アキラは防衛隊の人型兵器部隊に囲まれながらキバヤシの到着を待っていた。
500億オーラムの賞金首となったアキラだが、その賞金首を囲んでいるグートル達は相手が賞金首だと知った上で普通に周囲の警戒を続けている。ある意味で平穏な時間が流れていた。
キバヤシが到着するまでの暇潰しを兼ねて情報端末で自身のハンターページを閲覧する。注意事項有り、の文言が赤字で小さく記載されており、そこから詳細を閲覧すると自身の賞金首情報が記載されていた。
アキラは自分が確かに賞金首になったことを改めて認識しながらも、
『なあアルファ。俺は賞金首になったんだよな?』
アキラがある意味で落ち着いていることもあって、アルファは普段の
『そこに記載されている情報を信じる限りはね』
『だよな......』
ハンターオフィスの口座も凍結などされていない。アキラのハンターとしての身分は変わらずにしっかりと残っていた。
『......賞金首に指定されても、ハンター登録って消されないんだな』
『そのようね』
『賞金首になったのに? そういうものなのか?』
『私に聞かれてもね。その辺りの説明はキバヤシから聞きましょう。詳しく話してくれると言っていたわ』
考えても仕方無い、聞いた方が早いと、アキラは気を切り替えた。
く待っていると荒野の向こうから荒野仕様車両が近付いてくる。車両にはハンターオフィスのマークが目立つように記されており、自身の存在を広域に知らせる通信も発せられていた。キバヤシだ。
するとアキラを取り囲んでいた人型兵器の部隊が包囲を解除して都市へ帰還していく。最後に残ったグートルが機体の外部音声でアキラに言い残す。
「俺達は帰還する。......デカい額の賞金を懸けられたようだが、とち狂って都市に来るような
アキラがやや不機嫌な声を返す。
「そういうのは俺以外のやつに期待してくれ。俺は巻き込まれてるだけなんだからな」
め息を残して、グートルの機体も飛び去っていった。
車両がアキラの
「良し! ちゃんと大人しくしてたな! 俺が到着するまでの間に防衛隊の連中と殺し合ってるんじゃないかって、結構不安だったんだぞ?」
アキラが軽く疲れたように
「......俺だって別に好き好んで殺し合ってる訳じゃないんだけどな」
「普通はな、リオンズテイル社の創業者一族と殺し合ってる時点で、十分に好き好んで
不満げな顔を見せるアキラを見ても、キバヤシは上機嫌に笑っていた。そして車両から折り畳み式のテーブルと椅子を取り出して地面に投げる。直径20センチほどの円盤が地面に落ちると、円盤が広がり、脚が生えてテーブルと椅子になった。
「まあそっちの事情はお前にいろいろ説明しながら聞くとして、短い話にはならないんだ。飯を食いながらにしよう」
キバヤシが車両から携帯食を取り出してテーブルに置いていく。
「本当ならシュテリアーナで話をしたいところだが、今のお前をクガマビルまで連れていく訳にはいかないからな。だが携帯食とはいっても、これも高級品なんだぞ? 何せ500億オーラムの賞金首との対談用だ。並の代物じゃ話にならない。まあ、俺としては役得だな」
キバヤシが席に着き、アキラにも着席を促す。アキラは
キバヤシは話を聞く姿勢を見せたアキラに楽しげな笑顔を向けて、自分も携帯食の封を切った。
「さて、いろいろ話すことはあるんだが、まずはお前の状況から話しておくか。質問も出るだろうが、一通り聞き終わってからにしてくれ」
ハンターが狩る賞金首は基本的にモンスターだ。だがそれは周辺地域の難易度から逸脱した強力なモンスターが出現して東部の流通等を阻害する事態などが発生した時に、流通業者が対象に多額の賞金を懸けてでも速やかな駆除を望む機会が多いだけであり、賞金首制度自体は依頼受諾処理を不要とする簡易依頼の一種にすぎない。よって、賞金を懸ける対象はモンスターに限らない。人でも組織でも対象となる。
また対象がモンスターの場合には基本的に駆除が目的なので、賞金の支払条件を対象の死亡とする場合が多い。しかし生死不問や生け捕りのみという条件も設定可能であり、モンスターを研究対象として確保したい場合などに使われる。
これは対象が人間の場合でも同じだ。逃がすぐらいなら殺した方が良いが、可能であれば捕縛して情報を引き出したい。そういう場合などには生死不問で賞金が懸けられる。何らかの事情で逃げ出した者を捕まえたい場合などには生け捕りのみとなることが多い。
アキラは生死不問で賞金が懸けられている。しかし対象死亡による賞金の減額などは設定されていないので、賞金首とはいえ人を殺すのはちょっと、という者にもアキラを狩ってほしい
そして賞金首になったからといっても、賞金首であるという理由だけで何らかの権利が剥奪されたり、制限を加えられたりすることは無い。
仮に、ハンターが壁の内側で生死不問の賞金首を殺したとする。その場合、賞金自体は支払われるが、殺人としての罪もしっかりと裁かれ、相手が賞金首でも殺人は殺人として有罪になる。
治安維持側に許可を取っていれば問題は無いが、少なくとも事前にその手続きが必要だ。加えて、賞金首だから、という理由で無条件に許可が下りる訳でもない。自身が賞金首であることは、自身を狙う者に殺人許可証を与えることを意味しない。
これは賞金を懸けたのが統企連であっても同じだ。賞金首認定と同時にハンターの身分を消されたとしても、それは統企連から賞金を懸けられるほどに敵対したからであって、賞金首になったからという理由ではない。たとえ坂下重工から賞金を懸けられたとしても、ハンターオフィスの口座を凍結されるような事態にはならない。ハンターオフィスは他の五大企業の管理下にもあるからだ。
つまり賞金首としてのアキラは、単に500億オーラムもの賞金を懸けられるほどにリオンズテイル社と敵対している、というだけであって、それ以上でも以下でもなかった。
そこまでの話を聞いたアキラはどこか拍子抜けしたかのような顔をしていた。
「何ていうか、賞金が懸かっても、思ったほどどうしようもないって訳じゃないんだな」
「金目当てで俺を殺そうとするやつはスラム街にいた時から幾らでもいたよ。まあ、額は増えたけど、そこまで大きな違いじゃない」
キバヤシが口に手を当てて、口内の飲食物を吹き出してしまわないように堪えてから続ける。
「500億オーラムを狙うハンターも、お前にとっちゃスラム街の強盗と変わらないってか? 良いね! 実に良い! そうこなくっちゃな!」
東部の一般的な思考や感覚では、頭がおかしい、と判断されるアキラの言動に、キバヤシは大満足だった。
賞金首としてのアキラの説明を取り
モンスター認定についてはアキラの感覚でも実害が出ている。この認定により、クガマヤマ都市の治安維持組織はアキラをモンスターとして扱わなければならないからだ。
都市の防衛隊は当然として、都市と契約している民間警備会社なども、警備区域にモンスター認定対象者がいる場合には、モンスターに侵入されたとして排除しなければならない。
えず、クガマヤマ都市は敵に回ったって解釈でいいのか?」
「まあそう判断を急ぐな。確かにお前はクガマヤマ都市からモンスター認定を受けているが、取り消される可能性もある。そして認定情報の詳細をちゃんと確認すれば分かることなんだが、実際に認定処理を行ったのはクガマヤマ都市じゃない。だから、都市もお前と敵対する意思は無いのかもしれない」
「モンスター認定は統治企業の権限があれば可能なんだが、今回は賞金首登録申請の付加処理として実施されている。そして申請はリオンズテイル社から行われている。お前、都市の幹部のイナベってやつと仲が良いだろう? そのお前のモンスター認定なんて、普通ならイナベが絶対に止める。お前と
「でもモンスター認定は出てるんだ。大企業からの圧力とかで、都市としても仕方が無かった、とかじゃないのか?」
「それは無い。まあ、リオンズテイル東部本店がクガマヤマ都市を脅したのなら、有り得る。
「じゃあ何で俺はモンスター認定を受けてるんだ?」
「推測になるが、リオンズテイル社が賞金首登録申請時に何かやったんだろうな。お前が追っていたリオンズテイル社のやつ、クロエ、だったか? そいつは今クガマヤマ都市にいるんだが、リオンズテイル社からのお客様としてではなく、都市襲撃犯として拘禁されている。その辺かな?」
理解の追い付いていない顔を浮かべているアキラに、キバヤシは自分の推測にすぎないと前置きして補足を続けた。
都市の重役室でアキラに関する報告を受けたイナベが激怒している。怒りの対象はウダジマだ。
イナベの部下が僅かにたじろぐ。
「彼も都市の幹部クラスの人間です。それを呼び出しに応じない程度のことで拘束となると
「構わん! やれ! 責任は私が持つ! 居場所すら不明なら指名手配を懸けても良い! 私の権限で出来る限りやれ!」
「りょ、了解致しました」
部下が慌ただしく処理を進めていく。その様子を見ながらイナベは怒気を落とし、代わりに険しい表情を浮かべる。
い。駄目ね。軟禁した部屋の備え付けとはいえ、ローレンスの一族に出すものなのだから、もう少し質の良いものを用意してほしいわ」
今度はティーカップに視線を移す。東部の一般的な感覚では高級品に分類される品なのだが、クロエを満足させる物ではなかった。
「カップもソーサーも安物ね。随分と
「ふざけるな! 知らんとは言わせんぞ!」
「そう言われましても。粗雑な何らかの誘導尋問でないのであれば、もっと具体的に尋ねていただけると助かります」
ウダジマはクロエの胸元を思わず
「それで、何を聞きたいのです?」
「......アキラというハンターのモンスター認定者を私にしたのはお前だろう」
「はい。私です。厳密には、賞金首申請でその旨を記載し、リオンズテイル社を介して申請を出した、という意味です。ですから申請内容の妥当性の精査はハンターオフィスの管轄ですね」
「そんなことは分かっている! 私を勝手に認定者にした理由を聞いている! なぜそんな
「あなたの判断をクガマヤマ都市の意志と考えて良いのか、それを分かった上で私を都市襲撃犯としたのか、本当に取り消さなくて良いのか、私は繰り返し確認を取りました。その記録も申請時に添付しました。その上でハンターオフィスも、あなたが確認内容を十全に理解した上で実施したと判断したのでしょう。ですので、賞金首認定と一緒にモンスター認定も通ったのです。確認するまでも無いと思いますけれどね」
歯を食い縛って怒号を抑えているウダジマへ、クロエが余裕の
み付けていた。だが状況に屈し、険しい表情ながらも焦りと懇願を顔に出す。
「......何が望みだ? 俺を追い詰めて何の意味がある? リオンズテイル社ならば、賞金を懸ければ、それであのアキラというハンターを追い詰めるには十分なはずだ。あのハンターのモンスター認定にしても、都市に正式に協力を要請すればいい。あの
「イナベという者の策略にはまり、閑職に追いやられているのでしょう?」
「な、何を言って......」
自身とイナベの確執を知られている時点で、ウダジマはそれを信じられなかった。非常に険しい表情で黙ってしまう。
「それで、どうなさいます? 会議に参加なさいますか?」
ウダジマが僅かに迷う。だが参加を断ったところで事態は全く改善しないと判断し、相手の意図通りに動かされていると分かった上で、意図の読めない相手の意図に乗るという
保安部はイナベの要望通りウダジマの確保に動こうとした。だがそのウダジマはクロエを軟禁している部屋におり、しかもリオンズテイル社の遠隔会議に参加していた。その時点でクロエの軟禁部屋は都市間の取り決めにより機密情報保護規定が適用されて、クガマヤマ都市の職員でも勝手に踏み込めない場所となっていた。
坂下重工に貸し出している区域も限度の違いはあれど同様の規定で守られている。クガマヤマ都市の保安部であっても、勝手に踏み込めばリオンズテイル社との敵対を考慮しなければならず、二の足を踏む状況となっていた。
イナベも状況の確認に動いたが、リオンズテイル社が仮想現実機能を使用した会議をしており、クロエとウダジマがその部屋から参加しているとしか分からなかった。
「......どういうことだ? なぜウダジマがリオンズテイル社の会議に出席している? まさか、リオンズテイル社がウダジマに協力しているのか? 馬鹿な、あいつにそんな伝などある訳が......」
えず静観を選択した。会議も永遠に続く訳ではない。保安部の人員を部屋の前に待機させて、会議の終了と同時にウダジマを確保し、必要ならば拘束すれば良い。そう判断した。
嫌な予感はするものの、それがイナベが自身の権限で出来る限界だった。
無限に広がる室内の中に巨大な円形のテーブルが置かれている。この仮想空間での会議の席は10名分。クロエとリオンズテイル東部三区支店の支店長であるベラトラムに加えて、クロエが属する派閥の者達が座っていた。空席が幾つかあるが、そこに人が突然現れて席が埋まっていく。
ウダジマの席は無い。クロエの横に立って緊張した顔を浮かべている。参加者全員の表情を正確に取り込んでおり、支店とはいえ大企業の幹部達から向けられる叱責の視線に耐えかねていた。機能としては拡張現実に近い会議の場で、視線を微妙に現実側にずらして何とか耐えている状態だ。
しい態度に他の者達が逆に困惑を覚える中、席が全て埋まったところでベラトラムが口を開く。
「では始めるか。議題の提示は不要だろう。クロエ・レベラント・ローレンス。釈明を聞こう」
クロエが相手の言葉の意味を分かった上で申し訳なさそうに答える。
「こちらの事情で連絡が遅れ、会議まで遅延させたことには深く謝罪致します。しかし都市襲撃犯として拘束された状態で、出来る限り尽力したことだけはご理解頂きたく思います。また、私を都市襲撃犯と認定したのはそちらのウダジマ様ですが、ウダジマ様にもクガマヤマ都市に務める者として引けぬものが御座います。その上での判断であり、その点に関してはどうかご理解を......」
「いえ、そのようなことは決して。連絡が遅れてしまい、皆様の貴重なお時間を浪費させてしまったことは十分に理解しております」
非難の声で騒めきが増し、自身に向けられる視線が更に厳しくなる中、クロエは困惑したように顔を
をしているかは知らないが、これ以上その態度を続けるのであれば、この会議も続ける必要は無いだろう。君と会うことも二度と無い。壁の外で存分に朽ち果てると良い。その上で、最後に、もう一度だけ聞こう。釈明は?」
ベラトラムの最後通告で場が静まり返る。次の言動を誤ればクロエの立場は終わる。クロエを含めて、会議の出席者全員がそれを理解していた。その上でクロエが答える。
「失礼ながら、私には何に対しての釈明が必要なのか全く分かりません。ですが、もし、それがオリビア様のカードの取り扱いや、それに付随するアキラというハンターへの対処、賞金首申請やモンスター認定等に関することであれば、やはり釈明は不要とお答えしておきます」
場が完全に静まり返る中、ベラトラムが執行直前の死刑囚に向ける視線と表情をクロエに向ける。
で御座います。決して取り消しません。何しろ、アリス代表の御意向ですので」
その言葉で、場が一気にざわめいた。
Akira was waiting for Kibayashi while still surrounded by the city defence squad's powered suits in the middle of the wasteland.
He had a 50 billion bounty price tag on his head. The powered suits already knew that while they were watching the surroundings. As a matter of fact, it was rather peaceful.
While waiting for Kibayashi, Akira tried to open his page on the Hunter Office website just to kill time. He found a warning written in small red letters. When he squinted his eyes to read it, it said that he had a bounty on his head.
Akira was once again reminded that he had indeed become a bounty target and tilted his head.
"Hey Alpha, It seems that I've really become a bounty target, right?"
Akira had mostly calmed down, so Alpha had also returned to her usual self as she smiled and replied.
"Well, that is indeed true if you believe what is written there."
"Yeah..."
His Hunter Office account had not been frozen. He was still recognized as a Hunter.
"So... they don't erase my Hunter data even after I've become a bounty target, huh?"
"That seems to be the case."
"Is that really okay? I mean, like, I am a bounty target, you know?"
"Well, it's not like I have an answer to that, let's leave that question to Kibayashi later. He did say that he will explain everything."
Akira put it aside since it seems like no one here had an answer and it was faster to just ask Kibayashi later.
After a short wait, another vehicle appeared, heading straight toward them. It had a Hunter Office mark printed on it and was broadcasting its presence - it was carrying Kibayashi.
Once they saw the vehicle approach, the powered suits surrounding Akira disbanded and returned back to the city. Guutol, who was the last to leave, spoke to Akira through external speakers.
"We're heading back now... It seems like you now have a huge bounty on your head. Don't try to approach the city. I rather not fight against you. As long as you don't approach the city, there's no need for us to fight."
Akira replied curtly.
"Leave that hope of yours to the one who placed that bounty. In the end, I'm basically being dragged into her issues against my will."
Guutol smiled bitterly and let out a sigh before leaving in his powered suit.
The vehicle stopped next to Akira and Kibayashi stepped off. Although he was considerably calm compared to when he called Akira, he still seemed extremely excited.
"Alright then! It seems like you waited for me! I was worried you were fighting against the city defence squad while waiting for me, you know?"
Akira sighed exasperatedly.
"...It's not like I fight because I want to."
"Normally, the moment you pick a fight with someone from the founder family of the Lion Steel company, it's already well within what only a battle maniac would do, you know?"
Even Akira's curt attitude did not affect Kibayashi's excited laughter. He then took out a 20 centimetres-long ring and then threw it on the ground. The moment it touched the ground, it unveiled its legs and expanded out to form a table complete with seats.
"Well, explaining everything will take some time. So, let's do that while we eat."
Kibayashi once again took something out of his vehicle and placed it on top of the table. This time, it was instant meals.
"To be honest, we should have this conversation in Steriana, but you're not allowed to get into the city at the moment. Although these are only instant meals, they're pretty high-class, you know? After all, this is a conversation with a bounty target worth 50 billion. Normal food just won't cut it. Though, for me, it's more of an occupational perk."
Kibayashi took a seat and urged Akira to also do the same. Akira still looked confused as he took one of the seats. He then looked at Kibayashi with a face full of questions and asked.
Seeing Akira making himself comfortable and ready to continue the talk, Kibayashi smiled and also opened up his meal.
"Now then. There are a lot of things to talk about, but first of all, let's start with your current situation. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, but listen to the whole story first before asking."
However, this meant that bounty missions were nothing more than normal requests. A request that Hunters did not have to enlist first to take. Therefore, in the end, there was no rule saying that bounty targets had to be monsters, it could be an individual or even an organization.
In the case of monsters, the goal would be to eliminate them. Therefore, the bounty would be paid to the one who killed the target monster. Sometimes, there were cases where it was not a target for elimination. For example, a capture bounty for research, which would warrant the target to be captured alive.
Thus, it was also possible for the target to be a person. Likewise, it was important whether the request wanted the target dead or alive. There might be clauses stating something along the lines of 'elimination of the target is deemed appropriate if escape from capture'. Naturally, in such cases, it was preferred to capture the target alive for interrogation. However, the death of the target would still yield rewards. On the flip side, for bounty target requests like 'capture a runaway', it was necessary to capture the target alive.
In Akira's case, the bounty did not care whether he was dead or alive. Though it was written that the reward was smaller if he got killed instead of captured alive. However, Akira knew it was intentionally set in order to attract those who had some kind of aversion to killing another human.
Moreover, although Akira had become a bounty target, he would not lose any rights or privileges just because he had become a bounty target.
Even if someone actually managed to kill him. Although they would receive the reward from the bounty, they would still be sanctioned for the crime of homicide. As a matter of fact, they would be hired murderers. There was no doubt they would be fined for disrupting public order and causing fear in the inner wall. Even if they were from the outer wall, the private security corporations in the outer wall will treat them in a similar manner.
They could avoid such issues by asking for permission from the administrators of the area. However, that would mean extra administrative steps to take. Moreover, just because it was a bounty target, there was no guarantee that the administrators would grant permission without any strings attached. After all, just being a bounty target did not give enough of a reason for them to permit the killing of another human.
This was also the same if the bounty target was an organization. Even if their identity and data as Hunters got erased, that would be because they picked a fight against the Corporate Government. Being a bounty target alone did not result in such a thing. Even if that bounty came from one of the Corporate Government entities like the Sakashita Heavy Industry, they would still be able to use their Hunter Office account. This was because the Hunter Office was under the Corporate Government as a whole - not a single entity.
Which meant, that the 50 billion bounty from Lion Steel only meant that Akira had picked a fight with the Lion Steel company, nothing more, nothing less.
After hearing that, Akira seemed so relieved, to the point that it might be misunderstood as disappointment.
"Uhh, what can I say? It seems that being a bounty target is not as bad as I thought, huh?"
"If it's about those trying to kill me for money, I've had more than enough of them back in the slums. Well, at this point, the only difference would be the amount that they would receive. Other than that, it's not that much of a difference."
Kibayashi placed his hand on his mouth so as to make sure that he did not accidentally spit out his food.
"So, you're saying that those Hunters who want to kill you for 50 billion Aurum are not that different from those robbers in the slums, huh? That's great! Really great! As expected of you! You really never cease to amaze me!"
Relative to the common sense of those in the eastern district, this way of thinking was no doubt crazy. Kibayashi was immensely amused when Akira said something this crazy with a straight face.
With this, Kibayashi had finished explaining the matter regarding Akira being a bounty target. The next matter would be about Akira being recognized as a monster.
In truth, that matter was much more troubling for him. Thanks to that, the city defence squad and the other security organizations of Kugamayama city would have to treat him as if he was a monster.
Thus, this not only affected the city defence squad, but also the security companies under contract with Kugamayama city. When someone recognized as a monster entered an area under their watch, they would have to remove that person. Of course, killing someone recognized as a monster would not cause trouble from the city's point of view. After all, they were still humans recognized as monsters.
"Basically, I can think of Kugamayama city and I no longer being on a friendly term, right?"
"Don't be too hasty. It's true that Kugamayama city has recognized you as a monster, but that's not impossible to erase. Moreover, if you read the notice in detail, you'll find that it's not like the whole city is actively hunting you. As a matter of fact, the city actually has no desire to fight against you."
"It is possible to declare someone as a monster by the jurisdiction of the Corporate Government. But this time, it is just an extra description added beside the bounty designation. The source of it is the Lion Steel company. If I'm not mistaken, you get along pretty well with a city officer called Inabe, no? If it's made through City Management, I bet that guy will stop it. If he gets in trouble with you, he will also get in trouble with Sheryl. This will make a mess with his relic shop in the slums, which he's technically receiving illegal funds from. Those relics were smuggled from the area under his administration after all. There's no way he would let his own scheme be the end of him."
"But I am still recognized as a monster. Doesn't that mean that even the city could not go against the pressure from a large company?"
"That's not true. Well, although, it's not entirely out of the question if that pressure came from the main HQ of the Lion Steel company. However, the one who submitted this request is the Lion Steel Eastern District Third Ward Branch. Although they have a bigger sphere of influence than Kugamayama city, the city would never break under the pressure of a mere branch of a company. Although Kugamayam city is only considered to be a mid-sized region in the eastern district, it has its own thoughts and intentions. Moreover, its position is on a rise due to the relic deal made with that AI in Kuzusuhara ruin. There's no way it would bow down to a mere single Lion Steel branch."
"Then, why am I still recognized as a monster?"
"This is just my guess, but I bet Lion Steel did something when they placed that bounty designation. The one that you're chasing, Chloe. She's from Lion Steel, right? Although she's in Kugamayama city right now, she's not treated as a visitor. Instead, she's being detained for endangering the city. I bet it has something to do with that."
Akira seemed confused as if he did not understand how things ended up this way. However, Kibayashi simply ignored that and continued to speak of his hypothesis.
Inside an executive room in the inner wall of Kugamayama city, Inabe was furious when he received information about what happened to Akira. The target of his fury was Udajima.
Inabe's men were startled.
"He is a city officer. It might cause some trouble if we arrest him just because he won't answer our summons..."
"It doesn't matter! Do it! I will take full responsibility! If you can't find him, you can even go ahead and add him to the wanted list! Just do everything you can do using my authority!"
"R-right away, sir!"
Inabe's men flusteredly scrambled out to follow his order. Inabe tried to calm himself down while looking at the notice with squinted eyes.
"Yep, this is really bad. Though it's an added benefit besides this room, they should've prepared something better considering I am from the Lorentz family."
She then looked at the teacup. Although it was considered a luxurious teacup in the eastern district, it was still not good enough for her.
"The cup and the saucer are both cheap too. They should treat me better."
"Just cut the crap! I know you know what I am talking about!"
"Even if you say so, even if this is some kind of second questioning, it would be great if you can give me more specifics. I don't want to answer questions after such vague leading questions, after all."
Udajima grabbed Chloe's collar and hung her up. Although her feet had left the ground, her smile did not crumble.
"So then, what do you want to ask of me, again?"
"The one who made that monster designation for Akira was you, wasn't it?!"
"Yes, that's me. To be more precise, I submitted that together with the bounty designation through the Lion Steel company. That's why, in the end, the Hunter Office approved it."
"I already know that! What I want to know is why did you use my name without my permission!? Why did you do that!?"
"Is it okay to take your decision as Kugamayama city's decision? Are you sure about making me a criminal, charged with the crime of endangering the city? Are you sure you do not want to take that back? I believe I did ask you all of this back then, right? And I'm sure that the Hunter Office gave its approval after checking the application. They assumed that you understood the contents when that application was sent. That's why the monster designation was approved together with the bounty designation. Though, to be honest, I think there was no need to check that part."
Udajima gritted his teeth in rage, in contrast to that, Chloe was casually smiling.
Udajima glared at Chloe. However, he understood that it was impossible for him to get out of this situation on his own. His expression turned stern and desperate.
"...What do you want then? What exactly can you get from driving me to the corner like this? With the power of the Lion Steel company, you can just put a huge bounty on his head. I bet that would be enough to push that Akira to the edge. And now that he is recognized as a monster, you can just ask for formal assistance from City Management. There's no need to drag me into this mess. It is unnecessary to pick a fight with the City Management like this."
"You lost most of your influence after losing to Inabe, right?"
"W-what are you talking about...?"
Udajima could not believe those words since she knew of his conflict with Inabe. He ended up making a stern expression without being able to say anything back.
"So then, what do you want to do? Do you want to join the meeting?"
Udajima hesitated. Declining her offer now would not change his current predicament. Therefore, though he knew he was being manipulated by her, he made his resolve and made the difficult decision.
Although the summon had been properly conveyed, at the moment, Udajima was inside the room where Chloe was detained. Furthermore, he was attending a Lion Steel meeting together with her. Because of that, the room he was in had a higher information security level. Thus, no ordinary city officer may enter without a good reason.
The area lent to Sakashita Heavy Industry was also treated the same way. Though, it was under a different administration. Even for Kugamayama city public safety department, entering such a room without permission meant picking a fight with the Lion Steel company. Thus, it came as no surprise when they picked to withdraw.
Inabe quickly started investigating what exactly was going on. Since the room was now protected with a special information protection system for the Lion Steel company meeting, Inabe could not uncover any further. He knew nothing more than Udajima was attending a Lion Steel meeting with Chloe.
"...What's going on? Why is Udajima attending a Lion Steel meeting? Don't tell me that Lion Steel is working with Udajima!? Impossible! He should not have such a connection..."
Inabe decided to wait patiently while planning his next move. After all, it was not like the meeting would last forever. He could just post his men from the public safety department in front of the room to take or even arrest Udajima the moment he left the room.
Although he had bad feelings about said plan, it was the most he could do with his current level of authority.
A large circle table was placed in the middle of an infinitely wide room. There were 10 seats in that meeting space, hosted inside a virtual space. Other than Chloe and the head of the Lion Steel Eastern District Third Ward Branch, Beltram, there were also those from the faction where Chloe belonged. There were initially a few empty seats but they were quickly filled.
Udajima had no seats in that meeting. He was standing next to Chloe, anxious. The other participants in the meeting were looking in his direction as he was barely able to withstand their reproachful gazes. After all, although they were from a branch office, they were still officers from a large corporation. Since the meeting was held in a virtual space, which was close to reality, it helped when he looked away from the virtual world and back into reality.
As everyone was a bit confused about how to react to her audacity, eventually, the rest of the empty seats were filled and Beltram started the meeting.
"Well then, shall we start? There's no need to point out why we're having this meeting. Chloe Lebelant Lorents, we'll hear your excuse."
Although Chloe understood what Beltram was talking about, she apologetically replied.
"My deepest apologies for being late in reporting this matter and ending up delaying this meeting. At the moment, I'm being detained under the charge of endangering Kugamayama city. As such, I hope you understand my situation. Now, regarding that charge, it originated from Udajima-sama over here. Udajima-sama is an officer from Kugamayama city, thus, regarding this matter, I hope that everyone can understand-"
"Not at all, I don't think so at all. I understand that it's my fault for delaying the meeting and wasting your precious time."
As others were clearly getting agitated. With the eyes directed at her getting harsher. Chloe tilted her head and seemed confused. Seeing that, Beltram then spoke up.
"I don't know what your intentions are, but if you insist on keeping that up, I don't see any reason to continue this meeting. There will be no need to meet you ever again. You can just rot and die out there in the wasteland. So, this is your last chance. You may deliver your explanation."
Given her last warning, the meeting immediately returned to total silence. Depending on her next words, Chloe might get exiled. Everyone in the meeting, including Chloe herself, understood that. Even so, Chloe then spoke up.
"My apologies, but I don't see a need to give an explanation for anything. If it is about the incident regarding Olivia-sama's card and what happened with a Hunter by the name of Akira, along with the related matter including his bounty and the monster designation, I do believe that there's no need for me to explain anything."
As the meeting returned to total silence, Beltram sent a gaze at her. It was as if he was looking at a death row convict.
"Of course, I have no plans to take that back. After all, it's the will from representative Alice."
With that sentence, the meeting once again went astir.
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