212 ヤナギサワの思案
大規模遺跡探索を翌日に控えた夜。ヤナギサワはその計画書を読んで苦笑を浮かべていた。
計画書を読み続けていると、遺跡探索に投入されるハンター達の一覧の中にアキラやカツヤの名前を見付けた。ヤナギサワはそこで一連の出来事を思い返し、思考を過去に飛ばした。
スラム街での抗争騒ぎの後、ネルゴからカツヤが旧領域接続者だと告げられた時、ヤナギサワは上機嫌ながらも
軽く芝居がかった様子で、あからさまに疑っている口調で尋ねたヤナギサワの態度にも、ネルゴは特に反応を見せずに続ける。
「信じろとは言わない。こちらでカツヤを確保する際に、同志と不要に
「......良いだろう。では説明の前に、基本から尋ねておこう。旧領域接続者とは何だ?」
「何って、旧領域に自力で接続可能な者のことだろう?」
「空気振動を介さずに聴覚経路で伝達する言語的な情報伝達手段の俗称の一種かな? 主に頭の中に情報端末を埋め込んでいるやつが、その通信機能を使って声を出さずに会話するのを、ちょっと気取ってそんな呼び方をしたりもする」
「現在の情報端末でも様々な通信規約や通信技術が存在し乱立しているが、それは旧領域接続者も同様だ。そのため全ての旧領域接続者に当て
「へー。それでどんな情報を送信すると、どんな事例になるんだ?」
「感情や印象などと呼ばれる精神的な情報だ。その手の者は甚だ
「私もカツヤの戦闘能力を低く評価している訳ではない。彼は十分に有能だ。重要なのはその差異から生じる違和感だ。私が実際にドランカムに潜入して身近な距離で観察して、そこから感じ取った違和感を精査した結果だ。書類での評価。経歴からの評価。彼と親しい者からの評価。そうではない者からの評価。それらの評価の矛盾を洗い出し、精査した結論だ。......精査が足りないと言われれば、この点に関しては一部は同意せざるを得ないがね」
「へぇ? 何かあったの?」
「カツヤは先日のスラム街での抗争騒ぎに参加しているが、その彼にアルナというスリの居場所を教えたのは私だ。彼の性格から居場所を教えれば助けに行く。そう考えていた。それは正しかったのだが、私の予想では彼はドランカムの支援を要請するはずだった。たかがスリの救出にドランカムが動くなど本来は有り得ない。そこに彼の旧領域接続者の影響、特異性とでも呼ぶ要因がどの程度影響を与えるか。彼に好感を、高評価を持っている者達が、組織の利益をどの程度度外視するか。その程度から、彼が本当に旧領域接続者として感情や評価の送信を実施しているのかを確認するつもりだった。......まさか1人で突入するとは思わなかった。あれは予想外だ。その
「へー。あれ、そんな理由だったんだ」
初めから全てを知った上で
「......先ほども言ったが、旧領域接続者の判別は複合的な調査結果だ。一部判断材料の精度に欠ける部分が存在していても、全体の評価への影響は軽微だ。全体の評価は覆らない。これ以上の調査内容の例を挙げる必要はないだろう。返答を聞こう」
「まあ、カツヤの調査がどうこうってのはそれは良いとして、ちょっと別なことも聞きたいな」
「例えばさ、その類いの旧領域接続者って、スラム街にもいると思う?」
「なぜそんなことを尋ねる」
「まあ、そう言わずに。旧領域接続者の判別方法に詳しい人に、ちょっと聞いてみたいなーって、それだけだよ」
「いない。死んでいる」
「おっ、言い切るね。そこまで言うのなら、その根拠の方もちょっと聞いておきたいところ......」
「以前にクガマヤマ都市の幹部が
ヤナギサワが少し真面目な声を出す。
「......それ、都市内部でも結構上位の機密なんだけど」
「都市内部の人間で我々に協力する者は同志だけではない。他にも多くの者が我々の大義に賛同し、その実現に手を貸してくれている。そういうことだ」
「そうなんだ。その協力者のリストとか送ってくれると助かるんだけどなー」
「そこはほら、好意とか好感とか信頼とかを頑張って送って、その欠点を相殺するとかしてさ」
「恐らく無理だ。その手の送信技術は機械的なものではなく、会話などの技術的なものに近い傾向にある。慣れや熟練と表現するのなら、手慣れているものほど精度も出力も上がり、不慣れなものなら下がる。先ほども説明した環境により、自信、信頼、好感などの正の感情の送信は著しく困難になり、逆に不信、疑念、嫌悪などの負の感情の送信は容易になる。その状態で正の感情を送り、負の対応を返されれば、相手により悪印象を抱く。相殺どころか
「......なぜそこまで食い下がる?」
「まあ、そう言わずに」
「なるほど。実に興味深い話だった。面白かった。ああ、礼と言っては何だが、カツヤはそちらの好きにしてくれ。俺に文句は一切ない。ただ、連れ去るのに協力してくれって言われてもちょっと困る。そっちも知っているだろうが、彼は先日の騒ぎも含めていろいろ目立ち始めている。こっちとしても、目立ったハンターにはそれなりの扱いをしないと不自然なんだ。分かってほしいなー」
「問題ない。我々も別に彼を連れ去るような
「カツヤにその大義への好印象を混ぜ込んで送信してもらって、建国主義への賛同者を増やす訳か」
「統企連のプロパガンダによる偏向を除去した純粋な思想の伝達を推し進めると言ってほしいね。では、失礼する」
ネルゴとの通信が切れた後、ヤナギサワが
「......どこまでやる気なんだか。まあ、俺の邪魔をしないのなら良いさ」
ヤナギサワは知っている。旧領域接続者が念話として送信可能な情報の中には、ネルゴが説明した印象や感情などとは比較にならないほど
他にも旧領域接続者の特質に起因する問題は多い。ヤナギサワにはネルゴがそれらの知識をどこまで知っているのかは分からない。無知を装って相手がどこまで知っており、どこまで自分に話してくるかを確認していた。
少なくとも、ネルゴは旧領域接続者からの印象送信に強固な耐性を持っており、その
ヤナギサワはその耐性、防御手段にも興味が湧いたが、そこに口を出して、それ以上を確かめるつもりはなかった。それ以上は
になると分かっているのだ。気を切り替えると、アキラの情報を再度表示して内容をもう一度確認する。
くれてはいるが、スラム街の徒党の後ろ盾もやっているし、少ないが他のハンターと行動する機会もある。セランタルビルでは部隊の一員として動いている。スラム街の抗争騒ぎでは恋人を命懸けで助けにも行っている。個人行動を好むとしても、集団行動にもそれなりに適応している。ネルゴのプロファイリングとも一致しない。やっぱり外れか」
ヤナギサワは思考を現在に戻すと、カツヤの部隊の情報を空中に投影した。この部隊は機領が開発した総合支援強化服を装着した後に類い
旧領域接続者の送信能力で自身への好感、印象、評価を引き上げる。優れた容姿。危険な荒野で互いに命を助け合って生まれる一体感。高い戦闘能力が生み出す他者からの期待。それらが好感等の上昇幅を更に上げるのと同時に、旧領域接続者の送信能力を隠蔽する。旧領域接続者ではない普通に有能なハンターでも、仲間と命懸けで助け合えば仲が深まることは普通に有り得ることだ。それが隠蔽をより強固にする。
加えて階層構造の情報伝達により、上位個体の感覚が下位に流れていく。カツヤの才覚が生み出す自信が下位に伝染し、他の者も恐れずに戦うようになる。更にローカルネットワークでの集団意識が自己と他者の区切りを曖昧にしていく。戦闘で死者が出たとしても、カツヤは死んでいないので、自分が死ぬとは思えず、自身の死への恐れが著しく軽減される。結果、絶対的な指揮系統を持つ死を恐れない強固な部隊が出来上がるのだ。
「今すぐに殺すか?」
ヤナギサワが黒いカードを取り出してじっと見る。
「どこまで通じるか分からないが、いけるはずだ。あいつもあいつらが嫌いなはず。交渉の糸口はあるはずだ。危険ではあるが、賭ける価値はある」
「旧世界製自動人形の売却代金がもうちょっと早く手に入っていれば、装備を調える時間もあったんだけどな」
シズカの店で新装備を購入しても、取り寄せに時間が掛かり遺跡探索には間に合わないので、新装備の購入は保留となっていた。場合によってはキバヤシに追加の資金を渡すことも考えている。高額な振り込みをハンターオフィスの伝で知ったキバヤシから、追加資金を投入した分だけ装備の性能が上がると連絡があったのだ。
いつも通り一緒に風呂に入っているアルファが少し不満そうなアキラを笑って
弾薬やエネルギーパックなどもシズカの店で出来る限り買い込み、カツラギから回復薬も多めに購入した。今回は全て自費だ。一応その補填として、収集した遺物をイナベに少々色を付けて買い取ってもらう取引になっている。そこには、消耗品の負担額等の交渉はまずは高価な遺物を見付けてから、というイナベの事情が含まれていた。
『今日は早めに寝て、明日に備えなさい。寝不足の状態で遺跡探索なんてしたくないでしょう?』
くクズスハラ街遺跡には行かないつもりだったけど、頑張ろう」
どこか意味ありげなアルファの
イナベがランク40超えハンターから快い返事を受け取っていると言った時、アキラがエレナ達のことを思い浮かべたのは事実だ。イナベはエレナ達の名前を出すとアキラへの脅しと捉えられる可能性を考慮して、別方向からそれを臭わす程度に抑えたのだ。つまりアキラはイナベの交渉術に引っかかっていた。
アキラはいつも通りアルファと軽い雑談を済ませて風呂から出るとすぐに寝た。特に明日への気負いなどはない。いつも通りだ。
日付が変わり、日が昇る。カツヤが、イナベが、ヤナギサワが、多数の者達が己の目的の
Ch 212
On the night before the large scale expedition. Yanagisawa read through the document regarding it and smiled bitterly.
As Yanagisawa read through the document, he found Akira and Katsuya's name in the list of Hunters who had returned with expensive relics from that region. So Yanagisawa's mind wandered as he reminisced on a certain incident in the past.
Back then, after the huge incident in the slum city, Nergo reported to Yanagisawa that Katsuya was someone who could connect to the old-world domain. At that time, although Yanagisawa was delighted, another question came up in his mind as he asked Nergo a question with a puzzled look.
Nergo did not show any particular reaction to that rather exaggerated attitude that obviously showed Yanagisawa's suspicion.
"I'm not going to tell you to believe me. It is nothing more than just confirmation in order to not cause any unnecessary conflict between you and me when it comes to capturing Katsuya. We don't mind being the one capturing him. All I want to hear from you is that there are no problems. You are fine with that, right?"
"...Very well. But before I explain, I'll ask you about the basics first. What are old-world connectors?"
"Simply put, it refers to the people who can connect to the old-world domain, right?"
"That's a type of communication method where information is not sent through sound waves, right? People who have communication devices implanted in their heads can talk with each other even without making a sound. So most people trying to look cool tend to call that telepathy."
"Just like how the people of the current era have many methods to communicate with each other, that's also true for the people who can connect to the old-world domain. That's why this is not always true for all of them, but most of the time, they can use telepathy. Of course, they can transfer more than just sound or words."
"Ohhh, so, what different kind of information is that? And what kind of phenomenon are we talking about here?"
"The information is something akin to mental manipulation, like emotion or impression. These types of people are extremely rare as they can easily get along with other people. If I am to give an example, it can cause everyone around them to like what they like and hate what they hate. This is doubly true for people who wear their heart on their sleeves."
"It's not like we think that he's weak either. He's a skilled Hunter. The focus here is the gap and the strange dissonance that can be felt from it. I've been observing him from afar ever since I infiltrated Drankam, this is the conclusion that I've reached after observing that strange dissonant feeling. It's a conclusion made after gathering impressions from all kinds of people included his track records, documents, the people who are in his faction as well as the people who hate him... If you accuse that I need to do more investigation, I have no words to deny it and partially agree with you."
"Ohhh? Did something happen?"
"There was a large incident in slum city the other day and Katsuya was also involved in the battle. The reason was because I told him the whereabouts of a certain pickpocket named Alna. Judging from his personality, I was certain that he would go save her if he knew her location, and I was right. However, I also predicted that he would bring reinforcement from Drankam. Normally, it would be impossible for Drankam to dispatch its men just to save a mere pickpocket. So I was originally planning to confirm if he is someone who can connect to the old-world domain using that event. If he is, then his ability would affect their decision. It remains to be seen just how far the people who like him or think highly of him would ignore the benefit of the gang. But... To think that he went alone, it took me completely by surprise. Because of that, it was difficult to judge if Drankam was trying to cover for him or if the gang was simply trying to erase any relation between that incident and the gang. So, it did not produce any clear evidence."
"I see, so that's the reason, huh."
Yanagisawa who was acting as if he was pretending to not know although he already knew everything right from the start, caused Nergo to be irritated as it leaked a bit in what Nergo said next.
"...As I said, the conclusion was made from various observations as well. Even if some of the evidence gathered is not that convincing, it doesn't change the conclusion. I'm sure you don't need any more explanation, right? So just answer my question already."
"Well, putting the matter with Katsuya's investigation aside, I actually have other questions, you see."
"For example, do you think that there is another old-world connector in the slum city?"
"Why do you think so?"
"Well, don't be that stingy. I just wanted to ask this question to someone who is more knowledgeable about this matter than me, nothing more."
"No, they're all dead."
"Ohh, that was a firm reply. It means you have evidence for that, right? If you would be so kind as to share that with me as well, then..."
"I had made a deal with a Kugamayama City Management officer from the Rebuild Laboratory in the past. Although to be more precise, I don't know if he's still a member or a former member. In exchange for providing him with monetary support and a research facility, he will work on a method to awaken incomplete old-world connectors. City Management accepted that deal. That is the thing that you actually want to know, right?"
Yanagisawa's tone turned serious.
"...That facility is supposed to be a tightly guarded secret even in the upper echelons of City Management though."
"You're not the only person in the City Management who we are working with. There are others who support our cause, and we're working with them even now. It is just that simple."
"I see. I would be super thankful if you can share the list of people though."
"In that case, they can just, like, you know, try their best sending likability and trust, right?"
"That would be plainly impossible. That kind of technique is not something technical like a communication device, it's a more subtle technique like a speechcraft. The more familiar and skilled they are, the better the accuracy and the broadcast strength, and the opposite is also true. As I explained before, due to the environment in which they live, it would be difficult for them to broadcast positive emotions such as trust, self-confidence, or likability. While at the same time, it is way easier for them to broadcast negative emotions such as suspicion and hatred. And even if they can send those positive emotions, if the receivers reply with negative emotions, it would be counter-effective."
"...Why are you so insisting on that possibility?"
"It's nothing important."
"I see. That's a really interesting subject. By the way, it might be weird to call this my form of gratitude, but you can do whatever you want with Katsuya. I won't complain no matter what. But it would be difficult if you ask for my help to take him away. As you know, he's starting to stick out after that incident. It would be weird for someone from City Management like me to not give special treatment for a phenomenal Hunter like him, I hope you can understand that."
"No problem. We have no plans to take him away, we only want to introduce our beliefs to the people. So we will just use him to promote the great cause, nothing more."
"I see, so basically you want to get Katsuya on your side and make him attract more people to support the Nationalist, huh?"
"I would prefer if you would refer to that as just spreading the truth to clear up the Corporate Government's propaganda. Well then, I shall excuse myself."
Nergo then closed the call. After that, Yanagisawa mumbled to himself.
"...I wonder just how far they are planning to go. Well, I don't really care as long as they don't get in my way."
Yanagisawa already knew that the people who could connect to the old-world domain could send emotions through telepathy, but he also knew that they could send something far worse and evil than that through telepathy.
There were also many other problems concerned with being able to connect to the old-world domain. Yanagisawa did not know how much Nergo knew. The reason why he was pretending to be clueless was to check how much Nergo knew about old-world connectors and how much information he was willing to share.
At the very least, Nergo had strong resistance against the emotion transmission from the old-world connectors. As such, it was difficult to identify an old-world connector using that method. That was why Nergo was trying to identify that by observing the effect on the other people. Yanagisawa understood that it would be counter-effective if the officer sent by the Nationalists to find an old-world connector fell victim to their thought transmission.
Although Yanagisawa was interested in Nergo's resistance, he did not say anything about that matter nor did he try to pursue that question. After all, he understood that it was not a wise thing to do. So he decided to stop worrying about that and once again reopen the information window about Akira.
Yanagisawa then lowered his guard toward Akira. After removing the information about Akira from his panel, Katsuya's information once again came up.
"...Although it's not in a straightforward manner, he's supporting a slum gang. He also did work together with the other Hunters although very rarely. He worked in a team in the Seranthal building. He then risked his life in order to save his lover during that battle in the slum city. Although he basically works alone, he can also perform well in a team. So it doesn't really match the indicators from what Nergo had said. I guess he's really not one of them..."
As Yanagisawa's mind returned to the present, he projected the information about Katsuya's team on the holographic display up in the air. Ever since they started using the coordination support system augmented suits, they showed a rare level of teamwork and were performing really well. The note on the side listed both the praises and the complaints regarding the augmented suit as well as a small notice that Inabe had secured an investment from the city defence squad for the expedition budget.
The positive emotions, impressions and evaluations from old-world connectors affected the people around them. Their real skills and all the dangerous situations that they undergo together with their team in the wasteland would result in greater expectations from others. In others' minds, it was as though their team would always perform well. As all of this coagulate to push their positive impression even further, it also helped to mask their ability as an old-world connector. After all, even normal Hunters would form a close bond when they go through numerous dangerous situations together. The existence of such a bond helped further hide the identities of old-world connectors.
Moreover, information tends to flow from the people in the upper hierarchical structure to the people below. Thus Katsuya's confidence naturally flowed to the people under him, causing his team to have no fear when up against anything. The local network would then further blur the line that differentiated them individually. So even when they got killed during the battle, as long as Katsuya was still alive, they would not be able to recognize their own death, which greatly reduced the fear of dying. As a result, formed a team with a core that did not fear death.
"Should I kill him right away?"
Yanagisawa pulled out a black card and stared at it.
"I don't know how far this card will go, but it should be alright. That thing also hates them after all, so there should be room for negotiation. Although it is dangerous, it's a worthwhile bet."
"If only the money from the automata came in a bit faster, I would have some time to readjust my equipment as well."
Even if he went to buy new equipment from Shizuka's shop, she would still need some time for the order to arrive, and there was not enough time for that before the expedition. So he decided to get new equipment next time. Depending on how things played out, he was thinking of adding more to the budget that he handed over to Kibayashi. Kibayashi, who knew that bank transfer through the Hunter office was not cheap, told Akira that the more money he invested, the better the equipment that Akira would get.
Alpha, who was also in the bath with Akira, just like usual, tried to cheer up a sulking Akira.
Akira had also bought as many bullets and energy packs as possible from Shizuka's shop. That was also the case for the medicines from Katsuragi's shop. This time, he paid all of his own expenses. In exchange, Inabe promised to buy any relics that he found at a good price. That was a covert signal from Inabe, telling Akira to find expensive relics first before asking him to pay for the expense.
"Get to bed early and get ready for tomorrow, nothing good will come from exploring ruins while being sleep deprived."
"I know. Well, it is a request. Although I had no plans to go near Kuzusuhara ruin, for the time being, it can't be helped. Let's give our best tomorrow."
Alpha was smiling teasingly, Akira replied that with a wry smile.
When Inabe said that he had received replies from the other Hunters with the Hunter Rank above 40, Akria's mind went to Elena and Sara. Inabe did think of bringing out Elena and Sara's names to manipulate Akira, but then he decided to approach the matter from another direction and only hinted at the matter. So basically, Akira lost to Inabe's negotiation skills.
After a short usual idle talk in the bath with Alpha, Akira went to bed and slept just like usual. He did not show any particular excitement nor fear toward tomorrow's expedition, it was business as usual for him.
The date changed, the sun climbed the sky. Katsuya, Inabe and Yanagisawa had their own respective aims during the large-scale expedition that started that day.
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