第５９９堀：よく見なければ扉はどっちに開くかわからない (Part1)
### Chapter 599: You Won't Know Which Way the Door Opens Unless You Look Closely
**Side: Yuki**
Following the results of yesterday’s second exploration, we had set a goal to conclude everything with this third attempt, and the time since had been consumed by preparations.
Well, the necessary supplies were gathered quickly enough; the real problem was deciding just how far we should push ourselves. Even though there might not be a "next time," I had no intention of pushing forward if it meant risking lives. I wanted the information, certainly, but not at the cost of blood.
Consequently, after our discussions, the conditions for this exploration were finalized:
* If anyone sustains a serious injury, the exploration is to be aborted and we are to withdraw immediately.
* If anyone goes missing, we are to switch to search-and-rescue, and withdraw regardless of the outcome.
* If the exploration time exceeds five hours, we must return once. If we do not return within six hours, the individuals will be treated as missing.
These were common-sense conditions, and they applied to the guards as well. I wasn't going to let anyone die in a simple academy investigation. Furthermore, the presence of VIPs like myself, Taiki, Aetheri, and Princess Stasia was another reason for these precautions.
As you might have guessed, following yesterday’s commotion, Princess Stasia decided to tag along. She had presented such a logical argument that George eventually folded. Since the risk was relatively low to begin with, and she pushed the point that she held the secrets of Heiden, he couldn't really deny her.
Princess Stasia is quite shrewd. I’d known that for a while, but ever since she became close with Hiiro, she’s started using that friendship as a convenient excuse to force her whims on others. George had muttered that he preferred her the way she was before. Extremes are never good; balance is key.
Similarly, Taizo and Popuri wanted to join the exploration, but since we had already gathered a significant amount of combat power and experts, we needed them to remain as external support in case something happened to the main team. They understood the situation and didn't complain. Instead, they ensured the conference room was stocked with equipment they had specified, making our support system feel foolproof. It’s truly a blessing to have experienced elders around.
With the meetings finished and preparations complete, the members stood in formation.
"Alright. Is everyone ready?"
I looked at them, and everyone nodded. I noticed one princess carrying Hiiro, but in this world, there’s a high probability of having a sister-complex princess, so I decided to ignore it as just "how things are."
"Are the support members waiting outside ready?"
"Yeah, no issues here."
"We're good."
"I'm counting on you, Kanna. If anything happens, you must protect everyone at all costs, even if it means sacrificing yourself. I’m sorry. Ideally, I should be the one going..."
"No, Principal. Your job is to manage this academy. As a subordinate, I will certainly fulfill that duty if the time comes."
The Principal and Kanna were having a stomach-churning conversation about representing the academy. If something went wrong here, the academy staff would likely be the first to face punishment. It was only natural for the higher-ups to stay behind. The current formation was just a bit unusual.
With that exchange, we finally set off for the exploration, but...
"Isn't this a bit crowded?"
"Ahaha, I wonder if we’ll even fit in the history section?"
Kagura and Mikos were whispering. It was no wonder; the history section was currently packed with me, Yuki, Taiki, Princess Stasia, Aetheri, Kanna, Cleena, Shuten, Ria, Deryu, Kirue, Vilia, Dressa, Hiiro, Ruth, Kagura, and Mikos. Sixteen people in total were crammed into a single corridor.
You don't often see more than ten people in a bookstore aisle. Usually, popular books are placed in the new arrivals section to avoid this kind of congestion. Because of these physical space limitations, we had to be a small, elite group with the right knowledge. Sending in people who knew nothing wouldn't solve anything. Even so, sixteen people was pushing the limit.
We shouldn't get separated. If there were only three or four of us, we might have drifted apart unnoticed, but with this many people, the sheer number of eyes on each other should prevent anyone from going missing. That was the calculation, at least. It’s a classic trope that supernatural phenomena don't occur when a large group is present.
"Alright, Kagura. Do it."
"Oh, right. Here I go."
This time, Kagura wasn't as scared and followed my instructions, stepping on the trap.
"I flew. Toto-sama."
*"Indeed. We have relocated."*
From their words, it seemed we had moved without issue, but I still didn't feel like I’d actually traveled. We didn't pass through a gate; it was more like a sudden teleportation. *Is this Japan or some other dimension?* I couldn't help but think.
Well, that was nothing new. There had been strange rumors for ages, and I’d had my own odd experiences. Rather than thinking "this other world is amazing," I couldn't help but wonder if Earth was the true den of monsters. But, let’s focus on the exploration.
"Kagura, can you hear the voice?"
"Yeah. It says to come to the second floor."
It seemed she could definitely hear it. When Taiki and I stepped on the trap, we heard the same short phrase: "Come to the second floor." It just kept repeating in a small voice. It’s no wonder people wouldn't realize it was Japanese unless they were consciously listening for it.
"...Well, shall we go? Yuki-san."
"...I suppose so."
I had a bad feeling, but since everyone else said they didn't sense any malice, we couldn't just retreat. We headed toward the second floor.
"...Huh? There’s no staircase leading back down."
"You're right. So, is this the first floor?"
When we arrived, the stairs that should have led back to the first floor were gone. Vilia and Dressa tilted their heads in confusion. The others looked quite tense, faced with such an impossible situation.
"But, it says 'Second Floor' right there."
Hiiro, perhaps not seeing the abnormality as abnormal, read the plate aloud. Young children sometimes have the ability to make sound judgments without being swallowed by the atmosphere of a situation.
"I guess it means we have to find something on the second floor."
"Well, that would be the case, wouldn't it."
Taiki and I didn't panic; the trope was too familiar. Seeing us calm down, the others regained their composure and followed.
"Kagura, can you still hear the voice?"
"Eh? No, nothing in particular... wait. I hear something."
Kagura cupped her hand to her ear. We all held our breath, straining to listen...
*“...ome. ...ome here. Come here.”*
It seemed I could hear it too. When I checked with the others, they all confirmed they were hearing the same thing.
"Isn't that it? It’s fine to guide us from the third floor to the second, but if we had to make contact with something to reach every floor, it would be impossible to reach the end, right? So, maybe once you reach the second floor, anyone can hear it? If you understand Japanese, you’ll be guided properly."
"That’s highly plausible. For now, is everyone being directed to the same place?"
When I asked, everyone pointed to the same route. Well, they were just pointing in the direction where the voice sounded loudest, but it seemed there was no discrepancy in how it was heard. It didn't seem like the intent was to scatter our group.