第８３４堀：その力は何のために (Part1)
**Chapter 834: For the Sake of That Power**
**Side: Hiiro**
"So, from today, I’ll be joining you all on this aircraft carrier. I’m Comet! Nice to meet you!"
The one who offered that cheerful greeting was Comet-onee.
"..."
The rest of us, however, were left in a state of bewilderment, responding only with silence.
Well, I suppose that’s to be expected. After all...
"Wait, why is Comet here? Yuki, Comet is an undead, right? Is that really okay?"
"It’s fine. Kirika functions just like anyone else, doesn't she?"
"Ah, I suppose you’re right."
"But why would Comet-san go out of her way to come to an aircraft carrier? I always had the impression that she loved being holed up in her research and rarely ventured outside."
"Guh!?"
Comet-onee clutched her chest in response to Vilia-onee’s relentless verbal strike.
It’s scary how she manages to pierce the vitals with such natural ease. It’s terrifying even when she’s genuinely angry.
"Now, now, don't tease her so much. You know Comet is fascinated by the carrier, right? It’s related to that."
"Ahhh..."
"Whoa, you all accepted that so easily!? I mean, you aren't wrong, but..."
...?
At a glance, she looks like the usual Comet-onee, but something is off.
She lacks her usual vigor. Why is that?
While I was lost in thought, the conversation around me continued...
"...And so, Comet has come to handle the adjustments and monitoring of the magic barrier generators."
"That makes sense. Agil is already busy maintaining the other equipment, and I was hoping to have an expert stationed at the magic barrier generators, which are the core of our defense."
"With Comet-san, we can rest easy."
"...Yeah. I suppose so."
Seeing the two of them so pleased, I couldn't bring myself to agree.
Something really is different.
"Alright, Comet, do your best."
"Okay. Leave it to me. I’ll make sure to get it done right."
See? She’s forcing herself to show enthusiasm.
It doesn't feel like she’s excited or immersed in a subject of interest. She’s trying to force herself to work hard at something.
It’s not like her. She isn't the type to push herself for things she doesn't truly care about.
But why go to such lengths to come here?
While I was pondering this, the others left, leaving us in the CDC.
"Hey, Dore-onee. What are we doing now?"
"We’re on standby on the carrier today. Yuki and the others are at Sea-Cypho Castle for a strategy meeting. They’ll be reviewing everything from yesterday and deciding on concrete operations."
"So, it’s going to take a while, then."
"Does that mean we have the day off? Yay!"
I thought this would be my first day off on a ship, but...
"What are you talking about, Hiiro? It’s work as usual today."
"Ehh..."
What a turn of events.
Even though we’re on standby, it’s not a day off—it’s work!?
"Don't 'ehh' me. We might not be in enemy territory, but we’re in a place where sea monsters could attack at any moment. Just like the soldiers on constant alert, you all are on semi-combat standby. You’ll get your shifts for rest, but first, you have work to finish."
"Ugh..."
"Don't make that noise. I’m not asking you to work yourselves to the bone. Today, I want you to assist Agil and Comet with the maintenance of the ship’s equipment."
"Yes, understood."
"...Okay."
I had no choice but to agree. Besides, I was curious about Comet-onee, so in a way, this was perfect.
"Sigh, this is maintenance for ship equipment, so if you’re careless, you’ll get hurt. Vilia, I leave Hiiro to you."
"Yes. Leave it to me. I’ll be strict."
"I-I’ll do my best!!"
"It’s too late for that now. Contact me if anything happens. I’ll be here doing paperwork."
Vilia-onee being strict—that’s the worst. She really is terrifyingly thorough.
And so, I ended up moving through the ship with Agil-onee and Comet-onee.
"Well, Dore-ssa said that, but let’s take it easy. First, we’re heading this way."
"That’s right. Maintenance isn't something you should rush."
"Is that so?"
"What do you mean?"
As Vilia and I tilted our heads in confusion, they explained.
"Vilia, you maintain your own weapons and armor, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Yeah, I do."
We’re told we have to, and if we leave blood on them after monster hunting, they become incredibly difficult to use. It’s a matter of life and death. That’s why we never skip daily maintenance.
"It’s the same thing. Machines require the same kind of care. It’s good to be fast, but you mustn't overlook anything."
"They’re more complex than swords, spears, or armor. A single moment of carelessness or a small mistake can cause the machinery to stop working."
"Are they really that difficult?"
"Can we even handle maintenance?"
Listening to their explanation, I felt like someone without proper knowledge shouldn't touch them carelessly.
"What we want you to do isn't so much maintenance as it is inspection. If there’s even a single abnormality, report it to me or Comet immediately."
"Exactly. We aren't asking you to perform specialized repairs. Though, it would be great if you could handle the simple stuff."
"Given the current situation, we’ll handle the adjustments and repairs of precision machinery, but if we had to check every single component for faults ourselves, we’d never have enough time."
"That’s why we want your help with the inspections."
"I see. But we don't even know how to tell if something is broken in the first place?"
"Yeah, Hiiro has no idea either."
I’ve never maintained a machine before. Well, I can change the batteries in an alarm clock, but that’s it.
"That part is easy. Each section—well, the storage areas for the machines—has diagnostic devices. You look at those, and you’ll know instantly."
"Actually, we can check them online, but visual confirmation is important too. We’ll do the online checks from the CDC, and you guys will do the visual checks. It’s a double-check system. Also, I want you to check the weapons and devices that aren't connected to the network."
"What kind of things aren't connected?"
"For example, firearms. The firearm storage section has security on the entrance, but it doesn't detect whether the contents are actually there or not."
"Eh? Can't you tell by the weight?"
I thought they could just use a scale or something. But the two of them just gave a bitter smile...
"In that case, we’d have to renovate the entire room. For now, we only have security on the doors."
"Well, Hiiro’s idea isn't bad. It would make management easier. Oh, wait. Then you could just replace them with dummies of the same weight, couldn't you?"
"In that case, we’d have to embed IC chips, but if we’re going that far, we might as well just do visual checks."