落とし穴１２１堀：最後のオチ (Part2)
"It seems my question was taken the wrong way. It's not that I intend for this to be a private matter. After hearing about the ghosts from Kagura and the others, I plan to ask Yuki for his time to learn about his understanding and countermeasures regarding ghosts."
"Countermeasures, you say?"
"Yes. From the report that Kagura was injured and Bishop Enora's proxy was completely unable to resist, I concluded that the threat level of ghosts is immeasurable. Fortunately, since they were subordinates of Yuki and Luna this time, no harm was inflicted, but if an opposing force were to use ghosts as military power, immense damage is anticipated."
Indeed, if ghosts were used as soldiers, we would be powerless.
I thought so, but then I remembered something.
"Ah, but this incident occurred in a place where magic and skills couldn't be used, so..."
"From this report, even if magic and skills could be used, it's unclear how effective Kagura and the others' attacks would be. To investigate that, I first wanted to hear their opinions. Are you satisfied?"
"Yes. I'm relieved it's not about hostility with Weed."
"Yes. If I were to say something so foolish, please stop me, even if you have to kill me. I don't know what the future holds, but antagonizing Weed in the current situation would mean the end of Hyden."
As the Princess said, picking a fight with Weed would be the end of Hyden. That's why her expression had been so stern at my initial remark.
"No matter how you look at it, Findar and the Haire Church would side with Weed. Unless Weed goes completely mad, that is. No, even if they went completely mad, they likely wouldn't abandon them. Because hostility would mean their end."
"With Yuki and Queen Seraria there, such a thing is impossible."
"I hope so. Now then, with that settled, please explain the threat of ghosts as you experienced it."
Given that reason, Mikos, Solo, and I began to talk about ghosts.
Before we knew it, we had been discussing ghosts for about an hour.
"...From what you've described, they are elusive, impervious to physical attacks, and instill fear in their opponents. That's the impression I get."
"Yes. That image is correct."
"Honestly, even after hearing Kagura's story, I still can't quite believe it. If such beings exist, wouldn't they be able to do anything they pleased? Theft and assassination would be effortless. It's strange that there haven't been any reported damages until now. And they were originally living people, weren't they? If souls wander this world after death, shouldn't this world be overflowing with ghosts? What's the situation there?"
"Even I don't know that much..."
I'm not an expert on ghosts, so I don't know.
"That's right. For more details, let's ask Yuki. In fact, if possible, I'd like to meet a ghost myself."
"...Uh, I wouldn't really recommend that."
"Mhm, mhm."
I really don't think that's a good idea. Even the Princess might be startled. No, perhaps it wouldn't be scary if we met in a place bathed in sunlight?
"If you're worried, Kagura and the others should come along. That would be best. Or rather, we might be able to glean something from the one who injured Kagura."
If I were to say here that Enora was the one who injured me, I'd probably get scolded. So, I simply asked back.
"Huh? From *her*?"
I hadn't even considered demanding anything from *that* person. It's true that I was chased and inconvenienced.
"Is it a woman? The one who cornered Kagura and the others?"
"Yes. But there's nothing to glean from her..."
After all, she's just a ghost in this world, with nothing but herself.
I thought so, but then I remembered something.
"Ah, come to think of it, she seems to have come from Japan, from a similar time as Yuki and the others."
"Oh? That sounds like there's a lot of knowledge we could extract from her."
Right, if she's from Japan, the value of her knowledge is immeasurable.
"Well, if we question her without permission, Yuki probably won't be pleased. Let's arrange to hear her story with him present. So, please convey this to Yuki and that ghost woman."
"Understood."
"Also, please tell him that I'd like to meet her as soon as possible."
"I will certainly convey that."
With that, I conveyed the message to Yuki. Due to security concerns, he specified the meeting place, but he approved of extracting knowledge. Later, after the Princess spoke with the ghost woman—Suzuki Noriko-san, was it?—it turned out she was skilled at drawing...
"Alright!! I'll surpass the God of Manga in this world!!"
"No way, no way!"
It was decided that she would become an artist, but it was amusing how Yuki, Taiki, and Comet all denied it simultaneously. Well, surpassing a god really is impossible, isn't it?
And so, she spread the concepts of manga and BL throughout the world of Arrowlith, earning a thorough scolding from Yuki.
"Do it as a doujin!"
"Why?! How many years do you think it'll take for doujin to spread?!"
"Keep that rot in your head!"
"This is how important people always push their own opinions! But too bad for you! I've already been asked to write BL by some princess named Hyden!"
Such a conversation may or may not have happened...