236 シロウ
クズスハラ街遺跡の奥部にあるツバキの管理区域は、廃ビル等に偽装した防壁で囲まれている。ツバキとヤナギサワの取引成立後、その一部は倉庫のように改造され、都市と管理区域の間での物資引き渡し場所になっていた。
倉庫とその周辺は無人が基本の場所だ。管理区域の自律機械が旧世界製の物資を倉庫に運び込み、それを受け取った都市側の輸送機械が自動運転で仮設基地まで運ぶ流れになっている。人は介在しない。
その更に周辺では、都市の警備部隊が侵入者を常時徹底的に監視している。侵入者と判定されたものは、常に無警告で即時処分される。拘束して身元や背後関係を調査する
ろツバキとの契約により警備費用を上げた分だけ管理区域から渡される物資が増えるので、都市側は様々な手段を講じて警備を強固にし続けていた。その結果、ツバキの管理区域の周辺には、少々異常なまでに強固な警備体制が敷かれていた。
その無人領域の倉庫に、珍しく人影が存在していた。ヤナギサワと、マツバラという坂下重工所属の交渉人、及びその護衛達だ。ヤナギサワは自前の装備を着用しており、護衛は坂下重工支給の装備を身に付けている。マツバラだけは武装せずに通常の背広を着ていた。
護衛達は全身を完全に覆う重装強化服を着用しており、その表情は分からない。だが周囲を念入りに警戒する様子やマツバラへの口調などは、緊張を
「マツバラさん。そろそろ時間です。......我々が言うのもなんですが、我々の出番が不要となる慎重な交渉をお願いします」
マツバラは護衛達ほど緊張はしていない。だが真剣なその表情に、交渉の難易度と危険性への理解を強く示していた。
「分かっている。相手はクズスハラ街遺跡の統治系管理人格。しかもあの亡霊シリーズの1体だ。出来る限り注意するよ」
マツバラがヤナギサワに視線を向ける。
「その注意事項を、いろいろとはぐらかす君に聞きたいところなんだがね」
ヤナギサワが心外だとでも言わんばかりの仕草を見せる。マツバラ達とは異なり、その様子に緊張の色は余り見られない。
軽くふざけているような態度のヤナギサワに、マツバラが冷たい視線を返す。
「気持ちだけ受け取っておこう」
「そう? 遠慮しなくて良いのに」
ヤナギサワは全く気にせずに、1人だけ少し場違いな態度を取り続けた。
予定時刻まで後僅かだが、ツバキは姿を現さない。護衛達の中で索敵を主に担当する者が情報収集機器で周囲を探る。だがそれらしい反応は全く無い。
「予定時刻まで後1分です。対象が現れない場合、マツバラさんには不測の事態として撤退を含めた判断をお願いします。......後30秒です。......後10秒。......5、4......」
ヤナギサワ以外の者が、もう予定時刻にツバキは現れないと思う中、カウントが進んでいく。
予定時刻ちょうど、ツバキが突如としてマツバラ達の前に姿を現した。高速で移動してきたのではなく、初めからそこにいたが、誰も気付けなかったのだ。索敵担当の男が突如変化した情報収集機器の反応に
(......迷彩機能!? 馬鹿な!? 幾ら何でもこの距離でここまで反応無しって有り得るのか!? 立体映像か!? いや、この反応は実体としか思えない! どうなってる......)
護衛達は驚きながらも即座に反応してマツバラの盾となっていた。反射的にツバキに銃を向けなかったことを含めて、その実力の証明だ。
ツバキが静かに問う。
「交渉役は
マツバラが護衛達の前に出る。
「私だ。坂下重工所属のマツバラという。まずは我々との交渉の席に着いてくれたことに感謝を......」
「......彼らは私の護衛なのだがね」
ツバキはそれも無視した。
その短い言葉から、それが今すぐに出来なければお前も不要だ、という意図をマツバラは正確に受け取った。
「......了解した。坂下重工はそちらとの再契約を求めている。まずは前契約の履行不備についての説明が......」
「......その損害賠償の交渉も含めて、契約の再締結に向けての調整の場を設けたい。どうだろうか?」
「いやいやいや、本当に話を聞くだけって、確かにそれだけで良いって頼んだけどさ、もうちょっと、こう、手心があっても良いんじゃないか?」
ツバキはそれに取り合わず、冷たい視線をヤナギサワに向ける。
「全く、本当に話を聞かないっていうか、融通が利かないっていうか、これだから統治系は......。帰るか」
ヤナギサワはマツバラの頭部を拾ってその場から立ち去り、そのまま都市へ帰っていった。
クガマヤマ都市の上位区画には、他都市や大企業の幹部等を迎える
「呼んだのはこちらだ。違っていたとしても、入ってから聞くことではなかろう。始めたまえ」
ヤナギサワがケース上部の取っ手を
スガドメが視線をヤナギサワに移す。
「しかし、聞けば聞くほど、よく彼女との取引を成立させたものだな。やはり今からでも坂下重工所属の職員として統企連で働くつもりはないか?」
ヤナギサワは愛想の良い笑みを浮かべている。
「良いだろう。私から許可を出しておく」
ヤナギサワの顔に珍しく素の驚きと喜びが浮かんだ。だがすぐに真剣な表情へ変わる。
「気の早い話ですが、実際の借り受け時期がいつ頃になるか伺っても? 受け入れ体制を早急に整える必要がありますので」
「最短で、明日だ」
(......今日の交渉の結果次第では、俺に貸さずに自分達で使用して、ツバキとの交渉バイパスを作るつもりだったな? 抜け目のない男だ。坂下重工の重役だけはあるってことか。まあ、おかげで計画の前倒しが出来そうなんだ。ここは良しとしておくさ)
ヤナギサワは湧きあがる歓喜を抑えきれずに表情を大きく崩していた。
部屋の中でマツバラが
スガドメは先ほどと同じく平然としている。
「有能で安全な人物になど会ったことがない。旧世界の英知と同じだ。その危険性を理解した上で、適切に運用するしかないのだよ。それ以外に発展など無い。
スガドメが目を僅かに鋭くして、その重役に
しい雰囲気をより強く
ツェゲルト都市に停車中の輸送車両では、司令室を兼ねた会議室で警備側の責任者達による会議が続いていた。
「クガマヤマ-ツェゲルト間のA経路で発生した襲撃は、喜ばしいことに死者ゼロとなりました。......病院送りは山ほど出ましたがね」
「では、人為的なものだと?」
「いや、そこまでは言わないが......」
を選んだ方が確実で安く済む。生息地を適度に攻撃して、群れごと釣り出した上で一定距離誘導する手段もあるが、ほぼ決死となるので普通は選ばない。
「それをここで議論しても仕方無かろう。不運だったとして片付けるしかない。不幸中の幸いで、襲撃に対応可能な戦力はあった訳だしな。坂下重工の部隊が乗っていなければ引き返していたところだ」
「クガマヤマ都市に幹部を送った護衛部隊の一部、その帰りでしたね。建国主義者辺りが
「だな。そんなことより、戦力の補充を何とかしないと。クガマヤマ-ツェゲルトの往復で契約していたハンターが病院送りになって多数脱落したんだ。補充の当てはあるのか? 個人的には十分な戦力が整うまで、予定の延期を上に進言したい」
責任者達の多くが
にヒカルに止められた。少し残念に思いながらバイクから降りる。
「ヒカル。このバイク、明日の警備で使って大丈夫か?」
「必要ならな」
格納庫を兼ねた貨物部には、多数の人型兵器も格納されており、今も追加分が運び込まれている。その都合で人の乗り降りもかなり多い。重装強化服を着用した者も中に入ろうとしている。装備が大きすぎて、一般の出入口からは車内には入れないのだ。
で周囲を見渡していた少年がヒカル達を見ていた。少年はアキラ達と同世代の年頃で、武装など無い一般人風の服を着ている。
「アキラ。そろそろ部屋に戻りましょう。バイクを買ってきたんだから、部屋にいる約束よ」
アキラ達が去っていく。少年がそちらを見ていると、背広を着たハーマーズという男に
「シロウ。何かあったのか?」
「......ん? クガマヤマ都市職員の制服を着ているやつを見掛けたから、ちょっと気になっただけだ。クガマヤマ都市は俺が
「そのような話は聞いていない。確認はこちらでする。キョロキョロするな。目立つだろう」
ハーマーズから厳しい口調で注意を受けても、シロウは気にした様子も無く笑っていた。
だがシロウはあからさまに分かっていないとでも言いたげに首を横に振る。
「駄目駄目。あんなのは俺らにとっちゃ、絵葉書の風景と代わらねえよ。情報量が違う。情報量が。いや、絵葉書を馬鹿にしてる訳じゃないんだぜ? 紙の手触りとか風情があって良いよな。要はあれだ、粗い画像データのような、無味乾燥なものでしかないってことだ」
Ch 236
The inner part of Kuzusuhara ruin, the area under Tsubaki was surrounded by a wall that was disguised as a common mix of random rubble and wreckage. After Tsubaki made a deal with Yanagisawa, a part of that wall was renovated into a warehouse, in which she received and sent cargoes to and from Kugamayama city.
The area around that warehouse was mostly unmanned. Old-world drones were assigned to carry old-world relics to that warehouse, then an automatic transport vehicle would take those relics back to the city. So, there was no need for anyone to be there.
Further away from that wall, soldiers dispatched by Kugamayama city were guarding the area to prevent any intruders. Those who were caught sneaking in would be dealt swiftly and without mercy. Instead of putting up a half-baked identification system and risking a full-scale invasion or an infiltration, they opted for security that would ensure total annihilation against any possible intruders. The investigation could be conducted later after collecting what remained of the intruder. And finally, the usual security, which included the confirmation of those who were allowed to come in, was spread to the soldiers.
To further ensure security, many guards were equipped with powerful information gathering devices. Some of them even brought out powerful powered suits. Of course, they were not cheap, but after city management sold the relics transported from that area, they were still in the green. As matter of fact, due to their contract with Tsubaki, the better the security, the better the relics that she would give. Thus, city management continued its effort to further strengthen security. Because of that, the area around Tsubaki's management was surrounded by abnormally strict and powerful security.
But that day, there was someone inside that unmanned region. It was Yanagisawa and a negotiation team under Sakashita Heavy Industry, Matsubara along with a few extra escorts. Yanagisawa was using his own equipment while the escorts were using equipment from Sakashita Heavy Industry. Only Matsubara, who was not armed at all, was wearing a formal suit.
The escorts were fully wrapped in armour. Even their faces were not shown. Judging from the fact that they were proceeding very cautiously and by how they spoke to Matsubara, it was easy to tell that they were all high-strung.
"Matsubara-san. It's time... Though we might not be the best ones to say this, we do sincerely hope you can finish the negotiation peacefully."
Matsubara was not as anxious as the escorts, but he still had a sharp and solemn look on his face. He understood the danger and how difficult the negotiation he was going to face.
"I know. We're talking about the caretaker AI of Kuzusuhara ruin here. She is the beguiling ghost as well. It's only right to be extra careful with her."
Matsubara then glanced at Yanagisawa.
"To be honest, I would like to hear from you. Do you have any hints as to what I should be careful about?"
Yanagisawa exasperatedly replied, unlike Matsubara and the escorts, there was no trace of anxiety in his voice.
In contrast to Yanagisawa, who was joking around, Matsubara was still calm and serious.
"I'll at least keep that in mind."
"Is that so? It's okay to take it, you know?"
Yanagisawa was still joking around, which did not suit the situation at all.
A few minutes before the meeting time, Tsubaki was still nowhere to be seen. The person who was responsible for watching the radar among the escorts scanned the area, but there was nothing
"1 minute left. In case Tsubaki doesn't show up, I'll judge that an unexpected situation has happened and we ask you to retreat with us... 30 seconds more... 10 seconds... 5, 4..."
Other than Yanagisawa, everyone there was expecting Tsubaki would not show up as the countdown continued.
Right at that moment, Tsubaki appeared in front of Matsubara. She did not arrive at a high speed; she was there right from the start. It was just that no one was able to detect her. The person handling the information-gathering device was taken aback by the sudden change in his radar.
[...Camouflage!? No way!? How the hell did she not raise even the slightest signal when she's this close!? Is it only a hologram!? No, this signal, it's a real body! Just how in the world...]
The surprised escorts did not miss a beat and quickly stood between Matsubara and Tsubaki. The fact that they had not aimed their rifles at her was also proof that they were very well trained.
Tsubaki then calmly asked.
"Which one of you is the negotiator?"
Matsubara shifted around the escort and stood in front of Tsubaki.
"It's me. I'm Matsubara from Sakashita Heavy Industry. First of all, let me thank you for coming here for this ne-"
"...They are my escorts though."
Tsubaki completely ignored his comment.
Matsubara understood those short words also meant that if he kept silent here, then he would also be deemed unnecessary.
"...Very well. Sakashita Heavy Industry wishes to renew our contract with you, as for what we found unsatisfying regarding the last contract..."
"...Including the negotiation for the compensation for the damages, we hope we can decide on a suitable place and time to negotiate about the new contract as well."
"No no no, it's true that I only asked you to at least listen to them. But like, can you, you know, be more merciful?"
Tsubaki ignored his jovial attitude and coldly replied.
"Good grief, she really won't listen at all, or more like, she doesn't have any tolerance at all. This is why I don't want to mess with caretaker AIs... Geez, I guess I'll just head back home."
Yanagisawa picked up Matsubara's head and headed back to the city.
The upper district of Kugamayama city was reserved for high ranking officials and the higher-ups from the Corporate Government. As such, it was also very strictly guarded. Currently, inside the area in the upper district where it was allowed to bring private escorts, Sugadome, a staff from Sakashita Heavy Industry was waiting.
"We're the ones who asked you to come. Even if we were not the ones who requested for his meeting, such a question should not be brought out this late. Go ahead and start."
Yanagisawa took the top side of the case and pulled it up. The cover slid and revealed what was inside the cylinder, it was Matsubara's head, his eyes were closed and showed no movements.
Sugadome turned to Yanagisawa.
"But still, the more I hear it, the more I'm amazed that you were able to make a deal with her. As I thought, you should join Sakashita Heavy Industry and work for the Corporate Government."
Yanagisawa gave a friendly smile and replied.
"Very well then, I will give you the authorization."
Yanagisawa seemed honestly delighted, which was rare for him. But his face quickly turned serious.
"Although it might be too soon to ask you this, when exactly I might be able to get it? After all, I need to prepare my stuff to receive it."
"In the best-case scenario, tomorrow."
[...Those people were planning to bypass me and use it to directly negotiate with Tsubaki depending on the result of today's negotiation, huh? I just can't drop my guard against these people. I guess that is only to be expected from Sakashita Heavy Industry. Well, thanks to them, it seems that I can fast forward my plan though, so I guess I'll let it slide this time.]
Yanagisawa could not hold back his delight as his usually calm face was completely ruined.
Inside the room, Matsubara tilted his floating head and asked.
Sugadome still had his calm demeanour just like before.
"I've never met an abnormally competent but safe people in my life, you know. It's the same with old-world knowledge. Our only choice is to understand that danger and handle them carefully. If there's no other way to use them, the only other choice is complete destruction."
Sugadome slanted his eyes, a heavy aura was exuding out from him.
Seeing Sugadome reconfirm the reason why they exist, Matsubara felt his admiration toward his superior grow stronger.
Inside the transport convoy in Zegelt city, the commanders of the escort team were having a meeting inside the officer room, which also doubled as a meeting room.
"Fortunately, there is zero death in the ambush on the route A of Kugamayama to Zegelt city... Though many were sent to the hospital."
"Then, are you saying that it was intentional?"
"Well, I won't go that far, but..."
Those in the eastern district would actively track the movements of the problematic monsters, but unfortunately, it did not give much meaningful result. Monetary-wise, it was cheaper and more reassuring to choose to eradicate them instead. There was also a choice to attack their nest and lure them out, but it was almost guaranteed to end with death. That was why people usually chose not to do that.
"There's no point talking about that now. We have no other choice but to blame that on bad luck. Fortunately, we have enough firepower to deal with them. If those from Sakashita Heavy Industry were not onboard, we would have turned around and ran away."
"They're a part of the escorts sent by Kugamayama city to escort a certain executive back to the city, right? If those insects were actually lured by the Nationalists to attack that executive, they would have done so on our way back to Kugamayama city instead. So, it is most likely just bad luck."
"Probably. Rather than talking about what has already happened, I think it's better to talk about what we plan to do. We need to replenish our forces. Many of the escorts have been sent to the hospital. Does anyone have any idea where we can get more people? Personally speaking, I want to delay the journey back until we can get enough hunters."
Many of the officers there nodded and concurred, but another person then said.
Akira wanted to try diving around the warehouse, but Hikaru stopped him. So, he regrettably stepped off the bike.
"Hikaru, can I use this bike for tomorrow's job?"
"If it's needed, yes."
The warehouse that also doubled as a hangar housed several powered suits. Even now, there were powered suits moving into the hangar. There were people getting in and out of their powered suits. Some tried to get in the hangar with their heavy augmented suits, but unfortunately, their equipment was too big for the normal-sized entrances.
Hikaru felt someone's gaze and traced it back to a young boy next to a heavily armoured guy who was watching the surroundings. That young boy was looking straight at her and Akira. He was around the same age as Akira and her, but he was not armed at all. He seemed to be just a normal young boy.
"Akira, let's go back to your room. Now that you have your bike, it's your turn to keep your promise to stay in your room."
Akira and Hikaru then left the room. The young boy still had his eyes fixed on them when another man in a business suit by the name of Hammerz called him.
"Shirou, what's wrong?"
"...Hm? It's just that I found someone in Kugamayama city staff's uniform. This Kugamayama city is where I'll be staying next, right? So I thought that she was here to welcome us or to pick me up. She's pretty cute after all, so I would be really happy if that is the case."
"I haven't heard anything about that. I'll try confirming it, so you don't need to look around. We'll attract too much attention if you do, you know?"
Even after that harsh warning from Hammerz, Shirou did not seem to be bothered and just laughed it off.
But as if he did not understand, Shirou shook his head and said.
"No no no, that thing is nothing more than a simple picture to me. The amount of information is just too small. It's not like I'm mocking them but actual pictures are better since you can actually feel the paper with your hand. My point is that it is as boring as a dry raw image data sent to me."
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