落とし穴７３堀：夏の夜の納涼 解決編 (Part2)
A creaking sound echoed, but it wasn't frightening even in the daytime.
The room was still dim, lacking a light source, though not as dark as night since the sun had risen.
The row of dolls was still unsettling, however…
"I'll watch the cameras, you two, investigate the dolls and the area behind the platform."
"Understood."
"Got it."
As soon as I gave the order and everyone entered, it happened.
*BANG!*
Everyone's eyes snapped towards the direction of the sound.
"Yuki-kun, what happened? I heard a strangely loud noise over here."
"...The door just closed."
"Is that so, the door... What do you mean? The monitors show everyone is away from the door, who closed it?"
"I don't know. Is there anyone in the hallway?"
"No, I don't see anyone."
"Can you open the door?"
"I'll check now."
I left the rear to the other two, ready to respond to anything.
Worst case, I might have to erase this entire base.
Thinking that, I reached for the door and applied force, but…
"It's not moving. Why?"
"It really won't move?"
"I'll check too."
Since just touching the door revealed nothing, I had the other two try as well.
I had hoped it might open if a woman touched it, or that a trap would activate, but nothing of the sort happened; it simply wouldn't budge.
It felt like someone had attached a doorknob to a wall.
If I forced it, I felt like I'd break the entire wall.
No, the doorknob would probably break first.
"...That's how it is. It doesn't seem like we can open it from the inside."
"Is it like a refrigerator?"
"Yeah, it feels like that. If it can be opened from the outside, that is."
"Understood. Jessica and Samantha are already heading there, so we'll know soon."
"Then, if that doesn't work, it's back to a clean slate."
"Unfortunately, that's right."
As expected of Taizo-san.
Is that his reaction even if we're trapped?
Well, since there seems to be no danger to our lives, I suppose that's his reaction.
"But..."
I put strength into my hand, but it truly wouldn't move.
"It's strange."
"I can't feel any magic either. It's truly mysterious. It's like the work of a god."
...Hmm?
What did Cleena just say?
Come to think of it, the one who loves that kind of fun event wasn't participating in this enjoyable event.
...Was that really, truly not participating?
While I was thinking about that, the next event occurred.
"Huh? The image on monitor 5, no, monitor 3 too!?"
"No, the monitors are going down one after another. Why!?"
"Hey. Is something happening!? Can you hear me!! Hello!!"
"The monitor is... oh, most of them are... Au..."
"The radio is acting up!! Switch to call! Can you hear me!?"
"Here... to call... received. Kai... not... ma..."
Oh boy, to have even the call signal interfered with by the radio means there's some kind of magical interference with the radio waves.
In other words, there's something that can do both, and that's pretty bad?
Judging that, I pulled Ria and Cleena closer, intending to remove ourselves from this location…
"Fwahh. Last night was fun, but staying up late is tough."
Saying that, Luna, the useless goddess, suddenly appeared in this space.
"I worked hard unnecessarily yesterday, you know? Well, it was fun, so it's fine. It's bad for my skin and my health, though."
While cracking her knuckles, she walked towards the dolls without noticing us.
We had already moved near the door, and Luna had appeared right in the center, her back to us.
No, notice us. Useless goddess.
"Still, Yuki's defenses have gotten ridiculously tight lately, haven't they? Surveillance cameras, magical calls for monitoring, plus thermal cameras, dust sensors, and night vision. The downside is that it takes an enormous amount of magic to get through that surveillance network to play pranks."
Oh?
I see, I see. So she just brute-forced it with her useless goddess power.
"Heh heh, Hifi's maidenly reaction. I got to have some fun, so it's fine. I'm the best goddess, aren't I?"
Yeah, you're top-tier in carefree attitude.
For now, I'll prepare my slapstick paddle…
"Ah, I shouldn't, I shouldn't. I need to erase the traces I left quickly…"
*Span!*
"Owwwww!? Wait, what!? How did you get in here!?"
"I was here from the start!!"
"Ehh!! You should be sleeping more!!"
As expected, this useless goddess is my biggest formidable enemy.
Yes. Several people guessed correctly.
You shouldn't spoil things, you know. Shhh!!
Also, there are many plot holes, and some people are worried that I might be struggling with the main story. However, for now, I'm fine.
I've already planned for the various country conflicts in the Weed continent and the next summoning arc, so I think I can continue for another six months.
Honestly, I'm debating whether to incorporate this or not.
The reason for the many plot holes is that I've wanted to do summer-themed gags for a long time, but couldn't due to member availability. There are very few Japanese people, you see.
Also, it didn't fit the flow of the story at times.
This time, the major incident is over, and we're in the investigation phase, so I've woven in some plot holes.