then he disappeared. We also couldn’t find the black gem. Sir, what do you think about this incident?” “We have to assume that he can return to a human form, though I hope this isn’t true.” “I agree.” If he could return to his human form, then it would be almost impossible to search for him among the many humans who lived in the capital. Or rather, he disappeared? Really? Even though, in the game, you couldn’t avoid a boss battle with a demon general no matter what you did? “Did our side suffer any damages?” “Yes. We have a fair amount of casualties and some missing people. We knew Puckler might be a devil, so we kept our guard up around him but we never expected that he, a demon commander, would just straight up reveal himself and go on a rampage in the middle of the laboratory.” Well, since he didn’t try to deceive us with his words or anything else, but just straight up went into a rampage, it would be no wonder that we had some casualty on our side. Maybe the demon side had also been cautious ever since they were found infiltrating Finnoi. Moreover, according to His Highness, Sir Puckler’s body swelled up and when it looked like it was about to explode, that was when the demon general revealed himself. Your train of thought would stop if you saw that kind of scene. Even the adventurers would be surprised. But from His Highness’ story, I could conclude that with proper preparation, the Knights and the Mages of this world could fight with a demon general. Good thing I could confirm this. I wouldn’t go as far as to say he had planned everything perfectly but at least someone on the level of a demon general should have prepared some kind of ‘insurance’ in case he was found out, right? Maybe there were some devils disguised as humans among the people that went missing in this incident, and they were the ones that took the black gems. Let’s investigate this later. Now that I think about it, why the Demon King was revived was also a mystery. I wonder if the Demon King was revived by taking over someone else’s body, just like the Demon generals... Ah!! stop thinking too much, me! “Will this incident affect the research about countermeasures against Area Magic?” So no actual harm was done. As long as the researchers were fine, I could assume that there was no problem with the research. On the other hand, the fact that they didn’t even come out with such a big commotion might mean that the research has progressed little, but I guess I should be happy because the research project didn’t suffer any actual harm. Plus, if the research had actually progressed by leap and bound, the research team might have been targeted by the devils. “Speaking of which, what sort of appearance does the demon commander have?” “He looked like a mix between a lion and a human. He was fast, strong, and the most troublesome trait of his was his great jumping power.” Wait, that would mean... “...Will the area near the land that was formerly Triot become dangerous?” “So you noticed it... or rather have you also been investigating this, Sir?” His Highness looked surprised. Actually, I investigated nothing, Your Highness. In the game, the area near Triot was where Lycanthrope-type demons like the Werewolves and Weretiger often appeared. It looked like His Highness misunderstood me, though. “I also got the information from the refugees that the area near Triot was where many werewolves often appeared. If that guy is alive, then as Sir has probably feared, he will most likely flee there and is currently building up his force.” “Wouldn’t that mean the Marquis Knap’s territory, which bordered Triot, is in the most danger?” “Sir is correct, but we can’t just send our military force to a noble’s territory.” It would be impossible for Marquis Knap to defend his territory alone but if the kingdom sent a military force and created defense facilities in the Knap’s territory, it would cause problems like, would that area where the defense facilities were to be built become the property of the royal family? And who would take care of the food supplies of that military force? Everything would be easier if the Marquis house understood the situation and asked the kingdom for help, but I doubt the Marquis and his vassals would do that.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 5, "inserted_lines_src": 13, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
「パンプキン居るか?」「おっ、ヨサックさん」しばらく時は流れ、徐々に周囲の湿度が増してきて梅雨が近づいてきたなと感じて来た頃。リーンの森にある俺の拠点にマウンピール村の狩人であるヨサックさんが訪ねてきた。「今日はどうしたんだ?」「ちょっとした連絡だべ」「連絡?」ヨサックさんは簡易の椅子代わりに用意した切り株に腰掛けて農作業をしている俺の方を向く。ちなみにヨサックさんはタンゴサックとの関係が改善してからはこうして時折俺の拠点にやって来てはマウンピール村についても含め、外に関するあれこれを教えてくれるようになっている。後、畑の状況としてはどの野菜も無事に芽を出し始めてる。「キミコ......ああ、タンゴサックの嫁のことだ。そのキミコさんとタンゴサックの間に子供が生まれただ」「マジで!?いつの間に......」で、俺はヨサックさんの言葉に思わず農作業をしていた手を止めて目を大きく開き、ヨサックさんの方を向く。「マジ?都市部の言葉だか?ってああ、時期についてはつ日だ。多少時間はかかっただども無事に生まれただよ」「あー、なるほど......そりゃあ良かった」続けて発せられたヨサックさんの言葉に俺は安堵の言葉を漏らす。いや、実際のところ本当に安心した。正直に言ってこの世界の技術レベル的に不測の事態への対応能力はそこまで高そうではないし、そうでなくとも出産てのは中々に危険性が高いらしいからな。無事に終わったなら本当に良かった。と言うか、無事に生まれたのならだ。「それで、今日はパンプキンにそのことを伝えに来たんだもの......見に行くだか?」「勿論!ヒュロロロォォ!!」「のわあああぁぁぁ!?」見に行くしかないだろう! そして俺はヨサックさん抱え、子供への贈り物を持った状態で森の上を飛んでマウンピール村に向かうのであった。 ---------------- 「到着!」「あいたたた......とんでもないスピードだったべ」で、しばらく飛んで無事にマウンピール村に到着。俺はヨサックさんを下ろすとすぐさまタンゴサックの家へと向かう。「すいません。お邪魔しまーす」そして道中でタンゴサックが家に居ることを村の人たちに確認しつつ、一応の礼儀として声を掛けながら俺はタンゴサックの家に入る。「おお、来ただか」「おう。一か月ぶりだな。親父」家の中に入った俺に対してタンゴサックが声をかけてくる。そして家の奥の方から感じるタンゴサックのものでは無い別の人間の気配分。これがキミコさんと子供だろう。「ヨサックさんから話を聞いてきたんだ。顔を見せてもらっていいか?あっ、こっちはお土産の揺りかごな」「ありがとだ。キミコもウリコも喜ぶだよ」タンゴサックは俺から鋼線蔓の揺りかごを受け取ると俺を家の奥へと案内してくれ、俺はそれについて行く。「あらいらっしゃい。貴方がパンプキン君ね」「初めましてキミコさん。ご出産おめでとうございます」「礼儀正しいのね。ありがとう」そして部屋の中に入ったところで茶髪で黄色系の色が若干混ざった薄い色の魔力を持った女性......キミコさんの姿が俺の視界に入り、俺は一度頭を下げる。うーん。それにしても俺とタンゴサックの関係は親子でいいとしても、俺とキミコさんの関係はどう表せばいいんだろうな?一応、親子が一番近いとは思うけどさ。「ええ、ウリコよ。貴方の妹になるわ」「っつ!?」キミコさんが抱えている赤ん坊を見せてくれる。そしてその赤ん坊......ウリコを見た瞬間、俺は何とか外には出さずに済んだが内心では大きく驚く。「どうしたの?」「きっとウリコの可愛さに当てられたんだっぺ」「確かにそうかもしれないわね」「ハハハハハ......」二人の反応から察するに気づいてはいないのだろう。と言うより気づいているなら何かしらの行動を既に起こしていると思う。「......」俺は自分の妹であるウリコの顔を見る。天使のように可愛らしいが、それはまあ当然の事なのでさておいて、髪は茶髪であり、目の色は眠っているから分からない。だがそれよりも驚くべきはその魔力量。ウリコの全身から漂っているのは混じり気のない透明の魔力だが、流石に俺ほど量は多く無い。しかし、両親であるタンゴサックやキミコさんよりは明らかに多いし、ヒューマンとしては多めであったはずのリオや、ヒューマン以外の亜人と比べても魔力は多い。総合的に見れば赤ん坊であるにも関わらず既にヒューマンとしては並外れた魔力を持っていると見て良いだろう。だが、だからこそ拙い。魔力の量が多い生物は強い。だが、倒せればその血肉はとても美味である。では、仮の話だが同じ美味しさで倒しやすい相手と倒しづらい相手が居れば野生動物ならどちらを襲うだろうか? そんなのは決まっている。弱い方の相手だ。「どうしただ?」「あー......一応伝えておく」そして俺は迷ったが、タンゴサックにウリコの保有している魔力の量の多さについて伝えておく。心構えがあるのとないのとでは実際に何かが起きた時にする瞬間的な判断能力に差が出るだろうからな。「そうか......分かっただ。警戒はしておくだ」「ああ、俺も出来る限り様子を見に来て、森の動物たちを牽制しておく」タンゴサックは俺の言葉に納得の表情を見せ、俺もタンゴサックたちを助けるための提案を口にする。それにしてもだ。こうなると今度のミズキと一緒にやる竜狩りは絶対に失敗できないな。竜がどういう生態の生き物なのかは分からないが、この世界に生きる者ならより魔力が多いものを好むはず。となればウリコのためにも間違っても負けるわけにはいかない。俺はそうして決意を新たにすると、タンゴサックに別れを告げて森の中の拠点に戻るのであった。	“Pumpkin, are you there?” “Oh, Yossack-san.” After some time, the surrounding area’s humidity started to progressively rise, signaling the arrival of the rainy season. Yossack, a hunter from Maunpir Village, visited Pumpkin at his base when he was in Lean Forest. “What’s going on today?” “I am here to deliver you a message.” “A message?” Yossack was seated on a stump that was prepared as a simple chair and turned towards Pumpkin, who was working on the field. Incidentally, after the relationship with Tangosack has improved, Yossack will from time to time pay a visit to his base and inform him about Maunpir Village as well as other matters related to the outside world. As for the vegetables in the field, they have all started to sprout safely. “Kimiko... Oh, I’m speaking of Tangosack’s wife. A child has been born to Kimiko and Tangosack.” “Seriously!? When did that...” After hearing this, Pumpkin stopped doing his farm work, his eyes widened as he turned towards Yossack. “Seriously? [i] Is that a word from an urban district? Oh, this happened only the day before yesterday. It took some time, but the baby was born safely.” “Ah, I see... That’s good to hear.” He let out a sigh of relief as Yossack followed up with a few words. Pumpkin was really relieved. To face it, the level of technology in this world didn’t seem to be very high in terms of its capacity to adapt to unanticipated events, and even if it had, giving birth was reportedly a highly risky process. He was truly thankful that the baby was born safely. Or rather, since the baby was born safe and sound, that would mean I have to... “So, I came to tell you about it today, Pumpkin... and do you want to go see the baby?” “Of course! Hyulololoooo!!” “Nowaaaahhh!?” ...go see them of course! And with Yossack in his arms as well as a gift for the child, Pumpkin flew over the forest to Maunpir Village. —————- “We’re here!” “Ah... that was a hell of a speed!” After flying for a while, they arrived at Maunpir Village in one piece. Yossack was dropped off by Pumpkin, who then sped off to Tangosack’s house. “Excuse me.” On the way, he confirmed with the villagers that Tangosack was at home, and as part of courtesy, Pumpkin called out to him before entering Tangosack’s house. “Oh, you came?” “Yeah. It’s been a month, Father.” Tangosack addressed him as Pumpkin entered the house. Pumpkin then sensed the presence of two other individuals apart from Tangosack coming from the back of the house. These must be Kimiko-san and the child. “I’ve heard about the news from Yossack-san. May I have a look at the baby? Oh, here’s a cradle for the souvenirs.” “Thanks. Kimiko and Uriko will be pleased.” Tangosack led the way to the back of the house after accepting his cradle of Wire Vines, and he followed. “Come on in. You must be Pumpkin-kun.” “Nice to meet you, Kimiko-san. Congratulations on the birth of your baby.” “You’re so polite. Thank you.” And once inside the room, a woman with brown hair and pale-colored magic mixed with some yellowish color... Kimiko came into sight, and Pumpkin gave a bow once. Yeah. Even if the relationship between me and Tangosack is parent and child, how should I define my relationship with Kimiko-san? In the meantime, I suppose parent and child would be the most appropriate. “She’s Uriko. That would be your younger sister.” “!?” Kimiko showed him the baby in her arms. And the moment the infant... Uriko was revealed to him, Pumpkin was startled inwardly, despite that “What’s wrong?” “I’m sure Uriko’s loveliness must have caught him off guard.” “That might be true.” “Hahahahaha...” The two of them probably have not realized it, judging from their reactions. Or rather, if they are aware of it, they have already taken some kind of action. “...” Pumpkin shifted his gaze at Uriko, his little sister. Although her features were angelic and lovely, the color of her hair was brown and her eyes color was indistinguishable since she was asleep. However, what he found more astonishing was the amount of magic power she possessed. The magic power that emanated from Uriko’s entire body was transparent and clear, but it wasn’t as intense as Pumpkin’s. Nevertheless, it was evidently greater than that of her parents, Tangosack and Kimiko, and was ampler than that of Rio, who should have had more magic power for a human, or any other race. Overall, it can be said that she already owned an exceptional amount of magic power as a human, even though she was only a baby. But that would be ill-stared. A living being in possession of a significant amount of magic power would be strong. Yet, once they have been defeated, their flesh and blood will taste extremely appetizing. So, hypothetically speaking, which would the wild animal attack if there were two opponents of equal delectability, one of which was simple to defeat and the other was challenging to defeat? That would be a clear-cut answer. It would be the weaker one. “What’s the matter?” “Uh... I should tell you just in case.” Despite having some hesitation, he informed Tangosack about the sheer amount of magic power that Uriko carried. Being prepared for something can make a difference in one’s ability to exercise split-second judgment in the event something actually transpired. “I see... I get it. I’ll be vigilant.” “Yeah, I’ll come and monitor things as best I can and keep the animals in the forest in check.” Tangosack looked convinced by his words, and Pumpkin offered a suggestion to help them out. But still, with this development, the dragon hunt that I am scheduled to conduct with Mizuki absolutely can’t fail. Even though he did not know what kind of ecology a dragon had, anyone living in this world would be inclined to hunt for something that contained more magic power. If so, I cannot afford to lose for Uriko’s sake. Having renewed his resolve, Pumpkin bade farewell to Tangosack and returned to his base in the forest.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
「質問に答えるのはやぶさかではないですが、その口調はいけませんねぇ」「中身が男だからいいんだよ」「いい加減諦めて堕ちちゃいません?」「堕ちるってなんだよ!」不穏なことを口にする破戒神に、ひとまずツッコミを入れておいて、答えを待つ。「わたしは昼間は出歩いてますからね。店番は夜行性なので、この時間でも開いてるんです。むしろこの時間しか開いてません」「人雇ってるのか。ひょっとしてアスト......じゃなくてハスタールか?」「まさか。旦那は引退して趣味の世界に没頭してるので、邪魔はしませんよ」まあ、確かにハスタール神は趣味の魔道具製造を満喫してるみたいだが、それはそれで寂しい話だ。「その店番はどこにいるんだ?」「今ですか?食事休憩ということにしてますよ。休憩を入れずに働かせるほど、わたしは鬼畜じゃありませんので」「世界樹ごと吹っ飛ばすのも、充分鬼畜だと思うんだけどね?」新たな声は俺の背後から聞こえてきた。扉にはドアベルが掛けられていたから、開けばベルの音が聞こえたはず。その音もなく店内に侵入してきた存在に、俺は戦慄を隠せなかった。「あ、おかえりなさい、バーさん」「その呼び名、やめない?」「めんどくさいので、ヤです」一歩踏み出したのは、少しでも相手から距離を取りたかったからだ。それくらい、背後に現れた存在に脅威を感じていた。振り返った先にいたのは、十歳をいくつか過ぎたくらいの育ちの良さそうな少年だった。「いつのまに――」「ああ、気にしないで。僕も破戒神の知り合いって言えば、大体わかるでしょ?」「普通の人じゃないってわけだ......?」その質問には答えず、意味深な笑いを浮かべるばかりの少年。俺の問いに答えるつもりはないようだ。だがここで破戒神に会えたのは、僥倖とも言える。彼女がこの街に根を張っているならば、例の後の情報では、あれがクファルの仕業であることが判明していたが、あれも一応魔神の一種。しかもこの世界樹の迷宮に生息しているモンスターである。もしクファルが何らかの方法でこの迷宮内からモンスターを引き抜いているのなら、それは妨害しておいた方がいいはずだ。「そうだ、北部の森でニードルビートルが出現したんだが、心当たりはないか?」「......北部の森で、ですか?」「ああ。あれってこの迷宮の特産品だろ。おかしいと思ってな」そしてこの世界樹の中に存在するモンスターの一部も、外の世界から世界樹によって召喚された存在だ。つまりこの世界樹の中には、魔神と呼ばれる範疇に入るモンスターも、多数存在しているということになる。「特産品ってイヤな言い方ですね。確かに角と皮は装備になりますけど......バーさん、どうです?」「なんでそいつに聞くんだ?」「彼はここで迷宮の番人も兼ねてるんですよ。ナイショですけどね」口元に指をあてて、内緒という仕草をして見せる破戒神。見かけが美少女だけに、その仕草はかなり絵になる。「もちろん、仕事はしっかりしてるよ。僕が知る限り、迷宮からモンスターを持ち出そうとした輩はいない。それは保証するよ」「だ、そうです」「そうか......じゃあ、完全に別物の事件ってことか」「そっちに関してはわたしも調べておきます。魔神絡みは、もう放置できませんので」「わかった」白いのは少しばかり頼りないが、こっちの少年の方は大丈夫だろう。わかるものが見れば一目でわかる、強者の気配雄以外にもこんな奴がうろついているなんて、世界は本当に広い。俺が懸念しているのは、魔神を使役するクファルが、世界樹から魔神を連れ出すという行為だ。彼がそれを見逃すとは思えない。「連中、前はラウムで活動していたくせに、今度は北部でなにかしてやがる。はっきり言って活動範囲がべらぼうに広い。この街でも何かやるかもしれないから、一応気を付けておいてくれ」「了解。君も無茶はしないようにね?」軽い返事を返す破戒神とは違い、真剣な答えを返す少年。初対面なのに、本当に頼りになる。「じゃ、夜も遅いから、俺はこれで」「ってか、君も女の子なんだから、夜に出歩くんじゃないよ」余計な忠告を飛ばしてくるところを除いて、だが。	“I can answer that question, but I can’t say I like your speech.” “Who cares, I’m a guy on the inside.” “Can’t you give up and succumb already?” “What do you mean ‘succumb’!?” I retorted at her disheartening statement and waited for her answer. Sensing my frustration, she obediently gave the answer. “It’s because I go out during the day. And the clerk is nocturnal, so it’s open at night too. Rather, it’s only open at night.” “You’re employing people? Could it be Aste...I mean Hastur?” “Of course not. My husband has already retired and is immersed into his hobbies. I couldn’t bother him about this.” True, God Hastur seemed to be having fun creating magic items, but that sounded lonely in its own way. But in that case, she’s employing someone else... And they are probably some big-shot if they are acquainted with this goddess. “Where is that clerk?” “Now? On a meal break. I’m not so devilish to make someone work without a rest.” “I’m pretty sure blowing up the World Tree counts as pretty devilish.” I heard a new voice from behind. I had taken a few steps since I entered the store, so the door was supposed to be behind me. However, the door had a bell attached to it, so I should have heard it if it was opened. I ended up shuddering at the thought that this someone managed to enter without making a sound. “Ah, welcome back, Baa.” “Can you stop with that name?” “It’s a pain, so no.” I slowly stepped forward and turned around, so as not to stimulate the opponent. I stepped forward because I wanted to take as much distance as possible. That’s how threatening the existence behind me felt. Looking back, there stood a well-bred young boy perhaps a bit over ten. There was nothing threatening about him. But seeing him face to face, I was sure of it. This guy was a monster. “When did you—” “Ah, don’t worry about it. If I tell you I’m an acquaintance of the God of Destruction, you’d understand the gist, right?” “So you’re not an ordinary person...?” The boy didn’t respond to my question with words but a meaningful smile. It seemed like he had no intention of answering. Still, meeting the God of Destruction was quite lucky. If she has her roots spread into this city, perhaps she also knew something about the Needle Beetles from before. According to the information we got after the matter, that was clearly Kufar’s doing, but they were still Devil species. Moreover, monsters that only existed inside this World Tree Labyrinth. If Kufar had some way of taking monsters out of the labyrinth, it was better to obstruct him. “Right, Needle Beetles appeared in the northern forest, do you know anything about it?” “...In the northern forest?” “Yeah. Those are labyrinth’s local products, right? I felt it was weird.” Devils were being summoned from beyond this world. And beings inside the World Tree were also ones summoned from the outside by the World Tree itself. In other words, there were many monsters that were classified as Devils dwelling inside. “Calling them local specialties is a bad way of putting it. I mean, their horns and skins do make for good equipment but still... What do you think, Baa?” “Why’re you asking him?” “He’s acting as the labyrinth’s guard too. It’s a secret though.” She put a finger on her lips to make a secretive gesture. She was a beauty, so that gesture was quite picturesque. But neither me nor this Baa guy were naive enough to be tempted by that. “Of course, I’m doing my work properly. As far as I know, no one has brought the monsters out of the labyrinth. I can guarantee it.” “So he says.” “I see... So it’s something unrelated huh?” “I’ll investigate that myself as well. I can’t be leaving the Devil matters be any longer.” “Got it.” Whitey was a little unreliable, but this boy was probably alright. Everyone with good eyes would realize that he had an aura of the strong around him. For there to be guys like him just loitering around the world other than Six Heroes, the world really was vast. With someone like this standing watch, anyone with true ability would not forcefully take the monsters out. I was worried about Kufar taking the enslaved Devils from the labyrinth, but I couldn’t imagine that this guy would have missed that. “They were doing something in Raum, but now they’re doing it in the north. Frankly, their sphere of activity is absurdly big. They might be doing something even here, so please be careful.” “Understood. You should be careful too, okay?” The boy answered me seriously unlike the silly response of the God of Destruction. It was our first meeting, but he was already looking dependable. “Well, it’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave now.” “Actually, you’re a girl too so stop walking alone at night.” Setting aside his uncalled-for warning.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 12, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
下水道を奥に進むと、魔鼠がどんどん襲いかかってくる。俺は剣で斬り捨てていく。ジョッシュも元狩人らしい優れた技術で、的確に射貫いていく。セルリスも、魔鼠を斬り捨てている。魔鼠が襲い掛かってくるのは、前方からだけではない。後方からも襲い掛かってくる。下水を泳いで後ろに回り、飛びかかってくるのだ。「セルリス。油断はするなよ」俺は胸あてのところに入っているゲルベルガを見た。「ゲルベルガさま。大丈夫か?」大丈夫なようだ。魔導士のアリオが言う。「こう散発的に襲ってくると、魔法を使うタイミングが難しいな」アリオが使える攻撃魔法はいまのところ火球のみだ。ゴブリン退治の時に見た限りではに使える数は十発といったところだろう。 Fランク魔導士とは思えない魔力量だ。とはいえ、十発は適当に使っていい数ではない。使いどころは厳選すべきだ。そしてファイアーボールの効果的な使用法とは、まとまったところにぶちかますことだ。魔法の矢「そうだな。ロックの言うとおりだ」そんなことを話しながら、奥へ奥へと進んでいく。「だんだん増えてる気がします!」「そうね、そんな気がするわ」ジョッシュとセルリスが叫ぶ。「ジョッシュ。矢はあとどのくらいある?」「まだはあります」「お、おう。そうか随分持ってきたんだな」「はい! 長期戦を覚悟してましたから!」ジョッシュは嬉しそうに微笑んだ。いま五十本あるということは、最初は百本ぐらい持っていたのだろう。矢だけでも結構重いはずだ。そして重さ以上にかさばる。「ジョッシュ、節約気味で頼む」それから俺は加速する。数が増えているということは、さらに奥に魔鼠大発生の原因があるに違いない。発生原因をとりあえず確認すべきだ。魔鼠を斬り捨て続けてさらに進み、少し開けた場所にでる。下水が合流するところのようだ。セルリスがその中心を指さしながら、つぶやく。「水が盛り上がってるのかしら?」「いや、違うぞ」セルリスが指さしたものは魔鼠の大群だった。水底から積み上がるような形で、ネズミの山を形成している。「任せろ!」アリオはそれまでの鬱憤を晴らすかのように、火球を叩き込んだ。アリオ渾身の火球だ。魔鼠の嫌な絶叫が下水道に反響する。同時に、魔鼠の焦げる臭いと蒸発する下水の混ざった嫌な臭いが漂ってきた。「お、ご、ごえ、ごえええ」鼻のいいガルヴがえずいていた。可哀そうだ。背中をさすってやりたいが、その時間はない。激怒した魔鼠が一斉にとびかかってくる。「はぁっ!」一撃で数匹の魔鼠が切断されつつ吹き飛んだ。セルリスも前に出て、見事な剣捌きで魔鼠を斬りはらっていく。ジョッシュも的確に矢を放っている。「ガガウガウガッガウ!」えずいていたガルヴもすぐに立ち直る。張り切ったようすで、牙で爪で、魔鼠を狩っている。ガルヴは霊獣狼だ。ネズミなら姿を見ただけで、逃げるのが普通である。その性質は魔鼠でも変わらない。だが、逃げずに向かってくる。異常だ。いくら斬り払っても、減る気配がない。「何匹いるのかしら!」「アリオ! 適宜火球を使ってくれ!」魔鼠が密集すると、すかさずアリオが火球を撃ち込んでいく。「セルリスはここで食い止めてくれ。俺は突っ込む!」俺は一気に、魔鼠の群れを仕留めるために下水に入る。下水は思ったより深い。腰の下あたりまであった。とても不潔だが、気にしてはいられない。魔神王の剣をふるい、魔鼠を倒していく。一振りで十匹近い魔鼠を仕留めていく。何度も何度も剣をふるい、数百匹の魔鼠を倒していく。転んだりしたら、ゲルベルガごと下水まみれだ。「ゲルベルガさま、臭くてすまない」ゲルベルガは「気にするな。思う存分戦え」と言ってくれているように思う。「ゲルベルガさま。ありがとうな」後方では漏れた魔鼠をセルリスが的確に倒している。頼りになる戦士だ。ジョッシュの弓もアリオの魔法も強力だ。数分の激闘の末、魔鼠の群れを退治することができた。「みんな無事か?」「ああ、ロックのおかげでなんとかな」「無事です。ありがとうございます」「いくら魔鼠でもこれだけ大量だときついわね」ガルヴが下水にはまって、バチャバチャしていた。「ガルヴ?」「まさか、おぼれているのか?」慌てて、俺はガルヴに駆け寄った。数匹の魔鼠にたかられている。魔鼠を仕留めて、ガルヴを助ける。下水から引き揚げた。ガルヴはとても大きいので苦労した。	More and more demon rats attacked us as we made our way down the sewers. I disposed of them with a swing of my sword. Josh was a former hunter and was able to catch his targets with precision. Serulis was also cutting them down. The demon rats were not attacking us from the front alone. They also came from our backs. They would swim in the sewer water and come out behind us and jump. “Serulis. Don’t let your guard down.” I looked down at Gerberga, who was in my breastplate. “Lord Gerberga. Are you alright?” He seemed fine. Ario said, “It’s hard to know when I should use magic when they attack so sporadically.” Currently, Fireballs were the only attack spell that Ario could use. From what I had seen during the fight with the goblins, he was able to use it about times at the most in one day. And that was quite impressive for an F Rank Sorcerer. That being said, it was still quite limiting. He would have to be careful when using it. Fireballs were the most effective when you used them in a crowd. “It might be good to learn Magic Arrow later.” “Yes. You’re right, Locke.” We talked like this as we continued to go deeper. “It feels like there are more of them the further we go!” “Yes. I agree.” Josh and Serulis shouted. “Josh. How many arrows do you have left?” “I have about .” “Ah, hmm. You brought quite a lot then.” “Yes! I knew it would be a long fight!” Josh smiled happily. If he had now, he must have brought at least 0. That many arrows would be quite heavy. That would make it hard to move. “Josh, try not to waste any.” We moved even faster after that. The fact that they were increasing meant that the reason for this infestation must be deeper in. We needed to find out what it was. We tore through the rats and advanced until we reached a small clearing. This was where the sewage water merged. Serulis pointed to the center of it and muttered. “Is the water rising?” “No, that’s not it.” What Serulis was pointing at was a crowd of demon rats. They were forming a kind of mountain in the water that started below the water and peeked out of the surface. “Ario! Use your Fireballs!” “Leave it to me!” As if unleashing his pent up anger, Ario began to launch his Fireball into them. It was his most powerful Fireball. The demon rats let out their wretched squeaks, which echoed around us. At the same time, the smell of them burning and the water steaming combined to create a most disgusting odor. “Oghhh...ggregghhh...” Grulf had a sensitive nose and looked nauseous. The poor thing. I wanted to pet him on the back, but there was no time. The other demon rats were furious now, and they jumped at us. “Ahhh!” With one hit, several demon rats were decapitated and went flying into the air. Serulis also stepped out and impressed with her swordsmanship as she laid the rats to waste. Josh unleashed his arrows without missing his targets. Grulf quickly recovered from the smell. He hunted the demon rats with his fangs and claws with excitement. Grulf was a spirit beast wolf. Normally, rats would run away from him. It was the same with demon rats. And yet these were coming straight for him. It was strange. No matter how many we cut down, they did not seem to decrease in number. “How many are there!” When the demon rats crowded together again, Ario launched a Fireball into them. “Serulis, you stop them from running away. I’m going in!” I jumped into the sewer water in order to put a quick end to what was left of the horde. The water was much deeper than I expected. It stopped right below my waist. It was obviously very filthy, but I couldn’t let that stop me. I swung the Devil King Sword into the rats. They were so densely packed that over a dozen were in the way of each swing. I swung again and again. In moments, over a hundred of them were dead. If I tripped and fell, Gerberga would be drenched in sewage. “Lord Gerberga, pardon the stench.” ‘Don’t worry. Fight as hard as you can.’ Gerberga seemed to say. “Thank you, Lord Gerberga.” Serulis was fighting behind me and catching every rat that got passed me. She was a most reliable Warrior. Josh and Ario were also doing their best with magic and arrows. After a few minutes of intense fighting, we were able to wipe out the demon rat horde. “Are you all alright?” “Yes. Thanks to you, Locke.” “I am fine. Thank you.” “Even demon rats are dangerous if they are in this number.” Grulf was in the water and splashing around. “Grulf?” “Grmgh! GGggbgh!” “Are, are you drowning?” I frantically went over to him. He was being attacked by a few demon rats. I quickly killed them and saved Grulf by pulling him out of the water. But it wasn’t easy, as Grulf was very big.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 7, "inserted_lines_src": 13, "inserted_lines_trg": 11 }
バスケット選手もそうですしテニス選手も体操選手もブリッジプレーヤーもそうです私のブリッジのコーチのシャロン・オズバーグは自分は世界の誰よりも後頭部の写真が多いとボヤいていますごめんねシャロンたまには顔も出してあげましょうフィードバックを与えてくれる人は誰にでも必要ですそうやって上達していくんですあいにくとある職業の人たちには上達のための系統的なフィードバックがほとんど与えられていませんその人達は世界で— 最も重要な仕事をしているというのに教師のことですメリンダと私は教師へのフィードバックがいかに少ないかを知ってとても驚きましたごく最近まで 98%の教師が受け取るフィードバックはたった一言でしかありませんでした「十分」ですもし私のブリッジのコーチが「十分」だったとしか言ってくれないなら上達できるとはとても思えません一番うまくやったのは誰だったのかその人と自分の違いは何か知る由もないのです現在多くの学区で教師の評価法の改革が進められていますが教師が実際に上達できるようなフィードバックはほとんど与えられていません教師はもっと大切にされてしかるべきです現在の仕組みは教師にとっても生徒にとっても不当なものですこれでは世界のリーダーとしてのアメリカの地位も危うくなりますそこで今日はすべての教師が望み与えられるべき— 上達のための道具をどうすれば整えられるかお話ししますうまくやっているのはどこか問うところから始めましょうあいにく教師へのフィードバックの仕組みに関する世界ランクというのはありませんだから生徒の学業成績が良い国を調べましたその国では教師の上達のために何をしているのか知りたかったからです読解力のランキングを見てみましょうアメリカは1位ではありませんトップ10にすら入っていませんアイスランドやポーランドと並んで 15位です読解力においてアメリカより上位の国で教師の上達を助ける正式な制度を持っているところはいくつあるでしょう? 14カ国中 11カ国ですアメリカは読解力では 15位ですが科学では23位数学では31位ですアメリカが上位に入る項目はたった1つ教師がスキルを上げるために— 必要とする助けを与え損ねている点です学業で最高の成績を上げている中国の上海を見てみましょう読解力数学科学で 1位につけています上海の見事な成功の鍵は教師の継続的な上達を助ける仕組みにあります新米教師が優れた教師の教え方を見て学べるようにしています毎週教師の勉強会があってより良い教え方について話し合っていますさらに同僚の授業を見てフィードバックを与えるよう求められていますそのような仕組みがなぜ重要なのかというと教師の質にはとても大きな幅があるからです一部の教師は他の教師よりはるかに効果的に教えています生徒を素晴らしく伸ばしている先生が全国にいます平均的な教師がその先生達くらいにうまくやれたならアメリカの生徒達は他の国の生徒達を圧倒することでしょうすべての先生が最高の先生並になれるよう助ける仕組みが必要なんですその仕組みはどんなものなのか? それを見出すためにゲイツ財団では全国の3千人の先生に協力してもらい「効果的教育の評価」というプロジェクトを進めています先生が教室で教える様子をビデオで観察して様々な面で評価しますたとえば「考えさせる質問をしているか?」とかたとえば「考えさせる質問をしているか?」とか「1つの概念を複数のやり方で説明しているか?」とか生徒にもアンケートを取っています「先生は生徒が理解しているか分かっているか?」「先生は生徒が理解しているか分かっているか?」「自分の間違いを正せるようになったか?」結果は素晴らしいものでした第1にこの観察で成績の良い先生のクラスでは生徒も素晴らしい結果を出していますつまり私達は正しい質問をしているということです第2にプログラムに参加した先生達はこのビデオやアンケートが素晴らしい診断ツールだと言っています改善点をはっきり示してくれるからです実際のビデオがどのようなものかご覧いただきましょうみんなおはよう今日やることを話しましょうピア・レビューの日でしたね? お互いに評価しましょう今日の目標は— 自分の小論文に論理展開があるか見極められるようになることです私はサラ・ウェスリングアイオワ州ジョンストンにあるジョンストン高校の国語教師です隣の人と向かい合って「論理展開」とは何か考えを伝えてください自分たちの教え方について教師が持つイメージと現実との間にはギャップがあると思いますではみんなレポートを出してくださいビデオが見せてくれるのはある現実ですそこに映し出されていることは認めざるを得ませんしそこから学ぶことも沢山ありますこれを目の当たりにすることで教師として成長する方法がいろいろ見つかるんです小型ビデオカメラと三脚とちっちゃな広角レンズを揃えました授業前にこれを教室の後ろに据えておきますそんなに綺麗には撮れないしカメラに映らない部分もありますが音は聞き取れるし沢山のことを見られそこから多くのことを学べますだからこれはシンプルだけど強力な反省のためのツールなんですじゃあまず長い方を見てください録画したらパソコンに取り込んで見てみます書き留めないと頭に残りませんメモするのは思考プロセスの一部なんですメモしながら映像からいろいろ発見していくんです私はこれを自己の成長のためまた教育戦略や方法論教室の運営など授業のあらゆる側面を見直すために使っていますこのプロセスは前にやってるからうまくいく事いかない事が区別できますねビデオが顕わにするのは— 私達教師にとって本質的なことで学び理解する助けになりますさらに周りのコミュニティにこの難しい仕事の本質が何か理解してもらうのにも役立ちますこれが例示し描き出してくれることは授業計画や指導要領や学術書でさえも伝えられないことなんですじゃあみんな良い週末をまた来週 [すべての教室をこうできます] いつの日かアメリカのすべての教室がこのようになればと思いますでもそれだけでは足りません教師の改善すべき点を診断するだけではまだ半分ですその診断に応じて教師が行動するためのツールが必要です分数の教え方に改善が必要と分かったら世界最高の教師は分数をどう教えているのかビデオで見られるようにすべきです教師へのフィードバックと改善の仕組みを作り上げるのは大変なことですたとえば授業の様子を録画することに拒否反応を示す先生もいます気持ちは分かりますがこのプロジェクトの経験から言えるのは先生自身がこのプロセスの運営を主導してビデオを自分で撮り提出するビデオを自分で選べるなら先生の多くは熱心に参加するということですこの仕組みを作るためには大きな投資も必要ですゲイツ財団では 50億ドルくらいかかると見込んでいます大きな額ですが見方を変えればこの額は先生の給与として毎年支出されている額の 2%未満なのです先生に対して絶大な効果が出ます先生にフィードバックとそれに応じる手段をついに与えることができるのですでもこの仕組みは私達の国にさらに大きな恩恵をもたらします生徒全員が素晴らしい教育を受けやりがいのある仕事につき夢を実現できる道が開かれるということです国を繁栄させるだけではなく公平で公正にもするのですすべての先生に彼らが望み受けるにふさわしい支援を与えられるこの機会にワクワクしています皆さんも同じ気持ちであることを望みますありがとうございました	It doesn't matter whether you're a basketball player, a tennis player, a gymnast or a bridge player. My bridge coach, Sharon Osberg, says there are more pictures of the back of her head than anyone else's in the world. Sorry, Sharon. Here you go. We all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve. Unfortunately, there's one group of people who get almost no systematic feedback to help them do their jobs better, and these people have one of the most important jobs in the world. I'm talking about teachers. When Melinda and I learned how little useful feedback most teachers get, we were blown away. Until recently, over 98 percent of teachers just got one word of feedback: Satisfactory. If all my bridge coach ever told me was that I was "satisfactory," I would have no hope of ever getting better. How would I know who was the best? How would I know what I was doing differently? Today, districts are revamping the way they evaluate teachers, but we still give them almost no feedback that actually helps them improve their practice. Our teachers deserve better. The system we have today isn't fair to them. It's not fair to students, and it's putting America's global leadership at risk. So today I want to talk about how we can help all teachers get the tools for improvement they want and deserve. Let's start by asking who's doing well. Well, unfortunately there's no international ranking tables for teacher feedback systems. So I looked at the countries whose students perform well academically, and looked at what they're doing to help their teachers improve. Consider the rankings for reading proficiency. The U.S. isn't number one. We're not even in the top 10. We're tied for 15th with Iceland and Poland. Now, out of all the places that do better than the U.S. in reading, how many of them have a formal system for helping teachers improve? Eleven out of 14. The U.S. is tied for 15th in reading, but we're 23rd in science and 31st in math. So there's really only one area where we're near the top, and that's in failing to give our teachers the help they need to develop their skills. Let's look at the best academic performer: the province of Shanghai, China. in reading, math and science, and one of the keys to Shanghai's incredible success is the way they help teachers keep improving. They made sure that younger teachers get a chance to watch master teachers at work. They have weekly study groups, where teachers get together and talk about what's working. They even require each teacher to observe and give feedback to their colleagues. You might ask, why is a system like this so important? It's because there's so much variation in the teaching profession. Some teachers are far more effective than others. who are helping their students make extraordinary gains. If today's average teacher could become as good as those teachers, our students would be blowing away the rest of the world. So we need a system that helps all our teachers be as good as the best. What would that system look like? Well, to find out, our foundation has been working with 3,000 teachers in districts across the country on a project called Measures of Effective Teaching. We had observers watch videos of teachers in the classroom and rate how they did on a range of practices. For example, did they ask their students challenging questions? Did they find multiple ways to explain an idea? We also had students fill out surveys with questions like, "Does your teacher know when the class understands a lesson?" "Do you learn to correct your mistakes?" And what we found is very exciting. First, the teachers who did well on these observations had far better student outcomes. So it tells us we're asking the right questions. And second, teachers in the program told us that these videos and these surveys from the students were very helpful diagnostic tools, because they pointed to specific places where they can improve. I want to show you what this video component of MET looks like in action. Sarah Brown Wessling: Good morning everybody. Let's talk about what's going on today. To get started, we're doing a peer review day, okay? A peer review day, and our goal by the end of class is for you to be able to determine whether or not you have moves to prove in your essays. My name is Sarah Brown Wessling. I am a high school English teacher at Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa. Turn to somebody next to you. Tell them what you think I mean when I talk about moves to prove. I've talk about -- I think that there is a difference for teachers between the abstract of how we see our practice and then the concrete reality of it. Okay, so I would like you to please bring up your papers. I think what video offers for us is a certain degree of reality. You can't really dispute what you see on the video, and there is a lot to be learned from that, and there are a lot of ways that we can grow as a profession when we actually get to see this. I just have a flip camera and a little tripod and invested in this tiny little wide-angle lens. At the beginning of class, I just perch it in the back of the classroom. It's not a perfect shot. It doesn't catch every little thing that's going on. But I can hear the sound. I can see a lot. And I'm able to learn a lot from it. So it really has been a simple but powerful tool in my own reflection. All right, let's take a look at the long one first, okay? Once I'm finished taping, then I put it in my computer, and then I'll scan it and take a peek at it. If I don't write things down, I don't remember them. So having the notes is a part of my thinking process, and I discover what I'm seeing as I'm writing. I really have used it for my own personal growth and my own personal reflection on teaching strategy and methodology and classroom management, and just all of those different facets of the classroom. I'm glad that we've actually done the process before so we can kind of compare what works, what doesn't. I think that video exposes so much of what's intrinsic to us as teachers in ways that help us learn and help us understand, and then help our broader communities understand what this complex work is really all about. I think it is a way to exemplify and illustrate things that we cannot convey in a lesson plan, things you cannot convey in a standard, things that you cannot even sometimes convey in a book of pedagogy. Alrighty, everybody, have a great weekend. I'll see you later. [Every classroom could look like that] Bill Gates: One day, we'd like every classroom in America to look something like that. But we still have more work to do. Diagnosing areas where a teacher needs to improve is only half the battle. We also have to give them the tools they need to act on the diagnosis. If you learn that you need to improve the way you teach fractions, you should be able to watch a video So building this complete teacher feedback and improvement system won't be easy. For example, I know some teachers aren't immediately comfortable with the idea of a camera in the classroom. That's understandable, but our experience with MET suggests that if teachers manage the process, if they collect video in their own classrooms, and they pick the lessons they want to submit, a lot of them will be eager to participate. Building this system will also require a considerable investment. Our foundation estimates that it could cost up to five billion dollars. Now that's a big number, but to put it in perspective, it's less than two percent of what we spend every year on teacher salaries. The impact for teachers would be phenomenal. We would finally have a way to give them feedback, as well as the means to act on it. But this system would have an even more important benefit for our country. It would put us on a path to making sure all our students get a great education, find a career that's fulfilling and rewarding, and have a chance to live out their dreams. This wouldn't just make us a more successful country. It would also make us a more fair and just one, too. I'm excited about the opportunity to give all our teachers the support they want and deserve. I hope you are too. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
ドキュン共に制裁するべく攻撃を開始する。ドキュン、囲まれる前は倒す。だが、竜ドキュンの剣の間合いは長いし、炎ドキュンは火炎魔法を発動させていてうかつに近づけない。どう動くべきか? 考えている間にもドキュン共は近づいてくる。「お姉様、援護します!」後方に隠れていたティムが魔法弾を放ってくれた。唸りをあげて魔法弾が直進していき、ドキュン共の足元を脅かす。「ちっ。カミーラの奴、後方に待機してやがったぞ」「変ですね。魔力は感知しませんでした」ティムの魔法弾の嵐にドキュン共が防御の姿勢に変ずる。奴らも初期魔法とはいえ、あれだけティムに魔法弾を浴びせられたらうかつに動けまい。今がチャンスだ! 俺はティムの魔法弾でドキュン共の足が止まっているうちに間合いをつめ、ヌンチャクを竜ドキュンの腕めがけて振り下ろした。「ぎ、ぎゃああ! う、腕がぁ――っ!」俺のヌンチャクは見事に竜ドキュンの腕を捉えた。竜ドキュンは叫び声を上げ、地面を転がりのたうち回る。いやいやいや、さすがに痛がりすぎだろ! いくらが魔法付与したからって竜人でしょ。みるからに硬い鱗をもっているじゃん。それともよく見ると顔は青白いし、ドキュンとはいえ虚弱体質でカルシウム不足なのかな? ――って、うおっ!? 竜ドキュンの腕が曲がってはいけない方向に曲がっている!? よくよく見てみれば竜ドキュンの腕度に折れ曲がっているのだ。の奴、ノミの心臓だけど支援魔法だけは得意なようだ。改めて手に持っているヌンチャクを見てみる。ヌンチャク全体をうっすらと魔法のオーラが包んでいるのが見えた。このオーラが竜人の鱗を貫いたのである。がまたバカな行為をしでかしたら、こいつをお見舞いしてやろうかと思っていた。だが、当てていたら竜ドキュンの腕は折れた骨が皮膚を突き破って白い骨が見えている。いわゆる複雑骨折というやつだ。竜ドキュンは脂汗をかき苦悶の表情を見せている。鎮静剤が必要な状態だ。ち、ちょっとやりすぎたかな? これは過剰防衛かも。竜ドキュンはどうみても全治三か月以上の重傷だ。とりあえず、これで手打ちにしよう。いくらドキュン相手といっても俺は犯罪者になる気は毛頭ない。今後、ティムに手を出さないと誓ってくれればいいのだ。「そ、その腕じゃあもう戦えないわね。退散するなら今の内よ」「はぁ、はぁ。き、貴様、ゆ、許さん。絶対に許さん。こ、このぉお、ふん!」竜ドキュンは怒りに満ちた目つきで俺を睨み、そしてあろうことか折れた自分の腕をみずから引きちぎったのだ。「えっ!?」な、なんで自分で腕をもぎ取っちゃうの? 病院に行けば済むことじゃない! いったい何を考えているのか......。竜ドキュンの腕はちぎられ肘から下が無くなってしまった。俺がその光景に呆然としていると竜ドキュンの身体がプルプル震え始めた。そして......。「うぉおお、だぁあ――っ!」でぇ――――ええ!? う、腕が生えちゃったよ。あんたどこかの大魔王ですか! はは、確かに病院に行くよりそのほうが早いよね。それとも、竜人特有の根性焼きみたいなものか? とにかくびびっては奴らの思う壺だ。動じていない。強者としての態度を見せねばならない。「へ、へぇ~驚いた。腕が再生するんだ。でも魔力までは元に戻らないみたいね」「邪神、よく見抜いてます。セイリュウの魔力は今のでがくっと下がりました」あっ、やっぱり! そうだよね。あんなすごい再生して魔力を使わないわけないよ。当てずっぽうだったけど強者のふりになったかな。「スザクどういうことだ! 俺の腕を折ったんだぞ。あれなどありえん」「......今見る万まで上がってます」「なっ!? それでは奴は三百から二十万まで上げたというのか!」「それもまだまだ上がりそうです。邪神は普段魔力を抑えているみたいです」「どうやらヒドラーが言っていた魔王並みとは眉唾じゃなさそうだな」このドキュン共の焦りよう。三人とも余裕が無くなり真剣な表情だ。ドキュン共は俺を魔王並の力と言って警戒している。魔王並みって、そこまで警戒されるのは想定外だが......。とにかく作戦通り俺を強者と勘違いしている。これは、降伏勧告のタイミングかもしれない。「あなた達、降参するなら今のうちよ」「だまれぇ! すぐに貴様裂きにしてやるからな」竜ドキュンが怒声を放つ。まだまだ戦闘意欲は十分にあるみたいだ。今にも俺に斬りかかってこようとしている。「セイリュウ落ち着け。後方にカミーラも控えている。スタンドプレイはよせ」「で、どうしますか? 先にカミーラを燃やしちゃいますか?」「いや、奴らはうまく連係してそれを阻止するだろう」「じゃあ、どうする?」	I commenced my attack to stop the gangsters. They numbered three, so I was going to defeat one of them before I was surrounded. But the range of Dragon gangster’s blade was long, and with Flame gangster’s flame magic, I couldn’t carelessly close the distance. How should I move? Even while I was thinking, the gangsters were getting closer. “Providing support, elder sister!” Timu, who had been hiding in the rear, fired her magic bullets. The buzzing magic bullets flew right ahead, and threatened the gangsters near their feet. “Tsk. Damned Camilla. So she was hiding in the back.” “It’s strange, isn’t it. I couldn’t sense her mana.” In the face of Timu’s torrent of bullets, the gangsters all went on the defensive. Though only elementary magic, with that many of Timu’s bullets raining down, the gangsters couldn’t move. It’s my chance. While Timu was stopping the gangsters with her magic bullets, I closed the distance and swung down my nunchaku at the Dragon gangster’s arm. “G-, GYAHHHH! M-, MY ARMMMMMMM!” My nunchaku struck him splendidly on the arm, and the Dragon gangster screamed and fell to the ground, writhing. Whoa, whoa, whoa, aren’t you being a little dramatic! Even if Loser (Bizef) gave it a magic enchantment, you’re still a dragonoid, aren’t you. I mean he clearly had hard scales. And also, now that I looked carefully, he was pale too. Although he’s a gangster, could it be that he’s calcium deficient with a weak constitution? ―wai-, whoa!? Dragon gangster’s arm is bent the wrong way!? Looking carefully, it’s a degree angle. Even though he’s a loser, Bizef gets the job done just fine, huh. Just how far did he enchant this if it’s got enough power to break a dragonoid’s arm? Damn Loser (Bizef). He has the heart of a flea, but it looks like just his support magic is good. I looked down at the nunchaku again. I could see it completely wrapped in a faint magical aura. And this aura worked on the scales of a dragonoid. If Pervert (Nielsen) did something stupid again, I was planning on fixing him up with this. Thank goodness I didn’t, because he would’ve died. I could see Dragon gangster’s white bone sticking out of his broken arm. A so-called compound fracture. Guess it really does hurt, huh. Dragon gangster was down with a cold sweat, and there was an expression of anguish on his face. It’s bad enough that he needs painkillers. D-, Did I overdo it a little? This might be excessive self-defence. No matter how I look at it, that’s going to take more than three months to heal. For now, let’s try and end it here. Even if they’re gangsters, I have absolutely no intention of becoming a criminal. As long as they swear not to touch Timu, it’s fine. “W-, With an arm like that, it doesn’t seem like you can fight, huh. If you’re going to run, now’s the time.” “Hahh, hahh. B-, B̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲. Unforgivable. Absolutely unforgivable. Y-, YOUU, HMPH!” Dragon gangster glared at me with eyes filled with rage, before tearing his broken arm off of all things. “Eh-!?” W-, Why did he pull his arm off? That’s not something you can fix by going to hospital! What on earth is he thinking... Dragon gangster was missing everything below the elbow now. While I was dumbfounded by the scene, Dragon gangsters began to tremble. And then... “UOOHHHHHH, DAAAAAAAAH!” Deh―― EHH!? H-, He grew an arm. Are you a Great Demon King or something! Haha, it’s true that this was faster than going to a hospital. Or could it be like some test of guts for the dragonoids? Anyway, being shocked at this is just what they want. I won’t be perturbed. I need to show the attitude of the strong. “H-, Hmm~ I’m surprised. So you can regenerate your arm. But it looks like it won’t recover your mana.” “So you saw through it, Evil God. Yes, Seiryuu’s mana has now greatly fallen.” Ah-, I knew it! Of course. There’s no way such an amazing recovery ability wouldn’t use mana. I was just guessing, but I wonder if I managed to act like a powerful person. “What the hell, Suzaku! My arm broke, yanno. There’s no way that’s .” “...At present, it appears to have risen to 0,000.” “Wha-!? Are you trying to say that they rose from 300 to 200,000!?” “On top of that, it looks to still be rising. It appears that the Evil God normally suppresses her mana.” “Seems that it wasn’t a lie when Hidler said she was Demon King-tier, huh.” It looks like the gangsters lost their composure. Their relaxed expressions turned into serious ones, and they talked about how I was Demon King-tier while watching me vigilantly. Demon King-tier? It’s surprising that they’d be this wary of me, but... Anyway, they mistook me for somebody strong, just according to plan. This might be the right time to encourage them to surrender. “If you guys are going to surrender, now’s the time.” “SHADDAP! We’re gonna rip you to shreds.” Dragon gangster bellowed at me. It seems that he was still quite eager to fight, because he looked ready to come slashing at me any moment. “Settle yourself, Seiryuu. Camilla lies in wait. Desist from charging in alone.” “Well? What will we do? Should I burn Camilla first?” “Nah, they’d probably work together to stop you.” “Well then, what will we do?”	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 10, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
これはひとつの戦略と言えるが、しかしフェアトレードには有利な点がある。栽培家は味、育て方ともに消費者の気に入る製品を提供しなければならないことを認識している。彼らの製品が良く売れれば、彼らは世界中でひっぱりだこになる製品を作り出したことに誇りが持てるようになる。農家の観点から言えば、フェアトレード製品を売ることでプレミアムがつくことは、働いても働かなくても、また、製品の質にも関係なくもらえる慈善の施しよりもむしろ望ましいといえよう。	If their product sells well, they can take pride in having produced something that is sought after around the world. From the growers’ perspective, receiving a premium by selling a Fairtrade product is preferable to receiving a charitable handout that they would get whether they worked or not and regardless of the quality of what they produce.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
中国では、ますます拡大する国内の経済格差や、隠れてはいるが大規模な地方の失業率など、明らかに政治不安が資本家に背を向けさせている。そして、台湾に関する激論を重ねた今、中国の不安定な財政システムと貿易制裁の見通しとを見れば､人民元は常に一方的な賭けができるわけではないことも明らかである。	Considering China’s huge and growing income inequalities, and its massive disguised rural unemployment, it is easy to imagine a period of political instability that sends investors heading for the exits. Mix in China’s shaky financial system and the prospect of trade sanctions after an altercation over, say, Taiwan, and it is clear that the Yuan might not always be a one-way bet.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
自身の破壊の猛威を自ら受け止め、邪竜は崩落した岩に押し倒されていた。「ライエル、レイド! 今!」「応!」間髪置かず、突撃を敢行するライエル。その姿はまさに、絵物語の英雄そのものだ。だがそれに見惚れている余裕は無い。俺もすかさず糸を飛ばす。飛ばす先はライエル――いや、奴の持つ聖剣に。ライエルの動きを受けて、邪竜は大きく息を吸い込んだ。岩が邪魔で、手足も尻尾も使えないと判断したからだ。ブレスで迎撃する。その判断は実に正しいだろう。「マクスウェル、風! マリアも!」「承知!」続いて飛んだ指示にマクスウェルが応える。強力な風をガドルスに向けて放ち、ライエルを追う彼が加速する。ドワーフであるガドルスは足が遅い。それを補うための措置だ。間一髪でガドルスがライエルを追い抜き、盾を掲げて防御の態勢を取った。はその熱波を掻き分けながら、前に進む。後ろにいる俺達もマリアの障壁によって守られていた。マクスウェルの風が封じられてしまうが、このブレスさえ守れれば問題はない。現にマクスウェルは次の魔法の詠唱に入っている。ブレスとは吐息だ。つまり息を吐くという行動による付加効果に過ぎない。そして生物は、息を吐き続ける事は、決してできない。時間にし秒程度か。ついに邪竜のブレスは止まった。その間隙を縫って再度突撃するライエル。「うおおおおおぉぉぉぉぉぉぉぉぉおおおああああああああ!!」絶叫と共に、構えた剣を身体ごと突き立てる。鋭利な切っ先が鋼鉄よりも硬い鱗を絶ち割り、肉に食い込む。しかし、それでも浅い。奴の剣も刃渡りは短い方ではないのだが、巨体を支える邪竜の筋肉を貫き切るほどではない。骨を削り、刃は止まる。致命傷には程遠い。だがそこへ、コルティナの最後の指示が飛ばされる。「マクスウェル!」の九、紺碧の九! 普段ではありえないほどの高位の魔力を籠め、マクスウェルの雷撃魔法が解き放たれる。本来指向性を持たせ敵にぶつける雷撃の魔法だが、この魔法は威力だけに全てを注力し、周辺に破壊を撒き散らす魔法だ。この魔法に触れるだけで人の身体は弾け飛んでしまう。しかしこの魔法でも、絶大な防御力を持つ邪竜の鱗は貫けないだろう――本来ならば。だが今は、奴の身体にはライエルの聖剣が突き刺さっている。とっさに糸を放す俺と、剣を捨てて身を伏せるライエル。マクスウェルの雷撃魔法は周囲に拡散し、壁際に張り巡らされた俺の糸に流れ込む。世界最強の幻獣とは言え、生物である事には変わりない。その内臓は電気信号によって動かされる。「......たとえ邪竜でも――耐えられはしない」そのつぶやき通り、生物である以上、体内に直接電気を流されて無事で済むはずがない。全身を硬直させ、岩塊の下で痙攣する邪竜。やがてボンと低い炸裂音を発し、その身体が一回り膨れ上がる。恐らく体内の可燃物に引火したのだろう。あれだけ高温のブレスを吐くのだから、それなりの『燃料』を抱え込んでいたはずだ。そこへ雷を流し込まれれば、爆発もする。目と口から火炎放射のように炎を吐き出し、やがて邪竜はその動きを止めたのだった。邪竜のそばで身を伏せていたライエルが起き上がり、そう呟いた。誰もが自分達が成した事が信じられないでいた。国すら滅ぼす邪竜を、たっで討ち滅ぼしたのだ。作戦を立てたコルティナすら、その事実をいまだ信じられずにいる。だが、目の前で邪竜が倒れている。内臓を焼き尽くされ、翼を切り取られ、岩に押し倒されたまま――息絶えていた。「は、はは......やった......やったぞ、コラァ!」俺は歓喜を押さえられず、拳を振り上げた。その俺に珍しくコルティナが抱き着いてくる。「やった! やったよレイド! 私達、コルキスを倒したんだ!」「ああ、やったぜ! よくやってくれたな、ティナ!」愛称を呼んで、俺達は抱き合い、お互いを振り回しあう。そんな中、マリアはライエルとガドルスの元に駆け寄り、その傷を癒していた。実に気の利く神官である。さすが聖女様だ。こうして、邪竜コルキスは討伐され、俺達は伝説になったのだ。	In the wake of its rampage, the Evil Dragon was crushed by the collapsed rock. As the dragon’s heart, its vital point, approached the ground, Corinna quickly called out, “Lyell! Reid! Do it now!” “On it!” Lyell made a dash without delay. He was like a hero out of a storybook. I didn’t have the leeway to gaze at the captivating sight. I had to let loose some threads. They went to Lyell, not, they headed to his holy sword. In response to Lyell’s movements, the Evil Dragon took a deep breath. Judging his limbs were unusable under the collapsed rock, he’d intercept Lyell with his breath. That decision was not wrong, but... “Maxwell, wind! Maria too!” “Got it!” Maxwell immediately responded to the instructions. He shot a strong wind at Gadius, making him catch up to Lyell. This was to compensate for his slow speed since he’s a dwarf. Gadius quickly overtook Lyell and raised his shield in preparation. A scorching breath assaults him. Gadius pushes forward, pushing through the heat. In the back, we’re protected by Maria’s barrier. Maxwell’s wind blocked it off as well, protecting against the dragon breath wasn’t a problem. In fact, Maxwell was already preparing his next magic. The dragon breath is just a long breath. In other words, it’s only an additional effect on top of the act of exhaling. No living creature can keep exhaling forever. It only took about seconds before the Evil Dragon’s breath stopped. Lyell took advantage of that gap and charged ahead again. “AAAAAAAARGH!” Along with his scream, he held his sword up and thrust with all his strength. The sharp tip pierced through the scales and cut into its flesh. But it’s too shallow. His sword isn’t short, but it’s still not enough to pierce through the tough muscle holding up the Evil Dragon’s giant frame. The sword came to a stop after shaving off just a bit of bone, nowhere near a fatal wound. But at that, Cortina gave out her last command. “Maxwell!” “It’s all over now! Scarlet Nine, Olive Nine, Azure Nine! ThunderStorm!” With more magical power than usual, Maxwell set off his lightning magic. Normally he’d direct his attack to his opponent, but by focusing entirely on maximizing the power the destructive magic was scattering out. This magic was so powerful a person’s body might’ve exploded at the slightest contact. But even with that kind of power, the scales of this massive dragon would defend from its effects, under normal circumstances, that is. But currently, he’s pierced by Lyell’s holy sword, with my threads tangled around the holy sword. I let go of the threads and Lyell abandoned his sword. Maxwell’s lightning spell spread out and flew into my thread along the wall, it flows along the thread rushing to Lyell’s sword, the holy sword that pierced the scales and is stuck just above the dragon’s heart. Even though it’s the strongest monster in the world, it is still a living being. Its internal organs are driven by electrical signals, so what would happen if an ultra-high voltage lightning storm floods them. “...Even if it’s the Evil Dragon, it can’t withstand this,” mumbled Cortina. As she mumbled, a living being couldn’t possibly handle having electricity flow directly into their body. The Evil Dragon stiffened and convulsed under the rocks it was trapped under. Eventually, its body swelled with a low explosive sound, perhaps some combustible material inside the body was ignited. Because it breathes fire, it must have had a fuel source, if lightning sparks reached that source it’ll likely explode. The Evil Dragon stopped moving after flames erupted from it’s eyes and mouth. “Did, we win?” Muttered Lyell as he got up from the spot where he was lying face-down by the Evil Dragon. No one could believe what just happened. A group of six people defeated an Evil Dragon that destroyed a whole country. “We won?” Even Cortina who had planned the whole operation couldn’t believe it. But the fallen Evil Dragon lay before our very eyes. He had his organs burned out, his wings cut off, and was crushed under rocks, he was dead. “Hah... haha. We did it, we did it! Yea!” I couldn’t hold myself back and raised my fist in triumph. Unusually for her, Cortina reached out to embrace me. “We did it! We did it, Reid! We defeated Colchis!” “Yea, we did it! Well done Tina!” Calling each other by pet names, we hugged each other and swung around. Meanwhile, Maria rushed over to Lyell and Gadius to heal their wounds, ever the attentive priest. As expected of someone called a Saint. And with the subjugation of Evil Dragon Colchis, we became legends.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 13, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
小さな声で何かぶつぶつと言っているが、聞き取れなかった。「多分、一週間ぐらいで使えるようになると思うよ」「どうして分かるの?」「本に書いてあったんだよ。目にも魔力があるし......いきなりなくなったら、やっぱり使えなくなるんじゃない?」「レベルはそのまま?」「......それは僕にも分からない」もしレベルが落ちていたら、私、キャザー・リズの監視役を外されるわ。でも、まず一週間皆を魔法を使わずに騙せるかどうかよ。「ねぇ、じっちゃんは魔法は使えないの?」 ......そうだわ、ウィルおじいさんはシーカー家の人よね。でも魔法が使える様子はないし。国王様のお兄様で、貧困村にいて......ああ、謎は深まるばかりだわ。考えれば考えるほど頭がぐちゃぐちゃになるわ。「デュークなら知っているかもね」確かに、デューク様なら知っているかもしれないわ。「そうね、とりあえず、学園に行って今がどんな様子なのか確認したいわ」「は? 学園に行くの?」そんなに驚かれるとは思わなかったわ。でもまず、リズさんの今の状況を確認しないと。「ねぇ、その状態でキャザー・リズの監視役を続けられるの?」「ヘンリお兄様とお父様が物凄くギスギスしているのって本当?」ジルは小さくため息をついて諦めた表情を浮かべた。「そうだよ。ヘンリが一方的に嫌っている」「可哀想ね、お父様も」お父様は意味のない条件を娘に出した最低な父親っていうレッテルを貼られたのね。私の場合、お兄様全員から嫌われるのを狙っていたんだけど、ヘンリお兄様だけは違ったみたいだわ。ヘンリお兄様は妹思いのお兄様ね。......でも、最終そのお兄様ですら裏切るのよね、悪女は。「よし! 今から学園に行くわよ」「今から? もしかしてアーノルドに会わないつもり?」あら、すぐにばれてしまったわ。だって、会ったら確実に魔法のレベルテストさせられるもの。今の私の状態だったらまずいわ。もしかして結構親しくなったのかしら。「そうよ、一週間はお父様から逃げないと。とりあえず、すぐに着替えるから外で待ってて」「分かった......ねぇ、アリシアはなんで悪女になりたいの?」初めてそんな事を聞かれた。確かに普通の人からすれば素朴な疑問よね。悪女は私の憧れだけど、どうしてなりたいのかって聞かれると返答に困るわね。けど、なりたいのよね。 ......かっこいいからって答えはあまりにも稚拙よね。結構難しい質問だわ。私はとりあえず適当に思いついた答えを満面の笑みで言った。	He mutters to himself as he thinks, though his voice is so low that I can’t pick out any of the words. After a seemingly long while, his hand suddenly drops and he turns his gaze back to stare at me. “I think you should be able to use it again after about a week’s time,” he says very gently. “Why do you think that?” “I read it in a book once. That your eyes are one of the epicenters of your magic power.... so to suddenly lost one, it makes sense that it would be difficult to use magic for a while after that, right?” “Will my level stay the same?” “That... I don’t know,” Gilles says, a slightly troubled expression drifting onto his face. If my level did fall, then I’ll be removed from my position as Liz Cather’s monitor.... But, before I even worry about that, I need to be able to make it through this week without anyone discovering that I can’t use magic. “Hey... What about Gramps? Shouldn’t he be able to use magic?” Gilles asks with a strange expression on his face. .....Huh. That’s right. Grandpa Will belongs to the Seeker family. So of course he should be able to use magic. But he’s never shown any indication that he could before.... And if he could use magic, doesn’t that mean he could have left the impoverished village any time he wanted? So why would he stay? Or rather, why was he there in the first place? He’s part of the royal family! The king’s older brother! So why....? Ugh, I really don’t get it. His identity makes this whole situation just that much more confusing. The more I try to think about it, the more my mind feels like it’s running in never-ending circles. “Duke would probably know,” Gilles whispers expressionlessly. That’s true. If it’s Duke-Sama, he really might know. However, I don’t think he’d tell us even if he did. “Hmm. Well, there’s nothing much I can do for the time being. So, for now I’d like to go to the academy and verify what the situation is like there.” “Hah? You’re gonna go to the academy?” Gilles demands, his expression both surprised and confused. Hm, was that so unexpected? I didn’t think it would be that surprising of a decision. And here I was thinking that verifying Liz-san’s current state and circumstances was quite the logical first move. Evaluating your opponent’s strengths is a must. A villainess can’t allow herself to just dive in blind and bumble around. “Wait.... Do you seriously want to continue monitoring Liz Cather in your current state?” Gilles continues, incredulously. “......So is it true that Henry-Oniisama and Father aren’t speaking to each other at all?” I say, completely ignoring his question. Gilles lets out a little sigh as if he’s given up. “Yes. Henry one-sidedly hates him.” “Poor Father.” Henry-Oniisama doesn’t know anything about my role as Liz Cather’s monitor. So when he heard about those conditions that Father foisted upon me, of course he’d be mad. Even fully knowing the situation, Father’s conditions were nonsensical. And to force meaningless conditions on his daughter for no apparent reason.... In Henry-Oniisama’s eyes, Father must be a complete failure as a parent. Unfortunately, in my case, my goal is actually to be hated by all of my brothers, so this sort of response isn’t exactly ideal. But I guess it can’t be helped. Henry-Oniisama is just being a good big brother. It’s not a bad feeling, knowing he’s still on my side but.... I’d prefer it if he turned his back on me now rather than later. Since eventually.... he’s sure to betray me. It’s my fate as a villainess after all. “Alright! Let’s go to academy!” “Right now? No way.... Are you planning to avoid Arnold until your magic comes back?” Oof. He really hit the nail on the head with that one. I knew he’d eventually catch on, but I didn’t think I’d be seen through this quickly. But what other options do I have? If I see Father now, he’s sure to want to test my magical level right away. And that is not something that I can afford in my current state. Wait.... did he just call my father, Arnold? Just how close did those two get while I was gone? “Exactly. For the next week, I’ll just have to avoid him like the plague. I have no intention of seeing him until I get my magic back. But, anyway, I need to change, so please wait for me outside for a moment. I’ll be right out.” “Okay... But, first I have one last question. Why do you want to be a villainess so badly, Alicia?” That’s the first time anybody’s ever asked me that. Which is actually rather surprising. Any normal person would probably be wondering the same thing. But if I tell him that it’s because I admire villainesses, that probably won’t be enough. Merely admiring them is one thing, but wanting to become one is another thing entirely. So, if he once again asks me why, I don’t know what I’d say after that... But, I really do want to become one. ....They’re just so cool! However, I wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that as the reason. It sounds much too shallow and immature. It’s a reasonable question, but it’s hard to come up with a good answer. I’ve wanted to become one for so long, and never really tried to put my reason into words before. “Because it is my destiny,” I finally go with, smiling broadly in satisfaction. I think that answer should do for the present!	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 17, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
閉店後のアイヲンモール異世界店。のドラゴンはやや黒みがかった紅いウロコにおおわれている。もう一頭のドラゴンは深い青のウロコだ。クロエいわく、高位のアンデッドであるリッチのアンナさんより、バルベラよりも強大な魔力を持ったドラゴン。うはずもない相手に、普通なら絶望するところなんだろう。「......ん。パパ。ママ」固まる俺とクロエを振り返って、バルベラがドラゴンを指さした。「ふふ、ひさしぶりですね」アンナさんも知り合いらしい。二頭のドラゴンは、バルベラのご両親だそうだ。「夜でよかった。こんなの見られたらパニックになるところだった。アイヲンモール異世界店にますますお客さまが寄り付かなくなる」「こここれほど強大なドラゴンを前に冷静だなナオヤ!」「いやもう焦ってもどうしょうもないというか。俺は魔力を感じ取れないわけだし。ん? クロエは会ったことないのか?」「ナオヤさん、お二人が来るのは5年ぶりなんです。最後にこの地に来たのはアイヲンモールができる前ですから」強大な魔力の接近に警戒態勢に入ったスケルトン隊長とスケルトン部隊も解散して、通常の見まわりに戻っていった。ハートが強すぎる。心臓ないけど。着陸したドラゴンに、見た目10歳のバルベラがとてとて走って近づいていく。がすごい。ドラゴンさんはグルグル喉を鳴らしてらっしゃるし。バクッと食われないか心配になる」呆然と見つめる。バルベラがドラゴンに触れる前に、二頭のデカいドラゴンが光った。目をつぶる。「くっ、まぶしい! はっ! まさか私の目がくらんでいる間にナオヤは私を襲おうと! なんと卑劣なッ!」「そもそも俺が光らせたんじゃないわけだが。クロエもいつも通りで冷静だな」レッドブラウンの短髪を逆立てた紅目の男は30代ぐらいだろうか。身長は180cm半ばぐらい。体つきはマッチョで、気が強そうな顔立ちをしている。ダークブルーの長髪をなびかせる女性は20代後半に見える。 170cmぐらいかな? 女性にしては背が高い。にこやかに微笑む姿は優しそうだ。 ......そういえば、二人とも服を着てる。シンプルに布を巻き付けたようなアラビアンな感じの服。バルベラがドラゴンから人化する時は全裸なのは、まだ魔法的に未熟ってことなんだろうか。知らんけど。「人化できるんすね。よかったドラゴンのままなら夜のうちに帰ってもらわないといけないところだった」「なあナオヤ、冷静すぎないか? そりゃ私だってバルベラの変化は見ているが、普通のモンスターは人化できないんだぞ?」「クロエに突っ込まれた。いやほら異世界なんだしなんでもありかなあって」俺が知ってるドラゴンはバルベラだけで、そのバルベラは人化できるわけで。「元気だったかバルベラ? パパはもう心配で心配で」「もう、アナタったら。ママはバルベラちゃんが元気でやってるって信じてましたよ」抱きしめて頭を撫でて、近況を確かめる。ひさしぶりに会った親子のスキンシップは、人間もドラゴンも変わらないらしい。「......元気。紹介する」「むっ、なんだこの建物は? おおっ、ひさしぶりだなアンナ!」「ほらアナタ、先走らないでちゃんとバルベラの紹介を待ちなさい。初めての方もいるようですよ」バルベラは両親の間に入って、ぐいぐい手を引いてこっちに戻ってくる。「......クロエ。エルフ。元店長」「は、はじめましてドラゴンのお二方! 私の名前はクロエ・デュポワ・クリストフ・クローディーヌ・ヴェルトゥ・オンディーヌだ!」「ほう、ヴェルトゥの里のデュポワ一族の娘か」「あらあらあら。そう、あの子の娘なの。クローディーヌちゃんは元気かしら? そういえばヴェルトゥの里には200年ほど顔を出してないわねえ」バルベラの紹介にあわせてクロエが名乗る。くっそ長い名乗りを聞いて、バルベラの両親はクロエの出自を理解したようだ。「ジュゲムかいろは歌みたいな長い名乗りはこういうことね。わかる人にはわかると」「おおっ、母様と知り合いなのですね!」「なあクロエ、家出してたんじゃなかったか? いま母親の知り合いに居場所がバレたってことになると思うんだけど」「はっ! ドラゴンのお二方、その、ヴェルトゥの里に行かれる際はどうかこのクロエのことは内密にしていただきたく、えっと」「あらあら、ヤンチャをしたい盛りなのねえ。どうしようかしら」うふふ、と含むように笑うバルベラの母親。「......ナオヤ。人間。店長」バルベラはそんなクロエを無視して俺を紹介した。マイペースすぎる。「えーっと、谷口直也です。このアイヲンモール異世界店の店長をしています。バルベラさんは従業員としてよく働いてくれています」「まあ、ちゃんとお仕事してるのね! すごいじゃないバルベラちゃん!」「ほう、男だと? まさかバルベラ! この男にたぶらかされて人化しているわけではあるまいな! いかん、いかんぞ! まだバルベラは140歳の俺に近づいて、下から俺の目を覗き込んでくるバルベラの父親。圧がすごい。って。そりゃバルベラは見た目10歳だけど、実年齢140歳で幼子って。人間だったら死んでる。「いえ、その、バルベラは従業員でして。このアイヲンモール異世界店にいらっしゃるお客さまは人間が多くてですね、ドラゴン形態だと怖がられますので」「ほう? バルベラの小さな体やまだ短い尻尾や柔らかい爪や牙や真っ赤なウロコの可愛らしさがわからんと言うかッ! よかろうニンゲン、そこになおごふっ」「アナタ? ちょっと落ち着いてね?」けっこうな勢いで地面に叩き付けられたけど、何事もなかったように立ち上がる。ドラゴンこわい。「......ナオヤ。料理おいしい」「ほ、ほう、ナオヤとやらは料理でバルベラの気を引いたのか」「ふふ、バルベラちゃんは昔から食いしん坊だったものねえ」そうだよな、カツもハンバーグもビーフシチューも、カツサンドもハンバーガーもおいしいって言ってくれて、元気がないと「ビーフシチュー飲む?」って聞いてきてくれて、それどころかステーキとテイルスープのために自分の——あっ。「......アンナ、『治癒』してほしい」たらーっと額から汗が流れ落ちるのを感じる。バルベラがアンナさんにお尻を向ける。「バルベラちゃん? ケガしてないと思うんですけどどういう——あっ」アンナさんも気付いたんだろう。「どうしたバルベラ? 『治癒』ならこの私がするぞ? 聖騎士の! この私が!」クロエはわかってないらしい。「......ステーキとテイルスープ。食べさせたい」「おおっ、バルベラお気に入りの料理でパパを歓迎してくれるのか! パパはうれしいぞっ!」「まあ! ふふ、バルベラちゃんも成長してるのね。ステーキにテイルスープね、何のお肉を使うのかしら」バルベラの父親がデレデレ、母親がニコニコしている。料理名を聞いて、さすがのクロエも気付いたらしい。一回販売しただけで街でウワサになって行列ができた、アイヲンモール異世界店の名物。バルベラは、その二つを両親に振る舞いたいらしい。ドラゴンの肉。の尻尾を斬り落として調理した料理。「は、はは。これ俺、店長として15日目の営業を迎えられるかなあ」「だだだ大丈夫だろうナオヤ! バルベラ自身が言い出したことだし! だいたい私なんて精霊剣エペデュポワでアレしなければならないんだぞ! ドラゴンのお二方を前に!」「どどどどうしましょうナオヤさん。バルベラちゃん乗り気ですし。いえでもドラゴンは幻想種で魔力が満ちれば再生しますし『治癒』でも治るわけできっと問題はなくて、ご両親も優しい方ですし」夜空を見上げる。異世界の星は、キレイだった。	Episode -After closing, at the Aion Mall in the Otherworld Store, two dragons landed in the parking lot. One dragon was covered in slightly blackish-red scales. The other dragon had deep blue scales. According to Chloe, they were dragons with much greater magical power than Anna-san, the high-ranking undead, and even stronger than Barbera. Facing opponents that would be impossible to defeat, one would normally be in despair. “...Hmm. Papa. Mama.” Turning back to Chloe and me, Barbera pointed at the dragons. “Hehe, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” It seemed Anna-san also knew them. The two dragons were Barbera’s parents. “It’s good that it’s nighttime. If people saw this, they’d panic. It would make customers even more reluctant to visit the Aion Mall Otherworld Store.” “Naoya, to stay calm in front of such mighty dragons!” “Well, panicking won’t help. Besides, I can’t sense magical power. Huh? Chloe, haven’t you met them before?” “Naoya-san, it’s been five years since they last came. The last time they were in this area was before Aion Mall was established.” Instead of Chloe, who was shaking, Anna-san calmly provided the information. Her subordinates, the undead, seemed to have met them before. The Skeleton Captain and Skeleton Unit, who had gone on high alert due to the approach of immense magical power, returned to their usual patrol mode. Too strong-hearted, though they didn’t have hearts. Barbera, who appeared to be years old, ran towards the landed dragons. “The scene is incredible. The dragons are rumbling their throats in circles. I’m worried they might gulp her down with a ‘Baku.'” We stared in amazement. Before Barbera could touch the dragons, the two large dragons emitted light. I closed my eyes. “Ah, it’s dazzling! Ha! While my eyes were dazzled, Naoya was planning to attack me! How despicable!” “I didn’t cause the light in the first place. Chloe, you’re as composed as usual.” The man with short red-brown hair and raised crimson eyes seemed to be in his thirties. He was around cm tall. With a muscular build and a strong-looking face, he exuded an air of strength. The woman, with long flowing dark blue hair, appeared to be in her late twenties. She was around 70 cm tall. Tall for a woman. Her smiling face seemed gentle. By the way, both of them are wearing clothes. Simple Arabian-style garments that look like wrapped fabric. I wonder if Barbera being naked when transforming from a dragon to a human is because she’s magically immature. I don’t know. “You can transform. It’s a relief; otherwise, you’d have to go back during the night if you remained in dragon form.” “Hey, Naoya, aren’t you too calm? Sure, I’ve seen Barbera’s transformation, but ordinary monsters can’t transform, you know?” “Chloe pointed that out. Well, it’s another world, so anything goes, I guess.” The only dragon I know is Barbera, and she can transform into a human. I wouldn’t be surprised if other dragons did the same. I don’t understand their norms yet. “Are you doing well, Barbera? Papa was so worried.” “Oh, you’re such a worrywart. Mama believed that Barbera-chan was doing well.” Hugging and patting her head, they checked on each other’s well-being. The parent-child interaction after a long time seemed unchanged for both humans and dragons. It was surprising to see the seemingly tough man smiling affectionately. “...I’m doing well. Let me introduce you.” “Hmm, what’s this building? Oh, long time no see, Anna!” “Come on, dear. Don’t get ahead of yourself. Wait for Barbera-chan’s introduction. There seem to be newcomers.” Between her parents, Barbera returns, pulling me with her. “...Chloe. Elf. Former shop manager.” “N-nice to meet you, the couple Dragon! My name is Chloe Dupois Christoph Claudine Vertou Ondine !” “Oh, you’re the daughter of the Dupois clan from Vertu Village.” “Ahaha, of course, you are their child. Is Claudine-chan doing well? By the way, I haven’t visited Vertu Village in about 200 years.” Along with Barbera’s introduction, Chloe introduces herself. Hearing the excessively long introduction, Barbera’s parents seem to understand Chloe’s background. Moreover, it seems Chloe’s mother is acquainted with them. Also, their sense of time is strange. If they were human, they’d be dead already. “Man, the long a** Introduction like Jugemu-jugemu is normal around here, huh? Understandable to those who understand.” “Oh, Mother is acquainted with you!” “Hey, Chloe, weren’t you supposed to be running away from home? If your mother’s acquaintances find out where you are, won’t you be in trouble?” “Oh My-! Dear respectful Dragon couple, please, um, when you go to Vertu Village, could you please keep Chloe’s situation confidential, and, um...” “Oh dear, she’s in her rebellious phase. What should we do?” Barbera’s mother laughs as if to include it. Chloe sweats profusely, her eyes swimming. “...Naoya. Human. Shop manager.” Ignoring Chloe, Barbera introduced me. She’s too laid back. “Well, I’m Naoya Taniguchi. I’m the shop manager of this Aion Mall Otherworld Store. Barbera-san works here as an employee.” “Well, you’re working properly! Good for you, Barbera-chan!” “Hmm, he’s a man? Barbera, don’t tell me you’re transforming into a human because you’re being deceived by this man! No, no! Barbera is still a 140-year-old child!” Barbera’s father approached me, peeking into my eyes from below. The pressure was incredible. Also, their sense of time is definitely off. A child at 140 years old. Barbera may look 10, but calling her a child at 140 is something. If she were human, she’d be long dead already. “No, um, Barbera is an employee. You see, many of our customers here at Aion Mall Otherworld Store are humans, and if she’s in dragon form, they find it intimidating.” “Oh? They can’t appreciate the cuteness of Barbera’s small body, short tail, soft claws, fangs, and bright red scales? Very well, humans, have it your way!” “Dear, calm down, will you?” Barbera’s father, who passionately spoke to me, was blown away by her mother’s belly pat. He hit the ground with considerable force but got up as if nothing had happened. Dragons are scary. “...Naoya. Delicious food.” “Oh, Naoya managed to catch Barbera’s attention with his cooking.” “Hehe, Barbera-chan has always been a glutton.” Even Barbera’s brief words seem to communicate well with her parents. Indeed, Barbera has always been attracted to delicious food. Yes, whether it’s cutlets, hamburgers, beef stew, or steak, she always said they were delicious. When she was feeling down, she’d ask, “Do you want to eat beef stew?” And not only that, she even offered her own— “...Anna, I want you to ‘Heal’ me.” I feel a trickle of sweat running down my forehead. Barbera turns her backside to Anna. “Barbera-chan? I don’t think you’re injured, what—” Anna seems to have noticed too. Like me, she sweats and then meets my eyes. “What’s wrong, Barbera? If it’s ‘Heal,’ I can do it! The Holy Knight! Me!” It seems Chloe doesn’t understand. It’s enviable that the dense and clueless knight doesn’t get it. “...Steak and Tail Soup. Want to feed.” “Oh, Barbera is welcoming Papa with her favorite dish! Papa is delighted!” “Oh my! Hehe, Barbera-chan, you’ve grown. Steak and Tail Soup, huh? I wonder what kind of meat she’ll use.” Barbera’s father is thrilled, her mother is smiling. After hearing the names of the dishes, even Chloe seems to have realized. She drips with sweat and looks at me. The specialty of the Aion Mall Otherworld Store that caused a buzz in town with long queues after just one sale. It seems Barbera wants to treat her parents to these two dishes. Dragon meat. Dishes made from the tail of the Dragon-form Bar-be-ra herself. “Haha, can I survive as the store manager for the 15th day?” “Don’t worry, Naoya! Barbera suggested it herself! Besides, I have to do that with the Spirit Sword Epée Dupois! In front of the dragon couple!” “What should we do, Naoya-san? Barbera-chan seems eager. But dragons are magical creatures, and with magic or ‘Heal,’ they should regenerate. I think there shouldn’t be any problems. Besides, her parents seems kind.” I look up at the night sky. The stars of the other world were beautiful.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 3, "inserted_lines_src": 20, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
じゃぼじゃぼじゃぼじゃぼーっと東西南北の獅子をかたどった彫像の口から勢い良くお湯が噴き出している。どーしてこうなった・・・? の名前の通り雪のように白いけど血色のある肌と――キャラクターメイキングでこの肌色を調節するのは結構大変だったよ――細い姿態に視線を落としながら、ボクは目覚めて何度目になるかわからない自問をした。真っ直ぐ玉座の間に向かうのかと思っていたら連れてこられたのはこの浴室だった。最初わからなかったよ。だいたい廊下の幅とか長さとか細かな意匠とか、ゲーム見たのと比べ何倍あるんだよって違いがあって、デザイン自体は確かに見覚えがあるのに、とにかく『せいぜい学校位の大きさ』と思ってたこの城の規模と豪華さが『ヴェルサイユ宮殿が犬小屋に見える豪華さで、23区がスッポリ入る』バカみたいな広さなんだ。そんなもんだから連れて来られた先が玉座の間だか浴室だかわからず、唖然としているうちになんでも「長いこと眠っていたので入浴とお着替えが必要でしょう」ってのことだけど、そーいう気遣いは先に言ってよ! 本人にわからない気遣いは気遣いじゃないんだからさ! と叫びたい所だけど、怖いのでもちろん口が裂けても言えない。「――そうであるな。久々に命の洗濯といこうか」チキンな内心を押し隠してお風呂――と言っても大理石をふんだんに使った『どこの神殿?』という感じの白亜の殿堂――へ足を踏み入れ......ようとしたところで、ついに我慢ならなくなってボクは振り返って訊いた。「・・・なんで付いてくるの?!」は、一瞬きょとんとした表情を浮かべて、全裸のまままったく悪びれることなく、なにひとつ隠すことなく当たり前のように答えた。「無論、姫の入浴のお手伝いでございますが?」「.........」 ......いや。なんとなくはわかってたんだ。ボクが脱がされてる間に隅の方でガサゴソやってたし、全裸のまま命都の隣に待機してて、ボクが歩き出したら後を付いて来るし。だけど普通ないでしょう?! 侍女か命都が入浴に付いて来るのはまだわかるよっ。だけど普通に年端も行かない見た目の少女(ボクというか緋雪のことだよ!)の入浴に、筋骨逞しい青年が付いてくるなんてあり得ないでしょう?! アグネスさんじゃなくても、どっかでストップがかかると思ってたんだよ! 「・・・いや、いらないから。てゆーか、恥ずかしいし」ぶっきらぼうにそう答えると、天涯はからからと笑った。「はっはっはっ、なにをいまさら。姫と入浴するなど毎日の儀式のようなものではありませぬか」そりゃアンタが龍形態だったからでしょうが! それにここのお湯は1分間浸かると30分間毎秒HPの3%の自動回復効果と全属性抵抗値の15%上昇効果があるから、戦闘に行く前にと思いっきり地団太踏んで騒ぎたいところだけど、どーせ言っても無駄なんだろうな~。てか下手に逆切れして、それに逆切れで返されたら死ぬし。「ささ、いつまでも脱衣所にいてはお体が冷えますので、浴室の方へどうぞ」どーしたもんかと思っているうちに、天涯に肩をつかまれ――うわわわっ。自分以外の他人の肌の感覚をもろに受けて全身が痺れ......というか腰が抜けそうになり――そのまま湯船の方へエスコートされる。「それでは失礼いたしまして――」ボクを湯船の階段状になったところへ座らせ、存在するだけで失礼な全裸男が片膝を付き――なるべく見ないようにしてたんだけど、なにあのサイズ。ビール瓶?――かけ湯をして、さらに両手に何かのボトルの中身を振り掛け、泡立てると・・・ああ、ボディソープね。タオルやスポンジは肌を痛めるから掌で洗うのが一番良いんだよねー・・・。ぼんやりと現実逃避をしていたが、ぴとっと掌が体に当たった瞬間、「あひゃ......!!」思わず嬌声をあげたが、天涯はガン無視で「どこか痒いところなどございませんか姫?」などと気楽に訊いてくる。そんな感じで髪の先端から爪先、果てはおへその穴やまだボクも内部を確認していない部分まで、余すところなくこねくり回され、終わった時にはなんかレイプ被害者になった気分で、思わず湯船の中でさめざめと泣いてしまった。その後、ふらふらしながら浴室を出て、待ち構えていた命都の手で先ほどのドレスと似たデザインながら、さらにスカートの幅が広いドレスに着替えさせられ、今度こそボクたちは玉座の間へと向かったのだった。	―Hot water spews vigorously from the mouth of the lion statue at the four cardinal points. How did it come to this...? Within the cloud of steam, sitting down on the stepped marble at the edge of the bath, I submerged into the hot water until my waist level. Well, to talk about myself... my skin is white yet complex (It was pretty hard to adjust this skin color during character creation!), the same as yuki (snow) from my name, Hiyuki (Scarlet Snow). While dropping my line of sight on this slender figure, I realize that I was asking a question to myself an unknown number of times. Back then I thought that I was going straight into the throne room, but instead I was brought into the bathroom. At first I was not able to comprehend it. The hallway width, the length, the details of design; they differ greatly compared to what was inside the game, although there is a resemblance in design. Anyway, I thought ‘The size at best is about the size of a school’, but the scale of this castle is splendorous to the extent that it made the Palace of Versailles looks like a dog house and it easily fit into wards. Therefore, since I was brought over here earlier, I was unable to grasp this place is the throne room or the bath. While I stood dumbfounded, Mikoto stripped me nude in the blink of eye (The top and bottom underwear, my final line of defense was easily slipped off eh.. unlike in the game) and guided me into the bath. Somehow after all of that she said, “Since princess had been a long sleep, you need take a bath and change your clothes right?” ―However.. you should consider saying it earlier! You don’t know how to be considerate at all! That was what I wanted to shout on the spot, but it’s scary to mess with her so of course I wouldn’t say it no matter what. “―That’s right. It’s time to relax myself after such a long time huh?” To conceal my fearful mind, I walked toward the bath (Although I called that, the white hall made me think ‘What kind of temple is this?’ since it used a plentiful of marble) by myself alone... well I tried to, but finally my patience was at its limit so I turned around and asked a question. “...Why did you come along too?!” The person in question ― or more precisely this Tengai dragon, for a moment made a blank expression, being completely nude without being embarrassed, he replied honestly. “Of course, to help you bathe, Princess?” “......” ...Well... for some reason I knew it. While I was being stripped, there was an additional rustle sound to the side. Then he appeared standing by Mikoto completely nude, and when I walked out, he came to accompany me. But it isn’t normal right?! I still understand if a Maid or Mikoto accompanied me to the bath. However, normally when a very young girl (Not me, I’m talking about Hiyuki!) goes to a bath, something like a young, muscular man accompanying her is improbable right?! Even if I am not Agnes, I am sure she will say ‘stop’ somewhere! “...No, I don’t need you. I mean, it’s embarrassing!” After I bluntly reply like that, Tengai laughs out loud. “Hahaha, what is it now at this late hour? Isn’t bathing with Princess a daily ritual?” That was when you were in the dragon form! Besides, it was because soaking in the hot water here for minute gave a % auto HP recovery bonus, and a % all elemental resistance bonus for minutes, and I just bring in pets with me before going to battle!! I want to make some noises by stamping my feet as hard as I can, but no matter what it’s pointless right~. How should I put it, it was an anger toward a humble act. Besides, if he gets angry at me, I will die. “Come come, taking forever in this dressing room will make your body cold, please make your way toward the bathroom.” While wondering what I should do, my shoulder was pushed by Tengai. Uwaaaah. When I felt his skin on my shoulder, my whole body went numb...or rather my hips seemed to become looser. Remaining like that, I was escorted toward the bath. “Well then, excuse me for being rude―” I finally sit down on the steps of the bath. The only other one who is present is the rude naked man knelling down in the hot water. Although I want to avoid seeing it as much as possible, what is with that size, is it a beer bottle? Furthermore he is shaking some bottle filled with something with both hands, and it’s foaming... aah, it’s body soap. Since a bath towel with soap could damage my skin, washing with your palms is the best right~... As I absent-mindedly escaped from reality, the moment when his hand touch my body, “Aahyaa...!!” Although I reflexively raised my lovely voice, Tengai just care-freely asked, “Are there any itchy places, Princess?” with an ignorant face. That feeling from the end of my hair to the tip of my toes, on top of that my belly button and up to the interior part that even I still haven’t checked yet, all of it was being kneaded thoroughly. In the end I feel like I became a r̲a̲pe̲ victim. Unconsciously, I finally sob inside the bath. After I leave the bathroom feeling dizzy, Mikoto was there waiting for me. In her hand, there’s a dress with similar design from the dress earlier, even so the skirt is more spacious. She made me wear it. Finally, this time we faced toward the throne room.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 4, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
その日、常闇に包まれた虚空紅玉城は100年ぶりに沸き立っていた。 ――帰って来たのだっ。我ら臣民が敬愛する神に等しい至上の主が! ――還って来たのだっ。我らの血肉魂魄を捧げるあの尊き永遠の美姫が!! ――戻ってきたのだっ。我らが魔の王国『インペリアル・クリムゾン』に再び栄光と戦いの日々が!!! ◆◇◆◇ ボクはいろいろと後悔していた。・・・なんでこんな趣味に走っちゃたんだろう。』――MOB・プレーヤー関係なく対象に使用することで攻撃の意思をなくすことが出来る(対象とのレベル差により成功率は変動)――がMOBの捕獲確率にも影響があることがわかって、調子に乗ってゲーム内の捕獲可能MOBをコンプリートしたり。次に、ちらっとボクは玉座の隣に控えるメイド姿の最初にやったガチャで運良くついうっかりギルチャ(ギルド・チャット)で、課金で限界まで増やした個人倉庫の枠からもで、古代機械文明の名残という『廃棄庭園』のMOBがたまにドロップする『空中庭園』の設計図の破片36枚をいつの間にか全部集めて復元していて。そこからさらに必要な材料――それこそカンスト組が10人くらいで行かないと途中で全滅するという『次元迷宮』のボスやMOB、宝箱や鉱物から数%の確率でしかドロップしない激レアな材料20種類を集めることになり――それが1種類に付き50個とかいうマゾ仕様だよ! 自分の為ということで、この辺りでボクも参加して材料を集めて、それを世界各地に点在する機械職人や錬金術師、仙人のところに持って行き、そこでおつかいクエストをさせられたりして、やっと材料を加工してもらい、たまに加工に失敗してまた材料を取りに行ったりと・・・ええ、ボクも途中から楽しんでたしムキになってたのは否定しませんよ。で、やっとこすっとこ空中庭園が完成したのが4ヵ月後だよ! 自慢じゃないけど、ボクがいたギルド猫の足音』は全員三次転生カンスト済で、特別称号である『爵位』を持っていたのも5人もいるというサーバ内でも知らないものが居ないくらいの高レベル。だってのに、それが4ヶ月! ・・・まあ皆良い暇つぶしになったってギルメンは喜んでたし、転移魔方陣から浮き上がった島に転移した時は正直ボクも感無量だったよ。隣でギルメンが「バルス!」「バルスッ!」ってバルス砲を連発してたのと、気がついたら運営から『空中庭園』最初の保持者ということで、『』なんていう恥ずかしい称号が贈られ、爵位持ちになって、世界チャットで流されたのが「なにこの公開レイプ?!」って感じでアレだったけど・・・。さらにその後調子に乗ったギルメンによって島は暗黒の城塞都市へと変貌し――そういういうのが好きな職人が好き勝手に魔改造したからねえ。ボクとしては島に専用倉庫を置けて、お陰で倉庫枠がトータルで2,000個近くになったということで他の事は割りとどーでも良かったし、その上、島や城内のあちこちに捕獲したうん、タイムマシンがあったら当時のボクに文句を言いたい。こうなるとわかってたら絶対に高レベルモンスターやダンジョンボス級モンスターは集めなかったのに――――っ!!! 玉座――課金家具アイテムの『覇王の玉座』という黄金と宝石で飾り立てられた派手なそれ――に腰を下ろしたまま、冷や汗を流しっ放しで、目の前にずらりと並んで跪拝するモンスター軍団を眺めながら、ボクは内心絶叫していた。と、ちょんちょん腕の辺りに合図を送られ、見ると・・・どーしよ。なんか偉そうに演説したほうが良いのかな? でもボクそんな語彙ないし、てゆーか、さっさと切り上げて頭から布団かぶって寝たい。いいや、もう適当で・・・「――皆の者、大儀である!!」あれ? 日本語の使い方間違ってないかな??? に頭を下げるモンスターたち。中には勢いを付けすぎて床に頭をぶつけて床にヒビを入れてるのまでいる。・・・この建物って破壊不能アイテムのはずだったんだけど、アレって後で修理できるのかなぁ。どうでもいいことを思ってたが、天涯がそんなモンスターたちを見渡し、満足そうに口を開いた。「姫のご尊顔を拝す栄誉を与えるっ。皆の者、面を上げよっ!」途端にこれまた一糸乱れることなく、ばっと顔を上げるモンスターたち。うわわわわわわわわわっ。こ、怖~~~~~っ!!! 面影はあるし思い入れもあるんだけど、なんてーの......熊のヌイグルミと正面から対峙したグリズリーの違い? の後をちょこちょこ付いてきて可愛かったあいつらが、どれもこれも夜道で逢ったら絶叫して気絶する迫力だよ。おまけに―― ボクは試しにこの中では比較的初期能力値が低い鬼眼法師のステータスを見てみた。種族:鬼眼大僧正名前: HP:6,255,000 MP:7,780,000 「.........」これでも雑魚の方で、残りはほとんどBOSS級のモンスターばかりだよ。そう思うんだけど、なんか知らないけど皆でボクをガン見して、「おおお、姫様だ」「本当にお戻りになられたのだな」「お変わりなく麗しい」「なんという眼福」「再びお目にかかることができるとは」感無量という感じで、中には実際に泣き出している奴らまでいる。と、玉座の左側に立っていた暗黒騎士のが、手にしていた槍の石突をがしゃん!と床に落とし、さらにその隣に立っていた九尾の妖狐である「御主ら栄えある円卓の魔将であろうに、まるで子供にようにだらしのない。姫様の御前であるぞよ、少しはシャンとせぬか」その言葉にまたその場に緊張感が増した。・・・いやいや、けっこう場がほっこりしてて、ボク的には少しは緊張がほぐれ掛けてたんですけど! 「それでは諸君、栄えある円卓の玉座に我らが至高の主上がお戻りになられた。これをもって長き雌伏の時を終え、地上にある全ての愚民どもに我らが王国『インペリアル・クリムゾン』の威光と栄誉を再び知らしめようぞ!!」『おおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおっ!!!!』天涯の激に全員が唱和し、その衝撃で玉座から転げ落ちかけたボクは咄嗟に肘掛に手をかけ、反動で床の上に降りた。その途端、全員のものすご――――――――い期待に満ちた視線が集中した。・・・こ、これはつまり、なにかパフォーマンスしないとトンデモナイことになるという意味だよね。このままなかったことにして、退場とかできないだろう・・・ねえ。「――立てっ、皆の者よ! 私と共に進み、勝利し、勝鬨を上げんがために!!」一瞬の間をおいて、跪いていたモンスターたちは一斉に立ち上げり、『うおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおおお――――っ!!!!!!』さっきの倍以上の声量で咆哮をあげた。「――――――――」・・・はっと気が付いた。なんか数秒間、立って目を開けたまま気絶してたっぽい。正気に戻ったボクは当然、腰を抜かしてストンと玉座に腰を落としたのだった。	That day, the Scarlet Jade castle covered up by everlasting darkness boiled in excitement for the first time in one hundred years. ―Her highness has come back! We your lowly subjects pay respect to our supreme lord, who is equal with God! ―Her highness has come back! We offer our flesh and soul to the greatest, most beautiful princess of all time!! ―Her highness has come back! We the demons of the ‘Imperial Crimson’ kingdom will once again fight for its glorious days!!! ◆◇◆◇ I have various kinds of regret. ...Why did I have such hobby back then? Well originally from the start, the vampire princess’ unique skill ‘evil eye’ was able to eliminate the target’s will to attack, and was effective on both players and mobs (success rates differ with the level difference from the target). However, it was discovered that it influenced the mob capture chance, so I got carried away and tried to completely capture every mob possible within the game. Next, I took a side glance at Mikoto’s face who standing next to the throne. She was the first one I finally hit in a gacha, an SR seraph pet. I was so lucky that I jumped in triumph, since then I always played gacha since I might get a pet as a prize. I once accidentally spilled the fact that my bill had piled up to the limit in guild chat and also that my personal inventory was overflowing with pets, the guild members became elated since they already maxed their level and didn’t know what to do in their spare time. So, before I knew it they had entirely assembled the pieces of the ‘Sky Garden’ blueprint fragments that drop once a while from the mobs of the ancient civilization ruins named “The Scrap Garden” in order to return it to its original state. From there, the required material (It said that you were required to gather different kinds of extremely rare materials that were only acquired from treasure chests and minerals, which was so extreme that a group with about max level people were totally wiped out in the middle of it by a boss mob in the area called ‘Dimensional Labyrinth’) in fact, it needs pieces per type. That, I could say, was a masochistic act! So as for myself, I also participated in the material gathering in the surrounding area. I brought mechanics and alchemists that were scattered around the world to the hermit’s place, where I made them take the mission quest, and finally asked them to process the material. Once in a while the material processing failed so I still had to carry out the material gathering... Yeah, I was enjoying it during the process so I am not denying that I was worked up with it. Then finally, all of sudden the sky garden was completed in under 4 months! I am not boasting about it, but in the guild that I was in, ‘Calico Cat Trail’, all of its member have already reincarnated three times, it also had 5 people who hold the ‘Court Rank’ special title so I can say within the server there was not a single high level player who didn’t know of us. But even so, it’s 4 month! ...Well for all the good times spent the guild members were fine with it. At the time when the magic formation changed into a floating island, to be honest I was filled deeply with emotion. As the guild member next to me keep chanting ‘BALSE!’ ‘BALSE!‘ continuously, I noticed I received the ownership of ‘The Sky Garden’ by the admin, so I was given that damn embarrassingly title of Graceful Lady of the Sky. I got ranked up to the ‘Court Rank’, and my name was being spilled all over at the global chat. Although it made me think ‘What kind of public r̲a̲pe̲ is this?!’... Moreover after that, the guild members were so excited that the island had been transformed into a dark fortress city sort of thing like an artist doing whatever he pleases on a “demon mod As for me, I was granted personal use of the storeroom on the island, and thanks to that the total limit of my storage had become close to 2,000 units. That was definitely the best thing to come from this out of everything. On top of that, there were 100 spots to display captured pets all around the castle and island, so I crazily collected more and more rare pets because I wanted them to be displayed. That somehow made my friends call the place ‘Demon Lord Castle’ or ‘Monster Island’ but I let the matter pass. Yes, if there was a time machine so I could fix this, I would be able to complain about this matter of mine. Now that I understand what kind of situation I have gotten into, I absolutely won’t collect these high level monsters and boss class monsters at all――――!!! As I sit down on ‘The Throne of Supreme Ruler’ (A showy thing that was decorated with gold and gems, which was a furniture cash item), cold sweat drips down from my head. While I view rows of monster forces that stand side by side before my eyes, I’m screaming inside. And then, there’s a small repeated tapping sound at my side sending me a signal. When I take a look, Tengai gives me a faint wink. Aah, I have to make some kind of speech here. ...What should I do? I wonder what kind of good important sounding speech I should give. I don’t know any type of speech like that... oh well, from the beginning I had wanted to finish this fast and go to bed to sleep. No, I have to do it properly... “――Everyone, good day to you!!” Hmm? I didn’t make a mistake in my speech right??? All monsters bow their head all at once. Among them, there were some who put so much strength in their heads that they hit the floor, making cracks on it. ...This building was supposed to be an item that is impossible to break, I wonder if it is repairable now. I try to keep thinking those trivial things, however, Tengai looks over all those monsters and then opens his mouth in satisfaction. “Her highness, the princess, has granted you the honor to bow to her. Everyone, raise your faces!” At that moment without a single mistake, all the monsters rose their faces up. Uwawawawawawah. S-scary~~~~~!!! Well, I do see that there’s some familiarity from their faces. After all, those monsters were the pets that I had captured. There’s also a nostalgic feeling from their faces, but well... the front of the grizzly bear that faced me now with the bear doll back then is different? On the game screen, they were cutely following behind Hiyuki. But now, if I meet any of them when walking along the streets at night, I will faint from the fright. To make the matter worse―― For testing, I try to look on the status of Demon Eye Priest who had relatively low stats back then among them. Race: Demon Eye High Priest Name: Kokonoe HP:6,255,000 MP:7,780,000 “......” Even though it appears that way, he was a small fish type. The rest are mostly nothing but boss class monsters. It seems the ones that are part of this round table all have no pet limiter on them. Even if I wasn’t present right now, it shouldn’t be a problem right...? That is what I am thinking, but maybe I just don’t know. They were staring me with a deep emotion feeling, “Oooh, its Her Highness the princess.” “She really has returned.” “Her beauty is unchanging.” “How shining.” “I’m finally able to meet her again.”, there were even those among them who had burst into tears. Then, to the left side of the throne, stood the dark knight, Kokuyou. ― He dropped the rod shaped spear that he held onto the floor. Next to him stood the nine-tailed fox, Utsuho, holding a folding fan in her hand. While pointing her fan to everyone there, she made a rebuke. “All of you in here should be Demon Commanders of this glorious round table, and yet you are all undisciplined like children. You stand before Her Highness the princess! Can you not dignify your appearances just a bit?” That dialogue raises the tension in the room again. ...No no, I am fine with that warm and fuzzy from before. That was relieving a bit of my tension you see! “Well then gentleman, our supreme ruler of this glorious round table has returned. With this, our long time of uncertainty has ended. The glory and honor of our kingdom ‘The Imperial Crimson’ will once again be known throughout the world even to the ignorant plebs!!” “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!” Everyone cheered from that extreme speech from Tengai, the shock made me fall down from the throne so I placed my arm on the armrest. Due to the recoil I have stepped down to the floor. At that moment, everyone concentrated their gazes on me with a fully ama......zing expectation. ...T-this means, if I am not able to perform something here, it’s going to cause an outrage right? I can’t just stay still like this, I guess I can’t quit...eh. Oh... well whatever, I will just imitate Tengai’s speech. “――Stand, all of you! Be with me; raise your voice of triumph to victory!!” In that moment, the kneeling monsters raise up all at once, “UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!” Just now they yelled at twice their normal volume. “――――――――” ...―Gasp, I suddenly came back to myself. Somehow for several seconds, I fainted while standing with my eyes open. Of course when my consciousness returned, I was unable to stand up and dropped my hips at once back onto the throne.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 19, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
僕はアリシアの母親を見た事がない。「最近忙しいからあんまり家にいないらしいわよ」「なんて言われたの?」「アルバートお兄様とゲイル様とカーティス様がレベル80を習得したとか、デューク様がレベル100を超えたとか、そういえばリズさんはレベル100を習得したみたいよ」「は!? え!?」外からの情報を断ち切っていたから、全く知らなかった。翡翠色の魔法石が蒼い魔法石の隣につけられていた。 ......凄いなんてもんじゃない。「まぁ、ゲームの主人公達なんだから超人が集まってて当たり前よね」ピアニシモの声量レベル。ほとんど聞き取れなかった。聞き直したところで彼女はきっともう一度同じ事は言わないだろう。「風の便りで聞いたんだけど、キャザー・リズって物凄く学園でも町でも人気らしいよ」「あら、予想通りだわ。貧困村には行っていないの?」「来るわけないでしょ。口だけだよ、彼女は」「まぁ、彼女が人気になってくれれば私の悪女としての名前も売れるわ」彼女は本当に変わっている。自分の利益のためだけに動いているはずなのに、何故か魅力的で嫌いになれない。それに良い人材が彼女の元へやってくる。やっぱり女神なのかもしれない。「他に何か言われなかったの?」「それだけ? なんか想像していたのと違う」「私のお母様って少し変わっているのよ。普段は能天気で穏やかなんだけど、どこか肝が据わっていて......とにかく変なのよ」「変なんだ」そこは似ているねって言おうと思ったがやめておいた。「霧が見えてきたわよ......ってこ間どうやって貧困村に行ってたの?」「これ」僕は薄ピンクの液体が入った瓶をアリシアに見せた。アリシアは瞠目した。まさか僕がこれを持っているなんて思わなかったのだろう。「それ、どうしたの?」「アリのお父さんに貰ったよ」「お父様が......」驚きと嬉しさが混じった表情だ。「エイベルっていうらしいよ」	“Yep.” I’ve never seen Alicia’s mother before. “It seems that she’s been rather busy as of late, so she’s not at home very often,” Alicia explains as she ducks under a mess of low hanging branches in our path. “What did she talk to you about?” “She was giving me updates on everyone’s magic levels. Like, she told me that Albert-Oniisama, Gayle-Sama, and Curtis-Sama have all surpassed level and that Duke-Sama’s level has exceeded . Oh yeah, and apparently Liz-san has also reached level as well.” “Hah!? Ke...!” I scoff without meaning to. The idea is just so ridiculous. All this time, I’ve been completely cut off from the outside world, so I had no idea their abilities were growing that quickly. Though, thinking back, I do remember that Duke got one more piercing a while ago. He added a green magic stone right next to the blue one on his ear. He must have done that when he surpassed level 100. .....Reaching that height is not merely amazing at this point. It’s not normal. It’s ridiculously unlikely..... Basically impossible! “Not really.... As the main cast of an otome game, of course they’re all extraordinary,” Alicia murmurs under her breath. Her voice is so quiet, I can’t even call it a whisper. Her words were pianissimo level inaudible. It’s to the point where I almost didn’t realize she had said anything at all. If I asked her to repeat them, I doubt she’d comply, since I probably wasn’t meant to hear them in the first place. “Ah, speaking of Liz Cather, I’ve heard rumors that she’s become extremely popular within not just the academy, but the surrounding town as well.” “Oh, yeah? I predicted as much! Has she visited the impoverished village as well?” “There’s no way. That woman’s all talk, no substance. I doubt she’d be caught dead there.” “Well, no matter. Since she’s managed to become everyone’s little darling now, spreading my name as a renowned and fearsome villainess will almost be too easy. With my antagonistic demeanor, all it will take is one little argument and rumors of my notoriety will get around like the plague,” Alicia declares cheerfully, a bright smile on her face. Her thought process really is an enigma. As a villainess, she should be moving purely to maximize her own benefits, so why is she that excited to be hated by everyone? It just doesn’t make sense. And yet, I can’t call her out on it. I can’t bring myself to jeopardize her happiness, even if it is somewhat ill-conceived. When she smiles like that, I feel like I’m wrapped around her little finger but somehow I have no desire to fight it. And with the way she is now, I’m sure it won’t just be me who is captivated. Other talented individuals are sure to flock to her brilliance like moths to a flame. She’s that mesmerizing. I wouldn’t be surprised if she really were a goddess who had descended upon this world. “Didn’t she talk to you about anything else?” I ask, quickly changing the subject. “That’s it? When you told me your mother came, that’s pretty different from what I had imagined you would talk about.” “That’s because she’s a rather peculiar person. Normally, she’s gentle and easygoing, but when it comes to certain things, she’ll stand her ground with nerves of steel.... And I never know what will set her off or what she’s thinking. Like I said, she’s just... peculiar.” “She sounds eccentric.” What I wanted to say was that she sounds quite a lot like someone I know.... but right as I’m about to speak, I think better of it and end up just agreeing with her. “I can see the wall of fog.... Which reminds me, you don’t seem that excited to be able to visit Grandpa Will.... Have you been coming without me? But how did you get into the village?” “With this,” I say, taking out a vial of light pink liquid and raising it up to show her. Alicia stares at it in amazement. I guess she never imagined that I would have something like this in my possession. “That.... How did you get it?” “Your dad gave it to me.” “Father did....?” Alicia whispers. Surprise is very clear on her face, but there is also a hint of happiness mixed in as well. “Yup. Apparently this stuff’s called Abell,” I say smirking while I wiggle the vial back-and-forth in the air in front of her.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 13, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
術士組合で登録の手続きをした次の日の朝。ミラは上半身を露わにしたままベッドの上で試行錯誤を繰り返していた。先日は侍女のリリィに付けてもらったため外したブラの付け方がよく分からないのだ。それでも悪戦苦闘を続けていると、ふと「わしは何をやっとるんじゃ......」と言い得ぬ自己嫌悪に陥り、ミラはベッド上にブラを放り投げるとワンピースを頭から被る。食堂でガレットと一緒に朝食を摂った後、ガレットは小包を抱えて「では行ってまいります」と、別件の用事で出かけていく。ミラはそれから暫く、食後のバナナミルクをちびちびしながら目的地についての記憶を辿った。通称、地下墓地と呼ばれるダンジョン、古代神殿ネブラポリス。で構築されており、通称通り地下へと潜っていくタイプのダンジョンだ。小高い岩山の麓にあり岩山の一部を断崖にして、そのまま削り出した神像が左右にいくつも並ぶ壮観な場所となっている。魔物が居なければ観光スポットとして繁盛したかもしれない。だが今は魔物が居るからこそ、お金をかける事を厭わない上級冒険者を呼び込むために役立っているのだから世の中どう転ぶか分からない。入り口から入ると祭事等に利用される大広間に出る。ここには基本的に魔物は出現しない。だが時折、階下から魔物が登ってきたり、実体を持たない幽体の魔物が現れるので、余程の腕が無ければ安全には休めないだろう。そして広間の中心には祭壇がある。この祭壇の仕掛けを操作する事でメインとなる一層目への入り口が開くのだ。一層降りる毎に敵の強さが上がり、最下層であ目にまでなると上級プレイヤーでも油断はできない程だ。一通りの記憶を辿り終えたミラは、バナナミルクを飲み終えて、一息置いてから術士組合へと向かう。大通りを歩きながら人や建物を観察してみる。鎧やローブといったゲームの時には見慣れた人々が居る中、昨日組合で見た様な魔法少女の他にも、忍ばないアメリカンな忍者や、刀狩でもしていそうな刃物好きの侍、般若の面を被ったシスター等、突っ込みどころ満載の光景がミラの瞳に映る。 (わし、普通かも) もはや同類以上の者が闊歩している街で、何を怯える必要があるのか。ミラは自信満々に大通りを大手を振って進む。服装以上に視線を集める容姿である事を忘れて。術士組合に到着したミラは、見覚えのある受付嬢の前に駆け寄る。昨日応対したユーリカだ。受付に座りながら、せっせと何かを書いている。まだ知り合いとも言える程ではないが、まったく知らない者よりかは話しかけやすかった。「はい。少々お待ち下さい」ユーリカは声を掛けられると、手元の書類を脇に寄せてから顔を上げる。するとそこには昨日見たダンブルフの弟子ミラの姿がある。「ふぇっ! ああ、ミラさん! おはようございます! えっと、冒険者証の受け取りですね」一瞬だけ慌てるも、すぐに平静を取り戻すとミラの来た目的を思い出す。「うむ、出来ておるか?」「はい、完了してます。少々お待ち下さい」ユーリカはそう言い立ち上がると、受付の後ろにある棚からファイルを取り出し戻る。「こちらになります。ご確認下さい」ファイルから一枚のカードがミラの前に差し出される。そのカードには名前とクラス、そしてランクが記されている。名前はミラ、クラスは召喚術士、推薦状の効果によりランクは最初からC、これで地下墓地の条件をクリアした。「では、ミラさんはCランクとなりますので、こちらの操者の腕輪をレンタルする権利が与えられましたが、ご利用されますか?」ユーリカはファイルから、銀色の腕輪を取り出し台に置く。しかし、それはミラには非常に見覚えのある物だった。「ぬ、それはもしやこれか?」言いながらミラは左袖を捲り上げて、その細く白い手首に嵌る腕輪を見せる。その瞬間、ユーリカは呆然としたように沈黙するが、途端に首を振りコクリと頷く。「......そうです、それです......もうお持ちなんですか!?」ユーリカは、目の前に居る少女が英雄の弟子である事を思い出し、納得するように平静を保つ。それ程の人物であれば、個人で所有していてもおかしくはないと。この操者の腕輪というのは、プレイヤーの持つ操作端末のレプリカだ。使える機能はアイテムボックスとマップに限られる。ただ、制作費が高く技能大全にも載っていない秘伝が使われているため、個人で所有している者は少ない。だがその利便性は計り知れないものなため、活躍が見込める上級冒険者、Cランク以上に月額制で組合から貸し出しているのだ。「流石はダンブルフ様のお弟子様。もう、その様に構えておいた方が良さそうですね」若干の緊張を残しながらも目の前の少女は英雄の弟子であるという心構えが必要だと悟った。ユーリカは気を取り直してファイルを開き、一枚の紙を取り出しミラに手渡す。「こちらには術士組合所属に関する要点が書いてあります。依頼にはそれぞれランクが設定されており、ランク以上の依頼を受ける事は出来ません。ランクの高い方の依頼に参加する事は可能ですが、その際は自己責任となります。それと、各地にあるダンジョンにはランクによる制限があります。近くの街にある組合が管理していますので、入る際には申し出をお願いします。違反しますと罰則がありますので注意して下さいね。あと、討伐依頼に関しては受領時に魂石をお渡ししますので、それにより討伐数等が判断されます。魂石を紛失すると達成後でも失敗となってしまいますので、大切に保管して下さい。ここまでで何かご質問はございますか?」「申し出が必要か」ミラが、これから向かう目的地はダンジョンだ。話の内容によると申し出をしないと罰則があるらしい。「この後、地下墓地......古代神殿ネブラポリスに入ろうと思うのじゃが、許可はどうすればいいんじゃ?」「いきなりですか!? ......っと、ダンジョン管理は入り口から入って一番右の受付でしておりますので、そちらで許可を貰って下さい」ミラは少しだけ上体を反らすと、右端の受付を確認する。組合の受付中央辺りには人が多いが、右端は程々といった具合だった。「それでは最後に組合施設のご利用についてですが、基本は無料です。ただ飲食や消耗品等は割引だけになります。それと施設を破損した際には修理費が今後の報酬から天引きされますので、大切にご利用下さい」言い終わるとユーリカは、ポケットからカードと同じくらいの大きさの皮製ケースを取り出す。そのケースはピンク色でリボンと杖が描かれている。とても、可愛らしいカードケースだ。「これは、私からのプレゼントです。冒険者証の入れ物に使って下さい」「う......うむ。ありがとう」余りにも少女趣味なデザインに戸惑うが、ミラは満面の笑顔を浮かべるユーリカの善意を無下に出来ないため大人しく頷いた。了承するのを見ると、ユーリカは早速とばかりに受付のトレイに置かれたままの冒険者証をカードケースに入れて、笑顔で手渡す。ミラはそれを苦笑しながら受け取った。「それと何やら組合長が渡したい物があるとの事ですが、今日中には準備できると思うのでよろしければ明日以降、時間のよろしい時にまた顔を出してほしいとの事です」「渡したい物とな?」「はい。何なのかは聞いておりませんが、ソロモン様からのお達しだそうです」「あ奴からか......。あまり良い物ではなさそうじゃな。まあよい。明日以降に来ればいいんじゃな」「はい、お願いします」「心得た」組合長経由で何が渡されるのか見当もつかないがソロモンの頼みで動いているのだから、それ関係だろうと当たりを付ける。「ではこれで手続き完了です。それとミラ様の素性の事を知っているのは、今のところ私と組合長だけですので、何かありましたら私へお願いします」「覚えておこう」「後ですね......」「何じゃ、まだ何かあるのか?」ユーリカは少し言い辛そうにしつつも、何をか期待するかの様に瞳を輝かせてミラを見つめる。そして勢い良く両手を差し出し、「握手して下さい!」そう言いながら頭を下げた。さっきまでは、組合員として業務を全うするための仕事の顔。それが終わった今、居ても立ってもいられず私情を盛大に挟んだのだ。実はユーリカはダンブルフの大ファンだった。家はダンブルフ関連のグッズで溢れている程に。長期休暇にはシルバーホーンまで出かけ、休みの間ずっと召喚術の塔を見上げていたという遍歴も持つ。そんな彼女の前に今までなんの音沙汰も無かった憧れの英雄の弟子が現れた。結果、ユーリカは完全に有頂天になっている。そもそもユーリカの事を知っている職員仲間が見ていれば、業務を全うするまでよく我慢できたなと感心する事だろう。「これでよいのか......?」ミラは勢いに押され気味になりながら手を差し出すと、咄嗟に感触を刻み込むように両手で優しくも強く握りしめられる。しかも、ユーリカの目には薄っすらと涙まで浮かぶ。「ありがとうございます。もうこの手は洗いません!」「いや、洗った方がいいじゃろう」ユーリカが熱狂的なダンブルフファンだとは知らないミラは、若干引き気味に答える。だが、分からないまでも喜んでいるならばいいかとも思っていた。「では良い冒険者ライフを。ご利用ありがとうございました!」ユーリカに送り出されたミラは受け付けから離れると、その足で地下墓地に入るための許可を貰いに右端の受付へと向かう。「古代神殿の許可を貰いたいのじゃが、ここでよいか」ミラは受付に到着後、ダンジョン許可受付と書かれた案内表を見ながら、開口一番に尋ねる。何やら聞き覚えのある声だなと、ミラは顔を上げる。ユーリカが居た。古代神殿ネブラポリスへ行くという様な事をミラが言っていたため、本来ここで受付をしていた女性に頼み込み一時的に交代してもらっていたのだ。なぜここにとミラはやや呆れつつも、ユーリカに従い古代神殿に入るための手続きを始める。どうにか手続きを終えて手数料の千リフを払うと、テンションの高いユーリカから古代神殿の許可証を受け取る。それは、図形の描かれたカードのようなものだった。それと同時に、説明を受ける。まず、ダンジョン入り口にある結界石にカードで触れる事で解除、入る事が出来るようになる。離してから十秒後に結界は復活する。カードは一度きりしか使えず、また中に入るためにはもう一度手続きが必要。出る際には必要はなく、そのまま結界を抜ける事が可能。利用後は、組合内にあるリサイクルボックスへ。ミラはそれら一つ毎に相槌を返していくと、最後にまた握手を交わしてから組合を後にした。術士組合から出ると、折角だから古代神殿の許可証も入れてしまおうと、ミラは可愛らしいカードケースを開く。そうしながら、すぐに地下墓地に向かおうか少し街を観光してからにしようかと考えていた。すると、戦士組合の方が騒がしくなる。「ならいいです! 僕だけで行きますから!」叫ぶような声と共に戦士組合の扉が大きな音を立てて開く。すると中から一人の少年が飛び出して来て、そのままミラの方へと向かって走っていく。少年の目には涙が浮かんでおり、悔しさを噛みしめ俯き加減で走っているので、その直線上に居るミラに気付いていない。対するミラも、手元でカードケースに許可証を入れるため視線を落としている。そのため、周囲の事は目に入っていない。「ふぎゃっ!」「うわぁっ!」当然の如く少年は頭からミラに突っ込み、ミラはその衝撃で少しよろめくも、どうにか踏み止まる。「いったいなんじゃ!」ミラは反射的に原因であろう者を睨みつけるが、その目に留まったのは転んで地に伏せたままぐずる少年だった。その姿を見た瞬間ミラの怒りは急激に冷めて、そのまま少年の許へ歩み寄ると抱くように両手を回し立たせる。「大丈夫か、小僧。痛いところはないか?」ミラは少年を覗きこむように顔を近づけると身体を払いながら優しく問いかける。そしてローブの袖で赤い目をした少年の涙を拭う。「うん。ぶつかってごめんなさい」ペコリと頭を下げる少年。良く出来た子だとミラは感心しながら「大丈夫じゃよ」と頭を撫でながら答える。「貴女も怪我はない?」問いかけるような言葉と共に顔を覗き込まれたミラは、少しだけビクリと身体を竦ませる。突然、眼前に綺麗な女性の顔が現れたからだ。その女性は白と緑の軽鎧を身に付け細い剣を佩いている。黒色の長い髪を靡かせ、優しそうな表情にたれ気味の瞳、長い耳をしているエルフのお姉さんだった。少年は、そのエルフの女性をちらりと見ると、すぐに視線を外し悔しそうに震えている。「う......うむ、問題ない」佇まいや風貌、そして装備から見て、このエルフはかなりの実力者だと思ったミラは彼女を調べてみた。それで得られた情報は、まず名前はエメラ。ステータスは魔力と技力が高めで力と体力がそこそこといったところだ。装備品による補正を加えると、もう少し上がる。ミラは、魔法騎士団隊長のグライアのステータスと比較し、目の前のエルフは同程度の実力者であると判断した。「しかし何事じゃ? この小僧の目、転んで泣いたというわけでもなかろう。お主は何か知っておるのか?」転んで泣いただけならば、ミラは気にもせず少年にアップルオレでも渡して帰しただろう。しかし、泣いたばかりとは言えない程、少年の目は泣き腫らしたかのように真っ赤だった。子供を泣かす等許せないと、ミラはエルフの女性に威嚇の眼差しを向ける。「あうー......。何だか私、悪者扱いされてるねぇ......。えっとね......、まず私はエメラ。戦士組合所属でランクはC、一応上級に組み分けされている冒険者なんだけど」「ふむ、わしはミラじゃ。つい今しがた術士組合所属になったところじゃな」「ほえー、その歳で冒険者なんだ。やっぱり術士って面白いねっ」「そんな事より、事情を知っておるのか?」ミラはエメラを見上げながらも、流れ続ける少年の涙を拭い直す。「そんなに睨まないでー。お姉さん傷ついちゃうよー」本気で傷ついているようで、エメラの眉は下がり、どちらかというと気の弱いお姉さんという様子だった。ミラも、女性を傷つけたいという趣味は無く、若干表情を和らげる。何となく、エメラが少年を泣かせるような酷い事をしたとは思えなかったからだ。「えっと、ミラちゃんも組合所属になったなら聞いてるよね、ダンジョンの許可の事」「うむ、手数料千リフで許可証が貰える事。ダンジョン毎にランクがあり、入るにはそのランクに達していなければいけない、という事じゃろう」「そうそう。それでなんだけど......」エメラがそう言い掛けたところで、少年が地面に落ちていたカードケースに気づく。「あ、ごめんなさい。僕のせいで」申し訳無さそうに言うと、少年はカードケースを拾い上げる。その可愛らしいデザインからミラのだろうと分かったのだ。しかし次の瞬間、ちらりと見えのカードに表情を一変させる。「お姉ちゃん! お姉ちゃんはランクCなの!?」少年が涙を払い、期待に満ちた瞳でミラを見つめる。何事かは分からないが泣くのを止めたのなら良いと、ミラは安堵して頷く。「うむ、そうじゃよ」「えっ......、ウソ!? だってさっき組合所属になったばかりだって言ってたのに! 登録直後はGランクからのはずでしょ!?」少年以上に驚いたのはエメラだった。それもそのはずで、登録直後からCランク等という事は前代未聞で聞いた事も無い。推薦状というものは知っているが、それでもEからがせいぜいだ。エメラは突進するように少年の持つカードケースを覗き込む。そして、その少年の言う通りミラの冒険者証はCランクであると確認する。「どうなってるの......、これは本物なの......」目を丸くしたエメラは、更にカードケースに一緒に入っている古代都市ネブラポリスの許可証を見て、冒険者証は本物だと判断する。どのような手を使い冒険者証の表記を誤魔化しても、情報は組合が管理している。ダンジョンの許可証を発行する際は組合を通すので誤魔化しは利かないのだ。「古代神殿の許可証......本物ね」エメラはそう呟いた瞬間に、しまったと自分の失態に気付く。エメラは慌てて少年に目をやると、少年は更に瞳を輝かせてミラに大きく頭を下げる。「お姉ちゃん、お願いします。僕を古代神殿に連れて行ってください!」	The morning after registering to the Spellcaster’s Union, Mira was going through a challenging endeavor while naked from the waist up. She took off the bra Lily made her wear and didn’t know how to put it back on. After a continuous struggle for several minutes, she realized what she was doing. Disgusted at herself, Mira just gave up on wearing the bra, tossing it onto the bed and wore the dress. Garret left after breakfast with those words and a package while Mira, sipping on her Banana Au Lait, started thinking for a while on where she’d be going. The Ancient Temple Nevrapolis dungeon was commonly called ‘underground cemetery’. Just as the nickname indicates, all six floors of the dungeon were underground. The dungeon was digging into a mountain and had carved statues on the sides of the path. Overall, it was a magnificent view for a tourist spot if not for the monsters roaming around. On the other hand, the presence of those same monsters was what brought prosperity to the town thanks to the actions of high-ranked adventurers. In order to enter, one had to go through a large hall that could be used for festivals. Generally, monsters wouldn’t spawn there although on some occasions, monsters from the lower levels would ascend, including spirits that don’t have a physical body, thus it wasn’t safe to rest there unless people had considerable skills. There was an altar in the middle of this hall, containing the mechanism that would open the way to the first floor of the dungeon. With each deeper floor, monsters grew stronger to even pose enough of a challenge for high-level players at the th level that they couldn’t lower their guard. As she finished recalling the basic details of the dungeon, Mira drank what remained of her Banana Au Lait and headed over the Spellcaster’s Union after a brief rest. On her way, she looked around the streets, checking out both people and buildings. Among the people in regular armor and robes she used to see in the game and the girls wearing magical girl clothing from the day before, there were also other rather flashy individuals that’d ordinarily catch your attention. American ninjas, sword-maniac samurais who seemed to hunt for more swords, and sisters covering their faces with a Hannya mask. There was so much happening before her eyes that Mira didn’t know anymore where or what to retort. (Maybe I am normal after all.) With nothing to be scared of in a city where such people were walking around, Mira continued on filled with confidence and swinging her arms in relief, forgetting the fact it was her general appearance gathering more attention than her outfit. Arriving at the union, right after entering Mira ran towards the receptionist she was more familiar with from yesterday, Eureka who was busy with some paperwork. They weren’t as far as acquaintances go yet but it was certainly easier talking with her than any other unknown person. 「Yes, wait a minute, please.」 Having been called, Eureka moved the papers to the side and lifted her gaze, looking ahead. She was met with the sight of Danbulf’s pupil, Mira. 「Oh! Ah, Mira! Good morning! Erm, are you here to get your Adventurer’s ID?」 Flustered for a moment, she quickly returned to herself and recalled the purpose of Mira’s visit. 「Yeah. Is it done?」「Yes, we already issued it. Wait a minute please.」 As she said so, Eureka stood up and brought a file from a shelf behind the desk. 「Here it is. Check it please.」 She held a card from the file in front of Mira. Name, class, and rank were all written down on this card. The name read Mira, with summoner as the class, and due to the recommendation letter, the rank was set at C right away. With that, all conditions for the underground cemetery were clear. 「In that case, since you are at Rank C, we are allowed to lend operator bracelets. Do you wish to borrow one?」 Eureka took a silver bracelet from the file and put it on the desk. Needless to say, it was an extremely familiar thing for Mira. 「Nhm, you mean this?」 Mira rolled up her left sleeve as she talked and showed a bracelet on her thin white wrist. For a moment, Eureka fell silent in astonishment but had immediately come back to herself and affirmed. 「...Ahh, you... already had one!?」 Remembering who Mira was, the pupil of a hero, Eureka convinced herself that such an important person already owning a bracelet wasn’t strange. The operator bracelet Eureka pulled out was a replica of the original player’s operation terminal. Although the functions were limited to the item box and map. The production cost of these replicas was especially high and required a skill not listed in the Encyclopedia, so not many people could afford to have one. Despite that, due to its overwhelming utility, active high-ranked adventurers of Rank C or higher could apply to receive one from the Guild. 「Just as expected from Dunbalf’s pupil. It’s probably better I get used to treating you like so.」 With a tinge of anxiety, Eureka reminded herself to keep in mind at all times this girl was the pupil of a hero. Pulling herself together, she opened the file again and gave a sheet of paper to Mira. 「This here is a summary of how the Union works. Missions are assigned a rank and you are unable to accept missions ranked higher than you. You may participate in group missions even if they are higher than your rank but that’s at your own risk and discretion. Additionally, dungeons are limited by rank. They are managed by the union departments in the closest cities, so feel free to go there when you need a permit to enter them. There are penalties for breaching the entry rules so please be careful. Lastly, subjugation missions require you to deliver the necessary number of soul stones in the request. If for any reason you were unable to deliver that amount, it will be counted as a failure even if you did complete it. Do you have any questions?」「A permit is required...」 Mira’s current goal was a dungeon and judging by the conversation, without a permit there would be a penalty. 「I wish to enter the underground cemetery after this...the Ancient Temple Nevrapolis, how can I get the permit?」「All of a sudden!? ...well, the reception desk to the furthest right from the entrance handles the dungeon management so you can get your authorization there.」 Slightly twisting her body, Mira looked over at the right side of the reception desks. While there were a lot of people around the central ones, the right side pertaining to the dungeon management was moderately empty. 「Also, the use of union facilities is basically free. Food, drinks, and other consumables are discounted. In the case that you damage the building or furniture, the repair costs will be deducted from your reward so please use them with care.」 Finished with the required explanations, Eureka pulled out a leather case with the same size as the card from her pocket. It was a very cute cardholder, designed in pink color with a wand and ribbons drawn on it. 「It is a present from me. Please use it for your Adventurer’s ID.」「Ye... yea. Thanks.」 Overwhelmed by the girly design, Mira couldn’t just refuse Eureka’s proof of goodwill, thus she meekly nodded. Seeing her actions being accepted to that point, Eureka, happy as none can be, quickly placed Mira’s ID inside the card case and happily handed it over with a blooming smile. Mira could only just accept it with a rather dry expression. 「The union chief also wants to give you something. As today he’s going to be busy preparing, he wants you to come back again tomorrow when you have some free time.」「Something to give me?」「Yes. I don’t know what is it but it seems to be an order from King Solomon.」「From him?... It doesn’t sound that good. Well, fine. I only have to come here tomorrow, right? 「Yes, please.」「Understood.」 Mira had no clue what she would receive from the union chief but considering it’s an order from Solomon, it’d probably be something related to the mission. 「With this, all formalities are finished. Moreover, only I and the union chief know about your situation, so if there’s something you need, feel free to ask me.」「I’ll remember that.」「And afterward...」「What, do you have anything else?」 Looking like she had a hard time talking about it, Eureka with sparkling eyes vigorously reached out her hands. 「Please let me have a handshake!」 Eureka mustered up all her courage to finally ask for that, bowing her head. Up until now, she had to handle all matters as professionally as her position required as an employee of the union. However, now that her duties are finally finished with that, she wasn’t able to stay still with how much her personal desires were bothering her. Eureka was a huge fan of Danbulf, so much so as to even flood her home with all Danbulf-related commercialized goods. During her long vacations, she went to Silver Horn and spent her time off on pilgrimages to look up at the Silver Towers. Eureka couldn’t avoid falling into pure bliss, having the pupil of a hero who hasn’t been heard of for so long standing right in front of her. If other fellow employees knew about the situation she was in, they’d probably be impressed by self-control to perform her duties as they knew how much she loved the hero Danbulf. 「Is this enough for you...?」 Overwhelmed by her energy, Mira offered her hand. As she did so, Eureka gently but strongly squeezed it with both her hands as if to engrave the sensation in herself. Moreover, she was so moved that it even brought her to tears. 「Thank you for that. I will never wash this hand again!」「It would be preferable if you still washed it.」 Unaware of how much of a Danbulf’s fan Eureka was, Mira slightly drew back with her answer. Even if she did not understand it at all, she considered it should be alright as long as Eureka was happy about it. 「Good luck with your adventurer’s life. Thank you for using our services!」 All set and sent by Eureka, Mira left and walked towards the desk that handled the permission to enter the underground cemetery. 「I would like a pass for the Ancient Temple, can I get it here?」 Arriving at the desk, Mira asked straight away about it since she was looking at the nameplate saying ‘Dungeon Permits’. Mira felt that voice being oddly familiar for some reason so she looked up. Eureka was there. Due to hearing Mira mention something about the Ancient Temple Nevrapolis, Eureka temporarily swapped places with the woman assigned to this desk by pleading with all her might. Somewhat baffled at seeing her here, Mira started filling the required paperwork to access the Ancient Temple. Once done with the formalities and paying a , Rils commission, she received the pass for the dungeon from a very excited Eureka in the form of a card with some drawn figures on it. At the same time, Mira received an explanation on how to use it. Firstly, touch the barrier stone at the entrance with the card to remove the projected barrier and enter. The barrier will be restored seconds after the card is moved away from the stone. A card can only be used once to enter and she’d need to fill out the documents again to request another pass. As for leaving the dungeon, there wasn’t anything special about it, she’d just need to walk out through the barrier. Once the card has been used, use the recycle box in the union to dispose of it. Nodding at each instruction line, Mira left the union after another handshake with Eureka. After walking out, Mira thought of putting the pass inside the lovely card case she received from Eureka and opened it. She pondered if she should be doing some sightseeing in the town before the dungeon or just head there straight away. On that moment of thought, a noise came from the Warrior’s Union. 「Fine then! I will go alone!」 Along that shout, the door opened and a boy jumped out the building, running in Mira’s direction. While the boy had tears in his eyes and had his sight down in frustration, Mira was occupied looking at her card case while storing the pass, hence it was inevitable what would happen. 「Aaargh!」「Gah!」 The boy bumped head-first into Mira while she, on the other hand, managed to stay on her legs despite wavering from the impact. 「What the!」 Mira reflexively scowled at the one who bumped into her. Looking at the grumbling boy who fell on the ground, her anger cooled down. She walked up to him and helped him up with both of her hands. 「Are you alright, lad? Does it hurt anywhere?」 Approaching the boy, Mira glanced at him and gently asked, wiping his tears with her sleeves right after. 「Yeah. I’m sorry for bumping into you.」 The boy quickly bowed and answered politely, stringing Mira’s admiration at his educated behavior that she ended up patting his head while answering with 「It’s fine」. 「How about you, are you hurt anywhere?」 Mira was slightly startled at that question coming from somewhere else as she then saw a woman’s face appear before her. The woman was dressed in light armor with a contrast of white and green, and a slim sword was equipped at her waist. She seemed to be a long-eared elf with black long hair and droopy eyes. Looking at that woman, the boy looked away in irritation. 「Ye... yea. I’m fine.」 Judging by her figure, appearance, and equipment, Mira decided to try and inspect her, thinking she was reasonably strong. From what she got, her name was Emera. She had a high MP and dexterity with reasonable HP stats, and adding up the equipment bonus, it was a bit better than that. In comparison to the stats that Graia, the commander of the magic knights, had, Mira concluded they were on par in strength. 「Who are you though? This lad was crying before falling down right? Do you perhaps know anything about that?」 If he only cried after the fall, Mira would have sent him home with an Apple au Lait without worrying too much about it. However, with how red and swollen his eyes were, they revealed he was crying much more and for longer than that. With an unforgivable glare for making a child cry, she turned towards the elf woman. 「Oh... For some reason, I’m being treated as the villain... Well... To start with, I am Emera and I belong to the Warrior’s Union, Rank C, generally classified as a high-rank adventurer.」「Hmm. I’m Mira. I have just joined the Spellcaster’s Union.」「Wow. To be an adventurer at that age. Magicians seem to be really amusing.」「Rather than that, do you know what happened?」 Looking up at Emera, Mira wiped the still flowing tears of the boy. 「Don’t stare at me like that. This big sister will feel hurt.」 Looking like she’s been emotionally hurt, Emera hung down her brows. If she resembled anything, she’d look like a shy big sister. As Mira didn’t have a habit of hurting women, she softened her expression and started to think that Emera didn’t actually make this boy cry. 「Err, if you registered in the union, you should have heard about the dungeon permissions, right?」「Yea, paying a ,000 Rils commission, you can get a pass. Dungeons are assigned ranks and to enter you must have the same rank, are you talking about that?」「Yes, yes. About that...」 While Emera was speaking, the boy noticed the card case lying on the ground. 「Ah, excuse me. It’s my fault.」 After apologizing, the boy picked up the card case and judging by the lovely design he understood that it should belong to Mira. However, as he took a brief glance at the cards, he changed his expression completely. 「Big sis! Is big sis at C rank!?」 The boy wiped what remained of his tears and looked at Mira with his eyes full of hope. Without understanding what was going on, Mira nodded with relief, content as long as he stopped crying. 「Yea, I am.」「Eh... no way!? You said that you just entered the union! After the registration, shouldn’t you be at Rank G!?」 Emera was even more shocked than the boy. That reaction was normal as receiving Rank C right after registering at the Guild was unheard of before. Even with recommendation letters, she knew that they would get Rank E at best. Emera rushed to peek at the card case the boy held in his hands. She indeed confirmed that Mira’s Adventurer ID indicated she was Rank C. 「What’s going on... It’s genuine...」 With her eyes wide open, Emera stared at the pass for the Ancient Temple Nevrapolis and just like with Mira’s ID, she confirmed it was also genuine. However, even if one managed to fake the rank written on the license, the union did manage all of the adventurers’ information and faking one’s rank would not work when asking for permission to enter a dungeon. 「The pass to the Ancient Temple... a genuine one」 As Emera said that, she suddenly noticed her mistake. Panicked, she glanced at the boy who was looking at Mira with a stronger shine in his eyes and bowed to her. 「Big sis, please take me along to the Ancient Temple!」	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
毎年新しいレーシングカーを作っては残りのシーズン全てを使ってどうやったらそのマシンを良く速くできるかを模索していきますそして次の年になれば同じことを繰り返します目の前にあるレーシングカーはかなり複雑な構造をしていますシャシーは1万1千もの部品からなりエンジンだけで6千電気系は8千5百の部品を使っていますつまり故障を招きかねない部品が 2万5千もあるわけですカーレースはまさに細部にいかに注意を払えるかです特にフォーミュラ1に関しては常にマシンに手を加えて速くしようとしています 2週間ごとにそのマシンに使う― 部品を 5千も新調していますレーシングカーの5~10%が一年を通じて 2週間ごとに変わっていくわけですどうやってやるのか? まずレーシングカーから始めます車体にたくさんの計測センサーをつけますここにあるレーシングカーで言えばレースで走るときにはおよそ120のセンサーをつけますそのマシンに関するあらゆることを計測しデータが記録されます記録するのはデーターシステム内の500のパラメーター 1万3千の異常察知パラメーターそして予定通りに動いていないことを示す事象ですそれらのデータはピット・ガレージに無線で毎秒2~4メガビットの速度でデータが送られますつまり 2時間のレースで各マシンは 7.5億もの数字を送信するのですそれは私たちが一生で話す単語の数の 2倍に当たりますものすごい量のデータですでもデータを取り計測するだけでは十分ではなくそれで何かができないといけませんだから私たちは多くの時間と労力を費やしてデータから様々なことが語れるようにしてきましたエンジンの状態がどうだとかタイヤのすり減り具合がどうだとか燃料消費がどうかといったことです要するにデータを取ってそれを行動に結び付けられる情報に変えるのですではデータについてちょっと見てみましょうこちらで見るのは生後3ヶ月の患者のデータですこれは子どもで今ご覧いただいているのは実際のデータです画面の右側に行くといろんなことがぐちゃぐちゃになっています患者が心不全になっていっているのですこれは予見できないこととされていました誰も予期しえない心臓発作でしたでもここの情報を見れば心不全になる5分ほどくらい前から少し乱れてきているのが分かります小さな変化が見て取れます例えば心拍数もそうですこれらは全て通常備わっている異常検知機能では検知されませんでしたではなぜ分からなかったのでしょう? これは予期しうる出来事だったのでしょうか? データのパターンをもっとよく見たら助けるために何かできたのでしょうか? この子はここにあるレーシングカーとほぼ同じで生後3ヶ月ですこの子は心臓に問題がありました上のスクリーンに表示されているデータ心拍数や脈拍酸素呼吸数などを見るとそれらは全て普通の子どもとは違いますでもこの子にとってはそれが普通なのです医療における課題の一つは目の前にいる患者を診てその患者特有の状態を把握し状態が変わり悪化しそうなときをどうやって見出すかなのですレーシングカーのようにどの患者も容体が悪くなり始めたら手を打つのにもう一刻の猶予もありませんそこで私たちが行ったのがフォーミュラ1で 2週間ごとに稼働させるデータシステムを病院のコンピュータに導入することでしたバーミンガム小児病院で行いました小児集中治療で使われている― ベッドサイドモニタからデータをストリーミングしリアルタイムでデータを見ると同時にこちらがより重要ですがデータを蓄積してそこから学習できるようにしましたまずアプリケーションを適用してリアルタイムでデータからパターンを認識できるようにしました何が起こっているか見て変化が起こりそうなときを察知するためですカーレースではみんなちょっと野心に満ちていて恐れを知らず時にちょっと傲慢ですだから私たちは病院に救急搬送されてくる― 子どもたちも見ることにしました病院に到着するまで待たないといけない理由なんてないでしょうそこでリアルタイムのネットワークを救急車と病院との間でも作りました通常の3G回線を使ってデータを送るのです救急車がまさに集中治療室のベッドになるのです私たちはデータを分析し始めました上のグラフにあるいろんな色の波線は通常モニターで見るデータで心拍数脈拍血中酸素濃度呼吸数です下にある青と赤色のラインが興味深いものです赤のラインは自動で算出された― 早期警告スコアでバーミンガム小児病院ではすでに使用しています 2008年から導入していて病院内での心不全や心停止を防いできました青のラインが示すのはパターンの変化でそれは即座に見て取れます医学的な解釈をするまでもなくデータが語りかけるのですデータは何かがおかしいと訴えていますそして赤と緑の固まりで示されているのは細かなデータをそれぞれ互いにプロットしたものです緑色はその子にとっては普通の範囲のことで「通常のクラウド」と呼んでいます状態が変わり始める― 状態が悪くなり始めるとラインは赤色になりますここに高度な科学はありませんすでにあるデータを違った形で表示しているだけですデータを増幅させ医者や看護師に手がかりを与え何が起こっているか可視化するのです同じように優秀なレーシング・ドライバーはこうした手がかりを頼りにブレーキやコーナーを曲がるタイミングを判断しています医者や看護師が問題を察知できるよう手助けする必要があります私たちにはとても野心的なプログラムがありますもう変革に向けたレースが始まっているのです大きなことを考えていますがそうすべきなんです私たちのアプローチはもしうまく行けば病院の中だけで終わりませんその壁を越え広めることができます今のようにワイヤレス接続の環境があれば患者や医者看護師たちが常に同じ場所にいる必要はありませんし全員が一緒にいなくてもいいんですそして私たちの3ヶ月のかわいい車もレース場で走らせ安全を確保しながらより速くより良いものにしていくのですありがとうございました	We make a new car every year, and then we spend the rest of the season trying to understand what it is we've built to make it better, to make it faster. And then the next year, we start again. Now, the car you see in front of you is quite complicated. The chassis is made up of about 11,000 components, the engine another 6,000, the electronics about eight and a half thousand. So there's about 25,000 things there that can go wrong. So motor racing is very much about attention to detail. The other thing about Formula 1 in particular is we're always changing the car. We're always trying to make it faster. So every two weeks, we will be making about 5,000 new components to fit to the car. Five to 10 percent of the race car will be different every two weeks of the year. So how do we do that? Well, we start our life with the racing car. We have a lot of sensors on the car to measure things. On the race car in front of you here there are about 120 sensors when it goes into a race. It's measuring all sorts of things around the car. That data is logged. We're logging about 500 different parameters within the data systems, about 13,000 health parameters and events to say when things are not working the way they should do, and we're sending that data back to the garage using telemetry at a rate of two to four megabits per second. So during a two-hour race, each car will be sending 750 million numbers. That's twice as many numbers as words that each of us speaks in a lifetime. It's a huge amount of data. But it's not enough just to have data and measure it. You need to be able to do something with it. So we've spent a lot of time and effort in turning the data into stories to be able to tell, what's the state of the engine, how are the tires degrading, what's the situation with fuel consumption? So all of this is taking data and turning it into knowledge that we can act upon. Okay, so let's have a look at a little bit of data. Let's pick a bit of data from another three-month-old patient. This is a child, and what you're seeing here is real data, and on the far right-hand side, where everything starts getting a little bit catastrophic, that is the patient going into cardiac arrest. It was deemed to be an unpredictable event. This was a heart attack that no one could see coming. But when we look at the information there, we can see that things are starting to become a little fuzzy about five minutes or so before the cardiac arrest. We can see small changes in things like the heart rate moving. These were all undetected by normal thresholds which would be applied to data. So the question is, why couldn't we see it? Was this a predictable event? Can we look more at the patterns in the data to be able to do things better? So this is a child, about the same age as the racing car on stage, three months old. It's a patient with a heart problem. Now, when you look at some of the data on the screen above, things like heart rate, pulse, oxygen, respiration rates, they're all unusual for a normal child, but they're quite normal for the child there, and so one of the challenges you have in health care is, how can I look at the patient in front of me, have something which is specific for her, and be able to detect when things start to change, when things start to deteriorate? Because like a racing car, any patient, when things start to go bad, you have a short time to make a difference. So what we did is we took a data system which we run every two weeks of the year in Formula 1 and we installed it on the hospital computers at Birmingham Children's Hospital. We streamed data from the bedside instruments in their pediatric intensive care so that we could both look at the data in real time and, more importantly, to store the data so that we could start to learn from it. And then, we applied an application on top which would allow us to tease out the patterns in the data in real time so we could see what was happening, so we could determine when things started to change. Now, in motor racing, we're all a little bit ambitious, audacious, a little bit arrogant sometimes, as they were being transported to intensive care. Why should we wait until they arrived in the hospital before we started to look? And so we installed a real-time link between the ambulance and the hospital, just using normal 3G telephony to send that data so that the ambulance became an extra bed in intensive care. And then we started looking at the data. So the wiggly lines at the top, all the colors, this is the normal sort of data you would see on a monitor -- heart rate, pulse, oxygen within the blood, and respiration. The lines on the bottom, the blue and the red, these are the interesting ones. The red line is showing an automated version of the early warning score that Birmingham Children's Hospital were already running. They'd been running that since 2008, and already have stopped cardiac arrests and distress within the hospital. The blue line is an indication of when patterns start to change, and immediately, before we even started putting in clinical interpretation, we can see that the data is speaking to us. It's telling us that something is going wrong. The plot with the red and the green blobs, this is plotting different components of the data against each other. The green is us learning what is normal for that child. We call it the cloud of normality. And when things start to change, when conditions start to deteriorate, we move into the red line. There's no rocket science here. It is displaying data that exists already in a different way, to amplify it, to provide cues to the doctors, to the nurses, so they can see what's happening. In the same way that a good racing driver relies on cues to decide when to apply the brakes, when to turn into a corner, we need to help our physicians and our nurses to see when things are starting to go wrong. So we have a very ambitious program. We think that the race is on to do something differently. We are thinking big. It's the right thing to do. We have an approach which, if it's successful, there's no reason why it should stay within a hospital. It can go beyond the walls. With wireless connectivity these days, there is no reason why patients, doctors and nurses always have to be in the same place at the same time. And meanwhile, we'll take our little three-month-old baby, keep taking it to the track, keeping it safe, and making it faster and better. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
その一部始終を私たちのオープンROV― ガレージで作ったロボットで記録しました ROVは遠隔操作探査機のことで今回使った小さなロボットはライブビデオをあの極細のテザー・ケーブルを通じて海上のコンピュータに送信しますこれはオープンソース化しており全ての設計ファイルやプログラムをオンラインで公開していますので誰もがその設計を修正改良・変更することができますほぼ既成部品で組み立てられそのコストもタイタニック号の探索にジェームズ・キャメロンが使ったROVの千分の一くらいです ROVは新しいものではなく数十年前からあります科学者が海洋探索に使ったり石油・ガス企業が海洋調査や建設に使ったりしています私たちが作ったものはユニークではありませんがその作り方はとてもユニークでしたここでその経緯を簡単にご紹介しましょう数年前友人のエリックと私はこの水中洞窟の探検をすることにしましたシエラネバダ山脈の麓にある洞窟でゴールド・ラッシュ時代に盗まれた金が隠されていると聞きそこに行きたくなったのです残念ながら当時はお金がなくてなんのツールもありませんでしたエリックにはロボット設計の基本構想はありましたが細かい部分を自分たちでは解決できなかったのでこんな状況下では誰もが考える通りインターネットで支援を募ったのですこのウェブサイト openROV.comを立ち上げそこで目的や計画を公開しました最初の数ヶ月そこの掲示板でやり取りをするのはエリックと私だけでしたがまもなく様々な物作り愛好家からフィードバックをもらうようになりまもなく様々な物作り愛好家からフィードバックをもらうようになりそしてついには海洋技術者の方々からも何をすべきか提案を受けるに至りましたこの取り組みを続け多くを学びましたプロトタイプを重ねてついに洞窟への出動を決めました準備万端でしたちょうどその頃この小さな調査旅行の話が広まりニューヨークタイムズ紙にも取り上げられ私たちは感無量でした多くの方からこのオープンROVの― 製作キットがほしいとの声をいただいたからですそこで私たちは Kickstarterでこのプロジェクトを発表しそこで私たちは Kickstarterでこのプロジェクトを発表し開始2時間で目標の資金を集めました急にこのキットを作れるお金ができたわけですがどうやって作るか学ぶ必要がありましたというのも小ロット生産が必要だからですすぐに今までのガレージでは狭すぎると気づきましたがやってのけましたキットを作れたのは TechShopのお蔭でしたとても助かりました私たちはこのキットを世界中に出荷しましたちょうど昨年のクリスマス前のことでまだ数ヶ月しか経っていませんでもすでに世界中からビデオや写真が集まってきていますこの南極の氷の下から撮った写真もそうですペンギンがロボット好きだということも分かりました今も私たちは全ての設計図をオンラインで公開し誰もが自分で組み立てられるようにしていますこうすることが唯一の方法だったのですオープンソースとすることでこの研究開発ネットワークを広げどんなベンチャー企業よりも早く開発を進めていますとはいえロボット製作自体はまだ始まりにすぎません真の可能性長期的な可能性を秘めているのは世界中に広がりつつあるこのDIY海洋探検家コミュニティーなのです世界中に広がりつつあるこのDIY海洋探検家コミュニティーなのですこうした機械が何千も海中を漂っていたらこうした機械が何千も海中を漂っていたら見つけられるものは計り知れませんさてあの洞窟はどうなったでしょう? 金を発見したかって? いいえ金なんてありませんでしたでもそれ以上に価値があるものを見つけました海洋探検がもたらす素晴らしい未来を垣間見ることができたのですこれは世界のジェームズ・キャメロンでなくとも誰もが参加できることなのです水中の世界を一緒に探検しましょうありがとうございました	All the footage was taken from our open ROV, which is a robot that we built in our garage. So ROV stands for Remote Operated Vehicle, which in our case means our little robot sends live video across that ultra-thin tether back to the computer topside. It's open source, meaning we publish and share all of our design files and all of our code online, allowing anyone to modify or improve or change the design. It's built with mostly off-the-shelf parts and costs about 1,000 times cheaper than the ROVs James Cameron used to explore the Titanic. So ROVs aren't new. They've been around for decades. Scientists use ROVs to explore the oceans. Oil and gas companies use them for exploration and construction. What we've built isn't unique. It's how we've built it that's really unique. So I want to give you a quick story of how it got started. So a few years ago, my friend Eric and I decided we wanted to explore this underwater cave in the foothills of the Sierras. We had heard this story about lost gold from a Gold Rush-era robbery, and we wanted to go up there. Unfortunately, we didn't have any money and we didn't have any tools to do it. So Eric had an initial design idea for a robot, but we didn't have all the parts figured out, so we did what anybody would do in our situation: we asked the Internet for help. More specifically, we created this website, openROV.com, and shared our intentions and our plans For the first few months, it was just Eric and I talking back to each other on the forums, but pretty soon, we started to get feedback from makers and hobbyists, and then actually professional ocean engineers who had some suggestions for what we should do. We kept working on it. We learned a lot. We kept prototyping, and eventually, we decided we wanted to go to the cave. We were ready. So about that time, our little expedition became quite a story, and it got picked up in The New York Times. And we were pretty much just overwhelmed with interest from people who wanted a kit that they could build this open ROV themselves. So we decided to put the project on Kickstarter, and when we did, we raised our funding goal in about two hours, and all of a sudden, had this money to make these kits. But then we had to learn how to make them. I mean, we had to learn small batch manufacturing. So we quickly learned that our garage was not big enough to hold our growing operation. But we were able to do it, we got all the kits made, thanks a lot to TechShop, which was a big help to us, and we shipped these kits all over the world just before Christmas of last year, so it was just a few months ago. But we're already starting to get video and photos back from all over the world, including this shot from under the ice in Antarctica. We've also learned the penguins love robots. So we're still publishing all the designs online, encouraging anyone to build these themselves. That's the only way that we could have done this. By being open source, we've created this distributed R&D network, and we're moving faster than any venture-backed counterpart. But the actual robot is really only half the story. The real potential, the long term potential, is with this community of DIY ocean explorers that are forming all over the globe. What can we discover when there's thousands of these devices roaming the seas? So you're probably all wondering: the cave. Did you find the gold? Well, we didn't find any gold, but we decided that what we found was much more valuable. It was the glimpse into a potential future for ocean exploration. It's something that's not limited to the James Camerons of the world, but something that we're all participating in. It's an underwater world we're all exploring together. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
生まれもっての達人なんですこれからお見せするのは困難を取り除き素早く答えに辿り着く普通とは違った方法ですアーサー・ベンジャミンの「数学マジック」より早いんですまず理屈や常識を破る必要があります皆さん手をこのようにしてください 90度にみんなでやりましょういいですか? 手の平が上ですこれをひっくり返すには理屈や常識では手首を回す必要がありますよね? ではまずは手首を動かさずにやる方法をお教えしますそのあと一瞬でできるショートカットをやりますこう手の平を上にして手首は動かさないでくださいワタシノ英語タクサンナイデスガガンバルネ鉄デ鋳ラレタハ正シイデスカ? まあ冗談ですが私は— じゃあ手の平を上にしてこうして手首は動かさないで心臓の上に手首は動かさないで前へ手首は動かさないで上へ手首は動かさないで心臓の上に手首は動かさないで前へほらねさて理屈的にはこの状態からこの状態へ手首を動かさずにきました次にショートカットですさっきは6回かかりましたが今度は1回です手の平を下にしてよろしければご一緒に見ていてくださいヤーッ! 1回です今のはウォーミングアップです今度は手伝ってくれる人が必要ですゾーイという子にお願いしたんですが帰っちゃったかなああいたいた拍手をお願いしますよかったこっちに座ってここに水があったんですが水への感謝の気持ちを示したいと思います私には水で十分ですが乾杯したい人たちもいますビールの中にも水は入ってるのでいいでしょうではこれから記憶術やカードのコントロール術をお見せしますこれは脱いでしまいますね私は特別な方法を使います素早く正確な動作と— おっと失礼コントロールそれに非常に強力な・・・あの・・・記憶術ですそれで私はポーカーを研究しましたギャンブルが好きなんです表向きギャンブルはやらないことになってるんですが・・・ここに 5人いるものとしてポーカーをやります私が質問をしますから毎回別の人が答えて同じ人は答えないで約束ですよ誰にいい手を配りましょうか? 何人目か? 1 2 3 4 5? 3人目いいでしょうそれで— ちょっとマットがゆがんでます肝心なのは・・・おっとカードの名人はカードを集めるときカードを配る直前に— 3人目でしたよねフルハウスを仕込みました Qと・・・大丈夫よ Qと10のフルハウスです難しいですがこれが好きなんです後で説明します 12345 まず3枚のQ カードの違いがお分かりになりますね? それに10が2枚うまくいきましたでも他のみんなも良い手を持っています実のところもっと強い手です A3枚とK2枚この人はもっと強いですよ 2のフォーカードです反応なしですか? こっちはたぶん順番になってます 34567 でも一番強いのは私の手です 10 J Q K A ほらねうまくいきました 3番目の人は最初すごく良いように見えましたが最後には最低になりました人生みたいですね混ぜてくれますか? ご興味があれば裏技をお見せしましょう見たいでしょう? やるのは見積術やシャッフル・トラッキングですああいいね上手だありがとう最初の技は見積術ですロイヤル・フラッシュまでのカード枚数を正確に見積りますカードを数えてもいいんですがこのほうがずっと早くできますカードが正確にどこにあるか分かっていますだから賭けることができますここが稼ぎどころです 10 J Q K A うまくいきましたさてお次は素早くやりますねスティールですカードがどこら辺にあるか分かっていますカードを広げるので指が来たところでストップと言ってくださいここ抜けているのが分かりますか? カードをスティールしました OK 次はシャッフル・トラッキングです他の人がシャッフルしている間カードの位置を追い続けるということですちょっとリスクがありますがまだ見えてるでしょ揃えてもらえますか? それからシャッフルしてカットしてくださいカードを追いかけるにはシャッフルの初めから見ている必要がありますもうやっちゃったんですか大丈夫大丈夫冗談ですからどんな風にやってもいいですよここで計算しなきゃいけませんが計算は好きじゃありません右脳で直接やるんです左脳を使うと理屈や常識に捕らわれてしまいます右脳で直接やるほうがいいんですアーサー・ベンジャミンも似たようなことをしていました右脳でやってユーモアで包むとそれが宇宙の知識の源にアクセスする鍵になってどんな問題の答も見つかりますカードを落とすのでストップと言ってください最後のカードが落ちる前にしらふの時はもっと速いんですがまあ見てみましょうああ順番が違う失敗しました冗談ですよ時々わざとミスを入れますがそれは難しさを演出するためです昨夜はそれを忘れていました今回は覚えていて良かったこのトランプはこっちで買ったものですソフトになるよう下にパッドを入れてありますこのトランプは「バイシクル」というアメリカで買ったものですがすごく柔軟性がありますみんな知らないんですがしかるべきところを押さえてやるとすごく柔軟で薄くなるんですこれなら財布にだって入ります分かりますか? リアクションなし? しかしそのカメラにちゃんと映ってますか? 元に戻すにはこうします厚くなりすぎたらまた押してやります 2つの山を寄せてもらえますかみんなに見えるように一緒にして互い違いになるようにいいですよ完璧です最後までやってありがとうここでロシアの人工衛星技術をお目にかけましょうたぶんアメリカのをコピーしたんだと思いますがショートカットについてお話ししましたがカードを素早く見てパターンを見つけますカオス理論はもう古いですフラクタルは皆さんお馴染みと思いますマンデルブローの螺旋とかパターンで考えるとカードがずっと覚えやすくなります集中したり計算したりすると左脳に行ってしまいますでもただ眺めて外国語なんかで話しているともう掴めましたでは別の誰かカードの名前を言ってくださいスペードのJですねスペードのJは上から12番目だと思います 12345678 9 10 11 12 ほら当たったおっとスペードでしたっけ? スペード? 間違えました拍手しないでこれはクラブですスペードのJは・・・ 23番目いや24番目です 123456789 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 ほらやっと見つかりました今度はもっと早くやります別の人— あっ切っちゃいけないんだった私のテクニックは絶えず覗き見るということです山を持ち上げるとき覗き見ていますもう分かりました 3456 計算してばっちりです別の人別なカードをダイヤの7 好きなカードです素早くやりますよでも皆さんにも見えるようスローモーションでやります何の7でした? ダイヤねこのへんから始めます合ってるでしょう? 私がやったのは覗き見ですカードがどこにあるか分かっていてそれを選んでいます別の人別のカードを誰か? 何ですか? ダイヤの10 同じようにやりますどこにあるか分かっているのでダイヤの10 今度は普通のスピードでやりますダイヤの10 ねカットして持ち上げてありがとう別の人別のカードを何ですか? クラブの5 同じ場所ですが同じ人じゃないですねそっちの人に後でお願いしますカードを落としますどこかでストップと言ってくださいクラブの5 最後のはダメですこれじゃ見つけられませんもう一度やりましょうクラブの5と言った人カードが宙にある間にストップと言ってくださいだからさぁほらちょっとフォースを使う必要がありましたクラブの5は取っておきましょうクラブの5と対にするカードを何かハートのQ いいですね好きなカードですここで一番難しいやつをやりましょうラスベガスで座って賭をしているとします間違って他の人にこのカードを見せてしまった仕掛けがないか確認してくださいこのカードを持ち上げるとカードが入れ替わりますカードは何でした? ハートのQ 難しい挑戦ですこれを掴むとクラブの5ですよねそれがハートのQになりますこれは難しいんですというのもクラブの5と入れ替えるわけですから次はフォールス・カウントをやりますどっちのカードを使いましょうか? Qか5か? Qですね Qを使いクラブの5はここにフォールス・カウントします 123 45678 いつも同じカードです 9 10 配っている錯覚です私が1枚のカードを机に置くときそれは1枚ではありませんたくさんのカードを 1枚に見せている— というわけですじゃあ難しいのを Qはここに取っておきますここで人工衛星のやつを使いますこれは— ごめんなさいビームを見ないでくださいこれは高周波レーザーで数分の1秒で網膜を完全に破壊しますごめんなさい言っておくべきでしたでも安心して効果が現れるまで 30分ほどかかるので私のマジックは最後まで見られますではレーザーをここに置いてそれでレーザーの中にカードを配ります私はどこにあるか分かりますがカメラに映ってますか? 映ってない? 全然? 何が起こったんでしょう? もう一組やりましょう今度はカメラに映ってますか? 映ってない? 私の手は見えるでしょう? よしよしこれなら大丈夫今度はカード見えますね? いいでしょうでは大きな笑い声ですね Qを探しましょうこうやって別のカードそしてQを戻します面白いでしょう? ちょっと危険ですがいいですねではもう少し難しいのを誰かスーツの名前を言ってくださいスペードですねここでたくさんのカードを覗かなきゃいけません何枚あるのかスペードは10枚か15枚くらいはあるんですよね山を持ち上げるたびに覗いていますそれから素早く集められるよう並べ替えますよしできた Aから始めますほら Aですあっスペードでしたっけ? また同じ失敗ですスペードを揃えますそしてクラブもすぐにやります最初にスペードを取ります私は何も特別じゃなくよく失敗します私にとって問題ではありませんそれで同情してもらえます・・・よね? 1 234 カメラに映ってますか? 56 78 9 10 J スペードのJ Q あの笑い声いいですねほら Q 待って待って 1枚引いてくださいどれでも急いでそれをKと入れ替えますダイヤのAですねダイヤのAをガイドとしてスペードのKを見つけますここにありました今はここですでしょ? もう少し難しいのをあらかじめカードが並んでいると思うといけないのでまた切ってもらいます別のスーツの名前を言ってください何ですって? それは目隠しトリックの後にやる予定でした面白い方ですねこれは最後の方がいいんですがやってしまいましょうアルマーニと言った人は? あなた? カードを落としますサイズは何がいいですか? 難しくはないです挑戦は好きですサイズは何? 特大ね OK ストップと言ってくださいそらアルマーニです楽じゃありません前にクラブとスペードをやりました別のスーツをダイヤそれではひとつカードを見てダイヤの場所を見つけます手伝ってください表が上になって落ちたらひっくり返してくださいでは両手を使って急いでいいですよもう分かりましたここにダイヤハート? いやダイヤだほらパターンが見えますか? 見えない? どう? 見えたでしょ? よし私はパターンを使ってやりますおっと 1枚落ちたたぶん大事なカードですほらダイヤの9 それでは— 私はいつもなぜ自分をこんな立場に置くのか自問していますたくさんのものを見つけなきゃいけませんカードを見失ったら— でも好きなんですではダイヤをこれから見つけますが少し難しいやり方をしますこのままだと簡単すぎますからこれを目隠しでやりますこの距離なら即座に効きますウガッ! ダクトテープですカードが見えないように貼ってもらえますか? 同情してもらえると嬉しいですあれ聞きました? 女性は同情の声ですが男性はそらもっとやれそうです鼻の穴も塞いで怪しむ人もいるので鼻の穴から覗けると思ってるんですそこにそうそう満足ですか? バットマンみたいでカッコいいでしょ? ああっ! どうか尊厳と品を保ってくださいでも彼女は好きです少しキツいですけどもう1枚最後です OK ばっちりこれで認めてもらえるでしょう別の感覚を使わなければなりません私は振動を使いますそれでカードは何でしたっけ? ダイヤ? ハートかと思ってましたまた即興でやる必要があります少し立ち上がった方がいいかもまずダイヤのA これは冗談ウォーミングアップですハートのK ダイヤのカードを渡すのでここに並べてくださいね見えますか? ダイヤのAだね? 2は — どうも 2は失敗したことありません 2はいつも見つけますでも色違いですスペードごめんなさい後でこのトランプあげますから疑い深い人のためにチェックしてください後であげますからスペードの2ですね違ったダイヤの2ですねダイヤの 3 4 挑戦が好きですよしやった何ですって? 覗いてるでしょ向こうのご婦人からのリクエストですこれでよしそれでやってみてそれに耳もこれでよしこれは少し難しいかもやってみましょういいですか? どこまで行ったかな? 5? 次は5? まだ出てない? そうすると今カードは全部裏ですね? 画面で見えますか? 表が上なのを下にします次のカードは5? 1枚だけ表が上になっていますどうです? 6は親指で 7 こうしましょう覗いたのでどこにあるか分かりますこれでしょ? 8 それから 9 ね一昨日ラスベガスで実際にこれを使いました 9 合ってますか? 違う? 合ってるよね? 10 ジョン・ウェイン風に拾ってもらえますか? ダイヤの J 合ってますか? 合ってるでしょ? Qはミスディレクションのテクニックでミスディレクションですね次に K 正確に5秒で 5秒です 1 234 フン! チェックして合ってる? よかったタッチ・ミー・フィールいやいやレナート・グリーンでした!	The master of shortcuts -- it's, of course, nature. But I will demonstrate different ways to get rid of difficulties and go to the point, to find an answer probably much quicker than Arthur did. So, first, we violate the common sense, the logic. All of you, if you hold your hand like this, 90 degrees -- all of you. Not you. All of you, right? Palm up. If you do this, the common, the logic says you must turn the wrist. Do you agree? Good. But I will first teach you a method, how you can do it without moving the wrist, and then the shortcut. You can do it immediately, right? Hold the hand like this, palm up. Don't move the wrist. The wrist is -- Right-molded you say, with iron? That was a joke, actually, and I -- OK. Hold the hand palm up. Do this, don't move the wrist. Over the heart, don't move the wrist. Forward, don't move the wrist. Up, don't move the wrist. Over the heart, don't move the wrist. And forward. Yeah. Now -- -- logic, logically, you have got to this position from this, without moving the wrist. Now, the shortcut. But it was six moves. Now with one move. I start here, palm down, you can follow. And then look at me. Yeah! One move. OK. So, that was the warming up. Now, I need an assistant. I talked to a nice girl before, Zoe. She has left. No! A big hand. Good. Nice. And you can sit over there. One item here was water, right? And I will give my tribute to water. I think it's enough with water for me. The other guys can talk about -- cheers. Beer has about -- there's a lot of water in beer. So, now memorizing, control cards and so on. And I think I'll take off this one. I work with a special method to do it, quick. I work with precision -- oh, sorry -- control and a very powerful ... memory system, right? So, if -- I have studied the poker. I like to gamble. Officially, I don't gamble but ... So, if we are -- if we have five person, and I will do a five-handed poker game. Now I will interact. So a different person all the time, so not the same person can answer. So we have an agreement. Which one shall have a good poker hand? Which number? One, two, three, four or five? Lennart Green: Three -- good. And here, I had a mat here to make it a little -- the critical moment is -- sorry. If a card shark gathers the cards together, immediately when he -- before he deals the card. Now, so I think, number three, I have arranged them in a full house. With queens and -- it's OK -- queens and tens. That's a challenge. I like this. I will explain later. One, two, three, four, five. I start with three queens. So here you see the contrast when I treat the cards. And two tens. Yeah. Thank you. But also the other hand is good, if all the other guys have good hands too. So these guys have actually a stronger hand -- This guy beats them with four of a kind, or deuce -- deuce. No reaction? That with even -- OK, and this. These look in order, I'm probably -- hopefully -- yeah. Three, four, five, six, seven and ... But, of course, I will have the winning hand. Ten, jack, queen, king, ace. Yeah. So, good. So the hand that looks so good from the beginning, number three, at the end was actually the lowest hand. Such life. Right? So, please mix them. Now, if you are interested, I will demonstrate some underground techniques. Yes? I work with kind of estimation, shuffle tracking -- ah, good. Impressive. Thank you. So, first, the first term is estimation. Here, I can estimate exactly how many cards are put between my royal flush. Of course, I can count the cards, but this is much quicker. Right? You agree. So here I have, actually -- I know exactly where the cards are. So here, I can make a bet, and this is actually one of the points where I get my money. So here: 10, jack, queen, king, ace. OK. Next is a term -- I do it quick. I call this stealing. So here, I think I know about where the cards are. I will spread the cards and you'll say stop, when I point to them, right. Point, say stop. LG: Here -- you see some are missing? And that's the stealing cards, which I did. OK. Now, another term called shuffle tracking. Shuffle tracking means I keep track of the cards, even if another person shuffles. This is a little risky. So -- because if you look, now, I can still see it. You agree? But if you square -- square, and shuffle, and then a cut. So here, to follow my cards, I must look at the shuffle from the begin -- ah, we are started together. It's OK, it's OK. Come to -- no, no, no, no. I'm joking, yeah? Any style -- yeah, good. Here I have to calculate, but actually, I don't like to calculate. I work direct with the right brain. If you pass the left brain, you have to take care of logic and common sense. Direct in the right brain, that's much better. And so -- -- Arthur Benjamin did a little of the same thing. And if you work with, in the right atmosphere, with humor, you have -- that's the password to the cosmic bank of knowledge, where you can find any solution of any problem. OK. Now, I drop the cards, and you say stop anyway, right? Not at the last card. When I'm sober, I do this much quicker, but we will check. Ah, not in order, it -- that was a mistake. No, I'm kidding. No, now and then I put in a mistake, just to emphasize how difficult it is. Right? Yeah, last night I forgot that. That was a mistake. But now I'm glad I remember it. So, this deck is bought here. Sorry. I have a little pad to make it a little softer. This deck is bought here in America. "Bicycle." And this deck is very flexible, but not so many people know, if you check, if you press at the right spots, you see how thin and flexible this deck is, right? Now, you can carry this in your wallet, so ... You don't see it, make no reaction? So, but here, and -- is the camera getting too much? No. Yeah? LG: Pardon? But then, when we will have it back, you do this. But not too much. Then you have to push it down again. Here, please. If you push these heaps -- everyone see -- push them together so they are really interlaced, right? Yeah, good. Perfect. Just push them through, good. Thank you. And then, I will demonstrate a thing from Russian satellite, stealen -- stolen, probably copied from America but we will see. shortcuts. I talk about shortcuts. Now I go very quick through the deck and try to find some pattern. The new chaos theory is already old, right? But you know, I think you are familiar with fractals -- the Mandelbrot spirals and all these things. And it's much easier to memorize cards in a pattern way, and not concentrate. If you concentrate and calculate, then you go to -- then it's the left brain. But if you just look and talk in another language ... Yeah, great. I think I have it. So now, different persons, older, tap. Please name any card, anyone. LG: Jack of spades. Jack of spades. I think jack of spades is number 12 from the top. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12. Yes, right. So -- oh, jack of spades. You said spades? LG: Ah. My fault. Don't applaud, this was clubs. So, jack of spades. I think ... 23 -- 24, sorry, 24. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 -- ah, 25, yes. It's the last. Now, I do it quicker, better. OK. Another person. Oh, I forgot, I shouldn't shuffle but I think -- -- actually, my technique is to peek, all the time. When I lift the heap, I peek. You see, yeah, perfect. Three, four, five, six. Then I calculate -- yeah, good. Another person, another card. LG: Seven of diamonds. Perfect, my favorite, yeah, seven. So I will do it quick, very quick, but in slow motion, so you can follow. Seven of? LG: Diamonds, good. I start here. Good, thank you. The thing I did -- I peeked. I know where the card were, then I chose it. So another person, another card. Another person. LG: Pardon? LG: Ten of diamonds, yeah. I think I do it the same way. I like to, so I know where it is. Ten of diamonds. But now I do it the regular speed, right? Ten of diamonds. Good. Maybe you will cut? Lift. Excellent. So, thank you. Another person, another card. LG: Pardon? LG: Five of clubs. It's not the same person, even if it's the same spot. We can take some over there later. So now, I will drop the cards. And you'll say stop, anywhere. Got it? Five of clubs. Not the last. Yes, that's difficult to find a card here. We do it again. The person who said five of clubs say stop, when the cards are in the air, right? LG: Very good. OK. OK, I had to use a little force there. I think we save five of clubs. And now a card with a contrast of five of clubs. LG: Queen of hearts, yeah. Excellent. I love that card. Here, I will do the most difficult thing. For example, you are sitting in Las Vegas, and you're betting, and you let the other guys peek this card by mistake. Feel, it's just the regular, one card. And now, when I lift this card, it shall be your card. What was your card? LG: Queen of? Queen of hearts. So that's a tough challenge, right? So here, I grab -- you know this? Five of clubs ... and queen of hearts. Yes! This is a tough one, because here I must take advantage of -- I switch it with the five of clubs. So, now a false count. Which card shall I use? Queen or five? Zoe: The queen. LG: Queen, yes. So, I use the queen, and here's five of clubs. The false count -- and the number one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight -- you say the same card all the time. Eight, nine, 10. This is a kind of optical deal, right? When I put one card at a table -- look, it's not one card. It's -- look, it's a bunch of cards that gives this impression. Yeah. Now some hard stuff. I think we keep the queen here, yes. Now, to the satellites things. This -- oh sorry, don't look at the beam. My fault. This is high-frequency laser, and it's enough with a fraction of a second to destroy the retina completely. Right, sorry, my -- I should have mentioned that, yeah. But you can relax, because it takes half an hour before it works, so you have plenty of time to see my whole performance. Now, I put the laser here, and -- now, when I deal the cards in the laser, I know where they are but -- yes? Did the camera got it? No? They didn't? What happened? LG: OK, I'll take another group. Do the cameras see the cards now? No? LG: But you see the hand. Ah, good, good, good. But now. So now, that was the reason, right? You see the cards? Yes. Yeah, good. Now -- -- one guy laughed. So now, to find the queen, do it this way: take back the other one, take back the queen. Yeah, interesting, but a little dangerous. I liked it. Now, a little more difficult. Name -- anyone, name, please, any suit. LG: Spades? Spades, good. So here, here I have to peek, lots of cards. I think there are lots of -- I don't know how many -- but 10, 15 spades in a deck, at least, right? So every time I lift the heap, I peek, right. Then I arrange them so I can get them quick. Perfect, excellent. So I start with the ace -- yeah, ace. Ah, yeah -- spades? Same mistake as before, right? So -- I arrange the spades -- the clubs. I try to do this right here. First, I take the spades. You see, I don't work with prestige, so always do mistakes. It doesn't matter to me. And now and then, I get some extra sympathy points, right? One, two, three, four -- yes, the camera got it? Five, six, seven, eight -- ah -- nine, 10, the jack, jack of spades, queen of -- I like that laugh, yeah! Good. Queen. Wait, wait, wait -- please take any card. Grab any one. Quick, quick, good. And we switch this to the king. Ace of diamonds. And now, look, ace of diamonds will guide. So I find ... king of spades. There was the place. And here is king of spades, correct? Yeah? OK. Now, a little more difficult thing. Maybe you think I have the cards in order already, so you help me to shuffle again. Another suit, please. LG: Pardon? LG: It was after the blindfold. I like this guy, yeah. OK. That should be my end effect, but OK. Armani -- who said Armani? You? I drop the cards and you -- which size? Which size? It's a piece of cake. I like challenges. Which size? LG: Extra large, OK. Say stop. LG: Yeah, Armani. OK. Ah, this is tough. OK, a suit. I had clubs before, spades. Another suit. LG: Diamonds, perfect. So, in this case, I try to locate diamonds. I look at the cards, and OK. We try. Yeah. You help me. If I drop the card face up, like this, you reverse it. Zoe: OK. LG: OK, now. Do with both hands, and quick. Yes, good, good. I think we have it now. Yeah, good, good. So here, diamonds, hearts -- no, diamonds. Good, good. Stop. Do you see the pattern? No? Now? Yes, yes, OK. I work with pattern. Oh sorry, I dropped one. Maybe it's important -- yeah -- nine of diamonds, OK. So now -- I always ask, why do I put myself in this position? I have to figure out so many outs, when I miss some cards, but I love it. So now, the diamonds, but I will do it the hard way. It's too easy to do it right away, right? I think I will do it ... blindfolded. At this distance, it works immediately. Aargh! Duct tape. I look -- shake the cards, so I don't. Go ahead. Yeah, good. I like the empathy. But it was -- did you hear? It was women's voice. Hear the guy -- yeah, more, more, more. Yeah, good. Yeah. You can take the nostril too, because some guys think -- -- some guys think I can peek through the nostril, so do more. Go, go. Right? Good. Satisfied? Looks good, like Batman. Ow! No, with dignity and elegance, right? But I like her, yeah. I said, be a little tough. And it was OK. One more? The last. OK. All right. Now you must agree that I'm -- I must rely on other senses, right? I work with vibration. So, what was the card? Diamonds. Ah, I memorized hearts. So now I have to improvise again. Maybe I'll stand up. Half. Diamonds -- I'll start with ace of diamonds. Just kidding, warming up -- king of hearts. And I give you a diamonds, so they -- so you put them here, in a nice row, right. And you can see, yeah? Good. Ace of diamonds, yes? Zoe: Yeah. LG: Good. Good. Two -- -- thank you. I never ever miss two. This is interesting. Always I've found two, but the wrong color. Spades, sorry. And the deck is a gift to you after, so let the skepticals here, in this, examine them, right? Remind me. It's a gift. Two -- and it was two of spades, right? Sorry, two of diamonds. I'll do it quick now. Three -- three of diamonds. Yes! Four -- I like challenges, yes. Yeah, good. LG: Pardon? CA: You're peeking. You just got to -- this is a request from the lady in the back. Okay. Try that. LG: Yeah. Also listen. OK, now. This is maybe a little tough. We will try. Yes? Good? OK. So, how many cards? Five? Zoe: Four. LG: Four. Is five the next card? LG: It's not here? Zoe: It's not there. LG: Oh. So here, all the cards are face down -- you agree? LG: Yes? You see that in the screen? And this is face up, and it's not at the bottom here. So next card will be -- was it five? Zoe: Five. LG: Yeah -- I will reverse it face up here. Yes? Zoe: Yeah. LG: Six -- six with the thumb. Seven. Yeah, I do this. I know where it is, because I peeked before and then I do this. Right? Eight. If -- and then nine, right? Yeah. Yesterday -- the day before yesterday, I was in Vegas, and I used this actually. Nine? Yeah? Correct? No? Yes! Ah, good, good. Ten -- once again, I love this Jonny Wayne move. Yeah. Jack -- you [unclear] with Jack? Jack of diamonds, correct? LG: Yes? And queen! Queen, with misdirection. Misdirection. Yeah? And then, king, after exactly five seconds. Yeah. Five. Five seconds. One, two, three, four -- mmm! Check it. Yes? Good. Oh. Touch me, feel -- ah, ah, you know! CA: Ladies and gentlemen, Lennart Green! LG: Okay, thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
私達は他人の悲劇に関しては多少楽観的でいられますそれにこの会議の精神を保ちたいのでもし報道記事が真実ならクラックコカインの流行が最も盛んな時に麻薬の売人であることは大変華やかな人生だとヴァージニアポストレルは言いました金ドラッグ拳銃女派手な宝石も何でも手に入ります今日皆さんにお話するのは 10年に及ぶ実際の調査に基づきますギャングの中に入ってその財務記録の実態を見るまれな機会を得たことからギャングとはそんなに華やかな人生ではないと分かりましたそれどころかもっと現実的にギャングであることやギャングのために麻薬を売るのはアメリカでも最悪の仕事でしょうそれを今日は皆さんに納得していただきます三つの話をします最初にクラックがなぜ都内のギャングにこれほど深い影響を及ぼしたかを説明します二番目に僕みたいな奴がなぜギャングの内部を見る事ができたかを話します面白い話だと思いますそして三番目はギャングの財政記録を実際に見て解った事のいくつかを表面的に話しますその前に一つ注意をしておきますこのプレゼンテーションは米国映画協会からR指定とされアダルトテーマやアダルト表現が含まれますまあ僕を見ていただければわかると思いますがヌードはありませんまあ服がずれ落ちない限り.. さてクラックとそれがいかにギャングを変えたかについて話しましょうクラックコカイン前 80年代初めのギャングリーダーの視点から見ていきます 80年代半ば都心のギャングリーダーでいることは悪くはありません 80年代の初めは-- 絶大な権力があって人に暴力をふるって-- 多くの名声と多くの尊敬でもお金持ちではなかったギャングはお金を儲ける方法がないのです手下からは徴収できずー彼らには金がないマリファナは儲かりませんマリファナは安すぎたのでお金は儲かりませんコカインは売れません粉末コカインは優秀な商品ですでも金持ちの白人にしか売れず都心のギャングメンバーのほとんどは白人に知り合いがなく市場に出られない軽犯罪では生計が立たないその結果ギャングリーダーは権力があっていい生活ができても実家で母親と住んでいますそれに本当の職業じゃないいかに権力と影響力があっても母親と一緒ではね... そこでクラックの登場ですマルコムグラッドウェルの言葉を借りればクラックは都心用のトマトの塊入りトマトソースでしたクラックは驚くべき革新だったのですこれについて話す時間はありませんでも考えてみれば過去25年においてアメリカでの全ての発明や革新のうち都心の住人の福祉に一番大きな影響を与えたのがクラックコカインだと言えます良い影響ではなく悪い影響人生への大きな影響ではクラックの魅力とは? ハイな状態になるには最高の方法です粉末コカインと違いクラックコカインは喫煙できます喫煙は鼻から吸い込むよりも効率的にハイになれますクラックは求められていたわけでもないのにあっという間に広まった売るにも完璧でした 1ドルで手に入り 5ドルで売れるのです中毒度が高く -- ハイ状態の時間がとても短い 15分は最高の気分ですそれから気分は落ち込みまたハイの状態になりたいと願います最高の市場ですギャングを運営する人にもお金を儲ける最高の手段に見えました少なくともトップにはここで僕達の登場です実は僕はただの端役で共著者のスディールヴェンカテッシュが主役です彼は大学を数学を専攻していた気の良い奴で社会学の博士号を習得する事に決めてシカゴ大学に来ましたシカゴに来る前の3ヶ月はバンドグループグレイトフルデッドの追っかけをしており外見は彼自身の言葉で「まるで気違い」彼は南アジア人 -- とても浅黒い南アジア人です大きな男で髪は彼の言葉で「ケツにとどく」あらゆる境界に挑み黒人か白人? 男か女? 彼は物珍しい"ひと"でした彼はシカゴ大学に現れそして有名な社会学者ウイリアムJウィルソンはシカゴ中の住人の調査に関する本の作成中でした彼の為に調査を行うことになったスディールを見て調査にぴったりの場所を選びました最も無法で悪名高い公営団地の1つしかもシカゴだけでなく米国全域ですスディールは郊外出身で都心にほとんど縁がなかったのですがまじめにクリップボードを抱えこの公営団地へと出向きました最初の建物にたどり着き最初の建物? そこには誰もいませんでも階段の吹き抜けの上から声がしたので階段を登ります角を曲がると若いアフリカ系アメリカ人の男性グループがダイスをしていました 1990年頃でクラック流行の頂点でしたギャングは危険な仕事なのでー驚かされるのを嫌います角からいきなり驚かされるのは嬉しくない事ですまず撃て質問は後だがモットーですスディールはラッキーでした彼はすごく変人で-- クリップボードが彼の命を救いましたギャングはクリップボードで襲撃に来たりはしませんから歓迎こそしなかったものの彼らは言いましたその調査てぇのを聞いてみようじゃないか冗談じゃなく調査のための最初の質問は「アメリカで貧乏かつ黒人である事をどう感じるか?」学者ってのは選択できる回答は: 大変良い、良い、悪い、大変悪いスディールが実際もらった回答はー (E:クソくらえ) 調査はスディールを危機に陥れ彼は階段の吹き抜けで一晩中人質にされました多くの発砲があり哲学的議論をメンバーと交わしました明け方リーダーがスディールを調べ彼は脅威ではないと帰しましたスディールは家でシャワーを浴び昼寝してあなたや僕がこういう目に会ったら多分こう思うでしょう卒論はグレイトフルデッドについてにしよう 3か月も追っかけたし一方スディールはすぐにその公共住宅に戻りました 2階に上がってこう言いました「こんにちは昨晩は楽しかった今夜もできないかな」これは美しい友情の始まりとなってスディールは10年にわたり公共住宅に出入りしましたクラック密売所でたむろしギャングと刑務所に入り車の窓ガラスを撃たれたり彼のアパートに侵入した警察にコンピューターディスクを盗まれたりありとあらゆることがありました最終的に物語はハッピーエンドとなり彼は米国で最も尊敬される社会学者の一人となりましたオフィスでエクセルを開き彼がギャングから山のような最新情報を仕入れるのを待っていた僕には特に-- 最も不平等な協同著書でしょう私は受益者側であって光栄でしたさて僕たちは何を見つけたか?ギャングから何を学んだか? 一つ言わせてください僕たちはギャングの皆に会い内部の底辺からトップまで観察しました彼らはスディールを信用し -- 今までに学者が -- というか外部の誰も --ここまで信用されたものはいません僕にとって一番興味深い帳簿財政的な記録を見せてくれるまでにー僕たちは帳簿を借り調べ質問もできましたギャングから学んだ事の結論を短時間で短くまとめるとすればギャングを他の組織と並行して示すとすればギャングはマクドナルドです様々な点で- まず最初に--あまり面白くはありませんがどう組織されているかを見ましょうギャングの階層をこれがギャングの組織図です組織図はご存知ですか? マクドナルドの組織図を解体し単純化すると全く同じ組織図になります驚くべきことにギャングのトップたちは彼ら自身をまさに「取締役員」と呼びますスディール曰く「彼らにアメリカの企業についての教養があるわけではなく「ウォール街」のような映画を観て実体社会を学んだ為でしょう」その取締役会の下で基本的に地域のVPがいます- 言わばシカゴの南側や西側を治める人スディールはアイオワ州のフランチャイズを取る事を不幸にも任命された人と仲良くなりますそれは黒人ギャングが請け負った中でも財政面での努力の実らない場所でしたしかしギャングとマクドナルドの似た点はそのフランチャイズ手法です経営者である地方ギャングは 4街区ごとを取り仕切ります彼らはある意味マクドナルドの店長で起業家です麻薬売買の特別な財産権を得て背後にいるギャング名で販売促進や市場開拓をします経営次第で儲け損をするのは基本的には彼らなのですさて皆さんに本当に考えていただきたいのは底辺の歩兵たちです主に10代で街角でドラッグを売る-- 大変危険です大切なのは組織のほぼ皆かなりの割合が底辺に属する事そうですまるでマクドナルド歩兵たちはマクドナルドで注文を取る人と同じだといえます彼らが似ているのは偶然ではなくこの界隈では同一人物なのですギャングの為に働いている子供の大半は同時にマクドナルドのような場所でアルバイトしています先程の話ギャングが儲からないという証明ですギャングが素晴しく儲かる仕事だったらマクドナルドでアルバイトしますか? では収入はいくらか? 驚くなかれ実際彼らと話し記録を見て彼らの収入とは歩兵の場合は時給3.5ドルです最低賃金を下回りますね? 文書で裏付けできます消費のパターンからも簡単に読み取れます作り事ではなく事実ですギャングはお金持ちではない特に底辺はもし地域のリーダーになれたとしてもマクドナルドの店長と同等です一年での稼ぎは10万ドルそれが期待できる最高の仕事ですもしそれらの界隈で育った黒人男性ならトップになれば 20万から40万ドルは期待でき成功者と言われますクラックが及ぼす多くの影響で嘆かわしいのはこれらの地域社会の最も有能な個人がその為に努力する事です彼らは合法的な方法で成功しようとはしませんそれでは抜け出せないこれが最高の抜け道ですそして実際これは正しい選択でしょう見て下さいマクドナルドとの関係はここで崩れます収入は同じに見えますなぜそんなに酷い仕事か? それはいつも銃で襲われるから死亡率はというと? 調査したギャングでは -- これは普通でない状況下でした激しい武力衝突やギャングの戦争がありこのギャングは結構成功したのですが犠牲を伴いました僕らの取った死亡率は --逮捕され率刑務所送り怪我した率を含め-- 年間一人当たり7%ですギャングになって4年目なら死ぬ確率は25%ですこれがほぼ最高率でしょう比較のため他の生き方を見てみましょう死ぬ確率が高いと思われる殺人者なら有罪となり死刑囚監房行きです死刑囚の処刑を含む全ての原因による死亡率は1年につき2%です死刑囚監房にいる方が街頭でドラッグを売るより安全なのですこれは死刑制度が犯罪の抑止になると信じる人に再考させることでしょう悪い面を強調しているわけではないのですがクラック時代の都心の酷さは-- 別の話になりますが-- 米国の都心で育つ黒人男性の死亡率を無作為にみると-- クラック時代は約1% これは大変高いです変死の死亡率です信じられない数字です全体像で見ると例えばイラク戦争で現在の戦っている兵士の死亡率は 0.5% 文字通りこの国で育つ若い黒人男性はイラク戦争で戦っている兵士達と同じような前線で暮らしているのですこう尋ねたくなるでしょういったい誰が 4年の間に25%の死亡率で時給3.5ドルでドラッグなんか売るんだ? なぜ彼らはそうするか? 二つほど理由があります最初の理由は歴史に振り回されていることだと思いますギャングが通過儀礼であったということギャングを取り仕切る若者がある年齢になるとギャングをやめるでは何が起こったか適時適所に居合わせた人がたまたま80年代の終わりにギャングを取り仕切っていて大変金持ちになった論理的な考えとしては次世代は「歳をとれば彼らはいずれ引退し次世代が引き継ぎ財産も受け継ぐ」インターネットブームと驚くほど似ていませんか? シリコンバレーの最初のグループはかなり裕福になりそして友人の誰もがこう言います「僕も同じ事しようかな」彼らは安い給料でも仕事を引き受け期待した富にはたどり着きませんある意味ギャングの下っ端から始めようという人にも全く同じ事が起こったといえます言わば法律事務所の下っ端弁護士のように 1年目は意気込みます共同経営者になる為週80時間低賃金で実際には規則が変わり経営者になれません 1980年代後期に大手のギャングを仕切っていた人物が今もシカゴを仕切っているのです財産も譲らないだから皆時給3.5ドルの仕事から抜け出せず大変ですギャングが得意なものにマーケティングと詐欺があります例えばギャングがやることにはー大勢の取り巻きがいるボスはお洒落な車に乗り派手なアクセサリーを身につけるスディールが彼らと一緒に行動して気付いたことはギャングはこれらの車を所有しておらず借り物です -彼らにはお洒落な車など買える余裕はなく金の装身具は全て金メッキ正真正銘の本物に対して偽の本物若者がギャング人生が素晴しいと信じるようトリックの全てを駆使して例えば彼らは14歳の子供に丸めた札束を握らせたりその子は友達にこう言います「ギャングにもらったんだ」それは使うまでは彼のお金ではなく・・そして借金となりしばらく年季奉公となりますあと数分あるので最後にギャングを調査することで学んだ一般的な経済学についてお話します経済学者は専門用語で語り理論がしばしばデータと相反しますでも実際興味深いのはこの設定は実体経済に当てはまらなかった経済学の理論がドラック経済にうまく当てはまる事ですある意味純粋な資本主義だからです経済学の原則に労働経済学の基本的な考えの一つ「補償格差」があります基本的に労働者に賃金を多めに支払うことで二つの仕事を平等に近づけ不快な仕事の埋め合わせをするものですゴミ回収員は公園で働く人より高い賃金を支払われる-- ギャングの一員の話これを明白に語ります僕は少々先走りしすぎたようですギャングは闘争中に歩兵に2倍の金額を支払いますまさに同じ概念です危険にさらされるのは嫌なものですギャングはこれを上手く表現します「こんなヤバい中立ってられっか?」タマに当たるだろそれで命はれって言われちゃ前金もらわなきゃね」元来ギャングは何か起きているかを経済学者よりもはっきりと言います別の例で経済学者は言います二人用ゲームにはナッシュ均衡があるギャングメンバーの言葉を借りると彼らが銃を撃たないと決めた理由は - ギャングのすぐれたビジネス戦術の一つ他のギャング領土で銃を空中に撃てば人はそこへドラッグを買いに行くことを恐れあなたのシマで買うしかし彼らはそうしません理由はこうです「俺らがやつらのシマで撃ち始めたらどうなるそんなことしてみろよあいつらもここに来て撃ったら大変じゃん」全く同じ概念ですでも経済学者も間違うことがありますデータを観察して一つ分かったのがギャングのリーダーには常に収入があることどんなに悪い経済状態でも常に自分に給料を払います現金の流れや資本市場へのアクセス不足の理論があるのでギャングの一員に「なぜ自分はいつも給料があって部下にはなかったりするの?」と聞くと「あいつらみんな俺の地位を狙ってんだぜ負けを認めたら見くびられるぜ」私は考えました「CEOはしばしば自身に100万ドルのボーナスを与える会社が大損しててもでも”見くびられる”という思考の重要性は経済学者には思いもつかない」しかし「見くびられる」というのはもっと分析すべき重要な仮説かもしれませんありがとうございました	It's a lot easier to be lighthearted about other people's tragedy and I want to keep it in the spirit of the conference. So, if you believe the media accounts, being a drug dealer in the height of the crack cocaine epidemic was a very glamorous life, in the words of Virginia Postrel. There was money, there was drugs, guns, women, you know, you name it -- jewelry, bling-bling -- it had it all. What I'm going to tell you today is that, in fact, based on 10 years of research, a unique opportunity to go inside a gang -- to see the actual books, the financial records of the gang -- that the answer turns out not to be that being in the gang was a glamorous life. But I think, more realistically, that being in a gang -- selling drugs for a gang -- is perhaps the worst job in all of America. And that's what I'd like to convince you of today. So there are three things I want to do. First, I want to explain how and why crack cocaine had such a profound influence on inner-city gangs. Secondly, I want to tell you the inner workings of a gang -- an interesting story, I think. And then third, I want to tell you, in a very superficial way, when we actually got to look at the financial records, the books, of the gang. So before I do that, just one warning, which is that this presentation has been rated 'R' by the Motion Picture Association of America. It contains adult themes, adult language. Given who is up on the stage, you'll be delighted to know that, in fact, there'll be no nudity -- Unexpected wardrobe malfunctions aside. So let me start by talking about crack cocaine, and how it transformed the gang. To do that, you have to actually go back to a time before crack cocaine, in the early '80s, and look at it from the perspective of a gang leader. Being a gang leader in the inner city wasn't such a bad deal in the mid-'80s -- the early '80s, let me say. Now, you had a lot of power, and you got to beat people up -- you got a lot of prestige, a lot of respect. But the thing is, there was no money in it. The gang had no way to make money. You couldn't charge dues to the people in the gang, because the people in the gang didn't have any money. You couldn't really make any money selling marijuana -- marijuana's too cheap, it turns out. You can't get rich selling marijuana. You couldn't sell cocaine; cocaine's a great product -- powdered cocaine -- but you've got to know rich white people. And most of the inner-city gang members didn't know any rich white people, so couldn't sell to that market. You couldn't really do petty crime, either. Turns out, petty crime's a terrible way to make a living. As a result, as a gang leader, you had, you know, power -- it's a pretty good life -- but the thing was, in the end, you were living at home with your mother. And so it wasn't really a career. There were limits to how powerful and important you could be if you had to live at home with your mother. Then along comes crack cocaine. And in the words of Malcolm Gladwell, crack cocaine was the extra-chunky version of tomato sauce for the inner city. Because crack cocaine was an unbelievable innovation. I don't have time to talk about it today, but if you think about it, I would say that in the last 25 years, of every invention or innovation that's occurred in this country, the biggest one in terms of impact on the well-being of people who live in the inner city, was crack cocaine. And for the worse -- not for the better, but for the worse. It had a huge impact on life. So what was it about crack cocaine? It was a brilliant way of getting the brain high. Because you could smoke crack cocaine -- you can't smoke powdered cocaine -- and smoking is a much more efficient mechanism of delivering a high than snorting it. And it turned out there was this audience that didn't know it wanted crack cocaine, but when it came, it really did. And it was a perfect drug; you could buy the cocaine that went into it for a dollar, sell it for five dollars. Highly addictive -- the high was very short. So for fifteen minutes, you get this great high, and then when you come down, all you want to do is get high again. It created a wonderful market. And for the people who were there running the gang, it was a great way, seemingly, to make a lot of money. At least for the people on the top. So this is where we enter the picture. Not really me -- I'm really a bit player in all this. My co-author, Sudhir Venkatesh, is the main character. He was a math major in college who had a good heart, and decided he wanted to get a sociology PhD, came to the University of Chicago. Now, the three months before he came to Chicago, he had spent following the Grateful Dead. And in his own words, he "looked like a freak." He's a South Asian -- very dark-skinned South Asian. Big man, and he had hair, in his words, "down to his ass." Defied all kinds of boundaries: Was he black or white? Was he man or woman? He was really a curious sight to be seen. So he showed up at the University of Chicago, and the famous sociologist William Julius Wilson was doing a book that involved surveying people all across Chicago. He took one look at Sudhir, who was going to go do some surveys for him, and decided he knew exactly the place to send him, which was to one of the toughest, most notorious housing projects not just in Chicago, but in the entire United States. So Sudhir, the suburban boy who had never really been in the inner city, dutifully took his clipboard and walked down to this housing project, gets to the first building. The first building? Well, there's nobody there. But he hears some voices up in the stairwell, so he climbs up the stairwell, comes around the corner, and finds a group of young African-American men playing dice. This is about 1990, peak of the crack epidemic. This is a very dangerous job, being in a gang. You don't like to be surprised. You don't like to be surprised by people who come around the corner. And the mantra was: shoot first; ask questions later. Now, Sudhir was lucky -- he was such a freak, and that clipboard probably saved his life, because they figured no other rival gang member would be coming up to shoot at them with a clipboard. So his greeting was not particularly warm, but they did say, well, OK -- let's hear your questions on your survey. the first question on the survey that he was sent to ask was: "How do you feel about being poor and Black in America?" Makes you wonder about academics. So the choice of answers were: [A) Very Good B) Good C) Bad D) Very Bad] What Sudhir found out is, in fact, that the real answer was the following: The survey was not, in the end, going to be what got Sudhir off the hook. He was held hostage overnight in the stairwell. There was a lot of gunfire, there were a lot of philosophical discussions he had with the gang members. By morning, the gang leader arrived, checked out Sudhir, decided he was no threat, and they let him go home. So Sudhir went home, took a shower, took a nap. And you and I, probably, faced with the situation, would think, "I guess I'm going to write my dissertation on The Grateful Dead, I've been following them for the last three months." Sudhir, on the other hand, got right back, walked down to the housing project, went up to the second floor, and said: "Hey, guys, I had so much fun hanging out with you last night, I wonder if I could do it again tonight." And that was the beginning of what turned out to be a beautiful relationship that involved Sudhir living in the housing project on and off for 10 years, hanging out in crack houses, going to jail with the gang members, having the windows shot out of his car, having the police break into his apartment and steal his computer disks -- you name it. But ultimately, the story has a happy ending for Sudhir, who became one of the most respected sociologists in the country. as I sat in my office with my Excel spreadsheet open, waiting for Sudhir to come and deliver to me the latest load of data that he would get from the gang. It was one of the most unequal co-authoring relationships ever -- But I was glad to be the beneficiary of it. What did we find in the gang? Well, let me say one thing: We really got access to everybody in the gang. We got an inside look at the gang, from the very bottom up to the very top. They trusted Sudhir, in ways that really no academic has ever -- or really anybody, any outsider -- has ever earned the trust of these gangs, what was most interesting for me -- their books, the financial records they kept. They made them available to us, and we not only could study them, but we could ask them questions about what was in them. So if I have to kind of summarize very quickly in the short time I have it's that, if I had to draw a parallel between the gang and any other organization, it would be that the gang is just like McDonald's, in a lot of different respects -- the restaurant McDonald's. which isn't maybe the most interesting way, but it's a good way to start -- is in the way it's organized, the hierarchy of the gang, the way it looks. So here's what the org chart of the gang looks like. I don't know if you know much about org charts, but if you were to assign a stripped-down and simplified McDonald's org chart, this is exactly what it would look like. It's amazing, but the top level of the gang, they actually call themselves the "Board of Directors." And Sudhir says it's not like these guys had a very sophisticated view of what happened in American corporate life, but they had seen movies like "Wall Street," and they had learned a little bit about what it was like to be in the real world. Now, below that board of directors, you've got essentially what are regional VPs -- people who control, say, the South Side of Chicago, or the West Side of Chicago. Sudhir got to know very well the guy who had the unfortunate assignment of trying to take the Iowa franchise, which, it turned out, for this black gang, was not one of the more brilliant financial endeavors they undertook. But the thing that really makes the gang seem like McDonald's is its franchisees. The guys who are running the local gangs -- the four-square-block by four-square-block areas -- they're just like the guys, in some sense, who are running the McDonald's. They are the entrepreneurs. They get the exclusive property rights to control the drug-selling. They get the name of the gang behind them, for merchandising and marketing. And they're the ones who basically make the profit or lose a profit, depending on how good they are at running the business. Now, the group I really want you to think about, though, are the ones at the bottom -- the foot soldiers. These are the teenagers, typically, who'd be standing out on the street corner, selling the drugs. Extremely dangerous work. And important to note is that almost all of the weight, all of the people in this organization are at the bottom -- just like McDonald's. So in some sense, the foot soldiers are a lot like the people who are taking your order at McDonald's, and it's not just by chance that they're like them. In fact, in these neighborhoods, they'd be the same people. So the same kids who are working in the gang were actually, at the very same time, typically working part-time at a place like McDonald's. Which already foreshadows the main result that I've talked about, about what a crappy job it was, being in the gang. Because obviously, if being in the gang were such a wonderful, lucrative job, why in the world would these guys moonlight at McDonald's? So what do the wages look like? You might be surprised. But based on being able to talk to them and to see their records, this is what it looks like in terms of the wages. The hourly wage the foot soldiers were earning was $3.50 an hour. It was below the minimum wage. And this is well-documented. It's easy to see by the patterns of consumption they have. It really is not fiction -- it's fact. There was very little money in the gang, especially at the bottom. Now if you managed to rise up, say, and be that local leader, the guy who's the equivalent of the McDonald's franchisee, you'd be making 100,000 dollars a year. And that, in some ways, was the best job you could hope to get if you were growing up in one of these neighborhoods as a young black male. If you managed to rise to the very top, 200,000 or 400,000 dollars a year is what you'd hope to make. Truly, you would be a great success story. And one of the sad parts of this is that, indeed, among the many other ramifications of crack cocaine is that the most talented individuals in these communities -- this is what they were striving for. They weren't trying to make it in legitimate ways, because there were no legitimate channels out. This was the best way out. And it actually was the right choice, probably, You look at this, the relationship to McDonald's breaks down here. The money looks about the same. Why is it such a bad job? Well, the reason it's such a bad job is that there's somebody shooting at you a lot of the time. So, with shooting at you, what are the death rates? We found, in our gang -- and admittedly, this was not really a standard situation; this was a time of intense violence, of a lot of gang wars, as this gang actually became quite successful. But there were costs. And so the death rate -- not to mention the rate of being arrested, sent to prison, being wounded -- the death rate in our sample was seven percent per person per year. You're in the gang for four years, you expect to die with about a 25 percent likelihood. That is about as high as you can get. So for comparison's purposes, let's think about some other walk of life you may expect might be extremely risky. Let's say that you were a murderer and you were convicted of murder, and you're sent to death row. It turns out, the death rates on death row from all causes, including execution: two percent a year. So it's a lot safer being on death row than it is selling drugs out on the street. That gives you some pause, for those of you who believe that a death penalty's going to have an enormous deterrent effect on crime. To give you a sense of just how bad the inner city was during crack -- but really, there's another story to tell you there -- if you look at the death rates just of random, young black males the death rates during crack were about one percent. That's extremely high. And this is violent death -- it's unbelievable, in some sense. To put it into perspective: if you compare this to the soldiers in Iraq, for instance, right now fighting the war: 0.5 percent. So in some very literal way, the young black men who were growing up in this country very much in the sense that the soldiers over in Iraq are fighting in a war. would anybody be willing to stand out on a street corner selling drugs for $3.50 an hour, with a 25 percent chance of dying over the next four years? Why would they do that? And I think there are a couple answers. I think the first one is that they got fooled by history. It used to be the gang was a rite of passage; that the young people controlled the gang; that as you got older, you dropped out of the gang. So what happened was, the people who happened to be in the right place at the right time -- the people who happened to be leading the gang in the mid-to-late-'80s -- became very, very wealthy. And so the logical thing to think was that they are going to age out of the gang and the next generation is going to take over and get the wealth. There are striking similarities, I think, to the Internet boom. The first set of people in Silicon Valley got very, very rich. And then all of my friends said, "Maybe I should go do that, too." And they were willing to work very cheap for stock options that never came. In some sense, that's what happened, exactly, to the set of people we were looking at. They were willing to start at the bottom, just like, say, a first-year lawyer at a law firm is willing to start at the bottom, work 80-hour weeks for not that much money, But the rules changed, and they never got to make partner. Indeed, the same people who were running all of the major gangs in the late 1980s are still running the major gangs in Chicago today. They never passed on any of the wealth, So everybody got stuck at that $3.50-an-hour job, and it turned out to be a disaster. The other thing the gang was very good at was marketing and trickery. And so for instance, one thing the gang would do is -- the gang leaders would have big entourages, and they'd drive fancy cars and have fancy jewelry. So what Sudhir eventually realized as he hung out with them more, because they couldn't afford to own the fancy cars. And they didn't really have gold jewelry, they had gold-plated jewelry. It goes back to, you know, the real-real versus the fake-real. And really, they did all sorts of things to trick the young people into thinking what a great deal the gang was going to be. So for instance, they would give a 14-year-old kid a whole roll of bills to hold. That 14-year-old kid would say to his friends, "Hey, look at all the money I got in the gang." It wasn't his money -- until he spent it, and then he was in debt to the gang, and was sort of an indentured servant for a while. So I have a couple minutes. Let me do one last thing I hadn't thought I'd have time to do, which is to talk about what we learned more generally about economics, So, economists tend to talk in technical words. Often, our theories fail quite miserably when we over the data, but what's kind of interesting is that in this setting, it turned out that some of the economic theories that worked not so well in the real economy in some sense, because it's unfettered capitalism. Here's an economic principle. This is one of the basic ideas in labor economics, called a "compensating differential." It's the idea that the increment to wages that a worker requires to leave him indifferent between performing two tasks, one which is more unpleasant than the other. Compensating differential -- it's why we think garbagemen might be paid more than people who work in parks. The words of one of the members of the gang, I think, make this clear. So it turns out -- I'm sort of getting ahead of myself -- it turns out, in the gang, when there's a war going on, they actually pay the foot soldiers twice as much money. It's exactly this concept. Because they're not willing to be at risk. And the words of a gang member capture it quite nicely, he says: "Would you stand around here when all this shit ..." -- the shooting -- "... if all this shit's going on? No, right? So if I gonna be asked to put my life on the line, then front me the cash, man." I think the gang member says it much more articulately than the economist, about what's going on. Here's another one. Economists talk about game theory, that every two-person game has a Nash equilibrium. Here's the translation you get from the gang member. They're talking about the decision of why they don't go shoot -- One thing that turns out to be a great business tactic in the gang: if you go and just shoot guns in the air in the other gang's territory -- people are afraid to go buy drugs there, they're going to come into your neighborhood. Here's what he says about why they don't do that: "If we start shooting around there, the other gang's territory, nobody, I mean, you dig it, nobody gonna step on their turf. But we gotta be careful, 'cause they can shoot around here too and then we all fucked." So that's the same concept. Then again, sometimes economists get it wrong. One thing we observed in the data is that it looked like -- the gang leader always got paid. No matter how bad it was economically, he always got himself paid. We had some theories related to cash flow, and lack of access to capital markets, and things like that. Then we asked the gang member, "Why is it you always get paid and your workers don't always get paid?" His response is, "You got all these niggers below you who want your job, you dig? If you start taking losses, they see you as weak and shit." And I thought about it and said, "CEOs often pay themselves million-dollar bonuses, even when companies are losing a lot of money. And it never would really occur to an economist that this idea of 'weak and shit' could really be important." Maybe "weak and shit" is an important hypothesis that needs more analysis. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
俺は今、皇帝陛下を睨んでいる。不敬だ?んなもん、知ったこっちゃねぇよ。突然陛下から呼び出された。ご丁寧に、俺とリコ宛に帝国王室からの招待状までつけて。何事やあらんと、夫婦揃って正装をして宮城に赴いた。案内された部屋は、いわゆる「対面の間」で、各国の代表を謁見する場所だった。リコ、顔を見合わせながら待っていると、陛下が現れ玉座に腰を下ろす。そしてその横に宰相閣下とヴァイラス殿下、そして、かなりくたびれた様子のひげ面の小男が別の扉から現れた。「バーサーム公に置かれては、ご機嫌いかがかな?」宰相閣下の応対が妙によそよそしいどうしたんだ? 「姉上に置かれては、ますますご機嫌麗しく、なによりです」「え、ええ、貴方もご壮健でなによりです」俺が完全にフリーズしているのを見て、ヴァイラス殿下がリコに話を振ってくれた。さすがはリコである。ソツのない答えをとっさに返している。「義弟どの」突然、陛下が口を開く。「義弟どの」なんて初めて聞いた。「内密に頼みたいこと、でしょうか?」「うむ。詳しくはそこにおられる、ユーリー殿から聞かれるがよい」「はじめてお目にかかります、ニザ公国で宰相を務めます、ユーリーと申します」「バーサーム・ダーケ・リノスです」「実は侯爵様に内密のお願いがございます。我らニザ公国をお救いいただけませんでしょうか?」「ニザ公国がどうかされたのですか?」ニザ公国は、ドワーフ族が治める国である。ドワーフと言えば何といっても優秀な鍛冶師の国であり、その技術を駆使して多くの刀や鎧などを作り出すことで国を発展させてきた。しかしここ数年、農作地が荒廃したため収穫高が激減しており、国家存亡の危機にあるのだと言う。「何か天変地異があったのですか?」「いえ、そうではありません。害獣です」「害獣?」「その・・・鹿が大量に発生しまして、農作物を食べてしまうのです」「鹿?そんなの、狩ればいいじゃないですか」「実は、我々ドワーフにとって鹿は神の使いとされております。従って、ニザ公国内においては、鹿を殺すことは厳罰に処されます」「で、俺に何をしろと?」「できますれば、我が国の農作地を復活できますよう、お知恵を借りたいと・・・」「鹿を間引く以外ないと思いますが・・・」「でしたら、それをお願いしたく・・・」要は、自分たちが鹿を間引くと罪に問われる。だから他人にそれをやってもらいましょう、他の国の人間がやれば、「いやー知らない間に鹿の数、減っちゃってたよ、エヘッ」って感じになるってか?アホか、バカも休み休み言え。「それならば別に俺じゃなくてもいいんじゃないですか?他に人はいるでしょう」俺は皇帝陛下を睨みつける。わざわざ俺とリコに招待状まで送っておいてこの仕打ちは一体どういうことだ?そんな気配を察してか、宰相閣下が口を開く。「そこをあえて貴殿に頼むのだ。もう一つ、貴殿に頼みたいことがある」「何でしょうか?」「どうやらニザ公国の鹿の大量発生は、人為的になされた可能性があるのだ」「人為的、ですか?」「これまでニザ公国においてこのような被害が出たということは聞いたことがない。にもかかわらず、今年になって突然田畑の作物を食い荒らしている。なにやらニザ公国内がおかしい。そこで、貴殿には秘密裏にニザ公国内の様子を探ってほしいのだ」「はあ・・・」「義弟どの、ニザ公国とヒーデータ帝国は長い同盟関係にある盟友なのだ。済まぬが、力を貸してやってくれまいか?」「陛下がそうおっしゃるのであれば・・・」「うむ。それでは、ニザ公国には、バーサーム侯爵を遣わすこととする。ユーリ殿、よいかな?」ユーリ宰相は退出していく。そして俺たちは陛下に付いてくるように言われる。付いていった先は、陛下の私室だった。そこには、以前陛下がクルムファルホテルに逗留された際に傍に居た女性が居た。彼女は俺たちの姿を見ると、退出しようとする。「タウンゼット、よい。ここにおれ」「しかし・・・陛下・・・」「構わぬ。ここにいるのは皆、身内みたいなものじゃ」タウンゼットと呼ばれた女性は、申し訳なさそうに元居た椅子に腰を掛ける。「皆の者、タウンゼットが同席することを許せ。何しろ身籠っておるのでな」「ええっ!?それは・・・おめでとうございます!」宰相閣下も知らなかったようだ。とんだサプライズだ。さすがに宰相閣下は何かを察したらしく、したり顔で頷いている。「なるほど、だからタウンゼット様が陛下のお部屋に・・・」「うむ。後宮の女どもは嫉妬深いからの。タウンゼットの身にもしものことがあってはならぬ故、余の部屋に住まわしておる。後宮の女たちの間では、余がタウンゼットを昼となく夜となく傍に置いていると噂のようじゃ。ハハハハハ」「と、いうことは、俺に結界を・・・」「察しが良いの。済まぬが、頼みたい」俺はタウンゼット様に結界を張る。サービスして、かなり強力な結界を張っておく。「さて皆の者、そして義弟どの。本日呼び出したのは他でもない。あのニザ公国のことじゃ」「陛下、別に俺が行く必要はないかと思いますが・・・」「兄上、なぜリノスなのですの?その理由をお聞かせくださいませ」「実はあの国に、魔族が入り込んでおるらしいのだ。そして、そやつらがどうやら国を混乱に陥れようとしているらしい。ドワーフ王から内々の密書が届いた。ニザ公国と我がヒーデータ帝国は、商業上の取引はもちろん、地理的にも我が喉元にあると言って過言でない。むろん、盾として扱う気は毛頭ないが、ドワーフ王にはいろいろと便宜を図ってもらっておるからの。余の個人的な感情ではあるが、助けてやりたいのだ」なるほど、戦略上重要な国でもあり、そこが瓦解するといろいろと困るのか。「リノス殿には、余からの公使としてニザ公国に行ってもらう。表向きは国内の農業改革の手伝いじゃ。なにしろ、クルムファルを復興させた実績があるからの。大歓迎で迎えられるであろうな。しかし、その一方で国内を混乱させている魔族を駆逐してほしい。放っておいては後々、我が帝国にも触手を伸ばすやもしれん。済まぬが、やってくれまいか」「イヤ・・・とは言えないですよね?」「リノス殿は余の義弟であり、ヒーデータ帝国皇帝の身内じゃ。粗略には扱われまい。そして、公国まで長い森を抜けることになるが、その際に鹿の状況も見てもらいたいのじゃ。その二つをやり遂げられるものは、リノス殿を置いて他にない」「・・・わかりました」陛下に懇願されて、渋々承諾させられてしまった。早速屋敷に帰り、皆に報告をする。「う~ん、鹿が急に大量発生するのは、考えられないですね」メイが首をかしげている。「ご主人1人で行かれるのでありますか?」「イヤ、ゴンと・・・フェリスは付いて来てくれ。他は屋敷で待機してくれ。準備が整い次第、出発する」その夜、俺が寝ようとすると、リコがベッドに入ってくる。今日はいつになく積極的で、リコから求めてくるのは珍しい。「どうしたんだ、リコ?」「・・・旅に出るのでしょう?私は連れて行っていただけないのですね?」「クルムファルのことがあるだろう?」「そうですけど・・・。一人で寝るのは、イヤですわ」「大丈夫。夜は転移結界で屋敷に帰ってくる。心配いらないよ」「毎晩、一緒に寝てくれますの?」「もちろんだよ。毎晩、リコを抱きしめるよ」「必ず、必ず、帰ってきてくださいませね」俺はリコを抱きしめ、背中からお尻の方をゆっくり撫でてやる。その指の動きに敏感に反応したリコは、俺にしがみついたままピクピクと体を震わせて息を荒くするのだった。ゆっくりと、夜が更けていった。	Here I stand, glaring at the emperor. Disrespectful? Don’t give a damn. I’ve received a sudden summons from the emperor. An invitation politely suggested from me and Rico to visit him. Whatever the reason, we headed to the royal palace. Someone led us towards a room that was used by the emperor to meet the foreign emissaries. As we waited, His Majesty appeared and placed himself on the throne. The prime minister and His Highness Prince Viras stood by his sides. Then a tired boy with a beard appeared from another door. 「Are you in good health, Marquis Versam?」 The prime minister looks strangely tense today. What’s happening? 「You are becoming more beautiful by the day, my sister」「O-Of course. I’m glad you’re in good health too」 As I was bust processing to events, prince Viras spoke to Rico. As expected, Rico had no trouble answering. 「Brother-in-law」 His Highness finally spoke. It’s the first time he said the words「brother-in-law」. 「Do you wish to ask for a personal favor?」「Indeed. You can hear the details from Yuri-dono」「A pleasure to meet you. I’m the prime minister of the Principality of Niza, Yuri」「Versam Dake Rinos, a pleasure to meet you」「I have a request for you, Marquis-sama. Would you consider saving our principality?」「Did something happen in the Principality of Niza?」 The Principality of Niza is a country ruled by dwarfs. As a result, the country became famous for its excellent blacksmiths, as well as the armor and weapons they make. However, during the last few years, the farmlands fell into ruin with no possibility of them sustaining the population’s need for food. 「Was there some sort of natural disaster?」「No, no such thing. It’s pests」「Pests?」「How should I say it......the deers suddenly multiplied and consumed the crops」「Deers? Don’t you have any hunters?」「There is a belief among us dwarves that deers are the servants of gods. Therefore, killing a deer is a serious crime」「So, what are you expecting of me?」「If possible, we’d like you to share your wisdom in hopes of reviving our farmland.....」「I don’t think there is a method that doesn’t involve killing the deers......」「In that case, we request you to do so......」 Doing it themselves is punishable by the law. So why not to ask someone else and pretend that「the deer herd suddenly became smaller for no reason whatsoever, tehe~」? Fools and idiots always have an easy life, huh. 「Isn’t it fine if it’s not me then? There are plenty of others」 I glared at His Majesty. What’s the meaning behind an invitation to both, me and Rico? But the prime minister ignored me and continued. 「The truth is, there is another matter we’d like to entrust you with」「What might it be?」「There are signs indicating that the deer outbreak might have been artificially induced」「Artificially?」「The scale of the outbreak is unheard of in the principality’s history. It happened too abruptly. Moreover, their recent political decisions seem rather strange too. On that note, I’d like you to investigate the situation from the inside」「Haa......」「Brother-in-law, our Hideta Empire and the Principality of Niza are long-time allies. I apologize for the inconvenience, but can I count on your help?」「If that’s what you wish for, Your Majesty.....」「In that case, Marquis Versam shall temporarily assist the Principality of Niza. Is this arrangement fine with you, Yuri-dono?」 Prime Minister Yuri has left and we followed after His Majesty. We’ve arrived at his private study soon after. There was a girl inside, which I last saw with His Majesty in my hotel. The moment she saw us, she immediately tried to leave. 「It’s alright, Taunzette. Come here」「However.....Your Majesty.......」「I don’t mind, everyone here is a relative」 The girl by the name of Taunzette, returned to the chair she originally sprung up from. 「Please allow her to be present. After all, I’ve already fallen into her trap」「Eh!? Congratulations are in order!」 It seems the prime minister didn’t know. What a surprise. Though he had his suspicions. 「I see, so that’s why Taunzette-sama is in His Majesty’s room....」「Indeed. The women at the royal court are the jealous bunch. I’m letting her stay in this room for her own safety. There are rumors that I’m having her work all day and night every single day. Hahahahaha」「And that’s where I come in.....」「You are quick to catch up. I’m counting on you」 I put a barrier on Taunzette-sama. A pretty strong one, as a service. 「Well then, brother-in-law, everyone. There are still some things left to discuss regarding the Principality of Niza」「I don’t think there is any reason for me personally to do it, Your Majesty....」「Why did you pick Rinos, bother? Please let me hear the reason」「There are traces of demonic activity in that country. They cause a lot of confusion within the country. A confidential letter had arrived from the Dwarven King. There is no denying the principality’s importance as a trading partner and it’s geographical position. Of course, I have no intention to use them as a buffer state and I also have a great opinion of the Dwarven King. Me trying to help him is my personal desire」 I see, so it’s in a strategic location and any disturbance would be unwelcome. 「I’ll send you as a representative of our country. Officially, you’ll be there to help with their farmland. After all, you do have a track record. They should welcome you with open arms. While there, I also want you to deal with any demons you find. This problem could eventually affect the empire if left unattended」「....I don’t have an option to refuse, do I?」「You are the brother-in-law of the emperor, Rinos-dono. I won’t force you to do anything. There is a forest you have to pass through to get to the principality, it will also be possible to investigate the deer problem while at it. The only person I know who can do both things is you, Rinos-dono」「.......Understood」 Continuously asked by His Majesty, I reluctantly nodded my head. I told everyone what’s happened the moment I came back to the mansion. 「It’s hard to imagine the deers suddenly multiplied for no reason」 Mei tilted her head in puzzlement. 「Do you have to go alone, Master?」「No, Gon and......Ferris, you’ll go with me. Everyone else is on standby at home. Prepare your things, we’ll depart shortly」 That night, Rico crawled into my bed. She was the most assertive I’ve ever seen her. 「What’s wrong, Rico?」「......You are going on a trip. And you aren’t taking me with you」「There is still Kurumfar」「Perhaps.......But I don’t want to sleep alone」「It’s alright. I’ll be sure to teleport back every night. No need to worry」「Every single night?」「Of course. Every single night I’ll be there to embrace you」「You must, you have to come back」 I hugged Rico close to myself and gently squeezed her buttcheek. Stimulated by my touch, she wiggled in delight as her breath turned hot and rough. And so the night continued.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
私は鞄をそのままジルに渡した。鞄の中身は全て本。十冊ぐらい持ってあの森を走ってきたのよ。筋トレを日々やっておいて良かったわ。そうじゃなきゃ明日の朝肩が上がらなくなっているとこだったわ。ジルがそう言って私に抱きついた。あら、もうすっかり心を開いてくれて、お姉さん嬉しいわ。ジルは早速本を読み始めた。確かにウィルおじいさんが言った通り彼は賢かった。なんだか私、本を持ってきてあげたり......、良い人になってない? 「アリシア、いらっしゃい」随分前に私が家からココアパウダーを持ってきてウィルおじいさんに渡したのよ。最初は少し警戒していたんだけど飲んだ瞬間、顔がパッと明るくなって、それからすっかりハマったのよね。あの反応は可愛かったわ。というよりジルって物凄く可愛い顔をしているのよね。やっぱりゲームの世界だからかしら。不細工に出会った事がないもの。私はジルが本を読んでいる横でウィルおじいさんとお話をした。魔法学園の出し物をリズさんとデューク様がメインでする事になったのだけど、結局なんにも決まらなかった事も話した。「出し物って一体どんな事をするもんなんじゃ?」私は固まってしまった。私、てっきり舞台の話かと思っていたけど、もしかしたらご飯を出したりするものだったのかも......。だからデューク様が不機嫌になったのかしら。私が真面目に考えていないと思われたんだわ。出し物ってあまりにも抽象すぎるのよ。あの紙も悪いわ。「舞台なのか、食べ物を出したりするものなのか分かりませんわ」ウィルおじいさんが小さく笑った。「じゃあ、まずそれを確認しないと」「そうですわね」私は勢いよく立った。その振動で机が少し揺れて、ココアが数滴机の上に落ちた。「明日もまた来る?」私はアルバートお兄様に聞こうと思って急いで家に帰ったのだけど、今の時間は就寝時間だという事をすっかり忘れていた。私は肩を落として自分の部屋に向かった。	Wordlessly, I pass my bag over to him. Inside is filled to the brim with books. I ran all the way here carrying that thing. There’s ten thick volumes in there! Thank goodness I’ve been keeping up with my daily physical training. Otherwise come tomorrow morning, I might not have been able to lift my arms at all. “Thanks!” Gilles cries, throwing his arms around me. Oh? It seems you’ve completely opened your heart to me now. This big sister is very happy! I guess once you’ve gotten a small child to open up to you, they quickly grow attached. Without pause, Gilles drags the books over to a chair and plops down to start reading. Just as Grandpa Will told me, Gilles is certainly very intelligent. His comprehensive abilities and imagination are truly astounding. ....Bringing him books, praising his skills..... Somehow, doesn’t this make me seem like I’m actually a good person? “Good evening, Alicia,” Grandpa Will greets me before pouring me a cup of hot chocolate. Quite some time ago I brought some cocoa powder from my house over for him. Since we certainly have plenty of it, I figured there’s no way anyone would notice anyway. And while Grandpa Will was already familiar with the drink, it seems that Gilles had never heard of it before. In the beginning, he was actually quite hesitant to try it, but the moment he brought the cup to his lips, his face lit up and he downed the whole thing in one go. His reaction was so cute! Though, I suppose everything he does is quite cute since Gilles’s face is just so adorable. Is it because this is a game world? I haven’t met a single ugly person yet. I take a seat next to Gilles, who is still happily engrossed in his books, and chat away with Grandpa Will as I sip at my hot chocolate. I matter-of-factly relay to him the events of this past day. I tell him about how it was decided that Liz-san and Duke-Sama would be the main leads in the student council’s performance and how literally nothing else was decided on. “What sort of performance would you typically put on for a school festival?” I stiffen. I hadn’t really thought about it, but there really are all kinds of productions that you could put on. In my head, I had been imagining a stage performance this whole time, but it could also be as simple as putting together a food stand...... Is that the real reason that Duke-Sama seemed so annoyed? He must have thought that I wasn’t taking this matter seriously enough. The word “production” is just too vague. That ambiguous pamphlet is as much to blame as I am. “Whether it’s some sort of stage performance or some sort of food stand, I’m not really sure myself.” Grandpa Will chuckles lightly. “Then, I guess you should start from there.” “Right.” I shoot up from my seat eagerly. The chair rocks back slightly and the desk shakes from my sudden movement, and a splash of hot chocolate falls onto the wood. “Are you planning to come again tomorrow?” Grandpa Will calls from behind me as I walk towards the door. I was planning to ask Albert-Oniisama for clarification so I ran straight home, but it’s not until I actually get back and am heading towards his room that I realize that it’s the middle of the night. Everyone else should already be asleep at this hour. So, shoulders sagging I head down the hall to my own room instead.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 10, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
現在より7年前南極「ふう。また来たみたいですね。」「みてぇだな。今回は巨大蛸か。」私とボブさんは太平洋側の沿岸に来ている。そして私たちの前では体高5m程の巨大蛸が手刃人鳥を襲いつつ海から陸に上がりつつある。もちろん手刃人鳥を襲っている時点で『永遠たる南の極妃』の生み出した魔性ではない。この巨大蛸を生み出した魔王の名は『這い寄る混沌の蛸王』。太平洋の海底の何処かにダンジョンを構えて、制海権を人間達から奪い取った最悪の魔王。「では、私が脚を落としますので、ボブさんは本体を、」「おう!」「ーーーーーーーーーーーー!!!」私が突撃し、ボブさんがスキルの準備を始めた瞬間巨大蛸が脚の一本を振り上げ私たち二人をまとめて叩き潰そうとする。でも、「そんな攻撃が通用するとでも?≪形無き王の剣・弱≫」私は手持ちの金属から幅広の巨大鉈を右手に生成し、生成直後に巨大蛸の脚を断ち切るようにテレポートさせて切断する。巨大蛸は自慢の脚を切られたためなのか残りの脚全てを縦横無尽に振り回して暴れようとしますが、もちろん私はそれを許さずに手近な脚から順番に≪形無き王の剣・弱≫で切り落としていきます。最近分かったことですが、≪形無き王の剣・弱≫によって生成される剣は私のイメージが大きく影響するようで、私のイメージ次第では基本の両刃の長剣、所謂ロングソードから、ダガーやナイフのような短剣。バスタードソードやクレイモアなどの大剣に、ゲームの中にしかないような巨大剣。ファルシオンやククリなどの曲刀に日本刀。レイピア、エストックなどが属する刺突剣。果ては今回使った鉈や銃剣のようなものから、明らかに架空の武器まで作ることが出来るようです。それこそ材料さえ十分にあれば一太刀で戦艦を切り裂くことが出来る超巨大剣も作成可能です。そして、巨大蛸の脚が全て切り落とされ、まるで達磨のようになった巨大蛸と切り離された脚が痛みに耐えかねて暴れまわります。ですが、そこでボブさんがスキルの準備を終えて、攻撃の体勢に入ります。「行くぞ!≪極光の帯≫。」ボブさんの右腕に強力な電気と磁力を帯びたオーロラの布が生成され、その帯が持つ電気が右手に集中します。そしてそれが極限まで収束して周囲に虹色の光とバチバチという音を撒き散らし始めます。巨大蛸はそれを見て危険だと判断したのか脚の無い体で必死にボブさんに接近し襲い掛かろうとしますがもう遅いです。雷の槍ボブさんの右手に通常の≪雷の槍≫よりも強力な≪雷の槍≫が生成され、ボブさんはそれを巨大蛸に向けて投げつけます。そして巨大蛸の額に≪雷の槍≫が突き刺さった瞬間、雷鳴と共に何条もの雷が辺りに走り、巨大蛸を周囲に転がっている脚諸共黒焦げになるまで焼き払いました。辺り一帯に蛸が焼けたいい匂いが漂い始めます。「終わりましたね。」「だな。じゃあ、多少身を切り出したら帰るか。」「ではそうしましょう。」そして私たちは巨大蛸の一部を食用として切り出して極妃のダンジョンへと戻りました。 ------------ 極妃のもとで修業を始めて2年少々。極妃について分かったことは色々あります。まず極妃の眷属は南極人と言いますが、南極人はボブさんしかいません。その理由は極妃が魔王になり、レベル2になって眷属を生み出せるようになったころにはもうボブさん以外の人間は南極に居なかったからだそうです。それだけで終わりではなく、極妃曰く「微かに残った...いや、不自然に消えた記録と状況証拠から考えるとボブは朕の兄である可能性が高い。」とのことです。そう言われてみると確かに二人は似ているのですよね。目鼻立ちとか「ふふん」という笑い方とかで。それと、極妃たちが日本語を使えるのは元々ジャパニメーションが好きで原作をそのまま見たかったからだそうです。 ...。オタクってすごいですね。さて、私自身の成長に関しては先に挙げた≪形無き王の剣・弱≫の生成可能な剣の種類についてもそうですが、≪魔性創生・下位≫についても分かったことがあります。どうやらこの≪魔性創生・下位≫は魔王が持つ≪魔性創生≫の劣化版の様で、これでモンスターを生み出す場合は≪魔性創生≫と違って原材料。つまりはタンパク質などが必要になるようで、おまけに種類も制限されて私はまだ一種類の魔性しか生み出せません。それがこれです。魔法生物系刀型魔性刀剣に≪魔性創生・下位≫を使用することによって作成される魔性。主の命令を効ける程度の知能と飛行能力を持つ。召喚コスト:HP,MP,SPを対象とする刀剣のサイズに比例して消費おまけに≪魔性創生・下位≫で生み出した魔性は生み出してから1時間経つと自動的に元の刀剣に戻ってしまいます。と、極妃がこちらに来ますね。「極妃どうかしましたか?」「うむ。貴殿の望みであるアフリカ大陸に渡る目途がついたから話をしておこうと思ってな。」「本当ですか!」私は思わず座っていた椅子から立ち上がります。ちなみにアフリカ大陸を行く先に選んだのは、南米大陸だと日本まで遠すぎる。オーストラリア大陸ではインド洋と太平洋に居る魔王の攻撃が激しすぎて行くのが厳しい。という理由からです。「うむ。それで出発はいつにする?」「可能であればいつでも。」「分かった。貴殿がそう言うなら早速行くとしよう。」そうして私は極妃とボブさんに世話になった礼を言った後アフリカ大陸へと旅立ちました。	Antarctica, years before present. “Hmm. They’ve arrived once more.” “Yeah, looks like it. And it’s a giant octopus this time.” I was on the Pacific Coast with Bob. A five-meter-tall giant octopus was rising from the sea to the land ahead of us, assaulting the Shujin penguins. Of course, the octopus attacking the Shujin penguins was not a demon created by the “Polar Queen of the Eternal South”. The name of the Demon King who conjured this giant octopus was the “Crawling Octopus King of Chaos”. He was one of the worst Demon Kings, having established a dungeon somewhere under the bottom of the Pacific Ocean and deprived humanity of control over the sea. “Well then, I’ll settle its legs, so you will deal with the main body, Bob-san.” “Yes!” “ーーー!!!” As I surged forward and Bob began to prepare his skills, the giant octopus lifted one of its legs and sought to squash the two of us together. But... “Do you really reckon such an attack will do the trick? ≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫.” From the metal I had on hand, I generated a wide massive hatchet in my right hand, and right after its generation, I teleported and severed the leg of the giant octopus. Perhaps because its leg had been removed, the giant octopus tried to rampage, swinging all its remaining legs in all directions, but of course, I did not allow it to do so and proceeded to chop off its legs in turn, starting with the leg closest at hand with ≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫. I had recently discovered that the sword produced by ≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫ seemed to be heavily influenced by my vision and depending on my imagination, it might be a standard double-edged long sword, a small sword like a dagger, or a knife. There were massive swords that can only be found in video games, such as bastard swords and claymores. Even swords like the falchion and kukri, as well as Japanese swords, rapiers, estocs, and other thrusting swords, were accessible. Apparently, fictional weapons also can be made, like the hatchet and bayonet I used at this time. As long as there were enough materials, it was capable of producing a huge sword that can cleave through a battleship with a single sword strike. The giant octopus’s legs were then chopped off, resulting in it becoming like a daruma doll, and flailed around in unremitting anguish along with its severed legs. Bob, on the other hand, had finished preparing his skill and assumed the attacking stance at that point. “Here I come! ≪Band of Polar Light≫.” An aurora fabric infused with prominent electricity and magnetism appeared on Bob’s right arm, with the electricity from the belt centered on his right hand. It then converged to the utmost limit and began to scatter rainbow-colored light and crackling noises to the surroundings. When the giant octopus noticed this, it deemed it threatening and furiously attempted to approach Bob and assault him with its legless body, but it was already too late. In his right hand, Bob produced a more fearsome ≪Thunder Javelin≫ than the ordinary ≪Thunder Javelin≫ and hurled it towards the giant octopus. Multiple bolts of lightning struck the surroundings with a thunderous boom as the ≪Thunder Javelin≫ penetrated the giant octopus’s forehead, searing the giant octopus and all of its legs laying around it until they were charred black. The aroma of the roasted octopus began to pervade the area. “It’s over, isn’t it?” “Right. Well, shall we slice out some of the meat and leave?” “Let’s do that.” Therefore, after cutting a portion of the giant octopus for our meal, we returned to the Polar Queen’s dungeon. ————– It has been a little over two years since I started training with the Polar Queen. There were many things I had learned about the Polar Queen. To begin with, the Polar Queen’s kin was known as Nankyokujin, but Bob was the only one. The reason for this was that there were no more humans in Antarctica except Bob at the time Polar Queen became a Demon King, attained Level , and was capable of creating kin. That was not the end of the story, but according to Polar Queen, “There is a strong possibility that Bob is my elder brother, considering the faint remaining... or rather, the unnaturally vanished records and circumstantial evidence”. When she mentioned that, it was true that they do look alike. They shared similar facial expressions, laughed in similar ways, and so forth. Furthermore, it seemed that the Polar Queen and Bob can communicate in Japanese because they both enjoyed Japanese animation and desired to view the original work in its entirety. ...Being an otaku is amazing. Now, in terms of my own personal growth, I had gained some knowledge about the types of swords that can be created by ≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫ as mentioned earlier, as well as about ≪Monster Creation・Low Rank≫. Apparently, this ≪Monster Create・Low Rank≫ was a downgraded version of ≪Monster Create≫ that the Demon King possessed, and when monsters were created with this, unlike ≪Monster Create≫, they were created using raw materials. In other words, it seemed to require proteins, etc, and in addition, the number of types was also limited and I can only create one type of monster which was this one: ・Flying Sword Magical creature sword type demon. This is a demon created by utilizing ≪Monster Create・Low Rank≫ on a sword. It possesses intelligence to the extent that it can obey the master’s commands, and has flight ability. Summoning cost: HP, MP, and SP are consumed in proportion to the size of the intended sword. Moreover, when one hour has passed after its creation, the demon created by ≪Monster Creation・Low Rank≫ reverts to the original sword. And the Polar Queen was coming this way now. “Is something the matter, Polar Queen?” “Yes. Your desire to cross over to the African continent has been realized, so I thought I would share the news with you.” “Is that true!” I involuntarily rose from the chair in which I was sitting. Incidentally, I chose African continent as my destination because the South American continent was too far away from Japan. On the Australian continent, the attacks of the Demon King in the Indian and Pacific Oceans would be too ferocious for me to travel there. “Mm-hmm. So when do you want to leave? “Anytime is possible.” “I understand. If you insist, you shall go at once..” Thus, after thanking Polar Queen and Bob for their hospitality, I set off for the continent of Africa.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 4, "inserted_lines_src": 1, "inserted_lines_trg": 4 }
「そういえば、お主は今日までどう暮らしておったんじゃ?」空の旅の途中、ミラは、ふと浮かんだ疑問をアイゼンファルドに投げ掛ける。ゲームの時には、そういった部分の背景の説明は無く、召喚すれば現れて送還すれば帰って行くだけだったのだ。しかし、現実となった今ではそんな単純なものではないだろうと考えての言葉だ。「もちろん竜の都で、仲間達に暮らしてました。人化はその時に教えてもらったのです。竜の姿よりも力の消費が抑えられると聞きまして。省エネというらしいですが」「ほう、そうじゃったのか。竜の都に、人化のぅ......」ミラはの聞き慣れない言葉に注目する。まず、竜の都という名はゲーム時代には無かった。だが言い方からして想像は出来る。きっと竜が一杯いるのだと。しかし人化の方となると、効果は見ての通りだろうが、それ以外は全く心当たりが無い。知っていれば、アイゼンファルドが人に変身した時に驚く事もなかっただろう。「その、人化は誰に教えてもらったんじゃ?」竜を人に変身させるという術は聞いた事が無い。変身するという効果からして降魔術に近い感じもするが、適性の問題と術士が竜であるという問題が残る。現存すの術は、そもそも人にしか扱えないからだ。または、クレオスの様に人の血が混じっている者くらいである。魔物や精霊、悪魔。その他、様々な知能のある種族は、また独自の術大系を有している。となれば、考えられるのは竜専用の術という事になるが、人に変身する竜もまた、心当たりの無い存在だった。年のうちに新たに開発されたのだろうと考えられるが、それを教えたという存在が、ミラは少し気になったのだ。「あれは確か......、随分前でした。竜の都に人間の女性が突然やってきたんです。名前は忘れてしまいましたが、私達を見ても全く物怖じせずに、暫く一緒に過ごしまして、次第に話も良くする様になりました。そんなある日、周辺の獲物を狩り尽くしてしまって食糧不足だと愚痴を零したんですが、その女性が言ったんです。時代は省エネだと。何の意味か分からなかったんですが、今までよりも少ない食料で暮らしていける方法があると聞きまして、その方法を教えて貰いました。それが人化です。人に成っている間は力がかなり抑えられてしまいますが、力の消費もそれに比例するので、次第に食料問題も解決していったんです」アイゼンファルドの話を聞き終わったミラは、その女性について考える。省エネなどという言い回しからして元プレイヤーかもしれないと。そして、人である事から通常の術系統であるという可能性が高い。だが問題は、その通常の術が使えないアイゼンファルドが使ったという事だ。そうなると竜族や、その系譜の専用技能である可能性があるのだが、それはそれで人に教えられたというところで引っ掛かる。その女性は竜でも使える術を開発したのか、それとも竜しか使えない技能を知っているのか。......または、それ以外のまったく別の何かか。どの道つまりは、元プレイヤーが全く知らない技術を知っていたという事だ。 (ソロモンに聞きたい事が増えたのぅ) 一体どこまで、この世界は進化しているのか。ミラはまだ見ぬそれに心を奮わせる。「その後、数年の間、母上が呼んで下さらなかったので、母上を探して人の街を巡ったりもしました」「うぬぅ......すまんのぅ」どうやらアイゼンファルドにも心配を掛けてしまっていたらしいと、ミラは呻き謝罪する。「それはいいのです。会えましたので。母上は一体、今までどちらにいらしたのですか?」不安げな声色で問うアイゼンファルドだが、ミラにしてみれば答えようの無い質問だ。ミラの実感ではキャラメイクが終わったら三十年経っていたというものなのだから。「正直、わしも良く分からんのじゃよ。気付いたら三十年経っておった」他に言い様も無く、記憶のままを口にする。その答えにアイゼンファルドは、少しだけ首を傾げると「不思議な事もあるのですね」と一言返し、くるくると喉を鳴らす。アイゼンファルドにしてみれば、今会えたのだから、会えなかった三十年など、もうどうでもいい事なのだ。ミラは、そんなアイゼンファルドが鳴らす風の音を聞きながら地平の境界を眺めると、他の召喚体達、皆を呼んで挨拶でもしておこうかと考えるのだった。首都ルナティックレイクから天魔都市シルバーホーンまでは、千里馬車でなければ二日は掛かる旅程だが、皇竜アイゼンファルドに乗って空を行けば、ほんの二時間程度のものだ。シルバーホーンの近く、森の中の少し開けた場所を目指し、地面に巨大な影を映した皇竜は、ゆっくりと降下していく。波紋の様に広がる風圧に森の木々が波打つと、所々から鬱陶しそうに鳴き散らす無数の鳥達が飛び立った。陽光に銀色の鱗を煌めかせるアイゼンファルドは悠々と大地を踏みしめ、そのまま伏せて左前足を伸ばす。「到着しました、母上」「うむ、ご苦労じゃった。良い子じゃ」ミラはその背から左前足を伝い二時間振りの土の感触を確かめると、そのままアイゼンファルドの鼻先を撫でる。アイゼンファルドは、嬉しそうに、くるると喉を鳴らし目を細めた。 (これならば、もう移動に関しては問題なさそうじゃな。後は毛皮のコートでもあれば完璧じゃ) 「母上、また呼んでくれますか?」「もちろんじゃ、きっとこれから頻繁に世話になると思うのでな。よろしく頼むぞ」「はい、母上!」アイゼンファルドは弾ける様に響く声で返事をすると、淡い光に包まれていく。ミラが、送還したのだ。ゆっくりと輪郭がぼやけていくと、霧に映った影が吹き消えるかの様に、アイゼンファルドは竜の都へと帰っていった。「歩いて三十分といったところかのぅ」上空から見た周辺の地形を思い出しながら一人呟くと、ミラは近くに確認していた林道を目指して木々の生い茂る方へと歩を進める。程なくして目的の道に出ると、そのまま道の終着点である、遠くからでもはっきりと確認できる九本の塔を目指した。歩き始めてから予定通りの時間が過ぎた頃、ミラはシルバーホーンの大通りに並ぶ店を、当初の目的を後回しにして一軒一軒覗き込んでいた。 (マナ水がこんなに安く買えるとはのぅ。これは星屑の実じゃな、こんな普通の店に並んでおるとは......三十年とは長いのぅ。わしも一緒に歩みたかったものじゃな......) ミラは陳列された商品を一つ一つ確認していく。当時より値段が半分になっていたり、逆に高くなっていたり、更には個別取引が当たり前だった様なレアな品まで並んでいる。店を巡れば巡るほど、かつての価値観は完全に捨てた方がいいと考えさせられたミラだった。現在の物価を調べつつも、主要なところは把握し終えた頃には、シルバーホーンに到着して二時間ほどが経過していた。昼時を過ぎて空腹を感じたミラは近くにあった喫茶店に入ると、窓越しに大通りを行き交う人々を目で追いながらサンドイッチで腹を満たす。休憩がてら、ゆっくりとココアを飲むミラの目には、多くの種族が映り、通り過ぎていく。土地柄か術士が多く、観光地としても賑わう街並みに満足げに目を細めると、その光景をそっと胸に収める。ミラは会計を済ませ喫茶店を後にする。そして見た目には近く、けれど実際にはまだ遠い九本の塔を見据えた。 (では、行くとするかのぅ) 意を決して歩き出すと、今度は魅力的な店舗の数々の誘惑を断ち切り、ミラは真っ直ぐに銀の連塔へ向かっていく。商業区から離れた場所に位置する塔地区だが、昼の良い時間には観光客で賑わっている。ミラが、塔の正面の広場に到着した時間は、丁度そのピーク時であり、周辺は無数の観光客で溢れていた。種族性別も雑多で、中には高ランクな装備を纏った術士も散逸している。そんな中ミラは、はしゃいで駆け回る子供達の姿を目にする。木の棒を手に、ごっこ遊びに興じている子供達だ。そして意味を知らないであろう詠唱の言葉を高らかと叫び木の棒を振ると、親らしき男性が、わざとらしく倒れる。そして勝ち誇った様に木の棒を掲げるその子供は......賢者のローブレプリカを堂々とその身に纏っていた。その光景を目にしたミラは、数日前の自分の姿を思い浮かべる。レプリカを纏い意気揚々と歩き回っていた自分の姿を。 (なりきり衣装じゃったのかー!) 真実を悟り、脳内で転げ回り悶絶するミラ。冷静に良く考えてみれば分かりそうなものだったと表情を引き攣らせると、楽しそうに遊んでいる子供達を見て、自分もあんな風に見られていたのだろうかと虚ろな瞳で天を仰ぐ。ミラは羞恥を振り切る様に駆け出すと、敷地内へと続く門の前で立ち止まる。この場所にも観光客が居り、門を見上げては感嘆の声を漏らしていた。を取り出し門に翳した。塔鍵を認識した門が音も無く、ゆっくりと開いていくと同時に、周囲の声がどよめきに変わる。それもそのはずで、この門を開けられるのは塔の関係者、つまり研究員や補佐官、賢者代行、そして九賢者本人。それ以外には、厳重な検査を通過して一時的な入場許可を得た者のみだからだ。関係者は言わずもがな、研究員は超一流の術士であり、国においても辺境貴族程度の発言力は持っている。そして賢者代行の影響は更に大きく、九賢者にもなると王族と同格として扱われる程だ。そんな者達が篭る巣窟に入るには、有力な貴族だけでなく他国の王族ですら権力だけでは許可が下りない程に難関な検査をクリアする必要がある。塔へと至る門を開けるとは、それだけでも一般とは縁の無い事なのだ。ミラは、現在がそこまでの状況だとは思ってもおらず気軽に開けてしまった為、急に変わった周囲の気配に、塔鍵を翳したまま首を巡らせる。そして自分に突き刺さって来る視線に背筋を震わせた。 (また......何かやってしまったのかのぅ......) 至って表情には出さない様に心がけるも、冷や汗が頬を伝うのを合図に、ミラは門の中へと駆け込んで行った。音も無く閉じていく門の前。そこには初めて門が開くのを目の前で見る事が出来た観光客達が、その幸運に狂喜乱舞していた。誰かが、敷地内を初めて見たと騒ぐと、続いて敷地内の研究員と目が合ったと誰かが対抗する。興奮の波が広場の隅々まで伝播すると、直接目撃できた者は大いに喜び、できなかった者は大いに嘆くのだった。九本の塔が聳え立つ敷地内。銀色に輝く塔は頂上が見えないほど高く、その姿だけで月に数万の観光客を呼び寄せている。かつては軍事的に重要な拠点だったが、今では国益にも大きな影響を与える観光地だ。特に、不戦条約が締結されてからは観光客も随分と増えた。ミラは、研究に没頭する研究員達を横目に、真っ直ぐ召喚術の塔へ向かう。塔の中へと入っていく少女の姿を、数人の研究員が目で追っていた。召喚術の塔、銀髪の可愛らしい少女、そしてダンブルフの弟子の話。本来、研究にしか興味の無い者達は、その時だけはダンブルフというかつて存在した九賢者を思い出し、または人伝に聞いた武勇伝で盛り上がり始める。例え術の種類が違おうとも、九賢者というのは塔に居る研究員にとっては至高の存在だ。そして、だからこそ、ここに居る者達は召喚術に対しての偏見を持っていない。塔には、互いに切磋琢磨し合った過去の術士達の意思が背景にある。そして今でもその信念は受け継がれているのだ。「ダンブルフ様の弟子か。召喚術を再興させる力になってくれればいいが」ある研究員が呟く。賢者代行のクレオスと、新しい召喚術の契約方法を一緒に模索した一人だ。結局は実を結ぶ事はなかったので心残りだったが、話に聞いたダンブルフの弟子という存在に希望を託す様に祈った。召喚術の塔一階。ミラは、閑散とするホールを真っ直ぐ進み、中央のエレベーターで最上階へと上がっていく。三階。ミラは、若干強張った気持ちを落ち着かせる為に、幾度か深呼吸を繰り返すと、意を決して最上階に踏み出した。そのまま私室には入らずに、補佐官室の前で立ち止まるミラ。まずは、マリアナに全てを打ち明けるつもりだ。三十年間、ダンブルフの帰還を信じて私財一切を護り続けていたマリアナ。いくら弟子とはいえ、それを知ってしまった以上、その私財を勝手に持ち出すわけにはいかない。言えば許可は出そうだが、これ以上マリアナに嘘を吐く事は出来ない。そして、それ以上にマリアナを安心させたい気持ちがそこにはあったのだ。「おや、ミラちゃんじゃないか。マリアナさんに用かい?」クレオスは、ミラが扉をノックしようとしていた姿から察そうすると、嬉しそうに笑顔を浮かべて歩み寄る。「そっか。うん、それじゃあその用が終わったら僕にも少し時間をくれないかな。学園の事の続きとか、出来ればダンブルフ様についても聞きたくてね」「まあ良いぞ、それでは後で......」そう言い掛けると、ミラはクレオスをじっと見詰め、今この時に居合わせたのも良い機会かと考える。クレオスが言った学園の事や、現在の召喚術士の問題については、ダンブルフとして接した方が都合が良いのではないかと。「あの、何か御用です......あ、ミラ様でしたか」二人が補佐官室の前で話し合っていると、その扉が開いた。そしてそこから顔を覗かせたのは、サファイアの様に煌めくツインテールのメイド服少女、マリアナだ。最上階に来れるのはエレベーターの仕組みを知っている一部の者か、その者が連れて来た客人だけ。召喚術の塔にクレオスが居るのは当たり前。つまり話し声にあったもう一人は、来客者という事になる。クレオスに用があるとすれば、こんな場所で立ち話などしないだろう。そうなると用があるのはマリアナに、という事になる。「久しいのぅマリアナ。今日は重要な話があって寄ったんじゃが、時間はあるか?」「はい、大丈夫ですが。話とは何です?」「少し込み入った話でな。部屋の方で話すとしよう。クレオスも一緒にのぅ」を取り出す。マリアナは、それを懐かしむ様に見詰めると「分かりました」と部屋を出る。「僕もかい? 分かったよ、それじゃあ執務室の方でもいいかな。美味しい茶葉が手に入ってね」「ふむ、いいじゃろう」少しだけ自慢げに言ったクレオスは、先行して執務室の扉を開く。ミラは塔鍵をアイテムボックスに戻すと、マリアナと共に執務室へと向かった。正面にマリアナとクレオスを据えて、ミラはクレオスの淹れた琥珀色の液体を一口啜る。途端に、口内に爽やかで芳醇な香りが広がると、そのまま鼻に抜けていき、思わずほっと一息が漏れる。クレオスは、その様子を見て嬉しそうに頬を緩ませると、自分も口にして満足げに表情を綻ばせる。そんな二人にマリアナもカップに手を伸ばし一口含むと、納得したかの様に頷いた。「さて、話の方なんじゃが、回りくどい言い方は苦手でのぅ。簡潔に言わせてもらうが......」ミラはそう前置きをするとカップをテーブルに置く。 (二人は、これを聞いたらどう思うじゃろうか......。こんな姿になったわしの事を......) 悪い想像はしたくないと思考を途中で振り切ると、ミラはその勢いのまま一呼吸空けて再び口を開く。「わしは、弟子ではない。ダンブルフ本人なんじゃ」真剣に、そして真摯にそう告げる。意を決したその瞳は、真っ直ぐに二人へ向けられた。対して二人は、その言葉の意味をゆっくりと咀嚼する様に脳内で反芻すると、クレオスはその余りにも突飛な内容に呆然とした表情を浮かべ始める。「えっと......それはつまり、ミラちゃんは、ミラちゃんじゃなくて、実はダンブルフ様って事でいいのかな?」「そもそもミラという名前は、この姿に合わせた偽名の様なものじゃ。まあ、すぐに信じられないのも無理はないと思うがのぅ」クレオスはミラをじっくりと観察する様に視線を巡らせると、困惑の表情を浮かべて唸る。その隣で、呆然と沈黙していたマリアナが、ようやく言葉の整理を終え再起動する。「何か......何か証拠となるものはありませんか?」マリアナのその一言は、これ以上ない程に現状に適した言葉だった。幾ら主張しても、決定的な証明にはならない。ならば本人でしかありえない何かを示す事が出来れば、それ以上の言葉は要らないだろう。それが一番早いとミラも納得すると、顎先に指を当てて証明となりそうなものを考える。ダンブルフ自身である唯一無二の証拠。九賢者しか所有していない塔鍵は、既に譲り受けたとしているので論外。その方面から、受け渡しの出来るアイテム関係での証明は不可能と考えていいだろう。受け渡しの出来ない物となると、すぐに浮かぶのは課金アイテムだが、それはプレイヤー間でしか通用しない。そもそもプレイヤーならば誰でも手に入れられる物なので意味も無い。ダンブルフとしての力を見せるという方法もあるが、弟子と言った以上、相応の力を持っているのは当然。どれだけ強力な召喚術を見せても、行き着く先は優秀な弟子という肩書きが付くだけに留まる可能性がある。ダンブルフという個人でしかありえない、何か。アイテム欄を眺め、ステータスを一瞥しながら、ミラは証拠となりそうなものを探す。 (アルフィナあたりでも呼び出して、わしがわしじゃと発言させるとかはどうじゃろう。......しかしのぅ、強制力を用いて言わせてると指摘されればそれまでじゃしなぁ。言葉では決定的な証拠にはならんか......) メニューを全て閉じて顔を上げると、神妙な面持ちの二人の姿が目に入る。二人についての思い出話を語るにしても、師匠から聞かされたのだろうと言われれば、これもまた論外。ミラは、自分自身の証明というのがこれ程までに難儀な事だったのかと認識する。自分だけ、ダンブルフのみ、そう考えを繰り返していたミラの目に映るマリアナは、どことなく期待を込めた眼差しを向けていた。 (マリアナ......妖精族......妖精族のマリアナ......) 次の瞬間、天啓を得たかの様に脳裏に有力な証拠が浮かぶ。「そうじゃ、これがあった!」「ミラ様......?」勢い良く立ち上がったミラは、そのままマリアナの隣まで寄ると、その場で屈み右掌をマリアナとの間に差し出す。「妖精の加護じゃ。あれは、生涯で只一人にしか与えられぬものじゃったろう。今ここでお主の加護の更新が出来れば、それはつまりわしの証明になる」ミラのその言葉に、マリアナもその意味に気付きはっとする。妖精の加護とは、妖精族が生涯を掛ける程に認めた相手に与える、契りにも似た特殊な契約の事だ。その加護による効果は妖精個人個人により変化するが、それは何があろうとも決して破棄される事は無いしする事も出来ない。ただし、この加護には時間制限があるのだ。一度結ぶと双方に繋がりが生まれ、加護を与える事が出来る様になる。この加護による効果は約三日間で薄れてしまうのだが、更新する事により効果を蘇らせる事が可能だ。そしてこの更新というのが、加護を一度受けている事の証となる。マリアナの加護はダンブルフに与えられたものなので、ミラとの加護が更新が出来れば、それは絶対的な証拠となるだろう。「なるほど。確かにマリアナさんはダンブルフ様に加護を与えていたね。もしも、ミラちゃんにその加護が現れれば、それはつまり......」目の前の少女こそが、ダンブルフ本人であると証明される。同時にかつて愚痴めいた事をミラに語っていた自分は窮地に陥るであろうと、クレオスは僅かに表情を引き攣らせた。緊張に震える手でカップを手に取り中身を飲み干すと、平静を保てと自身に言い聞かせる。「分かりました」小さな唇をそっと震わせて、マリアナはミラの右手に左手を合わせて目を閉じる。ミラも内心は緊張気味だったが、手を合わせて数瞬の内に、その手を中心に燐光が溢れ出す。「......ふむ」何度か見た事のある、妖精の加護が更新される時の反応だった。いよいよもって危機を察したクレオスは、周囲に視線を巡らせて逃走経路の確認を完了する。光が、ゆっくりと二人の手の甲に吸い込まれる様に収束すると、そこには小さな羽の模様が浮かび上がっていた。「更新......出来ました」マリアナは大きく目を見開き自分の手の甲をじっと見詰めると、とても大切そうに、その手を胸に抱いた。ミラは、満足げに加護の証を指先でなぞると「どうじゃ、これで......」そう言葉を詰まらせる。その目に映ったマリアナは、両目一杯に涙を湛えていたからだ。ミラは現実となった世界で、初めてマリアナと会った時の事を思い出す。後ろめたくて触れられなかった、あの時の涙を。「すまんかった」ミラはそう言いながら真っ直ぐ向かい合うと、頬を伝う雫にそっと手を触れた。するとマリアナは、嬉しそうに、しかし少しだけ恥ずかしそうにはにかむと、ミラの手に自分の手を添えて、「ようやくお会いできました」そう言って微笑む。幸せから溢れた出た涙が雫となって頬を伝うと、ミラの掌が何度も何度でも受け止め続けた。	「By the way, how has your life been these past years?」 As they flew together, Mira suddenly got curious about that and asked Isenfald. That was another thing that changed since this world became reality. Back when things were still a game, summons never had any type of background story. They simply appeared when called and disappeared when sent away, but Mira knew things had to be more complex now. 「I was staying in Dragon City with my friends, of course. That’s also where I learnt to transfigure into human form. Apparently less energy is needed to maintain that form, so it’s like a power-saving mode.」「Ohh, I see. So you learned that in the Dragon City...」 Mira paid extra attention to those two terms she had never heard before. A Dragon City never existed during the game period, but the name was self-explanatory enough and it had to be a city with a lot of dragons. As far as transfiguring went, she could see the effect in front of her, but other than that, she had no clue what it could do. After all, if she knew, Isenfald’s transformation would not have been such a big shock. 「Who exactly taught you that transfiguration thing?」 She had never heard of an ability that turned dragons into humans. The transformation part had common elements with Forbidden Arts, but the requirements for it and the fact a dragon had used it remained a mystery. After all, the nine branches of magic were known to be only usable by humans, except for rare cases like Creos who was part human. Types of monsters, spirits or demons with any form of sentience had their own skill trees. In other words, there was the possibility that it was a skill exclusive to dragons, but Mira still had no idea why a dragon would need to take human form. Then again, thirty years had passed so maybe it was a newly discovered skill, but Isenfald mentioned someone who taught it to him, so that was another point of interest. 「Hmm... that was quite a long time ago. A human girl came to Dragon City out of the blue, I forget her name, and she spent some time living there, speaking freely without fearing us in the slightest.」「Then one day, our feeding grounds were getting exhausted and we kept complaining about the lack of food, and that’s when she said that it was time to go on power-saving mode.」「We couldn’t understand what she meant, but if she knew how we could keep living with the meager food we had, we were all ears. The method turned out to be transfiguration. In human form, a lot of our strength gets limited, but the food we consume is proportional to that, so it helped us get through those times.」「I see...」 When Isenfald was done telling his story, Mira kept thinking about that woman. Since she used terms like power-saving mode, it was quite possible she was a former player. On top of that, since she was human, that skill had a high chance of being one any ordinary person could use. But there was still the problem that Isenfald, someone who could not use ordinary skills, was using it. Then, there was the possibility it was one specifically made for dragons, but then it made no sense that a human had taught it to them. Either she had found a skill even dragons could use, or she had knowledge about dragon skills. Though it could always be something completely different. Either way, she possessed information that not even a former player like Mira knew about. (That’s one more thing I want to ask Solomon now.) Mira’s heart beated faster just thinking about all the new things she had yet to see in this world. 「After that, since Mother never called me even after many years, I ventured out and wandered from one human settlement to another searching for Mother.」「Hngh... sorry.」 Thinking about how much Isenfald had worried about her, Mira mumbled an apology. 「I don’t mind since I’ve reunited with Mother now, but can I ask where Mother has been all this time?」 Isenfald’s question rang uneasily, but Mira had no way of answering it. After all, thirty years had passed as soon as she closed the customization menu. 「To be honest, I’m not really sure myself. When I came to, thirty years had passed.」 She had no other way of putting it, so she just spoke straight from her memories. Isenfald tilted his head curiously hearing that, only adding 「I guess weird stuff happens sometimes」 before purring again. For Isenfald, those thirty years of absence meant nothing now that he was back with her. Mira glanced far towards the horizon while listening to him, wondering if she should summon everyone she could just to greet them. The trip from the capital city of Lunatic Lake to Silver Horn normally took two days, unless when going on an Express Carriage. However, flying with Isenfald shortened it down to two hours. They spotted a small clearing in a forest near Silver Horn and decided to land there. As they got closer, the massive shadow of the Emperor Dragon became more defined as he slowly made his descent. The wind from his wings spread like ripples through the treetops, making flocks of birds escape while crying gloomily. The sunlight reflected off Isenfald’s silver scales as he reaffirmed his footing before raising his left arm. 「We’ve arrived, Mother.」「Nice job. You’re a good child.」 Mira walked down his back, using his left arm as a ladder, and relished the feeling of solid ground she had missed for two hours. Then she began petting Isenfald’s snout. He narrowed his eyes while purring happily. (Going from one place to another should be a piece of cake now. I just have to get a fur coat and it’ll be perfect.) 「Mother, will you call me again?」「Of course, I’ll probably end up needing your help for a lot of random things, so I’ll be counting on you.」「Okay, Mother!」 As Isenfald’s voice thundered, his body was covered by a faint light. Mira was sending him back. His figure slowly faded like mist as he returned to the Dragon City. 「From here, it’ll take around thirty minutes on foot, I reckon.」 Mira muttered to herself as she pictured the terrain she had seen from the sky before setting off towards a thick part of the forest that should take her to the road she was looking for. When she reached that road, she simply followed it until its end, the nine towers visible from far away. Her guess had been correct and she arrived at the main street of Silver Horn half an hour after she began walking. There she postponed her original goal as she looked into each and every one of the stores built along the street. (I can’t believe mana water has become this cheap. And huh, there’s stardust fruits in this store like some sort of common item... Thirty years is quite a long time, huh. I wish I had been here for the ride...) Mira looked at all the items offered. Some things were half the price compared to the old days, others had become even more expensive, and even some rare items that were only traded in exchange for other rare items were now lined up on shelves. The more she looked at the stores, the more she felt it was better if she just forgot the sense of value she had developed before. By the time she had a grasp on the general cost of items now, after asking in one store after another, two hours had passed since she arrived at Silver Horn. It was already past noon, so Mira entered a café to satisfy her hunger, eating a sandwich while watching people walk on the main street through the window. Then she ordered some cocoa which she drank while she saw how people of many tribes were passing on the street. There were many spellcasters mixed with the locals, so Mira felt pleased seeing how the city was prospering with tourists as well. When Mira left the cafe, she looked at the nine towers that appeared to be near, but in reality, were still pretty far away. (I guess I should get going.) Having decided that, Mira pushed aside the temptation from the stores and headed straight towards the Silver Linked Towers. The towers were located in a different district than the commercial one, but since it was still daytime, there were tourists there as well. When Mira arrived at the open space in front of the towers, it was already peak time for tourists, so the whole place was swarmed. They were of all sorts of races, and even some spellcasters with high-level equipment were scattered between them. Amongst them, Mira spotted some children running around. They had some sort of wooden batons and were playing something. After shouting a nonsensical chant and a swing from the baton, a man who appeared to be the father of the child collapsed on the ground with exaggerated motions. The kid, who now held his baton high up with a triumphant look... was wearing a Sage Robe replica. Seeing him, Mira recalled that time some days before when she herself bought a replica and walked around pridefully wearing it. (Those were just make-believe clothes!) Mira’s mind froze from terror after realizing the truth. Her face spasmed knowing it was something obvious if she gave it enough thought, her vacant eyes turning to the heavens knowing she had looked just like those children playing around. Mira departed in a short run trying to push the shame away until she reached the gates leading into the towers’ premises. There were many tourists there as well, gazing up at the gates while voicing their admiration. She knew people were going to see her, but she figured they would forget about it soon enough, so she took out her tower master key and walked up to the gate. As the gate slowly and silently opened, a commotion began among the crowd of tourists. That much was understandable, the only people who could open the gate like that were researchers or aides, vice elders, or the Nine Wisemen themselves. Anyone else would have to submit an application to enter, and permission would be granted for only one visit. The researchers working in the towers were all first-grade spellcasters and were said to have enough influence in the country to be compared to nobility. Vice Elders had even more power, while the nine wisemen were said to be on the same level as royalty. Not even powerful nobles could enter the lair of those people so easily. They had to possess some amount of power in foreign matters as well before being granted permission, but opening the gate by oneself was a completely different matter. Mira was oblivious to how the towers were seen in the present day, so she had casually turned the key without thinking about it too much. However, sensing the sudden change behind her, she tilted her head, trembling to feel all the stares digging into her. (Did I... do something strange again...?) It was not obvious on her face, but her mind was greatly stirred. Just as a drop of cold sweat ran down her cheek, Mira ran through the gate. When the gate was closed, all the tourists cheered wildly, having had the honor of witnessing the gate opening for the first time in their lives. Someone claimed he caught a glimpse of what was behind the gate, then someone else said they met eyes with a researcher of the towers. As those claims started making the rounds between all the tourists, those who had witnessed it first-hand felt even happier, while those who could not cursed themselves. Inside the premises, the Nine Towers stood in shining silver, so tall they vanished up into the sky. Because of their appearances alone, tens of thousands of tourists came to look at them every month. Once upon a time, they had great importance in matters relating to the military, and now they still represented an important sight-seeing area for the country. The number of tourists increased especially after the Limited Armistice Treaty was signed. Mira walked past multiple researchers immersed in their work as she headed straight towards the Tower of Summoning. Many researchers did turn to look at the girl entering the tower. They recalled hearing about Danbulf’s pupil, and there was this cute girl with silver hair entering the Tower of Summoning. Normally they only held an interest in research, but the name of Danbulf made them think about the Nine Wisemen as a whole, and they began talking about the exploits of those legendary personages amongst themselves. Even if they focused on different subsets of spells, the Nine Wisemen appeared to live in a different plane of existence for the researchers, and that was also the reason why the people there held no contempt against summoners. They shouldered the wills of the old spellcasters that once worked hard to improve each other’s skills in the towers. And that will would be passed onto future generations as well. 「So that’s Danbulf’s pupil. It would be nice if she manages to bring summoners back to their former glory.」 One of the researchers muttered that. He had worked with Creos in the past, trying to find a new way of forming contracts with the summons. That research bore no fruit in the end so he still had regrets about it, but when he heard about Danbulf’s pupil, he decided to place his hopes on her. Inside the first floor of the Tower of Summoning, Mira walked straight through the deserted hall and took the elevator to the top floor. As the elevator climbed up the floors, Mira took multiple deep breaths to calm down her stressed emotions until she walked out to the top floor full of determination. She decided to forgo entering her personal room and went straight to the aide’s room. She wanted to tell everything to Mariana first. For thirty years Mariana had firmly believed in Danbulf’s return, diligently keeping watch over all his possessions. Even if she was convinced Mira was Danbulf’s pupil, handing her all of his personal items straightaway was a bit too much. If Mira asked for it, Mariana would probably obey, but Mira wanted to stop lying to her. But more than that, Mira wanted Mariana to rest assured.When Mira raised her right fist to knock, the door of the office next door opened and Creos walked out with his golden and smooth hair swaying in the air. 「Oh, hey, Mira. Do you have some business with Mariana?」 Creos walked towards her with a bright smile, guessing the situation from Mira’s hand raised to knock on the door. 「I see, well, once you’re done with that, could you come talk with me too? I want to talk about the academy some more, as well as ask some things about Danbulf.」「I guess that’s fine, I’ll see you later then...」 Saying that, Mira turned to look at Creos, thinking it was good luck he was also there. The matters of the Academy Creos had mentioned, as well as the problem with the current summoners, were things best dealt with by someone who had been in direct contact with Danbulf. 「Hello, do you need- Ah, it’s Lady Mira.」 As the two conversed in front of the aide’s room, the door opened. Peeking out of it, with eyes glistening like sapphires, twin tails, and a maid dress, was Mariana. The only people who could go all the way to the top floor of the towers were those who knew how to operate the elevator, or a guest of theirs. Apart from her, the only person who stayed in the Tower of Summoning was Creos, but since she heard a conversation, it meant that there was a guest of some form. If they had business with Creos, they would not talk in front of her room, so Mariana figured they wanted to talk with her as well. 「It’s been a while, Mariana. I have something important to tell you today, do you have time?」「Yes, I’m free. What do you want to talk about?」「It’s something a bit complex, so let’s go somewhere we can sit. Creos, you come too.」 As she said that, Mira took out the tower’s master key. Mariana looked at it with yearning eyes, coming out of her room while agreeing with Mira’s request. 「You want me to hear too? Alright then. Maybe the office would be a good place. I just got some really good tea leaves after all.」「Mm, that sounds good.」 Creos replied that, his voice sounding a bit boastful as he opened the office door. Mira stored the master key back in her Item Box and entered the office together with Mariana. Mira took a sip of the amber-colored drink Creos had made, while he and Mariana sat in front of her. A mellow and refreshing scent spread through her mouth, escaping with a sigh through her nose. Creos smiled seeing that before taking a sip of his own with a prideful look. Looking at both of them reacting that way, Mariana also lifted her cup to take a sip, nodding satisfied afterwards. 「Now then, about the reason why I’m here... I’m not good at sugarcoating things, so I’ll be really straightforward...」 With that preface, Mira placed her cup on the table. (I wonder what they’ll think after hearing this... that it’s me in another body...) Mira interrupted those thoughts, not wanting to imagine anything bad. After a deep breath to regain her earlier momentum, she spoke again. 「I’m not his pupil. I’m Danbulf himself.」 She spoke earnestly and directly. Her eyes were directed straight at them, full of determination. On the other hand, the two looked at her with vacant faces, like they were still chewing through Mira’s words, trying to understand the meaning of them. Creos’ face looked the most dumbfounded at that unexpected sentence. 「Umm... so in other words, you’re not Mira, but you’re actually Danbulf?」「Mira was just a name befitting of this appearance I thought of. Though I understand it might be a bit hard to believe right now.」 Creos’ gaze wandered all over Mira, observing her closely before groaning in confusion. At his side, Mariana was silent for a moment while she processed Mira’s words, then her mind rebooted. 「Do you... do you have anything that could serve as proof?」 When Mariana was finally able to say something again, she asked the question anyone would ask in such a situation. No matter what Mira claimed to be, that was not enough to prove her words as truth. So instead if she could show something only Danbulf could, there would be no need to say anything else. Mira also understood that it was a reasonable request, so she scratched her chin as she thought of something to prove her claim. Something that would prove without room for doubt that she was Danbulf. The tower’s master key was something only the Nine Wisemen possessed, but she had already inherited that, so that would be useless now. Following that line of thought, any item that could be transferred was also out. In that case, an item that could not be transferred could work, like one only obtainable through microtransactions which only existed amongst former players. But then any former player could easily possess that too, so that was also useless. Showing them Danbulf’s power could work, but since she claimed to be his pupil, it was obvious she would have similar strength. No matter what crazy and powerful entity she summoned, it could easily lead to the conclusion that she was an excellent pupil. She had to find something that would identify her as Danbulf, looking through the list of her items, her stats, something. (I could try summoning Alfina and let her declare that I am me... But no, it wouldn’t be too hard to force her to say that. Words alone will never serve as proof...) Closing all the menus she had opened, she looked back at the two timid faces in front of her. Even if she spoke about her memories with them, there was still a chance they were stories she heard from her master. Mira slowly became aware of how hard it was to find proof of one’s identity. There had to exist something that was only for her, only for Danbulf. Repeating that inside her head, she glanced at Mariana who looked at her with expecting eyes. (Mariana... fairies... Mariana the fairy...) An instant later her mind was illuminated by a proof that felt like a divine revelation. 「That! There’s that!」「Lady Mira...?」 Mira sprung up on her feet and walked in front of Mariana, leaning in front of her and lifting her right palm. 「The Fairy’s Divine Protection. You can only grant that to one person in your entire life, right? So if you can renew your protection here, that should be enough proof.」 Mariana’s breath caught when she understood what Mira was getting at. A Fairy’s Divine Protection was something fairies could grant to only one person who they decided to trust for the rest of their lives. It was a special type of contract that was closer to an oath. The actual effect brought by the Divine Protection changed between different fairies, but it was impossible to break or retract the contract once formed. However, its effect would wear off after some time. After the bond was formed with a fairy, the effect would last for around three days, after which it would need to be renewed so the effect was restored. In other words, being able to renew the Divine Protection would mean that Mariana had been bound to Mira in the past. Mariana had given her Divine Protection to Danbulf, so if the renewal worked, it was definite proof that Mira was him. 「I see. I remember Mariana granting Danbulf her Divine Protection. So if that manifests on Mira, then it would mean...」 It would mean that the girl in front of them truly was Danbulf. At the same time, Creos’ face twitched as he realized that all the complaints he shared with Mira had been him digging his own grave. His nervously trembling hand took his cup and drank all its contents while telling himself to remain calm. Mariana’s small lips trembled as she placed her left palm against Mira’s. Mira also felt nervous, but some seconds after their palms met, they began to glow. 「...Hmm.」 They had seen that glow countless times before, it was a sign the Fairy’s Divine Protection was being renewed. Creos finally felt the most dangerous time had come, so he looked around trying to form an escape plan. The glow began focusing on the back of their hands, forming a feather shape there. 「The renewal... was a success.」 Mariana looked at her hand with round eyes, then pressed it against her chest in an endearing manner. Mira caressed hers with her left fingertips before saying 「Well, what do you think...」 in response, Mariana’s eyes welled up with tears. Mira recalled the first time she met Mariana after this world became reality, her tears of that time when Mira was unable to touch her and be honest with her. 「I’m sorry.」 Saying so, Mira’s hand moved to Mariana’s cheek to stop the tear trickling down. Mariana looked happy, although slightly embarrassed, and gently placed her own hand on top of Mira’s. 「We finally meet again.」 She said with a bright smile. Her tears of joy kept trickling down, being caught one after another in Mira’s hand.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 6, "inserted_lines_trg": 3 }
クレイグはロッキー山脈に囲まれた小さな町だ仕事は羊牧場からのものだった「Dirty Jobs」を知らない人のために説明しておくと番組で私は Dirty Jobsの実習生になる実際にその仕事をするのだ私のすることはただ仕事をやってみることそして彼らがどんな仕事を行っているのか素直に体験すること今回の仕事の相手は家畜の羊だった私たちはクレイグに行きホテルにチェックインして翌日仕事内容は羊の去勢だと知り「大変な仕事になるな」と思ったなのでいつもは事前に情報を集めたりはしないけど今回は繊細なテーマだったしディスカバリーチャンネルで働くものとして私たちは仕事を正確に描写したいと思いそして動物にも尊敬の念をこめてこの仕事を成し遂げたかった動物愛護団体に電話し「羊の去勢をするんだけれどどういったことをするのか教えてくれないか」と聞くと彼らは「ああとても簡単だよ」と答えた道具はこんなゴムをもう少し小さくしたバンドで― これは昨日遊んだトランプのものだけれど― これにそっくりなんだ「じゃあどういった手順を踏むんだ?」と聞くと「バンドを羊の尻尾にしっかりつけてもう一つのバンドを陰嚢にきつくしめるすると血液の循環が遅くなって 1週間後には取れるはずだ」と言った「分かったよありがとう」そして動物虐待防止団体 SPCAにも電話をしたやり方は合っている動物の権利擁護団体にも電話をするとしぶしぶだけど了承してくれた「そうかこれが正しいやり方なのか」翌日私は牧場に向かった馬に乗って羊を追いかけそして羊たちを私たちが作った柵に閉じ込め畜産体験が始まったメラニーはアルバートの奥さんアルバートは羊飼いメラニーが羊を両手でつかむ― 片方の手は右両足をつかみ同様に左両足もつかむ羊が台にのせられメラニーは両足を広げるうんいい調子アルバートが台に近づき私は彼についていく常に私は仕事のプロセスを見てからチャレンジしている実習生の正しい姿だアルバートがポケットに手を入れこの黒いバンドを取り出すはずしかし代わりに出てきたのはナイフだった「バンドじゃないナイフだ...」彼はナイフの刃を出しロッキー山脈越しに太陽の光が差していてとても― 忘れられない光景だ 2秒の空白の後アルバートがナイフを尻の軟骨の間ちょうど尻の下あたりに当てるとあっと言う間に私が抱えていたバケツに尻尾が入ったアルバートはすぐに親指と人差し指の間に羊の陰嚢をしっかりつかみ手前に引っ張ったまたナイフを取り出し先端を切った次に何が起こったか... わからない? OK アルバートはハサミで切り取り先端を肩越しに投げ陰嚢を持ち上げた彼の頭で何が起こっているか見えなかったけど何かをすするような音が聞こえたまるでナイロンの布を引き裂いたかのような音で― 冗談じゃないんだビデオを再生できる? 冗談だよビデオは見せない写真があったほうがよかったかもしれない私は「Dirty Jobs」で今まで沢山の仕事をこなしてきたしかしその時はタイムアウトを要求したね見ている人はご存知だろうが撮影は1発勝負 2回目は無い台本も無いやらせもないばかげたことも無い愚かな事はしないリハーサルもしないただ撮影したものが全てしかし「止めろこれは狂ってる」と言ったんだ狂ってるというか... 「ぜったいおかしいこんなことは出来ない」アルバートは「何が?」という顔をしている「何が起きたのか分からないがこんな風に睾丸をとるのは間違っている」「これが俺たちのやり方だ」とアルバートは言う私は聞いた「どうしてこんなやり方をするんだ?」彼が説明するのを待たずに私は「バンドを使った正しいやり方で去勢したい」彼は「動物愛護団体がやるように?」「そうだ動物愛護団体がやるように羊がこんな風に鳴いたり血が出ないように― 『Dirty Jobs』は世界中で放映される 1日に2回もディスカバリーチャンネルに映るんだ!」彼は了承した彼は箱からバンドを取り出してきたメラニーが新たな羊を置きバンドを尻尾につけ陰嚢にもつけたすると羊はよろよろと歩き 2歩進んで倒れた少し震えながら起き上がりまた数歩進んで倒れたこれは羊にとって良くないと私は思った起き上がって部屋の角まで歩いて震えてる横たわってかなり苦しんでいるこの羊をみて私が「アルバートどれくらいだ? どれくらいしたらまた起き上がるんだ?」と尋ねると「1日」と答えた「1日も!? 睾丸が落ちるのにはどれくらいかかるんだ?」「1週間」その間もナイフで去勢した羊はそこらじゅうを歩き回っていて出血も止まっていた草をかじったり飛んだり跳ねたりすごい元気私はそのとき自分の間違いを思い知らされた私が完全に間違っていたことに気付いたんだ私は貧乏くじを引いた様な思いだっただってアルバートのやり方で 100頭近い羊の去勢をしなければならなかったからね急に変なポルノに出演してる気分になったよまったく... メラニーが羊を捕まえ台にのせ足を広げるアルバートはナイフを私に渡しそれを受け取り尻尾を切る陰嚢をつかみ先端を切るアルバートが指示する「押せ」押す「もっと押せ」もっと押すするとまるで親指のような睾丸が目の前に現れた彼は「噛め」という言う「噛んでちぎれ」ちゃんと指示は聞こえていたんだでも! どうしてこんなことに? どうして本当にもうどうしてこんなことに!? 私の脳はほとんど機能停止状態だったロッキー山脈に囲まれてたたずみ考えていたのはアリストテレスの「悲劇」の定義アリストテレスはこう言った「悲劇とは自分の真の人間性と向き合う時である」「なんだこのひどい比喩は? こんなことを考えていること自体いやだ!」でもこれがなかなか頭から離れない目の前にあるものから目が離せないなのでもうやることにしたそしてやりとげたこんな風にして顔を思い切り引いた私はあごに 2つの睾丸をつけて立っていたまだあのアリストテレスの比喩が離れない彼の本の中にまだ閉じ込められているんだそして突然頭を2つの言葉がよぎった大学で頭に詰め込んで以来聞いてない言葉それは anagnorisis と peripeteia anagnorisis と peripeteia anagnorisisはギリシャ語で「発見」の意味文字通り無知から知への移行が「発見」だそれは私たちの番組「Dirty Jobs」がしていることだ毎日この「発見」を伝えてるすばらしいもう一つの単語 peripeteia 例えばエウリピデスとソフォクレスの悲劇「オイディプス王」でオイディプスが妻にし妊娠までさせた女性が実の母親だったという悲劇これが peripeteia つまり「どんでん返し」だこの比喩が頭から離れず私は「発見」と「どんでん返し」をあごにつけていたこれだけは伝えたいけどこれはすごい発見だった「どんでん返し」は探してみるとどこにでも転がっている「シックスセンス」でブルース・ウィリスはずっと死人が見える子を助けていたけど実は彼自信が死んでいた―これがどんでん返しそうでしょ? 観客の思わぬことをするんだ「マトリックス」のネオは実はコンピューターの世界に住んでいたこれらの「発見」は「気付き」へとつながる 200以上のDirty Jobsをこなしてきたけど毎回に「気付き」があったけれどこの一つだけは心の準備ができていなかった私はそこに立ち私が去勢をした羊を見てみるととても幸せそうで元気そうに見えたもう一匹の私が「正しい」やり方で去勢をした可哀相な羊を見ながら「もし私が今回のことで間違っているならもっといろいろな間違いをしているはずだいろいろな誤解をしているかもしれない」と思った私ではないが私の友達に社会人類学者がいる彼に相談してみた彼は「なあマイク君がこんな事に興味を持つかは分からないけれど全ての州で撮影が行われているのに気付いてるか? 鉱山で働き釣りにでかけ製鉄所で働いたりほとんどの業界で働いている各業界の人たちと肩を並べて働いている政治家は選挙のたびに彼らと仲良くなろうと必死なんだぜ?」と言ったヒラリーだってライ麦畑で働いて製鉄所で汗を流しているそういった人たちと私は毎日仕事をしている「政治家に何か言いたいことがあったら期を逃してはいけないだって 4年に一度しかチャンスはないからね」睾丸をあごにつけてそんなことを考えていた何回も考えていた撮影後「Dirty Jobs」は番組的に言うといつもと変わらなかったでも私は大きく変わった番組を語るときに大多数の人が好む話をしなくなった時々はするけど私がした間違いを話す様になったある仕事がすごく高尚なものだと思っていても実は違ったりする Dirty Jobsをする人たちは視聴者が想像するよりずっと幸せだ私が知る限り一番幸せな人たちだ別にここで労働組合の話とかをしたいわけじゃなくて彼らは上手くバランスをとって Dirty Jobsをしていると言いたいんだある人たちは口笛を吹きながら道路の動物の死体を回収している― この仕事もしたよ彼らは仕事と人生とのバランスを上手に保っている私はそれを何度も何度も目にしてきたそこで思ったもし私たちがこのDirty Jobsに挑戦したらどうなるのか「夢をおいかけろ!」と何時間もここで話している訳だけど「夢をおいかけろ」ってどういうこと? 多分私がもらったアドバイスで一番役に立たない夢を追いかけて当たって砕けろ? これを聞いて私は育ってきたでも私は何がしたいのか分からなかったすると「夢を追いかけろそのうち分かってくる」と言われたいくつか例をあげようかボブ・コムはラスベガスの豚農場経営者カジノから出た食べくずを集めて豚のエサにしている食べくずにはタンパク質が豊富に含まれているから彼の豚は通常より2倍も早く成長する彼は大規模養豚場経営者ださらに環境にも優しい彼はこれで生計を立てている彼の臭いは強烈だけど今は成功して良い生活を送っている彼に「夢を追いかけてきましたか?」と聞いたら彼は笑うだろうね彼は6000万ドルの投資を持ちかけられたがそれを断ってラスべガス郊外に住んでいる彼は夢を追いかけなかった彼は一歩下がって皆が行く方向を見て反対側へ行ったんだこんな話はいくらでもあるマット・フロインドはコネチカット州の農家彼はある日牛の排泄物が牛乳よりも価値のある環境に優しい肥料になるということに気付いた彼は今それをウォルマートに売っている「夢をおいかけろ」― 本当に? そこで私は「夢」について考えるようになった「効果」と「効率」について考えてみたけどさっきの話にあったようにこの2つは全然違う「チームワーク」「決断力」こんなありきたりの言葉が「成功の秘訣」として世界中の役員室に飾られているこういった「当たり前」は突然覆されたりする安全が一番大事? 労働安全衛生法や動物愛護団体に話を戻そうもしOSHAが間違っていたら? つまり―おかしいと思われるかもしれないけど― もし実は「安全第三」だったらどうだろう? でも本当にそうなんだ何が言いたいかって言うとDirty Jobsをする時私は安全に価値を置くけれど実際に働いている彼らは安全第一とは考えていない他の事が優先になる― 仕事をやりとげることが第一なんだこれは忘れもしないベーリング海で番組1年目にカニ漁船に乗ったときのことロシアから160キロ離れた海で 15メートルの大波が操縦室を襲うような場所経験した中で一番危険な環境だった私はデッキから12メートルも離れた所でカニ籠をおろしていたけどまるで崖っぷちにいるような気分だった崖の先は荒れ狂う海言うまでもなくとても危険だった這いつくばりながら操縦室に入り信じられないといった感じで「船長 OSHAだ!」と言うと彼は「OSHA? 海?」と海を指差した彼はそのとき信じられないことを口にしたどんな工場でも州でも言ってはいけないことを私を見て「息子よ」― 彼と私は同い年だったけど息子と呼んでいた― 「息子よ私はカニ漁船の船長だ私の責任は君を安全に家に帰すことではない君を金持ちにして家に帰すことが私の責任だ」「生きて帰るのは自分の責任だ」それから私は自分自身の安全第一を全力で確保したこんな思い違いつまり自分の責任と他人の責任をごちゃまぜにしてしまうような間違いはよくあることなのだこんな風に私たちがしてきた間違いについていくらでも語ることが出来るよでも言いたいことは次のことだ私の考えた理論を残りの2分30秒でお伝えしたいつまりこういうことだ― 私たちの社会は仕事を「敵」だと考え始めたこれは内戦みたいなものだ冷戦とも言えるかもはじめからそうだったわけでも意図してそうしたわけでもないがそうなってしまったそして 4つの場所では戦争が勃発してしまったひとつはハリウッドだ人々が働く様子はテレビで笑いものになった配管工はいつも100キロを超える巨漢として描かれるテレビを見ているとそれが典型的な配管工でしょ? そして彼らをヒーローにしたり笑いものにしたり― これがテレビのやることだ「Dirty Jobs」ではそれを必死に避けようとしているだから私はDirty Jobsに挑戦するずるはしないでもマディソン・アベニューも戦場になったここでは多くのコマーシャルが作られているけどそれは真実を伝えているんだろうか? 「人生を良くするために働く時間を減らすんだ一生懸命働かなくてもいい少しでも早く帰宅して定年退職を少しでも早くするそれで大丈夫」こんなメッセージが何度も何度も伝えられる次の戦場はワシントンDC ここでの政策や取引はあらゆる仕事に影響を与えているけれど私には分からないただ分かるのはそこが戦争の最前線だということそしてここシリコンバレー iPhoneを持っている人はどれくらいいる? ブラックベリーを持っている人は? 私たちは常に繋がっているなにも技術の進歩が悪いものを生み出したと言いたいわけじゃないここにはその関係者も多いし... ただ「模倣なき革新は時間の無駄だ」と言いたいんだ Dirty Jobsをする人たちの仕事のやり方をだれも模倣しない同じインターフェイス同じ回路同じ基板を何度も作ることは一人の天才の存在と同じくらい発明に必要な物でそのおかげで私たちは今 iPhoneを使えるのだ私たちの道具は昔とは違い持ち歩くことができるものになったこれはたくさんの小さな仕事が積み重なって生まれたものなのだだからこれからどれだけの仕事を経験できるかわからないけどできるかぎり多くの仕事に挑戦してみたいと思っているそして一番大事なこと― 私がきちんと向き合うべきことは自分が多くのことで間違いをしてきたということだ今回のことだけじゃなくて沢山の間違いをしてきただから私たちは―いや私自身は― 「仕事をどう人々に伝えるか」をもっと真剣に考えるべきだ単純労働者も熟練労働者も誰も気にしないけど必要な仕事をしている年寄りが言うような何度も聞いてきた説教かもしれないけど少しずつ大事なものが失われていっているオバマ大統領は250万の雇用を創出したいと言った巨大なインフラ業界では戦争のように激しい競争が繰り広げられるだろう一方で専門学校生は大きく減少している毎年電気工も大工も配管工も溶接工もパイプ取り付け工も蒸気管取り付け工も減っているのだでもインフラ整備で創出しようとしている仕事はこういった職業の仕事― これらの減少傾向にある職業の仕事だ米国土木学会によると最低でも2兆ドルを投資してインフラ整備をしなければ後退気味のインフラ業界を立て直すことができないそうだでも一つ言わせてもらうとインフラ整備で創出しようとしてる雇用は長続きしないだろうね― 人々はその職業に就きたいと思っていないんだから TEDの目的は私たちにとって大切なものを称賛することだでも私は Clean と Dirty は対義語ではないとも思うこれらは表裏一体のものなのだ革新と模倣のようにリスクと責任のように periperia と anagnorsisのようにあの苦しんでいた羊がこのことを教えてくれたそろそろ時間だね話ができて光栄だったよさあ仕事に戻ろうか?	It's only a couple dozen square miles. It's in the Rockies. And the job in question was sheep rancher. My role on the show, for those of you who haven't seen it -- it's pretty simple. I'm an apprentice, and I work with the people who actually do the jobs in question. And my responsibilities are to simply try and keep up and give an honest account of what it's like to be these people, for one day in their life. The job in question: herding sheep. Great. We go to Craig and we check in to a hotel and I realize the next day that castration is going to be an absolute part of this work. So, normally, I never do any research at all. But, this is a touchy subject, and I work for the Discovery Channel, and we want to portray accurately whatever it is we do, and we certainly want to do it with a lot of respect for the animals. So I called the Humane Society and I say, "Look, I'm going to be castrating some lambs, Can you tell me the deal?" And they're like, "Yeah, it's pretty straightforward." They use a band -- basically a rubber band, like this, only a little smaller. This one was actually around the playing cards I got yesterday, but it had a certain familiarity to it. And I said, "Well, what exactly is the process?" And they said, "The band is applied to the tail, tightly. And then another band is applied to the scrotum, tightly. Blood flow is slowly retarded; a week later the parts in question fall off. "Great -- got it." OK, I call the SPCA to confirm this -- they confirm it. I also call PETA, just for fun, and they don't like it -- but they confirm it. OK, that's basically how you do it. So the next day I go out. And I'm given a horse and we go get the lambs and we take them to a pen that we built, and we go about the business of animal husbandry. Melanie is the wife of Albert. Albert is the shepherd in question. Melanie picks up the lamb -- two hands -- one hand on both legs on the right, likewise on the left. Lamb goes on the post, she opens it up. Alright. Great. Albert goes in, I follow Albert, the crew is around. I always watch the process done the first time before I try it. Being an apprentice, you know, you do that. Albert reaches in his pocket to pull out, you know, this black rubber band but what comes out instead is a knife. And I'm like that's not rubber at all, you know. And he kind of flicked it open in a way that caught the sun that was just coming over the Rockies, it was very -- it was, it was impressive. In the space of about two seconds, Albert had the knife between the cartilage of the tail, right next to the butt of the lamb, and very quickly the tail was gone and in the bucket that I was holding. A second later, with a big thumb and a well calloused forefinger, he had the scrotum firmly in his grasp. And he pulled it toward him, like so, and he took the knife and he put it on the tip. Now you think you know what's coming, Michael -- you don't, OK? He snips it, throws the tip over his shoulder, and then grabs the scrotum and pushes it upward, and then his head dips down, obscuring my view, but what I hear is a slurping sound, and a noise that sounds like Velcro being yanked off a sticky wall and I am not even kidding. Can we roll the video? No I'm kidding -- we don't -- I thought it best to talk in pictures. So, I do something now I've never ever done on a "Dirty Jobs" shoot, ever. I say, "Time out. Stop." You guys know the show, we use take one, we don't do take two. There's no writing, there's no scripting, there's no nonsense. We don't fool around, we don't rehearse -- we shoot what we get! I said, "Stop. This is nuts." I mean, you know. "This is crazy. We can't do this." And Albert's like, "What?" And I'm like, "I don't know what just happened, but there are testicles in this bucket and that's not how we do it." And he said "Well, that's how we do it." And I said, "Why would you do it this way?" And before I even let him explain, I said, "I want to do it the right way, with the rubber bands." And he says, "Like the Humane Society?" And I said, "Yes, like the Humane Society. Let's do something that doesn't make the lamb squeal and bleed -- we're on in five continents, dude. We're on twice a day on the Discovery Channel -- we can't do this." He says, "OK." He goes to his box and he pulls out a bag of these little rubber bands. Melanie picks up another lamb, puts it on the post, band goes on the tail, band goes on the scrotum. Lamb goes on the ground, lamb takes two steps, falls down, gets up, shakes a little, takes another couple steps, falls down. I'm like, this is not a good sign for this lamb, at all. Gets up, walks to the corner, it's quivering, and it lies down and it's in obvious distress. And I'm looking at the lamb and I say, "Albert, how long? When does he get up?" He's like, "A day." I said, "A day! How long does it take them to fall off?" "A week." Meanwhile, the lamb that he had just did his little procedure on is, you know, he's just prancing around, bleeding stopped. He's, you know, nibbling on some grass, frolicking. And I was just so blown away at how wrong I was, in that second. And I was reminded how utterly wrong I am, so much of the time. And I was especially reminded of what an ridiculously short straw I had that day because now I had to do what Albert had just done, and there are like 100 of these lambs in the pen, and suddenly this whole thing's starting to feel like a German porno, and I'm like ... Melanie picks up the lamb, puts it on the post, opens it up. Albert hands me the knife. I go in, tail comes off. I go in, I grab the scrotum, tip comes off. Albert instructs, "Push it way up there." I do. "Push it further." I do. The testicles emerge -- they look like thumbs, coming right at you -- and he says, "Bite 'em. Just bite 'em off." And I heard him, I heard all the words. Like, how did -- how did I get here? How did -- you know -- I mean -- how did I get here? It's just -- it's one of those moments where the brain goes off on it's own: and suddenly, I'm standing there, in the Rockies, and all I can think of is the Aristotelian definition of a tragedy. You know, Aristotle says a tragedy is that moment when the hero comes face to face with his true identity. And I'm like, "What is this jacked-up metaphor? I don't like what I'm thinking right now." And I can't get this thought out of my head, and I can't get that vision out of my sight, so I did what I had to do. I went in and I took them. I took them like this, and I yanked my face back. And I'm standing there with two testicles on my chin. And now I can't get -- I can't shake the metaphor. OK, I'm still in "Poetics," in Aristotle, and I'm thinking -- out of nowhere, two terms come crashing into my head that I haven't heard since my classics professor in college drilled them there. And they are anagnorisis and peripeteia. Anagnorisis and peripeteia. Anagnorisis is the Greek word for discovery. Literally, the transition from ignorance to knowledge is anagnorisis. It's what our network does; it's what "Dirty Jobs" is. And I'm up to my neck in anagnorises every single day. Great. The other word, peripeteia, that's the moment in the great tragedies, you know -- Euripides and Sophocles -- the moment where Oedipus has his moment, where he suddenly realizes that hot chick That's peripety or peripeteia. And this metaphor in my head -- I got anagnorisis and peripetia on my chin. I got to tell you, it's such a great device though. When you start to look for peripetia, you find it everywhere. I mean, Bruce Willis in "The Sixth Sense," right? Spends the whole movie trying to help the little kid who sees dead people, and then, boom -- "Oh, I'm dead" -- peripetia. You know? It's crushing when the audience sees it the right way. Neo in "The Matrix," you know? "Oh, I'm living in a computer program" -- that's weird. These discoveries that lead to sudden realizations; and I've been having them, over 200 dirty jobs, I have them all the time, but that one -- that one drilled something home in a way that I just wasn't prepared for. And, as I stood there, looking at the happy lamb that I had just defiled -- but it looked OK. Looking at that poor other little thing that I'd done it the right way on, and I just was struck by if I'm wrong about that and if I'm wrong so often, in a literal way, what other peripatetic misconceptions might I be able to comment upon? Because, look, I'm not a social anthropologist but I have a friend who is. And I talk to him. And he says, "Hey Mike. Look, I don't know if your brain is interested in this sort of thing or not, but do you realize you've shot in every state? You've worked in mining, you've worked in fishing, you've worked in steel, you've worked in every major industry. You've had your back shoulder to shoulder with these guys that our politicians are desperate to relate to every four years, right?" I can still see Hillary doing the shots of rye, dribbling down her chin, with the steel workers. I mean, these are the people that I work with every single day. "And if you have something to say about their thoughts, collectively, it might be time to think about it. Because, dude, you know, four years." You know, that's in my head, testicles are on my chin, thoughts are bouncing around. And, after that shoot, Dirty Jobs really didn't change, in terms of what the show is, but it changed for me, personally. And now, when I talk about the show, I no longer just tell the story you heard and 190 like it. I do, but I also start to talk about some of the other things I got wrong, some of the other notions of work that I've just been assuming are sacrosanct, and they're not. People with dirty jobs are happier than you think. As a group, they're the happiest people I know. And I don't want to start whistling "Look for the Union Label," and all that happy worker crap. I'm just telling you that these are balanced people who do unthinkable work. Roadkill picker-uppers whistle while they work. I swear to God -- I did it with them. They've got this amazing sort of symmetry to their life. And I see it over and over and over again. So I started to wonder what would happen if we challenged some of these sacred cows. Follow your passion -- we've been talking about it here for the last 36 hours. Follow your passion -- what could possibly be wrong with that? Probably the worst advice I ever got. You know, follow your dreams and go broke, right? I mean, that's all I heard growing up. I didn't know what to do with my life, but I was told if you follow your passion, it's going to work out. I can give you 30 examples, right now -- Bob Combs, the pig farmer in Las Vegas who collects the uneaten scraps of food from the casinos and feeds them them to his swine. Why? Because there's so much protein in the stuff we don't eat his pigs grow at twice the normal speed, and he is one rich pig farmer, and he is good for the environment, and he spends his days doing this incredible service, and he smells like hell, but God bless him. He's making a great living. You ask him, "Did you follow your passion here?" and he'd laugh at you. The guy's worth -- he just got offered like 60 million dollars for his farm and turned it down, outside of Vegas. He didn't follow his passion. He stepped back and he watched where everybody was going and he went the other way. And I hear that story over and over. Matt Froind, a dairy farmer in New Canaan, Connecticut, who woke up one day and realized the crap from his cows was worth more than their milk, if he could use it to make these biodegradable flower pots. Now, he's selling them to Walmart. Follow his passion? The guy's -- come on. So I started to look at passion, I started to look at efficiency versus effectiveness -- as Tim talked about earlier, that's a huge distinction. I started to look at teamwork and determination, and basically all those platitudes they call "successories" that hang with that schmaltzy art in boardrooms around the world right now. That stuff -- it's suddenly all been turned on its head. Safety -- safety first? Going back to, you know, OSHA and PETA and the Humane Society: what if OSHA got it wrong? I mean -- this is heresy, what I'm about to say -- but what if it's really safety third? Right? No, I mean really. What I mean to say is I value my safety on these crazy jobs as much as the people that I'm working with, but the ones who really get it done, they're not out there talking about safety first. They know that other things come first -- the business of doing the work comes first, the business of getting it done. And I'll never forget, up in the Bering Sea, I was on a crab boat with the "Deadliest Catch" guys -- which I also work on -- in the first season. We're about 100 miles off the coast of Russia: 50-foot seas, big waves, green water coming over the wheelhouse, right? Most hazardous environment I'd ever seen, So, I'm 40 feet off the deck, which is like looking down at the top of your shoe, you know, and it's doing this in the ocean. Unspeakably dangerous. I scamper down, I go into the wheelhouse and I say, with some level of incredulity, "Captain, OSHA." And he says, "OSHA? Ocean." And he points out there. But in that moment, what he said next can't be repeated in the lower 48. It can't be repeated on any factory floor or any construction site. But he looked at me, and he said, "Son" -- he's my age, by the way, he calls me son, I love that -- he says, "Son, I'm a captain of a crab boat. My responsibility is not to get you home alive. My responsibility is to get you home rich." You want to get home alive, that's on you. And for the rest of that day, safety first. I was like -- So, the idea that we create this false -- this sense of complacency when all we do is talk about somebody else's responsibility as though it's our own, and vice versa. Anyhow, a whole lot of things. I could talk at length about the many little distinctions we made and the endless list of ways that I got it wrong. But, what it all comes down to is this. I formed a theory, and I'm going to share it now in my remaining two minutes and 30 seconds. It goes like this -- we've declared war on work, as a society, all of us. It's a civil war. It's a cold war, really. We didn't set out to do it and we didn't twist our mustache in some Machiavellian way, but we've done it. And we've waged this war on at least four fronts, certainly in Hollywood. The way we portray working people on TV -- it's laughable. If there's a plumber, he's 300 pounds and he's got a giant butt crack. Admit it. You see him all the time. That's what plumbers look like, right? We turn them into heroes, or we turn them into punch lines. That's what TV does. We try hard on "Dirty Jobs" not to do that, which is why I do the work and I don't cheat. But, we've waged this war on Madison Avenue. I mean, so many of the commercials that come out there -- in the way of a message, what's really being said? Your life would be better if you could work a little less, if you didn't have to work so hard, if you could get home a little earlier, if you could retire a little faster, if you could punch out a little sooner -- it's all in there, over and over, again and again. Washington? I can't even begin to talk about the deals and policies in place that affect the bottom line reality of the available jobs because I don't really know. I just know that that's a front in this war. And right here guys, Silicon Valley, I mean -- how many people have an iPhone on them right now? How many people have their Blackberries? We're plugged in; we're connected. I would never suggest for a second that something bad has come out of the tech revolution. Good grief, not to this crowd. But I would suggest that innovation without imitation is a complete waste of time. And nobody celebrates imitation the way "Dirty Jobs" guys know it has to be done. Your iPhone without those people making the same interface, the same circuitry, the same board, over and over? as the genius that goes inside of it. So, we've got this new toolbox, you know. Our tools today don't look like shovels and picks. They look like the stuff we walk around with. has been this marginalization of lots and lots of jobs. And I realized, probably too late in this game -- I hope not, because I don't know if I can do 200 more of these things -- but we're going to do as many as we can. And to me the most important thing to know and to really come face to face with, is that fact that I got it wrong about a lot of things, not just the testicles on my chin. I got a lot wrong. So, we're thinking -- by we, I mean me -- that the thing to do is to talk about a PR campaign for work, manual labor, skilled labor. Somebody needs to be out there talking about the forgotten benefits. I'm talking about grandfather stuff, the stuff a lot us probably grew up with but we've kind of -- you know, kind of lost a little. Barack wants to create two and a half million jobs. The infrastructure is a huge deal. This war on work, that I suppose exists, has casualties like any other war. The infrastructure's the first one; declining trade-school enrollments are the second one. Every single year: fewer electricians, fewer carpenters, fewer plumbers, fewer welders, fewer pipefitters, fewer steamfitters. The infrastructure jobs that everybody is talking about creating are those guys -- the ones that have been in decline, over and over. Meanwhile, we've got two trillion dollars -- at a minimum, that we need to expend to even make a dent in the infrastructure, which is currently rated at a D minus. So, if I were running for anything, and I'm not, I would simply say that the jobs we hope to make and the jobs we hope to create aren't going to stick unless they're jobs that people want. And I know the point of this conference is to celebrate things that are near and dear to us, but I also know that clean and dirty aren't opposites. They're two sides of the same coin, just like innovation and imitation, like risk and responsibility, like peripetia and anagnorisis, like that poor little lamb, who I hope isn't quivering anymore, and like my time that's gone. It's been great talking to you and get back to work, will you?	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
ここで表しているのは縦軸に感染した成人の比率そして縦軸に一人当たりのドル換算収入ですバブルの大きさ、このような円の大きさは各国で感染した人数を示しています色はどの大陸にその国があるかを示していますではまず、1983年の米国の様子を見てみましょうまだ感染率は非常に低いですが人口が大きいので、それなりの大きさのバブルになっています米国ではかなりの人数が感染していたと言えますでは次に、そこのウガンダを見てみましょうなんと5%もの人が感染しています当時まだ小さな国であったにも関わらず、非常に大きなバブルとなっています恐らくウガンダは世界で最も感染者数の多い国だったでしょうでは一体、何が起こったのでしょうか? グラフの見方は理解して頂けましたねそれでは、これから60秒間で世界でのHIVの感染状況をお見せしますでもちょっと待って。私の新たな発明をお見せしますレーザーポインターのビームを固めたんです (拍手) では、ヨ~イ、スタート! まずは、ウガンダとジンバブエが急速な上昇を見せますこのように上がっていっていますアジアでは、最初にタイがひどい感染にあいます感染率は1~2%に達しますそして、ウガンダは戻り始めます一方でジンバブエは急激に上昇数年後には南アフリカで恐ろしいほどの上昇が起こります見て下さい! インドでも多数の感染が生じましたそれでも低いレベルにありますここでも同じようなことが起こっていますウガンダは低下し、ジンバブエも低下していきますロシアは1パーセントに達しました最近2~3年で世界のHIV感染は定常状態に達したのです 25年かかりましたただし、定常状態といっても、良くなっているわけではありません悪化することが止まったというだけですいまだに、定常状態とは言え、大体世界の成人人口の1パーセントがHIV感染しています 3000万から4000万人ということですこれはカリフォルニア全体に相当します。全員が感染しているということですそれが今日の世界での状況なのですここでもう一度、ボツワナを見てみましょうアフリカ大陸南部の、中の上くらいの収入の国です政府は民主的で、経済も悪くありませんそして、これがそこで起こったことです最初は低かったのですが、急激に上昇しました 2003年にあそこでピークを迎えます現在は下がってきていますでも、ゆっくりとしか下がらないのですボツワナでは、経済と政府が良いので感染者の治療ができるからです治療を受けた感染者は、エイズでは死なないのですこの比率は下がることはないでしょう今後10年や20年は生き延びるのですですので、この測定方法には問題があるということになります一方でアフリカの貧しい国、この辺りの低収入国では感染者比率はよほど早く落ちていきますそれは感染者がまだ死んでいくからです気前のよいPEPFARにもかかわらず全ての人に治療が行き届いてはいません貧しい国々で治療を受けられた人々の中で 2年後も治療を受けられた人は60パーセントに過ぎません一生治療を受けるのは現実的ではないのです最貧国のすべての人にとってもちろん今行われていることはとても素晴しいことですただ、我々は今むしろ予防に注目しています伝染を止めることなしには世界はエイズにうまく対処することはできません薬は高すぎます -- 例えワクチンができたとしてももっと効き目のあるワクチンが入手可能になっても貧しい人には高すぎるのです薬自体ではなく、それに合わせて必要な治療と看護が問題なのですこのパターンを見ればすぐにわかることがあります青いバブルを見て下さい HIVはアフリカにとても多いと言われますでも本当は、アフリカの中でも全然違うんです世界で最もHIV感染率が高いのはアフリカの国々だということがわかるでしょうでもね、セネガルという国は、ここにいますが米国の感染率と同じなのですマダガスカルも同じです他にもたくさんのアフリカ諸国があります世界の他の国々と変わらない感染率の国々がアフリカはひとつ、というのは単純化しすぎですアフリカでは全て同じように物事が進むということも我々はそういう考え方を止めなければなりません敬意が足りませんし、賢い人の考えることではありません (拍手) 私も幸運なことに、一時米国で働く機会がありましたそこでわかったのは、ソルトレークシティとサンフランシスコは違うということですアフリカも同じなのです。大きな違いがあるのですでは何が原因なのでしょう? 戦争でしょうかそうではありません。ここを見て下さい戦火にまみれたコンゴはここです。2、3、4パーセントです一方で平和なザンビアはここです。隣の国ですが、15パーセントですコンゴからの避難民についての有効な調査がありますがその感染率は2~3パーセントでした一方で、平和なザンビアでは、よほど高いのですたくさんの研究が示すように戦争は恐ろしいものですし、レイプも恐ろしいものですでもそれはアフリカでの高い感染率の原因ではありませんでは、貧困が原因なのでしょうか? マクロレベルで見れば裕福な国ほどHIV感染率が高いようにも思えますでもそれは単純過ぎますでは、タンザニアを見てみましょうタンザニアを5つの収入グループに分けます最も高い層から、最も低い層まででは、いきます最も収入の高い層、裕福とは言いませんが、まだましな人達ですなんと彼らのHIV感染率は高いのですその違いは、11パーセントから4パーセントまでに渡りますそして女性においてはさらにその違いが大きいのです今では、良い調査と考えられるものがたくさんありますアフリカの機関や研究者と国際的な研究者が行ってきた調査が、そうではないと示しているのですこれはタンザニア国内の違いでしたが是非ケニアも見てもらいたいと思いますケニアはここにいますケニアを地域ごとに分けます見て下さい一つのアフリカの国の中でも非常に低いレベルから非常に高いレベルにまで分かれますそしてケニアの大半の地域ではごく普通なのですでは一体何が原因なのでしょうか? なぜ幾つかの国で極端に高い感染率になっているのでしょうか? そうですね。複数のパートナーを持つ国に多いと言えますコンドームの使用が少ない国そして年齢差のあるセックスをする国つまり、高齢の男性が若い女性とセックスをする国などです若い男性よりも、若い女性の感染率が高いことがわかります多くの感染率の高い国ではでは、そのような国はどこに位置しているのでしょうか? 表のバブルを地図に切り替えます見て下さい。高い感染率の国は世界総人口の4パーセントですが HIV感染者の実に50パーセントを占めます HIVは世界中に存在します見て下さい。バブルは世界中にあるでしょブラジルにもたくさんのHIV感染者がいますアラブの国はそうでもないですが、イランは非常に多いですヘロイン中毒者と売春が多いからですインドにも多いですが、それは人口が多いからです東南アジアにもいますし、他もそうですしかしながら、やはりアフリカの一部なのです難しいことに、一方ではアフリカについての画一的な見方はしてはいけないしなぜそうなのかの単純なアイデアに飛びついてはいけないわけですが他方では、これは重大なことだと言えますなぜならこのパターンについての科学的な統一見解があるからです UNAIDSはようやく有効なデータを公開しました HIVの広がり方についての同時平行性にあると言えますある種のウイルスとも言えます他の要因もあるかもしれません高い頻度で伝染を生じさせるのは結局のところ、健康な人が異性とのセックスを行っている限り一回の性交での感染リスクは千分の一ですちょっと待って下さいよでは今夜さっそく、とか思ってはダメですよあなたは不運な状況にいる可能性もありますより性的に伝染しやすい病気は、百分の一の確率で感染しますでも我々がより重要と考えるのは、同時並行性ですでは、同時並行性とは何なのか? 我が母国スウェーデンでは、同時並行性はありません我々には連なった一夫一婦制があります大晦日にはウォッカを飲んで、春の新たな相手を見つける夏のお祝い前夜にはウォッカを飲んで、秋のまた新たな相手を見つけるウォッカを飲んで、、、このように続きます。わかりますか? その内にたくさんの元恋人ができるそれで、クラミジアが恐ろしいほどに流行していくんです恐ろしいクラジミアの流行は何年も続きます HIVは感染後3~6週間でピークを迎えますその為、同じ月のうちに複数の相手と行為を行うことが他の感染に比べて、HIVの伝染が遥かに危険な理由になるのです恐らくは、これらの組み合わせが原因でしょうでも私は進歩があることに大変満足していますこうしたチャートによってより事実に近づいていることにこのチャートは無料で入手できますギャップマインダー・ドットコムにUNAIDSのデータをアップロードしました将来世界の様々な問題に取り組む際には心だけではなくお金だけでもなく頭を使うことを期待していますどうもありがとうございました	What we are showing here is -- on this axis here, I'm showing percent of infected adults. And on this axis, I'm showing dollars per person in income. And the size of these bubbles, the size of the bubbles here, that shows how many are infected in each country, and the color is the continent. Now, you can see United States, in 1983, had a very low percentage infected, but due to the big population, still a sizable bubble. There were quite many people infected in the United States. And, up there, you see Uganda. They had almost five percent infected, and quite a big bubble in spite of being a small country, then. And they were probably the most infected country in the world. Now, what has happened? Now you have understood the graph and now, in the next 60 seconds, we will play the HIV epidemic in the world. But first, I have a new invention here. I have solidified the beam of the laser pointer. So, ready, steady, go! First, we have the fast rise in Uganda and Zimbabwe. They went upwards like this. In Asia, the first country to be heavily infected was Thailand -- they reached one to two percent. Then, Uganda started to turn back, whereas Zimbabwe skyrocketed, and some years later South Africa had a terrible rise of HIV frequency. Look, India got many infected, but had a low level. And almost the same happens here. See, Uganda coming down, Zimbabwe coming down, Russia went to one percent. In the last two to three years, we have reached a steady state of HIV epidemic in the world. 25 years it took. But, steady state doesn't mean that things are getting better, it's just that they have stopped getting worse. And it has -- the steady state is, more or less, one percent of the adult world population is HIV-infected. It means 30 to 40 million people, the whole of California -- every person, that's more or less what we have today in the world. Now, let me make a fast replay of Botswana. Botswana -- upper middle-income country in southern Africa, democratic government, good economy, and this is what happened there. They started low, they skyrocketed, they peaked up there in 2003, and now they are down. But they are falling only slowly, because in Botswana, with good economy and governance, they can manage to treat people. And if people who are infected are treated, they don't die of AIDS. These percentages won't come down because people can survive 10 to 20 years. So there's some problem with these metrics now. But the poorer countries in Africa, the low-income countries down here, there the rates fall faster, of the percentage infected, because people still die. In spite of PEPFAR, the generous PEPFAR, all people are not reached by treatment, and of those who are reached by treatment in the poor countries, only 60 percent are left on treatment after two years. It's not realistic with lifelong treatment for everyone in the poorest countries. But it's very good that what is done is being done. But focus now is back on prevention. It is only by stopping the transmission that the world will be able to deal with it. Drugs is too costly -- had we had the vaccine, or when we will get the vaccine, that's something more effective -- but the drugs are very costly for the poor. Not the drug in itself, but the treatment and the care which is needed around it. So, when we look at the pattern, one thing comes out very clearly: you see the blue bubbles and people say HIV is very high in Africa. I would say, HIV is very different in Africa. You'll find the highest HIV rate in the world in African countries, and yet you'll find Senegal, down here -- the same rate as United States. And you'll find Madagascar, and you'll find a lot of African countries about as low as the rest of the world. It's this terrible simplification that there's one Africa and things go on in one way in Africa. We have to stop that. It's not respectful, and it's not very clever to think that way. I had the fortune to live and work for a time in the United States. I found out that Salt Lake City and San Francisco were different. And so it is in Africa -- it's a lot of difference. So, why is it so high? Is it war? No, it's not. Look here. War-torn Congo is down there -- two, three, four percent. And this is peaceful Zambia, neighboring country -- 15 percent. And there's good studies of the refugees coming out of Congo -- they have two, three percent infected, and peaceful Zambia -- much higher. There are now studies clearly showing that the wars are terrible, that rapes are terrible, but this is not the driving force for the high levels in Africa. So, is it poverty? Well if you look at the macro level, it seems more money, more HIV. But that's very simplistic, so let's go down and look at Tanzania. I will split Tanzania in five income groups, from the highest income to the lowest income, and here we go. The ones with the highest income, the better off -- I wouldn't say rich -- they have higher HIV. The difference goes from 11 percent down to four percent, and it is even bigger among women. There's a lot of things that we thought, that now, good research, done by African institutions and researchers together with the international researchers, show that that's not the case. So, this is the difference within Tanzania. And, I can't avoid showing Kenya. Look here at Kenya. I've split Kenya in its provinces. Here it goes. See the difference within one African country -- it goes from very low level to very high level, and most of the provinces in Kenya is quite modest. So, what is it then? Why do we see this extremely high levels in some countries? Well, it is more common with multiple partners, there is less condom use, and there is age-disparate sex -- that is, older men tend to have sex with younger women. We see higher rates in younger women than younger men in many of these highly affected countries. But where are they situated? I will swap the bubbles to a map. Look, the highly infected are four percent of all population and they hold 50 percent of the HIV-infected. HIV exists all over the world. Look, you have bubbles all over the world here. Brazil has many HIV-infected. Arab countries not so much, but Iran is quite high. They have heroin addiction and also prostitution in Iran. India has many because they are many. Southeast Asia, and so on. But, there is one part of Africa -- and the difficult thing is, at the same time, not to make a uniform statement about Africa, not to come to simple ideas of why it is like this, on one hand. On the other hand, try to say that this is not the case, because there is a scientific consensus about this pattern now. UNAIDS have done good data available, finally, about the spread of HIV. It could be concurrency. It could be some virus types. It could be that there is other things which makes transmission occur in a higher frequency. After all, if you are completely healthy and you have heterosexual sex, the risk of infection in one intercourse is one in 1,000. Don't jump to conclusions now on how to behave tonight and so on. But -- and if you are in an unfavorable situation, more sexually transmitted diseases, it can be one in 100. But what we think is that it could be concurrency. And what is concurrency? In Sweden, we have no concurrency. We have serial monogamy. Vodka, New Year's Eve -- new partner for the spring. Vodka, Midsummer's Eve -- new partner for the fall. Vodka -- and it goes on like this, you know? And you collect a big number of exes. And we have a terrible chlamydia epidemic -- terrible chlamydia epidemic which sticks around for many years. HIV has a peak three to six weeks after infection and therefore, having more than one partner in the same month is much more dangerous for HIV than others. Probably, it's a combination of this. And what makes me so happy is that we are moving now towards fact when we look at this. You can get this chart, free. We have uploaded UNAIDS data on the Gapminder site. And we hope that when we act on global problems in the future we will not only have the heart, we will not only have the money, but we will also use the brain. Thank you very much.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
の魔法が使えるため、元の位置に戻るのも一瞬で済むからこその処置だ。疲労困憊したトリシア女医や俺達子供はマクスウェルの屋敷で休ませ、ライエルとマリア、ガドルスがアイテムの補充に向かう。コルティナはその間、それぞれの身体をマッサージして回ってくれた。「あー、いい、いい。そこもうちょっと強く」「うっさいわ! 子供を差し置いて真っ先にアンタとか、運動不足が過ぎるんじゃない?」「私はデスクワーク派なのよ」トリシア女医は相変わらずコルティナと仲がいい。俺達子供は回復が早いので、砂糖を入れた甘いホットミルクを飲んで、寛いでいる。「コルティナは準備しなくてもいいの?」「あー、マリアに頼んどいたから大丈夫。「あれ、私の月給の半分くらいの値段がするんだけど......」ピュリファイはかなり初期の魔法だが、非常に使い勝手がいい魔法のため、これを付与したアイテムはそれなりに値が張る。この魔法、本来は水を浄化する魔法なのだが、水だけでなく体内の微量な毒素やごく小範囲の周辺の大気も浄化する効果を持つ。飲料水の確保や、掃除や洗濯という生活に必須なだけでなく、軽度の毒を解毒し、挙句に有毒ガスの充満した範囲内での行動も可能になる。そして死亡率が高く実入りのいい冒険者は、世代交代が激しい。常に新たに生まれ続けるため、その需要は存在し続ける。だから値が下がらない。「あなた達もそれを飲んだら一休みしておきなさい。ここから山登りなんだから、かなりキツイわよ」「わかりましたわ」レティーナとミシェルちゃんはコクコクと頷く。俺もカップに口を付けながら、コクリと頷いて答えた。俺にとってはいつもの光景だったのだが、初見の彼女達は大いに感銘を受けたようだ。「ライエル様、すっごかったね! 首をずぱーんって! 一太刀で!」「少しは落ち着きなさい、はしたない。それよりもガドルス様よ。あのファイアジャイアントのブレスを軽々と蹴散らしたのはすごいですわ」「えー、ライエル様のがすごかったよ?」「派手な方にばかり目が行く辺り、修業が足りませんわよ?」「そんな事ないもん」「ニコルさんはどっちだと思います?」「うゅ?」眠い目をこすりながら、聞き流していた会話を思い返す。「えーと......」「ライエル様だよね、ニコルちゃん!」「ガドルス様よね? ニコルさん」「どうしてそうなりますの?」戦う前に彼我の戦力差を的確に分析し、ライエルとガドルスだけで事が足りると見抜いたのだ。長丁場になる冒険では、最小限の戦力で敵を駆逐するのは、非常に重要なファクターになる。「――という訳で、コルティナがいないと無駄に魔法を打ち込んでたかもしれない」「そういう考え方もあるんですのね」「ニコルちゃん、すごーい」パチパチと手を叩いて俺をほめたたえてくれるが、これは正直言うと前世での経験を語っているだけである。「へー、ニコルちゃんってば見るべき所は見てるのね。アンタも見習いなさい」「私はいいのよ、保健医なんだから」ぺしんとトリシア女医の後ろ頭を叩きながら、コルティナは感心する。そこへなにやら荷車を引いたマクスウェルが中庭に現れた。リビングは中庭に面しているため、その様子が見て取れる。「マクスウェル、それはちょっと大げさじゃない?」「そうでもないぞ。荷物はこれから増えるんじゃからな」「荷物って言っても――あ」そこでコルティナは何かに気付いたように手を打った。「そっか。ゴーレム!」と呼ばれる魔法がある。魔力の籠った木切れや土塊を触媒に、簡易の使い魔を作成する術だ。なぜなら、ゴーレム自体の戦闘力は術者よりも遥かに劣り、そして常時細かく指示を出さねばならないため、ゴーレムを使役している間は術者は他の魔法を使えなくなる。マリアのような無詠唱や、マクスウェルのような高速詠唱が可能でないと実用は難しい術式だ。魔法剣士と呼ばれる者が前衛を補充するのに使ったり、荷物運びなどの労役に使用する程度しか使い道がない。「その荷車でトリシアや子供達を運ぶのね」「良かったわね。これで楽に登れるようになったわよ!」「やったぁ!」コルティナの説明に真っ先に歓声を上げたのは、俺でもミシェルちゃん達でもなく、トリシア女医だった。	We temporarily returned to Raum and restarted our preparations. We could do this because Maxwell’s Portal Gate could return us to where we left off in a split second. We decided to take a short break in the living room that faced the garden, after which we went shopping. Lyell, Maria, and Gadius went to replenish their Items while leaving the totally exhausted Tricia and us kids behind to rest. Meanwhile, Cortina massaged our bodies in turns. “Ahh, that’s the spot. Push a little harder there.” “Oh shut it! Leaving the kids aside, for you to fall first, aren’t you lacking a bit too much in exercise?” “I belong to desk work.” Tricia was on good terms with Cortina, as usual. Despite her impudent argument, Cortina continued to carefully loosen her body muscles. Since we kids were fast to recover, we were currently resting while sipping on hot milk with sugar. Maxwell, on the other hand, disappeared to the warehouse. “Are you sure you don’t need to prepare, Cortina?” “Yeah, I asked Maria with it so I’m good. If it’s just some mask with Purify effect on it, it shouldn’t cost that much.” “Huh, I’m pretty sure it costs half of my monthly salary, though...” This wasn’t because Tricia had a particularly small salary. Purify was among the beginner Magics, but because it was so convenient, items bestowed with its effect went for quite a sum. It was originally a Magic to purify water, but it also held the effects to purify minor internal toxins as well as the surrounding atmosphere on a very small scale. It wasn’t only indispensable for securing water, cleaning, and washing, but also for light detoxification, and it also allowed one to move in a toxic gas-filled environment. For that reason, these Magic-bestowed Items could be said to be essential tools for the Adventurers. Being profitable yet having high mortality, they changed generations quite often. Since new Adventurers kept popping into existence, so did the demand for those items. Thus their value remained unbudged. “You should also take a good rest once you are done drinking that. We’ll be climbing after this, so it’ll get quite tough.” “Understood.” Letina and Michelle answered with big nods. I also gave a nod of my own while bringing the cup to my mouth. Honestly speaking, Michelle and Letina aside, I’m so tired I just want to sleep like this. My friends were beside me, but I didn’t have any energy to play with them. Finishing my milk, I laid my body to rest and discussed the previous fight with my two friends. It was a familiar scene for me, but these two saw it for the first time and were very moved. “Sir Lyell looked so cool! He sent its head with a whoosh! It only took him one swing!” “Calm down for a bit, you are acting too immodest. Rather, Sir Gadius was even better. The way he casually shrugged off the Fire Giant’s breath was amazing!” “Ehh, Sir Lyell was the amazing one, okay?” “You lack discipline if you only look at what’s fleshy, you know?” “Nonsense.” “Nicole, who do you think was better?” “Ngh?” Hearing my name called out while I was half asleep made me open my eyes in confusion. While rubbing my sleepy eyes, I tried to remember their conversation that I was ignoring. “Errr...” “It’s Sir Lyell, isn’t it, Nicole!” “No, it’s Sir Gadius, isn’t it, Nicole?” “How did you come to that conclusion?” She accurately analyzed the power between us and the opponent and judged that Lyell and Gadius would be enough for the job. Were she not there, both Maxwell and Maria would’ve joined in, and overused the firepower where it was not needed. Among the long-term Adventurers, defeating foes with minimal battle power was an extremely important factor. But to achieve that, Cortina’s presence was indispensable. “...In other words, if Cortina wasn’t there, they might have pointlessly showered it with Magic.” “I suppose that is one way to look at it.” “Nicole, you are amazing.” They started clapping and praised me, but honestly speaking, I was just speaking from my past life experience. It wasn’t because my insight was particularly outstanding or anything, so that act made me somewhat embarrassed. “Heh, so Nicole was paying attention to where she should. You should learn from her.” “No thanks, I’m just a public-health doctor.” Cortina expressed her admiration while slapping Tricia on the back of her head. Normally, someone my age couldn’t understand the gravity of drawn-out fights. Meanwhile, Maxwell showed up in the garden pulling some kind of cart with him. We could see him since the living room was facing the garden. Judging from its appearance, there didn’t seem to be that many items inside that cart. Wasn’t using a cart to carry them a bit of an exaggeration? “Maxwell, isn’t that thing a little too big for the job?” “Not necessarily. The luggage will only grow from now on.” “Even if you say luggage... Oh.” Cortina suddenly realized something. “I see. You mean a Golem!” There was a Magic called Create Golem. Using a block of wood or a lump of earth as a catalyst, you could create a simple familiar. This belonged to the system called Puppetry Magic, which didn’t have many practitioners. The reason was that the Golem’s battle power was far inferior to even the user, and as it always needed to be given minute instructions, the practitioner had no time to use any other Magic. It was a technique with difficult practicality unless you could use Chantless or High-Speed Casting like Maria and Maxwell. Magic-Swordsmen used them in place of vanguards or just for luggage carrying. It had no other use. But in our case, even if he planned to use the Golem to carry the cart, what was the point when there was no real luggage? “He plans to use that cart to carry Tricia and you kids.” “Thank god. We can climb with this!” “Yayy!” The first raise such a cheerful shout wasn’t me, Michelle, or Letina, but Tricia instead.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 6, "inserted_lines_src": 22, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
ジョーイの「送って行く」という提案に、少女は馬車のの跡がくっきり残ってい道を指し示した。「いや、別に子供じゃないんだから、道に迷うことはないと思うよ」「そういうことじゃなくて......。てゆーか、お前どう見ても子供だろう? まだ11歳くらいじゃねーか」その言葉になぜか微妙な苦笑いを浮かべる少女。「・・・いちおう13歳なんだけどね」「――えっ、そうなのか? わ、悪い」の女の子は成長のバラつきがあるので、なかなか判断が難しいところがあるが、例えばいま15歳の自分が13歳に間違われたらムッとするだろう。男の自分でさえ背伸びしたい年頃なんだ。まして女の子で13歳ともなれば、ジョーイの生まれた村ではもう結婚してる子もいたぐらいで・・・。 (そうだよな、子供じゃなくてもう結婚できるくらいのましげな胸元、細い脚に行きかけた視線を大急ぎで外して、ジョーイは噛んで含めるように言い聞かせた。「あのさ、お前みたいに見るからに金持ちのお嬢様がのほほーんと一人で歩いていたら、どんな奴らに絡まれて、その......ひどい目にあわされるかわかったもんじゃないんだ。だから街まで送って行く」「ああ、なるほど。犯されて、殺されて、埋められるって奴だね」ジョーイが濁した言葉の意味をあっさり理解したらしい少女は、そこで不思議そうに少年の顔を見た。「でも、いいの? 見たところ手ぶらのようだけど、仕事の途中じゃないの?」「・・・いいんだよ。どうせ討伐予定のウォードックは逃げちまったし、2頭いるとも思わなかったから準備も足りなかったし。――だいたいここでお前を放り出したら寝覚めが悪いだろう!」照れ隠しにそっぽを向いて怒鳴るように言った言葉に、少女は一瞬呆気に取られた顔をして、次に嬉しそうに微笑んだ。「君――ジョーイ君だったっけ? 君は良い人だねえ」「――なっ、なに言ってんだお前! 馬鹿にしてないか?!」「そんなつもりはないんだけど、気に触ったんならあやまるよ。・・・だけど、ただ好意に甘えるだけというのも心苦しいかな。――う~~ん、それなら仕事として、私が街へ着くまでの護衛と街での案内をお願いできないかな? できれば冒険者ギルドも見てみたいし」「仕事か・・・」「あれ? こういう直接依頼する仕事はひょっとしてNGなのかな?」「いや、ギルドポイントに反映されないだけで別に禁止はされてないけど、こういう場合は大抵前金払いで、それに通常依頼よりも割り増し料金を取るのが普通で・・・」もっとも、まだ見習いのG級をやっと卒業してF級になったばかりのジョーイにしてみれば、通常の護衛依頼の報酬の相場も、割増料金の掛け率もわからないので、幾ら報酬を貰えばいいのか判断ができないのだ。だが少女のほうはジョーイの煮え切らない態度を、『報酬の前払いが支払えるかどうか』で懸念しているものと思ったのだろう。腰の後ろ――大きなリボンの飾りかと思ったらポシェットだったらしい――をガサゴソやって、硬貨を何枚か取り出した。「じゃあこれでどうかな?」「銀貨か?」渡された1枚のいっけん銀色をした――通常の1セル銀貨より3回りは大きな――それは、良く見ると表面が虹色に輝く見たこともないお金だった。そう言ってジョーイの掌の上に金貨を10枚ばかり乗せた。「・・・見たことのない金貨だなぁ。使えるのか?」もっとも金貨自体ジョーイにとっては、いつも銀貨や銅貨を貰うギルド窓口の向こう側にあるのを、ため息と共に見るだけで精一杯であったが。「どうだろうねぇ? 最悪、鋳潰して貴金属として売り払うことになるかもしれないね。その時には金額によってはその場でそういって再度ポシェットに手を回し、そこから大の男腕ほどもある金の延べ棒を引き出して見せた。それを見て少年の顔色が変わる。「――ちょっ、ちょっと待て! それってもしかして物を入れても重さや大きさが変わらないマジックアイテムか!?」「そうだよ。――ああ、なるほどこっちにもあるんだね」「お前、ひと財産だぞそれっ! それだけで一等地に家が買えるぞ!」「へえ、ずいぶんと高い物なんだねえ。――まあこれもかなり高額ではあったけど」「そうだろう。そんな簡単に人前で見せるなよ。ったく、やっぱ危なっかしくて見てられないぜ。ホントどこのお姫様だよ」『お姫様』と呼ばれて、なぜか自嘲するような笑みを浮かべながら、少女は両手でスカートの裾をつまんで、軽くカーテシー(片足を後ろに引きもう片足の膝を曲げて行なう挨拶)を行なった。その優美な動作に内心ドギマギしながら、ジョーイは赤くなった顔を見られないよう咄嗟に体の向きを変え、500mばかり離れたところの巨木を指して歩き出した。「ヒユキか。ああ、『ジョーイ君』なんて言われると馬鹿にされてる気がするからジョーイでいいぞ。――じゃあヒユキ、あの木の所に俺の首を傾げる緋雪の世間知らずに、いい加減耐性がついてきたジョーイが、「・・・まあ、直接見ればわかるさ」と言って、そのままさっさと歩き始めた。 ◆◇◆◇ 『姫、あのような無礼な小僧など雇わずとも、私めが姫の玉体に傷ひとつたりと付けませぬが?』けど以前はせいぜいステータスの3割程度しか割り増し感がなかったのが、現在のボクのステータスは、種族:吸血姫(神祖) 名前: 天嬢典雅 HP:61,312,800(+61,234,800) MP:53,841,500(+53,746,000) ボクのステータスなんて、刺し身のツマどころかタンポポみたいなもので、あってもなくてもどーでもいい感じなんですけど!? とか使ったら、『今のはメラゾーマではない、メラだ』どころか『いまのは水爆ではない、手榴弾だ』レベルになる危険性が限りなく高い。を使うことなく――とはいえ、今回の偵察は天涯も同行することが最低条件だったので――なるべく穏便に事を済ませられるように、偶然目に入ったジョーイに接触したわけなんだけど、天涯にしてみれば自分の力を信じてもらえないようでへそを曲げているんだろうね。曲げすぎて「ここは実際に実力をお見せします!」とかハッチャケたら、この国が一夜で滅びるよ! そうなったらもう坂道を下る勢いで、ボクの魔王街道まっしぐらだろうし。ここはなんとしても天涯のプライドを傷つけないよう、穏便に取り計らわないと。『無論、天涯、そなたの忠義と能力には全幅の信頼を寄せている。しかしながらこうして民草に混じらないと得られぬものもある。私のわがままであるが、どうか付き合ってくれぬか?』『・・・短慮を申しました。申し訳ありませぬ姫様。私ごときが姫様の深慮遠謀を推し量るなど、そもそも不敬の至りでございました。――つまりあの小僧は護衛役などではなく、あくまで・・・』どうやらわかってくれたらしい、天涯の声が落ち着いたものに戻った。『うむ。私の個人的な――』『非常時の・・・はい?! 『そういえばお目覚めになられてからまだですが、もう少々お待ちいただければ、あのような貧相な小僧ではなく口当たりの良い処女の生き血ををご用意いたしますが?』エサ・・・生き血・・・処女・・・・童貞・・・。頭の中でこれらの言葉が一つに組み立てられた。そ、そーいや、ボク、吸血姫だったっけ!? そーするとあれかい、今日、ジョーイと話していて密かにときめいた瞬間とか、健康的な手足を見て実は密かにドキドキしていたこの感情は、女の子になった影響とかではなくて、単なる食欲?! やばいっ!! な、なんか意識すると、ジョーイの健康そうな首筋とか、手足の血管に行きそうになる視線を、ボクは無理やり外した。	On Joey the Escort’s proposal, the girl pointed towards a straight path with a clear wheel track which remained. “Well thank you but, I am not some child, I believe I wouldn’t get lost.” “I don’t mean it like that... Or rather, no matter how I look, aren’t you a child? You’re still around years old.” By that word for some reason the girl expressing a complicated bitter smile. “...I am more or less years old, you see” “―Eh, is that so? M-my bad.” Girls around this age have various rate of growth, so it’s very hard to judge at this point of time. For example, a girl that is presently years old would be mad when she was mistaken for a years old. Grasping the meaning of the girl’s expression like that, Joey meekly bows his head to apologize. Even a man themselves want to overreach around that age. Not to mention how a girl who’s 13 years old, in the village where Joey was born, they already married and had a kid or so... The moment when he thought so, his chest is throbbing fast. (That’s right, she not a kid anymore, then she’s around the age where she could marry!) He’s instantly conscious of it, the girl’s charming lips, her modest breasts, her slender legs; so he undoes his locked gaze in a big hurry. Joey then tries to warn her in an easy way. “You see, I know you’re obviously some kind of rich young lady, but if you’re really walking alone like this, you will get yourself involved with all kind of guys, and then you’ll... experience some unpleasant things. That’s why I will escort you till the town.” “Aah, Indeed. The like who would kidnap me, kill me, and bury me, those kinds of guys right?” The girl seems to easily understand the meaning of Joey’s cloudy words, and then she looks at Joey’s face with curious-like expression. “But, is that fine? Judging from your appearance you are still empty handed, aren’t you in the middle of a job?” “...Its fine. After all, the war dog extermination plan is completely out of place, I didn’t consider that there were 2 of them so I didn’t make any necessary preparation. ―In the first place, it feels uneasy leaving you out here!” Hearing the word that he shouted while turning his face away to hide his embarrassment, the girl was astonished for a moment, then she smiles delightfully. “You―are Mr. Joey right? What a good fellow you are.” “―Wh, what are you talking about! Aren’t you just making fun of me?!” “I don’t have any intention to do so, but I apologize if I was hurting you... However, I would feel bad if I just took advantage of your good will. ―Hmmmm, in that case as a job, can I ask you to escort me to the town and show me around? If possible, I want to see the adventurer’s guild” “A job, huh...” “Eh? By any chance, is a direct work request like this no good?” “Well, although it wasn’t reflected on guild point, there was no any particular rule that prohibits it. But in case of situation like this, it’s usually done with payment in advance, moreover it normally has an extra charge in comparison with usual requests...” This is natural, considering Joey just only became an F rank who graduated from G rank when he still an apprentice, he doesn’t know the usual reward rate for an escort request nor does he know the extra charge rate, so he can’t decide how much of a reward he would take. But on the girl’s side, Joey’s indecisive attitude was that he must be worrying about ‘Could she really pay?’. There’s a rustling sound from her waist at the back (it wasn’t her big ribbon decoration, instead it seems to be a pouch), she was taking out several coins. “Then how about this?” “Silver coin?” He was being handed over a thin silver object (it’s three times the size of a normal silver coin), he take a look on it properly and it shine in a rainbow color, it doesn’t even look like money. Saying so, she placed 10 gold coins on the top of Joey palm. “...I never saw a gold coin. Can it be used?” Even though Joey’s gripping on the gold coin, usually he only received silver and cooper coins from the person at guild counter, so he only can observe it with his best ability while sighing. “I wonder? At worst, perhaps you have to sell it out by melting it down into precious metal. In case you need money at that time, I guess you could sell this ingot?” Saying so, she picked something up again with her hand, from there she took out a gold bar with about the size of an adult man’s upper hand. Seeing that, the boy made a complex face. “―Wa, wait a minute! That, could it be a magic item that doesn’t change its weight and size even you put something in!?” “That’s right. ―Aah I see, you can have this too. “Hey, that’s a fortune! That alone could be used to purchase the best residence in town!” “Heeh, it’s surprisingly an expensive object huh. ―Well but yeah, this was quite a lot of money to have.” “That’s right. Don’t simply show it in public. Good grief, you’re really dangerous if you’re not being watched. Truly some kind of princess you are.” To be called with ‘Princess’, somehow she smiles like mocking herself, while on it, “―Aah, come to think of it, I haven’t given any self-introduction yet. My name is ‘Hiyuki’, so please take care of me, Mr. Joey.” The girl hold the hem of her skirt with both hand, and performs a light curtsy. Joey’s heart went throbbing hard because of her elegant manner, he changes his body’s direction at once so his red face couldn’t be seen, he start to walk straight into a big tree about 500 meters away. “Hiyuki huh. Aah, I feel funny when being called ‘Mr. Joey’ so Joey is fine. ―Well Hiyuki, I have tied my emu on that tree so let’s walk there a bit” Hiyuki who doesn’t know the word titled her head in confusion; Joey, who had grown tolerant by now, said, “...well, you will understand when you see it.” Being told so, she begins to quicken her pace. ◆◇◆◇ 『Princess, even if you don’t hire that kind of rude youngster, wouldn’t I be enough to keep a single injury from your precious body?』 At that moment, Tengai was making his annoyance known beside me, or rather, from inside of me. During a fight, by combining with the body of a pet, one would be granted the pet’s status and attributes, the so called ‘Pet Unison’ feature. However, if I remember correctly, you only get up to 30% of the pet’s status as bonus previously, but currently my status is, Race: Vampire Princess {Ancestor God} Name: Hiyuki HP: 61,312,800(+61,234,800) MP:53,841,500(+53,746,000) Is this some kind of Zimbabwe dollar? It was inflated so much! I mean, this is exactly the same as the status of Golden Dragon (Naga Raja), isn’t it? My status can’t even rival the garnish of a sashimi! If I have to say, I’m more like the dandelion! My being here makes no difference whatsoever! I mean, since I already know about this feature, the status difference with its original is too much, now it’s scary that I can’t even shoot magic. At this level, if I use a fire ball from the basic offensive flame magic skill tree, it becomes a level that is exceedingly dangerous, let alone ‘That now wasn’t a Kafrizzle, it’s just a Frizz’, but now it’s more like, ‘That now wasn’t a hydrogen bomb, it’s just a grenade’. The minimum requirement for this reconnaissance was for Tengai to accompany me. That’s why, in order to get things done as peacefully as possible without using his powers, I contacted Joey, who happened to be on our way. I guess Tengai was sulking because it’s like I didn’t place trust in his own strength. If he sulks to the point of saying, ‘I’ll show you what I’m actually capable of,’ and then does as he pleases, this region will perish in one night! If that happens, it’s all downhill and I’ll be on my way to becoming a demon king. This is why no matter what it takes, I have settle this in a way that does not hurt Tengai’s pride. 『Of course, Tengai, I fully have faith in your loyalty and ability. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t gain benefits if I didn’t associate with people. I know it’s selfish of me, but will you please accompany me?』『...I had said something imprudent. My apologies, Princess. The like of me wouldn’t be able to conjure the Princess’ farsighted and deeply-laid out plan, first of all, I am apologizing to the utmost limit for my disrespectfulness. ―In brief, it wasn’t to employ that youngster as an escort, it’s just simply...』 Somehow able to understand it, Tengai’s voice regains its composure. 『Yea. It’s for my personal reason――』『An emergency food, eh』 ...huh?! 『Which reminds me, Princess still hasn’t taken a meal from the time when you had woke up. Me of all people had forgotten about it. How could I be forgiven for it? ...Well he indeed is a seedy-looking food but, he seems a virgin and hence he would be a rare, tantalizing food. However, if you’re able to wait for a bit, I will prepare for you a mouth-watering virgin’s lifeblood instead of that poor boy’s.』 Feeder... Blood... Virgin... Boy... Those words were assembled inside my head one by one. O-oh yeah, wasn’t I a vampire princess!? Thinking about it, my heart was fluttering as I talked with Joey earlier, I thought that feeling is because I became a girl but it turned out I was wrong. In fact, my heart was throbbing hard when I saw his healthy limbs, is it just a mere lust for food?! That’s dangerous!! I had asked Joey to escort me without thinking, but it might not be a good idea to stay with him. S-somehow now that I became conscious of it, I forcibly removed my gaze fixed on Joey’s healthy nape, and the blood vessels in his limbs.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 30, "inserted_lines_trg": 3 }
ルゼイから水を分けてもらい宿を出ると、メルクはエンデ市から地図通りにログホルト市へ向かうことにした。ヨナヒムが名残惜しそうにしていたが、気付かないふりをして置いてきた。彼はせいぜい休暇中に羽を伸ばしておくといいのだ。どんな職業にも言えることだが冒険者は根を詰めすぎても良くない。休むときはしっかり休むことも大事なのだ。「さて......この辺りでいいかな?」エンデ市を離れてギルドが示した赤い線のルート通りに少し歩くと、人通りがほとんどんない寂しい林道へつながっていた。そこで完全に人影が絶えたのを確認し、メルクは背後を振り返る。そしてそう声を掛けると、少しの間があってから木影から追跡者が姿を見せた。「やっぱり、気付かれてたんだ」そこから出てきたのは、青い髪の娘――同じ冒険者試験受験者のトトアラだった。「なんか時々挙動が不自然だったから、「バレてるかもなー」って思ってたんだ。でもまさか、最初から気付かれてたなんて」「あいにく、勘は良い方なんだ」本当は念のため自分についてくる魔力を探ったら、たまたま彼女がヒットしただけである。おそらくトトアラが魔力まで隠すことができていたら、メルクでも尾行に気付くのは遅れたはずだ。それだけ彼女は気配を消すことに長けていた。「それで? どうして私の後をつけてきたんだ?」「いやぁー、私も徒歩で行くことにしたからさ。それなで行くよりもで行った方がいいじゃない? だから、声を掛けるタイミングを見計らってたんだよね」「なるほど......」』を利用しなかったんだ? 徒歩で行くよりも、断然早いだろうし確実だ」かせた後、トトアラは軽やかな足取りで近づいてきた。「そうね、私の場合は至極単純よ。私以外、受験者が全員男だったから」「え?」「気付いた? 試験の受験希望者、私とメルク以外は男だったでしょう? それなのにメルクが抜けちゃったら、私一人で男たちの群れに投げ込まれちゃうのよ? それも数日以上......ちょっと考えられないわ」「......あー、そんなものか」女の身であれば、十数人もいる男の中に一人でいるのは不安になるだろう。それも相手の男たちは皆、冒険者志望。基本的に荒っぽい性格や粗野な者が多いと考えていい。そんな中に女一人で過ごすのは無謀と言えるかもしれない。 (......たしかに、トトアラは魅力的な『もの』を持っているしな) 近づいてくる彼女の大きな胸を見やりながら、メルクは得心の行く思いを抱いた。トトアラは世間一般で言う、男好きする体型をしている。彼女はそこまで考えていたのだろう。前世が男であったためか、メルクは女の身にしてはそう言う事に「それじゃあ、逆に聞かせてもらえる? どうしてメルクはあの『魔馬車』に乗らなかったの? 反応を見ると、私と同じ理由だったとは思えないけど」手を伸ばせば触れる距離までメルクに近づくと、トトアラが口の端を吊り上げて興味深そうに聞いてきた。メルクの答えを期待しているらしい。「......患ってた? なに? 病気だったってこと?」メルクの返答が意外だったのか、余裕顔が崩れて少し面食らった表情になるトトアラ。やはり気付いてはいなかったようだ。「病気......まぁ、一種の病気なのだろう。なぁ、トトアラさん。『魔馬』は人々にとってとても便利で温厚な家畜だが、時に人を傷つけることがあることを知っているか?」「え? そりゃあ一応魔物だし......怒らせたりお腹が空いてたりしたら人を襲うんじゃない?」トトアラのズレたその返答に、メルクはちょっと笑った。その考え方は間違いではないが、それではただの馬や獣と同じだ。別に『魔馬』特有のものと言うわけではない。メルクが視の『魔馬』は、いずれも彼ら特有の異変が生じていた。』と呼ばれる症状だ。多くの獣型の魔物には魔力が集まる角が生えている。それが何らかの原因により損傷することで、集まっていた魔力が「へぇ、そんな病気があるの。けど、ギルド前にいた『魔馬』たちは暴れていなかったような......」が入っていた。おそらく二三日もすれば完全に崩壊するだろう」「それは治せないの?」で上手くすれば治る。だが、ギルド前の『魔馬』たちはすでに手遅れの状態だった。もうどうにもならない」言い切ったメルクに、トトアラは眉を「そんな......今までそんな話は聞いたことないんだけど」「ああ。とても稀な症状だからな。『魔馬』の飼育をしている者か、深く関わったことのある者くらいしか知らないんじゃないか?」メルクはエルフの里で家畜たちのかかりつけ医のような役割を果たしていたので、病気によって角が完全に割れ、暴れる馬たちを見たことがあった。そしてだからこそ、あの場にいた三頭が三頭ともその稀である異変に侵されているのが奇妙だった。「偶然にしろ、何者かの作為があったにせよ、あの『魔馬』たちではログホルト市へ行く前に『魔暴』を発症する。そうなればとても旅どころではないだろう――私はそう思ったのさ」「意地悪なのね。皆に教えてあげればよかったのに」「あくまでも私の見立てだからな。それで外れていても責任はとれないし、そもそも徒歩で行ったところで辿り着ける保証もない。それならば、何も言わずに自分たちで選んでもらった方がいい」そもそも、そこで助言してやる義理もない。期日内に辿り着けばいかなる方法でもいいと言われているのだ。どのような手段を選ぼうと自己責任だろう。仮に『魔馬』たちが暴れたとしても、『魔暴』によって魔力を失えばほとんどただの馬だ。冒険者志望の男たちが数名もいれば取り押さえられるだろう。魔力の完全消失を避けられない『魔馬』たち以外、命を失う者はいないはずだ。「まっ、私が知ってたとしても多分何も言わないけど。どいつもこいつも、私の忠告を聞くような奴には見えなかったし」んでいたトトアラが、メルクの言葉に茶目っ気たっぷりに舌を出して笑みを作る。その表情の変わり身に、メルクの方こそ呆れてしまった。「あの『魔馬車』に乗っても辿り着けないなら、私が徒歩を選んだのは間違いじゃなかったってことよね?」「ああ。私の見立てを信じるならな」「信じるわよ。あのブレガって言う三等級冒険者よりはメルクの方が信頼できそうだし。だから改めてなんだけど......」トトアラは腰を折ってメルクを拝むように両掌を擦り合わせた。	After receiving the water from Luzei, Merc followed the map and headed to the city of Logholt. She noticed Jonahim looking at her with a hesitant expression just before she left, but she pretended she didn’t notice. Merc wanted him to make the most of his well-deserved vacation. Adventuring, like any other job, required rest. It was important to rest and to know how to make the most out of that rest. “Well then... I guess this place should be fine.” After leaving the City of Ende and following the red line for a while, Merc found herself on a secluded forest road. After confirming that there wasn’t anyone else Merc turned around and said, “It’s about time you came out. I’ve known you’ve been there ever since I left the Guild.” In the following moment, a silhouette of a person could be seen coming from the shadow of a tree. “So you did know...” The person that came out was a blue haired girl. It was Totoara, one of the other examinees. Totoara scratched her cheek in an embarrassed manner as she approached, most likely because she had been discovered. “You were acting weirdly at times, so I assumed I’d been discovered, but it’s hard to believe you knew I was here from the start.” “Unfortunately for you I have keen senses.” In reality, Merc had discovered Totoara after tracing back the Mana that had become stuck on her. Merc would not have been able to find Totoara if she had been able to conceal her magic power as well. That merely went to demonstrate how good Totoara was at concealing herself. “So, why did you follow me?” “Well... I decided to go on foot as well. So I thought that it’d be better to go with you rather than going alone, wouldn’t you agree? Unfortunately, I was unable to find a suitable time to appear.” “I see...” “By the way, why didn’t you get on the Belball carriage? It would have been much quicker and more secure.” Totoara responded casually. She then approached Merc and answered in a friendly tone. “My reason is quite simple. It’s because all of the other examinees were men.” “Huh?” “Didn’t you notice? Besides you and me, all of the other examinees were men. If you were to go, I’d be left alone inside that horde of guys. And for several days at that... There was no way I was going to stay behind.” “Oh... You have a point.” It was clearly unsafe to leave a girl alone with a dozen men. And not just any ordinary men, but adventure candidates. The majority of them had a reputation for being violent and nasty. Spending time with those types of men would undoubtedly be dangerous. She does have some appealing parts about her. While glancing at the chest of the approaching Totoara, Merc thought. Totoara was a typical woman. She was attracted to men. If she found someone she liked she would likely fall in love with him. Which was what had led her to think of that situation. Merc, on the other hand, held a different viewpoint, owing to the fact that she lived her first lifetime as a man. “Let me send the question right back to you. Why didn’t you use the carriage? From your reaction just now I assume your reason is different from mine.” Totoara inquired with a smile on her face after getting within a hand’s reach of Merc. Without a doubt, she was anticipating Merc’s response. “A peculiar state? What do you mean by that? Are they sick or something?” Totoara said, having fully lost her calm, most likely as a result of Merc’s unexpected response. She apparently hadn’t noticed the Belballs’ strange behavior. “Well you could say that it’s a type of illness. Say, Totoara, are you aware that, despite their usefulness and gentleness, Belballs have been known to attack humans?” “What? Well yea... They’re Magic Beasts after all... If they’re angry or hungry it’s not strange for them to attack.” When Merc heard Totoara’s response, she chuckled a little. That was because, while Totoara’s response wasn’t wholly false, those reasons could apply to any regular horse or beast. They weren’t unique to the Belballs. The anomaly that Merc had discovered, on the other hand, was unique to the Belballs. “They’re suffering from a symptom known as Magic Outburst. The horn of most beast type Magic Beast is a reserve used to store Mana. If the horn is damaged in any way, the Mana that has accumulated inside it begins to disperse. The Magic Beast is then driven insane by the pain caused by the Mana leaking.” “Whoa. I didn’t know that such an illness existed. But the Belballs in front of the Guild didn’t seem like they were suffering from that...” “That’s because their horns aren’t fully damaged. They only had cracks on them. In the following two to three days, I expect them to fully break.” “Can it be cured?” “If a salve is applied to the cracks in the horn as soon as they appear it can. The horns of the Belballs in front of the Guild, on the other hand, were already beyond repair. There’s nothing that can be done for them.” Totoara knitted her brows suspiciously as Merc concluded her statement. “This is the first time I’m hearing of such a condition.” “That’s normal. It’s quite rare after all. Only people who raise Belballs or are closely acquainted with them are aware of this.” Because Merc had been in charge of looking after the animals in the elf village, she had seen instances of a Belball’s horn getting damaged and it running rampant. However, she would not have experienced a case of Magic Outburst had she not cared for the animals in the village. It was just such a rare symptom. That’s why Merc thought it was weird that all three Belballs in front of the Guild had the same symptom. After all, such a coincidence was unthinkable. This just led Merc to believe that it was staged by someone. “It doesn’t matter if it was a coincidence or if someone set it up. The only thing that matters is that the Belballs will undoubtedly succumb to the Magic Outburst before reaching Logholt. With that in mind I decided not to get on the carriage.” “You’re quite mean, you know that. You could have told everyone.” “This is just a guess on my part. I wouldn’t be able to take responsibility if my assumption was incorrect, and there’s no assurance they’d be able to reach even if they went on foot. In the end I decided that it would be best not to say anything.” To begin with, Merc had no obligation to tell them anything. They had been informed that they could utilize whatsoever methods necessary to be at the appointed location on time. Everyone was free to make their own choices. In the end, even if those Belballs did suffer from the Magic Outburst, they would be no different than normal horses once their Mana was depleted. The other examinees could probably take them down. Only the Belballs who had lost their Mana would most likely perish. “Well, to be honest, I likely would have done the same thing. After all, they didn’t seem like the type of people to listen to what others told them.” Totoara, who had been wearing a solemn expression just moments ago, stated in a playful tone with a smile on her face. The girl’s sudden shift of expression caught Merc completely off guard. “Doesn’t this imply that refusing to take the carriage and instead opting to walk was the better option?” “That’s right. That is, if you trust my hypothesis.” “Of course I do. You look way more trustworthy than that Grade Adventurer Brega. That’s why I’d like to ask you once more... Please let me come with you to Logholt!” Totoara said this as she bowed and clasped her hands together.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 5, "inserted_lines_src": 18, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
中にマクスウェルがいる事はわかっているし、いつもなら問答無用で乱入するのだが、あの爺さんも口論の後では気が立っているだろう。そう判断してマナーを守ったに過ぎない。「誰じゃ?」「わたし。ニコル」廊下では誰が聞いているかわからないので女言葉で返事をする。「ニコル? ちょうどいい所に来たわぃ。ほれ、さっさと入れ」「ちょうどいい?」俺は首を傾げて疑問符を浮かべる。その拍子にカッちゃんがずり落ちそうになったが、この際気にしない。俺がドアを開けると、頭を抱えたマクスウェルが出迎えてくれた。「何があったんだ、爺さん。エリオットの奴、珍しく本気で怒ってたぞ?」「お主の尻拭いじゃよ。まさかあそこまで怒るとは思わなんだわ。薬が効き過ぎたようじゃな」「俺の尻拭い?」疑問符を返しながら、俺は机の前にあった椅子に腰かける。おそらくは、エリオットが先ほどまで座っていた椅子だ。「そうじゃよ。お主が先日やった事を思い出してみぃ」「誘拐犯をぶちのめした」「実に端的じゃな。では法的な側面からはどうじゃ?」あそこは言わば外交官の屋敷で、変装した俺は正体不明の小娘。そこへ乗り込み、合を惨殺し、外交官でもあるタルカシール伯爵の腕を縛り上げ、引き摺り倒し、踏みつけた。「うん、ひょっとして俺ヤバイ?」「お主がやった事は間違いじゃない。ワシも後見についていた事だしな。じゃが法的には問題ありまくりじゃ」しかし乗り込んだのは正体不明の娘で、しかも姿を隠している。攫われたエリオット本人の証言もあるから、犯罪者として追われる事は無いだろうが......確かに危ない。「その辺が問題になっておってな。ワシとしても、それを利用させてもらったのじゃ」「利用?」「お主の処遇じゃよ。いつまでもあの姿でこの街にいる訳には行くまい?」「ああ、それか」あの姿でこの街に出没すれば、それはエリオットの思慕を引き摺らせる事になってしまう。「なのでハウメアはワシが雇った密偵の一人という事にして、今回の件の責任を負わせる事にした」「責任ってなんの?」「不審人物の調査。それに伴う犯罪の抑止。それを防げなかった事で国外追放処分」「はぁ!?」国外追放と言われ、俺は驚愕したが......よく考えてみれば、あの姿――ハウメアという女性は幻影の存在だ。「それがエリオットには気に食わなかったようでな。珍しく食って掛かられたわ」エリオットから見れば、命の恩人で想い人の女性を国外に放り出された事になる。怒り狂って当然だ。だがマクスウェルから見れば、幻影の当事者に責任を取らせた事で、何のダメージを負う事なく危険人物を処理できた。これでしばらくはエリオットはハウメアという幻影を追い、俺は晴れて自由の身。「まあ、エリオットは可哀想ではあるが、万事めでたしってところじゃねぇの?」「お主は気楽に言ってくれるが、エリオットの奴に矛先を向けられるのはワシじゃぞ......自業自得ではあるがの」「自覚あるなら受け入れな」「元はと言えば誰のせいじゃよ?」マクスウェルには悪いが、今回の一件でエリオットの恋心が他所に向いてくれたのは大きい。「これでハウメアが消えれば、エリオットはしばらく片思いのままになり、俺への興味は薄れる」「そして初恋の傷が癒える頃には、お主はこの学院を去るという訳じゃな」「ああ、完璧じゃねぇか」神の祝福「ギフト持ちとて、精進せねば習得は捗らんぞ?」「......がんばるよ」実際、こで俺の魔術の腕は格段に進歩している。まだ中級の下ではあるが、その熟練度は確実に子供の域を脱しつつあった。このままいけば初等部の残り三年、その上の高等部に進学して三年もすれば、きっと習得できるだろう。高等部になれば、学院の地下図書館も利用できるようになり、魔術の腕前は飛躍的に上昇するはずなのだから。	After seeing Elliot disappear in the corner, I knocked on the chairman’s door. I knew Maxwell was inside, and usually, I would’ve intruded without knocking, but he might’ve been on edge after that quarrel. I decided it was better to follow some manners. “Who is it?” “It’s me, Nicole.” I didn’t know who might’ve been listening in the corridor, so I responded in a girly voice. Hearing my voice, Maxwell seemed to have cheered up as he replied. “Nicole? You arrived at a great time. Quickly now, come in.” “A great time?” I asked while bending my head in puzzlement. That almost made Kabby slip off, but let’s ignore that for now. At any rate, he told me to go in, so it was better to do so promptly. As I opened the door, Maxwell who looked to be at his wit’s end came to greet me. There was one overturned cup on the desk. It was probably Elliot’s deed. “What happened here, old man. Elliot was actually angry this time, you know?” “It was about cleaning up after your mess. I did not think he would get that angry. It seems the medicine was too effective for him” “Cleaning after me?” As I asked that, I sat down on the chair next to the desk. It was probably the same chair Elliot sat in earlier. Maxwell also did the same and closed the curtains behind him. He probably realized that he could be seen from the outside from the fact that I showed up. “That’s right. Try to remember what you did the other day.” “I ripped the kidnappers a new one.” “Quite a frank reply I see. And legally speaking?” I started to think. That place was a diplomat’s residence, so to speak, and I was an unidentified girl. Someone like that snuck inside, massacred six people in total, and even caught Tarkashire, who was technically a diplomat, bound his arms and stepped down on him. “Uh, could it be that I’m in some deep s̲h̲i̲t̲?” “What you did wasn’t wrong. I was backing you as well, after all. But it’s still full of problems from the legal perspective.” There would’ve been fewer problems if Maxwell himself handled the matter. However, some unknown girl did it in his stead, and she was currently in hiding too. Since they had Elliot’s testimony, I probably wouldn’t be branded a criminal... But I was in a dangerous position nonetheless. “And that became a problem. I used that to my advantage.” “Used?” “I mean for your case. You can’t keep appearing in the city using that form, right?” “Ah, you mean that.” If I kept appearing with that appearance, Elliot’s longing would be prolonged too much. I had to take my exit somewhere along the way. “And so, I made Haumea be one of the spies I secretly hired and made her be responsible for the matter.” “Responsible how?” “I ordered her to investigate a suspicious individual and prevent the crime that accompanied it. Since she was unable to prevent it, I had her expelled from the kingdom.” “Whaa!?” Hearing about the expulsion made me shocked... But thinking about it, that form... Haumea was just an illusion. Even if she was deported somewhere, it wouldn’t exactly cause me problems. “However, Elliot could not come to terms with that. He lashed out at me quite unusually.” From his point, a girl that was both his savior and a crush was expelled from the kingdom. Of course he would flip out. But from Maxwell’s point, he managed to avoid any trouble and deal with a dangerous person by shifting all the blame on an imaginary person. At the same time, he was able to conveniently get rid of the Haumea illusion. With that, Elliot would continue chasing that illusion for some time, while I could finally be free from him. “Well, I feel bad for him, but we can say everything ended well, right?” “You say that, but now I am the target of his anger... But I suppose I had that coming.” “If you are aware of it, then deal with it.” “I wonder whose fault it truly was if we get down to it?” The spearhead was turned my way so I looked away and avoided it. Too bad for Maxwell, but it was a great help that I was able to direct Elliot’s love somewhere away from me. Lyell might even welcome this outcome, actually. “With this, Elliot’s love would stay unrequited for some time and his interest in me would go away.” “And by the time the scars of his first love heal, you would be gone from the academy, is that it?” “Yeah, perfect, ain’t it?” “Ugh, I’ll just pray that my Gift (God’s Blessing) is able to cover that part.” “Even Gift holders need to devote themselves to learn things, you know?” “...I’ll try my best.” I nodded to Maxwell’s remonstration, realizing I stirred up the trouble for myself. In reality, however, my magic skills increased exponentially within these three years. I was still below middle grade, but my skill at using it was clearly outside the realm of children. At this rate, I still had three more years of elementary school, and three more years if I followed through senior high. I should be able to learn it by then. When I reach the senior grades, I would have access to the underground library of the academy, which should rapidly increase my skill.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 18, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
そしてさらに重要かもしれないのがそしてさらに重要かもしれないのが核の脅威を永久に排除できるかということです核の脅威を永久に排除できるかということです核の脅威を永久に排除できるかということです米国が世界初の原子爆弾を開発して以来米国が世界初の原子爆弾を開発して以来米国が世界初の原子爆弾を開発して以来人々は核の脅威にさらされながら生きてきました人々は核の脅威にさらされながら生きてきましたそのことを2つの時期に分けて説明します 1945年に核時代が始まります米国はマンハッタン計画を通して 2つの原子爆弾を開発しました米国はマンハッタン計画を通して 2つの原子爆弾を開発しましたその発想は非常に単純です原子爆弾を利用すればその発想は非常に単純です原子爆弾を利用すれば第二次世界大戦の残虐行為と恐怖をやっと終わらせられるというものです第二次世界大戦の残虐行為と恐怖をやっと終わらせられるというものです第二次世界大戦の残虐行為と恐怖をやっと終わらせられるというものです唯一の核保有国だった米国は 2つの原子爆弾を日本に落としました唯一の核保有国だった米国は 2つの原子爆弾を日本に落としました唯一の核保有国だった米国は 2つの原子爆弾を日本に落としました 1945年8月 1つを広島にその数日後もう1つを長崎に投下したのです 1945年8月 1つを広島にその数日後もう1つを長崎に投下したのです 2つの原子爆弾で約25万人が死亡しましたその後数年間は米国が唯一の核保有国でしたその後数年間は米国が唯一の核保有国でしたしかし1949年ソビエト連邦は「米国だけ核を持つのは容認できない」とし米国との核開発競争を始めました「米国だけ核を持つのは容認できない」とし米国との核開発競争を始めました 1949年から1985年は核兵器を積み上げていく異様な時代でした 1949年から1985年は核兵器を積み上げていく異様な時代でした 1949年から1985年は核兵器を積み上げていく異様な時代でしたこのような時代になることを 1940年代に誰が想像したでしょうかこのような時代になることを 1940年代に誰が想像したでしょうかこの赤い印は1つ当たり 1000発分の核弾頭を示していますこの赤い印は1つ当たり 1000発分の核弾頭を示しています 1985年まで世界には 6万5千発の核弾頭がありました 1985年まで世界には 6万5千発の核弾頭がありましたそして核を保有する7か国が「核クラブ」として知られるようになりましたそして核を保有する7か国が「核クラブ」として知られるようになりました異常な時代です当時の人々はどんな精神状態でこの時代を過ごしたのでしょうか当時の人々はどんな精神状態でこの時代を過ごしたのでしょうかここで注意しなければならないのは 1985年以降核兵器の95%がここで注意しなければならないのは 1985年以降核兵器の95%が米国とソ連のものだということです米国とソ連のものだったということです米国とソ連のものだったということです 1985年からソ連崩壊までの間に核武装解除が開始されます 1985年からソ連崩壊までの間に核武装解除が開始されます 1985年からソ連崩壊までの間に核武装解除が開始されます世界に存在する核弾頭が約2万1千発まで削減されました世界に存在する核弾頭が約2万1千発まで削減されました世界に存在する核弾頭が約2万1千発まで削減されましたこの数字は非常にやっかいです核を「引退」させただけでこの数字は非常にやっかいです核を「引退」させただけで「復帰」させれば再び使用できるからです「復帰」させれば再び使用できるからですこの計算方法によると核が3分の1に削減されたことになりますこの計算方法によると核が3分の1に削減されたことになりますこの計算方法によると核が3分の1に削減されたことになりますしかしここで新たに2か国が核クラブに参入しましたしかしここで新たに2か国が核クラブに参入しましたパキスタンと北朝鮮です米国が現在も核武装しているのはこのためです米国が現在も核武装しているのはこのためです米国が現在も核武装しているのはこのためですこれから2章にわたり核の脅威についてお話ししますこれから2章にわたり核の脅威についてお話しします第1章は1949年から1991年ソ連が崩壊するまで第1章は1949年から1991年ソ連が崩壊するまで超大国同士の核軍拡競争が続いていた時期です超大国同士の核軍拡競争が続いていた時期です現在もそうだという人もいますが現在もそうだという人もいますが当時地球規模の大惨事が起きる瀬戸際にありました当時地球規模の大惨事が起きる瀬戸際にありました当時地球規模の大惨事が起きる瀬戸際にありました当時地球規模の大惨事が起きる瀬戸際にありました人類がこうした状況を生き延びたのは驚くべきことです人類は相互確証破壊というものに依存していたのです人類は相互確証破壊というものに依存していたのです人類は相互確証破壊というものに依存していたのです「もし相手が攻撃してきたらこちらも攻撃するぞ」という意味です「もし相手が攻撃してきたらこちらも攻撃するぞ」という意味ですそうなると最後には双方の国が破壊されてしまいますそうなると最後には双方の国が破壊されてしまいます自国が壊滅する恐れがあるため相手国への核攻撃が抑止されるのです自国が壊滅する恐れがあるため相手国への核攻撃が抑止されるのですこうして私たちは生存しましたここでの危険性はレーダーの誤読ですここでの危険性はレーダーの誤読です相手が発射していなくてもカウンター攻撃が起きる可能性があります相手が発射していなくてもカウンター攻撃が起きる可能性があります当時「核の大惨事はありえる」という考えが当時「核の大惨事はありえる」という考えが当時「核の大惨事はありえる」という考えが集団意識の中に深く植えつけられました集団意識の中に深く植えつけられました実際に核戦争が起これば全世界が破壊され実際に核戦争が起これば全世界が破壊されこの文明は終わるかもしれません第1章はここまでです奇妙なことに我々は文明が消滅することを知りつつ奇妙なことに我々は文明が消滅することを知りつつ奇妙なことに我々は文明が消滅することを知りつつアメリカもソ連も一連の報復計画を議論していましたアメリカもソ連も一連の報復計画を議論していましたアメリカもソ連も一連の報復計画を議論していました全く信じられないことです世界が破壊される可能性があるならば対策を取るべきではないでしょうか? 世界が破壊される可能性があるならば対策を取るべきではないでしょうか? ここでみなさんの記憶を呼び覚ましたいと思いますここでみなさんの記憶を呼び覚ましたいと思いますここでみなさんの記憶を呼び覚ましたいと思いますここでみなさんの記憶を呼び覚ましたいと思います 1950年以前に生まれた人は懐かしく思うのではないでしょうか 1950年以前に生まれた人は懐かしく思うのではないでしょうかカメのバート君ですこれは子供向けに作られたものでこれは子供向けに作られたもので核戦争が起こったときは核戦争が起こったときは「机の下に隠れるように」と教えています「机の下に隠れるように」と教えています核爆発が起きたとしても核爆発が起きたとしても机の下に隠れれば大丈夫なのです机の下に隠れれば大丈夫なのです私は医学部のときに精神科で優秀だったわけではありませんが興味はありました私は医学部のときに精神科で優秀だったわけではありませんが興味はありましたこのケースは重度の妄想が疑われますまた地下に核シェルターを作ることが勧められていましたまた地下に核シェルターを作ることが勧められていましたまた地下に核シェルターを作ることが勧められていました核戦争が起きていないときにはテレビを見たり核戦争が起きていないときにはテレビを見たり彼女とこっそり会うことぐらいしか使用されないかもしれません彼女とこっそり会うことぐらいしか使用されないかもしれませんしかし地下に埋めるだけのプレハブ式のシェルターなどもありしかし地下に埋めるだけのプレハブ式のシェルターなどもあり購入した場合高いもので 500ドルぐらいの価格です購入した場合高いもので 500ドルぐらいの価格です購入した場合高いもので 500ドルぐらいの価格です核シェルターを持った経験のある米国人は何%いるでしょうか? 核シェルターを持った経験のある米国人は何%いるでしょうか? 核シェルターを持った経験のある米国人は何%いるでしょうか? 2%未満です地下に核シェルターのための空間を確保したり実際に作っているのは1.4%の人だけです地下に核シェルターのための空間を確保したり実際に作っているのは1.4%の人だけです地下に核シェルターのための空間を確保したり実際に作っているのは1.4%の人だけです地下に核シェルターのための空間を確保したり実際に作っているのは1.4%の人だけです米国では多くの建物に民間防衛のサインが掲げられています米国では多くの建物に民間防衛のサインが掲げられていますここのシェルターに逃げ込めば核攻撃から身を守れるというものですここのシェルターに逃げ込めば核攻撃から身を守れるというものですここのシェルターに逃げ込めば核攻撃から身を守れるというものですここで政府の大嘘がありますここで政府の大嘘がありますこれにはあの連邦緊急事態管理庁が関わっていましたこれにはあの連邦緊急事態管理庁が関わっていましたハリケーン・カトリーナの対応でどんな組織かお分かりですね FEMAが行った最初の公式発表の中で FEMAが行った最初の公式発表の中で緊急移住計画が提案されました緊急移住計画が提案されました緊急移住計画が提案されましたこれはソ連が攻撃してくる3~4日前に警報が発せられることが前提でしたこれはソ連が攻撃してくる3~4日前に警報が発せられることが前提でしたこれはソ連が攻撃してくる3~4日前に警報が発せられることが前提でした標的となった都市から人々を避難させることが目的です標的となった都市から人々を避難させることが目的です標的となった都市から人々を避難させることが目的です私は上院議会で「実際に避難や警報を行ってはどうか」と発言しました「実際に避難や警報を行ってはどうか」と発言しました「実際に避難や警報を行ってはどうか」と発言しました場違いな発言とみなされました彼らには別の考えがあったのです場違いな発言とみなされました彼らには別の考えがあったのですその考えとは国民にこの計画で助かると言っておきながらその考えとは国民にこの計画で助かると言っておきながらソ連に超高価な核兵器を使わせるためにソ連に超高価な核兵器を使わせるためにソ連に超高価な核兵器を使わせるために元々の標的だけでなく避難先まで狙わせるつもりでした元々の標的だけでなく避難先まで狙わせるつもりでした裏でこんなことがあるとは本当に恐ろしく思います裏でこんなことがあるとは本当に恐ろしく思いますポイントは今までの対策が現実離れしていたということですポイントは今までの対策が現実離れしていたということです民間防衛プログラムは核戦争の現実を直視していません民間防衛プログラムは核戦争の現実を直視していません「社会的責任を果たすための医師団」のような団体は 1979年頃から何度も公然と以下のように述べています都市が爆撃されるとわかったとき「この地図には核攻撃を受けたときどうなるかが書かれています」と言われるだけで「この地図には核攻撃を受けたときどうなるかが書かれています」と言われるだけで核戦争に対する医療対策や適切な備えは何もありません核戦争に対する医療対策や適切な備えは何もありません核戦争に対する医療対策や適切な備えは何もありませんだから生き残るためには核戦争を防ぐ以外にないのですだから生き残るためには核戦争を防ぐ以外にないのですこの現実離れが実際に解消されることはありませんでしたこの現実離れが実際に解消されることはありませんでしたではどうなったのかを第2章で説明したいと思いますではどうなったのかを第2章で説明したいと思います核の脅威は1945年に始まりました第2章は1991年から始まりますソビエト連邦が崩壊したため第2章は1991年から始まりますソビエト連邦が崩壊したため米国を攻撃しようという敵が一時的にいなくなったというわけです米国を攻撃しようという敵が一時的にいなくなったというわけです米国を攻撃しようという敵が一時的にいなくなったというわけですしかし1991年以降しかし1991年以降特に2001年のテロによって核戦争への関心は薄れ特に2001年のテロによって核戦争への関心は薄れ核テロのみが取沙汰されるようになりました核テロのみが取沙汰されるようになりました核テロのみが取沙汰されるようになりましたシナリオが根本的に変わったにもかかわらずシナリオが根本的に変わったにもかかわらず私達は核戦争に対する考え方を変えられていません私達は核戦争に対する考え方を変えられていませんでは核テロの脅威とは何でしょうか? では核テロの脅威とは何でしょうか? キーポイントは4つあります 1つ目は世界中に存在する核兵器のセキュリティーです 1つ目は世界中に存在する核兵器のセキュリティーです 1つ目は世界中に存在する核兵器のセキュリティーです特に安全ではないのが旧ソ連現在のロシアです特に安全ではないのが旧ソ連現在のロシアですロシアには核弾頭の貯蔵庫をはじめウランやプルトニウムなどの核分裂物質を扱う施設が多くありますがウランやプルトニウムなどの核分裂物質を扱う施設が多くありますが全くセキュリティーが保たれていません売買や盗難など何でも起こり得ます全くセキュリティーが保たれていません売買や盗難など何でも起こり得ます核をすぐ手に入れられるのです 1993年から2006年にかけて国際原子力機関は175件に及ぶ核の盗難事件を記録しており国際原子力機関は175件に及ぶ核の盗難事件を記録しておりそのうち18件が核兵器製造に必要な高濃縮ウランまたはプルトニウムでしたそのうち18件が核兵器製造に必要な高濃縮ウランまたはプルトニウムでした世界の高濃縮ウラン貯蔵量は 1,300トンから2,100トンです世界の高濃縮ウラン貯蔵量は 1,300トンから2,100トンです世界の高濃縮ウラン貯蔵量は 1,300トンから2,100トンですその内 [約100トン] がロシアの施設で不用心に貯蔵されていますその内 [約100トン] がロシアの施設で不用心に貯蔵されていますその内 [約100トン] がロシアの施設で不用心に貯蔵されています破壊力10キロトンの核爆弾を作るのにどれだけのウランが必要だと思いますか? 破壊力10キロトンの核爆弾を作るのにどれだけのウランが必要だと思いますか? 約34kg必要です高濃縮ウラン34kgというのはどれぐらいなのかお見せします高濃縮ウラン34kgというのがどれぐらいなのかお見せします高濃縮ウラン34kgというのがどれぐらいなのかお見せします高濃縮ウラン34kgというのがどれぐらいなのかお見せしますこれは宣伝ではありませんよもし私がコカ・コーラの人間だったら大変困ったことになりますもし私がコカ・コーラの人間だったら大変困ったことになります基本的にはこれだけです基本的にはこれだけです 100トンの貯蔵量からたったこれだけ盗むか買えば 100トンの貯蔵量からたったこれだけ盗むか買えば広島型の原子爆弾を作ることができます広島型の原子爆弾を作ることができます広島型の原子爆弾を作ることができますもう一つの核分裂物質プルトニウムはどうでしょうかもう一つの核分裂物質プルトニウムはどうでしょうかプルトニウム4.5kg~6kgでプルトニウム4.5kg~6kgで長崎型原爆を作ることができます長崎型原爆を作ることができますこのような状況はあまり考えたくないのですがこのような状況はあまり考えたくないのですが仕事柄そういうわけにはいきません仕事柄そういうわけにはいきませんポイントは核開発という点で私たちは非常に危険だということですポイントは核開発という点で私たちは非常に危険だということです 2つ目のキーポイントはノウハウについてです 2つ目のキーポイントはノウハウについてですテロ組織が実際に核兵器を作れるノウハウがあるのか議論されていますテロ組織が実際に核兵器を作れるノウハウがあるのか議論されていますノウハウは信じられないぐらい多く氾濫していますノウハウは信じられないぐらい多く氾濫していますこれは部品から核兵器を組み立てるための詳細な方法ですこれは部品から核兵器を組み立てるための詳細な方法です核爆弾の作り方を紹介する本や部品を製造し組み立てるテロ工場の計画などもあります部品を製造し組み立てるテロ工場の計画などもあります部品を製造し組み立てるテロ工場の計画などもありますこうした情報は簡単に手に入れることができます大学で物理学を専攻した人であれば大学で物理学を専攻した人であれば現在入手できる情報を使って現在入手できる情報を使って現在入手できる情報を使って実際に核兵器を作れてしまいます 3つ目のキーポイントは実際に誰がそんな事をするかということです 3つ目のキーポイントは実際に誰がそんな事をするかということです現在私達が直面しているのは組織立った人間が関わるテロです現在私達が直面しているのは組織立った人間が関わるテロです彼らは非常に献身的ですそして国籍を持ちません彼らは非常に献身的ですそして国籍を持ちません「アルカイダには返送先の住所がない」と言われます「アルカイダには返送先の住所がない」と言われますもしアルカイダから核攻撃を受けたら誰にどうやって報復すればいいのでしょうかもしアルカイダから核攻撃を受けたら誰にどうやって報復すればいいのでしょうか彼らは報復を恐れません報復は意味をなさないのです彼らは報復を恐れません報復は意味をなさないのです彼らは報復を恐れません報復は意味をなさないのです私達に危害を加えるためなら自らの命を捨てる人達だからです私達に危害を加えるためなら自らの命を捨てる人達だからです相互確証破壊が機能しないことは明らかです相互確証破壊が機能しないことは明らかです相互確証破壊が機能しないことは明らかです彼はスレイマン・アブガイスオサマ・ビン・ラディンの側近でした彼はスレイマン・アブガイスオサマ・ビン・ラディンの側近でした「我々には米国人400万人を殺す権利がありその半数は子どもであるべきだ」と声明を出しました「我々には米国人400万人を殺す権利がありその半数は子どもであるべきだ」と声明を出しました「我々には米国人400万人を殺す権利がありその半数は子どもであるべきだ」と声明を出しましたこうした人は海外だけにいるわけではありませんこうした人は海外だけにいるわけではありません 1990年代のマクベイとニコルズによるオクラホマシティ爆破事件は 1990年代のマクベイとニコルズによるオクラホマシティ爆破事件は国内出身テロリストの適例でしたもし彼らが核兵器を手に入れていたたらどうなったか? 4つ目のキーポイントは価値の高い米国内のターゲットが 4つ目のキーポイントは価値の高い米国内のターゲットが無防備で民間で多数あること 2001年9/11以降で米国が達成している対策のレベルは 2001年9/11以降で米国が達成している対策のレベルは信じられないほど不十分なものでした信じられないほど不十分なものでしたカトリーナ後の対策を見ればカトリーナ後の対策を見れば米国がどんな襲撃に対してもいかに準備不足なのかわかります米国がどんな襲撃に対してもいかに準備不足なのかわかります毎年700万の貨物コンテナ船が米国にやって来ます毎年700万の貨物コンテナ船が米国にやって来ます検査されているのはたった5~7%です検査されているのはたった5~7%です彼はアレクサンドル・レベジエリツィン政権時の将軍でした彼はアレクサンドル・レベジエリツィン政権時の将軍でした「ロシアがスーツケース爆弾を開発した」と彼は議会で発言しました「ロシアがスーツケース爆弾を開発した」と彼は議会で発言しましたその破壊力は0.1~1キロトン広島型の約13キロトンと比べ少ないですがその破壊力は0.1~1キロトン広島型の約13キロトンと比べ少ないですが甚大な被害を起こすのに十分な量です甚大な被害を起こすのに十分な量ですレベジが米国を訪問したときにこのような発言をしましたレベジが米国を訪問したときにこのような発言をしました「80を超えるスーツケース爆弾が行方不明だ」「80を超えるスーツケース爆弾が行方不明だ」それはこのような簡単な構造をしていますそして持ち運びも便利なのですそれはこのような簡単な構造をしていますそして持ち運びも便利なのですそれはこのような簡単な構造をしていますそして持ち運びも便利なのです車のトランクに積んで運べばどこでも爆発させることができます車のトランクに積んで運べばどこでも爆発させることができますスーツケース爆弾を作るのではなく核兵器が盗まれる可能性もありますスーツケース爆弾を作るのではなく核兵器が盗まれる可能性もありますスーツケース爆弾を作るのではなく核兵器が盗まれる可能性もありますこれは広島型原爆リトルボーイと同じサイズですこれは広島型原爆リトルボーイと同じサイズです長さは3メートル重量は4トン長さは3メートル重量は4トンレンタカーで50ドル出せばレンタカーで50ドル出せば核爆弾を積み込めるだけのトラックが手に入れられます核爆弾を積み込めるだけのトラックが手に入れられますトラックに核爆弾を乗せたら準備完了ですこれが実際起きたらどうなるでしょうか正確な確率はわかりませんがこれが実際起きる要素はそろっています正確な確率はわかりませんがこれが実際起きる要素はそろっています正確な確率はわかりませんがこれが実際起きる要素はそろっていますテロリストが核兵器を使用することは十分あり得ることなのですテロリストが核兵器を使用することは十分あり得ることなのですテロリストが核兵器を使用することは十分あり得ることなのです多くの関係者が多くの関係者が何か対策を取らなければ危険は避けられないといいます何か対策を取らなければ危険は避けられないといいます例えば米国に往来する貨物船をより詳しく検査するなど例えば米国に往来する貨物船をより詳しく検査するなど例えば米国に往来する貨物船をより詳しく検査するなど安全確保のためにできることはたくさんありますいつか米国の都市で実際に核爆発が起きるかもしれませんいつか米国の都市で実際に核爆発が起きるかもしれませんいつか米国の都市で実際に核爆発が起きるかもしれません核戦争になるとは思いませんが現実離れしたものでもありません核戦争になるとは思いませんが現実離れしたものでもありません世界には地球を破壊するのに十分な核兵器が存在しています世界には地球を破壊するのに十分な核兵器が存在しています世界には地球を破壊するのに十分な核兵器が存在していますインドとパキスタン、中東、北朝鮮などに火種がありますインドとパキスタン、中東、北朝鮮などに火種があります他にも核兵器を使用すれば始めは地域にとどまりますが他にも核兵器を使用すれば始めは地域にとどまりますが一気に核戦争へと突入するような地域もあります一気に核戦争へと突入するような地域もあります一気に核戦争へと突入するような地域もあります非常に不安定な状況ですトラックの話に戻りましょうブルックリン橋を渡ったところですトラックの話に戻りましょうブルックリン橋を渡ったところですそしてマンハッタンに入りましたそしてマンハッタンに入りましたそしてマンハッタンに入りましたそしてマンハッタンに入りました破壊力10キロトンの爆弾で広島型より少し小型です破壊力10キロトンの爆弾で広島型より少し小型です破壊力10キロトンの爆弾で広島型より少し小型ですここで「使える情報」をお教えしますここで「使える情報」をお教えしますこれは想像をこえる恐ろしいものになるでしょうこれは想像をこえる恐ろしいものになるでしょうこれは想像をこえる恐ろしいものになるでしょう人間が爆心地から半径800mにいた場合人間が爆心地から半径800mにいた場合死ぬ確率は90%です爆心地にいた場合は気化されます爆心地にいた場合は気化されますこれは良くないですよね半径3kmの場合死ぬ確率が50% 半径3kmの場合死ぬ確率が50% 半径3kmの場合死ぬ確率が50% 半径13kmの場合死ぬ確率が10~20%です半径13kmの場合死ぬ確率が10~20%です半径13kmの場合死ぬ確率が10~20%です即死を考えてです核爆発では中心温度が華氏数千万度となり核爆発では中心温度が華氏数千万度となり核爆発では中心温度が華氏数千万度となり核爆発では中心温度が華氏数千万度となり膨大なエネルギーが熱や放射線衝撃波として放出されます膨大なエネルギーが熱や放射線衝撃波として放出されます膨大なエネルギーが熱や放射線衝撃波として放出されます黄色の円の範囲では建物が激しい風で破壊されます黄色の円の範囲では建物が激しい風で破壊されます黄色の円の範囲では建物が激しい風で破壊されますここで注目したいのはもし自分がそこにいたらどうなるかということですここで注目したいのはもし自分がそこにいたらどうなるかということですここで注目したいのはもし自分がそこにいたらどうなるかということですもし昔風の全面核戦争になればどこに居ようと全員死ぬことになりますもし昔風の全面核戦争になればどこに居ようと全員死ぬことになりますもし昔風の全面核戦争になればどこに居ようと全員死ぬことになりますもし昔風の全面核戦争になればどこに居ようと全員死ぬことになりますここにいたら命を守るためにできることはたくさんありますここにいたら命を守るためにできることはたくさんあります最初の爆発を生き延びたとします最初の爆発を生き延びたとしますちなみに爆発を見てはいけませんちなみに爆発を見てはいけません見たら一時もしくは永久に目がつぶれてしまいます見たら一時もしくは永久に目がつぶれてしまいますそうならないためには目をそらした方がよいでしょうそうならないためには目をそらした方がよいでしょう爆発を生き延びたとしても爆発の近くにいた場合爆発を生き延びたとしても爆発の近くにいた場合爆発を生き延びたとしても爆発の近くにいた場合致死量の放射能がきのこ雲から地上に降り注ぐまで致死量の放射能がきのこ雲から地上に降り注ぐまで爆発の大きさや場所にもよりますが 10分から20分しかありません爆発の大きさや場所にもよりますが 10分から20分しかありません爆発の大きさや場所にもよりますが 10分から20分しかありません 10~15分以内ですべきことは爆発から2kmぐらい離れることです 10~15分以内ですべきことは爆発から2kmぐらい離れることです 10~15分以内ですべきことは爆発から2kmぐらい離れることです 10~15分以内ですべきことは爆発から2kmぐらい離れることです 20分以内に死の灰が降り注ぎ 20分以内に死の灰が降り注ぎ 24 時間で致死量の放射能が季節風に乗ってやってきます 24 時間で致死量の放射能が季節風に乗ってやってきますそのほとんどが北東に流れますそのほとんどが北東に流れますこの付近にいた場合は逃げなければなりません風が吹いていれば風が吹いていれば風に対し垂直もしくは風下に向かってください風に対し垂直もしくは風下に向かってください風に対し垂直もしくは風下に向かってください目の前で爆発が見えたならそこから逃げる必要があります目の前で爆発が見えたならそこから逃げる必要があります逃げないと短期間で致死量の放射能にさらされます逃げないと短期間で致死量の放射能にさらされますもし逃げられない場合はシェルターに入ってくださいもし逃げられない場合はシェルターに入ってください都市のシェルターに入る場合はできるだけ地下深くにいてください都市のシェルターに入る場合はできるだけ地下深くにいてくださいまた地表で爆発が起こった場合は建物の10階以上にいてくださいまた地表で爆発が起こった場合は建物の10階以上にいてくださいまた地表で爆発が起こった場合は建物の10階以上にいてくださいまた地表で爆発が起こった場合は建物の10階以上にいてくださいしかし基本的にはできるだけ早く町から抜け出す必要がありますしかし基本的にはできるだけ早く町から抜け出す必要がありますそうすれば実際に核爆発を生き残ることができます爆発後1週間放射能の雲ができます爆発後1週間放射能の雲ができますこれは風に乗りさらに約30km広がりロングアイランドを越えますこれは風に乗りさらに約30km広がりロングアイランドを越えますこれは風に乗りさらに約30km広がりロングアイランドを越えますもしも放射能の降下地域にいた場合シェルターに入るか逃げ出しさえすればシェルターに入るか逃げ出しさえすれば実際に生き残ることができます個人が何をすべきかという情報を知っているかどうかで個人が何をすべきかという情報を知っているかどうかで命が左右されます 50万~70万人の死者数を 15万~20万人に減らすことができます 50万~70万人の死者数を 15万~20万人に減らすことができます 50万~70万人の死者数を 15万~20万人に減らすことができます 50万~70万人の死者数を 15万~20万人に減らすことができますだから対応計画は21世紀においても可能で不可欠なものですだから対応計画は21世紀においても可能で不可欠なものですしかし2008年時点で核爆発に備えて有効な計画を立てている都市は米国には一つもありません有効な計画を立てている都市は米国には一つもありませんこの問題の一つは緊急事態計画を立てる人自身がこの問題の一つは緊急事態計画を立てる人自身が核の大惨事と言う考えに心理的に圧倒されていることです核の大惨事と言う考えに心理的に圧倒されていることです核の大惨事と言う考えに心理的に圧倒されていることです核という言葉を出すと彼らは「何てことだ人類は全滅するのか」核という言葉を出すと彼らは「何てことだ人類は全滅するのか」そんなことはありません当たり前のことをすれば生存率を変えることができます当たり前のことをすれば生存率を変えることができます目標は死亡者数を最小限に抑えることですこれだけ覚えておいてくださいこれだけ覚えておいてください核爆発を生き残るカギは逃げることです核爆発を生き残るカギは逃げることです安全な場所に行くのです安全な場所に行くのです爆発から遠ざかるほど助かりやすくなります爆発から遠ざかるほど助かりやすくなります爆発から遠ざかるほど助かりやすくなりますそして外気に触れない方が良いでしょうそして外気に触れない方が良いでしょう土やコンクリートで仕切りを作るか地下に移動できるのが望ましいです土やコンクリートで仕切りを作るか地下に移動できるのが望ましいです土やコンクリートで仕切りを作るか地下に移動できるのが望ましいです前に言ったように出来るだけ閃光を見つめてはいけません前に言ったように出来るだけ閃光を見つめてはいけません見ないかもしれませんが人は見たくなってしまうものです見ないかもしれませんが人は見たくなってしまうものです圧力で鼓膜が破れないように口を開けてください圧力で鼓膜が破れないように口を開けてくださいもし爆発付近にいた場合何かの下に隠れてくださいもし爆発付近にいた場合何かの下に隠れてくださいカメのバート君のように落下物からは守ることができますカメのバート君のように落下物からは守ることができますきのこ雲からは数分以内に逃げてくださいきのこ雲からは数分以内に逃げてください風下または垂直に 2km程移動してください風下または垂直に 2km程移動してください建物がこちらの方向に倒壊していきます建物がこちらの方向に倒壊していきますここでは被害が少ない爆心地から出来るだけ風に逆らう方向に移動してください爆心地から出来るだけ風に逆らう方向に移動してください一旦そこから避難したら避難に支障のない程度に肌や口や鼻はすべてカバーしてください避難に支障のない程度に肌や口や鼻はすべてカバーしてください避難に支障のない程度に肌や口や鼻はすべてカバーしてくださいそして最後に除染をできるだけ早くしてください服を脱いでシャワーを浴び有害な放射能物質を除去してください服を脱いでシャワーを浴び有害な放射能物質を除去してください服を脱いでシャワーを浴び有害な放射能物質を除去してください服を脱いでシャワーを浴び有害な放射能物質を除去してくださいそうしたら最低でも48~72 時間はシェルター内で希望を胸に待ってくださいそうしたら最低でも48~72 時間はシェルター内で希望を胸に待ってください電池不要の手回しラジオがあれば出ても安全だというアナウンスを待ちましょう電池不要の手回しラジオがあれば出ても安全だというアナウンスを待ちましょうこれが私達のすべきことです結論として核戦争の可能性は以前より低くなったものの甘く見てはいけません核のテロは起こり得るのですしかし生き残ることはたぶん可能です核のテロは起こり得るのですしかし生き残ることはたぶん可能です彼はジャック・ガイガー米国公衆衛生界の英雄です彼はジャック・ガイガー米国公衆衛生界の英雄です彼によると核戦争または核テロに対処する唯一の方法は核戦争または核テロに対処する唯一の方法は核兵器廃絶だといいます一旦地球温暖化が片付いたら取り組んでほしいことがあります一旦地球温暖化が片付いたら取り組んでほしいことがあります受け入れがたく非人道的な核兵器の現実に対し受け入れがたく非人道的な核兵器の現実に対し何かしなければなりません何かしなければなりませんこれはお気に入りの民間防衛ポスターですこれはお気に入りの民間防衛ポスターです詳しくは言いませんが彼はもう退職しているので構いません詳しくは言いませんが彼はもう退職しているので構いません詳しくは言いませんが彼はもう退職しているので構いませんこれは民間防衛法の愛好者から送られてきましたこれは民間防衛法の愛好者から送られてきました実際問題として米国は非常に困難な時代を経験してきました実際問題として米国は非常に困難な時代を経験してきました私達はすべきことをしてきませんでしたそして現在地獄を見る可能性に直面しているのですそして現在地獄を見る可能性に直面しているのですありがとう	Now, there's a bigger question that's probably actually more important than that, is the notion of permanently eliminating the possibility of a nuclear attack, eliminating the threat altogether. And I would like to make a case to you that over the years since we first developed atomic weaponry, until this very moment, we've actually lived in a dangerous nuclear world that's characterized by two phases, which I'm going to go through with you right now. First of all, we started off the nuclear age in 1945. The United States had developed a couple of atomic weapons through the Manhattan Project, and the idea was very straightforward: we would use the power of the atom to end the atrocities and the horror of this unending World War II that we'd been involved in in Europe and in the Pacific. And in 1945, we were the only nuclear power. We had a few nuclear weapons, two of which we dropped on Japan, in Hiroshima, a few days later in Nagasaki, in August 1945, killing about 250,000 people between those two. And for a few years, we were the only nuclear power on Earth. But by 1949, the Soviet Union had decided it was unacceptable to have us as the only nuclear power, and they began to match what the United States had developed. And from 1949 to 1985 was an extraordinary time of a buildup of a nuclear arsenal that no one could possibly have imagined back in the 1940s. So by 1985 -- each of those red bombs up here is equivalent of a thousands warheads -- the world had 65,000 nuclear warheads, and seven members of something that came to be known as the "nuclear club." And it was an extraordinary time, and I am going to go through some of the mentality that we -- that Americans and the rest of the world were experiencing. But I want to just point out to you that 95 percent of the nuclear weapons at any particular time since 1985 -- going forward, of course -- were part of the arsenals of the United States and the Soviet Union. After 1985, and before the break up of the Soviet Union, we began to disarm from a nuclear point of view. We began to counter-proliferate, and we dropped the number of nuclear warheads in the world to about a total of 21,000. It's a very difficult number to deal with, because what we've done is we've quote unquote "decommissioned" some of the warheads. They're still probably usable. They could be "re-commissioned," but the way they count things, which is very complicated, we think we have about a third of the nuclear weapons we had before. But we also, in that period of time, added two more members to the nuclear club: Pakistan and North Korea. So we stand today with a still fully armed nuclear arsenal among many countries around the world, but a very different set of circumstances. So I'm going to talk about a nuclear threat story in two chapters. Chapter one is 1949 to 1991, when the Soviet Union broke up, and what we were dealing with, at that point and through those years, was a superpowers' nuclear arms race. It was characterized by a nation-versus-nation, very fragile standoff. And basically, we lived for all those years, and some might argue that we still do, in a situation of being on the brink, literally, of an apocalyptic, planetary calamity. It's incredible that we actually lived through all that. We were totally dependent during those years on this amazing acronym, which is MAD. It stands for mutually assured destruction. So it meant if you attacked us, we would attack you virtually simultaneously, and the end result would be a destruction of your country and mine. So the threat of my own destruction kept me from launching a nuclear attack on you. That's the way we lived. And the danger of that, of course, is that a misreading of a radar screen could actually cause a counter-launch, even though the first country had not actually launched anything. During this chapter one, there was a high level of public awareness about the potential of nuclear catastrophe, and an indelible image was implanted in our collective minds that, in fact, a nuclear holocaust would be absolutely globally destructive and could, in some ways, mean the end of civilization as we know it. So this was chapter one. Now the odd thing is that even though we knew that there would be that kind of civilization obliteration, we engaged in America in a series -- and in fact, in the Soviet Union -- in a series of response planning. It was absolutely incredible. So premise one is we'd be destroying the world, and then premise two is, why don't we get prepared for it? So what we offered ourselves was a collection of things. I'm just going to go skim through a few things, just to jog your memories. If you're born after 1950, this is just -- consider this entertainment, otherwise it's memory lane. This was Bert the Turtle. This was basically an attempt to teach our schoolchildren that if we did get engaged in a nuclear confrontation and atomic war, then we wanted our school children to kind of basically duck and cover. That was the principle. You -- there would be a nuclear conflagration about to hit us, and if you get under your desk, things would be OK. I didn't do all that well in psychiatry in medical school, but I was interested, and I think this was seriously delusional. Secondly, we told people to go down in their basements and build a fallout shelter. Maybe it would be a study when we weren't having an atomic war, or you could use it as a TV room, or, as many teenagers found out, a very, very safe place for a little privacy with your girlfriend. And actually -- so there are multiple uses of the bomb shelters. Or you could buy a prefabricated bomb shelter that you could simply bury in the ground. Now, the bomb shelters at that point -- let's say you bought a prefab one -- it would be a few hundred dollars, maybe up to 500, if you got a fancy one. Yet, what percentage of Americans do you think ever had a bomb shelter in their house? What percentage lived in a house with a bomb shelter? Less than two percent. About 1.4 percent of the population, as far as anyone knows, did anything, either making a space in their basement or actually building a bomb shelter. Many buildings, public buildings, around the country -- this is New York City -- had these little civil defense signs, and the idea was that you would run into one of these shelters and be safe from the nuclear weaponry. And one of the greatest governmental delusions of all time was something that happened in the early days of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, as we now know, and are well aware of their behaviors from Katrina. Here is their first big public announcement. They would propose -- actually there were about six volumes written on this -- a crisis relocation plan that was dependent upon the United States having three to four days warning that the Soviets were going to attack us. So the goal was to evacuate the target cities. We would move people out of the target cities into the countryside. And I'm telling you, I actually testified at the Senate about the absolute ludicrous idea that we would actually evacuate, and actually have three or four days' warning. It was just completely off the wall. Turns out that they had another idea behind it, even though this was -- they were telling the public it was to save us. The idea was that we would force the Soviets to re-target their nuclear weapons -- very expensive -- and potentially double their arsenal, to not only take out the original site, but take out sites where people were going. This was what apparently, as it turns out, was behind all this. It was just really, really frightening. The main point here is we were dealing with a complete disconnect from reality. The civil defense programs were disconnected from the reality of what we'd see in all-out nuclear war. So organizations like Physicians for Social Responsibility, around 1979, started saying this a lot publicly. They would do a bombing run. They'd go to your city, and they'd say, "Here's a map of your city. Here's what's going to happen if we get a nuclear hit." So no possibility of medical response to, or meaningful preparedness for all-out nuclear war. So we had to prevent nuclear war if we expected to survive. This disconnect was never actually resolved. And what happened was -- when we get in to chapter two of the nuclear threat era, which started back in 1945. Chapter two starts in 1991. When the Soviet Union broke up, we effectively lost that adversary as a potential attacker of the United States, for the most part. It's not completely gone. I'm going to come back to that. But from 1991 through the present time, emphasized by the attacks of 2001, the idea of an all-out nuclear war has diminished and the idea of a single event, act of nuclear terrorism is what we have instead. Although the scenario has changed very considerably, the fact is that we haven't changed our mental image of what a nuclear war means. So I'm going to tell you what the implications of that are in just a second. So, what is a nuclear terror threat? And there's four key ingredients to describing that. First thing is that the global nuclear weapons, in the stockpiles that I showed you in those original maps, happen to be not uniformly secure. And it's particularly not secure in the former Soviet Union, now in Russia. There are many, many sites where warheads are stored and, in fact, lots of sites where fissionable materials, like highly enriched uranium and plutonium, are absolutely not safe. They're available to be bought, stolen, whatever. They're acquirable, let me put it that way. From 1993 through 2006, the International Atomic Energy Agency documented 175 cases of nuclear theft, 18 of which involved highly enriched uranium or plutonium, the key ingredients to make a nuclear weapon. The global stockpile of highly enriched uranium is about 1,300, at the low end, to about 2,100 metric tons. More than 100 megatons of this is stored in particularly insecure Russian facilities. How much of that do you think it would take to actually build a 10-kiloton bomb? Well, you need about 75 pounds of it. So, what I'd like to show you is what it would take to hold 75 pounds of highly enriched uranium. This is not a product placement. It's just -- in fact, if I was Coca Cola, I'd be pretty distressed about this -- -- but basically, this is it. This is what you would need to steal or buy out of that 100-metric-ton stockpile that's relatively insecure to create the type of bomb that was used in Hiroshima. Now you might want to look at plutonium as another fissionable material that you might use in a bomb. That -- you'd need 10 to 13 pounds of plutonium. Now, plutonium, 10 to 13 pounds: this. This is enough plutonium to create a Nagasaki-size atomic weapon. Now this situation, already I -- you know, I don't really like thinking about this, although somehow I got myself a job where I have to think about it. So the point is that we're very, very insecure in terms of developing this material. The second thing is, what about the know-how? And there's a lot of controversy about whether terror organizations have the know-how to actually make a nuclear weapon. Well, there's a lot of know-how out there. There's an unbelievable amount of know-how out there. There's detailed information on how to assemble a nuclear weapon from parts. There's books about how to build a nuclear bomb. There are plans for how to create a terror farm where you could actually manufacture and develop all the components and assemble it. All of this information is relatively available. If you have an undergraduate degree in physics, I would suggest -- although I don't, so maybe it's not even true -- but something close to that would allow you, with the information that's currently available, to actually build a nuclear weapon. The third element of the nuclear terror threat is that, who would actually do such a thing? Well, what we're seeing now is a level of terrorism that involves individuals who are highly organized. They are very dedicated and committed. They are stateless. Somebody once said, Al Qaeda does not have a return address, so if they attack us with a nuclear weapon, what's the response, and to whom is the response? And they're retaliation-proof. Since there is no real retribution possible that would make any difference, since there are people willing to actually give up their lives in order to do a lot of damage to us, it becomes apparent that the whole notion of this mutually assured destruction would not work. Here is Sulaiman Abu Ghaith, and Sulaiman was a key lieutenant of Osama Bin Laden. He wrote many, many times statements to this effect: "we have the right to kill four million Americans, two million of whom should be children." And we don't have to go overseas to find people willing to do harm, for whatever their reasons. McVeigh and Nichols, and the Oklahoma City attack in the 1990s was a good example of homegrown terrorists. What if they had gotten their hands on a nuclear weapon? The fourth element is that the high-value U.S. targets are accessible, soft and plentiful. This would be a talk for another day, but the level of the preparedness that the United States has achieved since 9/11 of '01 is unbelievably inadequate. What you saw after Katrina is a very good indicator of how little prepared the United States is for any kind of major attack. Seven million ship cargo containers come into the United States every year. Five to seven percent only are inspected -- five to seven percent. This is Alexander Lebed, who was a general that worked with Yeltsin, who talked about, and presented to Congress, this idea that the Russians had developed -- these suitcase bombs. They were very low yield -- 0.1 to one kiloton, Hiroshima was around 13 kilotons -- but enough to do an unbelievable amount of damage. And Lebed came to the United States and told us that many, many -- more than 80 of the suitcase bombs were actually not accountable. And they look like this. They're basically very simple arrangements. You put the elements into a suitcase. It becomes very portable. The suitcase can be conveniently dropped in your trunk of your car. You take it wherever you want to take it, and you can detonate it. You don't want to build a suitcase bomb, and you happen to get one of those insecure nuclear warheads that exist. This is the size of the "Little Boy" bomb that was dropped at Hiroshima. It was 9.8 feet long, weighed 8,800 pounds. You go down to your local rent-a-truck and for 50 bucks or so, you rent a truck that's got the right capacity, and you take your bomb, you put it in the truck and you're ready to go. It could happen. But what it would mean and who would survive? You can't get an exact number for that kind of probability, but what I'm trying to say is that we have all the elements of that happening. Anybody who dismisses the thought of a nuclear weapon being used by a terrorist is kidding themselves. I think there's a lot of people in the intelligence community -- a lot of people who deal with this work in general think it's almost inevitable, unless we do certain things to really try to defuse the risk, like better interdiction, better prevention, better fixing, you know, better screening of cargo containers that are coming into the country and so forth. There's a lot that can be done to make us a lot safer. At this particular moment, we actually could end up seeing a nuclear detonation in one of our cities. I don't think we would see an all-out nuclear war any time soon, although even that is not completely off the table. There's still enough nuclear weapons in the arsenals of the superpowers to destroy the Earth many, many times over. There are flash points in India and Pakistan, in the Middle East, in North Korea, other places where the use of nuclear weapons, while initially locally, could very rapidly go into a situation where we'd be facing all-out nuclear war. It's very unsettling. Here we go. OK. I'm back in my truck, and we drove over the Brooklyn Bridge. We're coming down, and we bring that truck that you just saw somewhere in here, in the Financial District. This is a 10-kiloton bomb, slightly smaller than was used in Hiroshima. And I want to just conclude this by just giving you some information. I think -- "news you could use" kind of concept here. So, first of all, this would be horrific beyond anything we can possibly imagine. This is the ultimate. And if you're in the half-mile radius of where this bomb went off, you have a 90 percent chance of not making it. If you're right where the bomb went off, you will be vaporized. And that's -- I'm just telling you, this is not good. Two-mile radius, you have a 50 percent chance of being killed, and up to about eight miles away -- now I'm talking about killed instantly -- somewhere between a 10 and 20 percent chance of getting killed. The thing about this is that the experience of the nuclear detonation is -- first of all, tens of millions of degrees Fahrenheit at the core here, where it goes off, and an extraordinary amount of energy in the form of heat, acute radiation and blast effects. An enormous hurricane-like wind, and destruction of buildings almost totally, within this yellow circle here. And what I'm going to focus on, as I come to conclusion here, is that, what happens to you if you're in here? Well, if we're talking about the old days of an all-out nuclear attack, you, up here, are as dead as the people here. So it was a moot point. My point now, though, is that there is a lot that we could do for you who are in here, if you've survived the initial blast. You have, when the blast goes off -- and by the way, if it ever comes up, don't look at it. If you look at it, you're going to be blind, either temporarily or permanently. So if there's any way that you can avoid, like, avert your eyes, that would be a good thing. If you find yourself alive, but you're in the vicinity of a nuclear weapon, you have -- that's gone off -- you have 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size and exactly where it went off, to get out of the way before a lethal amount of radiation comes straight down from the mushroom cloud that goes up. In that 10 to 15 minutes, all you have to do -- and I mean this seriously -- is go about a mile away from the blast. And what happens is -- this is -- I'm going to show you now some fallout plumes. Within 20 minutes, it comes straight down. Within 24 hours, lethal radiation is going out with prevailing winds, and it's mostly in this particular direction -- it's going northeast. And if you're in this vicinity, you've got to get away. So you're feeling the wind -- and there's tremendous wind now that you're going to be feeling -- and you want to go perpendicular to the wind [not upwind or downwind]. if you are in fact able to see where the blast was in front of you. You've got to get out of there. If you don't get out of there, you're going to be exposed to lethal radiation in very short order. If you can't get out of there, we want you to go into a shelter and stay there. Now, in a shelter in an urban area means you have to be either in a basement as deep as possible, or you have to be on a floor -- on a high floor -- if it's a ground burst explosion, which it would be, higher than the ninth floor. So you have to be tenth floor or higher, or in the basement. But basically, you've got to get out of town as quickly as possible. And if you do that, you actually can survive a nuclear blast. Over the next few days to a week, there will be a radiation cloud, again, going with the wind, and settling down for another 15 or 20 miles out -- in this case, over Long Island. And if you're in the direct fallout zone here, you really have to either be sheltered or you have to get out of there, and that's clear. But if you are sheltered, you can actually survive. The difference between knowing information of what you're going to do personally, and not knowing information, can save your life, and it could mean the difference between 150,000 to 200,000 fatalities from something like this and half a million to 700,000 fatalities. So, response planning in the twenty-first century is both possible and is essential. But in 2008, there isn't one single American city that has done effective plans to deal with a nuclear detonation disaster. Part of the problem is that the emergency planners themselves, personally, are overwhelmed psychologically by the thought of nuclear catastrophe. They are paralyzed. You say "nuclear" to them, and they're thinking, "Oh my God, we're all gone. What's the point? It's futile." And we're trying to tell them, "It's not futile. We can change the survival rates by doing some commonsensical things." So the goal here is to minimize fatalities. And I just want to leave you with the personal points that I think you might be interested in. The key to surviving a nuclear blast is getting out, and not going into harm's way. That's basically all we're going to be talking about here. And the farther you are away in distance, the longer it is in time from the initial blast; and the more separation between you and the outside atmosphere, the better. So separation -- hopefully with dirt or concrete, or being in a basement -- distance and time is what will save you. So here's what you do. First of all, as I said, don't stare at the light flash, if you can. I don't know you could possibly resist doing that. But let's assume, theoretically, you want to do that. You want to keep your mouth open, so your eardrums don't burst from the pressures. If you're very close to what happened, you actually do have to duck and cover, And you want to get under something so that you're not injured or killed by objects, if that's at all possible. You want to get away from the initial fallout mushroom cloud, I said, in just a few minutes. And shelter and place. You want to move [only] crosswind for 1.2 miles. You know, if you're out there and you see buildings horribly destroyed and down in that direction, less destroyed here, then you know that it was over there, the blast, and you're going this way, as long as you're going crosswise to the wind. Once you're out and evacuating, you want to keep as much of your skin, your mouth and nose covered, as long as that covering doesn't impede you moving and getting out of there. And finally, you want to get decontaminated as soon as possible. And if you're wearing clothing, you've taken off your clothing, you're going to get showered down some place and remove the radiation that would be -- the radioactive material that might be on you. And then you want to stay in shelter for 48 to 72 hours minimum, but you're going to wait hopefully -- you'll have your little wind-up, battery-less radio, and you'll be waiting for people to tell you when it's safe to go outside. That's what you need to do. In conclusion, nuclear war is less likely than before, but by no means out of the question, and it's not survivable. Nuclear terrorism is possible -- it may be probable -- but is survivable. And this is Jack Geiger, who's one of the heroes of the U.S. public health community. And Jack said the only way to deal with nuclear anything, whether it's war or terrorism, is abolition of nuclear weapons. And you want something to work on once you've fixed global warming, I urge you to think about the fact that we have to do something about this unacceptable, inhumane reality of nuclear weapons in our world. Now, this is my favorite civil defense slide, and I -- -- I don't want to be indelicate, but he's no longer in office. We don't really care, OK. This was sent to me by somebody who is an aficionado of civil defense procedures, but the fact of the matter is that America's gone through a very hard time. We've not been focused, we've not done what we had to do, and now we're facing the potential of bad, hell on Earth. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
それからというもの、アブドラバダウィは Hadhari (進歩的) 概念の浸透をはかり、イスラム教の重点を認可的な機能から文明化の潜在性とイデオロギーの緩和へと移行する手段として強化している。今日のマレーシアでは、イスラム教は宗教的刺激の源泉としてのみならず、文明化の原動力として表現されている。これは、国内のもっとも過激主義的な傾向に対抗し、穏健派イスラム教徒の概念的な拠所を提供することに寄与している。Islam Hadhari は、UMNO の実利主義と国家主義はイスラム教と対立しないという考えを提起しようとするものである。	Since then, Abdullah Badawi has been popularizing the concept of “Hadhari,” shaping it as a means to shift Islam’s focus from its sanctioning function to its civilizing potential and rendering it less ideological. In Malaysia today, Islam is being presented as a generator of civilization and culture, and not merely as a source of religious inspiration.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
何度もそこでようやく本命であるミシェルちゃんの水着に、を掛けてみる。入念に調整された魔力を注ぎ、慎重に発動された魔法は、彼女の体にまとわりつき、正確にその効果を発揮した。「おお、あったかいよ! ニコルちゃん、この魔法最高!」「どうやら成功みたいだね。よかった」「でもどうせかけるなら、ビキニではなくワンピース水着にした方がよかったんじゃありませんか?」「そだね。その恰好じゃお腹が冷えそう」フィニアがそう主張したが、その意見もわかる。露出が多いミシェルちゃんは、その恩恵は少なそうだった。特に引き締まったお腹周りが寒そうである。「だいじょーぶ、だいじょーぶ。わたしは元気が取り柄だから、これだけでも充分あったかいよ」「そのタフさがうらやましい」他よりも水に入っていないのに、焚火のそばから離れられない俺とは大違いである。とは言え、少ない犠牲でこの魔法を習得できたのだから、これはそこには、股間を押さえたまま、ビクンビクンと痙攣し、尺取虫のような格好で浜辺に倒れ伏したクラウドの姿があった。「それじゃ、そろそろ寒くなってきたから、コテージに戻ろっか。そこで股間を押さえて卑猥な感じに痙攣してる少年。さっさと立て?」「誰のせいだよ! っていうか、女の子がそんな言葉を口走っちゃいけません!」「クラウドのくせにってなんだよ? これは孤児院のシスターがよく口にしてる言葉だぞ」「なら仕方ないか。じゃあ言い直す。クラウド、さっさと立て。別のところは起たせなくていいよ」「だからぁ!?」だが男子の生態に関しての知識が薄いミシェルちゃんとレティーナは、何を言っているのか理解できてない様子だった。揃って首を傾げている様子が可愛らしい。君たちはずっとそのままでいてほしい。マクスウェルは......なんだか内股になって俺から距離を取っている。安心しろ、お前に掛ける気はない。「しかし、この魔法って実は危険な魔法なんじゃない?」水着を加熱してしまうことができるのなら、ズボンだって加熱することが可能なはずだ。戦闘中とかに相手にこの魔法を掛ければ、大きな隙を作ることもダメージを与えることも可能になるはず? 俺の言葉に、マクスウェルも大きく首を捻っていた。「本来ならば、そこまで温度が上がる魔法ではないはずなんじゃがの。それに、武器の金属部分を加熱して敵にダメージを与える魔法は既に存在するのじゃよ」「なんだ、じゃあ新しい魔法というわけではないのか」「いや、その魔法は金属にしか効果がないので、ある意味新しい魔法じゃぞ? 他にも、相手の服に「今まで、そういう失敗した連中はいなかったのか......いや、いなかったの?」「おそらく、お主の内部にある魔力量の多さが影響しておるんではないかと睨んではいたのじゃが......」今は他にも仲間がいるので、いつものような言葉使いはできない。マクスウェルとこのメンツで話をするのは滅多にないので、どうにも調子が乗ってこない。「魔力の消費に関してはどんな具合じゃ?」「ん? 基礎レベルの消費でやってるからそれほどでも......でも、なんか「朱の一程度の消費でそれか。中級じゃから他の魔力設定が高いとはいえ、やはりどこかでロスが出ておるようじゃの。それが過剰な熱量になって顕現した感じか」「まあ、今回の被害はクラウドの邪悪な股間程度だから、無いも同然で済んだわけだし、よしとしよう」「よくねーよ!」倒れたままこちらに苦情を飛ばしてくるクラウド。まだ立ち上がらないということは、意外とダメージが大きいのだろうか? 「意外と怪我が大きい? ちょっと見せて」「見せれるか!」「今さら粗末なモノ見ても、恥ずかしがったりしないよ?」クラウドはまだ十三歳。俺から見ればまだまだ子供といっていい。生前はいい大人だったし、生まれ変わってからはライエルに風呂に入れてもらったこともある。赤ん坊の頃だが。なので、象さんレベルのクラウドなんてどうということもないのだが、奴は一丁前に恥ずかしがっていた。「見ないと「しなくていい! マクスウェル様にしてもらうから」「お前ごときがマクスウェルの手を煩わせると? どれだけ尊大なこと言ってるかわかってる?」「うっ!? それは......じゃあ我慢する!」「おとなしく仲間に治してもらえばいいのに」「その辺にしとけ。セクハラ幼女になっておるぞ」では気持ち程度しか治らないので、圧倒的にマクスウェルの方が効果が高い。そもそもそれほど深い傷でもなかったのか、クラウドはあっという間に元の様子を取り戻し、立ち上がった。	After several experiments , I more or less grasped how to adjust the temperature. After that, it was finally Michelle’s —the main person in need— time to receive the spell. I poured the carefully adjusted magic power into the spell, activating it. It wrapped her body and showed its effect immediately. “Ooh, so warm. Nicole, this magic is the best!” “Looks like it’s a success. Thank god.” “But since you were gonna cast it, maybe it was better to switch to a one-piece instead of a bikini?” “True. Your belly would freeze in your current getup.” Finia voiced her opinion, which I was in agreement with. The swimsuit was the one being warmed up, so it wouldn’t cover the parts where it didn’t reach. Michelle who was exposing so much was receiving little benefit from it. Her firm belly looked especially cold. “It’s okaaay, it’s okaaay. Health is my redeeming point. I’m plenty warm as is.” “I envy that toughness of yours.” She was like night and day compared to me who hadn’t entered the water unlike the trio and yet was still clinging to the bonfire. With everything said, I managed to obtain this new magic with a small sacrifice, so I should consider it good fortune. Thinking so, I looked towards the sacrifice in question. There was Cloud, collapsed and squirming like a bug while holding his crotch. I ended up burning his trunks over and over with Warm. “Well then, it has started to grow colder so shall we return to the cottage? Hey, the young man who’s holding his crotch and squirming indecently there. Time to get up.” “And whose fault is it that I’m in this state! Rather, those aren’t words that should come from a girl’s mouth!” “What’s that about acting cheeky? This is something the orphanage sisters taught me.” “Fine then. Let me reword it. Cloud, time to get up. You don’t have to get any other part up.” “Come ooon!?” I was a man previously, so I was fully aware of the way that part tended to behave. Michelle and Letina, who were unfamiliar with male physiology, didn’t understand what I was saying. It was cute to see them looking at me so quizzically. I wish you two remain that innocent forever. As for Maxwell... He was standing pigeon-toed away from me. Hey, don’t worry, I’m not gonna cast it on you. “Still, isn’t this quite a dangerous magic?” That was my impression based on the experiments so far. Since it could heat up the swimsuits, it would also be able to heat up the pants. If you cast this on your opponent in the middle of a battle, it should be possible to both create the openings and also damage them, shouldn’t it? However, Maxwell denied my assumption with a shake of his head. “Normally, it is not a spell that raises the temperature to that degree. Moreover, magic to heat up your weapon to damage the opponent already exists.” “Huh, so this isn’t really a new spell, huh?” “Not entirely correct. That spell only works on the metal, so this could be said to be a new spell, in a way? There is also a way to cast Tinder on the enemy’s clothes. But when it comes to simply heating it up without burning it, this might be a new discovery.” “So like.... I mean, do you mean to say that there weren’t any people who failed like this before?” “I believe it instead has to do with the amount of magic that you hold...” There were my friends nearby so I couldn’t use my usual speech. I almost never talked to Maxwell with everyone present so it was a bit awkward. Still, I wanted to discuss the earlier spell right away. There were cases when you forgot the sensation after some time passed, after all. “How are you faring with magic consumption?” “Hmm? I used the weakest level of consumption, so it’s not that much... Then again, it felt like it took more than double of Enchant, I guess?” “That much with just Crimson One? While it is true that its magic power setting is high due to being middle-grade magic, it still does not add up. Perhaps the extra magic power manifested as excess heat.” “Well, our damages this time only amounted to Cloud’s wicked crotch, so you can even say it went without problems.” Cloud hurled complaints my way while on the ground. Since he wasn’t standing up, was the damage actually more than I thought? Deciding to check on his injury, I walked up to him and asked. “Did you actually suffer a major injury? Come on, let me see it.” “Like I can show it!” “Please, I won’t be embarrassed if you show me your shabby thing.” “Well, you should be!” He was still years old. He was just a child from my perspective. I was a grown man in my past life, and Lyell has taken me to the bath with him too. When I was an infant, that is. As such, his little pee-pee wouldn’t be a big deal for me, but he seemed to be embarrassed in front of adults. “I can’t cast Cure Light if I don’t see it.” “You don’t have to! I’ll ask Lord Maxwell to do it later.” “You want to trouble Maxwell? Do you realize how much you are asking?” “Huuh!? I mean... Then, I’ll just endure it!” “You should just get your friend to heal you, you know?” “Okay, leave it at that. You are turning into a sexual harasser girl.” Maxwell was unable to watch and sent a Heal his way. My Cure Light could only heal the sensation, so Maxwell’s spell was overwhelmingly more effective. And it didn’t seem to have been a serious injury, he quickly regained his usual condition and stood up. Good grief, worrying me for no reason.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 17, "inserted_lines_trg": 1 }
確かに、連邦大統領が連邦議会を解散した際に掲げた大きな議題は、それぞれ意義がある。財政の現状は、ドイツ基準からすれば容認できないもので、公債は現レベルで欧州連合の安定協定に違反しており、次世代への負担になっている。人口統計学上の発展ひとつにしても社会政策の大幅な改革を必要としている。そのうえ、連邦制度は急速あるいは明確な判断が下されることを許さない。	To be sure, the big issues that the Federal President listed when he dissolved the Bundestag are real. The fiscal position is, by German standards, unacceptable, and public debt at current levels is contrary to the European Union’s Stability and Growth Pact and a burden on future generations.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
要塞、正面。そこでは、重力発生装置〝グラヴ・ファレンセン〟により地に墜とされた使徒達と帝国兵達が死闘と称するに相応しい激烈な戦闘を繰り広げていた。「ぉおおおおおおっ」帝国兵が、雄叫びを上げながら使徒に飛びかかる。使徒の大剣が銀の光芒を弾きながら流麗に振るわれ、一刀の元に、その帝国兵の首を刎ね飛ばした。そして返す刀で逆サイドの帝国兵の首を刎ねる。鎧は数撃程度なら分解の攻撃も防いでしまうので的確に鎧のない部分を狙っているのだ。「ちくしょうっ、強すぎだろっ! こちとらも限界超えてんだぞっ」「化け物がっ! いい加減死にやがれっ」使徒のスペック落とし、更には動きを阻害して、なおかつ自分達は神代級のアーティファクトに身を固め、人の限界を二度も超えているというのに、未だ使徒を相手にすれば倒れる味方の方が圧倒的に多い。その事実に、帝国兵達から悪態が飛び交う。兵士達が使徒の猛攻に思わず腰が引けたそのとき、なぜか彼等の背筋をゾクリとさせ、股間をキュッとさせる怒声が響いた。と、思った次の瞬間には、巌のような拳が猛威を振るっていた使徒の後頭部に突き刺さり、そのまま地面へと押したお――押し潰した。頭部を粉砕された使徒の上の覆いかぶさるようにして出現したのは、全身を支給品の装備一式で固めた、見た目は兵士と変わらない巨漢の男。しかし、兵士達は使徒を倒したことを称賛するでもなく、なぜか自然と後退った。「あらぁ~ん? どうしてみんな、わたしから距離を取るのかしらぁ~ん?」「ひっ、ごめんなさい!」兜の隙間から覗く、肉厚の唇と獣のような瞳。鎧越しでも分かる人外レベルの筋肉。兜の天辺から編みにした髪がちょろんと生えていて、その先っぽには可愛らしいピンクのリボンが付けられている。そんなちょっと異様な男が、くねくねとしなを作りながら、オネエ言葉でパチリとウインクなんぞをしてくるのだ。兵士達が更に距離を取りながら、思わず「ごめんなさい」と口にしても仕方ないことだろう。なにせ、今、まさに飛びかかろうとしていた使徒の一人が、ビクリと震えて足を止めたほどなのだから...... 「ぬぅりやぁあああああああああああああっ」更に響いてくる野太い雄叫び。見れば、目の前の巨漢――ブルックの町の服屋に巣くう化け物クリスタベル店長と同じく、鎧なんていらないんじゃねぇの? と言いたくなるような筋肉に包まれ、更に同じ支給品の装備に身を固めつつもどこかに可愛らしいワンポイントアクセサリーをつけた巨漢の軍団が大暴れをしていた。一人の使徒が正面から抱きつかれ、分解能力を発動する暇もなくサバ折りにされ絶命すれば、別の使徒が芸術的なパイルドライバーを決められて頭部を粉砕されている。恐ろしいのは、抱きつかれた使徒が、意表をつくためなのか、単なる趣味かは分からないがぶちゅ~と熱いベーゼを受けていて、パイルドライバーを受けた使徒は、変則技なのか向かい合う形で逆さに抱えられていたので、その顔面がまさに股間に埋もれていたことだろう。「人形遊びじゃあ、ぜんぜん滾らないわぁ~」使徒二人を倒した巨漢二人は、やはりクネクネとしなを作りながらオネエ言葉でそんな感想を漏らした。機能を停止して倒れた使徒二人の表情が、微妙に涙目に見えるのは......きっと気のせいだろう。遊撃隊として組み込まれた異形の集団――もとい、漢女の軍団。彼女(?)達が次の獲物を探してグリンッと首を回し、それぞれ標的を定めれば、他の兵士達と相対していた使徒達が一斉にビクンッと震えた。そして、キョロキョロと微妙に視線を泳がせて警戒心をあらわにし、何人かはその隙を突かれて倒れる。ただ(ねっとりとした)視線だけで使徒の動きを阻害し、一瞬の硬直すら強いる。そんな漢女達の異様な活躍は、確実に使徒の数を減らし、味方を援護していた。援護......しているはずである。戦場において、別種の化け物が大暴れしている最中、少し離れた場所でも激戦が繰り広げられていた。帝国兵の一人が、支給されたライフルを構えて中距離からフルオートで射撃し、使徒を釘付けにする。使い手のスペックに左右されない過剰威力のハイブリッド兵器だ。流石の使徒も、その閃光の大群を大剣で防げば足を止めざるを得ない。しかし、そこで終わらないのが使徒だ。お返しと言わんばかりに飛び出しのたはレールガンにも引けを取らない凶悪な弾丸――銀の羽による反撃。取り囲んでいた帝国兵達が薙ぎ払われる。辛うじて防具と剣で凌いでいる者もいるが、下級の兵士達は的確に露出部分を穿たれてその命を散らしていく。ガチンッと音を立ててライフルの弾が切れた。射撃で使徒の足止めをしていた帝国兵が、慌ててマガジンを装填しようとする。その隙を逃さず、使徒が銀の砲撃を放とうとした。帝国兵の顔に絶望が過る。そのとき、「ゼェアアアアアアッ!!」一般兵士とは明らかに一線を画す、裂帛の気合が迸った。銀の閃光を放とうとしていた使徒に、大上段から大剣が振り下ろされる。それを、使徒は煩わしそうに自身の大剣で受け止めようとして...... 「――ッ」振り下ろされた大剣が鞭のようにしなった腕により途中で軌道を変え、横薙ぎの斬撃に変化したことに瞠目する。そして、防ごとうしてまとわり付く紅い光に動きを阻害され、目を見開いたままその首を刎ねられて血飛沫を撒き散らした。使徒を一人仕留めた男、途轍もない覇気を発する帝国の皇帝――ガハルド・D・ヘルシャーは、使徒の血を浴びながら、その使徒の猛威に腰が引けてしまった兵士達へ向けて爆撃のような大音声を上げた。「てめぇらっ、ビビってんじゃねぇぞっ。雄叫びを上げろ! 塵芥になるまで戦え! この戦場は、神話だ! てめぇら全員が新たな神話の紡ぎ手だ! 後世の連中に嗤われてぇのかっ!」この人類の存亡を賭けた戦い――確かに、後の世から見れば神話そのものだ。自分達は、後世で語り継がれる大舞台の当事者なのだ。野心豊かな帝国兵や傭兵達が、その言葉で奮い立つ。瞳に獰猛さが宿り、己の存在を歴史に刻み込まんと燃え上がる! ガハルドの激が戦場を席巻する。「幻視しろ。てめぇらの背に誰の姿が見える!? てめぇらが倒れた後は、そいつが死ぬんだっ! 許容できねぇか? できねぇだろう!? なら殺意を滾らせろ! 使徒だろうが何だろうが、敵の尽くを滅ぼし尽くせぇ!」王国兵や冒険者達が、一瞬、自分の肩越しに背後を見やり、今、この瞬間も猛威を振るう銀色の化け物にギラギラと殺意を滾らせた。この場に立っているのは何の為か。決まっている。友人を、恋人を、家族を、守る為だ! 敗北は、許されない戦場なのだ! そのとき、ガハルドの存在を見咎めた使徒達が、一斉にガハルドへ銀の閃光を放った。「盾っ、囲め!」ガハルドがすかさず反応する。それだけで、いつの間にかガハルドの周囲に集まっていた近衛兵達が、大盾を合わせてガハルドの防壁となった。銀の閃光が、これまたハジメ特製の大盾によって一時的に防がれる。「撃てっ!」再度、迸るガハルドの号令。大盾の後ろに控えていた別の近衛が、その隙間から膝立ちでアンチマテリアルライフルをぶっ放つ。銀の閃光を放ったばかりだった使徒は、カウンターのように飛来した閃光に穿たれて崩れ落ちた。そして、銀の閃光が途切れた瞬間、ガハルドはまた別の使徒に飛びかかり、その自然体から鞭のようにしなりながら振るわれる変幻自在の剣撃をもって使徒と互角の戦いを繰り広げた。「陛下に続けっ」「囲い込んで殺せっ。勝てない相手じゃないぞ!」「これ以上、人形共に好きにさせるなっ」それに触発され、気勢を上げた連合軍兵士達が同じように連携しながら使徒と斬り結ぶ。もはや、何人殺られようとも兵士達が萎縮することはなく、その負けられないという気概と決意が、徐々に使徒達のスペックを凌駕していった。要塞の一角。そこで、開戦してからずっと瞑目していた男がスっと眼を開いた。そして、厳かでありながら燃えるような熱を孕んだ力強い声音で、司令官であるリリアーナに呼びかけた。「リリアーナ姫」それだけで、なにを言いたいのか察したリリアーナは、確かに機だと判断し指令を下す。「はい。アドゥル殿。地上戦へと移行しつつある今、重力結界の上から狙い撃ちにされるのは非常に不味いです。......制空権の奪取を。天空を統べる竜人族の力、全ての者達に見せつけて下さいませ」「ふふっ、承知した」アドゥルが、威厳と力強さに満ちた足取りで竜人族が整列する中庭に続くテラスへと出る。眼下の同胞達、およそ三百人は、闘志を漲らせて真っ直ぐに族長であるアドゥルを見上げた。年前の迫害。忘れようはずもない。あの時を生き残り、雪辱を誓った者達も、後に生まれ隠れて生きる理不尽に嘆いていた者達も......遠慮容赦一切無用っ! 猛るままに咆哮を上げよ! 空は我等の領域! それを奴等に思い知らせてやれ! 全竜人族......出るぞっ!」「「「「「オォオオオオオオオオオオオオオオッッッ!!!!」」」」」一斉に上がる雄叫び。それは五百年の屈辱と怒りに耐えてきた誇り高き一族が蜂起する合図。全ての竜人族が、風を巻き上げながら一斉に空へと飛び出す。重力結界の領域はリリアーナによりタイミングよく解かれている。そこを突き抜け、上空へと上がった彼等は、次の瞬間、一斉に光に包まれた。そして、姿を現すのは天空の覇者たる竜の群れ。威風堂々と翼をはためかせ、縦に割れた竜の瞳で神の人形を睨みつける。その身一つで途轍もないプレッシャーを放つ竜達。それが、今は、ハジメのアーティファクトによって完全武装までしており、その威容を更に跳ね上げている。その中で、一際巨体を誇る勇壮な緋竜が莫大なプレッシャーと共に咆哮を上げた。地上かメートルは離れているにもかかわらず、ビリビリと震える大気の振動が連合軍兵士達にも伝わる。その直後、先の咆哮が戦闘開始の合図だったかのように、三百体の竜が一斉にブレスを放った。それぞれ得意属性ごとの色とりどりの閃光が、我が物顔で空を舞う使徒達へ殺到する。使徒達が銀翼で身を包み防御態勢に入った。しかし、竜人族のブレスは、それらの防御を食い破り使徒達を滅ぼしていく。『ほぅ、流石はティオが認めた伴侶なだけはある。我等の力をここまで引き上げるか』自分のブレスが普段の十数倍の力を発揮したことにアドゥルが愉快そうな声を上げた。ティオの武装黒竜と同じ装備をつけているアドゥル達は、鎧に仕込まれた昇華魔法により、そのスペックを底上げされているのだ。当然、チートメイトと限界突破アーティファクト〝ラスト・ゼーレ〟の影響もある。『くっ、俺は認めませんっ! あんな小僧の――』藍色の竜――リスタスが、どこか悔しげな声を出した。だが、途中で急迫してきた使徒が振り抜いた大剣を、身につけた鎧が見事に塞き止めた挙句、逆に衝撃波を放って吹き飛ばした光景を見て口を噤んだ。なにもしていないのに相手が吹き飛んだのだ。ハジメに守られたみたいですごく複雑な気分である。『ならば、奪えばよかろう。彼も受けて立つと言っているのだから』『うぐっ』出来るわけがない。挑んだ直後、瞬殺されるのが目に見えている。それが分かっているからか、アドゥルの声音は、どこかからかうような響きがあった。分が悪くなったリスタスは、竜翼をはためかせて一気に加速し使徒に襲いかかった。使徒を倒すことに集中しています! ということにしたようだ。他の竜人達も、まだ若いリスタスに苦笑いしながら十全に力を振るい始めた。流石は天空の覇者というべきか。跳ね上がったスペックと縦横無尽な空中戦闘、そして神代級アーティファクトの恩恵によって、使徒達と互角以上に渡り合っている。制空権を賭けた争いは、竜の咆哮と銀の閃光入り混じる、さながらSFにおける宇宙戦争の様相を呈しながら、神話に相応しい死闘へと突入していった。赤黒い空に力強い竜の咆哮が響き渡り、地上の連合軍も、その勇壮さに雄叫びを上げながら士気を上げている。その一角――聖歌隊に近い位置で、周囲の兵士や神殿騎士とは明らかに一線を画す活躍をしている集団があった。「うぉおおおおっ!!」雄叫びと共に地面を爆ぜさせて突進し、使徒に体当たりを決めた男――永山重吾は、そのまま組み伏せた使徒が何かをする前に、その巌のような拳を使徒の顔面に突き落とした。ハジメ特製の籠手型アーティファクトが衝撃を内部に伝播させて中身を破壊する。攪拌された血肉が使徒の端正な顔面から飛び出し、重吾の頬を返り血で汚したが、寡黙な外見そのままに平然とした様子で体勢を立て直した。その重吾に、使徒が背後から大剣を唐竹に振るう。しかし、重吾はバックステップでスっと相手の懐に潜り込むと、そのまま見事な背負投を決めて使徒を地面に叩きつけた。余りの威力に、地面が放射状に砕けて小さなクレーターができる。重吾は、衝撃に一瞬身動きを阻害された使徒の、その首を踏み抜いて止めを刺した。瞬く間に二人の使徒を仕留めた重吾。使徒の弱体化と自身の超強化があるとはいえ、常に鍛錬を怠っていなかったと分かる見事な戦い振りだった。そこへ、更に使徒が二体、重吾を挟撃しようと迫る。が、その瞬間、「――地の底より吹きし風、命あるものを白きに染めよ――〝白威吹〟!!」白煙が、風に乗って蛇のように宙を駆け、重吾の周囲で防壁となるように渦巻いた。重吾に迫っていた二人の使徒は僅かに白煙に巻かれたものの、銀翼を使って吹き飛ばしながら一度退避する。白煙に触れた先からビキビキッと石化していく光景に、使徒は小癪だと言いたげな表情をしながら分解の魔力で解呪を試みる。石化の白煙を吹かせた術者――野村健太郎が指揮棒型アーティファクトを振るった。途端、重吾を守るように逆巻いていた白煙が二手に別れて退避した使徒二人を襲う。使徒達は、魔耐が下がった状態で受けるのは危険と判断したようで更に退避しようとしたが、いつの間にか地面が盛り上がって足を拘束しており目論見は叶わなかった。ガクンッとつんのめる使徒。それは致命の隙。次の瞬間、健太郎の操る白煙が二人の使徒を余さず呑み込んだ。後に残るのは完全に石像化した美術品めいた彫像のみ。他でも、檜山の裏切りや近藤の死から立ち直った中野信治と斎藤良樹が、鬼気迫る様子六臂の活躍を繰り広げ、その穴を守る形で愛ちゃん護衛隊の玉井淳史、相川昇、仁村明人が一歩も引かずに使徒と激闘を繰り広げていた。それらを園部優花、菅原妙子、宮崎奈々、辻綾子、吉野真央等が完璧にサポートする。愛ちゃん護衛隊のメンバーが、最初から前線にいた重吾のパーティーや信治達と同じくらい動けているのは、ハジメ達が王都を出発してから、このままではダメだと心を奮い立たせ猛特訓を行ったからだ。それ以外にも、完全に心折れていた生徒達が、直接戦闘までは出来ないものの能力を底上げする付与系の魔法を後方から放ったり、回復させたり、ライフルや魔法を撃って弾幕を張るなど必死に援護していた。誰もが、魔王城でのハジメの演説に、折れた心を焼き直されたのだ。それがただの言葉だけであったなら、ハリボテの言葉として使徒を目の当たりにした瞬間あっさり折れただろう。しかし、彼等は皆、ハジメを見ていた。片腕も片目も失い、髪の色まで変わって、ボロボロになって、最愛の恋人まで奪われた。消えていく恋人に上げた慟哭は、彼等をして心に痛みを感じさせるものだった。それでも、最後には立ち上がり、全てを叩き潰して取り戻すと宣言した。その姿が余りに強烈で、ずっと燻っていた彼等の魂に火をくべたのだ。世界の為などではない。ただ、家に帰りたいという願い。友人を死なせたくないという想い。たったそれだけのことを叶えるのに、死力を尽くして戦わねばならないのだと、ようやく確信し奮い立ったのだ。前線組に、たとえ燻っていたとしても異世界チート持ちの集団。流石に、使徒であってもスペックが下がった状態では、強化された彼等の相手は分が悪かった。次々と駆逐されていく使徒を見て周囲の連合軍兵士達が喝采を上げる。と、そのとき、前線を突破した使徒の一人が、クラスメイトの女子の一人に急迫した。「ひっ!?」思わず悲鳴を上げる女子生徒。だが、次の瞬間、死の恐怖は驚愕に変わった。使徒の首がポンッと飛び、力を失った体が彼女の横を虚しく滑っていったからだ。更に、前線組を取り囲もうとしていた使徒が、外側から順に首を刈られて一瞬の内に絶命していく。にもかかわらず、そちらに視線を向けたときには首のない使徒の死体以外、何も、誰もいないのだ。使徒の一人が、明らかな異常事態に周囲へ険しい視線を巡らせる。「くっ、一体どこから攻撃をっ」「目の前だよ! くそったれ!」自分の呟きに正面から返答されギョッとしたように視線を正面に戻す使徒。その目に、自分の首へと吸い込まれていく小太刀の影が映った。そしてそれが、その使徒の最後の光景となった。人型で女の姿である使徒を斬るのは、途轍もない精神的負担だ。救いなのは、使徒が皆同じ姿であり、感情を感じさせない無機質さが人ではなく人形と感じさせてくれることだろう。最凶の敵にすら「え? そこにいたの!?」みたいな顔をされる切なさと相まって、半ば自棄になりながらではあるが、天職〝暗殺者〟の少年――遠藤浩介は、クラスメイト一のキルポイントを稼いでいた。「流石だ、浩介っ! どこにいるのか分からんが!」「すげぇぞ、浩介! どこにいるのか分かんねぇけど!」「遠藤くん頑張れぇ! 頑張ってる姿は見えないけど!」「えっ、あっ、そっか、遠藤くんも戦ってるんだった! 助けてくれてありがとね!」ホロリと、浩介の眼から光るものが落ちた。どうやら、雨が降り出しているらしい。雨と言ったら雨だ。そこへ、「うふふ」と少し妖艶さの含まれる声が響いた。人混みに紛れて使徒の隙を窺っていた浩介は、ゾクリと背筋を震わせてそちらを見る。するとそこには一人の兎人族の女性がおり、浩介を横目に見ていた。「君、気配操作がとっても上手ね。私じゃ敵わないかも」「へ、あ、そうです、か?」戸惑う遠藤に、ウサミミの女性はにっこりと微笑みを向ける。その笑顔に、思わず浩介の頬が赤くなった。元々、愛玩奴隷としては一番人気があっただけに兎人族は総じて整った容姿をしている。浩介に話しかけた女性も、物凄く美人だった。そんな美人の、しかも可愛らしいウサミミの付いた女性に微笑まれて、彼女いない歴イコール年齢の童貞少年は心拍が上がるのを止められない。元々、戦場ということで興奮していたというのもあるが。だが、そのトキメキにも似た胸の高鳴りは、直後、引き攣り顔に取って代わった。「私の名前は疾影のラナインフェリナ・ハウリア。疾風のように駆け、影のように忍び寄り、致命の一撃をプレゼントする、ハウリア族一の忍び手!」「......そ、そうですか」「でも、君を見ていたら、この二つ名を名乗るのが恥ずかしくなっちゃたわ。だから、悔しいけど〝疾影〟の二つ名は君に譲る。君の名前は?」「......遠藤浩介、ですけど」二つ名を名乗っていること自体が恥ずかしい、とは言えない浩介。綺麗なお姉さんは好きですか? 浩介の答えは一択だ。「じゃあ、君は今日から〝疾影〟......ううん、私を超えているのだから......〝疾牙影爪のコウスケ・E・アビスゲート〟と名乗るといいわ! 悔しいけどね!」「それじゃ、お互い死なないように、でも全力で首刈りしましょ♪ じゃあね! 疾牙影爪のコウスケ・E・アビスゲート!」「......」可愛らしい笑顔で「首刈りしましょ♪」はねぇだろとか、アビスゲートってどこから出てきたとか、それはもう盛大にツッコミたかった浩介だったが、一番衝撃的なのは技能まで使って気配を殺していた浩介をラナが見つけたこと。見つけてくれたこと。そして、 ――綺麗なお姉さん、ウサミミ付きは好きですか? 「疾牙影爪のコウスケ・E・アビスゲート、参る!」戦場で芽生える恋というのもあるらしい。コウスケの爪牙は、何らかの別の強化を受けているのかと疑うほど更に冴え渡り始め、使徒達の尽くを刈り取っていくのだった。一方、そんなクラスメイト達の近くで、もう一人、目立った活躍をしているのは愛子だった。後方からハジメお手製の「なれるっ、扇動家! ケースバイケースで覚える素敵セリフ集」をチラ見しながら、連合軍の士気が落ちないよう、時折どこかで聞いたことのあるような言葉を使って鼓舞しつつ、自分自身の戦いのために声を張り上げる。「畑山愛子の名において命じます! 仮初の命よ、今一度立ち上がり、敵を討ち滅ぼしなさい!」そう言った直後、倒したはずの使徒の幾人かがゆらりと立ち上がった。そして、制限されていたスペックを取り戻したような勢いで味方であったはずの使徒達に襲いかかった。これは、愛子の魂魄魔法の効果だ。自分の魂魄から擬似的な魂魄を複製し、それを使徒の肉体に憑依させ操る。仮初の魂魄を作る〝魂魄複製〟と闇系魔法の〝降霊術〟を組み合わせた魔法だ。天職〝作農師〟という、ハジメを除けば唯一非戦闘系天職である愛子は、自分の非力さを自覚し、ハジメ達が旅立ってから生徒達を守る為に戦う手段というものを強く意識するようになった。そこで唯一のアドバンテージである魂魄魔法をどうにか使えないかと考えた結果、辿り着いたのがこの魔法というわけだ。ヒントになったのが、裏切った恵里の降霊術や縛魂というのは何とも皮肉であり、死体を利用するという点では凄まじい葛藤はあったものの愛子は踏み切った。もう生徒達ばかりに汚れさせて自分だけ綺麗な場所に居続けることは、あの【神山】の上空で止めたのだ。それに、「彼が戻って来るまで、絶対に負けませんっ!」そう、ダメだと分かっていながら心を寄せてしまった男の為に、絶対、負けられないのだ。もう一度、会いたいから。「あははっ、愛ちゃんってば、もう隠す気ゼロだね」「〝彼〟って言ったら、一人しかいないしね」愛子にチラリと視線を向けながら、園部優花と宮崎奈々が小さく笑い合う。「南雲くん、マジ魔王だわ。教師まで落とすとか有り得ない」「クラスの女子も落ちてるっぽい子が何人かいたような......リアルハーレムを目の当りにするなんてね。まぁ、だからこそ、〝私も〟とか思えるんだろうけど」「普通は、あのユエって子との関係みただけで身を引くと思うんだけどね。それか、あの一途過ぎる女の子を見て、とかさ。これも魔王の吸引力かな。私達も気を付けないと、うっかり惹き寄せられちゃうわよ」今度は二人して苦笑い。そして、揃って空を見上げた。そこには、この戦場で一番キル数を稼いでいるクラスメイトの女の子の姿があった。空を縦横無尽に駆け巡り、両手の大剣、黒銀の閃光、黒銀の羽、魔法を臨機応変に使って使徒達を圧倒している。背中に広がる漆黒に銀の煌きが混じっ翼に、黒を基調としたドレス甲冑。風にさらわれなびく髪も黒。まさに堕天使というに相応しい姿で天使然とした使徒達を屠っていく姿は、どう見ても魔王の幹部と言うべきもの。なのに、天使の方が人類を滅ぼそうとする勢力で、堕天使の方が守ろうとする勢力であるというのは何とも皮肉が利いた話である。その大暴れしている堕天使こと香織は、黒銀の光を纏いながら残像を引き連れて、また一体、使徒を切り捨てた。その瞬間を狙って二人の使徒が大剣を薙ぐ。それを双大剣と黒銀の翼で受け止め、香織は猛烈な勢いで回転した。途端、弾かれた二人の使徒は、間髪入れずに迫った黒銀の羽に額を貫かれて絶命した。これで一体、何人の使徒を屠ったのか。「キリがないね......」思わずそう愚痴を零す香織。「ならば、諦めて落ちなさい」返答したのは使徒の一人。気が付けば、香織は球状に完全包囲されており、文字通り全方位を隙間なく埋められていた。そして、次の瞬間、放たれるのは銀の閃光。正面の同胞に当ててしまう可能性を無視した遠慮容赦のない一斉掃射が、使徒で出来た球体の中心に向かって放たれる。しかし、香織は揺らがない。「諦めるなんて言葉、知らないよ?」そんな軽口を叩くと、一直線に正面突破を図った。双大剣を盾にして光の奔流へと突っ込んでいく。視線の合った使徒が、突破されることを確信して双大剣を構えた。直後、全身から白煙を上げながら、しかし、些かの衰えも見せない眼光を放つ香織が猛烈な勢いで肉迫した。そして、黒銀の羽を撃ち出し、肩先や足先など嫌らしい部分をピンポイントで狙う。同じく、使徒が銀の羽を撃ち出して相殺しようとした。しかし、その瞬間、その足元から光の鎖が伸びて使徒の動きを一瞬阻害した。拘束は直ぐに分解されて霧散したが、それで十分。黒銀の羽が使徒の体を捉え、その体勢が大きく崩れる。そこへ、香織が到達する。手に持つ大剣をグッと引き絞り、刹那、神速の突きをお見舞いする。ギギギッと大剣同士の擦れる音が響くものの、結局、突進の勢いもあって威力を殺せなかった使徒は、そのまま香織の大剣によって串刺しとなった。だが、使徒としてはそれも狙いの内だったらしい。突き刺さった大剣の柄――それを握る香織の手をガシッと掴むと、その身をもって動きを拘束する。そこへ、銀の羽が殺到。香織を捉える使徒ごと葬るつもりだ。「仲間なのに扱いが軽すぎるよ」呆れたような表情をしながらそう呟いた香織は、殺到する銀の羽には頓着せず眼前の使徒に止めを刺すことを優先した。僅かに、使徒の眼が見開かれる。いくらスペックを制限されているとは言え、分解能力は健在だ。同じ使徒の肉体であるから分解能力を発動すれば対抗はできるが、それでも物量的に看過できないダメージを負う。それは香織自身も分かっているはずだ。なのに、何故......と。直後、使徒の体は香織の大剣によって両断され、ほぼ同時に香織は銀の羽に呑み込まれた。「我々の経験をトレースできていたはずですが......所詮は、紛い物ということですか。愚かな真似を」「そうでもないよ」銀の羽を放った使徒の一人が呟いた言葉に、直ぐ様、返答がなされた。まるで焦燥も動揺も感じさせない声音に使徒がスっと目を細める。その視線の先、銀の羽が放つ光が収まった場所には体中を傷つけた香織の姿があった。やはり、ダメージが通っていることにただの痩せ我慢だと判断した使徒は、止めを刺すべく無言で数え切れないほどの銀の羽を展開した。他の使徒達も同時に展開しているので、その中心にいる香織は、まるで星の海に飛び込んでしまったかのようだ。だが、その銀の羽が掃射される寸前で使徒達は思わず動きを止めてしまった。何故なら、その使徒達の目の前で瞬く間に香織の傷が癒えていったからだ。ユエの〝自動再生〟もかくやという速度と鮮やかさで、銀の羽に付けられた傷も開けられた風穴も、それどころか衣服まで何事もなかったように元の状態へと戻っていく。魔法を使った様子は見えなかった。使徒に自動再生のような機能は付いていない。困惑する使徒達は、香織を凝視して――吹いた風がさらった前髪の奥、額の部分に、黒銀に輝く十字架の紋章が刻まれていることに気がついた。「それは......」「〝堕天の聖印〟――私の魔法だよ。開戦する前に使っておいたの。ユエ程ではないけど、怪我をしても勝手に発動して癒してくれる便利な魔法だよ」変成再生複合魔法〝堕天の聖印〟――体の一部に魔法陣の役目を負う十字架を刻むことで、一定時間ごとに再生魔法を発動する魔法。強力版オートリジェネとも言うべき魔法である。なお、変成魔法を使うことで刺青のような聖印は消すことが出来る。「......しかし、飽和攻撃を続ければ、いつか回復量をダメージ量が上回るはず。魔力も無限というわけではないでしょう」香織の言葉に、気を取り直すような言葉をわざわざ話す使徒。言い聞かせているのか、それとも本気でそう思っているのか...... 香織は不敵な笑みを浮かべる。それは以前の香織なら決してしなかったような挑発的な笑み。どこかの魔王とか、その嫁の影響を受けていることがひしひしと伝わる。「思い違いが二つあるね」「......なんです?」香織の雰囲気に、警戒を最大限して尋ね返す使徒。そんな使徒に対し、香織は、双大剣を構えるとバサッと二対四枚の黒銀翼を広げながらポツリと言葉を零す。「一つ――」「――ッ!?」次の瞬間、その姿が消えて使徒の真後ろに現れた。大剣を振り抜いた姿勢で。「やろうと思えば、どんな飽和攻撃も避けられる」「は、速すぎ、る――」他の包囲していた使徒が唖然とする中、直前まで会話していた使徒は瞠目しながら、その体を斜めにずらして血飛沫を上げながら絶命した。血糊を払うように大剣を薙いだ香織に、ハッとしたように使徒達が一斉掃射する。だが、「――〝神速〟」掃射された時には既に香織の姿はなく、次の瞬間には、二人の使徒が両断されて地に落ちていった。ギョッとしたようにその場所へ視線をやるも、やはり、その時には既に香織の姿はなく、また別の場所で使徒が両断される。「く、空間転移?」使徒の一人が疑問の声を上げる。が、直後、その身をふわりと風が撫でたかと思うと視界がズルリと斜めにずれるのを感じ、そのまま意識を闇へ落とした。「まさか。私は空間魔法を習得してないよ。これはただ、速く動いているだけ」「馬鹿なっ。我々に知覚できないほどの速度などっ」「出せるよ。正確には時間を短縮しているだけなんだけどね?」そう言って、驚愕に声を上擦らせた使徒を一瞬で切り裂く香織。再生魔法〝神速〟――一つ一つの事象において掛かる時間を短縮する魔法だ。攻撃が相手に届くまでの時間を短縮すれば神速の一撃となり、移動時間を短縮すれば瞬間移動と見紛う速度で移動が出来る。再生魔法は、その根源を辿れば時に干渉する魔法。ただ人の身で扱える限界が〝再生〟という用途に止まるというだけ。香織は、この再生魔法をメルジーネで手に入れてから、ずっと鍛錬してきた。最初に手に入れた神代魔法というだけでなく、回復役である自分にはピッタリな魔法であったことから愛着も一入だったのだ。結果、使徒の肉体を手に入れたというのもあるのだろうが、アワークリスタルの生成に成功したように、限定的ではあるが直接時間に干渉することが出来るようになったのだ。もちろんデメリットはあって、一回使うごとに莫大な魔力を消費してしまう。だから、戦闘が始まっても直ぐには使わなかったわけだが...... 手も足も出ない圧倒的な速度で次々と駆逐されていく同胞を見て、使徒が反論の矛先を変えた。少しでも精神的に動揺させる目論見なのかもしれない。「確かに、あなたは強い。あのイレギュラーに侍るだけはあります。ですが、戦争とは一個人で左右できるものではありません」「何が言いたいの?」「見なさい。地上を。あなたが我等の相手をしている間にも人は次々と死んでいきます。善戦しているところもあるようですが、所詮は人間。疲労やダメージの蓄積は免れない。彼等も直にただの骸と成り果てるでしょう」「【神域】からはまだまだ我等がやって来ますよ? あなたは何も守れはしない。所詮、無駄な足掻きなのです」香織は動きを止めて、言い切った使徒を静かに見返した。そして、死を宣告するように大剣の切っ先を向けてくる使徒へ、ふわりと笑顔を浮かべながら口を開いた。「思い違いの二つ目。ダメージ量がどうとか、魔力量がどうとか......誰に向かって言ってるの?」「なにを......」「たとえ体が変わっても、私は〝白崎香織〟。天職〝治癒師〟を持つ、そう言って、香織は大剣を逆手に持ち、その切っ先を地上へと向けた。〝治癒師〟としての能力を遺憾無く発揮できるようにとハジメによって改良が加えられたそれは、黒銀色に燦然と輝き出す。そして、「――〝回天の威吹〟」直後、大剣の切っ先から黒銀の雫が一滴、地上へと落ちていった。それは、地面から数メートルの高さでカッ! と光を爆ぜさせると戦場全体に黒銀の波紋を広げた。二重、三重と黒銀の波が連合軍の頭上を奔る。すると、次の瞬間、既に息絶えていたはずの連合軍兵士がパチリと目を覚ました。そして、不思議そうに身を起こすと斬られたはずの胸元をペタペタと触り、何ともないと知って更に首を傾げる。他にも、銀の羽で穿たれた者や属性魔法に殺られた者達が次々と起き上がった。そして、どうやら生きていて体の傷も治っているらしいと分かると、直ぐ様立ち上がり使徒と戦う仲間に加勢すべく駆け出していく。一度は死んだものだけではない。当然、生きていて手傷を負っている者達も瞬く間に傷を癒された。「なっ、蘇生させたっ!?」上空から、その様子を確認した使徒が無感情など嘘のように驚愕をあらわにする。魂魄再生複合魔法〝回天の威吹〟――魂魄魔法による味方の選別と霧散しかけている魂魄の集束・固定・定着を行い、かつ、再生魔法による回復を行う。流石に、頭部を欠損していたり、両断されて体がバラバラになっていたりするなど原型を止めていない場合や、死後十分以上経っている場合は効力が及ばないものの、黒銀の雫を中心に半径四キロ以内の味方に対し蘇生と完全治癒を行う大軍用回復魔法である。これだけでも冗談のような魔法だ。しかし、香織の本領発揮は未だ終わらない。逆手に持ち切っ先を下に向けた大剣とは別に、もう片方の大剣は胸の前で上に向けて真っ直ぐに構える。そして、その宣言と共に、構えた大剣が黒銀の輝きを纏い出した。それは銀河を呑み込まんとするブラックホールのようで、その見た目に反しない効果を発揮した。「っ、これは、力が抜けてっ」ただでさえ聖歌によってスペックが削られているというのに、更に力を削がれていくことに使徒が動揺をあらわにした。見れば、香織を中心に数百メートル以内の使徒全てから輝く光が漏れ出し、そのまま流星のように香織の大剣へと集っていく。そして、大剣に吸収された直後、香織の身から魔力が溢れ出した。消費した分の魔力を回復したどころか、更に多くの魔力を保有したようだ。それだけでなく、切っ先を下にした大剣を伝って、再び黒銀の雫が地上へ落ちた。先と同じく黒銀の波紋を広げる。すると、連合軍兵士達の動きが明らかに良くなった。動きのキレや力強さ、反応速度が上昇している。「あなた達の力、奪わせてもらったよ」「そんなこと......」「出来るよ。治癒師だもの。魔力を他者に譲渡するのも本分だからね。あなた達を捕捉するのに少し時間がかかっちゃったけど」言うは易く行うは難し、だ。魂魄昇華光属性複合魔法〝襲奪の聖装〟――魂魄魔法による標的の選別と、他者に魔力を移譲する光系魔法〝譲天〟に昇華魔法を行使した複合魔法だ。捕捉した相手から強制的に魔力を奪い自己の魔力を回復したり、それを味方の身体強化に流用したりすることも出来る。もちろん、昇華魔法を使ったとしても、ただの光属性魔法で使徒から触れもせずに魔力を奪うなど普通は出来ない。香織の魔法を助けているのは、その手に持つ双大剣だ。 ――廻禍の魔剣アニマ・エルンテ ――福音の聖剣ベル・レクシオン魔剣は敵対者の力を奪い己の糧とし、聖剣はその力を味方に分け与えて無限の力とする。二本で最大限の効果を発揮する、香織の〝襲奪の聖装〟と〝回天の威吹〟の行使を補助するための専用の魔剣と聖剣だ。「......それでも、それでも、あなた達は勝てません。我等使徒は無限にも等しい。どれだけ小細工を弄そうと、どれだけ足掻こうとも、最後には滅びる運命なのです。それが神の御意志なのですから」「人は滅びないよ。どんな世界でもきっと同じ。たった一人で、大した力もない男の子が奈落の底から這い上がって来たように、人は困難に呑み込まれても必ず活路を見出す。人はね、滅び方を知らないんだよ。生きたいと、誰かを守りたいと思う人が一人でもいる限り、その意志が〝運命〟なんてものを捩じ伏せてしまうから」視線を交わす使徒と香織。「......ならば、それを証明して見せて下さい」その言葉を合図に再び、激闘が再開された。使徒が集団で香織を襲い、香織はそれを駆逐する。連合軍が疲弊してきたと見れば回復させ、定期的に蘇生も行う。魔力が減れば使徒から奪い、時折、地上へ援護の砲撃も行う。他の場所でも、竜人達が獅子奮迅の活躍で使徒を抑え、地上でも各々が死に物狂いで戦い続けていた。一体、どれほど時間が経ったのか。赤黒い世界には既に太陽の影すらなく、時間の感覚がなくなりつつある。香織の回復魔法がなければ、とっくに連合軍は瓦解していたかもしれない。それほどまでに使徒の戦力はキリがなかった。それでも【神域】に踏み込んだハジメが、連合軍の兵士達にとっては〝女神の剣〟が、全てを終わらせてくれると信じて気力を振り絞る。既に、蘇生が間に合わず事切れてしまった兵士は多数だ。ジリジリと数の暴力に押されている感覚が連合軍を支配し始めていた。と、そのとき、ふと【神山】上空を見上げた兵士の一人がポツリと呟いた。「おい、なんだあれ......」その視線の先には、明らかに勢いを増している瘴気が地上へと伸びていく光景があった。直後、空間の亀裂から溢れ出ていたヘドロのような瘴気が、一気に勢いを増した。そして、そのまま崩壊した【神山】の上に落ち纏わり付くように要塞へ向かって流れ出した。瘴気の先が、王都があった場所を越えて要塞正面の草原へと触れる。まるで【神山】が崩壊したときに発生した粉塵のように、あるいは雪崩のように凄まじい勢いで迫るドス黒い瘴気。その瘴気の中に、次々と赤黒い光が出現した。直後、おびただしい数の咆哮が上がり、瘴気の奥から無数の魔物が飛び出して来た。どうやら、魔物の軍勢第二波のようだ。更に、亀裂からも一気に数千単位の使徒が飛び出してくる。「おいおい、ここに来て戦力増強かよ。上等......って言いてぇところだが......やべぇな」ガハルドが返り血と自身の血で真っ赤に染まりながら、苦虫を噛み潰したような表情になった。他の兵士達などは絶望したような表情になっている。間断なく襲いかかって来る使徒の相手でも一杯一杯だったというのに、ここに来て万単位の魔物の群れと数千規模の使徒――戦力拮抗状態が崩れかねない。「第一、第二師団は、正面集中! 勢いのまま突っ込まれて乱戦にさせるなっ! 食い止めるぞっ!」ガハルドの号令によって、即座に陣形が組まれていく。地響きが伝播し、大気が鳴動する。魔物共の進撃の音、咆哮の衝撃だ。背後に莫大な瘴気の雪崩を引き連れて溢れ出てくる魔物の大群に、ガハルドをしてじっとりとした汗が流れた。竜人も香織も、同じく溢れ出てきた使徒に釘付けにされている。異世界チート組も聖歌隊の守護に掛かりきりだ。目算で約一キロメートル。余りの迫力に連合軍兵士達の表情が引き攣る。ダメかもしれない。誰とも無しに、そんな雰囲気が流れそうなった、その瞬間、大地が消えた。魔物と共に。「――〝壊劫〟――〝壊劫〟」三度響いた女の声。それは、騒音で満ちた戦場においてもやたら明瞭に響き渡った。だが、その声よりも、ガハルド達にとっては目の前の光景こそが驚愕の原因。進軍していた魔物の先頭集団が揃って大地の底へと消えてしまったのだ。断末魔の悲鳴すら上げられずに。直後、やたらと響くが、やたらイラっと来る声音で、その原因が連合軍の前方の平原に開いたゲートからのっそりと姿を現した。「やほ~☆ ピンチになったら現れる、世界のアイドル、ミレディちゃん見参ッ! あはは~、最高のタイミングだったねぇ! 流石、わ・た・し♪ 空気の読める女! 連合のみんな~、惚れちゃダ・メ・だ・ぞ♡」巨大なゴーレムと、その肩に乗った乳白色のローブとニコちゃんマークの仮面を付けたちっこい人型。ふざけまくった姿のミレディは、巨大ゴーレムの肩から連合軍に「きゃるるん☆」といった感じでポーズを取りつつテヘペロっとした。どういう原理か、ニコちゃんマークの仮面がそうなったのだ。ガハルドを含め、連合軍の時が止まった。誰もが一様に、「なんだ、あれは」という純粋な疑問と同時に、言い様のないイラっとした表情をしている。そこへ、リリアーナから説明が入った。曰く、ハジメ達の呼んだ助っ人であり、言動のウザさはともかく、それなりに使えるということ。今まで何をしていたのか知らないが、ようやく到着したこと、などだ。「もうぅ~、みんな、ノリが悪いなぁ~。ちょっとダメかもしれない......とか無駄にシリアスしちゃってるみたいだったから盛り上げてあげようとしたのにぃ。ミレディちゃんの好意を無駄にするなんてぇ、ぷんぷん、激おこだぞ!」ガハルド達の苛立ちゲージが振り切れそうになる。だが、そんなふざけた態度を取りながらも、背後から迫る瘴気に片手を向けたミレディは、一言。瘴気の頭上に生まれた禍星は、直後、凄まじい勢いで瘴気を呑み込み始めた。その中には、瘴気に紛れていた魔物達の姿もある。「もうっ、ミレディちゃんの邪魔するなんて許せなぁ~い! お仕置きだぞぉ。――〝崩軛〟」ふざけた部分の声音と詠唱の声音とのギャップが凄まじい。詠唱の一瞬だけ、絶対零度の声音が響くのだ。その結果、先と異なり魔物達の足が一斉に地面を離れ、とんでもない勢いで空の彼方へと飛んでいった。重力は引力と遠心力の合力。故に、引力を切断して彼方へと飛ばしてしまったのだ。万単位の魔物が、たった一人に為す術なく蹂躙されている。大規模魔法の範囲から逃れた魔物達も、連合軍へ到達する前に飛び出した騎士ゴーレムと巨大ゴーレムによって次々と駆逐されていった。連合軍は、彼女が〝解放者〟の一人であるとは知らないが、それでもハジメが頼んだ助っ人であることを大いに納得した。同じく、化け物級である、と。地上からの魔物による進行は、ミレディとゴーレム、それを突破してきた魔物は連合軍でどうにでも出来ると僅かに安堵が広がった。だが、その安堵は直後に崩れることになった。先程から溢れ出ている使徒達が一塊になったのだ。その数は約千人。一本の槍のように隊列を組んだ千の使徒は、竜人や香織の攻撃など完全に無視して一直線に降下を始めた。当然、正面からも対空砲火がなされるが、花が散るように次々と脱落しながらも、その物量に頼って使徒達は躊躇うことなく突き進んだ。......聖歌隊に向かって。「ッ、行かせないっ!」『総員、あの使徒の群れを止めろっ!』香織とアドゥルが、必死の形相で、使徒で出来た大槍を打ち壊そうと全力を振り絞る。地上へ落下するまでに幾百人という使徒が吹き飛んだが、それでも完全に己の身をもって塊となった使徒の群れを完全に打ち壊すことは出来ず...... 「ダメッ、逃げてぇ!」その圧力に抗しきれなかった香織が弾き飛ばされながら悲鳴じみた絶叫を上げた。直後、使徒の大槍は、神が地上に放った神槍の如く銀の輝きを放ちながら聖歌隊の結界へと突き刺さった。そして、周囲の者が神槍をどうにかする前に、聖歌隊を守る結界はビキビキと亀裂を広げ......遂に、轟音と共に粉砕されてしまった。非力な聖歌隊のメンバーが、絶大な威力を前に儚く散っていく。この瞬間、使徒達を縛っていた楔が打ち壊された。神の使徒が、その能力を十全に発揮する。戦場に血風が吹き荒れた。あちこちで銀色の光が噴き上がり、その周辺で拮抗していた連合軍兵士達が、一瞬の内に肉塊へと成り果てていく。勇敢な雄叫びが、ただの悲鳴へと変わっていく。「一時凌ぎだけど――〝崩軛〟」ミレディが、背後の地獄絵図の様相を呈しつつある戦場に向かって重力から切り離す魔法を行使した。目標はわかりやすい。目立つ銀の魔力。それだけを選別する。直後、使徒達が一斉に上空へと吹き飛ばされた。錐揉みしながら一瞬で一キロメートル近く地上から離される。だが、能力を取り戻した強化状態の使徒達にとって、それは本当に一時凌ぎでしかなかった。直ぐに態勢を整える。そこへ神槍と化していた使徒達が集まった。それだけではない。まるで人類を絶望に誘うように、空間の亀裂から更におびただしい数の使徒が出現する。赤黒い空が星と見紛うほどの使徒で埋め尽くされた。そして、ちまちま戦うのはもう面倒だと言わんばかりに、神の使徒が討ち取られる屈辱も今は忘れようとでもいうかのように、ただ圧倒的な数の暴力に頼って、銀の魔力を集束し始める。大結界による防御はもうない。対空砲撃や狙撃は、確実に使徒達を撃ち落としている。竜人達も、香織も、集束に集中して動こうとしない使徒達を、羽虫を落とす勢いで駆逐する。しかし、使徒達は気にしない。矜持を置いて、損害を気にせず、ただ人類を滅ぼすためだけに滅びの光を集束する。破壊しても破壊しても、次々と補充されては集束に加わる使徒達の数が多すぎて、殲滅速度が間に合わない。今、銀の太陽を放たれれば、連合軍の被害は甚大なんてものでは済まない。訪れるのはどうしようもない〝人類の敗北〟だ。「させないっ、絶対にっ!」香織が決意で満ちた眼差しで上空を睨みつけながら、両手を掲げた。この事態を想定して、戦場の一定箇所に設置されたクリスタルが香織の意思に反応して光を発する。それらの光は互いの光点を線で結び合い、一つの巨大な魔法陣と化した。 ――香織専用大規模守護結界石〝シュッツエンゲル〟結界師ではない香織の結界魔法を、戦場全体を覆うほどの巨大魔法陣による補助によって大結界以上に大規模展開させるアーティファクトだ。「滅びなさい」「――〝不抜の聖絶〟ッッ!!」銀の太陽が放たれたのと、連合軍を覆うような超大規模障壁が展開されたのは同時。銀の槍と黒銀の防壁が衝突する。轟音。閃光。世界が、その二つに満たされる。「ぐっ、うぅうううううぁあああああああっ!!」香織の絶叫が迸った。彗星を受け止めでもしたかのような衝撃、押し潰さんとする圧力。黒銀の翼が明滅し、徐々に高度が落ちていく。黒銀の障壁は分解能力を付与された聖絶だ。故に、使徒の分解能力を相殺して、ただの砲撃に変える性質を持っている。だが、それでも、数千人規模の使徒によるフルパワーの砲撃は、単純な威力によって香織の結界に亀裂を生じさせた。香織はそれを、再生魔法で瞬時に再生して対抗していく。あっという間に流れ出していく魔力。歯を食いしばり必死に高度と障壁を保つ。使徒達は、それが神の使徒としての、せめてもの矜持だとでもいうのか、障壁を迂回して攻撃するようなことはなく、ただ、正面から打ち破ろうと次々に銀の砲撃を加えてくる。『総員、障壁を展開しろ! 彼女にだけ背負わせるなっ!』アドゥルの怒声が轟く。香織の背後に集まった竜人達が、それぞれ香織の障壁に重ねるようにして障壁を張っていく。「多少はマシになるはずだよ。――〝禍天〟」ミレディの重力魔法で、障壁に直撃している部分の砲撃が周囲の重力球に吹き散らされ威力を弱める。他にも地上から結界系の魔法を使える者達――リリアーナやクラスメイトを筆頭に、全員で障壁を展開して香織を援護した。結界系の魔法を使えない者達は、〝シュッツエンゲル〟のもう一つの効果、兵士達の魔力を香織へ譲渡するという効果により、自分達の魔力を香織へ送り出して必死に支える。数秒か、それとも数分か。永遠にも等しい轟音と閃光の世界は、遂に終わりを告げた。同時に障壁も霧散していく。「はぁはぁ、耐え、きった......」肩で息をしながら、数千人規模の分解砲撃を耐え切った香織。明らかに疲弊しているとわかる顔色だ。それは周囲の竜人も変わらない。魔力を振り絞った地上のリリアーナ達や連合軍兵士達も同じだった。全員が険しい表情となっている。それでも守りきったと、香織は笑いながら〝襲奪の聖装〟を発動しようとして...... 銀の太陽が、再び世界を照らし出した。「我等神の使徒は無限――そう言ったでしょう?」数だけでなく魔力も無限である。新たな銀の太陽を作り出しながら、睥睨する使徒の呟き。魔力の回復は間に合わない。もう一度撃たれては凌ぎきれない。香織だけでなく、空を見上げる連合軍の全員がそれを悟った。絶望が、諦観が、人々の胸中を満たす。銀の太陽が空から落ちてきた。終わり......誰もがそう思った。だが...... 香織は荒い息を吐いたまま、スっと両手を掲げた。諦めなど微塵もない強き眼差しで真っ直ぐに滅びの光を見据えたまま、魂に火をくべて、どこかにこびり付いている魔力の欠片まで掻き集めて―― 戦う意志を捨てない。諦めない。その姿が、いったい、連合軍の兵士達の内、どれだけの人々に見えただろうか。見えていたなら、きっと、その気高く美しい姿に涙したに違いない。直ぐ傍で、その勇姿を見て心震わせるアドゥル達のように。「一秒でもいい。生き残ってみせる!」一秒でも生き延びれば、そのとき、最愛のあの人が全てを終わらせてくれているかもしれない。いや、きっと終わらせてくれる。そう、信じている。だから、死の間際、コンマ数秒だって諦めはしない! 視界の全てが銀色に染まる。展開できた障壁は、玩具に見えるほど弱々しい。だが、一秒。次の瞬間、「......ふふっ、ほら、やっぱり!」香織が愛しさと無類の信頼で蕩けたような表情を浮かべる。その視線の先には、フッと霧散していく銀の光と、カクンッと力の抜けた使徒の群れ。直後、操り糸を失ったマリオネットのように、光のない眼差しを虚空に向けた使徒達がバラバラと地面へ落ちていった。『これは、いや、待て、あれはいったい......まさか、【神域】か?』アドゥルが、落ちていく使徒に困惑しながらも更なる異常事態に声を詰まらせた。その視線の先、そこには空間そのものが揺らぎ、まるで映像でも映しているかのように様々な光景が現れては消える異常な空があった。まるで、空の上に異なる世界がいくつもあって、今にも崩壊し落ちてこようとしているかのようだ。その有様は世界崩壊の序曲のようで、更に大気が鳴動を始めたことがその嫌な想像に拍車をかける。「ハジメくん、ユエ、皆......」香織は、感動も束の間、直ぐに心配そうな表情になった。見れば空間の亀裂も揺らいでおり、今にも消えてしまいそうだ。魔力の枯渇状態で、今にも飛びそうな意識を繋ぎ留めながら、それでも空間の揺らぎへと向かおうと黒銀の翼をはためかせる。その肩をグッと掴む者がいた。「彼等のことは任せて。みんなに愛されて幾星霜、このミレディちゃんに、ね☆」そう言って、ミレディ・ライセンは、口調に反して酷く優しげな声音で香織を止めたのだった。	The fortress, at the front area. There the apostles who were dropped down to the ground using gravity generation device ‘Gran Farensen’ were opening a fierce battle that was worthy to be called as mortal combat against the soldiers of the empire. “oOOOOOOOOO-” One of the empire’s soldiers raised a war cry while rushing at an apostle. The large sword of the apostle was elegantly swung while emitting silver light, with a slash the head of that empire soldier was lopped off. And then her returning sword lopped the head of the empire soldier at the opposite side. The soldier’s armor could defend against the disintegration ability for several hits before giving out, so the apostle was aiming at the part where there was no armor. “Damn it-, they are just too strong-! Our side is already breaking the limit twice already here-” “You monsters-! Just die already-” The specs of the apostles were already dropped by sixty percent, furthermore their movements were obstructed, in addition their side was fully equipped with age of god class artifacts, despite so the number of their allies that got defeated when facing an apostle was still overwhelmingly a lot. That fact caused the soldiers of the empire to hurl out abusive language. At that time when the soldiers were unconsciously getting cold feet from the apostles’ fierce attack, an angry yell that for some reason made a chill rushed through their spine and their groin tightened resounded. And then at the next instant, a fist that was like rock was swung furiously and pierced the back of the head of an apostle, the fist then pushed toward the ground without stopping――and it punched through. The one who appeared behind hanging over the apostle whose head was pulverized, was a giant of a man, his whole body was covered by the provided set of equipment and his appearance was no different from other soldiers. However, the soldiers didn’t even praise that man for defeating an apostle, instead for some reason they were drawing away. “Araaaan? What’s wrong everyone, are you all taking distance from moiiiii?” “Hiih, forgive me!” Thick lips and beastly eyes were peeking out from the opening of the helm. The man possessed inhuman level of muscle that was obvious even across the armor. Braided hair sprung out from the top of the helmet, a lovely pink ribbon was attached at the tip of the hair. That man who was a little bit strange was wriggling around while winking at the soldiers with feminine tone. It really was unavoidable for the soldiers to take even more distance while saying “Forgive me” reflexively. After all even an apostle who was about to charge exactly right now came to a stand still with a twitch... “NUURYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-” Even more throaty war cries resounded. When they looked, similar with the giant in front of their eyes――the monster nesting in the clothing shop at Brook city the shop manager Crystabel, an army of giants whose body was wrapped in so much muscle to the degree that made any onlooker wanted to say ‘you guys don’t actually need armor ain’t it?’ which was further equipped with similar set of equipment like everybody else was rampaging violently there. One giant was hugging an apostle from the front, and then without even any time to activate her disintegration ability the apostle was bear hugged until death, and then another giant moved to another apostle with an artistic pile driver that pulverized the head of the apostle. a feverish kiss from the giant, it was unclear whether it was for taking the aposlte by surprise or merely because of his tastes. While the apostle who received pile driver, perhaps because it was an irregular technique but the hugging direction was reversed from the usual pile driver, so the face of the apostle became exactly buried into the crotch of the giant in the end. “Playing with a doll cannot make me fired up at aaallll” The two giants who defeated two apostles also wriggled around while saying out such impressions with a feminine tone. The expressions of the two apostles who had been defeated and stopped functioning looked strangely teary eyed...but surely that was just their imagination. The bizarre squad that was formed as a commando unit――also known as the manly women squad. The women(?) snapped their neck around to look for their next prey, and when they had finished designating their respective prey, the apostles who were confronting other soldiers shivered simultaneously. And then their gaze swam around expressing their wariness, which caused several of them to be taken by surprise and defeated. They obstructed the movement of the apostles with mere (sticky) gaze and even forced the apostles to stiffen for an instant. That bizarre great contribution was decreasing the number of the apostles with certainty and backed up their allies. It backed up the ally...supposedly. While monsters of a different kind were rampaging violently in the battlefield, a fierce fighting was unfolding at a slightly distance place. One of the empire’s soldier readied the rifle he was provided with and fired in full-auto from middle range, nailing down an apostle in place. It was a hybrid weapon with excessive firepower that wasn’t influenced by the specs of the user. As expected even an apostle would have to be fixed in place if she defended against the swarm of flashes using her large sword. However, an apostle wouldn’t be finished just with that. As though giving a return gift, an atrocious bullet that wasn’t outdone even by the railgun flew out――it was a counterattack using silver feathers. The empire soldiers surrounding the apostle were mowed down. There were also people who barely endured using their defensive equipment or sword, but the low-level soldiers had their exposed flesh gouged out with certainty and their lives expired there. That sound of the bullet running out resounded. The empire soldier who was checking the apostle in place using his shooting was trying to reload the magazine in panic then. Not letting away that opening, the apostle was going to fire silver bombardment. Despair flashed on the face of the empire soldier. At that time, “ZEAAAAAAAAAAH!!” A loud scream of spirit that was clearly drawing a line compared to common soldier gushed out. A large sword swung down from a sword held overhead at the apostle who was going to fire a silver flash. The apostle looked annoyed while she lifted her large sword to block that attack... “――” The large sword that was swung down bent like a whip and its trajectory changed due to the holder’s arm, the vertical swing was transformed into a horizontal slash that made the apostle gazed in astonishment. And then, even when the apostle tried to defend but her movement was obstructed by the crimson light coiling around her and her neck got lopped off with her eyes still wide open. The man who finished off an apostle alone, was the emperor of the empire who was emitting off unbelievable aura of supremacy――Gahard D Hoelscher was showered in the blood of apostle while he turned at the soldiers who got cold feet from that apostle’s fierce attack and raised a loud voice that sounded like explosion. “You bastaards, don’t get cold feet-. Roar up! Fight until you turn into waste! This battlefield is a legend! All of you bastards are the spinner of the new legend! Do you want to get laughed by the guys in the future huh-!” This battle where the existential fate of the mankind was staked on――it was certainly a legend itself seen from the viewpoint of the future generation. They were all the actors on this grand stage that would be talked without end at the future. The soldiers of the empire and the mercenaries that were overflowing with ambition got roused up by those words. Fierceness lit up in their eyes, they blazed up with the desire to carve their existence in history! Gahard’s violent passion swept over the battlefield. “Imagine it. Whose figure is standing behind you bastards!? If you ***** get defeated, then that guy will die next-! Can you permit that? You cannot right!? Then blaze up your killing intent! Whether they are an apostle or whatever, who the hell cares, devote yourself to destroy all the enemyyy!” The soldiers of the kingdom and the adventurers looked back over their shoulder for a moment, right now, even in this moment their eyes were seething violently with killing intent toward the silver monsters wielding fierce might. For whose sake they were standing in this place. That was obvious. It was to protect their friend, their lover, their family! This was a battlefield, where defeat was unforgivable! At that time, the apostles who were offended by Gahard’s existence fired silver flashes at him all at once. “Shield-, form up!” Gahard immediately reacted. Just with that command, the imperial soldiers who had gathered around Gahard unnoticed combined their large shield and became the defensive wall for Gahard. The silver flashes were temporarily blocked with the special large shields that were also of Hajime made. “Attack-!” Gahard’s command surged once more. Different imperial guards that were standing by behind the large shields kneeled and fired their anti-material rifle from the gaps of the shields. The apostles who had just fired their silver flash were countered by the flying flashes which gouged their body and made them tumbled down. And then, the moment the silver flashes stopped coming, Gahard rushed toward another apostle and then using his ever-changing sword attack that warped like a whip from the natural stance he began an equal fight against an apostle. “Follow his majesty-” “Surround and kill them-. They are not an opponent we cannot win against!” “Don’t let these dolls doing whatever they pleased more than this-” With that as the trigger, the allied force’s fervor rose and they battled with the apostles using similar teamwork. The soldiers wouldn’t shrink away anymore no matter how many of them were killed, that mettle and resolve that believed they couldn’t be defeated was gradually excelling the specs of the apostles. In a corner of the fortress. There a man that had been closing his eyes from the battlefield all this time quietly opened his eyes. And then, with a powerful voice that while sounded solemn yet contained passion, he called at the commander Liliana. “Princess Liliana.” Just with those words, Liliana guessed what he wanted to say and judging that it was certainly the time she handed down the command. “Yes, Adol-dono. Now that the battle is moving toward a land war, it would be extremely bad if we get sniped from above the gravity barrier. ...Please show how the strength of the dragon race that rules over the sky will usurp the air superiority in front of all these people.” “Fufu-, acknowledged.” With solemn and powerful footsteps Adol went out to a terrace that continued toward the courtyard where they dragon race people were standing in a row. His brethren below him, roughly three hundred people were filled to the brim with fighting spirit and looked up straight toward their clan head Adol. “The persecution of five hundred years ago. There is no way for us to forget that. All of you who survived that time and made an oath for the vindication of our honor, and also all of you who were born since then lamenting all the irrationality while living in hiding...no need for even a drop of mercy or reservation-! Roar following your rage! The sky is our territory! Make all of them know that! All dragon race...we are departing-!” ” ” ” ” “OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” ” ” ” ” They all roared simultaneously. That was the signal of the revolt of the proud race who had endured the rage and humiliation for five hundred years until now. All of the dragon race rolled upwind while flying to the sky at the same time. The barrier of gravity was made undone with good timing by Liliana. The dragon race used that chance to rise to the sky, and then at the next instant they were all wrapped in light. And then, the figures that appeared then were the flock of dragon that was the conqueror of the sky. They flapped their wings majestically and their pupils that split vertically glared at the puppets of god. The dragons emitted unbelievable pressure from their body alone. Right now, all of the dragons were fully equipped with Hajime’s artifact, turning up their majestic appearance even further. Among those dragons, a majestic scarlet dragon that boasted a conspicuously huge body raised a roar along with an enormous pressure. Regardless of the distance of seven hundred meters that separated him from the ground, the rippling vibration of the air was also conveyed toward the allied force soldiers on the ground. Right after that, it was as though the roar just now was the signal for the opening of the battle, three hundred dragons fired their breath attack simultaneously. The flashes that each had their own color based on the element of their forte rushed at the apostles who were dancing in the sky with a haughty face as though they owned the place. The apostles wrapped their body with their silver wings and entered a defensive posture. However, the breath of the dragon race bit and tore those defenses and exterminated the apostles. {Hou, as expected from the spouse that Tio recognized. It’s astonishing for our strength to be raised up until this far.} Adol raised a pleased voice seeing his breath that was displaying a might that was ten-odd times the usual. Adol and others who were equipped with similar equipment like the armed black dragons had their specs raised up by the sublimation magic that was enchanted into their armor. Naturally there was also the effect from the cheatmate and the limit break artifact ‘Last Zell’. {Kuh, I won’t recognize him-! That kind of brat’s――} An indigo blue dragon――Ristas made a voice that sounded vexed somehow. But, he held back his tongue after seeing an apostle who rapidly closed in on him in the middle of his speech swinging her large sword, yet that sword was splendidly blocked by the armor on his body and instead the apostle got blown away by the shockwave that was released by the armor. Even though he wasn’t doing anything but the enemy got blown away. It felt like he got protected by Hajime that made his feeling to get really complicated. {Then, you can just try to steal her. After all, that man too had said that he will accept anyone’s challenge.} {Uguh} There was no way he could do that. He could clearly imagine how he would be instantly killed the moment he challenged Hajime. The tone of Adol’s voice carried a tinge of teasing somewhere in it. Ristas who was at disadvantage in this talk flapped his dragon wings and accelerated instantly to attack the apostles. It was like he was saying ‘I’m concentrating in defeating the apostles!’ The other dragon people were also smiling wryly at Ristas who was still young while beginning to wield their strength fully. As expected from the ruler of the sky. With their jumped up specs and maneuverable midair battle, and also the blessing of the age of god artifacts, the competed against the apostles in more than even battle. The conflict where the air superiority was put on the line entered into a mortal combat where dragon roars and silver flashes mixed all over just like a presentation of a space war in science fiction movie that was worthy of being in legend. The powerful roars of dragon resounded through the reddish black sky, the allied force that was on the ground raised their war-cry at that gallantness while their morale was rising. In a corner of the battlefield――at the position nearby the choir, there was a group that was clearly making a great contribution which drew a line from other soldiers and sacred knights at the area. “UOOOOOOOH!!” Along with a war cry a man made a step that split the ground and charged an apostle with a body blow――Nagayama Juugo the let his fist that was like a rock fell on the face of the apostle before she could do something. The special gauntlet artifact of Hajime transmitted impact into the internal and destroyed the inside. Whipped up flesh and blood flew out from the noble face of the apostle and dirtied Juugo’s cheek with blood splatter, but he only fixed back his stance in a calm state just like his taciturn appearance. An apostle vertically slashed her large sword from overhead stance toward that Juugo behind him. However, with a backstep Juugo slipped into the bosom of the opponent smoothly and like that he crashed the apostle on the ground with a splendid shoulder throw. The ground was smashed into a radial shape from the excessive might and formed a small crater. Juugo stepped on the neck of the apostle whose movement was obstructed for an instant from the impact and gave her the finishing blow. Juugo finished off two apostles in the blink of eye. Although the apostles were weakened and he himself was superhumanized, but the way he was fighting was splendid that made it clear that he had constantly trained without negligence. There, two additional apostles arrived that approached Juugo in a pincer attack. But, at that moment, “――Wind blowing from the bottom of the earth, dye the thing with life white――’White Majestic Breath’!!” White smoke rode with the wind and rushed through the air like a snake, it whirled and became a protective wall around Juugo. The two apostles that approached Juugo were slightly entangled by the white smoke, yet they used their silver wings and blew them away while withdrawing for once. The spectacle of the body part that was touched by the white smoke petrifying creakingly from the tip made the apostles showing an expression that seemed to want to say ‘how impudent’ while they attempted to use magic power of disintegration to unmade the curse. The caster that blew the white smoke of petrifaction――Nomura Kentaro waved a conductor stick artifact. Immediately the white smoke coiling around Juugo in protection parted into two trails and attacked the withdrawing two apostles. The apostles judged that it would be dangerous for them to get hit with that in their current state where their magic resistance was lowered so they attempted to withdraw further, but unnoticed the ground swelled up and bound their legs and their attempts didn’t bear any fruit. The apostles pitched forward from the sudden restrain. That became a fatal opening. At the next moment, the white smoke that Kentaro manipulated swallowed the two apostles whole. What were left later were only two artistic sculptures that were completely made from stone. Other than them, there were also Nakano Shinji and Saitou Yoshiki who had gotten back on their feet after Hiyama’s betrayal and Kondou’s death, they were unfolding a really great contribution with bloodcurdling look, while protecting the hole in their formation were Tamai Atsushi, Aikawa Noboru, Nimura Akito unfolding a fierce battle against the apostles without taking even a step back. They were all perfectly supported from behind by Sonobe Yuuka, Sugawara Taeko, Miyazaki Nana, Tsuji Ayako, and Yoshino Mao. The members of Ai-chan bodyguard squad were able to operate almost at the same level with Juugo’s party and Shinji and others who were already fighting at the front line since the very beginning were because since Hajime and others departed from the capital, they encouraged their heart thinking that at this rate they would be no good and so they performed extra hard training since then. Other than them, there were also the other students whose heart had been completely broken, even though they were unable to go as far as fighting directly, but with their abilities that had been heightened they were launching support magic from the rear, performing healing magic, using rifle or magic to add in laying out barrage, and so on. They too were desperately backing up the other’s battle. Every one of them had their broken heart to be lit up once more by Hajime’s speech at the devil king castle. If Hajime’s speech at that time were merely words, then the moment an apostle appeared before their eyes their heart would surely break again because it was only supported by paper thin words. However, everyone of them had seen Hajime. He lost one of his arms and one of his eyes, what he had gone through even changed the color of his hair, he was in a tattered state and even his beloved lover was taken away. The wailing that he raised because of his lover’s disappearance was something that caused them to feel pain in their heart. Even so, at the end he stood back up and proclaimed that he would crush everything and take her lover back. That appearance of him at that time was too powerful, burning their soul that were smoke-stained all this time. It wasn’t for the sake of the world or anything like that. It was merely a wish for returning home. A wish of not wanting to let their friend died. In order to grant just that much wish, they had to fight with everything they had leaving nothing to spare, finally they were convinced of that and they mustered their courage. For the front line group, this support that they received came from a group who even though their heart was once smoke stained but they were still a group of cheat holder from another world. As expected, even though the enemy was the apostles but with their specs lowered, taking on the classmate group who had been strengthened put them at disadvantage. Seeing the apostles being exterminated one after another, the allied force soldiers at the area raised their acclamation. But, at that time, one of the apostles that broke through the front line rapidly approached one of the girl student. “Hih!?” The female student reflexively screamed. But, at the next moment, the fear of death changed into shock. The head of the apostle flew up with a plop, the body that lost its strength slid in vain beside the girl student. Furthermore the apostles who were trying to surround the front line group had their necks reaped up in turn from the outside and their lives expired instantly. Regardless when they moved their gaze over there, other than the corpses of the headless apostles, there was nothing and no one there. One of the apostles turned her gaze around at the surrounding with a grim gaze toward this obviously strange situation. “Kuh, just where in the world the attack came fro-” “Right in front of you here! ******!” The apostle was startled that her murmur was replied right from the front and her gaze returned forward. In her eyes, the shadow of a kodachi being sucked toward her neck was reflected. And then that became the last view of that apostle. Cutting down the apostles who had the figure of a human female was a really great burden mentally. What became salvation was that all the apostles had the same appearances, their cold figure where no emotion could be felt made anyone that saw them felt that they were like a puppet. Coupled with the miserableness of having a shadow so thin that made even the worst enemy to show expression of “Eh? He is actually there!?”, the young man with the vocation of ‘Assassin’――Endo Kousuke was earning kill point that was the highest among his classmates while half giving in to despair. “As expected from you, Kousuke-! I don’t know where you are though!” “Aawesome, Kousuke! Though I don’t know where you are!” “Endo-kun do your beeest! Though I cannot see your figure doing your best!” “Eh, ah, I see, Endo-kun is also fighting! Thanks for helping ‘kay!” With a drop, something shining fell from Kousuke’s eyes. It appeared there was a rain falling down. If he said it was raining then it was raining. There, “Ufufu” a voice that was slightly filled with bewitching tone resounded. Kousuke who slipped inside a crowd peeking for an opening made by apostle felt something chilly in his spine before he turned his gaze over there. What he found there was a woman from rabbit race, she was giving a glance at Kousuke. “You, your presence management is really skilled. Perhaps even I am no match against that.” “He, ah, is that, so?” The rabbit ear female smiled widely toward the perplexed Endo. Kousuke’s cheek unconsciously turned red from seeing that smile. In the first place, the rabbit race who was the greatest popularity as treasured slave in general had well-arranged face and figure. The female who was talking at Kousuke right now was also an amazing beauty. Having such a beauty, added with her lovely rabbit ears on her head smiling at him, the virgin young man with the history of having no girlfriend was equal with his age had his heartbeat increasing without stopping. Although there was also the fact that he was feeling stimulation from being in a battlefield right now. But, that violent throbbing in his chest that felt similar from heart fluttering was immediately supplanted by a cramping face. “My name is Ranainferna Hauria of Rapid Shadow. I rushed like a gale, sneak up like a shadow, and presented a single lethal attack, one of the stealthy hand of Hauria race!” “...I, is that so.” “But, when I saw you, I became embarrassed to introduce myself with that nickname. That’s why, it’s vexing but I’ll hand over the nickname of ‘Rapid Shadow’ to you. Your name?” “...Endo, Kousuke.” Kousuke was unable to say that what was embarrassing was actually introducing one’s own nickname. If he was asked ‘do you like a beautiful Onee-san?’, then Kousuke’s answer was decided already. “Then, from today you are ‘Rapid Shadow’...no, you have surpassed me so...you can introduce yourself as ‘Kousuke E Abyssgate of Rapid Fang Shadow Claw’ then! It’s vexing for me though!” “Well then, so that both of us won’t die, let’s reap the enemy’s neck with our all♪ See you! Kousuke E Abyssgate of Rapid Fang Shadow Claw!” “...” Kousuke already wanted very much to give a retort like ‘how can you say something like “let’s reap their neck♪” with such a lovely smile’ or ‘just where did this abyssgate something came from’, but the most shocking thing for Kousuke was that Rana had discovered him when he already even used his skill to kill his presence. She had discovered him. And then, ――Do you like beautiful Onee-san, with rabbit ears on their head? “Kousuke E Abyssgate of Rapid Fang Shadow Claw, has arrived!” It seemed that a love that budded in battlefield really existed. The claw and fangs of Kousuke began to become even more well-executed, it was to the degree that anyone who knew him might suspect that he had received some kind of other strengthening. He went on to take the head of all the apostles. (TN: Here the writing of Kousuke’s name changed, from the normal kanji of Kousuke into the katakana of Kousuke E Abyssgate) On the other hand, nearby such classmates there was one other person who was making a strikingly great contribution. It was Aiko. At the rear, she kept glancing at ‘You Can Do It-, Agitator! Compilation of Lovely Speech Learned Case by Case’ that was handwritten by Hajime while in a certain interval she encouraged the allied force so that their moral wouldn’t plummet using words that the classmates felt like they had heard from somewhere. She was also raising her voice for the sake of her own battle. “I command in the name of Hatayama Aiko! O transient life, stand up once more and destroy the enemy!” Right after she said that, several of the apostles that should have been defeated already were standing up in a swaying motion. And then, they attacked the apostles who were supposed to be their ally with a force that looked as though they had recovered their original unrestrained spec. That was the effect of Aiko’s soul magic. She reproduced a pseudo-soul from her own soul and manipulated it to possess the flesh of the apostles. This magic combined ‘Soul Reproduction’ that created a transient soul and ‘Necromancy’ of darkness magic. Aiko whose vocation as ‘Farming Master’ was the only non-combat vocation among the classmates if Hajime was excluded, became aware of her own powerlessness, since Hajime departed on his journey she became strongly conscious of looking for a way of fighting for the sake of protecting her students. There she thought hard of how to make use of the soul magic that was her only advantage, and the result that she reached was this magic. It was really ironic that what gave her the hint was the betrayer Eri’s necromancy and soul bind, the aspect where this magic was making use of corpses also caused a fierce conflict in her heart, still Aiko took the plunge in developing this magic. That time at the sky above the God Mountain, she had already stopped staying at a clean place while only making her students dirtying their hand. Besides, “Until he return, we absolutely won’t lose-!” Yes, for the sake of the man who she gave her heart to despite understanding that such relationship must not happen, she absolutely wouldn’t lose. Because she wanted to meet him, one more time. “Ahahah, good grief Ai-chan, her motivation of hiding it already dropped to zero isn’t it?” “If Ai-chan mentioned ‘he’, then there is also one person it can possibly be isn’t it.” Sonobe Yuuka and Miyazaki Nana grinned a bit at each other while glancing at Aiko. “Nagumo-kun is seriously a demon king. It should be impossible to even make one’s own teacher to fall for her student.” “There are also several girls in class that look like they fell already...a real harem is formed right in front of our eyes, what a sight. Well, exactly because of that they can think of something like ‘me too’ though.” “Normally just by looking at his relation with that child named Yue, anyone would draw back already. Like, when you see a girl that is too earnest toward a boy, you will give up then, something like that. I wonder if this is also the attraction of the demon king. We too have to be careful, if not we are going to get charmed inadvertently too.” “Isn’t that righttt” This time the two of them smiled wryly. And then, they looked up to the sky together. There, they could see the figure of their female classmate who had earned the most kill point in this battlefield. She rushed through the sky freely, using two large swords, or black silver flash, or black silver feathers, or magic, she used them all depending on the situation to overwhelm the apostles. Four jet black wings mixed with silver radiance spread on her back and dress armor with black tone covering her body. Her hair that was fluttering from the caressing of wind was also black. That figure with an appearance that was worthy as a fallen angel which was slaughtering the apostles who looked like angel, no matter how anyone looked at it that person should be called as a general of a demon king. Despite so, the angel side was the force that was trying to devastate the mankind, and the fallen angel one was the force trying to protect the mankind, it was really an ironic story. That rampaging fallen angel which was Kaori was clad in silver black light while moving with a speed that left afterimages trailing behind, right now she was cutting down one more apostle. Two apostles who aimed at that moment swung their large sword horizontally. Kaori blocked those using her twin large swords and black silver wings and then she rotated with fierce momentum. Immediately the two apostles were repelled away and their lives came to an end when black silver feathers pierced their forehead without delay. Just how many apostles had she slaughtered with the addition of those two Kaori wondered. “There is no end to this...” Kaori complained like that unconsciously. “Then, give up and fall.” The one who replied was an apostle. When Kaori noticed, she was completely surrounded in a sphere shape, she was literally buried from all directions without any opening left. And then, at the next moment silver flashes were fired. The apostles ignored the possibility of friendly fire against their compatriots in front of them and fired simultaneously without any reservation or mercy, they all aimed at the center of the formed sphere encirclement and fired. However, Kaori was unshaken. “I don’t know any words like giving up you know?” Kaori made such frivolous talk before attempted to make a breakthrough from the front in a straight line. She used her twin swords as a shield and charged to the torrent of light. The apostle whose gaze met Kaori’s was convinced that Kaori would break through and she readied her twin large swords. Right after that, Kaori whose whole body was smoking came through, regardless of her state the glint of her eyes didn’t weaken even by a little bit and she approached the apostle rapidly with fierce momentum. And then, she shot out black silver feathers, aiming accurately at spots like shoulder or ankle in a dirty method. Similarly the apostle fired her silver feathers in the attempt to offset the attack. However at that moment chain of light stretched out from below her feet and constricted the apostle’s movement for an instant. The restrain was immediately disintegrated and dispersed, but that was enough. The black silver feathers caught the body of the apostle and broke her posture greatly. Kaori arrived at that timing. She drew back the large sword on her hand to the limit, and in an instant, she dealt a stab in god speed. The sound of fellow large swords scraping at each other resounded, but in the end Kaori also had the momentum of her charge which the apostle was unable to neutralize, like that she was then skewered by Kaori’s large sword. But, it seemed that it was still within the apostle’s expectation. The handle of the skewered sword――the hand of Kaori that grasped there was gripped tightly and the apostle restricted Kaori’s movement. There silver feathers rushed in. The attack intended to bury the apostle together with Kaori. “Even though she is your comrade but you all treat her too lightly.” Kaori who whispered that while making an exasperated expression prioritized at giving the finishing blow to the apostle before her eyes without feeling concern against the rushing silver feathers. The eyes of the apostle opened wide slightly. Although currently their specs were limited, but their disintegration ability was still working in full. Because Kaori had the same flesh with the apostles she would be able to resist the disintegration if she activated the same ability, but even so she would still be overwhelmed by the amount of attack and bore damage to the degree that couldn’t be ignored. Kaori herself should also understand that. Despite so, just why...that was what the apostle pondered. Right after that, the body of the apostle was bisected by Kaori’s sword, almost at the same time Kaori was swallowed by many silver feathers. “She is supposedly able to trace our experience but...after all she is just an imitation in the first place. What a foolish act.” The words that one of the apostles who fired the silver feathers whispered were immediately replied to. The eyes of the apostle narrowed quietly from hearing that voice which didn’t sound uneasy or agitated at all. Ahead of the apostle gaze, she could see the figure of a wounded Kaori at the spot where the silver feathers were fired at. As expected, she could be damaged but she was merely putting up a brave front. The apostle who made that judgment deployed innumerable silver feathers to deal the finishing blow wordlessly. The other apostles were also deploying their feathers at the same time, so Kaori who was at the center of the attacks looked like she was drowning in a sea of stars. But, just before those silver feathers could be fired the apostles reflexively stopped their movement completely. The reason was because the wounds of Kaori were healed in the blink of eye before their gaze. With speed and vividness that resembled Yue’s ‘Automatic Regeneration’, even the wounds that were pierced by a silver feather or the gaping open hole returned to their former unblemished state, not only that even her clothing returned to as good as new. The apostles couldn’t see her using magic. Apostle body also wasn’t provided with a function of automatic regeneration. The bewildered apostles gazed fixedly at Kaori――and they noticed, behind the forelock that was swept by the wind, on Kaori’s forehead, there was a cross crest shining silver black that was carved there. “That is...” “‘Holy Crest of the Fallen’――this is my magic. I used this before the opening of the battle. It’s not as great as Yue’s regeneration, however even if I’m wounded it will activate by itself and heal me, really a convenient magic.” Metamorphosis and regeneration composite magic ‘Holy Crest of the Fallen’――by carving a cross that shouldered the role of a magic circle on a part of the body, this magic would activate regeneration magic in a prescribed time. This magic could even be called as a powerful version of auto-regen. Furthermore, by using metamorphosis magic the holy crest that was like a tattoo could be erased. “...However, if we continue to fire saturation attack, sooner or later the damage should surpass the healing. Your magic power is also not unlimited.” Hearing Kaori’s words, an apostle intentionally said out words to pull herself together. It was unclear whether the apostle was trying to persuade herself with those words or if she was seriously thinking so... Kaori made a fearless smile. It was a provocative smile that was something Kaori from before would never make by any means. The influence that she received from a demon king somewhere or his wife was keenly conveyed through that action. “You have two misunderstandings there.” “...What?” Kaori’s atmosphere made the apostle asked back with her greatest possible vigilance. Toward such apostle, Kaori prepared her twin swords and spread her two pairs of wings widely while leaking out her words in a small volume. “First――” “――!?” At the next moment, Kaori’s figure vanished and appeared right behind the apostle. She was in the stance of swinging out her sword. “If I will it, then I am able to avoid any kind of saturation attack.” “To, too, fast――” While the other apostles surrounding them were bewildered, the apostle who Kaori conversed with until just now was gazing in astonishment with half her body sliding down diagonally and blood spraying everywhere. Kaori swept her large sword to shake off the clotted blood, the apostles who witnessed that returned to their senses and fired simultaneously. But, “――’God Speed’.” Kaori’s figure had already gone by the time they fired, at the next instant two apostles were bisected and fell toward the ground. Even when the apostles moved their gaze to that spot in shock, just as expected Kaori’s figure was already gone by the time they looked, and another apostle at a different place was bisected again. “Spa, space teleportation?” One apostle raised a questioning voice. But, right after that, she felt the wind gently stroking her body and a diagonal split appeared in her field of vision. Like that her consciousness fell into darkness then. “No way that’s true. I am not in possession of space magic just so you know. This is merely me moving at high speed.” “Nonsense-. Something like a speed that we cannot detect is just-” “I can produce such speed. More accurately I am merely shortening the time though?” Saying that, the apostle who talked with a shrill voice from shock was instantly cut apart by Kaori. Regeneration magic ‘God Speed’――a magic that shortened the time affecting every single event. If the time for an attack to reach an opponent was shortened then it would become a god speed attack, if the time for traveling was shortened then it would be possible to move with a speed that could be mistaken as teleportation. If the root of regeneration magic was traced back then it was a magic that interfered with time. It was merely that the usefulness of this magic stopped at ‘regeneration’ as the limit if used on the human body. Since Kaori obtained this magic from Meljine, she had trained in it all this time until now. It was the first age of god magic that she obtained and something that fitted her perfectly who had the role as healer, so her attachment to this magic was also especially all the more. As the result, just like her success in creating the hour crystal, Kaori also became able to directly interfere with time although within a limit, her possession of the body of an apostle was also a factor in her mastery of this magic. Of course there was also demerit, this magic consumed a vast amount of magic power for every single use. That was the reason why Kaori didn’t immediately use it right after the battle started... Seeing her brethren got exterminated one after another by an overwhelming speed that they were powerless to do anything against, an apostle changed the aim of her argument. Perhaps it was also her scheme to make Kaori got agitated even just by a little. “Indeed, you are strong. As to be expected from someone who serves that irregular. However, a war is not something that can be influenced by an individual.” “What do you want to say?” “Look at the surface. Even while you are facing all of us, the people are dying continuously. It seems there are also places that are putting a good fight, but in the end they are humans after all. They cannot avoid the accumulation of fatigue and damage. Before long they too will be reduced into mere corpses.” “We are still arriving here from the Holy Precincts you know? There is nothing that you can protect. Everything, is just a pointless struggle.” Kaori stopped moving and looked back at the talking apostle quietly. And then, she gently smiled at the apostle who was pointing the point of her sword at her while proclaiming mankind’s death and opened her mouth. “Your second misunderstanding. Something like the amount of damage, or something like the amount of magic power...just who are you saying that to?” “What are...” “Even if my body has changed, I am ‘Shirasaki Kaori’. I possess the vocation ‘Healing Master’, and I am the ‘healer’ of the demon king(Hajime-kun)’s party you know?” Saying that, Kaori held her large sword in reverse grip and pointed the tip to the surface. That sword which had been added with improvement by Hajime so that Kaori could go all out in exhibiting her ability as ‘Healing Master’ shined brilliantly in black silver color. And then, “――’Mighty Breath of Heaven Turning’.” Right after that, a single black silver drop fell toward the ground from the tip of the large sword. with light exploding from it that spread a ripple of black silver through the whole battlefield. Two layers, three layers, the black silver waves surged above the allied force. Then, at the next moment a soldier of the allied force that should have died already opened his eyes with a snap. And then he raised his body with a bewildered look and touched all over his chest that should have been slashed open, when he realized there was no injury there he tilted his head further. There were also others, people who were gouged out by silver feathers or killed by elemental magic woke up one after another. And then when they understood that their body was somehow alive with their wound healed, they immediately stood up and rushed forward in order to assist their comrades who were fighting the apostles. Not only the people who had died, naturally even the people who were still alive but got wounded were also healed in the blink of eye. “Wha-, they are revived-!?” From above, the apostle who confirmed that situation exposed her shock as though the claim of the apostles that they were emotionless was just a lie. Soul and regeneration composite magic ‘Mighty Breath of Heaven Turning’――this magic picked out which were the allies using soul magic and carried out convergence-fixing-attachment of the souls that were in the process of dispersing, moreover it performed healing using regeneration magic. As expected, in the case where the corpse didn’t maintain their original shape like being bisected until the body become in pieces or the head was gone, or the time of death had gone past ten minutes, the effect of this magic wouldn’t work on the corpse that was in those states, but other than those cases all the allies inside the radius of four kilometers with the black silver drop as the center would have revival and healing performed on them by this army use recovery magic. Even with just those properties, this magic was already like a joke. However, the show of Kaori’s true ability didn’t stop just there. Different from the large sword that was held in reverse grip its tip pointing below, the other large sword was held in front of Kaori’s chest with its tip pointed straight above. And then, along with that proclamation, the readied large sword became clad in silver black radiance. It was like a black hole that swallowed the galaxy, and it exhibited a result that didn’t contradict that appearance. “ts, this is, my strength is leaving-” Even though they were already had their specs shaved off by the choir right now, but right now when they felt that their strength was shaved off even further the apostles showed their agitation. Looking carefully, radiant lights were leaking out from all the apostles in the range of several hundred meters around Kaori, and then those lights converged toward the large sword Kaori held like a meteor shower. And then, right after the lights were absorbed by the large sword, magic power was overflowing from Kaori’s body. Not only her consumed magic power recovered, it even looked that the magic power she possessed grew a lot more. Not only that, through the tip of the large sword facing the ground, a silver black drop fell to the ground once more. Silver black ripples were spreading below once more like before. And the result, the movement of the allied force soldiers was obviously becoming better. The sharpness and power of their movement, and also their reaction speed were increasing. “I just stole the strength of all of you.” “Such thing...” “It’s possible as you can see. I am a healing master. Transferring magic power to other people is also our role. Though it takes a bit of time to seize the magic power of you all.” Saying that was easy but to actually do it was another matter altogether. Soul and light element composite magic ‘Divine Binding of Layered Usurpation’――this composite magic designated its target using soul magic, and then it used sublimation magic to light element magic ‘Divine Transfer’ in order to transfer magic power to other people. It plundered the magic power of the seized opponent forcefully to recover one’s own magic power, and then that magic could also be reused for things like ally’s strengthening and so on. Of course, normally even using sublimation magic stealing magic power from apostle without even touching them was impossible. What was helping Kaori in using this magic was the twin large swords her hands were holding. ――Demon Sword of Circle Calamity Anima Erunte ――Holy Sword of Gospel Bel Rexion The demon sword plundered the power of the opponent and turned it into its food, while the holy sword made that power into unlimited power to share with the ally. These two swords exhibited their maximum strength when they were used together, a demon sword and a holy sword that exclusively assisted Kaori in her use of ‘Mighty Breath of Heaven Turning’ and ‘Divine Binding of Layered Usurpation’. “...Even so, even so, all of you cannot win. We the apostles are infinite. No matter how many little tricks you all play, no matter how much you all struggle, in the end only the destiny of ruin awaits you all. Because that is the great will of the god.” “Human won’t perish. Surely it will be the same result no matter what kind of world it is. Just like how a boy without any considerable strength crawled up from the bottom of the abyss by himself, even when human is swallowed by difficulty, they will surely find out their path to survival. You see, human just doesn’t know how to perish. As long as there is just one person who wishes to live, wishing to protect someone, their determination will force something like a mere ‘destiny’ to yield.” The gaze of the apostle and Kaori crossed. “...Then, please show me the proof of that.” With those words as the signal, the fierce battle was restarted once more. The apostles attacked Kaori in a group, and Kaori exterminated them who attacked her. If she saw the allied force became exhausted she would heal them, in a certain interval she would perform revival. When her magic power decreased she would steal from the apostles, sometimes she would carry out support bombing toward the surface. At the other places too, the dragon race people were holding back the apostles with fierce efforts, on the surface too every single person were continuing to fight to the death. It was unclear just how much time had passed. Even the shadow of the sun had already gone from the reddish black world, the people was gradually losing their sensation of time. If they didn’t have Kaori’s healing magic, perhaps the allied force would collapse already since a long time ago. That was just how endless the force of the apostle was. Even so the allied force soldiers believed that Hajime, the ‘Sword of Goddess’ who stepped into the Holy Precincts would bring an end to this for them, with that belief they mustered their willpower. There was already a lot of soldiers who met their end because the revival didn’t make it in time. Gradually the sensation of being pushed back by the violence of number began to rule over the allied force. But, at that time, suddenly one soldier who looked up at the sky above God Mountain whispered with small volume. “Oi, what the hell is that...” Ahead of that soldier’s gaze, there was the scene of the miasma reaching toward the surface with an obviously growing momentum. Right after that, the muddy miasma overflowing from the crack of space increased in force all of a sudden. And then, the miasma fell and covered all over the surface of the collapsed God Mountain, without stopping the miasma flowed and headed toward the fortress. Ahead of the miasma there was the capital, it passed through and touched the grass plain in front of the fortress. Just like the dust cloud that was produced when God Mountain crumbled, the black miasma approached them with a terrific force like an avalanche. Reddish black lights were materialized in succession inside that miasma. Right after that, a great number of roar rose and countless monsters leaped out from inside the miasma. It seemed that it was the second wave of the monster army. Furthermore, several thousand apostles also flew out all at once from the crack in space. “Oi oi, a battle force augmentation after this far. Bring it on...this is a time to say something like that but...this is really bad huh.” With a body that was dyed bright red from the blood spurt of the enemy, Gahard’s expression turned like someone who just had bitten a bitter bug. Not to mention the other soldiers, their expression were turning into despair. Even though it was already absolutely the limit facing the apostles who were assaulting them without any pause, but after this long, tens of thousands of monsters swarm and several thousands of apostles were coming again――perhaps this deadlocked state would crumble for the worse like this. “First and second division, concentrate at the front! Don’t let the monsters ride the momentum and charge into melee battle-! Stop them in place-!” A formation was immediately formed by Gahard’s command. The earthquake was spreading, the air was rumbling. The sound of the monsters charge and the roars’ shockwave were getting closer. Looking at the overflowing large swarm of monsters while taking along an avalanche of enormous miasma behind them, damp sweating was flowing all over Gahard’s body. The dragons and Kaori were also held back in place by the similarly overflowing apostles. The cheat group from another world was also having their hands full with protecting the choir squad. The distance was approximately one kilometer. The expressions of the allied force soldiers were convulsing from the excessive pressure. Perhaps this is hopeless. Unintentionally anyone was giving off that atmosphere. It was at that moment, The ground vanished. Along with the monsters. “――’Kalpa of Destruction’――’Kalpa of Destruction’.” A voice of a woman resounded thrice. That voice resounded with clarity even at the battlefield which was filled to the brim with noises. But, rather than that voice, Gahard and others were shocked even more by the spectacle happening before their eyes. The leading pack of the advancing monsters was completely vanishing into the bottom of the earth altogether. They were unable to even raise the scream of death agony. Right after that, the voice that excessively reverberated and excessively irritated the listeners, the cause of this phenomenon showed her appearance sluggishly from a gate that opened at the plain in front of the allied force. “Yahoooo☆ Appearing when the situation is in a pinch, the world idol, Miledy-chan has arrived-! Ahahaaa, isn’t this the greatest timiiing! Just-as-ex-pec-ted, me♪ A woman that can read the mood! Everyone of the allianceee, falling in love with me is-no-good-y’know♡” What appeared was a giant golem, and a really tiny humanoid wearing a smiley mask, clad in a milky white robe riding on its shoulder. Miledy’s appearance that looked like she was screwing around a lot was taking a pose that felt like ‘Kyarurun☆’ toward the allied force army from the giant golem’s shoulder while making ‘tehehe-pero’ expression. The smiley face mask was somehow looking like that by some unknown mechanism. (TN: Tehehe pero. Imagine winking while chuckling tehehe and the person’s tongue sticking out.) Including Gahard’s, the time of the allied force army was stopped. Everyone without exception was having a genuine confusion of “Just what in the world is that” while at the same time their expression was turning into an indescribable irritation. There an explanation came from Liliana toward the allied force. According to her, this person was a helper that Hajime and others called for, putting aside her annoying speech and conduct, this person was really quite useful. It was unknown what she had been doing until now, but she finally arrived right now, something like that. “Geeezzz, everyone, what a tough crowd all of youuuuu. ‘Perhaps this is hopeless’...you all seemed to act pointlessly serious like that so I tried to enliven this placeee. Yet now you all are making Miledy-chan’s good will to go to wasteee, hmph hmph, Miledy-chan is extremely angry here!” The irritation gauge of Gahard and everyone else almost exploded with that. But, even while acting screwing off like that, Miledy pointed one of her hands at the approaching miasma behind and said a word. The star of catastrophe created above the miasma immediately began to swallow the miasma with outrageous force. There was also the figures of monsters that were mixed inside the miasma there. “Geeez-, daring to be a nuisance of Miledy-chan is something uuuunforgivable! Punishment timeee. ――’Demolish Yoke’.” The gap between her screwing around voice and her chanting voice was absurd. A voice of absolute zero resounded only in that instant of chanting. The result from that was different from before, the feet of the monsters left the ground all at once and they flew beyond the sky with a preposterous momentum. Gravity was the resultant force from gravitational pull and centrifugal force. Therefore, those who had their gravitational pull severed would be flown away to the beyond. The ten of thousand monsters were curbstomped by a lone person while helpless to do anything. Even the monsters who escaped the range of the large scale magic were exterminated by the rushing giant golems and knight golems one after another before the monsters could reach the allied force. The allied force didn’t know that this person was one of the ‘liberator’, but even so they greatly comprehended that this was a helper that Hajime relied on. That this person was similarly a monster class character. The advance of the monster of the ground was managed by Miledy and her golems, and then the monsters who broke through that was somehow managed by the allied force, like that relieve was slightly spreading among the soldiers. But, that relieve was immediately crumbling right after. The apostles who overflowed from the crack in space before this gathered into a single cluster. Their number was approximately a thousand. The thousand apostle that formed their ranks like a single spear completely ignored the attack of Kaori or the dragons and began to descend in a straight line. Naturally, anti-air artillery was also fired from the surface, but even while the apostles were falling one after another like scattered flowers, they relied on their number and kept advancing without hesitation. ...They were heading toward the choir. “tsk, I won’t let you-!” {All hands, stop that apostle swarm-!} With desperate look Kaori and Adol exerted all their strength to crush the large spear made from apostles. Several hundred apostles were blown away in their descend to the ground, but even so the swarm of apostles that completely became a single cluster couldn’t be broken up completely... “No good-, run awaaay!” Kaori who was unable to oppose that pressure raised a scream while getting blown away. Right after that, the large spear of apostles was emitting silver radiance like a divine spear that was thrown by god while stabbing at the barrier of the choir squad. And then, before the people in the area could do something about the divine spear, cracks were spreading on the barrier that was protecting the choir squad...finally, the barrier was completely pulverized along with a thunderous sound. The powerless members of the choir squad were vainly scattered to death before that tremendous might. At this moment, the wedge that bound the apostles was broken. The apostles of god exerted their ability in full. Bloody wind was sweeping over the battlefield. Here and there silver lights were bursting up, the allied force soldiers that were making their resistance in those areas were instantly turned into a lump of meat in an instant. Their heroic war cry was turning into a mere scream. “This is only a stopgap measure but――’Demolish Yoke’.” Miledy was maintaining the picture of hell behind her while exercising the magic that cut loose the target from gravity toward the battlefield. The targets were easy to understand. The conspicuous silver magic power. She was only selecting those as her target. Right after that, the apostles were simultaneously blown away to the sky. They were spinning while pulled until the distance of a kilometer from the ground instantly. But, for the apostles in the strengthened state who had recovered their specs, this magic was really nothing but a temporary measure against them. They immediately fixed their posture. There the apostles who turned into the divine spear gathered. They didn’t stop there. As though to invite despair for mankind, a great number of apostles were coming out further from the crack in space. The reddish black sky was filled to the brim with apostles to the degree that they could be mistaken as stars in the sky. And then, the apostles of god, as though to declare that fighting bit by bit was troublesome already, it even seemed to say that right now they would forget all the humiliation of the apostles of god being killed, they would merely rely on the overwhelming violence of number and began to focus their silver magic power. The protection by the great barrier was already gone. The anti-air artillery and sniping attacks were shooting down the apostles with certainty. The dragons and Kaori were also exterminating the apostles who weren’t moving because of their concentration in focusing their magic power and they were falling like flies from the sky. However, the apostles didn’t pay them any heed. They abandoned their dignity, they didn’t give any care of the damage done to them, they were merely focusing a light of destruction for the sake of destroying the mankind. No matter how many of them were killed and killed, the apostles’ number were replenished one after another, their number that was focusing their magic power was just too many that the rate of the allied force annihilating the apostles couldn’t catch up. Right now, if the silver sun was fired, the result wouldn’t end with merely tremendous damage toward the allied force. The result that arrived would be ‘the defeat of mankind’. “I won’t let you, absolutely-!” Kaori glared at the sky with a gaze filled with determination while lifting both her hands above. In anticipation of this situation, the crystals that were placed in certain places on this battlefield reacted to Kaori’s will. Those lights connected to each other with lines of light and formed a single enormous magic circle. ――Kaori’s exclusive use Large scale protection barrier stone ‘Shutzengel’ This artifact assisted the barrier magic of Kaori who wasn’t a barrier master to deploy a large-scale barrier that was even more powerful than the great barrier using an enormous magic circle that covered the whole battlefield. “Perish.” “――’Indomitable Holy Severance’–!!” When the silver sun was fired, a super large scale protection wall covering the allied force was deployed at the same time. The silver spear and the black silver barrier collided. Thunderous roar. Flash. The world was filled with those two things. “Guh, UuuUUUUUaAAAAAAAAAAAAA-!!” Kaori’s scream burst out. The impact felt like she was stopping a comet in its track, the pressure felt like it was crushing her. Her black silver wings were flickering, her altitude was gradually dropping. The black silver barrier was Holy Severance that was enchanted with disintegration ability. Therefore it neutralized the apostles’ disintegration ability and changed the attack’s nature into mere bombardment. But, even so it was a full power bombardment formed from several thousand apostles, it caused cracks to form on Kaori’s barrier by pure might. Kaori was resisting that using regeneration magic that instantly restored the barrier. Her magic power was flowing out from here in the blink of eye. Kaori gritted her teeth while maintaining her altitude and the barrier desperately. The apostles didn’t circle behind the barrier to attack from the rear, perhaps it was because of their minimum dignity as apostles of god, they were merely adding to the silver bombardment continuously to smash the resistance from the front. {All hands, deploy barrier! Don’t let that girl shouldering this alone-!} Adol’s angry voice roared. The dragons gathering behind Kaori laid out their barriers one after another to layer with Kaori’s. “This should lighten up the burden more or less. ――’Calamity Sky’.” Miledy’s gravity magic created gravity spheres around the part of the barrier that was directly impacted and weakened the bombardment by scattering its might. Other than them the people on the surface that could use barrier magic――with Liliana and the classmates in the lead, all of them deployed their barrier and supported Kaori. The people who couldn’t use barrier magic were also desperately supporting Kaori by using another effect of ‘Shutzengel’, the effect of transferring the magic power of the soldiers to Kaori, in that way they were sending their magic power to help. A few second passed, or perhaps it had been several minutes. The world of thunderous roar and flash that felt like an eternity finally announced its end. At the same time the barriers were also dispersing. “Haa haa, we, endured...” Kaori who had endured through the disintegration bombardment of several thousand apostles were breathing heavily. Her complexion was obviously looking exhausted. The dragons at her surrounding were also the same. Liliana and others and also the allied force soldiers on the ground who had mustered their magic power were also in similar state. The expression of everyone was turning grim. Even so they had pulled through. Thinking that Kaori was smiling while she was going to activate ‘Divine Binding of Layered Usurpation’... A silver sun was illuminating the world once more. “We the apostles of god are infinite――hadn’t we said that?” Not only their number, their magic power was also infinite. The glaring apostles were whispering so while creating a new silver sun. Kaori’s magic power recovery wouldn’t make it in time. She wouldn’t be able to endure if they were attacked one more time by that. Not only Kaori, all people of the allied force who looked up at the sky also realized that. Despair, Resignation, Were filling the heart of them all. The silver sun was falling down from the sky. It was the end...everyone thought like that. But... Kaori quietly lifted both her hands with her breathing still ragged. Her strong gaze that didn’t show anything like even a spec of resignation was staring still at the light of direction directly, a fire was burning in her soul, she scraped up even the fragments of magic power still clinging somewhere inside her―― She didn’t abandon her will to fight. She didn’t give up. It was unclear just how many people among the soldiers of the allied force could see her figure. If they could see her, then surely they would shed their tears from that noble and beautiful appearance without any doubt. Just like Adol and others whose heart was stolen by seeing that gallant figure from right beside her. “Even just a second longer is fine. We are going to survive!” If they could only just survive a second longer, at that time, perhaps that person that she loved the most would bring the end to all of this. No, surely he would end all of this. She believed that. That was why, even at the verge of death, even just for a fragment of a second she wouldn’t give up! The whole world was dyed silver. The barrier that she could deploy looked so frail like a toy. But, for a second. At the next moment, “...Fufu-, see, just as I thought!” Kaori made an expression that was enchanted from affection and unequaled trust. Ahead of her gaze, there was the scene of the silver light dispersing with a puff and the swarm of apostles slumping powerlessly. Right after that, like a marionette that had its controlling string cut, the apostles stared at nothing with lightless gaze and they were falling to the ground like flies. {This is, no, wait, what in the world is that...don’t tell me, is that Holy Precincts?} Even while feeling bewildered from seeing the falling apostles, Adol’s voice was caught from an even stranger situation. Ahead of his gaze, there, space itself was shaking, the sky was in an abnormal state where various sceneries which were projected like video recording were appearing and disappearing. It was as though there were several different worlds at the sky above, the sky looked like it was going to crumble and fall off anytime now. That situation was like the prelude of the world crumbling, furthermore the atmosphere was starting to rumble which spurred on that bad imagination even more. “Hajime-kun, Yue, everyone...” Kaori too felt deeply moved only for a brief time, her expression immediately changed into a worried one. Looking closer the crack of space was also trembling, it looked like that it might vanish anytime. With her state that had run dry of magic power, Kaori flapped her silver black wings to head toward the trembling space while maintaining her consciousness that was going to sink into darkness even now. There was a person who caught her shoulder tightly. “Leave them to me. To the one loved by everyone through many months and years, this Miledy-chan, ‘kay☆” Saying that, Miledy Raisen stopped Kaori with an extremely gentle voice that ran counter with her tone.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 12, "inserted_lines_src": 4, "inserted_lines_trg": 7 }
目の前に立つ巨体がデンであると気付き、俺は言葉もなく立ち尽くしていた。以前のデンートルを超える巨体に、でっぷりと膨らんだ腹、短い足と反比例して長く逞しい腕を持った、いかにもオーガという体型だった。しかし、今俺の目の前に立つ存在は、巨体はそのままにすらりとしたシルエットを持ち、足すら長く伸びているように感じられた。おかげでモンスター然とした外見が緩和され、巨漢がさらに大きくなっただけという印象を受ける。しかも猫背気味だった姿勢はビシリと伸び、禿げあがっていた頭部には毛髪すら生えている。「おま......お前......だれだ!?」「は? ニコル様、私はデンでございますよ?」「いやはや、これは変わったのぅ。もしや、この地にも地脈が通っておるのかな?」「んなわけねーだろ!」生前はここを何年も隠し場所に使ってきた。そんな異常地帯ならば、俺の身体にも異変が存在したはずだ。「これはマクスウェル様。壮健そうでなによりでございます」「おう、これは丁寧に。そちらも元気そうでなによりじゃ」「おかげさまを持ちまして。これもひとえに、マクスウェル様とニコル様のご配慮のおかげです」「いやはや、まさに驚愕の急成長じゃなぁ」無駄に丁寧な、俺よりも教養ある口調で挨拶するデンと、それを何事もなかったかのように受け入れているマクスウェルに、思わず声を荒げてしまった。いや、そもそも地脈云々程度の理由では、ここまでの教養は得られない。すると教育した者がいるということになるのだが...... 「なんだ、騒々しいと思ってみたら、お前たちだったのか」その教育を施したと思しき存在が、ぞんざいな口調で入り口から入ってきた。「お前か......?」「ん?」「お前がデンをこんなにしやがったのか!?」「ああ、それか。うむ、思いのほか物覚えが良かったのでな。つい教育に熱が入ってしまった」「ハ――アスト様にも格別のご厚情を賜り、感謝しております」「うむ、その調子で執事道を極めるといい」「きわめんな!?」執事も何も、デンは紛う事なきオーガである。どこの貴族が雇ってくれるというのか。「いや、これは......私としたことがうっかりしておりました。主人とお客様を玄関口で立たせたままとは。申し訳ありません、すぐにお茶をお持ちしますので、どうぞこちらに」「いや違う、そうじゃなく」そしして茶を用意してくる旨を告げ退室する。ここまで流れるように事を運ばれ、口を挟む余裕すらなかった。あの純朴なデンがあまりにも急激に変貌してしまった。いや、この男を頼るように薦めたのは俺なのだが。「どうしてああなった?」「うむ、最初はあまりにも野生的だったのでな。だが知能自体は悪くなかった。そこで興味本位のままに教育を施していった結果、ああなってしまったのだ」「そこに辿り着くお前の思考がよくわからない」「いや、執事にしようと言い出したのは、実は嫁だ」「帰ってきたのか?」「また出ていった。久しぶりだったので夜に張り切りすぎたようだ」「ああ、そう」夫婦仲がよろしいようでなによりだ。爆発しやがれ。ともかくこのタイミングでこいつが現れてくれたのは、こちらとしても話が早い。「そうだ、今日ここに訪れたのは、お前に用があったからなんだ」「ほぅ?」「実はな――」俺が正体を隠していることでコルティナがつらい目にあっていること。その我慢もそろそろ限界が訪れていることなど。話を聞くうちにアストの眉間に深いしわが刻まれていく。あからさまに良い感情を抱いていないと、見ているだけでわかるほどだ。「正直に言おう。正体をバラせ。それが一番の近道だ」「いや、それができれば話は早いって。そもそも昔の仲間だったわけだし、気まずいったらありゃしない。しかも今は妹まで生まれたんだ。俺は姉としていろいろ期待されてるわけで......」「妹とコルティナという女、どっちが大事なのだ?」「答えられねぇよ、その質問には」俺にとって初めての妹と、かつての仲間で一途に俺を想ってくれている女。天秤にかけようがない。俺が正体をバラすことでフィーナからはニコルという姉が消えてしまう可能性だってある。ライエルとマリアも、俺がだまし続けてきた事実を許してくれるかわからない。「俺は今の生活......いや、家庭を気に入っている。こればかりは何としても失いたくないんだ」「だがそれでは、その女は永遠に不幸なままだぞ」「わかっている。だけど......あと少し、だけ......」俺の言葉は次第に尻すぼみになっていく。現状を続けられないことくらい、俺だって理解している。俺は近い未来、レイドに戻りニコルを捨てるか、ニコルとしてレイドを捨てるかの選択を迫られることになるだろう。	Realizing the giant before me was Den, I lost my words and just stood petrified. Before, Den had a three-meter-tall and swelled-out body, and also smaller legs compared to his long arms; a typical Ogrish body, if you will. However, the one standing before me now still had the height but looked slim, and even his legs appeared to have grown longer. Thanks to that, his monster-like appearance had been mitigated, and simply looked like a giant man that had grown even bigger. Moreover, his previously bent back posture had now become straight, and his bald head had started to grow hair. His giant mouth used to look terrifying, but now, the rest of his appearance simply made it look stern, not even a trace of the fearfulness remaining. “Yo... You... Who the hell are you!?” “What? It is I, Den, at your service, M’lady Nicole.” “My my, this is quite a change. Could there be a ley line here as well?” “Like hell there is!” I used this place for years in my previous life. If it was such an abnormal location, it would have affected my body too. In other words, there couldn’t possibly be a ley line here. “Oh, Lord Maxwell is here too. It pleases me to see you in good health.” “How polite. I am also pleased to see you healthy.” “It is all thanks to your assistance. This is all due to Lord Maxwell and Lady Nicole’s benevolence.” “I must say, this is quite a shocking growth on your part.” Den greeted Maxwell politely, with even more refined speech than mine, while the latter also responded back as if there was nothing strange, making me snap without thinking. In the first place, some ley line couldn’t have contributed to his education. Which would mean, there was someone who had educated him... “What the, I wondered why it was noisy. Turns out it was you lot.” The one who I considered to be the primary suspect came through the entrance with that casual remark. Needless to say, it was Aste. “Were you...?” “Hmm?” “Were you the one who did this to Den!?” “Oh, that? Yes, well, he seemed to have a better memory than I imagined. I suddenly got into teaching him.” “Lord Ha-... Aste also has my gratitude for this favor. Thank you very much.” “Right, keep polishing your skills as a butler as you have been.” “Don’t do that!?” What you mean butler, he was unmistakably an Ogre. Where would you find a noble who’d hire him? This guy really did whatever he found amusing, didn’t he? “Oh dear... This is a blunder on my part. To have my master and guest wait at the entrance. My apologies. Please, come in, I shall prepare the tea.” “Wait, I didn’t mean that.” I retorted it, but Den didn’t seem to lend an ear to it. Thus, we were relentlessly lead inside and made to sit. After that, he bowed to us and excused himself to brew the tea. The whole situation happened so smoothly I couldn’t find an opportunity to interject. I just remained seated and glared at Aste. That simplistic Den had changed far too much. Well, I was the one who recommended we leave him to this guy. “How did he turn into that?” “Ah, well, he was far too wild at first. But his intelligence wasn’t too bad. So, I tried to teach him out of curiosity, and the result is what you see.” “I don’t understand your logic of arriving there.” “Well, it was my wife who proposed turning him into a butler.” “She’s back?” “Already gone. It’s been a while, so she was quite worked up during the night.” “Right.” Looks like everything was going well between the two. Go die. Still, it saved me the trouble that this guy showed up here. “Right, we came here today because we had something to request of you.” “Oh?” “Actually—” With Maxwell’s assistance, I told him about my current situation. The fact that Cortina was going through bitter experiences because I was hiding my identity. And that she was reaching her limit already. As he listened, Aste started to frown more and more. I could tell that he wasn’t thinking anything good about the situation. “Let me give it to you straight. Just reveal yourself. That’s the shortest way.” “I mean, I wouldn’t have come here if I could do that. I can’t even imagine how awkward it would be. Plus, I had a sister born just recently. I am expected to do my part as a big sister...” “Your sister or this Cortina, which is more important to you?” “As If I could answer that.” On one side was my one and only little sister, and on another, my old comrade and someone who has continued to love me for so long. I could not possibly compare them. Revealing my identity could also lead to robbing the sister named Nicole from Fina. Even Cortina might turn her back on me for my actions. That thought scared me. I didn’t even know if Lyell and Maria would forgive me for continuing to deceive them for so long. In the worst case, I could lose everything I had. “I like my current life... No, my current home. It’s one thing I don’t want to lose.” “But that would also mean sentencing that woman to eternal sorrow.” “I get that. But... Just for a little longer, I...” My words were gradually losing their strength. Even I understood that this situation couldn’t continue for much longer. In the near future, I would most likely be pressed with the decision — Return to being Reid and give up on Nicole, or choose Nicole and give up on Reid.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 10, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
現在ウィリアムズ家長男アルバート少し甘やかしすぎたのかもしれない。僕の妹アリシアはとても可愛らしく、黄金の瞳がとても綺麗だ。僕と双子の弟達は妹をとても可愛がった。しかしそれが悪かったのか、アリシアは自分が中心にこの世が動いていると思ってしまったのだ。そんな中、ある日突然剣術を習いたいと言い出した。正直、かなり腹が立った。毎日朝から真剣に稽古してきたのに興味本位......、もはや興味もなく、僕やアランやヘンリ達にいたいから言ってきたのだと思ったからだ。自分が今までやってきたことを馬鹿にされていると感じた。それはきっとアランやヘンリも同じ気持ちだったと思う。だから我儘な妹に無理な課題を突き付けた。腹筋100回と腕立て50回は絶対の女の子に出来ない。しかもそれを一週間続ける事が出来たらと。それを言った時、アリシアは怒っていた。いつもの傲慢な態度ではなくて、威厳のある態度で僕を睨んだのだ。自分の目が信じられなかった。僕はアリシアのあんな表情を見た事がなかった。太陽に反射して輝くアリシアの黄金の瞳に思わず見惚れた。アリシアが真剣に考えている事は分かったが、僕は一週間後には飽きていると思っていた。ピアノや歌や乗馬など、興味があっても一瞬だけ。すぐにやめてしまった。ダンスやマナーレッスンは社交界では必須だからなんとか先生達が覚えさせていたが、その様子は惨憺たる状態だった。一週間後アリシアに言われて初めて思い出した。アリシアが頬を膨らませて怒っている姿を見ていると、本当に一週間筋トレをしたようには見えなかった。ただ構って欲しくて嘘をついているのだと思った。その時は僕の友人もいたし、一緒に遊んで欲しいからそう言っているのだと......。アリシアが僕の腰から剣を抜いた瞬間、僕の背筋が凍った。一体自分に何が起こったのか分からなかったのだ。そもそも剣は普通の女の子の筋力で持てる重さじゃないのだ。それをアリシアは軽々と僕の腰から抜いたのだ。木の幹を蹴って林檎を落としそれを真に切ったのだ。正直そんな技は僕にも出来るか分からない。林檎の落ちる軌道が分かっていなければ出来ないし、何より、林檎を真っ二つに切るのにはかなりの力とスピードが必要だ。重い剣を素早く横に振り、鋭い刃で落下している林檎を二つに切るなんてまぐれでは出来ない。僕は自分の目を疑った。真っ直ぐ僕の方を見て凛々しく佇むアリシアの姿に目が離せなかった。そして僕が剣の稽古を承諾するとパッと顔が明るくなって抱きついてきたのだ。それは紛れもなく七歳の女の子の行動で、さっきまでの威厳を一切感じさせなかった。それからアリシアは毎日朝には剣の稽古をした後、夕食までどこかに消えている。アリシアの行動が謎過ぎて誰も理解できなかった。何が彼女をそんな風にしたのか、両親も侍女達も何も思いつかなかった。剣術を習うのなら、まず剣を持てるようにならなければならない。それも長時間だ。案の定、アリシアは最初は全く持てなかった。正直、これで諦めると思っていた。七歳の女の子の筋力なら、一日中持てるようになるまくらいは優にかかる。それに剣を持つだけの練習は全く楽しくも面白くもない。只々苦痛なだけだ。しかし、アリシアは文句を言うことなく毎日練習していた。その様子を友人達に話すと見に行きたいというので家に招待すると、皆目を丸くしていた。僕が驚いたのはデュークも毎日のように来ていたからだ。よく冷たい目をしている印象が強いデュークが他人に興味を示すなんて珍しい。デュークはアリシアが稽古をしている間は僕等とは一切話さず、ずっとアリシアを見ていた。それも僕等に向けた事もないような優しい眼差しで。まさかとは思ったが僕は考えないようにした。ある日、皆でアリシアが稽古後に何をしているのかという事を探るために、一日アリシアをこっそり観察する事になった。デュークはあまり乗り気じゃなかったが、僕等と一緒についてきた。こっそり観察するのはダメな事だと分かっていても、毎日十時間どこかに消えている妹の行き先を知りたいという好奇心の方が勝ってしまった。アリシアは意外な事に図書室に入っていった。アランとヘンリは口を開いていた。勉強嫌いのアリシアがまさか読書するとは思っていなかったからだ。アリシアは図書室に入ると三十分くらいウロウロしてから小さくため息をついた。探している本がなかったのか? 声を掛けようと思ったが、つけているのがばれたらまずいのでやめておいた。その後、アリシアは近くにあった本を読み始めた。僕等はずっとその様子を見ていた。妙にページを捲る速度が速い。アリシアが本を閉じた瞬間、時計を見た。目の前で起こった事が信じられなかった。これには皆が驚いた。デュークも目を瞠っている。ゲイルが、信じられない、と小さく声を漏らした。それからアリシアは次の本を手に取りまた読み始めた。適当に読んでいるのかと思ったが、真剣な表情で読んでいるし、よく見ると目の動きが尋常じゃないくらい速い。アリシアは約十時間、夢中になって読み、午になったら図書室を退出した。アリシアが出て行ったのを確認した後、アリシアが読んだ本の数を数えた。本当にこの数を彼女が読んだのかと。ちゃんとアリシアが読んでいるのを見ていたにも関わらず自分の目が信じられなかった。ゲイルがぼそっと呟いた。皆が頷いた。アリシアはきっと自覚なしの天才だ。その後、皆で夜遅くまでアリシアの行動の話をしていた。すると下の方から剣の素振りの音が聞こえた。僕達は二階のベランダから庭を見た。そこにいた誰もが固まった。庭では小さな女の子が剣を持ち、汗にまみれながら素振りをしていたのだ。夜の闇よりも黒い髪が揺れ、月明かりに照らされた黄金の瞳が神秘的で、僕が思っていたことをデュークが隣で呟いた。僕は自分の耳を疑った。デュークが人に対して美しいなんて言ったのを初めて聞いたからだ。確かにアリシアは美しかった。その日は夢を見ているのかと思うぐらい驚く事が多かった。夜の自主練もしていたからなのか、アリシアは一年で剣を一日中持てるようになったのだ。もう僕は段々驚かなくなってきた。本来なら夜の自主練をしていたとしても一年で一日中剣を持てるようになるなんて事は男でもまずない。アリシアを変えたのは一体何なのだろうか。そして彼女は一体何になろうとしているのだろう。	My name is Albert. I’m the Williams family’s oldest son. I am currently years old and am worrying about my little sister. She is growing up to be extremely selfish and arrogant and I feel like I don’t know how to handle her anymore. Over these past few years, it seems we might have spoiled her a bit too much. It’s just that my little sister Alicia, with her pretty golden eyes, is too adorable. My younger twin brothers and I can’t help but want to dote on her whenever we see her. But that might have been a bad thing.... Because now Alicia seems to think that the whole world revolves completely around her. Just like how she came up to us during our morning practice one day and suddenly showed an interest in learning swordsmanship. Honestly, that made me pretty mad. We’ve been seriously practicing our sword skills every day, but now she wants to try it out purely out of curiosity......? Or even worse, she might not have been interested at all but insisted on learning because she just wanted to hang out with me, Alan, and Henry. I felt like she was belittling all of our efforts up until then. I think Alan and Henry had probably felt the same, as well. So I decided to give my selfish little sister an impossible task to make her give up on the idea. I told her that she needed to do sit-ups and push-ups, which should have been impossible for a -year-old girl to do. Plus, I went so far as to tell her that she had to do them every day for a whole week. When I told her that, Alicia got angry of course. Only, it wasn’t with her typical, impertinent attitude. This time she actually glared at me with righteous indignation. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes. I had never seen her make such a dignified expression before. And with the way the sun shown off of her golden eyes, I became captivated by her. Whether it was piano, vocal training, horseback riding, etc. she would only show interest in them for a moment before giving up and moving onto something else that had caught her attention. For things like manners and dancing that are required for getting around in high society, one way or another her teachers forced her to learn at least the basics, but everyone involved was absolutely miserable during every second of it. Since I already knew that Alicia was like that, I figured it was impossible that she would actually spend a week doing sit-ups and push-ups, so I put that promise out of my mind. I even ended up forgetting about it after a couple of days. So when Alicia came to find us a week later, I didn’t remember our conversation until she had brought it up again. With her tiny figure and that huge pout on her face, she really didn’t look as if she had spent a week training her muscles. It seemed much more likely that she was lying to me just to get some attention. I figured that since my friends were there she was only saying that because she wanted to be able to play together with them...... But then Alicia had removed my sword from the scabbard hanging from my waist and I could feel my back stiffening in shock. I had no idea what had just happened. My sword isn’t something that a little girl should have the capability of lifting. But Alicia had somehow pulled it out from its sheath easily. She had kicked a tree, causing an apple to fall from it, and as it fell, she had sliced it perfectly in half while it was in midair. Honestly, I don’t even know if I could have pulled off something like that. It would be hard enough just trying to estimate the apple’s trajectory, but that’s not all. To be able cut it into two equal halves like that would require quite a bit of speed and strength as well. And to be able do all of that at once.... To swing such a heavy sword in a horizontal arc, perfectly slicing a falling apple in half with the sharp side of the blade... It’s impossible that it was just a fluke. I honestly doubted my own eyes. And after performing such an impossible feat, Alicia had looked straight in my direction with such an imposing manner, I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. After that, I finally consented to teaching her how to wield a sword and instantly her face brightened as she threw her arms around me. From that day on, she started attending our morning sword practices every day, but as soon as practice was over she would always disappear until dinner time. With Alicia’s new and extremely puzzling behavior, no one was able to guess what she might be doing during that time or what was going through her head. It was a complete mystery as to what made her suddenly start acting this way as well. Neither our parents nor her attendants had any guesses for what might have been the cause.... but I digress. In order to learn swordsmanship, the very first thing you have to learn is how to hold and swing a sword. But not just once, you have to be able to do this for hours on end without getting tired. And as one would expect, when Alicia first started out, she didn’t have anywhere near enough stamina to do this. To be honest, I thought that fact would be enough to make her want to quit. For a 7-year-old girl to be able to wield a sword for a full day would take at the least five full years of hard training. And that sort of training is neither interesting nor fun.... It’s only pain, pure and simple. But Alicia still came to do that sort of practice with us every day, and she did it without even a word of complaint. When I told my friends about this, they all were super curious about her so I invited them over to my house to watch. When they saw her though, every single one of them had their eyes go wide in awe. I was pretty surprised that they wanted to do that, but what shocked me even more was that even Duke started coming by every day as well. He gives off such a strong impression and he’s usually so uninterested in everything, so the fact that he was showing an interest in someone else was super rare. What’s more, for the whole time that Alicia would be practicing, Duke wouldn’t talk to us at all. He would just observe her with a gentle expression on his face that I’ve never once seen him direct at any of us. ‘He couldn’t possibly.....’ I would often find myself thinking, but I would always cut myself off before I could even finish that thought. Then one day, in order to find out what Alicia does after practice, we decided to sneakily observe her for the rest of the day. Duke didn’t seem all too eager to follow her around secretly like that, but in the end he decided to tag along as well. I, myself, knew that secretly watching her would be wrong, but my curiosity for where she goes and what she does for 10 hours a day won out over my reason. But the place that Alicia ended up going to was unexpectedly the library. Alan and Henry’s mouths had fallen open in shock when they realized that. We all know just how much Alicia hates studying, so we never could have imagined that she would spend so much time reading every day. After entering the library, she spent about 30 minutes just wandering around aimlessly and then let out a little sigh. Was she not able to find a book that she was looking for? I thought about calling out to her at that point and offering to help her find it, but then I realized that would expose the fact that we had been following her. And since that would be bad, I ultimately decided against it. After that, Alicia stopped wandering around and grabbed a nearby book and started reading. And then the crazy situation that followed.... we saw it all. At first we were just a little confused since she seemed to be turning the pages at an oddly fast pace. But the moment she shut the book entirely, we all looked towards the clock. We couldn’t believe what had just happened. We were all shocked. Even Duke’s eyes had gone wide after realizing this. Without seeming to notice that he had spoken, Gayle had whispered that he didn’t believe it. And before our shock had abated, Alicia had already grabbed another book and had started reading. At first I thought that maybe she was just reading it randomly, skimming through the pages but not really reading every word... But as I watched, I noticed how serious her expression was and that her eyes were moving unusually fast... and I knew that I was wrong; she seemed to be reading and understanding everything. After that, Alicia didn’t move for the next 10 hours. She stayed put and read that entire time as if in a daze, and only when the clock had hit 6:00 PM did she finally get up and leave the library. Once we were sure that she was out of sight, we all filed into the library to count just how many books she had read and became utterly speechless. We all stared at the books in disbelief. Did Alicia really read all of these in that amount of time? Even though we had watched her read them with our own eyes earlier, we still couldn’t believe it. “She’s a genius,” Gayle murmured dazedly and we all couldn’t help but nod our heads in agreement. Although Alicia herself doesn’t seem to realize it, she is without a doubt a genius. After that discovery, they all stayed over very late since we were all engrossed in discussing Alicia’s behavior. As we were talking though, after the sun had already gone down, all of a sudden we could hear the sound of a sword being swung over and over again. We walked out onto the second floor veranda to take a look and we all froze up in shock for one last time. Down in the garden there was the small figure of a girl glistening in sweat and continually practicing swinging her sword. With hair blacker than the surrounding darkness flowing with each swing of her sword and with the moonlight illuminating her golden eyes she was... “Beautiful,” I heard Duke whisper from beside me, even as I was thinking it. For a moment, I began to doubt my own ears. It was the first time that I had heard Duke call anyone beautiful before. But it was true that in that moment Alicia was captivating. That day, there were so many things that I was surprised by that I almost thought that it must have been a dream. And possibly thanks to these evening practices, Alicia somehow became able to wield her sword for a full day straight after only a year’s worth of training. At this point, I’m not even that surprised anymore. Even with that additional practice, to be able to improve your stamina by that much within the time-span of one year, should be impossible even for full-grown men, let alone for a 7-year-old child. Just the fact that a 7-year-old girl can lift such a sword is amazing in itself, so such a feat is likewise unimaginable. What could have happened to cause Alicia to change this much? And just what is she trying to accomplish by doing all this I wonder.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 2, "inserted_lines_src": 8, "inserted_lines_trg": 3 }
「皆様。ようこそおいで下さいました」舞台上立ったワイズマル伯爵が、客席に向けて深々と頭を下げる。イングリス達は幕の下りた舞台の袖の隙間から、その様子を窺っていた。「う、うわぁ......人がいっぱい――き、緊張しますねえ......」結局、プラムもイングリスの後ろでラフィニア達と踊る事になったのだった。ラティは反対していたが、ワイズマル伯爵は快諾した。「馬鹿、緊張してんのはこっちだぜ――お前がミスったせいでイングリス達に恥かかせねえか、不安で不安で......」「が、がんばります――!」「大丈夫よ! 落ちてくる船を止めたり、魔石獣と戦ったりするよりは緊張しないでしょ?」ラフィニアは、プラムの背中を叩いて勇気づける。「は、はい。でもドキドキして――」「ならこう考えればいいのよ。どうせみんなクリスに見とれて、後ろのあたし達まで見てない......! ってね」「――それはそうかも知れませんね。イングリスちゃん、本当にきれいですから」本番のイングリスの衣装は、以前よりもさらに装飾が増えて、煌びやかさを増していた。我ながらなかなかの見応えで、先程存分に鏡の前で自分の姿を眺めてきた所だ。「それに関して文句のつけようもないわね」「きっと観客の皆様もお喜びになりますわね」レオーネとリーゼロッテも太鼓判を押す。「――けど俺は、プラムが一番可愛いと思うぜ」声は似せようと思っても限界があるが、口調はちゃんと似ていると思う。「えぇっ!? 本当ですか、ラティ!?」「違うわいっ! おいイングリス、何してんだ! やめてくれよ......!」「いや、プラムの緊張をほぐすにはいいかと思って――」緊張しているせいもあるだろうが、上手く聞き間違えてくれたようだ。「ははは、イングリスさんは落ち着いていますね。主役なのに、凄いです」と、見ていたイアンが苦笑する。「いえ、わたしなどユア先輩に比べれば――」イングリスはユアの方に視線を向ける。「ちょ......!? 流石にそれはまずいぞユア......! 起きろ......! もうすぐ幕が上がるぞ――!」いつもユアの面倒を見ている生のリーダー役のモーリスが慌ててユアを起こしていた。モーリス自体はそうこうしているうちに、舞台上のワイズマル伯爵が客席の一部に視線を送り、恭しく一礼をする。「本日は素晴らしいお客様にもいらして頂いております――国王陛下、是非一言お願い致します」「うむ――」カーリアス国王が立ち上がると、客席中から大きな拍手が起こっていた。「近頃はこの王都にて様々な事態が発生し、皆には苦労をかけておる。これは全て、国を預かる我の不徳の致す所――皆にはこの通り、謝罪を致したい」と、カーリアス国王は一度大きく頭を下げる。「此度のワイズマル劇団の公演は、皆の鬱屈とした気分を晴らしてくれるような、素晴らしいものとなろう。我が国の未来を担う騎士アカデミーの生徒達も協力してくれておる。皆でこの一時を、楽しもうではないか」そうカーリアス国王が述べると、先程よりも大きな拍手が起こる。「あ、お父様やお母様や伯母様もちゃんといるわね――」ラフィニアは客席のほうが気になるようだ。「そうだね」「アリーナちゃんも来てくれてるわ......! よし、頑張って楽しませてあげないとね!」グッと拳を握って気合を入れている。「うん。せっかく母上達も見に来てくれてるし......わたしも楽しんで、思いっきりユア先輩と戦うね――!」待ち望んでいた、本気のユアと手合わせできる日だ。「いや、楽しんで思いっきり戦ったらいつも通り過ぎるでしょ......! 女の子らしく、可愛い所を見せてあげなさいよ。その方が伯母様もアリーナちゃんも喜ぶわよ?」「じゃあ、どっちも......!」「くれぐれも言っておきますが、戦いに集中し過ぎて観客の皆様を巻き添えにしてはいけませんわよ?」と、リーゼロッテが念を押してくる。「大丈夫だよ。校長先生が結界を張ってくれるし」が飛び回るシーンでは、事故防止のために客席を保護する結界を張ってくれることになっていた。本来はこれも生徒側でやる予定だったのだが、諸事情によりミリエラ校長にお願いする事にしたのだ。「ううう......ああ――はじまっちゃいますね......! も、もうちょっと心の準備が――」プラムの緊張は、ますます高まっているようだ。「こうなったらもうやるしかねえんだ......! 落ち着いて、出来るだけやって来い......!」ラティがそう発破をかけている。「は、はい......! じゃあ落ち着けるように手を握って下さい......!」「はあ!? 何でそんなことしなきゃいけねえんだよ?」「早く......! 私が失敗してもいいんですか――!?」「どういう脅し方だ! ったく仕方ねえ――」「お? 仲が良くて羨ましいわねえ~」と、ラフィニアがニヤニヤしている。「ほんとにね――」レオーネも、くすくすと。「ふう――よーし......! ちょっと落ち着きました――!」でクリスとユア先輩が空中戦するシーンの操縦もお願いね? 急で悪いけど――」本当はそのシーンでは、ラフィニアとラティがイングリスとユアの「は、はいそうでしたよね......! だ、大丈夫です......!」「ホントかよ? 俺はそこも不安だぞ......」「だったら、そのシーンの前も手を握って、落ち着かせてください?」「はぁ、嫌だよ自分で勝手に――」「......待って、そろそろ幕が開くわよ――!」確かにワイズマル伯爵が、挨拶の口上を締めようとしていた。「――それでは、どうぞお楽しみ下さい。開幕に御座います――!」それを受けて、舞台の幕がゆっくりと開いて行く。ユアはまだ寝ていた。「だぁぁぁ! 悪い、みんな手伝ってくれ――!」「......!? は、はい......!」「ま、まだ寝てるの――!?」「とにかく運びましょう!」「急がないと、見えてしまいますわ......!」悲鳴を上げるモーリスを手伝い、とりあえずユアを舞台袖の奥に隔離した。	「Ladies and Gentlemen. I bid you welcome!」 Count Weissmall stood on the stage and bowed deeply to the audience. It was a speech before the raising of the curtain. All eyes from the near-full capacity of the Theatre were focused on him at once. Inglis and the others were watching it unfold from the gap of the curtains in the wing of the stage. 「U-, uwaah......so many people! It’s really unnerving, isn’t it......」 Pullum swallowed her saliva. She was dressed in the same dancer’s outfit as Rafinha, Leone, and Liselotte. In the end, it was decided that Pullum would also take part in the dancing behind Inglis. Ian suggested it, saying that it would surely make Lahti happy. Lahti opposed the idea, but Count Weissmall readily agreed to it. Thus, even though he was complaining all the while, Lahti memorized the whole choreography and patiently went along with Pullum’s practices, who herself was just a little bit of a klutz and having a hard time remembering the choreography. While indeed he couldn’t be true with himself, he seemed to fully support Pullum to get her on stage. 「You idiot, I’m the one getting nervous here! I can’t help but worry that you’ll just trip Inglis and the others......」「I-, I’ll do my best!」「It’s alright! It’s not as unnerving as stopping a falling airship or having to fight a Magic Stone Beast, right?」 Rafinha patted Pullum’s back to kindle her courage. 「Y-, yes. But, my heart keeps thumping!」「Then just think of it this way. Everyone’s gonna look at Glis anyway, nobody is going to look at us!」「...That may be true. Inglis really is pretty.」 Inglis’ costume for the play was even more ornate and glittering than the one she wore in rehearsals. Inglis had to admit she was an impressive sight to behold, after getting a good look at herself in front of the mirror. 「On that front, I must agree.」「I am sure the audience will be positively delighted.」 Both Leone and Liselotte gave their approval. 「...But man, Pullum’s the cutest for me.」 Inglis put herself behind Lahti and spoke while imitating his voice. There was a limit to how much she could imitate his tone, but her manner of speech should be very similar. She was good at speaking with a male tone. It was only natural since she lived the life of a man in her whole previous life. 「Eeh?! Really, Lahti?!」「As if! The hell are you doing, Inglis?! Drop it!」「Well, I think it will unwind Pullum, you see...」 Perhaps it was due to her nervousness, but Pullum completely fell for it. 「Hahaha, you sure are composed, Miss Inglis. Even though you are the star of the play. How admirable.」 Ian who watched it unfold gave a bitter laugh. 「Well, I am nothing compared to Senior Yua...」 Inglis turned her face to Yua, who was leaning against a nearby chest. 「Hold on?! Yua, this is beyond bad! Wake up! The curtains gonna be up anytime now!」 Maurice, the leader of the second-year students and the one who was always taking care of Yua, was in a panic trying to wake Yua up. He himself was only here as a pilot of a Flygear for the scene where many Flygears would be used for an aerial battle scene, but he still supervised Yua thoroughly. In the meantime, Count Weissmall who was on the stage once again bowed towards the audience seat, more reverently this time. 「And today, we have a wonderful guest with us! His Majesty the King, please bestow us your words.」 Once King Charleas stood up, a round of applause was heard from throughout the theatre. 「Various incidents have arisen in our Capital, causing hardship to everyone. This is all due to my incompetence as the man in charge of our Kingdom, and I would wish to apologize to everyone for it.」 Saying so, King Charleas bowed his head once. 「The performance by the Weissmall Troupe will be a wonderful relief for your downturns. Students of the Knight Academy, the future of our country, are also cooperating with them. Let us all enjoy this moment together.」 When he said so, the applause rang out even harder this time. 「Ah, Father, Mother, and Aunt are all here!」 Meanwhile, Rafinha seemed to be more concerned about the audience. 「They are.」「Alina is here too! Okay, that means I need to do my best to entertain them!」 She clenched her fist and made a gusto pose. 「You’re right. Mother has come all the way to watch...... I must do my best too and have so much fun and fight Senior Yua with my all!」 This was the day Inglis had been waiting for, the day she could fight Yua when she was serious. There were a lot of things that she needed to do too, but she just couldn’t contain her excitement. 「No, it’ll be like the usual if you’re just going to have fun and fight with your all! You should be more feminine and show them your cute side. I’m sure both Aunt and Alina will be really happy if you do, you know?」「Then I’ll do both!」「I will just say this as a warning, but don’t get too engrossed in your fight and get the audience involved, okay?」 Reminded Liselotte. 「It’s all right. The Principal has put up her barrier, after all.」 Principal Miliera was already seated in the gallery. Supposedly, she was there to put a barrier all around the audience seat to prevent accidents during the scenes where Inglis and Yua would be fighting midair with Flygears. At first, this was supposed to be done by Knight Academy students, but for various reasons, they decided to ask Principal Miliera to do it. 「Uuuh......Aah! It’s going to start soon, isn’t it! I- I need some more time!」 Pullum’s tension seemed to elevate as time went by. 「Now that it has come to this, you just need to do it! Just stay calm and do what you can!」 Motivated Lahti. 「Y-, yes! Then please hold my hand so I’ll get calm!」「Haah?! Why’d it come to that?!」「Hurry up! Do you want me to mess up?!」「What kind of threat is that?! Damn it, you’re hopeless!」「Oh? I’m jealous of how close you two are~」 Said Rafinha, grinning at them. 「Really!」 Leone nodded her head. 「Phew... Okay! I’ve calmed down a little!」「Ah, can you also pilot the Flygear in the scene in the second half where Glis and Senior Yua fight midair? I’m sorry I asked you so suddenly!」 Originally, it was supposed to be Rafinha and Lahti who would pilot Inglis and Yua’s Flygears respectively in the mentioned scene, but... Due to various circumstances, Rafinha had to switch with Pullum. 「Th-, that’s right, there’s that too! I- I’ll be alright!」「You sure? I’m worried......」「Then, why don’t you calm me down again before that scene starts?」「Hah? I don’t wanna, you’re the one who——」「......Hold on, the curtain is about to be lifted!」 Leone called out to the group. True enough, Count Weissmall was about to conclude his speech. 「Well then, please enjoy the show! Let the curtain rise!」 With that, the curtains of the stage slowly opened. Meanwhile... 「Zzz——」 Yua was still fast asleep. 「DAAaarrghh! Sorry, but help me out here!」「......?! Y-, yes!」「Sh-, she’s still sleeping?!」「We need to carry her away first!」「Hurry up or the audience will see it!」 They helped Maurice, who began to whine and carried Yua away deeper into the side of the stage.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 26, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
百聞は一見にしかずと言いますそこで— 私がビルとメリンダにお願いしたのは彼らがやってきたことを説明してくれるような写真を引っ張り出してきてもらいそれをもとに話していきますこの写真からですねメリンダ、これはいつで場所はどこですか? 隣のハンサムな男性はどなたでしょうか? メリンダ・ゲイツ:大きな眼鏡の人ですね? これはアフリカです私たち2人が初めてアフリカを訪れた 1993年の秋でしたすでに婚約していて数ヵ月後に結婚しましたこの旅で私たちは動物やサバンナを実際に見ることができました素晴らしかったですビルはそれまで長期休暇はとりませんでしたでも本当に心が動かされたのは極貧状態にある現地の人々でした私たちは自問を始めたのです「これでいいのか?」と旅行の終盤でザンジバルに行き海岸を散歩しました私たちが付き合っていた頃よくそうしていましたマイクロソフトがもたらした富をいずれ社会に還元する話は以前からしていましたが内容や方法について話し始めたのはまさにこの海岸での散歩だったのですこの休暇が世界最大の民間基金設立に繋がったわけですね休暇にしては高くつきましたそうですねでも楽しかったですどちらのアイデアだったんでしょうか? それともどちらからともなく? ビル・ゲイツ:そうですね私たちの人生で一緒に取り組めることがあって 2人ともワクワクしていましたどうやったら自分達の富を返せるだろうとこの時話し合っていたのは極貧の人々のことでした彼らに大きな影響を与えられるか? 手付かずの事柄はあるだろうか? 知らないことが沢山ありました振り返ると当時の自分たちの考えは驚くほど甘くでもある種の情熱がありましたそれは次の段階― マイクロソフト後の人生では慈善事業に従事するということですビルは60才を過ぎてからだと想定していましたがまだ60手前ですから変更になった部分もあるわけですそこから始まって急速に進展しました始まりは93年そして97年― 財団が活動を始める前ですよねそうね 97年世界では沢山の子供たちが下痢で命を落としているという記事を読みながらこう言い続けていたんです「そんなはずはない米国なら薬局に行けば済む」それで科学者を集め人口のデータやワクチンや効果があったものとなかったものについて学びましたこの時ですね活動を始めたのは 1998年の後半から 1999年でしたお二人は大金を手にしていて一方で— 世界では様々な問題が溢れていたわけですね一体どうやって焦点を合わせたんですか? 私たちはテーマを2つ選ぶことにしましたとにかく世界規模で最も深刻な不平等の中から私たちが選んだのは死にゆく子供たちや栄養不足で成長できない子供たち立ち往生している国々でした死亡率が高く親達は沢山子供を生むので爆発的な人口増加が起こり子供たちは病にかかりきちんとした教育も受けられず将来も期待できませんこれが1つ目でした他方で米国では私たちは2人とも立派な教育を受け米国が機会均等を保障できるのは素晴らしい教育システムがあればこそだと考えていましたでも学ぶにつれ気づいたのは実際はさほど保障されてないということでしたこうして2つを選び私たちの財団がやっていることはすべてそこにフォーカスしていますお二人それぞれにご自身の活動を物語る写真を選んでもらいましたこちらはメリンダが選んだものですねどんな写真でしょうか? 私が旅行する時に好きなことの一つは農村地域に出かけて女性達と話すことですバングラデシュでもインドでもアフリカの国々でも私は名も無き西洋の女性として行きます自分が誰とか名乗りません普段着で行きますそこで女性と話して何度も何度も旅をするほど耳にしたのは「この注射を使えるようになりたいけど―」現地で子供が受けるワクチンについて話すとそれをきっかけにこんな話になったんです「じゃあ私が打っている注射は?」彼女達はデポプロベラと呼ばれる避妊薬を注射していたんです帰国してグローバルヘルスの専門家に話すと彼らは「いや避妊薬は― 開発途上国に在庫があるよ」と報告書を更に調査する必要がありましたチームが調べた結果アフリカの女性たちが使いたいといちばん希望する薬が年間200日以上も欠品になっていたのですそれで女性たちが私にこう言っていた理由がわかりました「旦那に内緒で 10キロも歩いてようやく診療所に着いたけど何もなかった」アフリカにはコンドームは十分ありましたエイズ撲滅に従事する米国やその他の国の支援のおかげですでも女性たちが繰り返し言うのは「夫とコンドームの話なんてできない彼か私がエイズを患っていると言っているようなものだから必要なのは避妊薬で次の出産までの時間を延ばすことそうすれば子供たちにご飯を食べさせて教育の機会も与えられる」メリンダ、貴女はカトリック教徒ですねこの問題についてそして中絶の是非について賛成派と反対派の両方から議論に巻き込まれてきましたどうやって対処していますか? そうですねそれは大切なポイントだと思います国際社会として私たちが避妊の議論を敬遠してきたことです私たちは世界の 2億1千万人もの女性が避妊薬を望んでいることを知りながら米国内にある避妊薬を提供することさえしませんでしたわが国の政治的議論が原因です私に言わせればそれはまさに犯罪行為でしたこの問題をグローバルな舞台で取り上げてくれる人をずっと探しましたがついに悟ったのは— 私がやるしかないということでした私はカトリック信者ですが避妊を支持しています米国のほとんどのカトリック信者の女性が避妊薬の使用経験はあると言いますこの議論を障壁にすべきではないと考えたのです米国にはかつて避妊に関する世論調査がありましたが私たちはそれをグローバルに行い 26億ドルを集めることができました女性の避妊を助けるためです (拍手) ビル、こちらは君のグラフですね何についてですか? 私のグラフには数字がありますねいいグラフですこれは毎年5才の誕生日を迎える前に亡くなった子供たちの数ですここでお伝えしたいのはあまり良く知られていない驚くべきサクセスストーリーで私たちは素晴らしい成果を上げているということです 2千万人というのが私が生まれた頃の数字ですがこの数を今や 6百万に減らすことができましたこれは主にワクチンのおかげですかつては天然痘で命を落とす子どもが年に数百万人いました天然痘は根絶されてゼロになりました麻疹が年に数百万人の命を奪いましたこの数字も数十万人に減りましたつまりこのグラフが示すのは引き続き死者数が減少していくという希望であり新しいワクチンの研究を利用し子どもたちに届けることで可能になるということですこの動きを加速させることも可能です過去10年で亡くなっていく子供たちの数はかつてない速さで減少していますですから私が気に入っているのは新しいワクチンが開発できたらそれを手に入れてこのような最新情報を使ってきちんと届ける― すると奇跡が起こりうるということですつまり計算してみると前年と比べて 1日あたり数千人の子供の命が救われているということですねこれは報道されていませんね 200人余りが亡くなった航空機事故などはこれよりずっと大きく取り上げられます頭に来ませんか? そうですね音を立てずに事態が進んでいます子供は一人また一人と亡くなっているのです死因の98%は自然災害とは無関係です自然災害に対する人々の支援活動は素晴らしいです「明日は我が身だ」と思わせお金が集まるのはすごいことです他方で子供たちの問題は見えにくいのです現在「ミレニアム開発目標」やその他の取り組みが進んでいます支援の輪も広がり目標は— 百万人をはるかに下回るようにすることで私たちの世代で実現すべきです必要だったのは悲しみに暮れる人ではなく数字やグラフが得意な人の関与だったのかもしれません今年の年次レターにも先ほどのお話同様世間の情報に反して開発途上国の支援は無駄でも崩壊しているわけでもなく有効なのだと展開されましたそうですたとえば― 善意があっても上手くいかなかった援助がありますねベンチャー投資だって真面目にやっても上手くいかないことはあります完璧な成果がないというだけで試み自体が悪かったと言うべきではありません着目すべきはゴールは何だったか? どうやって栄養状態や生存率、識字率を上げてその国の自助努力につなげようとしているかそうやって良し悪しを判断しもっと賢くなるべきです私たちは援助を賢く使えます全てが万能薬とは行きませんが投資事業よりは上手く行くと思いますこれは大成功した一例です昔から良く言われているのは夫婦で働くことは難しいということですがお二人の秘訣は何ですか? 沢山の女性から言われたのは「私なら夫と働くのは無理絶対上手くいかない」でしたでも私たちは楽しくやっています人生という勉強の旅で財団の事業は私たち2人の所へやってきたものです実は財団の仕事で一緒に出張することはビルがマイクロソフトにいた頃ほど多くはありません別々に出張する機会が多いですが私が分かっているのは私が帰ったらビルは私が学んだことに興味を示します女性や少女たちの現状ワクチンの調達に関する新しいニュースや素晴らしいリーダーについてじっくり耳を傾けて興味を示してくれますビルにとっても同様です家に帰れば彼の講演の話やデータや彼が学んだことについて私は心から関心があり二人で協力関係を築いていると思いますもちろん四六時中そうとはいきませんがでも今は協力していますねよかったですメリンダ、財団創立の当初は貴女が主に仕切っていましたね 6年前でしょうかビルがマイクロソフト社の第一線から退いて常勤になりました慣れるまで大変だったんじゃないですか? そうですねビルを迎えるにあたり私よりも多くの不安があったのは財団職員の方だと思います私はワクワクしていましたビルがこの決断を下したのは当然 2006年に公表する前のことで彼自身が決めたことでしたでも始まりはあのビーチ休暇でビーチを2人で歩きながらビルがアイデアを構想しました私にとってはビルが彼の知性とハートを立ちはだかるグローバル問題や不公正に注ぐのは嬉しかったです他方で財団職員には漠然とした不安がありました (拍手) 素晴らしいですでもビルが来て3ヶ月でそれは消えました職員も何人か消えたねそう職員のことよ貴方の就任後3ヶ月で消えたでしょビル:冗談だよメリンダ:職員は消えてないわよ数人は消えたよいいけどさお二人はどんなことで議論されますか? 日曜日の朝11時仕事は休み話題は何ですか? どんな議論になりますか? 私たちは財団を一から 2人で築き上げました素晴らしい協力関係にありますマイクロソフトを立ち上げた頃私のパートナーはポール・アレンでした会社が成長する頃はスティーブ・バルマーでしたそして今はメリンダですこれまで以上に強固で対等なパートナーです私たちが議論するのは何をもっと与えるべきかどの団体がうまく行っているか?ですメリンダは沢山の見識があり職員とも膝を交えて話します彼女が話したとおり出張は別々ですそんな感じで協力してやっていることが沢山あります 2人の内のどちらかが絶対に意見を譲れないというような場面は思いつきませんでもメリンダは? 思いつくんじゃない? あり得ますよ私の考えはこうです私たちは取り組む角度が違いそれが良いんだと思いますビルはビッグデータを見て「僕はグローバルな統計をもとに活動したい」と言います私は直感に従います現地で沢山の人達と会いますビルが教えてくれたのは集めた会話をもとにグローバルなデータと照合すること私がビルに教えたのはデータをもとに現地の人々と会って「このワクチンを届けられるか?」「母親たちはポリオの薬を飲ませることを了承するか?」などを判断することですなぜなら流通の部分は科学と全く同様に重要だからですですからこの活動によってお互いの考え方が徐々に近づいてきていて率直に言ってそのお陰でいい仕事ができていると思いますさてワクチンとポリオなどにおいてお二人は素晴らしい成功をおさめていますが失敗例はどうでしょう? 失敗やそこから学んだことを話していただくことはできますか? そうですね幸いいくつかネタがあります当然失敗はありました薬やワクチンに関する仕事をたくさんやればいろんな失敗をするものですたとえば大きな反響を呼んだ例は次世代コンドームの公募です何百もの応募がありました一部は成功するかもしれません私たちの考えは甘かったんです間違いなく私は甘かったインドの内臓リーシュマニア症の治療薬について私は薬さえ手に入れば病を根絶できると考えていましたでも実際には注射を10日間毎日打つ必要がありました薬の開発は予想より3年長くかかりしかもそれを現地に届ける手段が無いことが分かったのです幸運にも私たちはサシチョウバエを殺せば病を防げることを突き止めましたが私たちは5年も費やしました 5年の歳月と6千万ドルがほんのわずかな進歩にしかならず無駄遣いだったと言われても仕方ありませんお二人は年間約10億ドルを― 教育にだったと思いますが助成されていますそこに至るまでの物語はかなり長く複雑なものですお話しいただける失敗はありますか? 初期の活動から得た大きな教訓は学校が小さければ解決すると私たちが思っていたことです小さいことは確かに有効です中退率低下に貢献しています小規模学校では暴力や犯罪も少ないですただこの事業で私たちが学んだことそして重要な鍵だとわかったのは教室に立つ素晴らしい教師の存在です力のある教師が現場にいなければ― 建物の大小はどうでもいいんです大学に進めるかどうか生徒の進路を変えることはできません (拍手) メリンダ、この写真は貴女と長女のジェンですねほんの3〜4週間前ですねこれはどこですか? タンザニアですジェンは以前にも行っていますうちの子たちはアフリカに何度も行っています私たちは趣向を変えて 2泊3日を現地の家族と一緒に過ごしましたご両親の名前はアナとサナレですボマで寝泊まりさせてくれました私たちが訪れる前その囲いのついた小屋にはヤギがいたんでしょうねその家族に泊めてもらいそこで身をもって学んだのはタンザニアの農村の暮らしですちょっと訪ねて行って半日過ごして帰ってくるのと宿泊するのとはまったく違いましたこれについて一つだけご説明します彼らには子供が6人います私はアナと調理用の小屋でその日 5時間料理していました話しながら分かったのはアナがご主人と相談し計画的に出産の間隔を空けていることとても愛情深い夫婦関係でしたご主人はマサイ族の戦士でしたが 2人は結婚を決めました尊敬と愛がはっきりわかるような関係でした 6人の子供たちの真ん中には 13才の男の子と女の子との双子がいて女の子の名前はグレースです私たちは薪割りなどグレースと母親がやることを全部やりましたグレースは思春期でもう子供ではありませんが大人でもありません彼女はとってもシャイでした私とジェンに話しかけたい様子で私たちも声をかけましたが恥ずかしがっていましたでも夜になってタンザニアの僻地らしく電気は全て消えましたそれは初日の夜で月もなく星も出ていませんでしたジェンがアウトドア用のヘッドランプを付けて小屋から出るとグレースが直ぐに後を追いました通訳者を連れてジェンに一目散に駆け寄ると「帰るときにヘッドランプくれない? そしたら夜も勉強できるわ」とすごいですね父親に聞いたのですが中学校の試験に受かった双子の男の子の方と違って家事を手伝うグレースは試験に合格できずまだ公立学校に入れないのです父親は「彼女の教育費を工面できるかわからない私立は高すぎるから妻のように― 娘はこの農場で一生を終えるかもしれない」とつまり彼らは教育が大きな違いをもたらすと知っているのですこちらは別の写真ですねお二人のお子さんのローリーとフィービーがポール・ファーマーと写っています世界で最も裕福な家庭で 3人の子供を育てるのはあまり前例がない社会的実験をするようなものです成功の秘訣は何ですか? どのように子育てされましたか? そうですね私たちの子供は素晴らしい教育を受けましたが子供たちには自分の能力や進路将来何をするかをしっかり意識させてきました私たちがとても明確に示してきた方針は資産の殆どを財団に寄付するということと子供たちが夢中になれることを見つける支援をすることです私たちは子供たちにバランスを取ってほしいのです何をやるのも自由ですが大金が降ってきて何もせずに遊んで暮らせるようにはなりませんからこれまでのところ子供たちはまあ勤勉で自分たちの進路選択に心を踊らせています当然ながらお子さんのプライバシーを守ることに留意されてきましたね今回お子さんの写真を見せる許可を下さったのは何故ですか興味深いことに大きくなった子供たちには我が家の信念が「責任」であるとよくわかっています米国に住み素晴らしい教育を受けられるだけでも信じられない境遇であり世界に還元する責任があるのです彼らが成長する中で私たちは教え世界各国を訪れてもいますが彼らは言うのです「ママとパパの活動を私たちが信じていると皆に知って欲しいから私たちのことをもっと話しても良いよ」とそれでこの写真を公開して良いことになりましたおそらくポール・ファーマーは著書に載せるだろうと思います子供たちは財団の使命も本当に気にかけてくれるんですご自身の財団に莫大な寄付をされても 3人のお子さんを億万長者にできるだけの資産をお持ちですよねそのような計画はありますか? いいえそんな風に残すつもりはありません子供たちは自分の仕事こそがやりがいであり大切だと実感してもらわなくてはなりません私たちは結婚前にある記事に載っていたウォーレン・バフェットの言葉を読んで子供に莫大な資産を残すのは社会のためにも子供のためにも良くないと確信しましたウォーレン・バフェット氏ですが 2006年に素晴らしい出来事がありました米国一の大富豪を競う唯一のライバルだった彼が突然方針を変え資産の8割を貴方の財団に寄付すると決めました一体何が起こったんですか? 長いバージョンと短いバージョンがあるでしょう今日は短い方をお願いします分かりましたウォーレンは親しい友人でした彼は財産のすべてを奥様のスージーに残すつもりでした残念なことにその前にスージーが亡くなってしまい委譲することが大好きな— ウォーレンは・・・今のツイートして何かに長けている人がいてお金を求めずにそれをやってくれる人がいたらそれで良いのではないかと私たちは驚きを隠せませんでしたメリンダ:本当に驚いたわビル:想像だにしてなかったからねそこからは驚きの連続でしたいただいた寄付によって財団の可能性を劇的に広げることができました財団の資産の半分はウォーレンの驚くべき寛大な寄付によるものですお二人は役目を終える頃までに資産の95%以上を財団に寄付すると公約されていますそのとおりウォーレンとの— 素晴らしいですよね (拍手) 最近ですがお二人とウォーレンは他の億万長者や成功者たちにも資産の半分以上を慈善活動に寄付するよう説得することに奔走されています進み具合はどうですか? これまで約120名の方々が「寄付の誓い」に賛同してくれましたこの活動の魅力は賛同者が毎年集まって雇用を増やしたとかどんな施しをしたとか話し合うことです均質化は目指しません慈善活動の長所は驚くほどの多様性です誰かが施しをします私たちはそれを見て感嘆の声をあげますそれが良いんですそれが慈善の役割でたとえば教育のような一つのテーマの中でも様々な手段を採ることですもっと実験する必要がありますでも楽しくやっていますメンバーに会って慈善活動に至った経過や子育ての話を聞きますやり方は皆それぞれです思い描いていた以上に成功しています今後団体は規模の面で成長を続けていくでしょう慈善活動によって変化を生み出している人の姿を人々に示すことにも意義がありますなにしろ彼らは自らビジネスを立ち上げ創造力を元手にすごいアイデアを実現した人たちです彼らのアイデアと能力を元手に慈善活動を起こせば世界を変えることができます彼らは他の人達の活動を見てこう言います「自分の資産で同じことをやりたい」私はそこが素晴らしいと思います私が思うに一部の人達にとってはそのような大金を間接的に他のことに使うということ自体理解しがたいですこの会場にも大富豪や成功者がいらっしゃるでしょうここで売り込んでみませんか? どんな風に誘いますか? この活動によって私たちは最高の充実感を味わっています亡くなる時にお金は持って行けませんお子さんに富を残すことが得策でなければ何が出来るか一緒にアイデアを出し合いましょう過去の慈善活動家のお陰で世界はずっと良い場所になりました慈善活動は米国の伝統であり世界で最も力のある羨望の的です私がこれほど楽観的なのは社会奉仕活動が広がっていき政治では行き届かない部分に光を当て正しい方向へ導いていくだろうと思っているからです世界には許しがたい不平等がはびこっていて構造的とも言える不平等の問題が増えていますより多くの賛同者がお二人が築き上げてきた道に従えば問題そのものについても問題の認識についても効果があるように思いますいかがでしょうか? 賛成です持てる者の富をそうでない人達に渡せたら良いと思いますバランスが取れますし公正ですでも体制も変える必要があります米国では教育システムを誰にとっても公正で生徒全員の役に立つように変えようとしています私が思うにこれが不平等を解消する真の変革です一番大切なことだね (拍手) 会場にお越しいただいた皆さんと世界中の何百万人の方々がお二人のこれまでの軌跡と未来を形作るためのお二人の目覚しい貢献度に畏敬の念を抱いていることでしょうお二人のTEDへのご参加— お話と活動の全てに感謝しますビル:ありがとうメリンダ:ありがとう (拍手) ビル:ありがとうメリンダ:本当にありがとうビル:お疲れさま (拍手)	On the basis that a picture is worth a thousand words, what I did was, I asked Bill and Melinda to dig out from their archive some images that would help explain some of what they've done, and do a few things that way. So, we're going to start here. Melinda, when and where was this, and who is that handsome man next to you? Melinda Gates: With those big glasses, huh? This is in Africa, our very first trip, the first time either of us had ever been to Africa, in the fall of 1993. We were already engaged to be married. We married a few months later, and this was the trip where we really went to see the animals and to see the savanna. It was incredible. Bill had never taken that much time off from work. But what really touched us, actually, were the people, and the extreme poverty. We started asking ourselves questions. Does it have to be like this? And at the end of the trip, we went out to Zanzibar, and took some time to walk on the beach, while we were dating. And we'd already been talking about during that time that the wealth that had come from Microsoft would be given back to society, but it was really on that beach walk that we started to talk about, well, what might we do and how might we go about it? CA: So, given that this vacation the world's biggest private foundation, it's pretty expensive as vacations go. MG: I guess so. We enjoyed it. CA: Which of you was the key instigator here, or was it symmetrical? Bill Gates: Well, I think we were excited that there'd be a phase of our life where we'd get to work together and figure out how to give this money back. At this stage, we were talking about the poorest, and could you have a big impact on them? Were there things that weren't being done? There was a lot we didn't know. Our naïveté is pretty incredible, when we look back on it. But we had a certain enthusiasm that that would be the phase, the post-Microsoft phase would be our philanthropy. MG: Which Bill always thought was going to come after he was 60, so he hasn't quite hit 60 yet, so some things change along the way. CA: So it started there, but it got accelerated. So that was '93, and it was '97, really, before the foundation itself started. MA: Yeah, in '97, we read an article about diarrheal diseases killing so many kids around the world, and we kept saying to ourselves, "Well that can't be. In the U.S., you just go down to the drug store." And so we started gathering scientists and started learning about population, learning about vaccines, learning about what had worked and what had failed, and that's really when we got going, was in late 1998, 1999. CA: So, you've got a big pot of money and a world full of so many different issues. How on Earth do you decide what to focus on? BG: Well, we decided that we'd pick two causes, whatever the biggest inequity was globally, and there we looked at children dying, children not having enough nutrition to ever develop, and countries that were really stuck, because with that level of death, and parents would have so many kids that they'd get huge population growth, and that the kids were so sick that they really couldn't be educated and lift themselves up. So that was our global thing, and then in the U.S., both of us have had amazing educations, and we saw that as the way that the U.S. could live up to its promise of equal opportunity is by having a phenomenal education system, and the more we learned, the more we realized we're not really fulfilling that promise. And so we picked those two things, and everything the foundation does is focused there. CA: So, I asked each of you to pick an image that you like that illustrates your work, and Melinda, this is what you picked. What's this about? MG: So I, one of the things I love to do when I travel is to go out to the rural areas and talk to the women, whether it's Bangladesh, India, lots of countries in Africa, and I go in as a Western woman without a name. I don't tell them who I am. Pair of khakis. And I kept hearing from women, over and over and over, the more I traveled, "I want to be able to use this shot." I would be there to talk to them about childhood vaccines, and they would bring the conversation around to "But what about the shot I get?" which is an injection they were getting called Depo-Provera, which is a contraceptive. And I would come back and talk to global health experts, and they'd say, "Oh no, contraceptives are stocked in in the developing world." Well, you had to dig deeper into the reports, and this is what the team came to me with, that women tell you in Africa they want to use stocked out more than 200 days a year explains why women were saying to me, "I walked 10 kilometers without my husband knowing it, and I got to the clinic, and there was nothing there." And so condoms were stocked in in Africa because of all the AIDS work that the U.S. and others supported. But women will tell you over and over again, "I can't negotiate a condom with my husband. I'm either suggesting he has AIDS or I have AIDS, and I need that tool because then I can space the births of my children, and I can feed them and have a chance of educating them." CA: Melinda, you're Roman Catholic, and you've often been embroiled in controversy over this issue, and on the abortion question, on both sides, really. How do you navigate that? MG: Yeah, so I think that's a really important point, which is, we had backed away from contraceptives as a global community. We knew that 210 million women were saying they wanted access to contraceptives, even the contraceptives we have here in the United States, and we weren't providing them because of the political controversy in our country, and to me that was just a crime, and I kept looking around trying to find the person that would get this back on the global stage, and I finally realized I just had to do it. And even though I'm Catholic, I believe in contraceptives just like most of the Catholic women in the United States who report using contraceptives, and I shouldn't let that controversy be the thing that holds us back. We used to have consensus in the United States around contraceptives, and so we got back to that global consensus, and actually raised 2.6 billion dollars around exactly this issue for women. CA: Bill, this is your graph. What's this about? BG: Well, my graph has numbers on it. I really like this graph. who die before the age of five every year. And what you find is really a phenomenal success story which is not widely known, that we are making incredible progress. We go from 20 million not long after I was born to now we're down to about six million. So this is a story largely of vaccines. Smallpox was killing a couple million kids a year. That was eradicated, so that got down to zero. Measles was killing a couple million a year. That's down to a few hundred thousand. Anyway, this is a chart where you want to get that number to continue, using the science of new vaccines, getting the vaccines out to kids. We can actually accelerate the progress. The last decade, that number has dropped faster than ever in history, and so I just love the fact that you can say, okay, if we can invent new vaccines, we can get them out there, use the very latest understanding of these things, and get the delivery right, that we can perform a miracle. CA: I mean, you do the math on this, and it works out, I think, literally to thousands of kids' lives saved every day compared to the prior year. It's not reported. An airliner with 200-plus deaths is a far, far bigger story than that. Does that drive you crazy? BG: Yeah, because it's a silent thing going on. It's a kid, one kid at a time. Ninety-eight percent of this has nothing to do with natural disasters, and yet, people's charity, when they see a natural disaster, are wonderful. It's incredible how people think, okay, that could be me, and the money flows. These causes have been a bit invisible. Now that the Millennium Development Goals and various things are getting out there, we are seeing some increased generosity, so the goal is to get this well below a million, which should be possible in our lifetime. CA: Maybe it needed someone who is turned on by numbers and graphs rather than just the big, sad face to get engaged. I mean, you've used it in your letter this year, you used basically this argument to say that aid, contrary to the current meme that aid is kind of worthless and broken, that actually it has been effective. BG: Yeah, well people can take, there is some aid that was well-meaning and didn't go well. There's some venture capital investments that were well-meaning and didn't go well. because we don't have a perfect record, this is a bad endeavor. You should look at, what was your goal? How are you trying to uplift nutrition and survival and literacy so these countries can take care of themselves, and say wow, this is going well, and be smarter. We can spend aid smarter. It is not all a panacea. We can do better than venture capital, I think, including big hits like this. CA: Traditional wisdom is that it's pretty hard for married couples to work together. How have you guys managed it? MG: Yeah, I've had a lot of women say to me, "I really don't think I could work with my husband. That just wouldn't work out." You know, we enjoy it, and we don't -- this foundation has been a coming to for both of us in its continuous learning journey, and we don't travel together as much for the foundation, actually, as we used to when Bill was working at Microsoft. We have more trips where we're traveling separately, but I always know when I come home, Bill's going to be interested in what I learned, whether it's about women or girls or something new about the vaccine delivery chain, or this person that is a great leader. He's going to listen and be really interested. And he knows when he comes home, even if it's to talk about the speech he did or the data or what he's learned, I'm really interested, and I think we have a really collaborative relationship. But we don't every minute together, that's for sure. CA: But now you are, and we're very happy that you are. Melinda, early on, you were basically largely running the show. Six years ago, I guess, Bill came on full time, so moved from Microsoft and became full time. That must have been hard, adjusting to that. No? MG: Yeah. I think actually, for the foundation employees, there was way more angst for them than there was for me about Bill coming. I was actually really excited. I mean, Bill made this decision even obviously before it got announced in 2006, and it was really his decision, but again, it was a beach vacation where we were walking on the beach and he was starting to think of this idea. And for me, the excitement of Bill putting his brain and his heart against these huge global problems, these inequities, to me that was exciting. Yes, the foundation employees had angst about that. CA: That's cool. MG: But that went away within three months, once he was there. BG: Including some of the employees. MG: That's what I said, the employees, it went away for them three months after you were there. BG: No, I'm kidding. MG: Oh, you mean, the employees didn't go away. BG: A few of them did, but — CA: So what do you guys argue about? Sunday, 11 o'clock, you're away from work, what comes up? What's the argument? BG: Because we built this thing together from the beginning, it's this great partnership. I had that with Paul Allen in the early days of Microsoft. I had it with Steve Ballmer as Microsoft got bigger, and now Melinda, and in even stronger, equal ways, is the partner, so we talk a lot about which things should we give more to, which groups are working well? She's got a lot of insight. She'll sit down with the employees a lot. We'll take the different trips she described. So there's a lot of collaboration. I can't think of anything where one of us had a super strong opinion about one thing or another? CA: How about you, Melinda, though? Can you? You never know. MG: Well, here's the thing. We come at things from different angles, and I actually think that's really good. So Bill can look at the big data and say, "I want to act based on these global statistics." For me, I come at it from intuition. I meet with lots of people on the ground and Bill's taught me to take that and read up to the global data and see if they match, and I think what I've taught him is to take that data and meet with people on the ground to understand, can you actually deliver that vaccine? Can you get a woman to accept those polio drops in her child's mouth? Because the delivery piece is every bit as important as the science. So I think it's been more a coming to over time towards each other's point of view, and quite frankly, the work is better because of it. CA: So, in vaccines and polio and so forth, you've had some amazing successes. What about failure, though? Can you talk about a failure and maybe what you've learned from it? BG: Yeah. Fortunately, we can afford a few failures, because we've certainly had them. We do a lot of drug work or vaccine work that you know you're going to have different failures. Like, we put out, one that got a lot of publicity was asking for a better condom. Well, we got hundreds of ideas. Maybe a few of those will work out. We were very naïve, certainly I was, about a drug for a disease in India, visceral leishmaniasis, that I thought, once I got this drug, we can just go wipe out the disease. Well, turns out it took an injection every day for 10 days. It took three more years to get it than we expected, and then there was no way it was going to get out there. Fortunately, we found out that if you go kill the sand flies, you probably can have success there, but we spent five years, you could say wasted five years, and about 60 million, on a path that turned out to have very modest benefit when we got there. CA: You're spending, like, a billion dollars a year in education, I think, something like that. Is anything, the story of what's gone right there is quite a long and complex one. Are there any failures that you can talk about? MG: Well, I would say a huge lesson for us out of the early work is we thought that these small schools were the answer, and small schools definitely help. They bring down the dropout rate. They have less violence and crime in those schools. But the thing that we learned from that work, and what turned out to be the fundamental key, is a great teacher in front of the classroom. If you don't have an effective teacher in the front of the classroom, I don't care how big or small the building is, you're not going to change the trajectory of whether that student will be ready for college. CA: So Melinda, this is you and your eldest daughter, Jenn. And just taken about three weeks ago, I think, three or four weeks ago. Where was this? MG: So we went to Tanzania. Jenn's been to Tanzania. All our kids have been to Africa quite a bit, actually. And we did something very different, which is, we decided to go spend two nights and three days with a family. Anna and Sanare are the parents. They invited us to come and stay in their boma. Actually, the goats had been there, I think, living in that particular little hut on their little compound before we got there. And we stayed with their family, and we really, really learned what life is like in rural Tanzania. And the difference between just going and visiting for half a day or three quarters of a day versus staying overnight was profound, and so let me just give you one explanation of that. They had six children, and as I talked to Anna in the kitchen, we cooked for about five hours in the cooking hut that day, and as I talked to her, she had absolutely planned and spaced with her husband the births of their children. It was a very loving relationship. This was a Maasai warrior and his wife, but they had decided to get married, they clearly had respect and love in the relationship. Their children, their six children, the two in the middle were twins, 13, a boy, and a girl named Grace. And when we'd go out to chop wood and do all the things that Grace and her mother would do, Grace was not a child, she was an adolescent, but she wasn't an adult. She was very, very shy. So she kept wanting to talk to me and Jenn. We kept trying to engage her, but she was shy. And at night, though, when all the lights went out in rural Tanzania, and there was no moon that night, the first night, and no stars, and Jenn came out of our hut with her REI little headlamp on, Grace went immediately, and got the translator, came straight up to my Jenn and said, "When you go home, can I have your headlamp so I can study at night?" CA: Oh, wow. MG: And her dad had told me how afraid he was that unlike the son, who had passed his secondary exams, because of her chores, she'd not done so well and wasn't in the government school yet. He said, "I don't know how I'm going to pay for her education. I can't pay for private school, and she may end up on this farm like my wife." So they know the difference that an education can make in a huge, profound way. CA: I mean, this is another pic of your other two kids, Rory and Phoebe, along with Paul Farmer. Bringing up three children when you're the world's richest family seems like a social experiment without much prior art. How have you managed it? What's been your approach? BG: Well, I'd say overall the kids get a great education, but you've got to make sure they have a sense of their own ability and what they're going to go and do, and our philosophy has been to be very clear with them -- most of the money's going to the foundation -- and help them find something they're excited about. We want to strike a balance where they have the freedom to do anything but not a lot of money showered on them so they could go out and do nothing. And so far, they're fairly diligent, excited to pick their own direction. CA: You've obviously guarded their privacy carefully for obvious reasons. I'm curious why you've given me permission to show this picture now here at TED. MG: Well, it's interesting. As they get older, they so know that our family belief is about responsibility, that we are in an unbelievable situation just to live in the United States and have a great education, and we have a responsibility to give back to the world. And so as they get older and we are teaching them -- they have been to so many countries around the world — they're saying, we do want people to know that we believe in what you're doing, Mom and Dad, and it is okay to show us more. So we have their permission to show this picture, and I think Paul Farmer is probably going to put it eventually in some of his work. about the mission of the foundation, too. CA: You've easily got enough money despite your vast contributions to the foundation to make them all billionaires. Is that your plan for them? BG: Nope. No. They won't have anything like that. They need to have a sense that their own work is meaningful and important. We read an article long, actually, before we got married, where Warren Buffett talked about that, and we're quite convinced that it wasn't a favor either to society or to the kids. CA: Well, speaking of Warren Buffett, something really amazing happened in 2006, when somehow your only real rival for richest person in America suddenly turned around and agreed to give 80 percent of his fortune to your foundation. How on Earth did that happen? I guess there's a long version and a short version of that. We've got time for the short version. BG: All right. Well, Warren was a close friend, and he was going to have his wife Suzie give it all away. Tragically, she passed away before he did, and he's big on delegation, and — — he said — CA: Tweet that. BG: If he's got somebody who is doing something well, and is willing to do it at no charge, maybe that's okay. But we were stunned. MG: Totally stunned. BG: We had never expected it, and it has been unbelievable. It's allowed us to increase our ambition in what the foundation can do quite dramatically. Half the resources we have come from Warren's mind-blowing generosity. CA: And I think you've pledged that by the time you're done, more than, or 95 percent of your wealth, will be given to the foundation. BG: Yes. CA: And since this relationship, it's amazing— And recently, you and Warren other billionaires and successful people more than half of their assets for philanthropy. How is that going? BG: Well, we've got about 120 people who have now taken this giving pledge. The thing that's great is that we get together yearly and talk about, okay, We're not trying to homogenize it. I mean, the beauty of philanthropy is this mind-blowing diversity. People give to some things. We look and go, "Wow." But that's great. That's the role of philanthropy including even in one space, like education. We need more experimentation. But it's been wonderful, meeting those people, sharing their journey to philanthropy, how they involve their kids, where they're doing it differently, and it's been way more successful than we expected. Now it looks like it'll just keep growing in size in the years ahead. MG: And having people see that other people are making change with philanthropy, I mean, these are people who have created their own businesses, put their own ingenuity behind incredible ideas. If they put their ideas and their brain behind philanthropy, they can change the world. And they start to see others doing it, and saying, "Wow, I want to do that with my own money." To me, that's the piece that's incredible. CA: It seems to me, it's actually really hard for some people to figure out even how to remotely spend that much money on something else. There are probably some billionaires in the room and certainly some successful people. I'm curious, can you make the pitch? What's the pitch? BG: Well, it's the most fulfilling thing we've ever done, and you can't take it with you, and if it's not good for your kids, let's get together and brainstorm about what we can be done. The world is a far better place because of the philanthropists of the past, and the U.S. tradition here, which is the strongest, is the envy of the world. And part of the reason I'm so optimistic is because I do think philanthropy is going to grow and take some of these things government's not just good at working on and discovering and shine some light in the right direction. CA: The world's got this terrible inequality, growing inequality problem that seems structural. It does seem to me that if more of your peers took the approach that you two have made, it would make a dent both in that problem and certainly in the perception of that problem. Is that a fair comment? BG: Oh yeah. If you take from the most wealthy and give to the least wealthy, it's good. It tries to balance out, and that's just. MG: But you change systems. In the U.S., we're trying to change the education system so it's just for everybody and it works for all students. That, to me, really changes the inequality balance. BG: That's the most important. CA: Well, I really think that most people here and many millions around the world are just in awe of the trajectory your lives have taken and the spectacular degree to which you have shaped the future. Thank you so much for coming to TED and for sharing with us and for all you do. BG: Thank you. MG: Thank you. BG: Thank you. MG: Thank you very much. BG: All right, good job.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「タクミ様、用意して頂いた薬草は完売致しました」外に出た俺達にカレスさんが近づいて来て、そう告げられた。薬草が完売した事で、設置されてるテーブルの周りにはもうお客さんの姿は無く、レオの周りに数人の子供とその親が残ってるだけだ。あっちはレオが楽しそうだから良いか。しかしまだ昼前なのに、もう全部売れたのか......。売れ行きが良いのは喜ぶべき事なのだろうが、そんなに皆薬草が不足していたのか? 「カレス、薬草を必要とする人が増えているようでしたが?」「それはですね、最近どうやら悪質な薬師が街に入り込んで商売をしているみたいで......」セバスチャンさんが、カレスさんに問いかける。確かに薬草を求める人が多かったように思う。まぁ、カレスさんの読み通り、レオを見に来た人も多かったと思うが、それでもこんなに早く売り切れになるという事は、薬草を欲しいと思う人が多いという事なんだろう。 ......けど、カレスさんの言う悪質な薬師ってどんな人なんだろうか? 「状態の悪い薬草や、乾燥させた薬に他の物を混ぜて効果を薄めた物を、通常の値段で販売している薬師がいるのです」「ほぉ......そんな者がいるのですね......」粗悪な薬草を販売する薬師......か。前の世界でもそういう人間がいたが、こっちにも同じような事をする人がいるんだな。しかしセバスチャンさん、目が怪しく光ってますが......ちょっと怖いですよ? 「公爵家の領内でそんな商売をする者が出ようとは......中々楽しい事になりそうですな」「セバスチャンは、卑怯な手段を用いる者を潰すのが好きなのです。......趣味と言っても良いのかもしれません」「クレアお嬢様、そんな事はありませんよ? 私は真っ当な商売をしない者が許せないだけですから。......ふふふ、帰ったら早速旦那様に報告せねば......」クレアさんが、セバスチャンさんの雰囲気に引いてる俺に説明してくれるが、当の本人はそれを否定した。けど、その後の言葉や雰囲気は、クレアさんの言う事が正しいと思わせるものがある。「それはともかく、タクミ様。今後の薬草の事なのですが......」「はい」セバスチャンさんを置いておいて、カレスさんが俺に話しかけて来る。今後の薬草か......これだけ売れるのなら、栽培数を増やした方が良いのかな? 「数に関しては、今回と同じか少し増やして欲しいと思います。それとは別に、ラモギの数を増やして欲しいのです」「ラモギをですか? そんなに不足しているんですか?」ラモギなら何度も栽培しているから、難しい事じゃない。まぁ、倒れないように気を付けないといけないから、何も考えず大量に作る事は出来ないだろうけどな。「はい。最近、近くの村やこの街で疫病が流行っているのです。その疫病はラモギで治るのですが、いかんせん病に罹る人が多過ぎて数が足りない状況が続いているのです。それに、先程話した粗悪な薬草を売る者もいて、病に罹った人に行き渡らない状況なのです」「成る程......疫病ですか......」「幸い、我が店は公爵家の運営する店。タクミ様が作る薬草の品質は私も確認致しました。ここでラモギの販売に力を入れて疫病が鎮まれば、評判は広がって行く事と思います」混ぜ物をした薬草とは違って、俺の作る薬草は効能がしっかりした物だ。『雑草栽培』で薬草の状態も効果を発揮する状態に出来るしな。ここでラモギを使って、評判の良い薬草を売り出せば公爵家としても、店としても薬草販売を安定させる事が出来るかもしれないと言う事なんだろう。 ......上手くすれば、ほんとにエッケンハルトさんが本邸に戻るまでに、評判が広まって行きそうだな。「タクミ様が作る薬草につきましては、私が打ち合わせをしておきましょう」「セバスチャンさん......お願いします」さっきまで楽しそうに、粗悪品を売る薬師をどうするか考えていたセバスチャンさんが、いつの間にか正気に戻って、カレスさんと話し合い始めた。まぁ、こっちはセバスチャンさんに任せておけば大丈夫だろう。後で、作る薬草や個数を教えてくれれば良いだけだしな。「レオ、楽しんでるな」「ワフ」「ふふふ、レオ様はこの街の子供達に気に入られたようですね」「レオ様は可愛くて優しいですからね! 当然です!」話し合うカレスさんとセバスチャンさんから離れ、残った3人の子供達とじゃれてるレオの方に来た。レオは楽しそうに尻尾を振りながら子供達の相手をしている。クレアさんはその光景を見て微笑む。ティルラちゃんは何故か自慢気だが......多分、自分が懐いてる相手が皆に気に入られた事が嬉しいんだろうな。背中に乗ったり、レオの毛に包まれたりしてる子供達と一緒に、俺もレオを撫でておく。今回は大活躍だったからな...ニックの事、客寄せや子供達の相手と、レオがいてくれたおかげで助かってる部分が大きい。「アニキ......邪魔してすみませんが、ちょっと話しておきたい事があって......」「どうしたんだ、ニック?」レオを撫でていると、店の中から出て来たニックが俺に話しかけて来た。しかし......年上っぽいニックからアニキと呼ばれるのはどうなんだ......と今更考えるが、些細な事かと気にしないようにする。俺はレオを撫でるのを止め、そこから少し離れてニックの話を聞く事にした。「アニキ、さっきカレスの旦那と粗悪品を売る奴の話をしていましたよね?」「ああ、そんな話をしたな」「そいつ......他の街から流れて来た奴なんですがね、どこぞの貴族様とつながりがあるみたいな事を言ってたんでさぁ」「どこぞの貴族......? というかニック、そいつと会った事があるのか?」どこぞの貴族と言うのは、公爵家では無いんだろう。セバスチャンさんやクレアさんが、そんな事をするとは思えないしな。「いやぁ、以前アニキ達に会う前に一度だけ、そいつの店で暴れた事がありやしてね......」「ニック......」照れ臭そうにそう言うニックだが、そこは照れる所じゃない、反省する所だろ。これからはそういう事をしないよう、見張る必要があるかもしれないな......。	“Mr. Takumi, we finished selling all of the herbs that you provided.” Said Mr. Kalis when we stepped outside. Now that the herbs were sold out, there were no more customers around the table, and only a few children and their parents were left playing with Leo. At least Leo seemed to be enjoying it... On the other hand, the herbs had sold out, and it was still a little before midday... I should be happy that things were going well, but was there really such a high demand for them? “Mr. Kalis, is the number of people who need herbs growing?” “Indeed. Apparently, some dishonest physicians have infiltrated the town and started doing business lately...” Sebastian asked Mr. Kalis this question. It did seem like there had been a lot of people coming to buy them. Well, many of them had likely come to see Leo, just like Mr. Kalis had predicted, but the fact that they had sold out so quickly suggested there was still a high demand for them. ...However, what was this about dishonest physicians now? “People are selling herbs of bad quality, or weakening the effects by adding other things to the powdered herbs, and yet still sell them at normal prices.” “Oh... So there are people who do such things...” Physicians that sell inferior medicinal herbs, huh? There were people like that in my old world too. So I suppose it was the same wherever you went. But Sebastian’s eyes were shining with a suspicious light... It was a little scary... “It is quite bold of them to do such a thing on the duke’s lands... This might become very interesting.” “Sebastian enjoys crushing those who use cowardly methods. ...Perhaps it is like a hobby for him.” “Lady Claire, that is not true at all. It’s only that I cannot forgive dishonesty. ...Hehe. I will make a report to His Grace as soon as we return...” While Ms. Claire explained this to me, Sebastian denied the accusation. However, his words and overall air after that seemed to suggest that she was actually correct. “In any case, Mr. Takumi. About the future of the herbs...” “Yes.” Mr. Kalis ignored Sebastian and turned to me. The future... If we could sell this much, perhaps I should start growing more of them? “In terms of amount, it can either be the same or just a little more. Aside from that, I would like to increase the amount of Ramogi as well.” “Ramogi? Is there so little of it then?” I had made Ramogi many times, so it would not be difficult to do. Well, I still had to be careful about fainting, so I couldn’t just grow a lot of it without thinking. “Yes. Recently, there has been plague that is spreading in a nearby village and this town. And while it can be treated with Ramogi, as there are so many people who have fallen ill, there is currently not enough Ramogi to go around. Besides, with dishonest physicians selling their herbs as well, it doesn’t always reach those who need it the most.” “I see...the plague...” “Thankfully, our shop is owned by the duke. And I’ve seen the quality of your herbs, Mr. Takumi. And so if we focus on selling Ramogi here and help quell the plague, it would really help with our reputation.” Unlike those other diluted ones, my herbs would be very effective. And with Weed Cultivation, I can make herbs that are in the best state for maximum effectiveness. If we sold these good herbs, then it would help the duke’s business and keep sales stable. ...If things go well, word might have spread quite far by the time Mr. Ekenhart reaches his house. “As for the herbs that Mr. Takumi will make, I will handle the arrangements.” “Sebastian...thank you.” Just a moment ago, Sebastian had been gleefully thinking about what he would do to the immoral physicians, but he now returned to himself and started to talk with Mr. Kalis. Well, I’m sure that it will be fine if I leave it all to Sebastian. He just needed to tell me how many herbs I had to make later on. “Leo. You seem to be enjoying yourself.” “Wuff.” “Hehehe. Good Leo has become quite popular with the children of this town.” “Of course, she is! Because she is so cute and gentle!” I moved away from Mr. Kalis and Sebastian as they talked, and stopped in front of Leo, who was playing with the three remaining children. Leo was wagging her tail happily as she played with them. Ms. Claire also watched with a smile. Tilura seemed very proud for some reason... I suppose she was happy that someone she was close with was now popular with others. I petted Leo as the children wrapped themselves in her fur or rode on top of her back. She had done so well today... With the handling of Nick, attracting customers, playing with the children. It was all because of Leo that we got through it. “Brother... Sorry to disturb you, but there’s something I want to ask...” “What is it, Nick?” As I was petting Leo, Nick came out of the store and approached me. However...being called ‘brother’ from someone who was older than me was...awkward, but I decided to not think about it too much. And so I moved away from Leo so that I could listen to what Nick had to say. “Brother. Just earlier, you were talking about that guy who sells inferior goods, yes?” “Yes, we were.” “This guy... He came in from a different town. But I heard him say that he was connected to a certain nobleman.” “A nobleman...? And you really met this person?” I suppose he was talking about a noble who wasn’t the duke. Because I couldn’t believe that Sebastian or Ms. Claire would be involved in such a thing. “Well, just once, when I went to shake down the store...” “Nick...” He only seemed slightly embarrassed by this. I would have hoped he would be more apologetic. Perhaps I will have to keep an eye on him from now on...	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 0, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
自然物と人工物の大きな違いはロバスト性ですロバストなシステムは複雑な新しい環境でも安定を保てますゴキブリはでこぼこの地面を驚くほど安定を保って走り抜けられますジェットパックを付けたり地震のような震動の中に置いた時でも絶妙な足並みによって安定を維持できます脳みそを使うこともなく草の上のような複雑な地形でも問題なしバランスを崩すこともありません新たに発見した行動ですが体の形を生かし体を自然に傾けて人工の草の間をすり抜けていますロバストなシステムは同じ体の構造を使って様々なタスクに対応できますこれも新たに発見した行動ですが急速に反転して身を隠しています 150ミリ秒以内です私たちが見失うわけです走るのと同じ脚を使ってこなしています竿や枝やワイヤを伝って逆さのまま素早く走ることもできますその枝を揺すってやるとこんな芸当をします現在のロボットでは真似できない体操技をこなせるのです同じ体の構造を使って数限りない身のこなしができ様々な異なる状況に驚くほどよく対応できます暖かい時には飛べる羽を持っていますが同じ羽をひっくり返った時に起き上がるためにも使いますとても効果的ですロバストなシステムは耐障害性が高く問題が生じても機能を維持できますこれはゴキブリの足でとげやベタベタした肉球やかぎ爪がありますがこの部分を取ってしまっても下の映像のようにでこぼこの地面を走ることができますスピードもほとんど変わりません大したものです足先がなくても網をよじ登れますこれは6本脚での歩き方ですが交互に3本ずつ動かしていますしかし自然界では脚を失うこともありますこれは真ん中の2本なしで移動しています脚を3本失って 3本脚になってもはねるような新しい歩き方を身につけます指摘しておきたいのは映像はすべて 20倍スロー再生していることで実際にはものすごく速いんですロバストシステムはまたダメージに対しても強いゴキブリが壁を登るところです一見スムーズに素早く登り出しているように見えますがスロー再生すると想像と違っているのが分かりますゴキブリがどうしているかというとスピードを落とさないためにわざと壁に正面からぶつかり 75ミリ秒以内で方向転換しているのですこのようなことができるのも極めて優れた外骨格を持っているからです管や板とそれを継ぎ合わせる柔軟な関節だけで作られたものですこれはゴキブリの腹部を解剖しているところです硬い板と柔軟な膜でできているのが分かりますバークレーの工学部にいる同僚が学生と一緒に新しい製造技術を開発しました外骨格の折り紙とも言うべきものでレーザーで切り抜き継ぎ合わせてロボットを折るのです 15分以内に組み立てることができますこれはDASH — 動的自律匍匐式6脚ロボットですとても柔軟性がありますこれらの性質によりとても頑丈ですダメージに対してとても強いのですゴキブリの動作もいくつかこなせますよくデザインされた柔軟な体を使ってシンプルな方法で壁に対し上向きに方向転換できますあの反転して身を隠す動きすらやってのけますゴキブリがどこへでも入り込めるのは 3ミリの隙間を通り抜けられるからだと分かりました 1ペンス硬貨2枚分ですしかもこの狭い隙間の中を素早く移動できるんです実際に目にすることはないでしょうがもっとよく理解しようと外骨格をCTスキャンにかけたんですが体を40%以上圧縮できることが示されています材料試験装置に入れて応力ひずみ解析したところゴキブリは体重の800倍の力にも耐えられこの後も普通に飛んだり走ったりできましたどこに辿り着くかわかりませんいつかゴキブリから— アイデアを得たロボットの群れに来て欲しいと願う時があるかもしれませんどうもありがとうございました	Yet one of the greatest differences between natural and human technologies relates to robustness. Robust systems are stable in complex and new environments. Remarkably, cockroaches can self-stabilize running over rough terrain. When we put a jet pack on them, or give them a perturbation like an earthquake, we discovered that their wonderfully tuned legs allow them to self-stabilize without using any of their brainpower. They can go over complex terrain like grass, no problem, and not get destabilized. We discovered a new behavior where, because of their shape, they actually roll automatically to their side to go through this artificial test bit of grass. Robust systems can perform multiple tasks with the same structure. Here's a new behavior we've discovered. The animals rapidly invert and disappear in less than 150 milliseconds — you never see them — using the same structures that they use to run, their legs. They can run upside down very rapidly on rods, branches and wires, and if you perturb one of those branches, they can do this. like no robot we have yet. And they have nearly unlimited maneuverability with that same structure and unprecedented access to a variety of different areas. They have wings for flying when they get warm, but they use those same wings to flip over if they get destabilized. Very effective. Robust systems are also fault tolerant and fail-safe. This is the foot of a cockroach. It has spines, gluey pads and claws, but if you take off those feet, like the bottom video that you see, without hardly slowing down. Extraordinary. They can run up mesh without their feet. Here's an animal using a normal, alternating tripod: three legs, three legs, three legs, but in nature, the insects often have lost their legs. Here's one moving with two middle legs gone. It can even lose three legs, in a tripod, and adopt a new gait, a hopping gait. And I point out that all of these videos are slowed down 20 times, so they're actually really fast, when you see this. Robust systems are also damage resistant. Here's an animal climbing up a wall. It looks like a rapid, smooth, vertical climb, but when you slow it down, you see something very different. Here's what they do. They intentionally have a head-on collision with the wall so they don't slow down and can transition up it in 75 milliseconds. And they can do this in part because they have extraordinary exoskeletons. And they're really just made up of compliant joints that are tubes and plates Here's a dissection of an abdomen of a cockroach. You see these plates, and you see the compliant membrane. My engineering colleague at Berkeley designed with his students a novel manufacturing technique where you essentially origami the exoskeleton, you laser cut it, laminate it, and you fold it up into a robot. And you can do that now in less than 15 minutes. These robots, called DASH, for Dynamic Autonomous Sprawled Hexapod, are highly compliant robots, and they're remarkably robust as a result of these features. They're certainly incredibly damage resistant. They even have some of the behaviors of the cockroaches. So they can use their smart, compliant body to transition up a wall in a very simple way. They even have some of the beginnings of the rapid inversion behavior where they disappear. Now we want to know why they can go anywhere. We discovered that they can go through the height of two pennies, two stacked pennies, and when they do this, they can actually run through those confined spaces at high speeds, although you never see it. To understand it better, we did a CT scan of the exoskeleton and showed that they can compress their body We put them in a materials testing machine to look at the stress strain analysis and showed that they can withstand forces 800 times their body weight, and after this they can fly and run absolutely normally. So you never know where curiosity-based research will lead, and someday you may want a swarm of cockroach-inspired robots to come at you. Thank you.	{ "source": "iwslt2017", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }
「MMOってプレイヤーに長く続けさせる戦略として、人間関係の構築を迫ってくる」ネココは静かに話し始めた。「それは会社とかと同じ。みんなに迷惑がかかるし、言い出すのが面倒だし、申し訳ないし、とかで辞められない状態を維持させたいの」ああ、わかるなぁ......頭では。しかし、実体験は違う。俺が辞める時は、あちら側からそういう空気出してくれたから意外とすんなり......。いや、いま過去を振り返るのはやめるんだ......! 「そのために運営はフレンドパーティ限定のコンテンツとか、ギルドに入ってるプレイヤーだけのコンテンツを出してくる。でも、中にはそういうコンテンツを他人に縛られず遊びたい人もいる。だから、今からそういうコンテンツが実装された時の対策をしてるの。普段はふらふら勝手に遊ぶけど、美味しい話がある時だけは顔を出す幽霊部員たちが集まるギルド...... 「なんだか壮大な話だけど、要するにいざという時だけ協力する仲間を集めたギルドってことかい?」「そういうこと。イベントの度に見ず知らずの仲間を募集して冒険って面倒でしょ? 普段のフィールド探索やクエストならまだしも、高難易度イベントとかじゃね。野良じゃなかなか実力者が集まらないわ。だから、先に同じ悩みを持つ頑固者たちをまとめておくの。面白いでしょ?」ふむ......言いたいことはよくわかる。しかし、俺は案外即興でパーティを作って遊ぶのも嫌いじゃない。ただ、すぐにみんな死んになってしまうだけで......。でも、いつだったか『これからも一緒に遊びましょう!』とフレンド申請をされた時、俺は怖気づいてしまった。一期一会、その場限りのパーティなら気軽に組めるが、これからもとなると簡単に返事ができない。申し訳ないが、自分で遊ぶ時間を邪魔されたくないと思った。ソロだからこそ無茶苦茶な遊び方ができているのは間違いないからな。フレンドになると冒険のお誘いのメッセージを送れるようになる。嫌な時は断ればいいだけだが、何かを断るというのは、それがなんであれ気を遣う。だから俺はフレンド申請を避けてきた。一度避けると、他の人のも受け取りにくくなる。自分はダメだったのに、あの人とはフレンドになるんだ......とか思われるんじゃないかって勝手に気にしていた。しかし、彼女の場合は他の人と違う扱いでも問題ないと思える。誘いなんてそう簡単に送ってこないだろうし、もし来ても乗り気じゃない時はスッパリ断れる気がする。それは偶然とはいえ、お互いのことを知ることができたからだ。知らない人とは本音でやり取りは出来ない。反応がわからないからな。そういう意味ではすでにフレンドなのかもしれない。いや、腐れ縁か? 本来フレンド登録というのは、リアルで繋がりがある気の知れた仲間か、ゲーム内で出会って親しくなった人とするものだと思う。ちょっと古臭い考えかも知れないけど、俺は誰でも彼でも登録して浅いつながりをたくさん作るより、少数でも気を使わなくていい関係を構築したい。関係が増えすぎたからといって、冷酷にフレンドを解除して整理できる性格でもないからな。「まあ、まだ構想段階だから実際にゲーム内にギルドを作ってるわけじゃないのよね。まるでスカウトし慣れてるみたいにフレンド申請を送ったけど、構想を誰かに話したのもこれが初めてよ。そもそもNSOの運営方針は予想できないところがあるからねぇ。急に何かぶっこんで来る予感もするなぁ~」「それは確かに。今の運営は静かだけど、だからこそ何かを仕込んでる気がしてならない。それでフレンドのことなんだけど......」彼女のプレイスタイルは俺と似ているし妙に縁もある。ゲームに対する考え方も共感できる部分がある。少し今までの自分を変えて、この誘いを受けてもいいと思えるプレイヤーだ。「ありがたく受けさせてもらうよ。俺もフレンド申請を承認するのは初めてだ」「そう、ありがと。じゃあ、私はもう行くね。あの無敵女がモチーフってことが気に入らないけど、この新しいグロウカードの効果も検証したいし」「ああ、こちらこそありがとう。助かった」「じゃ、またどこかの戦場で会った時は......よろしくっ!」ネココは走り出し......消えた。文字通りだ。あの口調だと敵同士になっても今まで通り本気で殺しに来るだろうな。まあ、そうじゃなきゃ困る。俺も次に戦場で会った時、瞬殺されないように鍛えないとな。彼女のことだ。いつまでも弱体化されたスキルにこだわっているわけでもあるまい。予想だにしない新戦法でも見つけてくるだろう。「さて、俺も行くとするか」マップウィンドウを開く。すると『ぴろんっ!』という音とともに枠の端っこに『!』が浮かぶ。なにかメッセージが届いた時の通知だ。いきなりお誘いなんてことはないだろうし、運営からのメッセージか? すぐに『!』をタッチして確認する。「なになに、新イベントの情報を3日後に公式サイトや各動画サイト、ゲーム内特設ステージで発表する......? しかも生配信で?」これは......昨今のゲーム業界にはびこる悪しき慣習『予告の予告』じゃないか......! まあ、3日後くらいなら特に問題ないけど、月単位で引っ張ることもあるからな......。それにしてもNSOでこういうのは珍しい。久しぶりのイベントだから、早めに告知を出して注目を集めたいのかも。そして、注目を集めたいってことはそれなりに自信があるということだろう。前回のイベントのせいで運営が縮こまってるなんてことはなかった。やはり、ぶっ込んできたな。発表当日は公式サイトを要チェックだ。	“With MMOs, they try to build relationships between players as a strategy for having people continue to play for a long time.” Nekoko started to talk quietly. “It’s like how things work at companies. They want to create an environment where you don’t want to inconvenience others. It will be too troublesome to bring it up, or you feel bad. And so you can’t quit.” Ah, I get it...sort of. But that hadn’t been my experience. Whenever I wanted to quit, the other side would usually start acting like they knew it was coming, so things went smoothly... No, this was no time to reminisce on the past...! “That’s why management releases content that is exclusive to friend parties or guilds. But there are also players who want to access that content without being bound to anyone else. And so I’m preparing for when that content is actually implemented. A guild for people that want to relax and play solo, but can unite only when there is some special reason for them to... I’m going to make a Ghost Guild.” “That sounds like a grand idea. In other words, it’s a guild of people who only come together and cooperate when they have to?” “Yes. Isn’t it annoying to have to find strangers to join up with every time there is an event? It’s not so bad if it’s just ordinary field exploration and quests, but there are high difficulty events too. It won’t be easy to gather strays who are capable players. And so I want to gather stubborn players with the same problem as us beforehand. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?” Hmm...I understood what she meant. However, I actually didn’t hate creating temporary parties with strangers. Even though they generally all died and left me alone... The only thing that made me anxious was when they would send me friend requests so that we could ‘play together again!’ I could readily accept if it was just a one time thing, but if they expected to party up regularly, then it made it difficult for me to answer them. I felt bad, but I didn’t want anyone to bother me while I played alone. After all, it was clear that I was able to play so recklessly because I was solo. Once you were friends, you could send messages and requests. You could just refuse them, but doing that also made you feel bad. And so I avoided any friend requests. If you reject one, then it becomes difficult to accept others. He rejected me, but became friends with that player...they would say. I suppose I had become worried about what others would think. However, I didn’t think it would matter if someone like her was treated differently. I doubted she would send invitations unless it was serious. And I felt that I would be able to reject her easily if I didn’t feel like doing it. This was because, while it was a coincidence, we had gotten to know each other a little. You couldn’t be so honest with someone that you didn’t know at all. You didn’t know how they would react. So in a way, maybe we were like friends. Or a fatal attachment? Normally, I felt that you added people as friends if you knew them in real life, or if you met someone in the game and became close. It might be an outdated way of thinking, but instead of just adding everyone and having shallow connections, I would rather build relationships with a few people who I didn’t have to worry about offending. After all, I wasn’t the kind of person who would coldly organize their friends list and remove people because it was getting too crowded. “Well, I’m still figuring it out, so it’s not like I’ve actually set up a guild within the game. I may have sent the invite to you as if I’m going around and scouting for players, but you’re actually the first person I talked to about it. In the first place, we can’t really predict what the NSO management will do next. But I have a feeling they’re going to shove something into the game out of nowhere.” “That’s true. They’re really quiet right now, but that’s why I feel like something is coming. So, about the friend thing...” We did have similar play styles, and had an odd connection. And I even related to some of her views on games. And so I didn’t mind changing a little and accepting. “I’ll gladly accept it. And I’ve never accepted a friend request before.” “I see. Thanks. Alright, I’m going now. I still hate that it’s based on that invincible woman, but I want to go and test this new Grow Card.” “Yeah, thanks. You really helped me.” “Well, until we meet again on some battlefield...bye!” Nekoko started to run...and then disappeared. Judging by what she said, if we were on opposite sides, she would seriously try and kill me just as before. Well, I preferred it that way. And so I would have to train so that the next time we met, she wouldn’t be able to kill me instantly. This was Nekoko. She would not continue to rely on a skill that had been nerfed. She would surely find a new strategy that no one would expect. “Well, I better go too then.” I opened the map window. And then I heard a ‘beep!’ and a ‘!’ icon appeared in the corner. It was a notification that appeared when you received a message. Surely she wasn’t inviting me already, so maybe it was a message from management? I quickly touched the ‘!’ icon in order to check. “Let’s see. Information on a new event will be announced in three days on the official site, popular video sites, and on stage within the game...? And it will be live?” This...was a recent and terrible habit within the game industry. Announcing an announcement. Well, I guess it’s not too bad if it’s in three days. But sometimes it would be months in advance... That being said, this was unusual for NSO. Perhaps they wanted to get the word out quickly and attract attention because there hadn’t been an event in awhile. And if they want to attract so much attention, they must be confident that they can deliver. So they hadn’t become shy after the reaction to the previous one. Yes, they were coming. I would definitely check the official site on the day of the announcement.	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 0, "inserted_lines_src": 2, "inserted_lines_trg": 0 }
半ば追い出されるように伯爵の屋敷あとにしたゼラ――もといメルクは、自分を追ってくる者がいないことを確認してから少し用事を済ませ、そしてアスタードの家へと戻って来た。「つ、疲れたぁ......」扉を閉めるや否や玄関に突っ伏したメルクに気付いたのか、アスタードが家の奥からやってくる。「お疲れ様です......その服、ケーナの物ですよね? 汚れるので早く着替えて下さい」「おい、手厳しいな。少しは労わってくれよ。私だって慣れないことを頑張って来たんだぞ?」「着替えたら私の部屋に来てください」素っ気ないアスタードの言葉に抗議の視線を向ければ、彼は鼻を鳴らしてそれだけ言って去って行く。本当に酔ったとき以外は愛想のない男である。「まぁ、ケーナの服を汚すわけにはいかないしな......仕方ない」ではあったが、メルクは用意されていた部屋で手早く着替えると元の恰好に戻った。そして報告のためにアスタードの部屋へと訪れる。「......それなりに時間がかかったことと言い、傍に博士がいないと言うことは――どうやら思ったようにはいかなかったみたいですね。博士の居場所は見つけられませんでしたか」部屋に入ったメルクを見るや、アスタードが察したように呟いた。彼の言うように、もともとグローデル博士の居場所が分かった時点で、強行的に博士を取り戻す作戦だったのだ。しかし、結果は居場所がわかるわからない以前の問題だ。「いや......言いにくいが、博士はすでに死んでいるようだ。取り返すことは、残念だとできない」「――っ? 馬鹿なっ! 奴らはそこまで馬鹿なのか? たとえ博士が研究の成果を白状したにしても、確認や研究の進展のためにも生かしていなければならないはず......そんなことすらわからないのかっ!」よほどグローデル博士の死がショックだったのか、いつもの冷静な口調を投げ捨て怒りを露にするアスタード。「落ち着けよ。どうやら伯爵たちも予期せぬ不慮の事故ではあったようだ。何でも、自ら命を絶ったとか」「博士が自ら命を? 僕が知る博士は孫娘を、テテムをとても大事にしているようでした。彼女を残して死を選ぶような人とは思えないのですが......」「それだけ伯爵たちの拷問がひどかったのかもしれないな」ひ弱に見える彼の眼差しが鋭いものになり、怒りからか握られた拳がわなわなと震えている。「――それで? まさか屋敷に忍び込んで得た情報が、博士の訃報だけではないでしょうね?」 ――もしそうであれば許さないぞ。そう言わんばかりのアスタードの視線に少し気圧されながら、メルクは小さく頷いた。「ああ、もちろん。お前が保険として仕掛けていた次善の策が機能したよ。伯爵の屋敷に隠されていた秘密の書類とやらを手に入れてきた。これだ」メルクは手に持っていた、くしゃくしゃに丸められた書類をアスタードの傍にあった机へと放り投げた。「その書類は、伯爵の書斎に偽装された部屋に隠されていた。それもご丁寧に結界を施した壁の中にな」「壁の中? どうやって取り出したんです? 壊したんですか?」「最初は砕いて取り出そうとも思ったが、さすがにそれだとすぐバレるからな。部屋の机に置いてあったペーパーナイフで壁の空洞部分だけ「壁をペーパーナイフで通常であれば荒唐無稽にも思えるその発言に、信じがたいとばかりに目を細めてこちらを窺うアスタード。そんな彼に、メルクは不敵に笑って見せた。「忘れたのか? 今の私はエルフで魔法が使える。『魔力硬化』でナイフの強度を上げたのさ」「っで? その書類はどのようなものなんだ?」少しだけ感心したように頷くアスタードの仕草がくすぐったくて、メルクは若干照れつつ盗み出してきた資料を確認させる。「これは......不正の証拠となる裏帳簿ですね。今は詳しいことは分かりませんが、これを公爵の持つ伯爵に提出された帳簿内容とすり合わせれば......きっと面白いことになるでしょうね」「そっちのは?」「伯爵が帝国と繋がっていることを示す痕跡でしょう。グローデル博士の捜索協力や情報提供......そしてそれらに対する帝国から伯爵への報酬などが記されています」「そう、か。苦労した割には、肝心な博士の研究資料はないみたいだな」手近にあった椅子にどかりと腰を下ろしたメルクへ「はしたない」とばかりに視線を送り、アスタードは書類をひらひらと振った。「いえ、これだけしっかりとした証拠があれば、公爵も間違いなく動けます。これらの証拠をレザウ公爵へと渡し、伯爵の屋敷へ突入させればいい。必ずや、研究資料はでてきますよ」「なら、頑張った甲斐はあったかな?」「ええ、もちろんです。ただ......どうしてこの資料、こんなにぐしゃぐしゃなんですか? 大事な伯爵を追求する証拠品なんですから、もう少し丁寧に扱って欲しかったですね」「お前......私がその資料をどこに隠して伯爵の屋敷を出たか想像つかないか?」「......ああ」「いや、『......ああ』じゃねぇーよ。胸の詰め物を伯爵の屋敷の隠し棚に放り込んで、代わりにこの書類を丸めて胸に詰めたのさ。伯爵に抱きしめられた時は、さすがに私も焦ったな」「......それでよくバレませんでしたね」「ふん、女好きだけあって、女装した私にすっかり鼻の下伸ばしていたからな。仕込んでおいた魔石も回収できたし、結果オーライなんじゃないか? まぁ、私なら間違いなく胸に詰められた紙なんて、触れた時点ですぐに気付いただろう」「ふぅ、何はともあれお手柄です。さて、これで伯爵を失脚させられますね――必ずや、グローデル博士の敵もとらなくては」	After Zera, aka Merc, was chased out of the Count’s mansion, she checked to make sure no one was following her before running a few errands and returning to Astard’s house. “I’m beat...” After learning that Merc, who was sitting in the doorway after closing the front door, had returned, Astard emerged from the back of the house. “Good job... Those are Kena’s clothes, right? Go and get changed before you dirty them, okay?” “Hey! Cut me some slack would you? It’s not easy pretending all day.” “Come to my room once you’ve changed.” When Merc glanced at him in protest over his curt comments, Astard huffed and mumbled, then walked away. Only when Astard was completely wasted did he show any signs of friendliness. “In any event, he’s right. I don’t want Kena’s clothes to get filthy.” Merc was able to change quickly in the room that had been provided for her, putting on her customary outfit, partly thanks to the fact that her mind was more tired than her body. She then proceeded to Astard’s room to report on what had happened. “It’s safe to assume that things didn’t go as planned based on the time it took you and the fact that the professor isn’t standing next to you. Did you find his location?” Astard asked as soon as Merc entered the room. Their aim had been to take back Doctor Glodel once they discovered his whereabouts. But it had turned out that it wasn’t a question of whether or not they knew his whereabouts. “It pains me to say this, but the professor is already dead. I can’t bring him, as much as I’d like to.” “...?! Impossible! Are they really that stupid? Even if the professor did ultimately reveal his results, they’d still need him alive to confirm them or further the research... That much should have been obvious!” Astard, likely taken aback by Doctor Glodel’s death, lost his normal cool demeanor and voiced his rage. Even he, the Great Sage, most likely did not expect such a development. “Calm down. They didn’t expect it to happen as well. If anything, he may well have taken his own life.” “The professor? The professor I know holds his granddaughter in high regard. He’s not the type to take his own life and abandon her.” “Perhaps the torture was just that harsh.” “I’ll never forgive them...” Merc tried to calm him down, but Astard’s anger grew even stronger. His frail eyes became sharp, and his clasped hands shook, presumably with rage. “And? You’re not going to tell me the only thing you discovered after breaking in was that the professor was dead, are you?” “Of course not. The insurance plan you thought up worked perfectly. I obtained some documents that had been hidden away at the mansion. Here you go.” Merc tossed the crumpled document she was holding onto Astard’s desk. “They were hidden in a room disguised as a study, inside a barrier-protected wall.” “Inside a wall? How did you take them out? Did you destroy the wall?” “At first, I considered it. Nevertheless, if I had done so, I would have been discovered. So I simply gouged out the cavity in the wall with the letter opener that was on the desk.” “You gouged out a wall with a letter opener?” Astard asked, clearly taken aback by Merc’s comment, which seemed ludicrous. Merc, on the other hand, simply smiled at him in response. “Did you forget? I’m an elf now. And I can also use magic. I applied Mana Hardening on it.” “So, just what are these documents?” Merc, slightly embarrassed by Astard’s praise, urged Astard to review the documents. Astard hurriedly unfolded the crumpled documents and examined them with a serious gaze. “This is a secret accounting book. It backs up the Count’s frauds. I can’t say much more right now, but it’ll be interesting to compare it to the Count’s accounting book that he’s presented to the Duke.” “And this one?” “This is evidence that the Count has had dealings with the Empire. It gives details regarding their collaboration in the search for Doctor Glodel, as well as the Count’s reward.” “I see. Despite my best efforts, it appears that I failed to find the professor’s research.” Astard waved the documents in the air and looked over at Merc, who sat in a nearby chair. “That’s not quite right. With these, the Duke will surely act. All we have to do now is inform Duke Lezau of these documents and overrun the Count’s mansion. Then we’ll surely find the research papers.” “Then my effort wasn’t all for nothing?” “Of course. But there’s one more thing... What’s with the state of these documents? They’re crucial pieces of evidence that will expose the Count’s wrongdoings, so it wouldn’t have hurt if you could have handled them with caution.” “Do you know where I had to hide them before I left the mansion?” Merc immediately glared at Astard, irritated by his senseless statements. Astard fell silent for a moment, but even he, the slow Great Sage, seemed to have figured it out. He shifted his focus to Merc’s chest. “Oh...” “Don’t ‘Oh’ me! I had to hide my padding within the wall and replace it with documents, which I lumped into a ball. Do you have any idea how stunned I was when the Count hugged me suddenly?” “I’m surprised he didn’t notice...” “Hmph. We’re well aware of the Count’s affinity for women. By that time, he was totally smitten with me. Everything went perfectly, and I even managed to retrieve the Magic Stone that I’d hidden in his pocket. If it had been me, however, I would have immediately sensed something was amiss with the breasts as soon as they touched me.” “Nevertheless, good work. We can now overthrow the Count. I’ll show them why they never should have messed with Doctor Glodel.”	{ "source": "manual-fanfic", "missed_lines": 1, "inserted_lines_src": 13, "inserted_lines_trg": 2 }
それでもなお、かすかな進歩の兆しは現れている。パキスタンにおける破壊的な地震の直後から、公務チームは我々のを被害地に配置した。彼らは、報道がアメリカのパキスタン人救済への貢献に焦点をあわせる助けとなった。地震の前後で私的グループが行った世論調査は、この新たな意識によってパキスタンのアメリカに対する態度が劇的に変わったことを示した。	They worked to help focus media attention on America’s commitment to help the Pakistani people. Public opinion surveys conducted by private groups before and after the earthquake suggest that attitudes in Pakistan regarding the US changed dramatically because of this new awareness.	{ "source": "news_commentary", "missed_lines": null, "inserted_lines_src": null, "inserted_lines_trg": null }

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