第１２９２堀：調査開始 (Part2)
Nairua and Wazfi's words left us speechless.
Wait, weren't you just groaning from overeating a moment ago?
Still, it's true that we're hungry...
"Orelia, Hobis, Yayui. Go buy two pieces of karaage each from the old man."
"""Yes!"""
I asked Orelia and the others to go shopping.
Lately, they've become accustomed enough to the Lancer Magic Academy area to handle such tasks.
"But Comet really is unwavering, isn't she?"
"That's just how that master is."
It seemed Popuri had arrived in the monitoring room without me noticing.
"Weren't you busy with work today?"
"A meeting was canceled, so I happened to have some free time."
As the principal of the Magic Academy, Popuri receives a constant stream of visitors and tasks.
Even the pressing matter of monitoring the Great Forest is entrusted to us, and she rarely has time to spare for it.
Otherwise, there would be no point in entrusting it to us.
"So, seeing as they're already taking a detour, I assume the masters have safely departed?"
"Safely, you say? More like they're slacking off immediately... Well, even with that, they'll probably stick to the schedule."
"Ah, despite all that, Comet is meticulous when it comes to research."
"Though her private life is an absolute mess."
Zargis constantly complains that the private lounge in her lab is in an utterly deplorable state.
Well, I wouldn't call it a garbage dump, but there's quite a bit of leftover food and other refuse scattered about.
And that's despite Hifi coming to clean up regularly.
How can she confidently claim she's not bothering Hifi with this?
As we talked, Comet and the others finally exited the academy town and headed towards the 'Departure Point'.
"Today's weather is clear. That's good."
I checked the sky visible from the window, a bit belatedly.
"Rain inevitably slows down movement."
"Footing becomes slippery, and the sound of rain can sometimes mask presences."
Indeed, rain doesn't just drench and exhaust the body; the accumulation of these disadvantages significantly reduces travel speed.
This holds true even for Comet and her companions, despite their trained and leveled abilities.
Furthermore, since they're going for research, they need to pay attention to their surroundings, but rain makes it all too easy to overlook various details.
"『This is Comet. Can you confirm our position from the drone and familiars?』"
As we continued talking, a communication came in from Comet.
"We can confirm it. Is there a problem? Oh, you've reached the 'Departure Point'."
"『That's right. I'm just checking from above to make sure our position isn't off.』"
It seemed to be a verification process, ensuring they were on the planned route.
She's so thorough when it comes to research matters like this, which just goes to show that her private life and work are completely separate.
I also checked Comet's position, and there was no deviation; they had arrived precisely at the departure point.
"No problem. No deviation. Please proceed into the Great Forest."
"『Understood.』"
With that reply, as Comet and her companions prepared to move forward...
"Master. Haviar. Please be careful. And Noriko, Deryu, please look after the two of them."
Popuri, who was beside me, said, almost as if praying.
"『Leave it to me. I am your master.』"
"『It's alright. We'll definitely come back.』"
"『Please leave it to us.』"
"『Indeed, we will bring both of them back safely. I promise.』"
The four of them replied firmly and entered the forest.
Now, for the next week. Will nothing happen until they reach the center, or will something occur...?
As I looked at the overall map of the Great Forest, realizing the long journey ahead...
"Alright, once Orelia and the others bring back the karaage, we'll eat it, and then everyone, let's work hard!"
"""Yeah!"""
So, for now, let's calmly wait for the karaage.
I need to make sure I leave enough room for dinner.
And not so much that it interferes with the work ahead...
I thought, 'Isn't that backwards?', but then I realized that 'being able to properly eat dinner' was indeed the most important thing.
After all, meals are the source of daily vitality.
Sometimes, it's good for things to be just as they always are.
Besides, it's great to have a place with delicious karaage nearby.
The simple joy of being able to eat it anytime.