落とし穴７１堀：夏の夜の納涼 解析編 (Part1)
Pitfall 71: Summer Night Chill – Analysis Arc
Summer Night Chill – Analysis Arc
Side: Comet
I’d received a strange message from Hifii, but at the time, I’d dismissed it as another one of her scoldings. However, when Yuki-kun called me over, I found a rather interesting and amusing event taking place. Hifii really needs to learn how to write better emails. I mean, "Just come here"? That clearly sounds like a scolding, doesn't it? Well, let's set that aside for now.
The problem was that Hifii, who had just returned from her little romantic interlude, immediately accused me of something strange. While it was an accusation, I don't think Hifii's conjecture was entirely wrong. If I had been fully aware of this test of courage beforehand, I would have tried every trick in the book to surprise Hifii. That's just the kind of person I am; I can't resist getting involved in anything interesting. But unfortunately, the fact is I wasn't there, so I'm not foolish or eccentric enough to claim responsibility for something I didn't do.
"N-no, it's because you do things like this, isn't it?! I'm scared!"
"T-that's right. You shouldn't have done something like this."
"Deryu-oneechan, it's okay~"
"Labyris is okay too."
Indeed, there are people genuinely terrified like this, so even if it were a joke, I couldn't bring myself to admit it. If I were to jokingly claim responsibility, this Demon Lord and the loli with large breasts would surely end me. No, I'll say it again: I didn't do anything!
"Hmm. Even I want to call off the test of courage at this point. Unexpected elements have appeared, and Deryu and Labyris are like this. Everyone, please go back and get some sleep."
"Oh, what about you?"
"We'll investigate this area. It's quite a problem if there's truly something we don't know about in this situation."
"I see... But will you be alright?"
"That's why I want my wives to go back. We can check the screen with a call, and if anything happens, you can use Steve and the others to send help."
"Wouldn't it be better for Steve and the others to investigate?"
"They're not human, they're monsters, so we don't know how they'd be affected. So, no. Also, as you can see, Deryu and Labyris are terribly scared. Shera and Kirue, who are waiting at home, are also easily frightened, so they won't be able to move without someone there, you know?"
"Ah, now that you mention it, that's right. Milly and the others are also on standby, and there are children, so it's probably better to go back. ...It can't wait until tomorrow morning, can it?"
"It's not the time for ghosts. We'll investigate in the morning too, but we can't miss this time either."
"I see. I'll leave the four guards to you, then."
"Yep. Leave it to us."
"Leave it to me."
"...Mm. Ghosts sound very exciting. If there are any, I'll catch them."
"Whether it's a ghost or not, I shall blast it away with my magic."
Hmm, hmm. It seems they're going to investigate quite seriously. This is getting interesting.
"By the way, just to confirm, none of the members who went on the test of courage touched the dolls, did they?"
Yuki-kun asked for confirmation, and it seemed no one had touched or moved the dolls. Well, that's fine, but is Hifii staying?
"U-um, Taizo-san. W-will I die?"
"...No, I don't think that's likely to happen."
"But it happens sometimes, doesn't it? I-I feel like I've been cursed..."
"It's alright. We'll confirm and analyze it now. I'm sure it's just a coincidence."
"I-is that so?"
...That idiot is causing so much trouble for Taizo-san. It's my fault for mentioning a curse in the first place, but Hifii's mental state, to be affected like this, is also a problem. For now, I pulled out my harisen, swung it back with all my might, and smacked Hifii on the head.
*SPLAT!*
What a satisfying sound. The feeling of the swing was perfect. The harisen feels good.
"Ow, ow, ow, ow!"
"See? If you're that energetic, a curse has nothing to do with it. Stop moping and decide whether you're going to cooperate with Taizo-san or quietly go back to the inn. Just standing there is a waste of time."
"...Um, Hifii-san. If you don't mind, please wait at the inn. We have more work to do, and I'd like to have a late-night snack. Could I ask you to prepare it?"
"Yes, I understand. I'll put my heart into making it."
...Tch. I was the one who set them up, but it's irritating to see them flirting like this. Where did all that fear go? What's with that quick change? Honestly, this is why...
While I was feeling annoyed, only the analysis team remained at the scene.
"Alright, first... should we start with video analysis?"
"Yes, that sounds good."
"Indeed. We have about an hour until the Hour of the Ox. Wouldn't it be better to re-verify at the Hour of the Ox, and confirm the site in the bright morning?"
The three men said something like that and began their work. The Hour of the Ox, huh? They're going to verify at such a specific time, so it seems they're quite serious.
"Comet-san, you didn't go back."
"Of course not, Ria. I'm a researcher. If I don't stay here, there's no meaning in being a researcher."
Though our fields are different, I'm certainly interested in unknown explorations. It's just a matter of whether I have the luxury to pursue them.
"By the way, why didn't Zargis come?"
"Zargis? He's crashed after three all-nighters. Sound asleep."
Idiots who are devoted to research tend to have this kind of cycle.
"...Is he even bathing?"
"Zargis wouldn't bother with such things."
"I absolutely forbid Zargis from entering and exiting the inn. The children will get sick."
...Ah, yeah. When it comes to the children, I can't really condone not bathing. I should tell him myself. At worst, he might be incinerated.
"...Comet, do you bathe properly?"
"Even if I die, I'm still a maiden, you know. I do pay attention to such things."
"...Then, Zargis is the one to burn. Filth that makes children sick shouldn't be here."
Mainly, Hifii. Phew, that was close. I almost got incinerated too. Cleena's fire magic, under Yuki-kun's guidance, has become incredibly powerful. Even I couldn't defend against it. Zargis, I won't forget your death. I'll try to resurrect your body from the ashes as an undead. And then, I'll have a capable, genius undead who will listen to my every command! Hehehe, once that happens, I'll have him do all the selective breeding, hatching, and leveling up.
"Hey, you dead woman over there. Stop thinking strange things and listen to my explanation."
"W-what did you say!?"
"You can't master a Pokem*n you didn't raise yourself, because you don't understand its usage or quirks, can you?"
"You found out!?"
As expected, these hardcore gamers are different. Well, there's a certain sense of trust, like "this one's big moves tend to hit more often," right? So, entrusting training to others might indeed lead to misjudgments in actual combat.
"Anyway, that aside, I appreciate the explanation. I only heard that the doll moved. I don't know any of the details."
"That's the explanation. Let's organize the situation first."
"Um, Taizo-san. Is this alright?"