「その旧領域接続者も無事で、車両の制圧指示を出したおかげで事後処理も手早く進みました。こちらに不手際は無かった。それで通しましょう」
「あの指示はもっと早く出すべきだった。そこは落ち度ではあるがね」
6号車と8号車の状況確認に向かったハンター達が未帰還となったのは、エルデ達の部隊に襲われたからだと既に判明している。一般的な状況確認の手引の順路に従って車内を進み、その順路通りの場所に配置されていた敵部隊に奇襲されたのだ。
アキラがその奇襲を受けずに部屋に向かえたのは半分偶然だ。屋根から部屋への順路がその状況確認用の順路と重なっていなかったことに加えて、車両の状況確認など一切せずに一目散にヒカルの元に向かったおかげで、その時間稼ぎ用の者と遭遇する機会が減っていたのだ。
ある意味で、状況確認という雑用を押し付けられる程度の実力しか無いハンター達では、坂下重工所属の旧領域接続者を襲撃する
そこですぐに車両制圧の指示を出した判断は正しかった。ただし判断の遅れは存在していた。
「こちらには旧領域接続者が乗り込んでいるなど伝えられていなかったのです。
別の職員が少し浮かない顔で報告する。
「その旧領域接続者のことで、坂下側から警備に関する要望が来ています。旧領域接続者の警備に関する重要事項としてです」
司令官が不機嫌そうに
「旧領域接続者の存在が露見したら、すぐにそれを前面に押し出しての要求か。良い身分だな。で、何だ?」
内容を聞いた司令官の顔が険しくなる。
「......それをこっちの管轄でやれと言うのか」
「まあ、車両のハンターの管理はこちらの仕事ですから、そういうことになります。どうしましょう?」
「......拒否は出来ん。一応調整するとだけ答えておけ」
輸送車両の警備に戻ったメルシアが、屋根から車両の襲撃の被害の様子を見ている。
「派手にやられたわね。タツカワ。当分暇だって言ってた勘の方はどうなってるのよ」
タツカワが気にした様子も無く答える。
「何言ってるんだ。俺の勘はバッチリだったろう? 当分暇だって言っただけで、戻りの行程でずっと暇だとは言ってなかったし、絶妙な時間配分で、あの後も慌てずに撃退に移れただろう。バッチリだ」
えず、こっちで少し検討させて。私だって部下に無理強いは出来ないの。分かるでしょう?」
「分かっている。すまないな。頼んだ」
め息を吐いた。タツカワが軽く笑う。
「難題でも押し付けられたのか? 何だ?」
「旧領域接続者の護衛が欲しいんだって」
も付くし、報酬もデカいだろう。何が問題なんだ?」
「人員の条件がちょっとね。完全義体者並みの義体率限定で、しかも機体の管理者権限を寄こせって言ってるわ」
メルシアの反応を理解して、タツカワも苦笑を浮かべる。
「おっと、そりゃまた随分と傲慢だな」
通常、余程の事態がない限り、自身の義体の管理者権限は本人のものだ。例外は医療機関等で体の換装処置を行う時ぐらいである。脳以外全て機械に取り替えたような者にとって、自身の体の操作権限を他者に委ねる意味は余りにも大きい。
坂下側の要望は生殺与奪の権限を寄こせと言っているに等しく、相手を軽視した非常に失礼で傲慢な態度に間違いはない。宣戦布告と解釈されても不思議はない。
「どうなのって、まあ、受けるしかないだろう。都合の良いことを言えば、俺とお前は条件から外れてるしな。後はチームから希望者を募って、受けたやつを出す。希望者ゼロなら、その旨を伝えてごめんなさいだな」
「それで良いの?」
タツカワが軽く苦笑してメルシアを抱き締める。
「俺達のチームだが、デカくしたのは
しそうに笑って抱き締め返す。
「まあ、俺も今は結構成り上がったんだ。昔みたいな無理
シロウは別の隔離室に移された。新たな部屋も十分に広く豪勢だ。
ハーマーズは医療室で治療を受けており、今は席を外している。一時的にしろシロウの護衛から外れることに難色を示したが、治療は坂下側の指示で断れない。そして戦闘能力は保っているが、実際にかなりの疲労と負傷を抱えているのも事実だ。万全の体調を取り戻す
シロウは得意げに笑った。そして他の者達にも再度促した。顔を見合わせていた男達の中から料理に手を付ける者が増えていく。
だが一向に手を付けない者もいた。シロウが不思議そうに尋ねる。
「おお、そうか。分かった! ちょっと待ってろ!」
一度席を立ったシロウが大きな箱形の機械を持って戻ってくる。
観光地の裏機能で、ここだけの話だが、エロも楽しめる」
不満を吐いていた男の口が止まる。シロウが笑って続ける。
「だ、だが、安全性とか......」
「いや、でも、義体に合わせた設定とかも大変だろう?」
そこでシロウが少し申し訳なさそうな顔を浮かべる。
「そこは、なんだ、確かに普通は大変なんだが、ほら、今は、義体の管理者権限がこっちにあるだろう? その都合で非常に簡単になってるんだ」
にこれは駄目だ。試すなら、今だけだぜ? 俺も悪いとは思ってるんだ。だから、普通は貸さないけど、特別にだ。どうする? まあ、無理にとは言わねえよ。拒否感持ってるやつに勧めるのも変だしな」
男が迷っていると、別の男が口を挟んでくる。
「なあ、ちょっと試して良いか?」
男達がシロウに視線を向ける。
「ああ。好きに使ってくれ。ただし同時使用者に限度があるから、交代でな」
初めは顔を見合わせていた者も、使用後の者の感想を聞いて興味を募らせていく。全員が交代で使用するようになるまで、
「あいつは何をやってるんだ......」
すぐにシロウと連絡を取ると、ハンターの視界を通してシロウが手を振ってきた。
「何だよ。ちゃんと大人しくしてるぞ?」
管理者権限を奪われて殺気立ってる連中に囲まれるのは俺だって怖いんだぞ? 機嫌ぐらい取らせろよ」
「そりゃ普段は心強い護衛が
えず、こっちに送る映像は機体からのものにしろ。変な映像まで送ってくるな」
シロウとの通信が切れると、すぐにハンター達の視界の映像に変化が現れる。幾つかは目を閉じている
(契約に忠実なだけっていうのも、違う気がするのよね。あの状況で私を助けたのは、あいつも言っていた通り明らかに契約外だし......)
しっくりこない感覚を覚えながら、アキラの寝顔に視線を向けて何となく
「ねえ、何で助けてくれたの?」
「助けてって言われたから助けたのに、それはちょっと
返事が返ってくるとは思っていなかったヒカルが少し驚く。アキラが身を起こした。
「お、起きてたの?」
妙な間を開けた後、ヒカルがもう聞いてしまったのだからと、少し開き直って続ける。
「改めて言っておくわね。助けてくれてありがとう。で、さっきのは、あの状況、普通に考えたら見捨てられても仕方無いと思ったから、ちょっと不思議に思っただけよ。それだけ。それで、どうして助けてくれたの?」
アキラが軽く答える。
「助けてって言われて、助けて損が無ければ助けるよ。まあ、状況にもよるけどさ」
「ハンター稼業はいつも命賭けだ。別に特別なことじゃない。ああ、そういう意味だと、普段は壁の内側にいるヒカルの感覚とは、大分ずれた感覚かもな」
「......その、こう言っちゃ悪いけど、アキラは壁の外で結構殺しているでしょう? その人達は助けてくれとは言わなかったの?」
「基本的に銃で殺し合っているからな。大抵は即死だ。命乞いする余裕なんて無いよ。それに殺し合った後で、敵に助けてくれと言われても、それを聞く義理は無いな」
「えっと、アキラってそんなに襲われてたの? あんなに強いのに? ちょっと信じられないんだけど」
平然とそう語る様子から、ヒカルはアキラの過酷な過去を想像して、アキラの行動を少しだけ理解した。
「......そう。大変だったのね」
そこでアキラが急に少しヒカルに詰め寄る。
「あ、そうだ。助けた理由で思い出したけど、助けた時、何でもするって言ってたよな?」
状況が状況で、しかも口約束だったとはいえ、強力なハンター相手にかなり
アキラが少し真面目な態度で要求する。
「約束通り、報酬はしっかり弾んでもらう。いや、最低でも黒字にはなるように何とかしてくれ。高い弾薬や回復薬を山ほど消費したし、装備も駄目になった。特に装備はちょっとした伝で思いっきり割り引いて買ったやつだから、定価で買うと
い額になるんだ。あれだけ苦労して赤字なんて御免だ。頼む。何とかしてくれ」
の息を漏らした後、念を押すように続ける。
「大丈夫よ。安心して。これでも部署じゃ将来有望な人物って言われてるの。キバヤシさんからも、お前は
輸送車両に追加の護衛部隊が到着する。クガマヤマ都市から出発した坂下の部隊だ。多数の人型兵器と輸送機で構成されており、輸送機の中には重武装した戦闘要員も乗り込んでいた。
その輸送機の中にはヤナギサワも乗り込んでいた。急報を受けて、部下と一緒にシロウを受け取りに来たのだ。治療を終えたハーマーズと合流して隔離室に向かう。
「大変な状況だったと伺いましたが、無事で何よりです」
逆にハーマーズは軽い警戒を向けていた。
「クガマヤマ都市に到着するまでは、警備はこちらの受け持ちだったはずだ。引き渡しも、一度スガドメ専務に引き渡した後のはずだが?」
ヤナギサワが部屋を見渡すが、シロウの姿は見えなかった。
ハーマーズが嫌な予感を覚えながら近くのハンターに尋ねる。
「シロウはどこだ? トイレか?」
そのソファーには誰も座っていなかった。ハーマーズが表情を一気に険しくさせる。そして自身の肉眼ではなくハンター達の視界でソファーを確認する。その視界の中で、シロウが申し訳なさそうに笑いながらハーマーズに向けて手で謝っていた。
状況を理解したハーマーズが思わず叫ぶ。
「あの野郎!」
シロウはハンター達の五感を乗っ取り、自分がそこにいると誤認させていた。つまり勝手に部屋から逃げ出していた。
わにしながらも、すぐに状況を報告しようとする。だが次の瞬間、反射的にヤナギサワから距離を取っていた。
ヤナギサワもすぐに状況を理解した。その途端、その顔から普段の笑顔が完全に消えた。無表情だが、そこには確かな激情が存在していた。そして恐ろしいほどの威圧を無意識に
されて、下手をするとそのまま恐慌状態に陥りかねない。ハーマーズも強い警戒を見せている。室内は異常なほどの緊張状態にあった。
ヤナギサワが我に返る。同時に無意識の威圧も解除される。それで室内は死地から一応通常の部屋に戻った。
「......失礼しました。シロウ君は迷子になっているようですね。すぐに捜索隊を手配しましょう」
「......そうだな」
余りのことに怒気を散らされたハーマーズも、それで冷静さを取り戻すとすぐに事態の解決に動いた。
シロウは既に車外に出ていた。五感を乗っ取ったハンター達を連れて車両の格納庫に移動すると、事前に乗っ取っていた人型兵器に乗り込み、そのまま車両周囲の警戒を装って車外に出たのだ。
車両内での移動は、多数のハンター達を護衛として引き連れることで疑われずに乗り切った。それを疑う者にはハンター達の視界を介して、自分は部屋にいると誤認させた。
を体感しており、シロウと一緒に一度部屋の外に出ていたなど全く気付けなかった。
無人の人型兵器が車両の周辺を警備する中、シロウの乗った人型兵器が近くのモンスターの撃退を装って車両から離れていく。その操縦席で、シロウが笑う。
「悪いな、ハーマーズ。ちょっと出かけるだけだ。我慢してくれ。お前の失態にはならないように、俺も一応気を使ったんだぜ?」
そして表情を非常に真剣なものに変える。
"In the end, the old-world connector is fine and we were able to quickly take control of the situation since we immediately gave that order to recapture the lost transport vehicles. We did our job. At least we can use that as cover."
"Though, they could make a complaint, saying that we should have given that order sooner."
They already knew that the Hunters sent to check transport 6 and 8 did not come back because Erde's team had ambushed them. It seemed that they followed the standard checking protocol and got ambushed inside the hallway of the transport vehicle.
Akira was able to reach his room without encountering one of those ambushes, but it was partially due to luck. One of the main factors was because his room was located outside the hallways, along patrol routes. Thus, he could head straight to his room without taking any detour. This meant that he would not have encountered those hallway ambushes that were set to buy time.
The Hunters that were sent to do something as trivial as checking on the situation were of course no match against the team sent to kidnap an old-world connector from Sakashita Heavy Industry. They were quickly silenced in order to buy time.
The decision to immediately tell the rest of the Hunters to secure the transport vehicles was correct albeit rather late.
"No one told us that we're transporting an old-world connector, so I bet they can't criticize us just because of that."
Another staff member then reported in with a rather confused expression.
"It's about that old-world connector. We've received a message from Sakashita Heavy Industry. It seems to be a very important message pertaining to the security for that old-world connector."
The officer sighed exasperatedly before replying.
"So basically, they're saying to prioritize that old-world connector now that we know we have one here, huh? The gull of these people. So, what is it?"
After listening to the content, the officer frowned.
"So... They're basically telling us to do that on our own, huh?"
"Well, it's our job to manage the Hunters in the convoy after all. So, it's understandable. What's the plan now?"
"...We can't refuse. So, tell them that we'll do our best."
Melshia returned to her guard post, she was surveying the surrounding for an ambush from the rooftop.
"That was pretty rough. Tatsukawa, didn't your intuition say that we won't face anything big?"
Tatsukawa replied casually.
"What are you talking about? My intuition was on point. I said that we'll be mostly free, I didn't say that nothing would happen. not to mention that we were able to take our time after repelling those bugs."
"At least give us some time to consider it. After all, it's not like I want to force my men as well. Is that fine?"
"Very well, sorry, and thank you."
The call ended. Melshia sighed. Tatsukawa lightly smiled and said to her.
"Did they dump something problematic on you? What is it?"
"They said they want some Hunters to escort an old-world connector."
"Hm? That would give a good track record and a good reward, right? What's the problem?"
"The requirement for the escort is just not right. Basically, they're asking for a cyborg and to give some level of control to that cyborg's body."
Tatsukawa smiled bitterly, he finally understood why Melshia gave that reaction.
"Oh, that's rather haughty for them."
Under normal circumstances, the full right of a cyborg's body was in the hand of its respectful owner. Any abnormal circumstances mostly appeared when they exchanged parts in a clinic. For those who replaced their entire body with mechanical parts excluding their brains, giving control right to someone else was not a small matter.
Sakashita's demand was equivalent to asking a cyborg for its life, it was a very arrogant and selfish demand with zero regard for the other side. It would not be strange to take that as a declaration of war. Although, of course, Sakashita would be the one to win. The only choices were either to die or to comply and give barely enough control to satisfy them.
"Even if you ask me so, it's not like we have the choice to say no, right? It's a good thing that both you and I don't satisfy that prerequisite. I'll ask the men who want to take it and send them away, if no one volunteered, then we have no other choice but to say sorry and refuse."
"Are you okay with that?"
Tatsukawa smiled wryly and embraced Melshia.
"Although I said our team, it's mostly thanks to you that it became this big. Don't throw it away just because I don't like how Sakashita is treating us. That would be a huge waste, you know? Though, if you say that you don't care, it will be completely up to you. You can toss aside this team."
Melshia smiled happily and embraced Tatsukawa back.
"Well, we've grown up since then. So, there's no need to take on those reckless actions like what we did in the past."
Shirou was moved to a different room. The new room was pretty spacious with expensive decorations.
As for Hammerz, he was getting treated in the infirmary, so he was not around Shirou at the moment. He did not seem that happy having to leave his post as Shirou's escort although only for a bit. However, since it was an order from Sakashita, he could not refuse. Moreover, although he could still fight, he was actually quite tired and had received some damage as well. Therefore, to be able to perform at his absolute best, he had to leave the room to rest and heal.
Shirou smugly smiled. He then once again invited the others to join. The rest looked at each other before eventually joining the Hunters that were already eating there.
But one of them did not bulge, Shirou looked confusedly at him and asked.
"Ohh, I see, I have an idea! Wait for a bit!"
Shirou left his seat and returned back later with a large box with a device inside it.
"Well, you can also use it for something else, this is just a secret between us, but you can enjoy erotic stuff too with this VR too."
The guy suddenly stopped, Shirou's smile widened as he continued.
"B-But how about the safety..."
"But, how about the connection with the cyborg body? It's not that simple, right?"
That was when finally Shirou frowned and apologetically said.
"Well, about that, it's true that normally it won't work, but since I have limited control of your cyborg body, we might be able to use it."
"Although you can take back any of the food you want, I'm afraid that's not the case for this VR device. If you want to try, this is your only chance. I do feel sorry for making you do this, that's why I'm making this an exception. So, do you want to have a try? Well, I won't force you though. It would be weird to force people to try this when they don't want to after all."
The guy hesitated, another guy suddenly interjected.
"Can I try then?"
The other guys looked at Shirou.
"Sure sure, feel free to use it. Though there's a limit on how many people can use it at the same time, so you guys can only use it in turns."
The guys that hesitated at the start finally joined in too after hearing the impression from the others. It did not take long for them to start using it in turns.
"What the heck are they doing over there?"
He quickly called Shirou, and Shirou then waved at him through the Hunter's vision.
"What is it? I'm still here and not doing anything you know?"
"It's fine, isn't it? Just let them play for a bit. I believe things should calm down after that incident. Moreover, we have some control over their bodies and are basically forcing them to guard me. It's scary for me to be here surrounded by angry people you know? So, at least let them enjoy this."
"That's because I always have a reassuring bodyguard next to me."
"Anyway, only send video feedback from the real world, don't allow anything else in."
Shirou then closed the call and the video feedback sent from the Hunters were immediately cleaned up. Some of them seem to be closing their eyes, so what was shown only reflected endless darkness, while some had their eyes fixed on the same point as if they were stationary cameras. From there, Hammerz could see Shirou sharing laughs with the Hunters.
[It might be his loyalty toward his contract, but that doesn't sound right. After all, it's just as he said, not saving me does not violate his contract...]
With that strange feeling welling, she looked at the sleeping Akira and mumbled.
"Say, why did you save me?"
"And here I went out of my way to save you because you asked me to, isn't that question a little bit too insensitive?"
Hikaru was surprised, she did not expect Akira would answer her. Akira then pushed his body up.
"Y-You were awake?"
After an awkward pause, knowing that Akira had heard her, Hikaru thought that she should rephrase the question.
"I'll say this again, thank you for saving me. So, basically, considering the situation back there, I thought that it would be normal to abandon me instead. That's why I thought it was weird that you didn't. That's all there is to it. So, can you tell me? Why did you save me?"
Akira casually replied.
"If someone asks me for help, as long as helping them doesn't put me in trouble, I don't see why not. Though it depends on the situation as well."
"Dying is a normal thing for Hunters. It's nothing out of the ordinary. Ahh, now that you mention it, that might sound weird for you since you live in the inner wall, huh?"
"...Uhm, it might be weird to hear this from me, but you already killed quite a lot of people outside the wall, right? Didn't they beg for their lives?"
"Well, it usually happens when we are shooting at each other. So, it mostly ends with an instant kill. Actually, I don't recall them having the chance to beg for their lives. There's also no reason why I have to listen to their plea right after we were trying to kill each other, right?"
"Uhhh, Akira, do you get attacked that often? Although you're this strong? It's really hard to believe."
Akira said so casually, allowing Hikaru to have a glimpse of how cruel his past was and it helped her understand his line of thinking.
"...I see, it must have been hard."
That was when Akira suddenly pressed Hikaru.
"Ah, by the way, since you asked me the reason why I helped you, it reminds me of what you said. You mentioned that you'll do anything, right?"
Although she did say that in a spur of the moment and that it was nothing but a verbal promise, it was still a rather reckless statement made to a powerful Hunter. Hikaru was a bit scared of what he might ask her.
Akira then said to her with a serious face.
"As you promised, I'll have you get me a good enough reward. Wait. No. At least enough to pay for my expenses. I ended up using a lot of expensive bullets and medicines, I also broke most of my equipment too. Especially the one that I got with a huge discount thanks to my connection, I heard that they were originally very expensive. I would hate to end up in red after going through all of that. So please help me with that one."
"Just leave it to me. Negotiation is my speciality after all. I'm also indebted to you for saving me as well, so I'll be sure to do my best to get your reward."
Akira sighed in relief and pressed once more just to be safe.
"Don't worry. You're pretty famous as a new rising star in my department. Even Kibayashi-san also describes you as an amazing person, you know?"
The convoy finally received extra reinforcement for the escort. They were the squad sent from Kugamayama city by Sakashita. It included several powered suits and a few people with heavy augmented suits, all of them went to their respective transport vehicles.
Yanagisawa joined the convoy as well. He received an emergency report and went to collect Shirou himself. Hammerz finished his treatment and went to the waiting room.
"I heard that you went through quite an ordeal, I'm glad that everyone is okay."
In contrast to Yanagisawa, Hammerz showed caution toward him.
"The escort duty should be given to us until we reach Kugamayama city. If you want us to hand him over, we will have to go through Director Sugadome first, though?"
Yanagisawa scanned the room, but Shirou was nowhere to be found.
Hammerz had a bad feeling and asked the Hunter escorts.
"Where's Shirou? Is he in the bathroom?"
There was no one sitting on the sofa. Hammerz frowned and checked the image from the sofa with the Hunters' visions instead of his own eyes. And indeed, there he was, Shirou looked apologetically while waving at Hammerz.
Hammerz quickly understood what was going on and inadvertently roared.
"That damn brat!!!"
Shirou controlled the Hunters' five senses and showed them an illusion. In short, he had escaped the room.
Hammerz angrily went to his comm to give a report, but he immediately stopped that and took some distance from Yanagisawa by pure reflex.
As expected, Yanagisawa also understood what was going on. Right at that moment, his usual smile immediately vanished, and his face turned emotionless. His expression was devoid of everything except for one thing, a sense of pressure that radiated terror.
The Hunters were overwhelmed by Yanagisawa's presence. If they could not control their emotions, they would have fallen to a state of dread. Hammerz was also showing a strong sense of caution toward Yanagisawa, the mood inside the room turned intense in a blink of an eye.
Yanagisawa then returned back to his usual self. He immediately retracted the terror that he was unconsciously radiating. The dreadful terror that blanketed the room immediately vanished.
"...My apologies. It seems that Shirou-kun has been lost somewhere, huh? Let's ask for help to find him."
"You're right..."
Although Hammerz was being very cautious of Yanagisawa, since he had regained his calm, he also immediately shifted his focus to solve the current dilemma.
At that point in time, Shirou was already outside the transport vehicle. He went to the hangar with a group of his Hunter escorts, which he had hacked. He then hopped on a powered suit that he had prepared beforehand and left, using a patrol mission as a disguise.
None of his escorts was suspicious of him as they were moving around the transport vehicle. When someone got suspicious, Shirou would reconnect them to display that they were still inside of his room together with the other Hunters.
After the Hunters tried the VR and had their turn, they did not realize that their senses never left the VR world. This caused them not to realize that they had gone out of the room with Shirou.
As unmanned powered suits were patrolling around, outside the transport vehicle, Shirou used fighting an incoming monster as an excuse and left the convoy. Inside that powered suit, Shirou lightly laughed and said.
"I'm sorry, Hammerz, it's just a small detour. Don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble. Just so you know, I'm being considerate of you here."
His expression then turned serious.
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