245 シロウの観光
クガマヤマ都市の上位区画には坂下重工が都市から借りている専有領域がある。そこに設置されたスガドメの部屋でシロウ脱走の事後報告を済ませたハーマーズが頭を下げている。
むハーマーズの顔は非常に険しい。一方スガドメの表情は僅かに険しい程度だった。
スガドメは特に非難も失望も感じさせない態度でハーマーズに頭を上げさせると、続けて言う。
「残念な事態ではあったが、私としては君に責任を問うつもりは無い。シロウ君の脱走は君が彼の
に控えていたマツバラが説明する。
シロウは旧領域経由で坂下側に救援要求を出した時に、ハーマーズの負傷状態を過剰に
その時、ハーマーズは自身の体調に問題はないと管理側に報告していた。だが管理側には車外での交戦も含めて輸送車両が大破するほどの事態になっているとシロウから先に詳細に説明されていた。それにより管理側はハーマーズの報告を、任務への責任感による強がりと判断してしまった。
その説明を聞いたハーマーズが思わず顔を
スガドメが話を切り替えるように態度を改める。
「さて、今回の件だが、坂下としては間違いなく失態だ。坂下の威信の
「可能であれば、私の次の任は、他の旧領域接続者の護衛ではなく、シロウの捜索に回していただきたい」
スガドメが満足そうに笑う。
「良いだろう。個人で探すも良し、捜索チームに加わるも良し、自由にして良い。君はシロウ君とも付き合いが長い。その経験を生かすには個人で動いた方が良い場合もあるだろう。好きにやりたまえ」
「ありがとう御座います。必ずやご期待に応えて見せます」
「期待して待つとしよう。行きたまえ」
ハーマーズは深々と頭を下げると、表情に決意を
「不服かね?」
「いえ、素朴な疑問を伺っただけであって、不服の進言では......」
マツバラがごまかすようにそそくさと話題を変える。
「素朴な疑問と言えば、今回の輸送車両の襲撃もそうです。当社の旧領域接続者の奪取が目的としては疑問の残る部分が目立ちます。不可解です」
「どの点が疑問かね?」
「襲撃が余りにも
輸送車両の襲撃は、襲撃部隊の規模や練度から複数の組織による合同作戦だと推察できる。表向きは建国主義者の仕業であり、報道でもそうなっているが、建国主義者を装っている他企業の工作員も多数含まれていたと考えられる。
企業の特殊部隊が他企業の妨害工作実施時に建国主義者を装うことは珍しくない。それが露見した場合、企業内に潜り込んでいた建国主義者の仕業として処理される。そして表向きの謝罪を行い、損害賠償に応じる。
も、大抵は薄々分かった上でその建前を通す。大企業ほどその傾向はより顕著になる。その建前を通さない時点で宣戦布告となり、企業間の全面戦争に発展するからだ。
そこから5大企業同士が潰し合った場合、東部の支配体制が著しく揺らぐ恐れがある。下手をするとそのまま東部が滅びかねない。現在を旧世界に変えない
マツバラはそのスガドメの説明を聞いて部分的には納得しながらも、釈然としないものも覚えていた。
「彼の身柄を重要視しない理由としては弱いのでは? 単に坂下重工に損害を出したいだけならば他の目標もあるでしょう。それに襲撃は間違いなく彼の身柄を狙ったものです。あれだけの部隊を用意して彼の奪取を試みて、身柄そのものはどうでも良かったというのは、
「恐らくだが、確認、だろうな」
「確認?」
「坂下重工がクズスハラ街遺跡の再攻略にどこまで本気なのか、その確認だ。大流通の開始の頃からより東側のモンスターがこの辺りにちょくちょく送り込まれていたようだが、その時点で確認作業は始まっていたのだろう」
より東側からハンター等の不手際を装って送り込まれたモンスターは、クガマヤマ都市周辺ならば賞金首に指定されても不思議のない強力な個体ばかりだ。そのような個体が周辺に出没する異常事態の中で、坂下重工が自社の貴重で重要な旧領域接続者を派遣するかどうか。
自社の旧領域接続者をそこまでしてでもクガマヤマ都市に送り込む程に、坂下重工はクズスハラ街遺跡の再攻略に本腰を入れているのか。全てはその確認作業であり、シロウの奪取はその過程に過ぎず、故に奪取の成否は問わない。襲撃に対する坂下重工の反応を確認した時点で、主目的は達成しているからだ。
マツバラはそれらの説明を聞いて
「私も前任者から精度の低い情報を引き継いだだけなので予測の域は出ないがね。少なくともクズスハラ街遺跡には、たかがその確認の
に他の5大企業にそこまでさせる何かはあるのだろう。最低でも、その判断の基となる情報を
マツバラは余りの内容に声を失っていた。そこにスガドメが更に続ける。
「付け加えれば、ヤナギサワほどの者がクガマヤマ都市に固執するのも、その辺りに理由があるのだろうな」
「その何かの実在を確信した上で、それを手に入れようとしている恐れがあると?」
それらを含めて、現在クガマヤマ都市には様々な誤解や勘違いを生み出しかねないものが非常に多く集まっていた。
スガドメがそれらを軽く説明した後で、マツバラに指示を出す。
「いろいろ言ったが、君がその辺りの事情を気にする必要は無い。今はシロウ君の捜索に専念すれば良い。行きたまえ。良い報告を待っているよ」
部屋の装置がスガドメの指示を認識して動き出す。少し間を開けて、スガドメの視線の先に少年の立体映像が浮かび上がった。
「進捗を聞こう」
少年が少し面倒そうな顔をスガドメに向ける。
「そんなすぐには無理だって。進展があったらこっちから連絡するよ?」
「進展が有ろうが無かろうが、進捗報告は必要だ」
「君も随分と図太い男だな。あと、アポイントメントぐらい取りたまえ」
全く動じていないスガドメの態度に、シロウは少し意外そうな顔を浮かべた。だがすぐに気を取り直したように笑うと、気安く声を掛ける。
「いやー、失礼。俺も勝手に来るのはどうかなって思ったんだけどさ、アポを取る手段がちょっと無くて。でも直接話した方が良いと思ったんだ」
スガドメが椅子に座り、立ち位置を示すようにテーブルの上を指で軽く
表示範囲が限られている立体映像でしかないシロウにそこに行くのは不可能だ。つまり生身で会いに来いという意味であり、それも不可能だ。
スガドメが軽く
「いやいやいや、とんでもない。豪勢な生活を送らせてもらって日々感謝してるよ。本当だよ?」
「では、なぜ脱走した」
「良いだろう。だが護衛無しでの観光は危険すぎる。すぐに護衛を派遣する。そちらの位置を送信しろ」
「えっ? でもそれ、ハーマーズだろう? ちょっと
とかに亡命しようとか、そういう気持ちは全然無いんだ。気が済んだらちゃんと帰るよ。だからちょっとだけ見逃してほしいんだ。頼むよ。な?」
平行線が続く中、シロウがこのままでは
「話は変わるんだけど、この部屋のセキュリティーは今は俺が掌握してるんだ。この立体映像を秘匿回線経由で表示しているのがその証拠だ」
「そのようだな。まあ、坂下以外の施設に君の侵入を防ぐ高度なセキュリティーを求めるのは酷だろう」
「いやいやいや、俺でもここに侵入するのは大変だった。普通の感覚なら十分な安全強度だよ。だからその辺は安心して良いと思うぞ。で、それはそれとして、この部屋の安全は今、俺が握ってる。空調を
っただけでも、室内の人間を十分に殺せる。それを踏まえて、俺の外出について、手心が欲しいんだけどなー」
て知るといい」
「話を戻すか。君が護衛を拒む以上、観光目的の休暇申請など認められない。だから君には仕事をしてもらう」
「ツバキという管理人格は知っているな?」
「知ってる。クズスハラ街遺跡奥部の区画管理を担当する統治系管理人格だ。何だか知らないけどクガマヤマ都市と取引しているやつで、坂下も交渉人を出したけど、護衛は全滅、交渉人も首だけしか帰ってこなかったんだろう?」
「そうだ。その彼女との交渉ルートを作れ」
「いや、無理だって。俺にそういう交渉能力を求められても困るんだけど」
「旧領域経由で接触できれば、その護衛達のように殺される恐れも減るだろう」
「いやいやいや、ああいう連中は旧領域経由でもクラッキング的に殺しにくるから、殺される危険って意味では大して違いは無いんだけど。知ってるだろう?」
しい。定期的に進捗を報告するように。逃げたと思われたくなければな」
「それも、分かってるよ。じゃあな」
シロウは少し苦々しい顔をしながら通信を切った。同時にシロウの立体映像も消えた。
スガドメが椅子に深く座り直して背
「観光、か」
シロウの目的が観光ではないのは明らかだ。だがそれを相手に
進捗報告に現れたシロウの立体映像に向けて、スガドメが軽く問う。
「いろいろ見て回ってるよ」
「何を見ているのか知らんが、早めに満足してもらいたいのだがね」
「いやー、俺を満足させるだけのものは、見るのも大変でさ、もうちょっと待ってよ」
「ああ、そうだ。ハーマーズに俺を探すように言ってたけど、俺がツバキとの交渉ルートを何とかしようと頑張っている間は見逃してくれるんじゃないのか?」
「君は脱走中の扱いだ。通常の捜索業務まで止める訳にはいかない。それが嫌なら、観光に
Ch 245
Inside the upper district of Kugamayama city, there was an area that was rented specifically for Sakashita Heavy Industry. Sugadome's office was located there, and in that office, Hammerz was lowering his head after giving his report regarding Shirou's escape.
It was obvious from his expression that he was extremely vexed by his blunder. In contrast to that, Sugadome seemed relatively calm.
Sugadome did not seem that angry from that mistake as he told Hammerz to raise his head. After that, he then said.
"It was indeed very regrettable, but I have no wish to blame you for what happened. He escaped when you were not around him and it was us who told you to leave his side to get your injuries treated. If I must blame someone, that would be the person who ordered you to do that. Otherwise, you would have seen through Shirou's lie."
Hammerz seemed confused there, Matsubara who was standing by next to Sugadome then explained to him.
Shirou sent a help request to Sakashita heavy Industry using the old-world connection, he mentioned that Hammerz was badly injured. So, in the request, he asked to allow Hammerz to treat his wounds and also asked for an escort replacement. Moreover, he stated that he did not feel safe having people not from Sakashita guard him, so he had requested the escorts to be cyborgs and he be given control over their bodies.
On the other hand, Hammerz reported that he was mostly fine. But Shirou told the staff beforehand that the battle both inside and outside the transport vehicle was so bad that they even destroyed a portion of the transport vehicle. Thus, that staff thought that Hammerz's report was him trying to sound tough due to his loyalty toward his duty.
After hearing how things played out, Hammerz could not help but frown as he mumbled.
Sugadome then changed the subject.
"Now then, about the current incident, it was indeed a blunder on the Sakashita's side. For the sake of Sakashita's reputation, we must rectify this. I'm sure you have your own thought regarding the matter. If anyone is blaming you for it, you can just tell me. I'll take care of it. As I said before, we're not blaming you at all. But if you feel responsible for it, I hope you can help us. Do you have anything you wish from us?"
"If it's possible, rather than assigning me to guard another old-world connector, I want to be assigned to look for Shirou."
Sugadome's smile widened.
"Very well, you can go ahead and do your own investigation, you may also join the search team if you want. You know Shirou very well, so I bet it's better if you act separately without the limitation of a team. You have the freedom to do what you want."
"Thank you very much, I'll definitely answer your expectation."
"In that case, I shall look forward to the results. You can go now."
Hammerz bowed deeply and left the room with a face full of determination.
"Did you find it inadequate?"
"Not at all. I was just curious. I don't find it wrong at all..."
Matsubara then changed the subject as if to escape from the topic.
"Talking about curiosity, there's also that matter with the transport convoy's ambush. If that ambush was really for the sake of kidnapping our corporation's old-world connector, that ambush has many questionable points."
"Which points are you talking about exactly?"
"The ambush was way too sloppy. It would not be strange for their target to be killed with how they executed their plan. It also damaged many of the transport vehicles. Even if their aim was not to kidnap, but to kill, it was way too half-hearted. Well, they're not like our military, so it might as well have been because their men were too amateurish and lacked the necessary skills..."
Based on the scale and teamwork of the enemies during that ambush, it could be inferred that it was done by multiple organizations. Although they were using the Nationalist's name and the report was also saying that they were from the Nationalist, they might actually be people from the other corporations disguising themselves as the Nationalist.
It was not rare for corporations to wage war against each other while blaming the attacks on the Nationalists. When their involvement surfaces, they would shift the blame by saying that it was because the Nationalists had infiltrated their ranks. They would then give a public apology and pay some compensation.
The one receiving the payment often knew that it was only an excuse and just let it slide. The bigger the corporation involved, the more they tend to solve incidents like this. After all, if they refused to accept that it was an attack from the Nationalists, they would risk an all-out war between big corporations.
If that all-out war occurs between the five big corporations, it would greatly affect their sphere of influence and government in the eastern district. In the worst-case scenario, it might entirely wipe out the eastern district. Thus, in order to keep the current world from destroying itself, big companies would simply accept that excuse.
After listening to Sugadome's explanation, Matsubara nodded in agreement and thought that something was still amiss.
"Isn't that a bit too weak as a reason to just ignore his safety? If their aim were simply to cause damage to Sakashita Heavy Industry, it means that their main goal in that operation had to be something else. But that ambush was obviously aimed at Shirou. It is hard to believe that they don't really care about him considering the size of the assault squad that they had prepared in order to kidnap him."
"This is just my guess, but I bet it's to confirm something."
"Confirm something?"
"Just how serious is Sakashita Heavy Industry in reclaiming Kuzusuhara ruin? It's that kind of confirmation. It seems that ever since the great transport season started, they have been sending more and more monsters from the east bit by bit, I bet they were trying to confirm it ever since that time."
The monsters from further east that were sent here were strong enough to be designated as bounty monsters in Kugamayama city. It was to test if Sakashita Heavy Industry would still send their important personnel into an area with such abnormality.
It was a check to see how far Sakashita would go in order to transport their important personnel to Kugamayama city for the sake of reclaiming Kuzusuhara ruin. It was all just for confirmation. Shirou's kidnap attempt only meant that much to them. Thus, it was not that important for them to successfully kidnap Shirou. They were only testing how Sakashita would react, as such, their real aim had already been fulfilled.
Matsubara was so surprised after hearing that explanation. He then returned back to himself and inadvertently asked.
"It's just my guess. It's from someone responsible for the transport request, connecting the dots without any evidence. So, I believe it doesn't really serve as a good hypothesis. At the very least, I believe that there's something in Kuzusuhara ruin that would even rope in the other big 5 corporations. At the very least, the upper echelons, Tatsumori and Tsukisada must know something."
"Judging from how the big five reacted, there is something there that is big enough to shift the power balance between us, or at least, that possibility exists and is very likely. Well, I bet if any evidence which confirms my hypothesis and that thing were to come up, Tatsumori and Tsukisada would even go as far as to openly wage a war against us. So, they should not have strong evidence about the existence of such a thing. That's why I believe they went this far to check our reaction. In order to probe if we know something about that thing as well."
Matsubara was so surprised that he did not know what to say. Thus, Sugadome casually continued.
"If I may add one more thing, I bet that something is also the reason why Yanagisawa is so obsessed with staying in Kugamayama city."
"Do you think that he knows the existence of such a thing with absolute certainty? And he's trying to get it?"
To top it off, at the moment, there were many factions and people gathered in Kugamayama city, which invited a lot of misunderstandings.
After Sugadome gave a short explanation regarding the matter, he then gave one order to Matsubara.
"Though I said quite a lot of things back there, there's no need for you to be worried about it. You just need to focus on finding Shirou-kun at the moment. Go. I will be waiting for your report."
The device recognized Sugadome's voice and started working. After a short time, an image of a young boy appeared in Sugadome's vision.
"How's the progress?"
The young boy frowned.
"Like hell I can do anything in such a short span of time. I'll contact you when we get some progress."
"Whether there's progress or not, it's important to give a regular report, you know?"
"You're a pretty rude brat, you know that? You can at least make an appointment beforehand."
Shirou was surprised. He did not expect that Sugadome would be this calm. But he quickly returned to his usual smile and said to Sugadome.
"Well, my apologies. I do feel bad for coming without saying anything first, unfortunately, it is impossible for me to make an appointment at the moment. Though I do feel that I should talk to you directly about this."
Sugadome took a seat. He then tapped on the table with his finger as if to let Shirou know of his location.
Shioru's response had two meanings. It was impossible for a virtual image to transform into his real self and it was also impossible for his real body to go there.
Sugadome lightly sighed.
"No no no, that's not the problem at all. I'm actually thankful for letting me live in such a life of luxury, and I really mean it."
"So then, in that case, why did you run off?"
"Very well. But it's dangerous to walk around without a bodyguard, you know? I'll send some people to escort you right away, can you tell me your location right now?"
"Eh? But that would be Hammerz, right? It would be a bit awkward... It won't be much fun walking around with someone like that..."
"Well, to be honest, it's not like I have any wish to defect to Tatusmori or the other corporations. I'll return back once I have my fill of walking around, that's why I wish you can let this slide. That will be okay, right?"
When they could not find any middle ground, Shirou suddenly made a demand believing that there was no longer any point in continuing their conversation.
"Well, let's talk about something else then. Actually, I'm in control of the security of this room. That is why I can use this secret line to hijack the holographic device in the room."
"That seems to indeed be the case. Well, I think it's unreasonable to demand other places to have the same high-quality security like what we have in Sakashita's facilities to prevent you from hacking."
"No no no, I had a hard time trying to get in here, you know? By normal standards, the security system here is already pretty strict. That's why there's nothing for you to worry about. So, putting that aside, I'm basically in control of the safety of that room. Just a little bit of change is enough to kill anyone inside it. With that being said, I wish you can let me roam outside for a bit."
"If you can do that, I can make it such that your escaping was necessary in order to create a connection to that caretaker AI."
"I know."
"Let's return to the matter at hand. As long as you don't accept any escort, we can't let you roam free. That's why I'll have you do work for me."
"Do you know an AI by the name of Tsubaki?"
"Of course, she's the caretaker AI of a certain area inside Kuzusuhara ruin. I don't know the details, but she made a deal with Kugamayama city. Although Sakashita sent someone to negotiate with her, everyone including the escorts was killed while the negotiator was only left with his head, right?"
"That's correct. I want you to create a negotiation route with that AI."
"No no no, that would be impossible. I'm not that good with negotiation."
"If you can access the old-world domain, I'm sure at least she won't kill you like those escorts."
"No no no. That kind of AI will actually come for my head thinking that I was trying to hack her if I try to contact her through the old-world domain. In terms of the risk of death, it's the same as those escorts you had sent there. I'm sure you already know this yourself, right?"
"Very well. Make sure to report regularly, that is, if you don't want me to think that you've abandoned the mission."
"I understand that as well, later then."
Shirou had a clouded expression plastered on his face as he closed the call. At the same time, his image from the holographic device also vanished.
Sugadome sank deeper into the chair and let the backrest support his weight. He then sighed and thought about what just happened.
"Just to walk around, huh?"
It was clear that Shirou's aim was not only to tour around the city. But that word also had some kind of connection to what he was doing, It was not exactly a lie. Sugadome's thoughts continued to dig deeper. Eventually, it reached a point that it was so close to the truth that Shirou would be shocked if he heard Sugadome's hypothesis.
As Shirou's image appeared through the holographic device for his regular report, Sugadome causally threw a question at him.
"I'm still sightseeing."
"I don't know what you're actually sightseeing, but it would be great if you can be done with that soon."
"Well, it's not easy to find a view that would satisfy me after all. So please be patient with it."
"Ah, by the way, I heard that you told Hammerz to search for me. But didn't you let it slide since I'm working on connecting to Tsubaki?"
"We're dealing with you as if you had escaped. So, we can't afford to also stop the search team. If you don't like it, I suggest you get back instead of just fooling around."
Rebuild World (WN)
リビルドワールド
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/rebuild-world/
Action Adventure Drama Harem Mecha Mystery Sci-fi Seinen
Abandoned Children Adapted to Manga Adventurers Alternate World Anti-social Protagonist Apocalypse Artificial Intelligence Beautiful Female Lead Cautious Protagonist Child Protagonist Dense Protagonist Determined Protagonist Distrustful Protagonist Futuristic Setting Gangs Gunfighters Harsh Training Lack of Common Sense Male Protagonist Manipulative Characters Monsters Near-Death Experience Older Love Interests Poor Protagonist Poor to Rich Ruthless Protagonist Shota Sudden Strength Gain Survival Twisted Personality Unlucky Protagonist Weak to Strong
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9736dt/
非公開