235 ツェゲルト都市
翌日の早朝。アキラは
屋根の上は相変わらず強風が吹き荒れている。強化服を着用しているアキラには問題ない。だが一緒に上がってきたヒカルには大問題だ。
「離さないでよ!? 絶対に離さないでよ!?」
「分かってるって」
アキラはヒカルをしっかりと抱き締めている。ヒカルもアキラにしっかりと抱き付いている。その光景は少し遠目から見ればまるで恋人同士の抱擁にも見える。だが若干
「一緒じゃないと許可を出さないって言うから連れてきたけどさ、そんなに怖いのなら、やっぱり車内に戻れば良いんじゃないか?」
「良いでしょう!? 私も見てみたかったの!」
当初アキラは自分だけで屋根に上がるつもりだった。だがアキラから
殆
ど無いというのも、ヒカルの興味を後押しした。
「ヒカルは?」
「あー、無理とは言わないけど難しいわ。中位区画でも高層ビルの上階とか、例えばクガマビルの最上階とかなら、外の景色を防壁の上から見られるんだけど、そういう場所って大抵は上層部の人間とかしか入れない制限区域だから、私の地位じゃ、ちょっとね」
かして一緒に車内に戻った。車内に戻るまではアキラに抱き締められたままで、屋根の上にいる恐怖が慣れで薄まった分だけ、落ち着きを取り戻すのに時間が掛かった。
ツェゲルト都市は都市全体を巨大なドームで囲っている。地上部はクガマヤマ都市と同様の防壁構造だが、その上は正多面体の半球構造になっている。天井は細い枠組みと透明な素材を組み合わせた外観で、空の景色をはっきりと見ることが出来る。そのおかげでドーム内部にも
ヒカルはそのツェゲルト都市の中を自動運転の小型車両に1人で乗って進んでいた。アキラはいない。輸送車両の部屋に残している。
アキラ達が乗る輸送車両はここで一日掛けて物資の積み卸しを行い、再びクガマヤマ都市に戻る予定となっている。つまり、輸送車両のハンター達には一日
その結果、ヒカルはアキラに部屋から絶対に出ないように頼んだ上で、アキラの代わりにハンター向け車両の販売店に向かうことになった。
ツェゲルト都市は東部でも東側、最前線に大分近い位置にある。ヒカルは広域経営部所属の職員として他都市の職員と交渉することもあるが、大抵は通信で済ましており、実際に他都市まで足を運ぶことは
クガマヤマ都市の中位区画では聞けなかったその声に、ヒカルが若干の不満を覚える。
「アキラ。ここの光景、そんなに珍しい?」
「そう? 私にはクガマヤマ都市の中位区画とそこまで違うって感じはしないけど」
「そうか? まあ、防壁の内側に住んでるヒカルにとってはそうなのかもな。でもほら、あれ、空中をバイクっぽいのとか、自動車っぽいのとか、いろいろ飛んでるだろう? ああいう光景はクガマヤマ都市にはなかったじゃないか」
「ここは都市全体をドームで覆っているから飛行許可を出しているだけよ。クガマヤマ都市でも、内部に大きな空間が必要な大型施設の屋内とかなら、似たようなものは飛んでるわ」
「あんなにいろいろビュンビュン飛んでるけど、大丈夫なのかな? 空中でぶつかったりしないのかな?」
「多分自動運転か、
が張ってあるんだろうな。まあ、あんな馬鹿デカい虫が群れでそこらを飛んでるんだ。この辺に都市を造るんなら、それぐらいの防衛装置は要るんだろうな」
「クガマヤマ都市だって......」
ヒカルが思わず続けようとして、言葉を止める。だが少し遅く、アキラの意外そうな声が返ってくる。
「えっ? クガマヤマ都市にもあるのか? あんなドームが?」
「......防壁の機能には、非常事態時に、似たようなことを可能にするものもあるの。飽く
かなり感心しているアキラの声にヒカルは軽い満足感を覚えつつ、内心で言い訳する。
(......大丈夫。知ってる人は知ってること。アキラのハンターランクなら教えても問題ない内容......の、はず。機密の
アキラの代理として来店予約を取り付けたヒカルは、アキラのハンターランクとクガマヤマ都市職員としての立場の両方のおかげで、一応問題なく入店を許された。自動運転車両が店の前に着くと、出迎えた店員が店内に案内する。
屋内の大型展示会場のような店舗の中には、荒野仕様のバイクや車両の他に戦車や人型兵器までが展示されている。店員はヒカルと一緒にそれらを見て回りながら、簡単な商品説明を続けていた。実際の客であるアキラがヒカルの眼鏡型の機器を介して展示品を見ていると聞かされているが、代理人を立てている以上、まずはヒカルに対しての接客を続けていく。そして大まかな要望を尋ねながら、本当の客への対応も考える。
「ヒカル様。アキラ様はバイクを御要望とのことですが、御予算の目安を伺っても?」
「はい。えっと......、あ、うん、そうなの。分かったわ。性能等を考慮して考えると言っています。まずはいろいろ勧めてほしいと」
まりました。では当店売れ筋の商品を順に紹介しながら、御要望の性能等をお伺いしましょう」
数台のバイクの紹介を終えて、その間にヒカルを介して性能の要望等も聞き終えた後、店員が白いバイクの前に立つ。
の生成も可能です。オプションにて、武装固定用のアームを車両向け武装から個人兵装対応の汎用アームに変更可能です。この点もお客様の御要望に適しているかと。個人的には、お手持ちの銃などを使い回すのではなく、車両用の武装の搭載をお勧め致しますが。細かな製品スペックとオプション品のカスタマイズについては、こちらで御確認ください」
店員はヒカルを介してアキラに製品情報を送った。そしてそのまま相手の反応を待ちながら、裏でいろいろ推測する。
(車載の武装を削って購入費用を下げるのは、典型的な金無しの選択なんだけどな。まあ、ここまで
「......この構成内容ですと、最短日時での、可能ならば即時の引き渡しを御希望ですので、その特急整備代金を含めまして、......端数切り捨てで30億オーラムとなります」
「さ、30億!?」
予想外の高額にヒカルが思わず口に出し、その反応に店員が内心で苦笑する。
(30億程度の話にその反応では、この辺りではやっていけないぞ? まあこの反応だと、クガマヤマ都市の職員でも末端の方か。それなら仕方無い。さて、ハンターの方はどうかな?)
値踏みを続ける店員の前で、ヒカルはアキラと確認を取っている。驚きの表情を戻す間もなく店員に告げる。
「あ、し、支払うそうです」
「御購入ありがとう御座います。では、支払手続が済み次第、車両のカスタマイズを含めた納品作業に入らせていただきます。支払方法の交渉につきましては、代理人であるヒカル様とこれから進めるということで
「あ、いえ、一括で今すぐ支払うそうです」
「一括で、今すぐに、で御座いますか。こちらとしては有り難い話ですが、本当にそれで
また、30億オーラムの即時一括払いを実行するには、本人の財布に相応の余裕がなければ普通は難しい。ハンター稼業に不測の事態は付き物。それに備えた余力を残しておくのが常識的な判断だ。
その常識から判断すると、アキラの判断は店員を十分に驚かせるものだった。店員が内心の驚きを表に
「アキラ。本当に良いの? 30億よ? 3000万でも3億でもないのよ? ......いや、確かに私も、最近の依頼でアキラに支払われた報酬の総額ぐらいは把握してるけど、それとこれとは話が別でしょう? ......本当に良いのね? 確認取ったからね? ......ん、そう、そうなの。分かったわ」
「間違いないそうです。こちら側の手続きは私が請け負っております。始めましょう」
店員も態度を改めて支払手続を始める。作業は不備無く手早く進み、アキラの口座から30億オーラムが引き落とされ、すぐにバイクの調整作業が始められた。
「商品を出来る限り早くお渡し出来るよう、迅速に作業を進めさせていただきます。作業終了まで、お掛けになってお待ちください。商品の引き渡し方法は
まりました。商品はヒカル様と御一緒に、当店の護衛を付けて、輸送車両内のアキラ様まで運ばせていただきます」
「ありがとう御座います」
「いえいえ、これも何かの縁。こちらこそ、今後とも当店を
このキワモノバイクを買う者ならば、他のキワモノにも興味を持つかもしれない。そう考えた店員が商売半分、面白半分で他のオプション品をアキラに勧めていく。そして実際にアキラは興味を持ち、その幾つかを購入した。面白い客だと、店員はアキラの名前を覚えた。
その後ヒカルはバイクの調整作業が終わるまで店内で待機となる。今は暇潰しを兼ねて情報端末で日頃の雑務を片付けていた。都市の業務情報をアキラに見せる訳にはいかないので、何かあれば連絡を、と告げて通信は切っていたのだが、
「部屋のインターホンが来客を告げてるんだけど、出た方が良いか?」
落ち着いていたヒカルが途端に態度を変える。
げて対応するから、アキラは出ないで!」
アキラがヒカルの気迫に若干引きながら苦笑する。ヒカルが自分を誰かと会わせたくないのは分かっているので、一応確認を取ったのは正解だった。そう思いながら後の対応を任せた。
ヒカルはすぐに雑務を中断すると、少し焦りながら情報端末を操作してアキラの部屋のインターホンと接続した。輸送車両にアキラの知り合いは乗っていない。警備部の者ならまずは自分に連絡が来る。一体誰だと、厄介事の気配を感じながら、インターホンのカメラで相手を確認する。来客はメルシアだった。
に思いながらも、すぐに輸送車両の警備通信を介してメルシアに通信要求を送った。
(出ない、か。外出中の表記はないけど、居留守? どうしようかしら......)
次の対処を考えようとしていると、ヒカルの通信要求が届く。それを受けると、メルシアの拡張視界にヒカルの姿が現れた。
があのオペレーター? 初めまして。メルシアよ。私のところのハンターが世話になったようだから、礼を言っておこうと思って」
「左様で御座いますか。ありがとう御座います。伝言承りました。私の方から確かにお伝え致します」
「ん? 自分で直接言うから大丈夫よ? 中にいるんでしょう? 開けてくれない?」
「いえ、お気遣い無く」
「......自分で直接礼を言うのが筋だと思うんだけど」
「誠に申し訳御座いません。諸事情により、直接の接触は控えさせていただいております。御容赦を」
大したことではないと気安い様子を見せるメルシアに対して、ヒカルは丁寧に頭を下げて断った。その後、お互いに愛想の良い笑顔を向け合う。そこに流れる沈黙が、どちらにも退く気が無いことを示していた。
メルシアが笑みを深めて先に動く。
「......こういう言い方は好きじゃないんだけど、それ、私のハンターランクを分かった上で言ってるの?」
メルシアのハンターランクは75だ。つまり、いろいろと相応の我が
「そういうことなら仕方無いわね。分かったわ。変なことを言ってごめんなさい。それじゃあ、部下を助けてくれてありがとうって、伝えておいてもらえる?」
「御理解に感謝致します。伝言、承りました。責任を持ってお伝え致します」
「その辺の話は後でね。じゃあ、そっちで」
メルシアとの交渉を終えたヒカルが盛大に
Ch 235
In the morning of the next day, Akira went up to the rooftop. It was not for watching the area, but to have a look at the sunrise.
Powerful gust of turbulent wind was roaring on the rooftop, like usual. But it did not give much trouble to Akira and his augmented suit. But that was not the case for Hikaru, who came up there together with him.
"Don't let me go, okay!? Don't ever let me go, alright!?"
"I know, I know."
Akira was holding Hikaru close. Hikaru was also holding Akira close. They looked like a couple from the other's point of view. But unlike Akira, who was having an exasperated expression, Hikaru looked scared. So, it was obvious that they were not in that kind of relationship.
"I took you with me because otherwise, I wouldn't be allowed to come here, but, if you're really that scared, isn't it better if you go back inside?"
"It's fine, right? I want to get the sunlight too, you know!!"
At first, Akira was planning to go to the rooftop alone, but Hikaru, who wanted to keep Akira away from any possible conflict, wanted to keep Akira inside the room as much as possible. However, she did not want to worsen Akira's mood by rejecting his wish to go out.
"Sure."
Hikaru was relieved hearing that answer and changed the topic to something unrelated to forcefield devices.
"How about you, Hikaru?"
"I won't say it's impossible, but it's extremely difficult. Tall buildings in the middle section like the Kugama building where you can look over the wasteland outside the wall are mostly reserved for individuals in high positions. So, it's impossible for someone like me to get a room in those kinds of building, you see."
Hikaru urged Akira to hurry up and they returned back together. She was still clinging close to Akira until they returned back inside the vehicle. Even if she was slowly getting used to the fear of being on the rooftop, she needed some time to fully return back to her usual self.
Zegetl city was fully enclosed in a dome. It had a wall that surrounded it just like Kugamayama city, but that wall extended further up and formed a semi-sphere on top of the city. The dome was made of a completely clear and transparent material. Thus, light from the outside could pass through it without any distortion at all. Thanks to that, the inside of the dome still felt liberating although it was completely encased. Even the tallest building inside the dome was still far from touching the dome, which help give it an impression of an open space.
Hikaru took a small self-driving vehicle and headed to Zegelt city. She was alone, Akira stayed behind in his room, inside the transport vehicle.
The transport vehicle was to resupply in that city and head back to Kugamayama city the next day. In short, the Hunters had one free day inside the city. Most Hunters used their free time to explore the city to kill time, but Akira was still confined inside his room, as per usual.
Thus, it concluded with Akira not going out of his room, and in exchange, she would go to the vehicle shop in his place.
Zegelt city was located in the eastern part of the eastern district, although it was also still far away from the front line. As one of the general area management division's staff, Hikaru sometimes had to talk with people from this city. It was all done online and she herself barely ever went to the city. When she had to go visit another city, most of the time, it would be a city somewhere to the west of Kugamayama city. She had not visited that many eastern cities such as the Zegelt city.
When she heard his compliments for this city, Hikaru felt slightly irritated. After all, Akira did not sound that interested back in the middle district of Kugamayama city.
"Akira, do you now see these kinds of things often?"
"Is that so? To be honest, I don't think it's that much different from the middle district of Kugamayama city though."
"Hmm? Well, I guess that's the case since you're living in the inner wall, huh? But look over there. Unlike Kugamayama city, there are many air bike and self-driving cars buzzing around, right?"
"That's just because this city is encased in a dome, that's why people are allowed to use flying vehicles. There are some facilities inside the Kugamayama district with a huge open space as well. Over there, people are allowed to ride similar things inside those facilities."
"I wonder if it's really okay for so many of them to fly around like that. Won't they sometimes collide with each other?"
"Most of them are either fully auto-piloted or at least semi auto-piloted. They're obeying the instructions sent out by the city. So as long as nothing goes terribly wrong, they won't collide with each other. The auto-driving vehicles that we used back in the middle district of Kugamayama city worked using a similar system, you know?"
"As I thought. The thing that left the biggest impression on me is the dome. That thing is continuously expending energy to fuel a powerful forcefield armour right? Well, those huge insects are flying around in the area so I guess they'll at least do this much to protect this city."
"Even Kugamayama city has-"
Hikaru suddenly stopped herself from saying any further. But a moment later, Akira guessed what Hiarku was about to say.
"What? Kugamayama city also has that kind of dome?"
"...We have something similar installed in case of an emergency. But it's only used during an emergency since the energy consumption is negligible. That's why we hardly use it."
Hearing Akira was honestly impressed by that, Hikaru smiled, satisfied and thought.
[...It should be okay, there are already a few people who know about it. It should not be an issue telling someone with a high ranking like Akira... It should not violate the information secrecy...]
Hikaru, who entered the shop as Akira's proxy, was able to get into it thanks to Akira's Hunter Rank. There was also the fact that she was a city official. When the autonomous vehicle stopped in front of the shop, a staff member welcomed Hikaru and guided her in.
The shop was so big and wide that it looked more like an exhibition hall. Inside it, there were tanks, wasteland bikes, and even powered suits lined up. The staff gave Hikaru a guide through these products while giving a short explanation of each product to Hikaru. He had been informed beforehand that the real customer, Akira, was listening in and watching through the glass that Hikaru was using. Since Hikaru came here as Akira's proxy, that staff gave Hikaru the same treatment he would for the customer visiting the store. After the staff took down what Akira was looking for, he started to think about how to deal with Akira.
"Hikaru-sama, regarding the bike that Akira-sama is looking for, does he already have a certain budget in his mind?"
"Wait for a second... I see, alright. He said that he would decide after seeing how much he would need to pay for it. So, he wishes to get your recommendation first if possible."
"Very well. In that case, I'll give a quick overview of our lineup in order while asking what the features that Akira-sama is looking for."
After introducing several bikes, Akira started asking detailed questions regarding the bikes through Hikaru. Thus, the staff stood in front of a white bike and said.
"The chassis is protected by a powerful but energy-hungry forcefield armour. It is also possible to expand its forcefield outward. This is optional but, you can also purchase an extended arm to go with it. With the extended arm, it can handle anti-personnel weapons to weapons meant for tanks. From what I understand, I believe this is what Akira-sama is looking for. Personally speaking, I recommend using the extended arm to hold rifles instead of holding them on your own while driving the bike. Other than that, we have other options as well. Here are the specs."
The staff sent a document regarding the product to Akira through Hikaru, he then waited for the response while pondering.
[Hunters with no funds usually opt out of the recommended option for the cheaper ones. Well, he's a Hunter who can enter this place, so I guess I should just treat him as someone who's only here to browse. I should just pin my hopes on him coming again next time...]
"...With all of these customizations and the wish to send the product over as soon as possible, I have to add in the delivery fee as well... Rounding the price up, it will be around 3 billion Aurum."
"T-three billion!?"
Hikaru gasped and could not help but to word out the surprisingly high price, seeing that reaction, the staff smiled wryly and thought.
[That reaction only for 3 billion, huh? You won't get far in this city like that, you know? But well, if I'm going to judge based on that reaction, I guess this city official from Kugamayama city is an amateur. Well, It can't be helped, now then, I wonder how about the Hunter?]
Hikaru went to ask Akira while the staff was making a more detailed approximation of the total price. Hikaru once again looked surprised and returned to the staff.
"Uhm, he'll take the offer."
"Thank you for the patronage. Now then, we'll immediately start the customization once we finish discussing the details of the payment. As for the negotiation regarding the details of the payment, would it be okay to continue the discussion with Hikaru-sama as the proxy for Akira-sama?"
"Ah, no, he said that he's going to pay it in full right away."
"Pay in full in one go right away? Did I get it correct? Of course, we're more than happy to accept payment like that, but is Akira-sama really okay with that?"
That being said, paying 3 billion Aurum in one go was something that was difficult to do unless the Hunter had more than enough funds in their account. Hunters would always set aside emergency funds. So, before finalizing any purchase, they must make sure that their account would not be emptied out.
Based on that common sense, Akira's decision surprised the staff. Although, he did not show it on his face thanks to the training he had.
"Akira, are you sure? It's 3 billion Aurum, you know? Not 30 or 300 million... No, I was also already informed how much you earn from your recent rewards, but this and that are two different things, you know...? Are you really sure? Alright then, just to remind you that you fully agree to this okay? No backing out okay? Yes, yes, that's right. Okay then."
"Yes, it's not a mistake. I'll take care of the paperwork in Akira's stead from here on out. Let's proceed with the payment."
The staff also changed his attitude and proceeded to process the paperwork. The process went through quickly and without any trouble, Once the 3 billion Aurum was taken out from Akira's account, they quickly began working on the customization.
"We'll work on the customization right away so that we can send you the bike as soon as possible. Please wait for a bit while we finish the customization. Meanwhile, I would need to inquire on how would Akira-sama like to receive the bike? Is it okay to just give it to Hikaru-sama?"
"Very well. We shall send escorts together with the bike until we can hand the bike over to Akira-sama."
"Thank you very much!"
"Likewise. This must be some kind of fate. We look forward to your visit in the future."
A Hunter who was interested in such a unique product might be interested in the other unique products. That was why the staff started recommending other products to Akira, which was half out of business while the other half was out of pure curiosity. And as expected, Akira was indeed interested and ended up buying a few things. Thus, the staff remembered Akira, his name and mentally noted him down as an interesting customer.
After that, Hikaru stayed inside the shop until the bike was ready. In order to kill time, she continued her conversation with Akira this morning. After telling Akira that she was not allowed to leak particular information regarding the city, she then told Akira to feel free to call her again if something came up and closed the call. However, it did not take long for Akira to call her.
"The interphone is ringing, is it okay if I pick it up?"
Hikaru, who was waiting calmly, immediately replied. It was obvious from her voice that she was flustered.
"No! Don't pick it up! I'll pick up the call! I can connect from here, so don't pick it up, okay?"
Akira bitterly smiled and was a bit overwhelmed by Hikaru's attitude. Since he understood that Hikaru did not want him to meet anyone, he believed that it was best to ask her so he could just leave the rest to her.
Hikaru immediately stopped doing whatever she was doing and connected her information terminal to Akira's room's interphone in a hurry. Akira had no acquaintances inside that transport vehicle and if it was from the escort team, then she should have received a notification beforehand. Thus, no matter who it was, as she felt the presence of trouble, she checked the interphone camera, and the visitor was Melshia.
Hikaru thought that it was weird and sent a data request to the escort team regarding Melshia.
[No answer, huh? The record says that he's not outside the transport vehicle though. Is he not in the room, right now? Hmmm, what should I do...]
While she was in the middle of thinking about what to do next, she suddenly received a call from Hikaru. When she picked it up, Hikaru's image appeared in her augmented vision.
"Ahhh, you're the operator from back then, right? Nice to meet you, I am Melshia. I heard that the men under me were saved thanks to you, so I came to give my gratitude."
"I see. Thank you very much, I shall convey that gratitude."
"Hm? I can convey it myself, you know? He's inside, right? You won't open the door?"
"Ah, please don't worry about it."
"...To be honest, I think it's only right for me to give my thanks directly to him."
"I'm really sorry, Due to certain circumstances, it is impossible to meet him directly at the moment, I hope you can understand."
In contrast to Melshia, who was acting casually, Hikaru politely bowed her head. After that, there was silence as they were staring at each other. It seemed that neither of them were going to break the silence.
Melshia's smile deepened and she decided to take the first move.
"...I don't really like doing this, but you do know my Hunter Rank, right?"
Melshia's Hunter Rank was 75. In short, she was someone that was to be given exceptions. Although Hikaru was indeed a talented young staff member, she was still an amateur in the grand scheme of things. So Melshia was basically out of Hikaru's league.
"I see, if that's the case, then it can't be helped, alright then, I'm sorry for saying something unpleasant. Please let him know that I'm thankful to him for saving my men."
"Thank you for your understanding, I'll definitely convey that message to him."
"I'll tell you the details later, I'll see you soon."
After Melshia cut the call, Hikaru heaved a big sigh.
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