CH 118

Relief supplies

***---***

After I finished cleaning the training grounds, Donovan-san handed me a guild card and I was officially promoted to S-rank, but nothing special happened.

"What, did you want me to hold a grand ceremony?"

"No, it's better not to stand out, so this is fine ... or rather, I don't mind if I stay A-rank."

"Really, S-rank is also the dream of all adventurers. Come on, play it cool."

"Even if you say that, if I pretend to be self-important, it doesn't look cool."

"Hmm, that's true too ..."

It may not be a promotion celebration, but after having a cup of tea, I decided to show up at the Investigation Headquarters.

If Morita-san was there, I wanted to say thank you for the flowers.

In the Investigation Headquarters, there were piles of cardboard boxes and other items in the space created by clearing away the desks and chairs due to the downsizing.

I looked around, but it seemed that Morita-san was nowhere to be seen, so maybe he was taking a paid leave.

I exited the shadows from a place away from the inventigators and called out to Sudou-san.

"Hello, Sudou-san. You have quite a lot of boxes, but ..."

"Ahh, Kokubu-kun, is it? These are relief supplies from the government."

Kajikawa-san from the Cabinet Secretariat spotted me and approached me with a smile on his face.

"Hey, Kokubu-kun, thank you for the magic tools and magic stones last time."

"Hello, Kajikawa-san. I'm sorry that they couldn't demonstrate their true performance."

"No, no! The researchers are very excited."

"Is that so? But, I feel like it doesn't make much sense on Earth where there is no magic essence."

"No, that's not the case. Magic is something completely different from the existing technology system. And magic essence? Even if there is no such thing, if we can create a substance that can be used as a substitute, there is a possibility that an outrageous technological innovation will be born."

"I see ... I don't really understand, but if it can help you, it's worth it."

"So, it's not like it's a thank you for the magic tools, but I prepared it myself ... can you carry it?"

"It's fine to carry, but what is this?"

When I saw the piles of cardboard boxes, I was instantly convinced.

"Soy sauce, miso, mayonnaise, seaweed ... of course, there's rice. Also, instant noodles and curry roux!"

"Oooooh! This, everyone will definitely be pleased."

"There's meat over there, right? How about potatoes, onions, and carrots?"

"Yes, there are similar vegetables, so it's okay."

"Yeah, vegetables and the like might affect the ecosystem if you aren't careful about bringing them ... even if I say that, the amount you eat will probably be high, but I don't want there to be any negative effects as much as possible."

There are enough supplies for 200 people, so the amount of relief supplies is quite large.

A ton of rice, soy sauce, miso, and other items are piled up in cardboard boxes.

"Also ... Kokubu-kun, if possible, could you please give me a little more flexibility with the magic stones?"

"Magic stones are said to be lumps of magic essence, so is it okay to affect the earth?"

"Hmm ... that puts me in a difficult position to be told that. To be honest, I can't say that there is no impact at all, but the people in that world are fine, so it's okay ... I guess it's that kind of feeling ..."

For Kajikawa-san, it's a bit of a lame excuse, but there's no reason not to give them considering all the supplies we've received.

"Understood. I'm going to leave about 100 of them for now, so could you investigate the impact on the environment?"

"Of course, we're still investigating."

"Also, bringing magic stones here means that the magic essence over there will decrease, so I thought it would be better not to bring too many ..."

"Hmm ... That's right. Over there is a society that relies on magic, and it would be bad if you couldn't use magic there. Come to think of it, have you heard from the lord over there about any requests regarding science and technology?"

"Yes, for now ... I wonder if it's better to say no ..."

After thinking about it for a bit, I told him that something like gunpowder had been developed in that world.

"Hmm ... I see, once gunpowder is developed, it wouldn't be strange for weapons to evolve rapidly. I don't know, but there's a technology called magic over there, so there's the possibility that things will evolve in a different form and at a different speed than on Earth."

"After all, it's impossible for me to bring weapons out of Japan, right?"

"That's right. That would be difficult. I think it would be difficult even if the situation where your lives were in danger continued and the use of modern weapons was absolutely necessary."

"Is it impossible to use a shotgun for hunting?"

"Hmm ... Regarding firearms, strict control is required, even the number of bullets, so it's difficult to do it without violating the law."

"Is that right ... But, isn't it better to avoid bringing in weapons from here and suddenly evolving weapons?"

"That's right. I feel that it would be better to keep it to the extent that it is conveyed as technical information if such becomes necessary."

Since I was able to come back to Japan, I decided to consult with Kajikawa-san about something that had been bothering me for a long time.

"Umm ... Should I give them information about steam engines and internal combustion engines?"

"I think it would help raise the standard of living."

"But, using fossil fuels is not good for the environment."

"That's right. In that respect, magic seems to be a renewable energy, and it can be said that it is an environmentally friendly technology. Well, that's why the researchers are making a fuss."

"I remember learning that deforestation and air pollution have accelerated with the use of steam engines ... is it better not to bring them in?"

"Hmm ... That's a tough question. In the case of the steam engine, you need fire to make steam, but if you supplement that with magic, wouldn't the impact on the environment be minimal?"

"I see ... but internal combustion engines are no good, right?"

"That's right. Regarding internal combustion engines, energy is extracted by burning fossil fuels explosively, so it seems difficult to substitute it with magic, if we don't introduce environmental technology like we have on Earth, it will definitely cause air pollution."

There are many useful technologies in Japan on Earth that Volzard does not have.

However, bringing them in without thinking will also bring negative effects, and I don't think it's necessarily good for Volzard.

Volzard can supply water with magic tools, and sewage is also purified with magic tools.

There are magic tools that serve as refrigerators, there are magic tools for lighting, and there is no internet or cell phones, but I don't feel that it is very inconvenient.

I feel that if we bring in Japanese technology and develop it rapidly, it will actually create a distortion in the world.

"Well, it's better to consult with the Lord and decide about that."

"Is that so. I'll talk to him once I go back."

I have a lot of supplies to bring with me today, so I asked Zae and the others to help carry them.

Mart and the others said it was disgusting, probably because there is no magic essence in this world, so I put out a shield of darkness right next to the supplies.

Even so, the people who were present at the Investigation Headquarters were in an uproar at the sight of Zae and the others.

"Kokubu-kun, that is ..."

"It's my undead Lizardman. It's fine, don't worry."

I think it would have taken a lot of time to carry it myself, but Zae and the others cleaned it up in no time.

"It's finished, My King."

"Thank you, everyone."

"It's a simple task, My King."

After completing the work, Zae and the others lined up in a row and performed the knight's salute before returning to the world of shadows.

When the people who were watching were exclaiming in admiration, the sudden appearance of Nero's face raised voices of surprise all at once.

"Nya, Goshujin-sama, where is this nya? It makes me feel weird nya."

"This world is a difficult place for Nero-tachi to live in, so please wait patiently."

"Understood nya, it's more comfortable in the shadows nya."

When Nero pulled back its head and I erased the shield of darkness, voices of relief leaked out from all over the Investigation Headquarters.

"It's dangerous to be in another world ... For a moment, I thought I was lost in an anime world."

"You can't beat that kind of thing with a pistol ..."

"I've been wanting to go for a while, but I think I should reconsider."

Kajikawa-san, who was next to me, had cold sweat running down his cheeks.

"Kokubu-kun, is that big cat from earlier also your genus?"

"Yes, it's the undead Storm Cat that joined me recently."

"Is Volzard a place where things like that hang around?"

"No, no, Storm Cats are said to be natural disaster-class monsters, so they rarely appear."

"And you made such a monster your genus?"

"W, well ... it just happened."

Sudou-san also handed me the letters for today, so I decided to leave them at the garrison's quarters along with the supplies.

Dusk was approaching in Volzard, and it was time for people to start coming home from work.

When I visited the garrison's temporary dormitory where my classmates lived, there was something sinister about it.

"What would you do if the support from Japan was cut off? If Kokubu can't go to Japan, we won't receive support. In the first place, even this dormitory is rented because Kokubu is here. If Kokubu was gone, there is a possibility that we would be kicked out if we have no value."

The person who was raising his voice was Katou-sensei of Health and Physical Education.

"It's impossible to suddenly work with adults."

"Even if there's no support from Japan, can't we just withdraw compensation from Resenburg?"

"That's right, they made us suffer such a terrible experience, so you should tell them to pay us."

Katou-sensei opened his mouth with an expression as if he had swallowed a bitter bug in response to my classmates who were unanimously dissatisfied.

"Then, you guys should try it. Withdraw the reparations yourselves from Resenburg."

"Such a thing ... It's not possible, is it?"

"We can't do that."

"There's the Devil's Forest on the way to Resenburg ... You can't go there alone unless you're Kokubu."

"Oh yeah, even if we go against Kokubu, we won't be able to beat him ..."

"Or rather, we were brought to Volzard before we knew what was going on, Kokubu should take responsibility for bringing us ..."

"Stop it!"

When Yagi got into the mood and started talking fluently, Katou-sensei broke down.

"It's always Kokubu, Kokubu, Kokubu, Kokubu ... How long are you going to be spoiled by others while acting like a victim! Don't you think it's embarrassing! He's responsible for bringing you here? Yagi, you were sent to the first actual battle and were abandoned by the knights who saw the orcs, weren't you? If Kokubu weren't there, wouldn't you have been eaten, digested, and pooped out by Orcs by now?"

Katou-sensei was in his late 40s, and although his hair was a little thin, he was said to be a rank holder in judo, and had a sturdy physique.

Because Katou-sensei yelled in earnest, even Yagi, who had been frivolous, turned pale.

"It's true that Kokubu has acquired a talent for magic that makes you guys envious. But, thanks to that, we were saved. Even though that's something to be grateful for, it's illogical to ignore it and ask for him to take responsibility. Yagi, if you ask him to take responsibility for that, I will tell Kokubu to take responsibility to send you back to Lastock."

"Hey ... Sensei, that's ..."

"You should negotiate with the knights of Resenburg yourself, ask for compensation, and try to live on your own. If you can't do that, don't say such nonsense again! Didn't you normally go to the ramparts construction while complaining? Don't get full of yourself just because you were able to receive a little help. I'll have Kokubu cut off his support."

I feel a somewhat irresponsible air to my classmates who are yelling about me.

Personally, they may have thought that they tried their best, but it didn't go well. Except for Yagi.

"Anyway, starting tomorrow, change your mindset, choose a job that you think you can do, and don't give up halfway through and try your best."

"Sensei, isn't tomorrow a class day?"

"Nuu, right ... that's right. So, tomorrow you'll take classes seriously, and the day after tomorrow you'll either go to the guild and look for a job, or participate in the construction of the ramparts. Do you understand."

"Yes ..."

"Fuu ... Alright, dismissed."

The classmates, who were released by Katou-sensei, withdrew to their rooms with unconvinced expressions.

"Really ... you should follow Kokubu and Asakawa's groups a little bit ... but it's true that ramparts construction is hard ..."

Katou-sensei, who saw my classmates off, turned his neck and shoulders, and looked quite tired.

"Good evening, Sensei."

"Oh, Kokubu, did you bring letters?"

"Yes, I brought letters with me, but I was also entrusted with relief supplies from the govnerment."

"Oh, relief supplies is it ... what did you bring?"

"Rice, miso, soy sauce ..."

"Ooooo ... Good job, Kokubu! Finally, at last, I can finally get white rice and miso soup. Hey, is there natto?"

"Ah ... There's no natto, but there is seaweed."

"I see, next time please request natto."

"Yes, I will tell them. Anyway, is it okay if I put the things out here?"

"Yeah, can you unload it here?"

"Yes, Zae, can I ask it of you?"

"As you wish, My King."

When Zae and the others began to pile up the relief supplies, my classmates who heard the noise gathered.

"Hey, isn't that soy sauce?"

"Over there, mayonnaise is written!"

"Hey, isn't that instant ramen?"

"Wow, that's curry, isn't it? it's not a mistake, right?"

Everyone seemed impatient, but you can't eat curry or ramen without cooking it, right?

I hope it doesn't turn out to be a scramble ...

"Sensei, this is also for the girls, so please divide it well."

"Understood, Kokubu, are you good?"

"Ah ... Then, I'm going to just get the curry roux. I'm thinking of making it for the people at my boarding house."

"Is that so, then please take as much as you need."

For now, I decided to get one box of each curry roux, one sweet, and one spicy.

"Hey, Kokubu, let's eat together."

"Yes, alright."

Thinking about the conversation he had with Katou-sensei earlier, I thought he wouldn't call out to me, but Yagi approached me with the same casual feeling as usual.

I don't know if he has thick nerves or if he doesn't think about anything, but this kind of unobtrusiveness is also one of Yagi's good points.

On the way out of the dormitory and on the way to the dining room, he talked about the sermon earlier.

"I was preached at again that I rely too much on Kokubu."

"Is that so? Then, isn't Yagi going to work?"

"Hm ... How is it, it's like a gap between the other world I envisioned and reality ...?"

"In short, are you unmotivated?"

"Well, that's how it is. Even if I hear that there is a dungeon, I won't get excited unless I enter it."

Yagi, who complains, looks really unmotivated.

Well, in Yagi's case, it's the normal, and it doesn't seem like he's motivated.

"Ah ... Well. But, right now, it can't be helped because of the effects of the maximum outbreak, right?"

"Does it affect the dungeon and such?"

"Of course it does. Monsters called Scavengers spawned in large numbers and attacked people."

"What kind of monster is that Scavenger?"

"The size of a normal individual is about 30 centimeters, and the higher species are twice or three times the size."

"30 centimeters, that's no big deal. Small-fry, small-fry. Even I can easily beat them."

Yagi drew his sword and made a swinging gesture, slashing the imaginary Scavenger and pretending to put the sword away.

"There were over 1,800 of them in total, is that still an easy win?"

"Ueeee ... 1,800?"

"Yeah, also, it's a giant cockroach with ten legs."

"Geeeeee ... No way, no way, no way, I won't go to the dungeon!"

"Well, this time it's an irregularity, normally they just hunt for corpses and don't attack people."

"No, but I don't want to go to a place where there is such a giant 'G' loitering around."

"But, there was a rock that was shining, so I brought it back, and when it was appraised, it was a silver ore, and it sold for 690,000 Helts ... About 6,900,000 Yen."

"Huh? What the hell, did you go to the dungeon?"

"Yeah, to subjugate the Scavengers. The ore was a bonus."

"What's that, introduce me to such a delicious job."

"Yeah ... However, the current Yagi can't take on subjugation work. It's impossible unless you at least take the guild's combat training and get permission to enter the dungeon alone."

"Training huh ... it's really dull ..."

"Is that so? But, I met Manon in the course ..."

"Ha! That's right, that's what you said. No, no, don't be deceived, I had a terrible experience last time I attended the course. That dog-eared bastard who doesn't take it easy is ridiculous."

Hohou, even Yagi seemed to be learning.

In other words, it looks like he was treated very poorly.

"But Yagi, at that time, weren't only our members participating?"

"Hmm? That's right ... Come to think of it, it was just the old and new duo, the dekoboko sisters, and me ..."

"If you don't rush through there, chances won't come around, right?"

"What the hell ... Kokubu, you're giving solid advice. That's right, if you're with other guys, your chances will be reduced, I see ..."

"Ah ... But, I guess it's impossible for Yagi ... If you can't swing a wooden sword, you won't be allowed to take the class on water day ... There's only about four days until the next class."

"Don't be stupid. It's not like working on the ramparts construction. It's as easy as swinging a wooden sword."

Yagi is really simple, it's just as I thought that if I tell him not to, he'll bite.

"I see ... Then, why don't you try participating? There might be an unexpectedly cute girl participating. See, right now, due to the maximum outbreak, they can't go outside the ramparts, and there might be some kids who want to take classes in the meantime.

"Kokubu ... you ... if there's a cute girl, can I tell them that I'm an acquaintance of the 'Monster User'? Look, it's important to have a conversation."

"Hmm ... It's useless to say no, right? It's fine as long as it doesn't spoil my image too much."

"Oh, Kokubu Kento, my heart's friend ... Even if I become friends with a cute girl, don't steal her."

"If I do that, what will the chairman and Manon do ..."

"Oh, if I spread rumors, what will they do ... I wonder if the intruders will disappear ..."

Seeing the chairman and Manon waving in front of the cafeteria, Yagi moved away with unusual consideration.

Yup, I'm sorry Yagi, the course on water day starts suddenly with practice swings, and I don't think you'll have a chance to get to know a cute girl because you'll be attending right away ... but, do your best.

I decided to walk up to the chairman and Manon and tell them about Reese-san's proposal after dinner.