第１５１５堀：お腹が膨れてさあお仕事 (Part2)
"Well, I’m no expert myself, but 'normalcy bias' is a psychological phenomenon. In the face of an abnormal situation—like a disaster or a societal crisis—people tend to think, 'I’ll be fine,' or 'That sort of thing won't happen to me.' They essentially shut out or underestimate information that’s inconvenient for them. Have you heard of it, Rurua?"
"Yes. I am still in the midst of my studies, but I am aware that such things occur. People do not want to acknowledge that they are in the midst of misfortune. The happier they are in the present, the more they resist it. After all, to acknowledge it would be to lose that current happiness; one could call it a human defense instinct. To those on the outside, it looks like escapism, but... surely you have experience with this as well, Lilishe?"
Oh, so they’re tossing the conversation my way now.
"Well, I suppose that kind of tendency does exist. Still, it’s impressive that Earth has researched things to that extent. I’m quite moved."
I’d heard that psychology was a developed field over there, but I haven’t studied it that deeply myself. My current limit is absorbing as much knowledge as I can regarding physical injuries and illnesses. Mental health requires long-term engagement, and while I do hear those kinds of things in the form of confessions at the church... it feels like something entirely different.
"That just means you have the luxury of time, I suppose. Well, over here, your church hears all sorts of things in the confessional, right? You could say this is just the more specialized version of that."
Ah, so that’s how he’s framing it.
"Anyway, setting that aside, it’s possible Canaria has that same tendency. What do you think, Orelia? Do you understand?"
"Yes. You mean that people are prone to thinking in such ways, correct?"
"Exactly. After all, Canaria was articulate while she was eating and even when she faced us as a slave; she understood her own position perfectly. And yet, she must have known that her earlier statement was disadvantageous to her. Though, there is the possibility she said it on purpose."
"On purpose, you say?"
Yuyui-chan asks the question this time. She hasn't been stumbling over her words much lately. She’s growing up so fast.
"Yes, on purpose. Perhaps she was trying to appeal that she isn't an enemy by telling the truth, rather than trying to deceive us. Since she’s a slave, there are countless ways to force her to talk. Though, I suppose it also helped that we grilled her thoroughly."
"Ah, I see. It certainly felt like there was no way to hide anything from Yuki-sama's questions."
That was certainly the impression I got, too. Yuki-sama is the type to corner people with a smile on his face. I wonder if Canaria-chan sensed that, too—perhaps I should have a proper talk with her later.
"I understand the explanation, but... in the end, while I understand we don't think Canaria-chan is an enemy, the matter of the treasure she mentioned still seems suspicious, doesn't it? What are you going to do about that?"
Just as Hovis-chan says, even if there’s no issue with Canaria-chan herself, the location of the treasure is undeniably fishy.
"Indeed, as Hovis says, I didn't sense any hostility from Canaria-san herself, but the location of the treasure is clearly a lure, no matter how you look at it. I suspect she intended to use it to bait anyone blinded by greed. What do you think, Yuki-sama?"
"Hovis, just as Prof says, I know it’s suspicious—a trap, even. As for what we’ll do, well, we have a reason to head to Vinosia now, so it works out perfectly. That’s what I’m thinking. As for the specific strategy, it depends on Mikos's movements."
"What about Mikos-chan?"
I tilt my head, wondering why Mikos-chan, who isn't even here, is involved. Yuki-sama looks at me.
"Ah, I hadn't mentioned it to you yet, Lilishe. Have you heard about Lord Bamai?"
"Bamai? You mean the owner of the theater where the auction was held, right?"
"Ah, so that’s as far as you know. Let me explain. We plan to borrow Litia's strength to go to Vinosia, and you need to be aware of how we’re coordinating with them."
And so, Yuki-sama began to teach me things I didn't know.
In truth, when one is too full, there are few who can truly focus on their work. Unless they are very young or have a massive task at hand, their consciousness tends to drift into a haze.