第１１２６堀：唐揚げからくる怪談の再認識 (Part2)
In ghost stories, it is often the case that even when someone meets their end, it is treated merely as a disappearance.
After all, if there is no corpse, there is no proof.
Even if the survivors testify that a person is dead, as long as a body remains unfound, they cannot be officially declared deceased. They are simply marked as missing.
"Mikos, Amanda. How many students have supposedly dropped out because they couldn't keep up with the curriculum? No, that’s not quite right—I can ask Popuri or Lara about that. I’m asking if there are any rumors about students vanishing from the academy under unnatural circumstances."
"Hmm, well, unnatural or not, I do hear that kind of talk here and there. I mean, this Lancer Academy of Magic is the finest institution on the continent, just like the Haiden Academy, right? It’s only natural that some kids just can't keep up."
"Yes. As Mikos says, a few students leave the academy every year. Though, I’ve never looked into the details..."
I see. So, no one has investigated it from that angle.
"If there’s no data, then so be it. Could you focus your efforts on investigating that side of things? Nairua, Wazuphi, what about you two?"
"S-sorry. I have no idea about that sort of thing."
"Same here."
Right. I suppose those who are academically gifted and keep to themselves wouldn't pay much attention to their surroundings.
"Then, Nairua and Wazuphi, you’ll proceed to Weed for training as planned. In the meantime, I’ll look into these ghost stories."
If there are truly people going missing, that takes absolute priority. Besides, I have some free time until their training concludes.
"I understand the situation, but we are here as exchange students. How should we handle that?"
"Stasia, Kagura, Enora, and Eoid, continue attending classes during the day, but be more proactive in gathering information. It should be easier to find out if anyone left because they couldn't handle the academy than it would be to chase down vague, spooky rumors."
After all, I’m just asking them to confirm the fact of whether their classmates have disappeared. That is quite different from trying to pry out nebulous gossip from close friends. It would also serve as a way to grasp the actual number of students who remain from enrollment to graduation.
"Ah, that we can do. Leave the student body to us. And I assume you and the others will be speaking with the Academy President, Yuki-san?"
"And while I’m at it, I’ll conduct a field survey of the Dead Point. I’ve never even tried to approach it until now."
I had intentionally avoided it, and had been kept away from it, but I decided that it was time to go and see if there was anything abnormal there. However...
"Absolutely not."
My wives rejected the idea in unison. I understand that it’s dangerous, but...
"Someone has to go eventually. And I’m more accustomed to dealing with this sort of thing than anyone else."
"..."
Faced with that, my wives had no choice but to fall silent. It is the most reliable course of action for me to go. After all, I have plenty of experience with this kind of trouble. Not that I’m particularly happy about having accumulated such experience, but it’s better than letting my wives face the danger.
"Hmm. What you say is true, Master. However, like the others, I cannot allow you to face danger alone. Therefore, I shall accompany you. Is that acceptable?"
"Yeah. I’d appreciate that. Going into a ghost investigation alone is the classic setup for becoming a missing person."
I certainly don't have the guts to intentionally trigger such a textbook death flag.
"Then I’m going too! I’ll protect you, Big Brother."
"Firia is coming too! I’ll defeat the bad ghosts!"
"...I’d like to say I’m going too, but... this is impossible. Truly impossible."
"Labyris, you don't have to push yourself. I will accompany him in your stead."
"Then I’ll go as well. The fleet is docked anyway, and I need to use up my accumulated long-term leave."
"Indeed. We were told to leave our subordinates to handle the work, so we shall act as your escorts, Big Brother."
"Big Brother, leave it to us."
It seems this expedition is going to be quite lively. That said, I’ll call for some reinforcements of my own. If this is going to be a paranormal investigation, I can’t very well leave those people out of it.
Ghost stories are dangerous things. Well, assuming they actually exist. If there are unsettling rumors, I want to get to the bottom of them and ensure everyone’s peace of mind.