第５０４堀：世界は知らないことがいっぱいである (Part2)
"Alright. Everyone, get out and undergo a body inspection. You aren't carrying any weapons, so it'll be over quickly."
As instructed, we stepped out of the vehicle and entered the building. There was a small gate inside, and following Yuki-sama’s lead, we passed through it.
"Yes. Everything looks fine, everyone. No reactions from either the metal detector or the magic power detector. Welcome to the Weed Government Office."
"I-I see. Thank you for the welcome."
"Th-thank you very much."
"Much obliged... Wait, what is that?"
We couldn't possibly suppress such a question, but the one who answered Kamishiro-dono’s inquiry was a maid who had suddenly appeared before us.
"Please consider that gate a type of magic tool used to check for the presence of dangerous items. For instance, if I pass a knife through it like this..."
As she said this, she produced a knife from nowhere and passed it through the gate. A shrill *beep!* echoed through the room.
"It notifies us with a sound like this."
I see. A convenient device indeed. However, I hadn't even noticed where she had pulled the knife from. This maid is no ordinary person.
"Wait, you're the maid, and you're the one carrying a dangerous item! Is that really okay, Yuki!?"
"It’s fine. She’s my wife, after all."
"Huh!?"
"Pardon my late introduction. While I serve as a maid, I am also the wife of my master, Yuki-sama. My name is Kirue. I welcome you to this visit with all my heart. General Jorgin of the Findall Empire. Lady Catherine, Lord of Baide. And... Kagura Kamishiro-sama."
"Hii!?"
She bowed elegantly and smiled, but the sheer intensity of her killing intent caused me to freeze. The target was Kamishiro-dono, but the shockwave alone was enough to reach us...
"Now, now. Kirue, don't bully them."
"Whatever do you mean? I was merely offering a standard greeting."
"...*Sigh*. Please, don't get in the way of the explanation."
"Of course. I am already prepared for that. Please, this way."
...Though it couldn't be helped, I found myself feeling pity for Kamishiro-dono. Forgive this old man for thinking that while being unable to say a word. I have to secure a friendship with the Empire at all costs, after all.
As I pondered this, we were led into a conference room. Naturally, since no one was there, the room was dark. In fact, there were no windows to let in light, and there wasn't even a candle to be found.
"...Are we going to have the explanation in this darkness?"
"It’s convenient when using the screen. Well, we won't be using it this time, though."
As soon as Yuki-sama said that, the room suddenly became as bright as day. How, without windows or candles? I peered at the source of the light and saw something familiar.
"This is what was used for the magic lamps, isn't it?"
"Exactly as you say, Jorgin-dono. It’s something that has become common in this room, and in general households as well. It keeps things bright at night, lasts longer than a candle, and is quite convenient."
"Haha. This will certainly make night work much more efficient."
"Well, for now, please take your seats. Kirue."
"Yes. Guests, please, this way."
As we took our seats under Kirue-dono’s guidance, we were handed some paper. It was an incredibly neat stack of documents. Written in our language, it read: *'Weed Sightseeing Guide: For the New Continent.'*
*For the New Continent?* What could that mean? As I wondered, Yuki-sama began to speak.
"The materials contain a detailed explanation of what we are about to discuss, but please wait to look through the contents. My goal is for the three of you to understand this together."
At his words, I stopped reaching for the papers.
"Now, this is going to be a bit long, but it’s necessary for your future dealings with Weed, so please bear with me. Oh, and if you need to use the restroom, just say so. Kirue will guide you. Does anyone need to go right now? I see. Then, I shall begin the explanation."
With that, a large object suddenly descended from the ceiling.
"Oh, don't be alarmed. This is called a monitor. It’s a machine—a magic tool—that displays images. And..."
Yuki-sama manipulated something, and the monitor lit up, displaying something quite strange. It was a shape I had never seen before. What on earth was this?
"First, I’d like to correct a misunderstanding. Kagura thinks we were summoned from another world, but that is actually incorrect. I was summoned from the same world. That location is this continent. And the continent where you, Kagura, and the others are, is here."
" " "Ehhhhhh!?" " "
We all cried out in shock at this sudden confession. Not another world, but the same one!? And this strange diagram was the shape of the continent!? How could that be!?
And so, the verification of the map and the clearing of misunderstandings began. Accurate maps are something that have truly evolved rapidly within the last hundred years; the old maps were, well, quite terrible.