第１１４６堀：ここにあっていない者 (Part1)
Chapter 1146: One Who Does Not Belong Here
Side: Popuri
"Delicious. So delicious."
"I see, I see. That... is good to hear."
Hivia says this while happily munching on sweets, a bright smile on her face. She eats without a shred of hesitation or reserve, telling me quite honestly how good they taste, but... I am struggling to hold back my tears, and even such a simple response leaves me choked for words.
The reason is...
*Clatter, patter, tap, plop...*
Those are the sounds echoing from the chair where Hivia sits. Even though she has just put the sweets into her mouth, they pass straight through her body, falling onto the chair and the floor.
That’s right. She mentioned something about being a phantom, but she has no physical form; she cannot even truly eat. The food isn't being absorbed by her body; it simply passes through and drops away.
Well, if it makes her happy, I suppose that is a good thing... in its own way.
Between what happened earlier and this current display, it is clear that Hivia does not understand her own situation. In short, she does not realize that she is dead. When is the right time to break that cruel, cold truth to her, and would it even bring her happiness? Or rather, am I even capable of telling her?
"Principal? You’re not eating any sweets. Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, I was just impressed by how much you’re eating. But don’t you think you should be a little mindful of your weight?"
I force myself to suppress the surging waves of emotion and offer a reply. Perhaps mentioning her weight was a bit tactless, though...
"Ahaha, it’s fine. I’m at an age where I’m still growing, after all."
It is a relief that she doesn't seem to mind.
"Is that so?"
"That’s right."
She says this and begins eating again, but once more, the sweets tumble onto the chair and the floor.
This... this is truly painful. And it hurts all the more because she is someone I know. No, perhaps it is because she is my precious, precious student.
She is already gone. Is there nothing, nothing at all that can be done? I know full well it is impossible, yet I still find myself searching for a way...
And then, a thought suddenly strikes me.
Wait, my own master is an undead who is currently alive and kicking, isn't she? Thank goodness. Though I’ve been dissatisfied with the treatment of the Holy Sword users, I feel as though I’ve caught a glimpse of light. The rest depends on whether she herself desires it...
*Hey, Popuri. Make sure you do your job properly.*
*Sigh.* She always has such keen intuition at times like these.
Even so, if I act rashly now, I will undoubtedly fail. After all, I am a mere amateur who knows nothing about this "phenomenon of ghosts." My current plan—to keep her here and gather information—must be the right one.
"Well then, I think you’ve calmed down a bit after eating all those sweets, Hivia. Now, what was it you intended to do?"
"Eh? Ah, um. I can’t seem to remember why. I wonder why? But... huh? Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve seen the Principal many times before..."
"Well, I am the Principal of the Lancer Magic Academy. I’m sure you see me all over the place, don't you?"
"That’s true, isn't it? I wonder... has it been a long time...? Or is it just my imagination?"
"Well, if you can't remember your business, it’s dangerous to head back to the dorms now, so you should rest here."
"That’s right. I’ll prepare some sweets for you."
"Oh! In that case, I’ll stay the night."
She is so carefree that I find myself tilting my head, wondering if this child is truly dead. She collapses onto the nap bed in the adjacent room and begins to breathe rhythmically in sleep.
"So ghosts can sleep, then?"
Kagura, who has been holding her hand this entire time, stares at Hivia in surprise.
"No, under normal circumstances, she would have already vanished. It is entirely thanks to you, Kagura-san, and this room."
"Indeed. It is because Kagura is anchoring the spirit, and because I placed anti-spiritual measures in this room."
"Um, I don’t really feel like I’m doing anything. I’m just doing exactly as Hairen-sama told me."
I can see that Kagura-kun is working hard, but even if I am told that the white papers with strange, illegible patterns pasted all over this room and my office are effective, I honestly don't understand it. My master called them "Ofuda"—are they something like magic grimoires?
*Regardless, now that we have secured the ghost of Hivia here, we need to gradually extract information from her. As you and the others said, even if she died in the Great Tree Sea over two hundred years ago, if there are any traces left, Comet and Agil will be able to recover them.*
*No, I honestly think it’s impossible to search for traces in that Great Tree Sea by walking, or rather, by sprinting through it.*
*That’s right. We really need at least some coordinates or landmarks.*
Indeed. Regardless of whether we turn Hivia into an undead, it will be difficult if we cannot find her remains. Well, there are ghosts, but Yuki-dono said that unless they are exceptionally strong, they cannot maintain their sense of self. He also mentioned that it is better to have the original remains, so clues to their location are essential.
Still...
"I understand. I will try to ask if there is any information leading to that. Sota-dono, Sui-dono, how should we speak to her from here on out? Judging by her words and actions, it seems she does not realize that she is..."
"Yes. She likely has no self-awareness. And it is worrying to confront her with that fact."
"Indeed. If she learns the reality, she might fall into a panic or be unable to bear it and vanish. Therefore, since we have succeeded in stabilizing her for now, it would be best to extend that state."
"Extend it?"
"I see. Is it that you want to establish her consciousness as it is? Hivia-san’s existence has become distinct due to Kagura-san’s power and the barrier in this room. Until now, her consciousness and memories were likely hazy, but don't you agree, Popuri-san, that they have become much clearer since she arrived here?"
"Yes, certainly. I never expected her to eat so many sweets. Until now, she had only been walking slowly through the hallways, and she only spoke to me for the first time yesterday."
That’s right. Until now, Hivia had not consumed anything. Yet, since coming to my office, she has clearly expressed her desires and is even sleeping like that. It is safe to say her sense of self is far clearer than when she was wandering the halls.
*For now, I understand that we should bring her consciousness and memories closer to how they were when she was alive. But how far should we go before we call it finished?*
*That is indeed the question, isn't it? Should we aim for her to be a resident ghost like Noriko-san?*
Ah, that is my ideal. Even if she has passed away, I think it would be wonderful if she could enjoy this world.
...Well, that is merely my own selfish wish, but if there is a possibility of opening up a future for a young person, I believe that should be prioritized.