붉은 달의 로제/5권

제5회　작별 인사

「이 녀석이 『흡혈귀 사건』의 범인……인가」

갈라드 대장은 완성된 몽타주를 심각한 얼굴로 유심히 관찰하고 있었다.

알폰스는 흡혈귀와 조우한 다음 날 아침 갈라드 대장에게 그 일을 보고하였다.

그가 받은 스케치북은 알폰스의 증언을 바탕으로 그린 전신이 검은 인물의 몽타주였다. 머리의 윗부분을 숨기고 있지만 특징들은 정확히 재현된 그림은 앞으로의 조사와 경계에 큰 힘이 될 것이다.

물론 이 인물이 정말로 흡혈귀이고 그가 안개가 되어 사라진 일은 갈라드에게 말하지 않았다. 어디까지나 사람들에게 경계심을 불러일으키기 위한 조치였다. 흡혈귀를 상대하는 것은 불가능하다. 그것은 지난 밤, 그의 공격을 받은 알폰스가 누구보다도 더 잘 알고 있었다. 자칫하면 불필요한 희생이 나올 수 있었다. 게다가 많은 인원을 동원하면 몸을 숨기고 제도에서 도망칠 가능성도 있었다. 확실하게 흡혈귀를 막으려면 로제와 둘이서 쫓는 수밖에 없다.

「어쨌든 알. 너와 루카가 무사해서 다행이다」

나는 그걸로 충분하다, 고 말하며 갈라드는 안도의 한숨을 내쉬었다.

검은 인물의 몽타주가 내걸리고 주의 경계태세가 발령되었다. 사람들이 밤에 밖을 돌아다니는 일만 삼가주면 피해도 지금보다 줄어들 것이다. 갈라드는 「몸도 다쳤으니 오늘은 그만 쉬어라」고 했으나, 로제와 합류해서 조사를 해야만 한다고 알폰스는 말했다.

「모쪼록 무리는 하지 말도록」

알폰스는 방을 나갈 때 갈라드가 건넨 말을 떠올렸다. 평소에는 엄격한 대장이지만 그는 자신의 일을 진짜 아들처럼 걱정해주고 있다. 그에 대해 마음 속으로 감사하며, 새로운 마음가짐으로 일에 임하는 알폰스.

「아무도 다치는 일 없이 이 사건을 해결해내겠어」

로제와 합류하기로 한 장소에 가기 위해 나서자, 왠지 기분이 안 좋아 보이는 동료 엘로이와 조우했다. 아침 훈련을 마치고 온 모양이었다. 땀을 흘리고는 있지만 조금도 숨을 헐떡이고 있지 않았다. 그는 갈라드 부대 중에서도 최고의 검술 실력을 지니고 있으며, 동일한 훈련을 해온 알폰스나 다른 대원들 중에서도 독보적인 실력을 자랑하고 있다. 그에 대한 우월감인지, 그는 항상 남을 깔보는 듯한 태도를 취했다. 오늘도 다를 바 없었으며 얼굴을 보자마자 엘로이는 조소했다.

「소식 들었다, 알폰스. 『흡혈귀 사건』의 범인으로 추정되는 인물과 조우했다며」

「그래」

「한심한 놈. 그 자리에서 그 녀석을 체포했으면 지금쯤 사건은 해결되었을 텐데」

얼굴을 보자마자 시비를 거는 엘로이. 알폰스는 아무런 대꾸도 하지 않았다. 본래대로라면 으르렁거렸겠지만 이번만큼은 그의 말이 옳다. 자신의 힘이 충분했더라면 그 자리에서 흡혈귀를 쓰러트릴 수 있었을 것이다. 그런 알폰스를 보며 엘로이는 「내가 이겼다」라는 듯 팔짱을 끼고 코웃음쳤다.

「대장한테 사랑받는다고 건방져져서 말이야. 잘 알겠으면 앞으로 너무 나대지 말라고」

갈라드를 들먹이는 엘로이를 보고 반론을 해야겠다고 생각한 알폰스. 하지만 무언가를 말하려다 도로 삼키고 말았다. 팔짱을 낀 엘로이의 왼쪽 팔이 붕대로 칭칭 감겨 있었기 때문이다.

「그 붕대……왜 그런 거야？」

무심코 붕대를 가리키자 엘로이는 한순간 당황한 표정을 지었다.

「뭐야 갑자기…… 별것 아냐. 아까 훈련에서 실수로 다친 것뿐이다」

붕대에는 엷은 피가 스며들어 있었다. 생긴지 얼마 되지 않은 상처인 것은 분명해 보였다.

「흥, 네 그런 구석이 맘에 안 들어」

갑자기 자신을 생각해주는 알폰스가 적응이 안 됐는지 엘로이는 짜증을 내며 혀를 차고 그 자리를 뒤로 했다. 머리를 긁적이며 그의 뒷모습을 바라보는 알폰스.

그에게 엘로이는 원래부터 악감정을 가진 상대는 아니었다. 그런데 대체 언제부터 이렇게 되어 버린 건지, 알폰스는 알 수 없었다.

「이것 참……」

이런 일을 생각하고 있을 때가 아니다. 어쨌든 흡혈귀 사건에 집중해야 한다. 마음을 다잡은 알폰스는 그대로 초소의 문을 열고 로제가 있는 곳으로 향했다.

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어제에 이어 네 번째 피해자가 발견된 장소에서 알폰스와 로제는 합류했다. 한동안 그 자리를 조사했으나 역시 흡혈귀에 대한 단서는 찾지 못했다. 거기서 무언가 고심하는 듯하던 로제가, 어젯밤 흡혈귀와 조우했던 길에 가자고 제안했고 알폰스도 그 의견에 찬성했다.

대낮의 그 길은 그 조용했던 밤과는 인상이 달랐다. 담소를 나누는 부인들과 노점을 구경하는 노신사 등으로 오히려 붐비기까지 했다. 흡혈귀 사건은 밤에만 일어나니 사람들도 이 시간대에는 안심하고 생활하는 것 같았다.

너무 눈에 띄지 않도록 주의하면서 길을 따라 오가며 단서를 찾는 두 사람.

「그래, 이런 곳에서 흡혈귀랑 싸웠지…… 정말 현실감이 없군」

「애당초 흡혈귀라는 존재 자체가 현실감 없는 존재니까요. 그걸 사냥하는 사명을 지닌 저도 더욱 현실감 없는 존재라고 할 수 있겠네요」

조금 더 정론적인 의견을 펼치며 살짝 입꼬리를 올리는 로제. ……방금 그건 농담이었을까？ 어떻게 반응해야 할지 알 수 없어 입을 다무는 알폰스. 그런 생각을 아는지 모르는지 로제는 신경 쓰지 않고 어젯밤의 사건을 검토하기 시작했다.

「그 흡혈귀에게 났던 냄새는 지금까지의 피해자들에게서 났던 냄새와 같았습니다. 역시 그건 제도에서 일어나고 있는『흡혈귀 사건』의 범인이 틀림없을 겁니다.」

「냄새……라」

추적할 때도 그런 말을 했었다는 것을 떠올린다.

「그럼 그걸 따라가면 “정체”로 이어지겠는걸」

「아니요. 전에도 말했습니다만 흡혈귀가 힘을 발휘하는 것은 밤입니다. 해가 떠 있는 동안에는 그들은 힘을 발휘할 수 없게 되지만 냄새도 사라져 버리죠」

힘을 발휘할 수 없을 때 처치하는 것이 이상적이나 정체를 파악할 수 있는 수단이 현재로서는 없다. 『흡혈귀 사냥』의 어려움을 다시 인식하고 알폰스는 시무룩해졌다.

「지난 밤 흡혈귀와 접촉할 수 있었던 것은 큰 진보입니다. 격한 싸움이 있었으니 무언가 단서가 남아 있을 가능성이 높습니다. 어쩌면 그분도 뭔가 목격했을지도」

그분？ 루카를 말하는 걸까. 그렇게 생각하며 발길을 멈춘 알폰스. 같이 걷고 있던 로제가 옆에 없었다. 뒤돌아보자 어찌된 영문인지 그녀도 멈춰 서 있었다. 그 얼굴은 여느 때와 같은 무표정이었지만, 무엇인가를 후회하고 있는 표정같기도 했다.

「왜 그래？」

「아무것도 아닙니다. 아무튼 단서를 찾아보죠.」

그 후 두 사람은 당분간 그 길을 조사했다. 로제의 제안으로 일단 각자 서로 다른 장소를 조사하고 다시 합류해서 생각을 정리해 보았지만 어제와 같이 흡혈귀의 정체로 이어지는 단서는 찾지 못했다. 날이 저물기 시작하자 벽돌로 된 거리에 석양이 어우러져 짙은 적색을 띠었다.

「이렇게까지 조사했는데 수확이 없다니…… 제길」

흡혈귀는 서서히 힘을 얻기 시작할 것이라고 로제는 말했다. 로제와 흡혈귀의 실력은 현재로서는 대등했다. 지난 밤은 가까스로 루카를 구할 수 있었지만 앞으로 피해자가 늘어날수록 더는 상대할 수 없을 정도로 강해질 가능성도 있다. 서둘러야 한다며 혀를 차는 알폰스를 무표정으로 바라보는 로제.

「초조해 하셔도 소용없습니다. 지금은 서로 해야 할 일을 합시다」

그래야지, 라며 힘겹게 고개를 끄덕이는 알폰스. 오늘의 조사 결과를 보고해야만 한다. 로제와는 일단 헤어지고 다시 주점에서 합류하자고 제안했으나, 로제는 그것을 거절했다.

「오늘은 저도 교회 쪽에 용무가 있습니다」

「그렇군…… 될 수 있으면 기운을 느낄 수 있는 당신과 함께 행동하고 싶었는데」

현재까지 사건은 매일 밤 일어나고 있기 때문에 경계할 필요가 있다. 로제도 그것을 알고 있었고 「저도 조심하겠습니다」라고 말하며 「그럼, 내일 또 뵙겠습니다. 안녕히」라며 정중하게 인사하고는 그대로 떠나 버렸다.

「……뭐지……？」

알폰스는 그녀의 뒷모습에 묘한 위화감을 느꼈다. 하지만 그 정체는 결국 알지 못한 채, 그녀를 배웅할 수밖에 없었다.

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밤. 갈라드에게 보고를 마친 알폰스는 술집으로 향했다. 로제와 합류한다는 약속은 없던 일이 되었지만, 어젯밤 막 흡혈귀에게 습격당한 소꿉친구의 상태를 확인하고 싶었다.

「아, 알. 어서 와」

가게에 들어선 그를 가장 빨리 알아챈 루카는 빈 카운터석으로 알폰스를 안내했다. 사장에게 어젯밤 계산하지 못한 식대를 건네자니 루카가 허겁지겁 주문을 받으러 왔다. 예상 외로 기운차 보이는 그녀의 모습에 한숨 놓는 알폰스.

그녀의 목숨이 식사라는 하찮은 이유로 위기에 처했었다. 그렇게 생각하자 형용하기 힘든 분노가 치솟아 올랐다.

「저기, 알？ 왜, 왜 그래？」

주뼛주뼛 말을 건네는 루카로 인해 알폰스는 자신이 꽤나 심각한 얼굴을 하고 있었던 것을 알아차렸다. 루카가 가져온 음식을 입으로 옮겼다. 그렇게 마음을 가라앉히고는 미소지었다.

「……미안해. 아무것도 아니야. 그것보다 어젯밤 일 말인데 뭐 기억나는 것 없어？」

「응…… 미안. 나도 기억해내려고 하고는 있는데」

혹시나 해서 물었지만 역시 안 되나. 맞닥뜨린 흡혈귀의 모습에 너무 큰 쇼크를 받아 기억이 혼란스러울 거라고 로제는 말했다. 루카에게서 흡혈귀의 정체를 알아내는 것은 어려울 것이다. 후우, 한숨을 쉬는 알폰스. 그 와중에도 도움이 되려는 생각에 무언가 생각해 내려고 기억을 더듬는 루카. 그녀는 잠시 그러고 있더니 갑자기 「아！」하는 소리를 냈다.

「아, 어제 일이 아니라 오늘 일인데…… 아까 그 사람이 가게에 왔었어. 혼자」

「……그 사람？」

「왜, 알이랑 같이 있었던 그」

설마 로제？ 그녀는 가게에는 오지 않기로 했었는데？ 교회에 용무가 있다면서. 뭔가 심장이 두근거리는 느낌이 든 알폰스.

「음 그게, 어젯밤 일에 대해서 여러 가지 물어보더라고. 결국 아무것도 기억해 내지 못했지만…… 그러고 나서 뭔가를 납득한 듯 하더니, 그대로 『안녕히』라며 인사하고는 가 버렸어」

──『안녕히』

그 말을 듣고 눈이 번쩍 뜨인 알폰스. 로제와는 몇 번인가 작별 인사를 나눈 적이 있지만 지금까지는 『그럼 이만』이라고 말로 인사를 했었다. 하지만 오늘은 길에서 헤어진 그녀도 『안녕히』라고 말했었다. 알폰스는 그 말에 위화감을 느낀 것이라는 걸 깨달았다. 그리고 그녀는 혼자서 이 가게에 와서 루카에게서 무언가를 얻었다. “흡혈귀 사냥꾼”인 그녀는 이제 무엇을 할까？ 알폰스는 접시의 요리를 반 이상 남긴 채 식대인 미라를 거칠게 내려놓았다.

「아, 알！？」

「거스름은 됐어！」

어제에 이어 두 번째로 드는 『안 좋은 예감』

알폰스는 전속력으로 가게에서 뛰쳐 나와 해가 저물고 있는 마을로 달려갔다.

Chapter 5 - Farewell

'So this is the culprit behind the Vampire Murders, you say?'

Garrard peered at the sketch, brows drawn down. The morning after Alphonse and Rose had fought the  vampire, he had made sure to report that fact to  Garrard. The sketch Garrard was studying had been outlined based on Alphonse's testimony. It depicted a figure dressed all in black with the upper face obscured. The portrait showed everything Alphonse could recall of the vampire's distinguishing features, and he hoped that it would be helpful to the army's investigations. Naturally, he had left out how the suspect was actually a vampire and capable turning itself into black smoke on a whim. Having his commanding officer think him crazy would help no one. The purpose of the sketch was simply to help people watch out for the culprit, not to try and convince them of its true nature, after all.

He did wish he could tell them the complete truth, if only to better prepare them for a potential encounter against the monster and help them more effectively hunt it, but he knew better than anyone that no ordinary human would be able to stand up to it. He had learned that much firsthand the previous night. Trying to fight the vampire would only lead to unnecessary fatalities, and organizing large teams to try and exterminate it could even lead to it hiding itself away - or worse, fleeing the capital and going elsewhere. As such, the best chance to defeat it once and for all seemed to lie with Rose. 

Garrard straightened and fixed Alphonse with a concerned eye.  I'm just glad that you and Lucca are both all right.' Then he let out a relieved sigh, as if that genuinely was the most important thing to him.   The description and portrait of the black-clad man would be used to encourage people to be more vigilant and watch out for the culprit. If the number of people going out at night were to decrease, the number of murders would likely decrease, too. Garrard tried to convince Alphonse to rest for the day, not least because he had been injured the previous night, but Alphonse had no intention of listening. He and Rose had already decided to meet up and investigate further, he insisted. 

Garrard's brows descended once again at that. His parting words as Alphonse left his office were simply, 'Just don't do anything to put yourself in unnecessary danger, all right?' 

While he was usually strict as a superior, it was  obvious that he genuinely cared for him like a real son; a fact that Alphonse couldn't possibly be any more grateful for. Feeling newly motivated, he quietly muttered to himself, 'I WILL stop these murders,' as he walked towards the exit of the guardhouse.

Just before he could set off for his meeting with Rose, however, he encountered his fellow soldier, Elroy. The other man looked as glum as ever. Judging by his appearance, he had just finished the morning's training. Beads of sweat ran down his face, and his hair was matted to his forehead. Despite this, he didn't seem the slightest out of breath. Elroy had always been that way. Though he never seemed to train more than Alphonse and the other team members, he always seemed significantly stronger and more capable than any of them. He was well aware of this fact, too, and seemed to have developed a sense of superiority because of it. Looking down his nose at the others was Elroy's signature move. 

Today seemed no different. He turned to Alphonse with a mocking smile on his face. 

'...So you ran into the culprit behind those so- called 'Vampire Murders',' did you?'

'Yeah, I did.'

Elroy gave a contemptuous snort. 'Well, you're useless then, aren't you? Why didn't you catch him? This would have all been over if you had.'

As usual, Elroy wasted no time in trying to pick a  fight with Alphonse, but this time he had no comeback. Elroy was right. If he hadn't been so weak, he would have been able to defeat the vampire and stop the murders the previous night. Seeing Alphonse's reaction to his provocation, Elroy folded his arms triumphantly. 

'The commander might favor you, but I think it's about time you stopped letting that get to your head and learned your place.'

Alphonse was about to retort when he noticed something. Elroy's left arm was wrapped tightly in several layers of bandages.

'What happened to your arm?'

Alphonse pointed to the bandages with his finger, and for a brief moment Elroy seemed unsure how to respond.

'Th-That? It's nothing, really. I just hurt it in training earlier.' 

Spots of blood peeked through the bandages, making it clear that it was a recent injury, at the very least. Alphonse looked at the damage with concern.

'Hmph. This is why I can't stand you.'

Apparently thrown off by his teammate's worry, Elroy gave an audible tut before walking away, leaving a slightly embarrassed Alphonse behind.

While they were hardly on the best terms, Alphonse didn't bear any particular grudge against Elroy. It was clear that the same couldn't be said for the other man, but Alphonse had no idea what he had against him. 

Letting out a sigh, he returned his thoughts to the investigation at hand. Now wasn't the time to be thinking about Elroy. He had to focus. With a shake of the head, he opened the guardhouse door and set out to meet Rose. 

They had decided to continue their search where they left off, so it was at the scene of the fourth murder that Alphonse met Rose. Despite scouring the area as thoroughly as they could, however, they found nothing that would help them identify the criminal. Eventually, Rose stopped to think for a while, before proposing that they make their way to the street where they had encountered the vampire the previous night and search the scene there. Alphonse agreed.

It seemed like a completely different place during the day. The still quiet that had marked the night had been replaced with cheerful chatter and the bustling of people examining the wares at the street stalls. Since the murders were known to happen at night, people seemed happy to go about their ordinary lives during the day without a worry in the world. 

Taking care to avoid standing out too much, they walked side by side around the street looking for potential leads.

'It's hard to believe that we fought a vampire here last night...'

Rose's lips curled up slightly. 'Most would find it difficult enough to believe that vampires exist to begin with. I suppose that makes the existence of people like me, who live to hunt those vampires, more unbelievable still.'

...Was that meant as a joke? Alphonse wondered. 

Unsure how to respond, he elected to remain silent. Unfazed, Rose set about analyzing the previous night's events.

'The scent given off by that vampire was the same as the one I sensed from all of the victims. At the very least, it seems beyond a doubt that that vampire is the killer we've been searching for.'

'His scent...?' Alphonse asked, before recalling that Rose had mentioned something similar earlier when they were trying to pursue the vampire the previous night.

'So, if we follow that scent, we can find out who the vampire is?' 

Rose shook her head. 'I'm afraid not. As I said before, vampires are only capable of using their powers at night. During the day, they're no different than ordinary humans, and accordingly, the scent that gives them away as being a vampire vanishes, as well.'

They both knew that, ideally, the best way to defeat the vampire would be to strike during the day while it was unable to activate its powers, but without any clues as to the vampire's identity, they didn't have any chance of doing so. Realizing anew just how difficult the work of a vampire hunter must be, Alphonse admired Rose all the more for being able to cope with it. 

'Nonetheless, we made contact with the vampire yesterday, and I believe that's a big step forward for this investigation. After all, the more fierce the battle, the greater the chance that one of the participants may leave behind some incriminating evidence. There's always the possibility that she may have seen something, too.'

Alphonse assumed that 'she' was referring to Lucca. He made to reply, but Rose was no longer alongside him. Turning around, he realized that she had stopped in her tracks some distance behind. Her face was as expressionless as ever, but her eyes were cast downwards, almost as if she was regretting something. 

'What's wrong?'

'It's nothing,' she said briskly and moved on. 'We should continue our search.'

They set about combing the street for any remnants of their battle. At one point, Rose suggested that they split up to cover a wider area, but even after doing so and reconvening to discuss their findings (or lack thereof), they found themselves no closer to pinpointing the vampire's true identity than they were the previous day. 

The hour had grown late and the sun was beginning its slow descent in the sky. The warm glow of its fading rays deepened the red hue of the bricks even as the shadows cast by their sturdy walls lengthened.

Alphonse ground his teeth in frustration. 'All this searching and not a single result... Dammit.'

Rose had said that the vampire's power had been  increasing over time. The previous night's battle had shown that she was capable of competing with it for now, and it was that fact that had allowed them to save Lucca, but there was no guarantee that would always be the case if it continued to claim more victims and grow stronger. Seeing Alphonse's vexation over their lack of progress, Rose spoke. 

'Nothing will come from being too hasty. We each have our tasks. All we need to do is complete them.'

He nodded, knowing full well that she was right, but it was hard not to feel bitter about their lack of headway all the same. As he needed to go and report the results of the day's investigation to Garrard, they agreed to part ways for the time being. Alphonse proposed that they meet again at the tavern like they had the previous day, but Rose refused his offer. 

'I'm afraid I have business I must attend to with the church.'

'Oh, okay... I was really hoping we'd be able to patrol and keep an eye out for the vampire again, though, since you're the only one who can sense its presence...'

Considering what had happened the previous night, and the increasing occurrence of the murders, remaining vigilant for the vampire was of the utmost priority. Or at least, that was Alphonse's thought on the matter. 

Rose didn't react to the disappointment in his trailing words. Instead, she merely replied that she'd watch out for it alone before excusing herself with a solemn 'farewell.' There was a pause in which it seemed as if she wanted to say something else, but  then she curtseyed deeply and disappeared from his sight.

Alphonse watched her go with an uneasy feeling in his gut. Something seemed off about her behavior. Unable to work out what it was, however, he was left with no choice but to watch her walking away into the distance. 

That night, Alphonse made his way to the tavern after giving his report to Garrard. Rose may have refused his offer to meet there, but he still wanted to look in on Lucca after what had happened to her the previous day.

'Oh, hello, Alphie!'

Lucca was quick to spot him, and she showed him to a seat at the empty counter. After squaring his earlier bill from the dinner with Rose with the tavern owner, Lucca excitedly came over to take his order. Seeing her smile and chatter as energetically as ever, Alphonse felt relieved. He had been expecting, and fearing, a more subdued demeanor from her. 

Watching her, he couldn't help but think how close she had come to losing her life, and for a pathetic reason like feeding a vampire. Just the thought made his blood boil.

'U-Umm... Alphie? A-Are you okay?'

Her nervous question made him realize that his anger must be showing in his expression. He quickly put on an awkward smile and set about eating to avoid having to explain anything. After a few bites he felt himself calming down, and gave her a more genuine smile. 

'I'm fine, honestly. But never mind me...you haven't managed to recall anything about what happened last night, have you?'

She shook her head.

'Sorry... I wish I could, but I can't remember a thing.'

He hadn't really expected her to, but he was still slightly disappointed to not be able to gather any new information. 

Rose had speculated that the shock of seeing the vampire had caused her to subconsciously block out any memory of what had happened. As such, it didn't seem particularly likely that she would be able to help them find out the identity of the vampire, either. He sighed.

Lucca, meanwhile, was desperately trying to remember something, anything, that would allow her to be of service to him. After mulling over it for a time, she suddenly let out an 'Ah!' sound. 

'Umm... It doesn't directly relate to what happened yesterday...but that person you know was here earlier. On her own, too.'

Alphonse was momentarily puzzled. 'Who do you mean?'

'You know,' Lucca prompted with a swish of her hair. 'The girl you were with yesterday.'

It suddenly dawned on him who Lucca was referring to. But Rose had specifically told him that she wouldn't be coming to the tavern today because she had business with the church. A troubled feeling began to build in the pit of his stomach. 

'Anyway, umm...she just came and asked me a few things about yesterday. I couldn't remember anything when she asked, either, but eventually she seemed satisfied, then just said 'farewell' and left.'

'Farewell.'

The moment Alphonse heard those words, it dawned on him. Every time he parted ways with Rose, she always left with a 'farewell for now.' But not today. When they separated earlier, she had instead simply said 'farewell.' He had thought something seemed off about her at the time, and it was then that he realized that was the reason. 

After that, she must have come to the tavern where she was able to discover something from Lucca. But if that was the case, what would she try to do next?

Alphonse fairly jumped out of his seat, half of the food still left on his plate, and dumped enough mira to pay for the meal hurriedly onto the table.

'A-Al?!' Lucca goggled at him.

'Just keep the change!'

It was his second feeling of great foreboding in two days, and the first had been downright deadly.

He rushed out of the tavern as fast as his legs would carry him onto the streets of Heimdallr. The sun had long since set, and the deeply shadowed streets welcomed him into their murky depths. 

第５回　别れの挨拶

「こいつが『吸血鬼事件』の犯人……か」

　ガラード队长は、出来上がってきたスケッチを真剣な颜で眺めていた。

　アルフォンスは吸血鬼と遭遇した次の日の朝、ガラード队长にそれを报告した。

彼に手渡されたスケッチブックは、アルフォンスの证言をもとに描かれた全身黒ずくめの人物の似颜絵だ。颜の上半分が隠れてはいるが、特徴がしっかりと再现されたこの絵は今后の调査・警戒に大いに役に立つことだろう。

もちろん、この人物が本当に吸血鬼であることや、彼が雾となって消えたことはガラードにも伏せたままである。あくまで、人々に警戒を呼びかけるために用意したものだ。

　本来なら全てを明かし、万全な対策をとりつつ部队をあげて捜索・讨伐を行うべきなのだろうが——おそらく普通の人间では、あの吸血鬼に太刀打ちすることは不可能だ。それは昨晩、手痛い一撃を受けたアルフォンスが谁よりも分かっていた。下手に手を出せば、无用な犠牲がでる。そもそも大人数で调査を行えば、身を隠され、帝都から逃げられてしまう可能性もある。确実に吸血鬼を止めるためには、ロゼと自分だけで追っていくしかないのだ。

「とにかく、アル。お前とルッカちゃんが无事でよかった」

俺にはそれが何よりだ、とガラードは安心したようにため息をつく。

　黒ずくめの人物については似颜絵を交えて、迅速に注意が唤起されることになった。人々が夜に出歩くことを控えてくれれば、被害もこれまで以上に减るはずだ。

ガラードには「怪我もあるし今日のところは休め」と言われてしまったが、ロゼと合流して调査をしなければならないとアルフォンスは告げた。

「くれぐれも无理はしないようにな」

アルフォンスは、部屋を出る时にガラードがかけてくれた言叶を思い出す。普段は厳しい队长だが、彼は自分のことを本当の息子のように案じていてくれる。そのことに心の中で感谢し、改めて気を引き缔めるアルフォンス。

「绝対に无事に、この事件を解决してみせる」

そうして、ロゼとの合流场所に向かうために诘所を出ようとしたところで、不机嫌そうな颜をした同僚——エルロイに遭遇した。どうやら朝の训练を终えてきたらしく、汗を流してはいるが少しも息が切れていない。彼はガラード队の中でも随一の剣の腕前を持ち、同じだけの训练を积んでいるはずのアルフォンスや他の队员たちよりも飞びぬけた実力を夸っている。そこからくる优越感からか、彼は常に他人を见下したような态度をとってしまう。今回もそれは同じであり、颜を见るなりエルロイは不敌な笑みを浮かべた。

「……闻いたぞ、アルフォンス。例の『吸血鬼事件』の犯人らしき人物と遭遇したそうだな」

「まあな」　

「情けないヤツだ。その场でそいつを捕まえられていれば今顷事件は解决していただろうに」

颜を见るなり突っかかってきたエルロイに、アルフォンスは黙り込んでしまう。いつもなら喰ってかかるところだが、今回ばかりは彼の言い分が正しい。自分が力不足でなければ、あの场で吸血鬼を倒すことも可能だったはずだ。そんなアルフォンスの様子を见て、エルロイは胜ち夸ったように腕を组み、鼻で笑う。

「队长に贔屓されて调子に乗っているんだよ、お前は。

　これに惩りたらあまりでしゃばらないことだな」

ガラードを引き合いに出されてさすがに反论に転じようとするアルフォンス——だが、何かを言おうとした所でやめてしまう。腕を组んだエルロイの左腕が、包帯で何重も巻かれているのに気づいたからだった。

「……その包帯、どうした？」

　思わず案じてそれを指差すと、エルロイは一瞬だけ戸惑った表情を见せる。

「何だ、急に……别に、大したことじゃあない。さっきの训练で误って怪我をしてしまっただけだ」

　包帯には薄く血が渗んでおり、新しくついた伤なのは间违いなさそうだ。

「フン、お前のそういうところが気に入らないんだ」

突然身を案じられて调子が狂ってしまったらしく、エルロイはバツが悪そうに舌打ちしながらその场を后にした。それを头を掻きながら见送るアルフォンス。

　彼にとって、もともとエルロイはそこまで悪感情を感じる相手ではなかった。なのに一体、いつからこんなことになってしまったのか、アルフォンスには分からないのだった。

「やれやれ……」

こんなことを考えていてもしかたない。ともかく吸血鬼事件に集中しなければならない。気を引き缔めなおしたアルフォンスは、そのまま诘所の扉を开けてロゼのもとに向かった。

先日に引き続き、４番目の被害者が発见された现场で、アルフォンスとロゼは合流した。しばらくの间そこを调査していたが、やはり吸血鬼に繋がる手がかりは见つけられない。そこで、なにやら考え込んでいた様子のロゼが、昨晩まさに吸血鬼に遭遇した通りに行ってみることを提案し、アルフォンスもそれに賛成した。

　昼间のその通りは、あの静まり返った夜とはまた违った印象になっていた。谈笑する妇人たちや、露店を眺める老绅士などが见られ、むしろ赈やかですらある。吸血鬼事件は夜中にしか起きていないため、人々もこの时间帯は安心して生活しているようだ。

あまり目立たないように配虑しつつ、并んで通りを行き来しながら、手がかりを探すことにする２人。

「しかし、こんなところで吸血鬼と戦ったんだな……

　どうにも现実味がない」

「そもそも吸血鬼などという存在自体、现実味がないものですから。

　それを狩る使命を持つ私も、さらに现実味がない存在と言えてしまいますね」　

もっともらしいことを言って、少しだけ口の端を持ち上げるロゼ。

……今のは冗谈だったのだろうか？　どう反応していいかわからず、无言になるアルフォンス。そんな思いを知ってか知らずか、ロゼは気にせず昨晩のことを検证し始める。

「あの吸血鬼がまとっていた匂いは、今までの被害者から感じた匂いと同じものでした。

　やはりあれが帝都で起きている『吸血鬼事件』の犯人と考えて间违いないでしょう」

「匂い……か」　

そういえば、追迹していたときにそんなことを言っていたなとアルフォンスは思い出す。

「なら、それを辿っていけば吸血鬼の正体に辿りつけるわけだな」

「いえ、前にも申し上げましたが吸血鬼が力を発挥するのは夜です。　

　日が出ているうちは彼らも力を発挥できませんが、匂いも消えてしまいますね」

できれば力を発挥できないうちに叩くのが理想だが、正体に繋がる手がかりは今のところない。ここに来て『吸血鬼狩り』の难しさを再认识し、アルフォンスは思わず念ってしまう。

「ですが、昨晩接触することができたのは大きな进歩です。　

　激しい戦いが行われれば、何かしら手がかりが残されている可能性は高いはず。　

　もしかしたら、あの方も何かを目撃していたかも——」

あの方——ルッカのことだろうか。そう考えたあと、ぴたりと立ち止まるアルフォンス。并んで歩いていたロゼがついてきていない。振り向くと、彼女も立ち止まっていた。その颜は、いつもの无表情ではあったが、少し俯いてなにかを悔いているようにも见える。

「どうした？」　

「——いえ、なんでもありません。

　とにかく、手がかりを探しましょう」

　それから２人はしばらくの间、その通りを调べた。ロゼの提案で一旦、二手に分かれて别々の场所を调べ、再度合流して考えをまとめてみたが、先日と同様、吸血鬼の正体に繋がる手がかりを得るには至らなかった。

日も落ち始めており、レンガの街并みに夕焼けが合わさって浓い赤色になっている。

「これだけ调べて収获なし、か。……くそ」

吸血鬼は徐々に力をつけてきている、とロゼは言っていた。ロゼと吸血鬼の実力は、今のところ拮抗している。昨晩はなんとかルッカを救い出せたが、今后被害者が増えていけば、太刀打ちできなくなるほどに强くなってしまう可能性もあるだろう。急がなくてはならないのに、と舌打ちするアルフォンスを、无表情で见ているロゼ。

「焦っても仕方がありません。今は互いにやるべきことをやりましょう」

そうだな、と苦々しくうなずくアルフォンス。本日の调査结果を报告しなくてはならないので、ロゼとは一旦ここで别れることになった。

そして、昨日と同じく酒场で合流しようと提案したが——ロゼは、それを断った。

「今日は私も教会の方に用があるのです」

「そうか……できれば気配を探れる君と、また张っておきたかったんだが」

　昨日の今日だし、今のところ事件は毎夜のように起こっているのだから、警戒は必要だ。ロゼもそれは分かっているらしく「こちらの方で気をつけておきますから」と告げ、　

「では、明日またお会いしましょう。さようなら」

　と深くお辞仪をすると、そのまま立ち去ってしまうのだった。

「……なんだ……？」

アルフォンスは彼女の态度に妙な违和感を感じていた。だが、その正体は结局分からず、ただ彼女の后姿を见送るしかないのだった。

　夜——ガラードへの报告を终えたアルフォンスは、酒场に向かっていた。ロゼとの合流の约束はなくなってはいたが、昨日吸血鬼に袭われたばかりのルッカの様子を见に行っておきたかったのだ。

「あ、アルくんっ。いらっしゃいませ」

店に入った彼にいち早く気づいたルッカは、空いたカウンター席にアルフォンスを案内する。

　昨夜の勘定をしていなかった食事代をマスターに渡していると、ルッカがいそいそと注文をとりに来る。思いのほか元気そうな彼女の様子に、ひとまず安心するアルフォンス。

彼女の命が、食事などという名目で軽々しく夺われようとしていたのだ。そう考えると、怒りがこみ上げてくるアルフォンス。

「ええと、アルくん？　ど、どうしたのかな」　

おずおずとかけられた声に、アルフォンスは自分が深刻な表情をしていたことに気づくと、误魔化すように出された料理を口へ运ぶ。そうして心を落ち着けて、安心させるように笑みを向ける。

「……すまない。なんでもないんだ。　

　それより昨日の夜のことで、何か思い出したことはないか？」

「うぅん……ごめんね。わたしも思い出そうとしてはいるんだけど」　

念の为闻いてみたが、やはりだめか。

出くわした吸血鬼の姿がよほどショックで、记忆が混乱しているのだろうとロゼは言っていた。ルッカから吸血鬼の正体を掴むのは难しそうだと考え、ふう、とため息をつくアルフォンス。

　その间も、アルフォンスの役に立ちたい、なにか思い出せないかと考えを巡らせていたルッカ。彼女は少し间をおいてから、突然「あっ」と声をあげた。　

「あの、昨日じゃなくて今日のことなんだけど……

　さっき、あの人がお店に来てたよ、一人で」　

「……あの人？」

「ほら、アルくんと一绪にいた、あの」

　まさか——ロゼ？　彼女は店には来ないと言っていたはずではなかったか。教会の方に用事があるから、と。何か、胸にざわめくものを感じるアルフォンス。

「ええとね、なんだか色々、昨日のことを闻かれて。

　结局その时も何も思い出せなかったんだけど……

　何だか纳得したみたいでね。

そのまま『さようなら』って、すぐに帰っちゃって」

——『さようなら』。　

その言叶を闻いて、ハッと目を见开くアルフォンス。ロゼとは何度か别れの挨拶を交わしたが、今までは『ではまた』という言叶で缔められていた。しかし今日、あの通りで别れた彼女も『さようなら』と言っていたのだ。アルフォンスはそのことに违和感を感じたのだと気づく。　

　そして彼女は一人でこの店に来て、ルッカから何かを掴んだ。吸血鬼を狩る使命を持つ彼女は、次に何をしようとする？

　アルフォンスは、皿に乗った料理を半分以上残し、勘定のミラを乱暴に置く。

「ア、アルくんっ！？」　

「钓りはとっておいてくれ！」

　昨日に続いて、２度目の『嫌な予感』——

アルフォンスは全速力で店を飞び出し、日の落ちかけた街へ走り出た。