第３００堀：求められるもの (Part1)
**Chapter 300: What is Required**
Side: ???
"What do you think of this?"
"Don't you find it interesting?"
Those were the words of the people I call my mentors.
Honestly, to be summoned out of the blue only to be met with this. These people are truly born and bred children of science. I want to catch up to them, even if just a little. To discover an unknown world, to research it, to unravel its mysteries, and to forge a future through the name of technology. The world is always connected to the future, to a new world. Within that, I, too, want to forge a new future with my own hands.
But in this world, you can’t make a living just by doing what you love. That is why we must produce research results, make ourselves useful to society, and prove that what we are doing is meaningful and builds the future. While facing that reality, my mentors are still in the laboratory today.
"Oh? Are you not going to investigate the abnormal needle deflection of the ammeter today?"
"Hm? Ah, today is a breather."
"Do you want to read this, too?"
What they handed me was a book on the history of firearms.
"Why now? This has absolutely nothing to do with our work, does it?"
"That’s why I said it’s a breather. When we focus on one thing, we lose sight of everything else."
"Exactly. We intentionally read things unrelated to our field of research to calm our minds."
"Haa..."
...They are as inscrutable as ever.
"It’s quite interesting, you know. The way gunpowder is made, the strength of iron that can withstand a gunshot, and so on."
"We are provided with tools from the start, but if the research funding stops, we have to manage on our own."
"You don't mean to say you intend to make them from scratch, do you?"
"It is not an impossibility. It is meaningless if we are not prepared for an emergency."
"That’s right. In the end, if our research isn't evaluated by others, our funding will be cut and eventually disappear. But if we believe that the research will surely lead to something, we must continue it even without money, right?"
"Well, that may be true, but..."
Why does the idea of making things from raw materials even come up? I couldn't possibly ask that. I suppose this is just the kind of creature they are. For now, I’ll read the book they gave me. I believe that knowledge like this, as my mentors said, will not go to waste. Even if it was just out of curiosity...
Time passed. My mentors' research achieved certain results, but the era marched toward a second world war. Research on how to kill people, how to destroy targets, and mobility became the priority.
"The higher-ups are stubborn."
"I understand their logic, though."
"But if we could do that, the loss of life would..."
"The higher-ups' logic is this: emitting radio waves is like carrying a lantern—you’re basically calling yourself a target."
"That could be fixed with improvements..."
"They say if there’s a budget for improvements, they’d rather develop new weapons."
And so, the things my mentors developed were understood to be useful by the enemy, who incorporated them into their military. It seems our country finally realized the importance of my mentors' research and development too late. Well, if it had been earlier... I won't say things like "we wouldn't be in this disadvantageous position." Anyone with a certain level of education understands. This war—the exit strategy was wrong. No, this was a war where the result was decided from the start.
As a result, many lives and resources were worn away, and the day came when I, too, was consumed.
*Woooooo—*
That sound echoed. Everyone around me looked up at the sky in unison.
"Wh-why is it here!?"
"Don't be an idiot, run!! It's an air raid warning!!"
Yes, an air raid warning. It is rare in this region, but not unheard of. After all, this area produces military supplies.
"Technical Officer!! Evacuate!!"
"I know. But I cannot let these documents be burned."
This was the result of my mentors' research—based on that information, something even higher precision that wouldn't be detected by the enemy...
*Fwooooooo—*
The place I was in was quite urban, so I had heard this sound often. It was the sound of a bomb falling.
"Ah..."
"Eh?"
*BOOOOOM...*
Ah, I never thought it would fall right in front of me. I watched in slow motion as the bomb fell and the moment it exploded. Ah, if I could record this on camera, it would be quite useful data. Thinking such foolish things, I was swallowed by the explosion.
...I’m no better than my mentors. In the end, I was a researcher to the core.
Professor Yagi, Professor Uda, I am sorry I could not continue researching the improvement of the radio direction-finding system with you. If there is a next time, I want to research something more fun, not for war, and try to build a future.
For me to pray for something so strange at the very end... No, I don't deny reincarnation, and I think religion is a possibility. But it felt somehow funny that I, a researcher, would make such a wish at the very last moment.
"...Now, awaken..."
I felt like I heard a voice.
It’s strange. My consciousness had certainly ceased. No, my life should have ended. Well, I can't say it was a proper passing, but I think it was fulfilling enough. It would be a lie to say I have no regrets, but I don't think I could have possibly avoided my own death.
Did I survive with a major injury? I’d hate that. Even if I survived that direct hit, I’d be bedridden for the rest of my life. ...Thinking about it won't change anything. For now, I'll open my eyes and try to grasp the situation. After thinking it through, I felt no discomfort in my body, so I opened my closed eyelids.
"Welcome. To the Holy World of Alorith. Hero of another world, chosen by me."
There was a foreigner there. I suppose it’s fine to call her a beauty. Looking at how it reflects light so much that it can't be called white hair, should I call it silver? Platinum, was it called, in foreign countries? Haa, it’s troublesome when even common words like that are banned just because it’s the enemy's language.
Well, that’s fine. First, I must respond. The words from before were likely directed at me. If there were someone behind me, it might be them, but unfortunately, there is no presence in this private room? other than her and me. Thanks to learning the Jigen-ryu style for mental discipline, I can tell at least that much. Well, the local accent caused me trouble when I went to Tokyo, though.
"My apologies. Were those words directed at me?"
I replied to her. My Japanese was clear. And yet, with a foreigner's appearance, she must be from Italy or Germany. If she is from an allied country and speaks Japanese so clearly, she must be a young lady of a distinguished family living in Japan. A technical officer like me could have his head chopped off if I handle this poorly.
"Yes. I was undoubtedly speaking to you."
"I see. I am Taizo Honme, Second Lieutenant, 23rd Unit, Technical Development Bureau, Imperial Japanese Army."
I said that and gave a sharp salute. I must not be rude. I was told something I didn't understand, but rather than asking for the truth, I should introduce myself properly first.
"Ta-Taizo, Motome?"
"Yes. It is a name unique to the Japanese. Ah, 'Honme' is the surname, the family name, and 'Taizo' is the given name. If I were to say it in your way, it would be Taizo Honme."
"Were you born of nobility? I am grateful for your polite explanation."
"No. In our country, anyone is allowed to use a family name. I myself am of common birth, so there is no need for you to be so formal."
...Does one make such a misunderstanding with a family name? No, perhaps she is a sheltered young lady.
"No, it is necessary to show respect to you, Taizo-dono. As I said before, you are a hero from a distant world whom I have summoned."
"Haa. By that, do you mean a soldier?"
Honestly, I’m confused. No matter how I think about it, it should be a game, but now it’s becoming a story about becoming a soldier. No, did an order come in at some point to be this young lady's conversation partner? After all, a hero is one with courage. It refers to an excellent soldier in the military.
"Ah, we used to call them that long ago. In our world, that meaning has long been forgotten, and a hero is recognized as someone who surpasses a champion."
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
...Huh? It feels like we are communicating, but we aren't. Calm down. Since I introduced myself first, the initial etiquette should be fine. I will ask her name and have her explain the situation. I might be reprimanded by my superior later, but it is better than proceeding without knowing anything.
"Excuse me, but may I ask your name?"
"Ah, I apologize. I am Hifi, the Holy Maiden who leads the Holy Kingdom of Hifi. And I am also the Goddess Hifi, whom that Holy Kingdom praises and worships. Please, call me Hifi."
...The Holy Kingdom of Hifi? I have never heard of it. Or rather, if her words are true, she is the head of a country. I’ll leave the "Goddess" part alone for now.