第１２４５堀：様子はどうですか？ (Part1)
Chapter 1245: How Are Things Going?
Side: Yuki
I had thought that once the first round of discussions regarding the intercontinental exchange student program was settled, and the detailed explanations of "my situation" were finished for Fiora and the others, I would finally be able to catch my breath. But, as usual, things didn't go quite as planned.
"Yuki-sama. Noriko has sent an inquiry asking what we intend to do about the Haviar situation."
"Haviar?"
For a split second, I couldn't place the name, but it came back to me immediately.
"Ah, the ghost girl from the academy."
Right. Back when we were using the Lancer Magic Academy as a base to begin our survey of the Great Forest, we had jokingly gathered "school ghost stories"—only to end up finding an actual, genuine ghost. It was a completely absurd situation.
Well, these days, she’s quite stable and has a positive outlook, so she feels less like a ghost and more like a person with a unique constitution that makes them look translucent.
"Yes. That 'Academy Ghost.' I know you are busy, but she mentioned that you said you would think of a way to bring her to Weed, and she wants to know the status of that plan."
"I see. Come to think of it, didn't Taizo-san mention something similar?"
"Yes. We have also received materials from Taizo-sama regarding the surveillance at the academy. However, regarding that..."
"However?"
"Well, you see... in connection to that, Taizo-sama is also the Prime Minister of the Hifie Holy Kingdom on the If Continent, and the partner of the Holy Maiden Hifie-sama. He is requesting that you return him to his duties soon."
"No, it’s not like I’m holding him captive or anything. Though, I suppose that’s not how it looks from the outside, is it?"
"Indeed. Since he has been at the academy for so long on 'Weed business,' it is effectively the same as being detained. I do understand Taizo-sama's opinion that Haviar’s existence cannot simply be ignored, however."
"Understood. I’ll talk to Taizo-san."
"Yes, please do. Souta-sama and Enoru-sama have also offered to take his place."
"I mean, I’ve already told Taizo-san to rotate with those two..."
I suppose that’s just how researchers are. Still, this is rare for Taizo-san. Even though he’s a research fanatic, unlike the others, he’s not the type to neglect his wife. Or is there some trouble going on that I’m not aware of?
"For now, Noriko is still over there, right?"
"Yes. She is watching over Haviar alongside Taizo-sama, Souta-sama, and Enoru-sama. Well, Noriko-sama seemed delighted, saying that 'being friends with a ghost' is excellent material."
"She’s forgetting that the person in question is an actual ghost, isn't she?"
"No, she has already started a manga series titled 'I Was a Ghost Myself.'"
"Wait, she’s actually doing that?"
"And it is currently one of the top sellers."
"Is she not going to die again from overworking herself? Just how many series is she writing?"
"I believe it is four. Since they are monthly, she is somehow managing to keep up."
"That sounds like she wouldn't have many pages per issue, though."
"No, she says she writes twenty pages for each one."
"She really is going to die."
Eighty pages a month in total. What kind of hell is she living in?
"She says that since she handles the editing herself, there are no issues."
"Ah, I see. Mikos handles the information magazines as well as the manga side, but she doesn't really have the knowledge for manga editing."
So, Noriko has seized control of the editing process, allowing her to do whatever she wants, including rejecting or accepting whatever she pleases. It sounds like it could become a self-indulgent mess, but then again, the culture of manga has only just begun in Weed. I suppose it will be refined and improved through trial and error in the future.
"Anyway, let’s set that aside. It’s about Haviar, right?"
"Yes. As I mentioned, Noriko is asking what we are going to do."
"Well, since Taizo-san is involved, I’ll go hear what they have to say. If I ask Souta-san, I might even find a way to transport her."
"I appreciate it. When shall we head out?"
"Hmm, let’s see. Popuri and the others have returned, so let’s go now."
"Now? But we haven't made an appointment with Popuri-sama and the others."
"If there’s no time, that’s fine. My main goal is to check on Haviar’s condition and find a way to bring her here."
"Understood. Please wait a moment while I make the preparations."
In reality, everything I need is already in my Item Box, so there isn't really anything to prepare. But Seraria told me that in times like these, I should leave the preparations to the people around me. She says it helps Fiora and Orelia grow.
Since I travel so often, they’ve become quite accustomed to it, and they finished the preparations quickly. Less than an hour later, we arrived at the Lancer Magic Academy.
"Alright, Orelia, can you check if we can meet with Popuri after this?"
"As you wish."
As I said that, Orelia split off to head toward the headmaster's office. Normally, I should have checked before coming to the academy, but it’s too late for that now. Besides, my business today doesn't require Popuri’s presence.
"Let’s head to the laboratory."
"Yes."
We headed toward the lab where Taizo-san and the others were stationed. It was a classroom they had been granted, which had also served as Haviar’s surveillance room for a time. I couldn't help but think about how absurd it was that we had found a real ghost while investigating ghost stories, but as we arrived and opened the door, it seemed nothing out of the ordinary was happening. The goblins working on the investigation looked bored.
Well, staring at monitors all day is taxing work. As I entered the relaxed atmosphere of the lab...
"Oh, if it isn't Yuki."
"Hm? Yuki?"
Agil and Comet called out to me. Both of them have been working here frequently lately, as they are primarily involved in the Great Forest survey.
"Hey, Agil. Comet. How are things?"
"Progress is... well, there isn't much to report. No major breakthroughs, but no delays either."
"Yeah, it turns out that just running around the perimeter doesn't really tell us much. That much hasn't changed."
The Great Forest seems to be the same as ever. Well, I’d be in trouble if we had a "major discovery" at this stage anyway.
"So, you didn't come all the way here just to ask us that, did you?"
"I suppose not. Noriko asked me to check on Haviar, so I’m here to see how she’s doing. How is she?"
I decided to talk to the two people who spent the most time with her before meeting Haviar directly. If something had happened, I would have been contacted, and the fact that I hadn't meant...
"No particular problems or changes. If anything, she’s a big help because she gives us her opinions on the Great Forest research."
"That’s true. It’s a shame she can’t go outside because she’s a ghost and it’s better for her to stay here, though."