第５９７堀：報告と第二次探索隊編成 (Part2)
"Well, it seems we've figured out quite a bit, but..."
"We're still short on information. Much of this requires verification. Kagura-kun, you were the one who triggered the trap, right?"
"Eh? Oh, yes. And Mikos was there too."
"Hmm. The two of you, then. Next, we need to investigate whether the trap triggers for anyone other than Kagura-kun and Mikos-kun. It might be tied to bloodlines, or perhaps specific conditions like being a student at the academy. We also need to verify if there’s truly a time limit. It’s possible that you were able to leave simply because you performed an action that went unnoticed."
Indeed, without narrowing down those conditions, we can't exactly conduct a deep investigation.
"Let’s prioritize narrowing down those conditions for the next exploration. First and foremost, confirming that we can return safely is the most important thing."
As Taizo-san said this, everyone nodded.
Coming to this other world was enough of a one-way ticket for us, after all.
"...Also, and I realize this might sound strange coming from a scientist, but did you, Yuki-kun, or the others feel anything unpleasant while in that space? A sense of bloodlust, or perhaps a chill? That sort of thing. Personally, because I use a sword, I believe such instincts exist. I have no intention of taking them lightly."
I could understand why Taizo-san hesitated to say it.
If you started talking about "bloodlust!" or "a presence!" back in Japan, people would probably think you’d lost your mind.
However, there are times when those instincts really do kick in.
You might not know why or how, but everyone has felt that urge to avoid a certain path, or the sensation of being watched.
Especially here in another world—I had no intention of denying the value of trusting one's intuition.
If we’re talking strictly about life-threatening situations, this place is certainly more dangerous than Earth.
"No, I didn't feel anything like that. How about you, Shuten, Suiryu?"
"I didn't feel anything in particular. It just felt... fun."
*Indeed. As Shuten-sama says, rather than any negative intent, I felt something akin to a child’s playfulness. If Sota left something behind, that would make sense. After all, he was quite the mischievous boy.*
I see.
It seems there’s no danger in terms of that kind of intuition, then...
"I understand. In that case, we don't need to worry too much about that aspect during the investigation. Now, regarding the next exploration, I’d like to leave it to Taiki-kun and his team."
"Eh?"
Why pick me all of a sudden!?
"There are various issues with sending Yuki-kun in repeatedly, and we aren't going to solve all the mysteries in the next exploration anyway. I could go myself, but in the event of an emergency, I thought Taiki-kun, who already knows about the infinite loop, would be better equipped to handle it."
"When you put it that way, I suppose you're right. I don't mind."
I was surprised to be singled out, but thinking about it calmly, there’s no immediate threat to my life.
There’s no reason to refuse.
Besides, I’m here to provide support for exactly this kind of thing.
For the sake of the future of Ranks, too.
Still, hanging out with Yuki-san and the others feels less like a mission and more like a school trip—or students getting up to mischief.
For better or worse, it’s fun for me, so I don't mind.
"Taiki-kun, I’m glad you’re willing to take this on. As for the other members, Suiryu-dono, would you mind accompanying them as an experienced hand?"
*I don't mind. It wouldn't be right for Shuten-sama to go again, so it’s better if I accompany them.*
"I appreciate it. For the rest, I’d like Ruth-dono and Agil-dono, who are Taiki-kun’s guards, to go, along with Amanda-kun and Eoid-kun."
"Yes? Agil-san is coming too?"
"Oh? Is being with me not to your liking, Taiki?"
"No, no, it’s not that, but... isn't it problematic for you, Agil-san, given your position?"
"What are you saying? If we’re going to talk about positions, aren't you and Yuki royalty?"
"Well, I suppose that's true, but..."
It’s just that the level of interaction is different, or perhaps it’s the useless knowledge from Japan kicking in...
"Taiki-kun, I requested Agil-dono’s presence. She is an excellent researcher on the If Continent. Since I cannot go to the site myself, she is the one who can look at it from the perspective of an If Continent researcher."
"Oh, I’m humbled by your praise, but as a researcher, I’d love to experience that mysterious space at least once."
I see.
So Agil-san is coming along in the capacity of a scholar. I’m not as knowledgeable as Yuki-san or Taizo-san, so that’s definitely necessary.
"Understood. I’m counting on you."
"Yes, count on me. Well, I’ll leave the rough stuff to you."
"I’m sure any 'rough stuff' in that space will just run away."
I imagine something truly hair-raising will appear. The kind that makes you faint.
With that, the discussion wrapped up. Just as I was about to stand up to begin preparations for the second exploration, a voice rose from the corner where there had been silence until now.
"U-um!! Why are we coming along!?"
"Y-yeah, we don't seem like we'd be very useful..."
It was Amanda and Eoid.
Ah, come to think of it, I hadn't mentioned why those two were coming.
I thought it would be obvious without saying.
"It’s simple. We need the perspective of students from a different academy, don't we?"
" "That's it!?" "
That’s not all.
Usually, it’s the students who are most sensitive to these kinds of supernatural phenomena.
If something happens, it’ll surely be these two.
Well, if I told them that, they wouldn't want to go, so I’ll keep it to myself.
It’s not like they’re sacrifices, really.
Just a scapegoat. A sacrificial lamb.
Wait, aren't those the same thing?
My turn!! I set "Scapegoat"!!
Turn end!!
Sacrifices are important, aren't they?