第１１２７堀：集うゴーストハンターズ (Part1)
Chapter 1127: Ghost Hunters Assemble
Side: Taiki
"Wait, come to think of it, why did I end up coming to the Academy again?"
I muttered this to myself, a sudden sense of incongruity washing over me as I set my luggage down in one of the Academy’s classrooms.
"Hm? Did Taiki-kun not hear anything about it?"
Without looking back, Taiki-san—a distant relative of mine whom I never had the chance to meet back in Japan—replied while setting up the equipment he’d brought along.
He is the only blood relative I have in this world, Alurit, so we’ve grown quite close. More importantly, having been a technical officer in the former Imperial Army, he’s essentially a walking cheat code. If he has the materials, he can build machinery from the Second World War era all by himself. He’s an incredible man.
But, setting that aside...
"I was just called by Yuki-san as usual, and he told me to guide you around the Academy as if it were the most natural thing in the world."
That’s right. I was asked by Yuki-san to bring Taiki-san to the Academy.
No, that’s not it. What I really want to know is why he went out of his way to summon me just to handle the escort.
If it were just a matter of knowing the Academy, Yuki-san’s wives have been here plenty of times. There was no reason to call me specifically.
It’s not like I happened to be hanging out in Weed at the time. I’ve only just realized that I don’t understand why he would go so far as to pull me away from my duties as a king just to guide Taiki-san.
"I see. Well, it’s not such a complicated matter. It simply means a situation has arisen that only we can handle."
"Only us?"
What could that mean?
I understand Taiki-san’s role. Given his technical prowess and the depth of his knowledge, he’s the perfect advisor for anything technology-related.
But I don’t have anything like that. Sure, I’m a Hero, so I’m a decent combatant, but in that regard, Yuki-san has Ria-san, who is also a Hero, the Demon Lord Deryu-san, and even Steve’s monster army.
Above all, Yuki-san understands my position as a king, so he doesn’t make requests of me lightly.
"Is this a case that requires someone like me...? No, I don’t get it. If it were about opinions on some uncharted land, I’d understand, but I’ve been here countless times."
Just as I was thinking there was no way I was needed here for anything, Taiki-san turned toward me with a smile brighter than usual...
"Haha, you don't get it? Well, it’s not the kind of thing that happens every day. Let’s get straight to the point. We are here to investigate whether there are any ghost stories at this Lancer Magic Academy."
"...Ah. Yeah, I understand."
I understand.
Yes, I understand perfectly well.
Certainly, when it comes to ghost stories, we are the better fit.
No, actually, in that case, I’m probably more suited for it than Taiki-san.
And, when it comes to "ghost stories," there is someone even more perfect than me...
"Oh, you’ve arrived before me, everyone. Sorry for making you carry the luggage, Zargis-dono."
"Not at all. Souta-san, you are the key person in this investigation. Please leave the menial tasks to me."
He really did come.
Souta Kamishiro, the son of a shrine priest who is now a lich.
He was summoned to this world about 500 years ago. He’s an old man now, but he hails from modern Japan—specifically the 70s to 90s, the golden age of ghost stories.
Famous urban legends from that time included things like the Slit-Mouthed Woman or the Human-Faced Dog, right?
And he’s the son of a shrine priest from the era of the psychic boom. Perhaps because of that, his knowledge of such things is vast.
Well, as for the man himself...
"Ghost hunting, is it? In the old days, I would have asserted that 'such things don't exist,' but I’m practically a ghost myself now. Well, I’ll cooperate. Mostly regarding water, that is."
"Honestly. You have such talent; you really should have trained properly."
Oh, it seems the water deity Souta-san was carrying is tagging along too.
"Is it alright? For you to be active here, Water-san..."
"Hm? Ah, it is fine. This 'technical craft plastic model,' was it? The material is divine steel, and it has been bestowed with divine power from Amaterasu-Omikami-sama, so there are no issues. Therefore, feel free to use me to your heart's content."
"You seem a lot more proactive now than when I asked for your help, don't you?"
"That is only natural. I am merely prioritizing the believers who sincerely revere me over the wishes of some withered old man who insults me."
Yeah, Souta-san and Water-san seem to get along as well as ever.
We run into each other at Weed often, and he doesn't seem to mind that he died and was resurrected, and he gets along well with his wife, Enol-san.
Well, it would be a problem if they didn't get along, but still.
Anyway, moving on.
"So, did you feel anything since coming to the Academy?"
I immediately asked if they could sense any apparitions or ghosts in the school.
"Let’s see. Unfortunately, I don’t feel anything of the sort. How about you, Water?"
"I don't feel anything at the moment either. However, there are times of day when such apparitions become active, so it is possible that we won't feel anything until then."
Phew, that’s a relief for now.
If they had told me they felt a powerful presence right away, and some ghost with strange special abilities popped out, I wouldn't be able to do anything. I’d just have to run.
Yeah, so much for being an "expert." I’m just an amateur with half-baked knowledge, aren't I?
In the end, why did Yuki-san call me? Ah, maybe because I’m still better than his wives.
"Hmm, hmm. The words of experts are helpful. But I don't understand—may I ask what you mean by that 'time of day'?"
Taiki-san seemed caught on the mention of the time of day and asked a question.
It’s true; the idea that ghosts appear at certain times is a common trope.
Well, there are some that appear around the clock, but let’s put those exceptions aside.
"Hm? No, it’s nothing particularly difficult. It’s just that these things have active hours. Just as we are active during the day, ghosts and apparitions have set times they prefer to move. Is it easier to understand if I call it a life cycle?"
"Ah, I see. So ghosts have a certain set of behavioral principles."
"Ahaha, yes, exactly. As expected of Taiki-san. If you put 'habits' into scientific terms, it’s 'consistent behavior.' That’s right, scientific proof requires that it be repeatable and verifiable by anyone."
"Yes. If doing a specific thing yields the same result regardless of who does it, that constitutes scientific proof. Well, because that can't be done, ghosts and yokai haven't been recognized as scientific."
Yeah. As Taiki-san says, the reason ghosts and yokai aren't scientifically recognized is because they can't be made perceptible to everyone, nor can the same phenomenon be repeated and demonstrated.