第１１３０堀：まずは映像で確認する (Part1)
### Chapter 1130: First, Verify the Footage
**Side: Yuki**
"This is the installation team. Installation complete. Can you confirm the feed?"
Dressa’s report crackled through the radio.
"Yes, the image is coming through clearly on this monitor. How about you, Taizo-san?"
"I’ve confirmed it as well; no issues here. Thank you, Dressa-kun and everyone. We’re nearing the end of the operation time. Once you’ve finished packing up the equipment, conduct a roll call and return promptly."
"Understood. Everyone, begin packing up."
Following Dressa’s instructions, the team began stowing the gear. Among those helping with the cleanup were the Emperor of Uupia and the Grand Strategist, Show.
*Man*, if this footage ever leaked to the Zurable Empire, wouldn't it be an act of war? I mean, imagine the headlines: "Weed Works the Emperor and Grand Strategist Like Common Laborers."
Then again, maybe no one would actually believe the two people in the video were the real deal.
"What’s wrong? Did something show up on the monitor already?"
I must have been staring at the screen with a troubled expression, as Taiki-kun noticed and called out to me.
"It’s showing something, alright. The Emperor and the Grand Strategist of another nation, working diligently alongside my wives."
I figured it would be easier to just tell Taiki-kun the truth rather than trying to come up with a clumsy excuse, but...
"...Ah. If this leaked, would it be a major problem?"
"Hmm, I wonder. They’d probably just deny it and call it a day, right? Of course, the parties involved and their inner circles would know it’s real, but they couldn't exactly admit it as fact."
"True. If they admitted it was them, the Zurable Empire would have to protest against Weed. They want to maintain good relations, so they wouldn't let something like this cause a rift."
Right, he understood immediately. Exactly—if diplomacy were to grind to a halt here, it would be a nightmare for the Zurable side as well. Even if the two of them were just helping out on a whim because they came to eat *karaage* with their friends!
"That aside, do you really think a ghost will show up on a monitor like this?"
Deryu peered at the screen as she spoke. Incidentally, Kirika was leading a separate squad, patrolling areas other than the rumored site where we’d set up the cameras.
"Who knows? I doubt it’ll be that easy."
"Indeed. Even in those paranormal shows that use this kind of surveillance, nothing ever happens in the end."
"Well, we’ll be watching for at least a month."
"That’s a long-term project. Ah, I suppose that gives us time to investigate the Great Sea of Trees and gather feedback on the Academy."
"Exactly."
As we talked, the installation team finished packing and began their withdrawal.
"Good. Everything is on schedule. Dressa-kun and the others are doing a fine job."
"Thank you. Please tell Dressa that when she gets back. She’ll be thrilled to hear it from you, Taizo-san."
"I will. But Yuki-kun, you should make sure to praise her too. She is your wife, after all."
"Yes, of course."
Honestly, Dressa, Aslin, and the others have really grown. They’ve reached a point where I can entrust them with anything. It feels like an eternity ago that they were just children who knew nothing of the world. I suddenly found myself reminiscing about those early days.
Come to think of it, Shera was such a mess back then, completely falling apart because she was told she’d be marrying a messenger of the gods...
*“Ah, the lens is dirty. There, all clean. Yuki-san, we’re heading back now.”*
"Oh, right."
*Ugh*, what a reaction. It’s not like she could actually read my mind, but was that a woman’s intuition? It gave me the chills in a different way. Shera has always been sharp about these things. I’ll make sure to shower her with praise when she gets back.
"So, Yuki-kun, once they return, we’re just sticking to surveillance for today, correct?"
"Yes, Taizo-san. For now, we monitor. If there’s movement, we proceed; if not, we’ll head to the site for a direct investigation."
Marching into enemy territory without any intel is just suicide. Especially since supernatural entities play by their own rules.
"That would be for the best. It’s dangerous if something is actually there."
"Indeed, as Sota says. However, while remote monitoring is convenient, some entities can perform remote viewing themselves, or even hunt down those who merely look upon their image. We should be very careful about who we choose for this watch."
Sota-san and the others agreed, but I hadn't considered the risks of remote surveillance. Modern ghosts and apparitions have shown a terrifying ability to adapt to technology—from video to the internet, from landlines to cell phones. Thinking about it, it wouldn't be strange if they could reach us through the security cameras.
Honestly, the ghosts and spirits back on Earth are far more terrifying.
"So, Yuki. Monitoring is fine, but who’s going to pull the all-nighters?"
"I’ll have Kirika and her team set up a rotation. I can’t have Kagura or Aslin pulling all-nighters."
"Yes. Leave the surveillance to us. We’ll handle whatever happens."
"Besides, they’re Dullahan. They’re practically in the same category as spirits or fairies."
Right, the chances of them being attacked are low if they’re of the same ilk. As Kagura and the others breathed a sigh of relief, three others chimed in...
"Ehh, I want to help with the monitoring too."
"Agreed. We’d love to participate in the late-night shifts."
"Indeed. It’s rare to see ghosts from this world, unlike the ones on Earth. We have some monster-type ghosts, but this is different."
"Yuki-kun, we won’t stop. Well, we’ll just take breaks as we see fit, is that okay?"
"Ah, sure, go ahead. If your 'families' give you the green light, I won't stop you."
The moment I said that, the three of them froze. In other words, all three of them were family men.
"T-Taizo-san, please smooth things over with Hifie for me."
"No, no, Comet-dono, you should be the one to talk to Hifie-san..."
"L-let’s think about this. I’ve been staying at Yuki’s inn quite a bit lately, so if anything, isn't Yuki family too?"
Comet said this while glancing nervously at my reaction.
"I don't mind, but make sure you come home for dinner and a bath. That goes for you too, Agil."
" "Of course." "
Unless there’s an unavoidable commitment, everyone in my house eats together. Plus, anyone who doesn't bathe isn't allowed near the children.
"But for Comet, you’ll need Hifie’s permission. And Taizo-san, yours as well. I get that it’s awkward, but... oh, wait."
A brilliant idea suddenly struck me.
"I’m grateful to have you both, so how about I contact Hifie myself?"
That’s it. I’ll just tell Hifie that Taizo-san and Comet are staying over for work. I’ll apologize for getting in the way of their family time.