244 アキラの扱い
シュテリアーナはクガマビル上階の一流レストランだ。提供する料理はどれも素材から調理法まで
には多額の経費を必要とする。その店を支える客層も相応に裕福な者ばかりだ。防壁外の感覚では狂気の沙汰と思ってしまうほどの大金を平然と支払える者達を顧客としている。
そしてその店の個室ともなると料金も更に跳ね上がり、その顧客達であっても下手をすると予約すら一苦労となる。企業の上層部が密談に使用することもあり、個室の使用履歴は企業の重役達すら有り難がる
そしてテーブルの向かいにはキバヤシが座っていて、非常に上機嫌な様子で笑っていた。
「しかし、お前は本当に俺を飽きさせないやつだな」
しい料理のお陰で上機嫌ではあったが、キバヤシの笑いように少し不服そうな態度を見せていた。
「俺だって好き好んであんな目に遭ってる訳じゃない」
「分かってる。だからこそ俺はお前を気に入ってるんだ」
楽しげに笑うキバヤシを見て、アキラは軽く
「もう良いだろう。そろそろ本題に入ってくれ。何か話があるんだろう?」
キバヤシも一通り話を聞いて満足したところだった。軽く息を整えて笑いを抑えると気を切り替える。
「そうだな。十分楽しませてもらったし、そろそろ俺の用事に移るか。アキラ。お前に良い話と悪い話がある」
「おっ? そうなのか!」
「ああ。非常に強力な装備を確保できた。最前線地域の武装で、銃も強化服も、本来ならハンターランク100以上でないと購入に制限が入る装備だ」
アキラは予想以上に強力な装備が手に入ったことに喜んだ。だがその後に不思議そうに聞き返す。
「本来はそうなんだが、そこは坂下重工が手を回した。あの騒ぎの報酬、いや、迷惑料か? 入院中にちょっと話しただろう? あれだ」
エルデの撃退の件は輸送車両の護衛依頼とは別枠で管理されている。厳密には、アキラが輸送車両の護衛依頼の最中に、ヒカルの要請で持ち場を放棄して勝手にやったことだと扱われている。事前の契約に照らし合わせれば無報酬として片付けられる恐れもあった。
アキラは期待した顔を浮かべていた。だがキバヤシがそこで表情を意味深なものに変える。
「さっきも言った通り、良い話と悪い話がある。良い話はこれで終わりだ。良い話だっただろう? 次は、悪い話だ」
「な、何だよ」
「その装備を最前線付近からここまで運んでくる訳だが、到着の
「......そりゃ、あんな東から運んでくるんだ。時間は掛かるんじゃないか?」
アキラも都市間輸送の大変さは身に染みて理解している。脅かされた割には案外普通のことを言われたと思って少々拍子抜けだった。だがキバヤシが更に続ける。
「いろいろあってな、流通の各種許可とかが非常に面倒なことになっている。強力な装備の輸送等には輸送業者間での物資引き渡しとかの手続きも大変だ。その面倒な手続きが、そのいろいろの兼ね合いで更に面倒になってるんだ」
「......それ、装備の調達に坂下重工が手を回したのなら、そっちの方も何とかならなかったのか?」
「それを決めるのは坂下重工だからな。俺に言われても困る。まあ、装備購入の口添えと資金援助ぐらいは簡単でも、輸送の手配まで調えるのは大変なんだろう。何しろ下手をするとお前の装備運搬の
「ああ、確かにそれは無理だな」
ツェゲルト都市への移動でもあれだけ大変だったのだ。物資を最前線からここまで運ぶのにどれだけの費用が掛かるのか。アキラはそれを想像しようとして失敗した。それでも途方もない額が掛かることだけは想像できた。無理だということに納得しつつ、残念そうに
「それで、そのいろいろって、何なんだ?」
「悪いが、それもいろいろとしか言えない」
に不服そうな態度を見せた。するとキバヤシがどこか楽しげに笑う。
「まあ俺もお前がそれで納得するとは思っていない。だからお前がそのいろいろの具体的な内容についてどうしても知りたいって言うのなら、手を貸しても良い。但しその
「分かった。頼まない。知らない方が良さそうだしな」
「そうか? 遠慮しなくても良いんだぞ?」
「まあ、上からそれを知っている人間だと判断されて、監視ぐらいは付くかもな」
「勘弁してくれ......」
まだまだ残っている料理は、アキラの機嫌を回復させるのに十分な味と量だった。だが機嫌を完全に回復させるのに、以前よりも多くの料理を必要とした。
ある程度機嫌を戻したアキラが何となく尋ねる。
が立たないってのは分かったけどさ、簡単な予想も無理なのか? キバヤシの何の保証も無い予想とかでも良い」
「俺の予想か。悪いがそれも難しい。あと、俺も詳細を知っている訳じゃない。流通の規制内容を知っているだけで、その規制が実施された理由については
「そうなのか。理由の推測も話せないのか?」
キバヤシが軽く思案する。そして少し真面目な顔で首を横に振る。
「......駄目だ。話せない。下手に話すと、その推測があっていた場合に、何でそれを知っているんだと無駄に疑われる恐れがある。お前も推測するのは勝手だが、その内容を下手に誰かに話すのは
そこでアキラは妙な引っかかりを覚えた。
アルファが先に念を押す。
『私の推測を話しても良いけれど、アキラに知らない振りが出来ないのなら、私も知らない方が良いと思うわよ?』
都市に戻った後のヒカルはアキラと同等に軟禁状態にあったが、その間も仕事自体はしっかりやっていた。大流通の管理側との報酬交渉を済ませて、アキラからの頼みである大幅の黒字は確保した。ただ、アキラへの報酬はハンターランクの上昇と金で支払われるのだが、その配分は意図的に調整中の扱いにしていた。
アキラは強力な装備を求めている。だが高性能な装備には販売元がハンターランクによる制限を掛けている製品も多い。しかし大抵は販売元による自粛であり、当人のハンターランクが不足していても販売元の許可さえあれば購入は可能だ。
同席させる必要はない。しかし営業からの強い要望もあり、一応アキラに連絡を取った。するとアキラから、シズカの同意を前提にした上で失礼の無いように頼む、というシズカにかなり気を遣った返事が返ってきた。ヒカルはそれをかなり意外に思いながらも、シズカとも調整を済ませて交渉に参加してもらった。
交渉の席でヒカルは機領と
「そんなに弱そうっていうか、普通の子供だったんですか?」
シズカがその時の事を思い出して、懐かしむように軽く苦笑する。
「ええ。こう言っては悪いけど、ハンターとして見込みがあるようには全く見えなかったわ。すぐに死んでしまうような、そういう印象しか持てなかった。私は勘が良い方なんだけど、初見の印象から感じたその後の推測をあそこまで盛大に外したのは初めてよ」
く。実は自分が知らないだけで、アキラは都市のエージェントなのではないかと結構疑っていた。だがシズカの反応から本当にスラム街出身の子供だと知って少し驚いていた。
(アキラが言っていた、昔は弱かったってのも本当だったのね。うーん。意外)
は都市の職員としてアキラをどう思っているの?」
「都市の職員として、ですか?」
ヒカルが少し真面目な顔で答える。
「申し訳ございませんが、都市側の意見を代弁するのであれば、非常に扱いの難しい人物だと答えざるを得ません。中位区画への立ち入りも、輸送車両への搭乗も、一時的で限定的な許可しか出せない人物です。アキラに助けてもらった身でこう言うのも何ですが、それを根拠にして、防壁の内側の基準で十分に善良なハンターであると人格を保証することは出来ません。それが職員としての、私の返事です」
ヒカルはアキラと懇意にしている人物に対して話すには少々手厳しい内容だと自分でも思いながらも、少しすまなそうな顔をしながらも、都市側の人間としてしっかりと答えた。怒らせたかと思いながらシズカの様子を
ヒカルが意外そうな顔を浮かべる。
「怒らないんですか? 結構
「残念だけどアキラには危うい面が多すぎるわ。アキラと付き合いのある私だって、悪い子ではない、とは無条件では言えないぐらいにね。あ、性格が悪いって意味じゃないの。ただ別の意味で質が悪いというか、変にズレているっていうか、極端に走りやすいっていうか、そういうところがあるのよ」
「ああ、確かにそれは分かる気がします」
「アキラはスラム街で相当苦労したみたいで、多分その
ヒカルが僅かにたじろぐ。アキラへの感情は別として今回のような騒ぎはもう御免であり、もうアキラと関わるつもりは全く無かった。
「あー、その、私は広域経営部の者ですから、今回の依頼を最後に、多分もうアキラと関わることは無いと思います」
「そう? 残念ね」
シズカは特に残念そうには見えない笑顔でそう答えた。自身の勘については黙っていた。
ヒカル達はクガマビル1階のロビーまで戻り、そこでアキラ達と合流した。
「つまり、そこまで頑丈なバイクではなかったら、バイクも壊れていたのね?」
アキラがごまかすように軽く笑いながら、ヒカルに助けを求めるような視線を向ける。ヒカルが苦笑して口を挟む。
「シズカさん。アキラに助けを求めた私の
したように軽く笑った。ヒカルはそのアキラの様子を少し興味深く見ていた。怒られながらも、叱られながらも、心配してもらっていることをどこか喜んでいる雰囲気を感じられる様子は、その手の経験が著しく欠如している子供のようにも見える。少なくとも、そこに3桁の人を殺して平然としている人間の姿は無い。
だがアキラがそれだけの者を殺した人物であることに間違いは無い。輸送車両でも自分を盾にしたエルデに対し、
(良い意味でも、悪い意味でも、アキラをよく分かっている人に対応してほしいってのは、そういうことなんでしょうね。......でもまあ、だから私にって言われても困るんだけど)
ヒカルは無意識に浮かべていた苦笑いを愛想の良い笑顔に戻すと、アキラの前に立つ。
「アキラ。報酬の件も片付いたし、取り
「そうか。ヒカルもお疲れ様」
「私からアキラに依頼を出すことはもうないと思うけど、縁があったらまた会いましょう。これからも頑張って。でも
「分かってるよ。......いや、本当に、分かってるんだけどな」
苦笑を返してきたアキラに、ヒカルも軽く笑って返した。
「いやー、ヒカル、大流通関連依頼の完遂、お疲れ様だ。実に素晴らしい成果だった」
手放しで褒めてくるキバヤシの態度に、ヒカルが喜びよりも不安を覚える。
「あ、ありがとう御座います」
「お前の技量を見誤っていたことを謝らないといけないな。すまなかった。お
それは文字通り死ぬほど厄介な高ランクハンターとの付き合いが今後も山ほど増え続けることを意味する。以前に自分が熱望した通りに。
「遠慮するなって。ここまでの成果を上げた上で、その謙遜。いやー、実に素晴らしい。俺からも上に強く推薦させてもらうよ。有能な若手が成り上がるのは組織の活性化にも
めてください! 本当に、
めてください! 振りじゃないですよ!?」
Ch 244
Sterian was one of the top-class restaurants inside Kugamayama city. All the meals served here was among the best of the best, as such, they were also priced way higher than any high-class restaurant in the lower district of Kugamayama city. Even so, the taste of the food they made never made anyone who ate it regret their decision. The decorations and the furniture here were also first-class, boosting the dining experience as well as giving off a glamorous and luxurious atmosphere.
Naturally, it was not cheap to be able to dine here. Customers who went to the restaurant were only the rich. They were the kind of people who could casually pay out a sum that would make anyone in the outer wall crazy.
The private rooms in Sterian were even more expensive and getting a reservation for a room was not easy. It was often used as a negotiation venue for high-ranking officers from various corporations. The success rate of negotiations in these private rooms bolstered its popularity and was extremely helpful to the negotiators of those large corporations.
On the other side of the table, Kibayashi was already sitting in wait, looking extremely happy.
"Well well well, you really never cease to amaze me."
Thanks to the delicious meal, Akira was in a good mood, but Kibayashi's smile still rubbed him the wrong way.
"It's not like I did that because I wanted to."
"I know, that's why I really like you."
Watching Kibayashi laughing merrily, Akira could not help but sigh.
"It's fine already, isn't it? Just get into the main subject, why did you invite me here?"
Kibayashi had to finish laughing first before he changed the subject. Even so, he was still trying to calm down his breathing after so much laughter.
"You're right. You've really entertained me. So, I guess it's only fair to get to the main subject soon. Akira, I have bad news and good news for you."
"Oh? Is that so?!"
"Yeah. Those are very powerful pieces of equipment. The weapons and the augmented suit that you ordered from the front-line are ones that normally only Hunters with a Hunter Rank of 100 or above can get."
Akira was ecstatic since it turned out to be even better than he had hoped. But he then frowned and asked Kibayashi a question.
"Normally, yes. But it was possible with the help from Sakashita Heavy Industry, as a reward for your job. Well, I guess it's more accurate to call them compensation for the trouble that you've gone through? They talked to you when you were hospitalized, remember? It's for that time."
The work done to fight back Erde's team was treated separately from the escort job. To be more precise, while Akira was in the middle of his job to escort the transport convoy, he had left his post because of the request from Hikaru. According to that, it could be taken as a violation of his contract, which means he could have not received any reward.
Akira was brimming with expectation, but Kibayashi's expression turned cloudy.
"As I said, I have good news and bad news. That was the end of the good news, it was really good news, right? The next one is the bad news."
"W-what is it?"
"Although it has already been decided that they will transport your equipment from the front-line to here, we still have no estimation of when it will arrive."
"...Well, it is from the front-line of the eastern district after all, so it's only to be expected that they'll take quite a lot of time."
Akira already knew the trouble of transporting stuff from further east. He was a bit relieved since he thought that it was something worse, but it turned out to be something fully understandable. However, as though intending to betray his expectations, Kibayashi then continued.
"Well, it's complicated. Like the transport permit for example. It's also not that simple when we have to entrust such powerful weaponry to a third-party transport service. With just this troublesome stuff accounted for, it becomes even more difficult than before, you see."
"...Since we got it from Sakashita Heavy Industry, can't they do something about that too?"
"That is for them to decide. It's not like I can do anything about it. Well, I can understand that providing support to purchase these items is much easier than handling its transport. After all, it's not like Sakashita can just send a long-range inter-city transport vehicle just to ferry your weapons here, right?"
"Hmmm, that's true."
The route between Kugamayama and Zegelt was already difficult. It was only to be expected that transport from the front-line would be even more difficult. Although he knew that it would take quite a lot of money, Akira could not even imagine how much that would be. Since he understood that it was unreasonable for Sakashita and Kibayashi to have all the solutions for this, he felt that the whole thing was rather unfortunate.
"I see, so what are the other troublesome stuff?"
"I'm sorry but I can't say."
Akira could not help but show displeasure. Watching him like that, Kibayashi smiled amusedly and said.
"Well, I don't think you'll be happy with the answer either. That's why, in case you want to know no matter what, I can lend you a hand, you know? But for that, we'll need a formal Hunter office issued confidentiality contract. The one that Hunters would definitely regret if they breached it. So, do you still want to know? If you still want to know, I can arrange to get the information you want, it's not like we're strangers after all."
"Alright, thanks for the offer but I'll have to refuse. It seems that it's better if I don't know."
"Is that so? You don't need to hold back, you know?"
"Well, it's true that if you found out about it, the upper echelons will have you monitored."
"Give me a break already..."
The meal left on the table was able to help Akira uplift his mood. But the amount needed to be more than what was available to completely restore his mood.
After Akira cheered up for a bit, he then threw a question to Kibayashi.
"Say, you said that there's no exact date when the equipment will arrive, right? I know that you can't exactly get a promised delivery date to a Hunter, but can you at least give me a rough estimation? It's fine even if you don't have any evidence to support your estimation."
"My guess, huh? I'm sorry but that will be difficult. It's not like I know all the detail. Although I know about the general rules and regulations for the transportations between the cities, I don't know it well enough. A new rule has just been enacted. I don't know why it was enacted upon. Though, I have my own guess. However, asking me when this new rule will be revoked and when your transportation can resume, is something impossible for me to say."
"Is that so? Can you at least tell me the rules?"
Kibayashi hummed for a bit, he then shook his head with a serious look.
"...Sorry, but I can't. If my guess is correct, people might get suspicious as to why I can come up with such a guess. Though, you're free to make your own guess as well. Though, I recommend you don't tell anyone about your own thoughts on the matter. I think that's all I can say."
Akira actually found something weird.
Alpha went ahead and warned Akira first.
"I don't mind telling you my hypothesis, but if you can't pretend that you don't know, it's better if you actually not know it in the first place."
Although she was put under partial house arrest just like Akira after they arrived, Hikaru was still doing her job. After finishing the negotiation with the transport convoy's side, she was able to secure the reward that Akira asked from her. But they were still discussing how much of his reward would be paid in Aurum, and how much would be paid in the form of an increase in Hunter Rank.
Akira was looking for powerful equipment. But there many of them had Hunter Rank restrictions. Except for one certain exception. Since the restrictions mostly came from the distributors, if the distributor allowed it, the Hunters could purchase those equipment regardless of their Hunter Rank.
Personally speaking, Hikaru did not see any reason why a small-time owner of an independent weapon shop had to attend too. But since TOSON and Kiryou expressed that demand rather strongly, she decided to contact Akira. That was when Akira replied with a rather imposing warning telling them not to do anything rude with the assumption that Shizuka would accept the invitation. It came out of the left field for Hikaru as she proceeded with the paperwork and had Shizuka attend the negotiation as well.
During the negotiation, it was obvious that Kiryou and TOSON were being very careful toward Shizuka. Since Hikaru knew that Akira's trust toward Shizuka was strong and that Shizuka's advice had a lot of effect on how Akira would spend his money on equipment, Hikaru was not surprised by how things played out. Though, the way Akira responded was still something that she would have never expected from him.
"He was that weak? Or more like, he looked just like a normal boy at that time?"
Shizuka remembered back from that time and smiled bitterly with a tint of nostalgia.
"Yep, though it might be weird to hear this, but he did not seem to have that much chance as a Hunter back then. It was as if he would die anytime. That was all that I could see from him back then. To be honest, I have a pretty good intuition, and that is the first time my first impression is wrong."
Hikaru hummed and nodded. She initially thought that Akira might actually be a city agent and that it was just that Shizuka did not know it. But judging from Shizuka's story, Hikaru was surprised to find out that Akira was really a boy who originated from the slums.
[So, he was telling the truth when he said that he was weak in the past, huh? Hmmm, that was a bit unexpected...]
"I have a question though, as a city official, what do you think of Akira?
"As a city official, huh?"
Hikaru also turned rather serious.
"I'm really sorry, but if I have to be honest, from the point of view of the city officials, he's someone really dangerous. Even the permission for him to enter the middle district as well as getting into the transport vehicle were all nothing but temporary permissions. I know it's not right for me to say this since he saved me, but I can't use that fact to guarantee that he's a good Hunter based on the standards within the inner wall. That is my answer from my position."
Although Hikaru felt that was rather harsh considering that Akira saved her, she still properly answered that question as a city official with a rather apologetic tone. She glanced at Shizuka, wondering if she angered her.
Hikaru raised her eyebrows.
"You're not angry? I'm sure I said some pretty harsh things, you know?"
"Unfortunately, Akira often does a lot of dangerous things. At least, even for me who has known him for longer, I can't honestly say that he's not a bad kid. Ah, it's not like I'm saying that he has a bad personality or anything like that. It's just that he's not exactly normal. It's like... the way he thinks is not right, or more like, he's quite reckless. There's that side of him, you see."
"Ahh, I can completely understand that."
"It seems that Akira had a rough time in the slums, maybe that is the reason why he ended up like he is. His way of processing things tends to get him more enemies. That's why I can understand why you see him as someone who is dangerous. It's a good thing that there's a city official who can handle him well... If I have to be honest, if it's possible, I hope he would learn to make compromises with others though."
Hikaru reeled back. Putting aside her feeling toward Akira, she would not want to go through anything like that again if it could be helped. To be more precise, she had no wish to be involved with Akira anymore.
"Ahh, well, I'm actually a part of a management department that deals with many different things, so this request might be the last request I have with Akira."
"Is that so? That's rather unfortunate."
Shizuka said that with a smile that did not match what she just said as she kept her intuition to herself.
After they were done, Hikaru and Shizuka returned to the first-floor lobby of the Kugama building, Akira then grouped up with them a bit later.
"So, in short, if it was not that durable, you would have even lost the bike as well, huh?"
Akira awkwardly laughed it off and glanced at Hikaru as if he was seeking help. Hikaru smiled wryly and then chimed in.
"Shizuka-san, it's also partly my fault for asking him to save me. So I believe that's enough of scolding for Akira."
Once Shizuka stopped, Akira smiled in relief. Hikaru was watching how Akira acts with great interest. Although he was being scolded, there was also a trace of happiness, knowing that someone was worried for him. He looked like a little boy who had a great lack of care and affection while growing up. At the very least, he did not seem like someone who had killed hundreds of people.
But it did not change the fact that Akira did kill that many people before. Even back during the incident in the transport convoy, Akira quickly abandoned her and aimed his rifle at Erde, who was using her as a meat shield without showing even a shred of hesitation. Hikaru understood that very well.
[Both in the good and bad way, I can understand why Shizuka-san wants someone who understands Akira to handle him... But with that being said, I hope that doesn't have to be me.]
Hikaru replaced the bitter smile that she had unconsciously displayed with a polite one as she stood in front of Akira and said to him.
"Akira. Since the negotiation for your reward is done, it means that this request had officially concluded. Thank you for the hard work."
"I see, likewise. Thank you for the hard work."
"I don't think I have any other request left for you, but let's meet up again if the occasion comes. I pray for your success in the future, but I believe that it's better if you hold back on doing reckless stuff."
"I know... Honestly, I already know that best myself though..."
Akira smiled wryly and Hikaru gave the same wry smile back.
"Well, Hikaru, good work on that escort job. You did amazingly well."
Seeing how Kibayashi was merrily complimenting her, Hikaru was more anxious than happy.
"T-thank you very much!"
"I guess this means that I have to apologize for misjudging your skill. I'm sorry. Though it might be weird to say this as compensation, I will use my full power to get what you asked from me back then approved. So please forgive me with that."
That also meant she would be dealing with a more dangerous high-rank Hunter, exactly just what she wanted before.
"No no no. There is no need to hold back. To be perfectly honest, you did extremely well, you know? I will put in my recommendation letter as well. After all, having a rising star like you rise will eventually bring benefits to the whole team. Even those officers who doubted you will have no arguments left once they see the report from the last request of yours, you know? You're basically on a fast track to success, congratulations!"
"Please stop! Seriously! Just stop it already! I'm being serious here! I'm begging you!"
"That's not the problem here!"
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