第１１３４堀：現場確認へと (Part1)
Chapter 1134: Confirming the Scene
Side: Yuki
"A complete blind spot, indeed."
I am staring at the feed, which I’ve switched to thermal imaging at Sota-san’s suggestion. The screen clearly shows a silhouette walking toward the back of the corridor.
"Indeed. At the very least, this confirms that this ghost—or whatever it is that remains invisible to our naked eyes—truly exists."
"Right. That alone is significant progress. If only we could discern its background..."
I glance over at Popuri as I say this, but she remains as she has been: head tilted, hand on her chin, lost in deep, humming contemplation. It seems she really isn’t going to remember anything anytime soon. Perhaps something will trigger the memory eventually, but it’s clearly not the time yet.
"It would be helpful if we had even the slightest hint. Oh, in that case, why not ask Micos and the others for help? Since we have a rough idea of the era, it should be easier to gather information, don't you think?"
"That’s a fair point. Micos and the others are attending classes during the day anyway; I might as well have them look into it while they’re at it."
With that decided, I send a message to have them come by during the next break to discuss our future course of action. They are in the middle of class, after all.
"That takes care of the necessary communication. Now, as for Sota-san’s movements..."
"He’ll be arriving at that corridor soon... but will he be alright?"
For some reason, after calmly sending off Sota-san and Mizu-san, his wife, Enor-san, is still sitting there leisurely sipping her tea.
"Hm? Oh, don't worry. Mizu is with him; they’ll manage. Unfortunately, I lack the ability to see such things. If I went, I’d only be a burden. That would be the same for you, Yuki-dono, wouldn't it?"
"I suppose you're right."
It’s true. Mizu-san is a genuine Japanese deity; there is no better partner for dealing with the supernatural. As Enor-san said, our presence wouldn't change anything. When experts say they’ll handle it themselves, you let them. It’s no different than not dragging untrained civilians onto a battlefield.
We were satisfied with that logic, but...
"Tell me, Show. This Sota-san and the one called Mizu, who appeared in the form of a serpentine construct—are they specialists in these so-called ghosts?"
"...Judging by the flow of the conversation, it appears so. As evidence, they suggested a method for us to see the 'thing' that was completely invisible to us, including Yuki-dono. That said, it is so alien that I cannot fully grasp it myself."
The two from Zurable, experiencing the supernatural for the first time, seem deeply bewildered. After all, they are faced with the contradiction of someone who understands something that is, by definition, "incomprehensible."
Come to think of it, I hadn't introduced them properly.
"Emperor Yupia, Show-dono, my apologies. I will arrange a formal introduction later, but for now, let me introduce them briefly. This is Enor-san, the wife of Sota-san, who just went to investigate the corridor."
"Oh, my apologies for the delayed greeting. I am Enor, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Weed, and wife to Sota, who just headed out for the investigation. Please forgive the rudeness of the fool who failed to show proper courtesy despite meeting you yesterday."
At my introduction, Enor-san immediately shifts into a sharp, professional demeanor to greet Yupia and the others.
"No, no, think nothing of it. And I appreciate your polite greeting. I am Yupia, Emperor of the Zurable Great Empire."
"I am Show, serving as an administrative aide for the Zurable Great Empire. However, if you are an Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, does that not mean you are quite high-ranking among Weed’s diplomats?"
"Yes. I am but an old woman who has lived too long, but my husband, Sota, is the Minister of Foreign Affairs—the head of the ministry—and I serve as his assistant. We are scheduled to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Zurable Great Empire in the near future, so I look forward to working with you then."
That’s the reality of it. As Enor-san says, we haven't established formal diplomatic ties with the Zurable Great Empire yet. For now, it’s more of a secret alliance. Since they aren't part of the official Intercontinental Exchange Alliance, we aren't handling things through the formal Foreign Ministry channels. It’s just us, the upper management of Weed, handling things on our own.
Well, that’s precisely why we can treat it as our own independent decision, taking responsibility for whatever happens. In truth, formal diplomacy brings a mountain of tedious tasks, like setting official exchange rates and establishing trade regulations. While necessary, it’s a hassle, so we’ve been having Yupia and Show pick out what they need and exporting it beforehand.
As long as we bring it over directly, we can process it as "gifts." Dealing with contracts and tariffs would be a nightmare.
"What are you saying? Your movements since entering this room are no different from those of a youth. I look forward to our formal relations as well."
"Having someone as experienced as Enor-dono at the top is reassuring for us. If I may ask an impertinent question?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"The name 'Enor'... it is the same as the Archbishop of the Haire Church whom we met previously. And Enora-sama, who is Yuki-sama’s wife..."
"Ah. They are both distant relatives."
"Hm? Distant blood relations? What does that mean? I had assumed they were of the generation of a granddaughter or great-granddaughter at most."
Right. If you didn't know, the Archbishop Enor and Enora would look like they were separated by that much in age, but...
"Like Comet-dono, I am an undead, which makes me a distant ancestor of Enora. Have you not heard? Of the foolish machinations that unfolded, involving not just our Haiden, but other nations as well?"
"Ah! I have heard of that. I heard there were various damages caused by dark arts..."
"Could it be that Enor-dono was also...?"
"Yes. Initially, I was resurrected as an enemy of Yuki-dono."
"That would be a hopeless situation to fight against."
"Indeed. Fortunately, I was saved rather than having to fight, and I have been cooperating with Yuki-dono ever since. But I digress. My husband, Sota, previously served in a priesthood that dealt with these kinds of ghostly existences, and Mizu is the Water Deity that my family, the Kamishiro line, has worshipped for generations."
"I see, I see. A priesthood of that nature. Like the Seraphina Church in Zurable, perhaps? ...And a 'Deity.' I had heard from Yuki-dono that they existed, but..."
"I must admit, I did not expect a 'Deity' to take such a form."
Well, it’s a Water Deity, so it’s a snake—or rather, a dragon—but that’s something the two of them, having never seen a god before, wouldn't understand.