CH 122

Negotiation development

***---***

Following Reese-san's orders, Gunther-kun prepared some tea.

The delicate hands that didn't suit his big body reminded me of Donovan-san.

Since it was a facility where important people in the guild stayed, the tea leaves that were prepared must be high-end items, and a very good scent spread throughout the room.

But, I've smelled this scent before ... Could it be that Donovan-san carefully selected it.

Before entering negotiations, it felt like Reese-san was in control of the pace.

I felt that it would be a little disadvantageous to start the conversation as it was, so I tried to talk about something different from the main topic.

"Umm, Reese-san, I would like to ask you something ..."

"What? Are you asking about dark magic?"

"No, it's not about that, it's about Ruija-san and Bran."

"I see, so you've already met with Bran?"

"Yes, after yesterday's meeting ..."

When I told Reese-san about what happened at the guild training ground, she burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha ... Delightful, delightful, Kent really interests me."

"Wait! What are you talking about to Reese-sama!"

Ruija, who was waiting with Gunther in the corner of the room, became angry with her face turning red, but she refused to approach us from that spot.

"Ruija, are you sure you should be leaving Bran alone?"

"Uuu ... I, I'm going back. Don't talk about unnecessary things anymore!"

While pouting angrily, Ruija returned to the guild.

"Umm ... Ruija-san, is she a good tamer?"

"Tamer? Kuhahahaha ... Kent, Ruija isn't a tamer."

"Eh? But she's tamed the Gigawolf Bran, right?"

"Hmm ... If you call it taming, then I guess it's taming ... Right now, it's probably crying because it can't see Ruija."

Reese-san told me the secret of Ruija and Bran while laughing hard.

It's not a complicated story, even if it's a secret, it's just that Ruija raised Bran, who was separated from its parents and was weak, thinking it was a dog.

"In other words, Bran is like a big domestic dog. That's why it wears a collar so that it doesn't blindly attack people."

Now that she mentions it, Bran was wearing a collar, but isn't that the guild registration card?

"Could it be, slavery ..."

"That's right, as expected of Kent, you're good at guessing. I've modified a slave bracelet into a collar and put it on it so as not to hurt people."

"But then, isn't Bran in danger?"

"Fufufu ... Gigawolf that is thought to be tamed, do you think there are people who would carelessly put their hands on it?"

"Ah ... If you say so, then yes. Besides, it can fight against monsters."

"Well, that's right, kukuku ... to be glared at by a Storm Cat and to leak out, kuhahahaha ..."

Beatrice asked from the side of Reese-san, who continued to laugh.

"Kent-sama, when did you add a ferocious monster like a Storm Cat to your genus?"

"Yeah, I subjugated it in Lastock the day before yesterday, and I just made it my genus after that."

I introduced Nero to the chairman and Manon, but I hadn't yet introduced Nero to Beatrice.

"But, if kept from a young age, monsters will get attached."

"That's right, I also saw it for the first time, and it was interesting, so I kept it handy. However, both Bran and Gunther over there are all about appearances, and on top of that, Ruija is ignorant of the world. She's been praised and has a bit of excessive pride, so I brought her here to show her the wide world."

"So, you're keeping it a secret that Lau-san is your real bodyguard?"

"That's right, something more interesting will happen, won't it? Kukukuku ..."

For some reason, on the journey from Bakkenheim to Volzard, I can see the two people and one animal being used as Reese-san's toys.

"Now then, Kent, let's get down to business, shall we? You're willing to become my companion ... it doesn't seem to be like that."

"Yes, I haven't made up my mind yet ... But, before that, I thought I'd tell you about our circumstances, which is why I'm here today."

"Fumu ... What is the situation that Kent and the others are facing?"

"Yes, about that story ..."

"I will speak first."

When I gave a signal with my eyes, the chairman took over the story.

"Fumu ... Judging by your hair color and eye color, aren't you from the same world as Kent?"

"Yes, we were summoned together. Kent was, he arrived at Volzard as a result of being banished because the result of the magic judgment was not good, and the rest of us were deceived into thinking it was a magic tool to prevent our magical power from going out of control, and were taken away and had slave bracelets fitted on us."

"What the hell, did they trick you into putting on a slave bracelet?"

"Yes, we were not allowed to disobey because of the slave bracelets, and were forced to undergo rigorous training under harsh conditions at the Lastock garrison."

The chairman said that Camilla summoned us to use us as soldiers, that Funayama was made an example of and was killed, that the girls were also subjected to strict training, that she was treated well, that she was tormented by a sense of helplessness because she couldn't heal her friends' injuries, and she sometimes choked with tears as she spoke.

And then, although the quality of life had improved since coming to Volzard, she said that there were girls who were not familiar with the city and were driven by a sense of nostalgia.

"What ... So you were in such a situation ..."

After listening to her story, Reese-san stood up quietly, walked over to the chairman who was wiping her tears, and gently hugged her.

"It must have been hard ... You did your best ..."

"Yes ... Yes, thank you."

"Hey, Kent! Why didn't you tell me sooner that it was this kind of situation!"

"Uwaa! I, I'm sorry ... I heard for the first time last night that there were girls who were having nervous breakdowns ..."

"Hmph, that being said, you probably didn't realize that the people in question had such thoughts."

"Yes, you are right ..."

"Hmph ... Well, what should I do ..."

Reese-san sank into thought for a time while hugging the chairman.

Not just me, but Manon and Beatrice also had anxious expressions on their faces.

"Hmm ... That's right ..."

Reese-san patted the chairman's back gently, then got up from her seat and settled down on the sofa where she was sitting.

She put a short cigarette into the end of a long, thin pipe, lit it, allowed it to smoke slowly, and began to speak.

"It seems that my request has been temporarily put on hold."

"On hold ... is it?"

"That's right, if it's on hold, there's no need to worry, as for Kent, I will live longer than you ..."

Reese-san was said to have already lived for over 250 years, but if she fulfills her natural lifespan as a dark elf without encountering illness or accidents, she should live longer than I do.

"Kent, when you grow older and become a better man, I'll ask you to be my companion."

"Then, can you tell me how to bring a living person into the shadow space?"

"Umu, I'll tell ... But, Kent, I'll tell the three people who are waiting there, not you."

"Eh, but the three of them can't use dark magic."

Reese-san, who heard my words let out a big sigh with an exasperated expression.

"Haa ... I'm fully aware of that. In the first place, I can't use that method either."

"Uuh ... That's right, that's what you said."

"What I can teach is the theory and practice of the magic. Whether or not you can understand it and implement it depends on Kent."

"I see ... But why not directly to me?"

"Good question ..."

When Reese-san finished her words, she smoked deliciously from her pipe again, spewing out purple smoke with a grin on her face.

"Rejoice, Kent, while I'm teaching you how to use dark attribute magic, I'll teach those three a part of my secret bedroom techniques."

"Eeehhh ... Hey, that kind of thing ..."

"Don't panic. I'll just teach the three the knowledge of men's bodies so that Kent, who is inexperienced in dealing with girls, won't be in trouble later."

"B, but ..."

Beatrice was very curious ... The chairman's face was also blushing, but she seemed to be motivated enough ... Manon, yeah, her eyes were swimming.

"Well, the story is settled. Kent, you're a hindrance, so go do your own work."

"No, but ..."

"Don't worry. I'm not stupid enough to make an enemy of an S-rank adventurer."

In the end, I was forced to leave the room.

I'm really worried about what kind of content they will be taught.

I was told to do my own work, but I thought it would take time to persuade Reese-san, so I didn't have any other plans today.

I was supposed to meet the chairman and the others at the guild in the evening, so I'll show up at the Investigation Headquarters until then.

I dove into the shadow world and traveled to Japan.

[ Kent-sama, being able to return everyone else has finally become a reality. ]

"Yeah, if the return of my classmates can be realized, I'll have crossed over a big mountain."

[ Then, you can focus on the Resenburg turmoil. ]

"That's right, the trivial succession dispute of those people, let's clean it up quickly."

For Reinhardt, a former knight of Resenburg, I was sure he was worried about the turmoil in his homeland.

Since the big task of returning everyone to Japan seemed to be in sight, I looked into the Investigation Headquarters in a good mood, but an angry roar resounded.

"Where are you? You must be hiding here! Send out Kokubu Kento!"

The one yelling was Funayama's father.

"Isn't it Kokubu Kento in the picture here? There was a guy who compared the photo taken from the front with the one in his elementary school graduation album and published it on the internet. There's no doubt it's him! Where is he, don't hide him!"

Funayama's father slammed the magazine he was holding onto a desk and yelled at Sudou-san.

I couldn't confirm it from where I was currently, but the photos in the magazine were probably taken when I visited the grave.

"Funayama-san, I understand how you feel, but I cannot answer questions related to the investigation."

"Don't screw with me! This guy, Kokubu Kento, brought back the letters, didn't he? And he's probably the only one who came back and is hiding somewhere! That's right!"

"Even if that were the case, we cannot disclose the personal information of minors."

"Why is that! For what reason! Is it something you're too embarrassed to let me know? Isn't this guy involved in the incident? That's why he can't come out."

"Again, I can't give you any information related to the investigation."

"It's only my house, only my house hasn't received a letter. What's going on? It's been reported that he was killed, so what are the police doing!"

Funayama's father continued to yell, banged on the desk, stomped his feet, and turned red in the face.

It's hard to say that he's elegant, and his behavior was rather rude, but there was definitely a desperation to care for his family.

"As for us, we will do our best to identify his whereabouts and investigate so that his return will come true ..."

"Don't lie! There are fewer people than when I came last time! There are fewer chairs and desks! What do your best!"

After shouting out loud, Funayama's father suddenly stopped moving.

"Funayama-san ... is something wrong?"

"I see ... I see ... you guys know ..."

It was murmured words, different from the screams I had heard until then, but it sounded like he was deep in thought.

Funayama's father, breathing heavily, opened his bloodshot eyes to the limit and glared at Sudou-san.

"You guys already know everything ... That's why the number of people has decreased. That's why the number of desks has decreased ... tell me ... tell me, what happened to my son!"

When Funayama's father yelled and punched it again, the top of the desk reached its limit and broke.

At the same time, Funayama's father also fell to his knees while convulsing.

"Funayama-san! Please stay strong. Hey, ambulance!"

"Agaa ... Ryu, Ryuji ... Ryu ..."

Funayama's father was blowing bubbles and convulsing, apparently in a dangerous condition.

With his right hand holding his head, he may indeed have had a blood vessel burst in his brain.

"Kokubu-kun!"

I jumped out of the shadows and, listening to Sudou-san's surprised voice, put my hand on Funayama's father's head and cast healing magic.

My body moved before I thought, since it would be bad if I left it alone.

The convulsions that had struck Funayama's father soon subsided, and his unfocused eyes returned to normal.

And then, his eyes caught my eye, and his eyes widened.

"Bastard, Kokubu Kento! Where have you been hiding until now!"

"Guu ... breathe, gaa ..."

"My, my ... son ... where ..."

Funayama's father, who had been holding me by the neck, suddenly started to feel dizzy, then he let go of me, let out a loud snore, and fell asleep.

[ Kent-sama, I threw in some sleeping pills. ]

[ Thank you, Reinhardt. You saved me. ]

[ An easy task. ]

Thanks to Reinhardt for being quick-witted, I was saved.

"Kokubu-kun, what happened to Funayama-san?"

"Yes, I think it was probably an intracerebral hemorrhage or something, but I cast healing magic. Right now, he's sleeping due to the effect of sleeping pills, so I think it's better to take him to the hospital and have him checked."

"Healing magic, you can do something like that ... Okay, let's do that. Hey, take Funayama-san over there and let him sleep."

Following Sudou-san's instructions, a young investigator carried Funayama's father to the sofa.

The magazine that fell to the floor had a large photo of me looking up from the passageway of the cemetery.

As I was staring at the photos in the magazine, someone grabbed my shoulder and shook me.

"It's your fault. You just had to go and visit the graveyard, so it's probably going to cause a fuss!"

"Hey, what are you doing ..."

"Stop! Let go with your hand, Katayama!"

Grabbing and shaking my shoulder was the veteran detective who held me down when I first came to the Investigation Headquarters.

"But, Director ..."

"Kokubu-kun is a victim, what are you doing?"

"Kuh, I understand ..."

"I'm sorry, are you okay, Kokubu-kun?"

"Ouch ... i, it's okay."

I was grabbed with a grip that felt like a gorilla, so there may be a hand-print left.

"I'm sorry for my subordinate's rough handling. If you accuse him, I promise to testify."

"No, I don't want to go that far. More importantly, that magazine ..."

"Ah, it went on sale this morning ... Did you notice that this picture was taken?"

"I noticed that they were taking pictures ... I noticed it, but I used shadow movement to shake them off before I was interviewed ..."

"I see ... It's not that Kokubu-kun is at fault, but I wanted to hear your take on it."

"I'm sorry, I was thinking about a lot of things ..."

"Yes, I guess so ..."

As Funayama's father said, it seemed that there was an image circulating on the internet that had been determined to be the same person by comparing the photo in the weekly magazine and the photo in the elementary school graduation album with a computer.

It seemed that the majority of people on the internet were of the opinion that the data required for facial recognition, such as the distance between the eyes, the shape of the nose, the shape of the front teeth, and the shape of the ears, were compared, so there was no doubt about it.

"It's bad to find out that I'm back in Japan, isn't it?"

"Well, it's not a welcome situation, but the government's policy is the same as before."

"Eh, but ... If the photo gets out ..."

"Even so, if we say we haven't confirmed it, that's it."

"Are you okay with that?"

"It's okay, rather, there's no other way, and the media can't find your whereabouts right now, so there's no grounds for you to argue. I'm glad Kokubu-kun wasn't caught by the reporters."

Sudou-san was speaking calmly, but judging from the behavior of the detective earlier, it may not be all right.

Besides, Funayama's father saw me.

"Umm ... Funayama's father saw me, wasn't that bad?"

"Hmm ... That's right. But, it was just a short time, and he soon passed out. The pictures in the magazine were burned into his eyes, so he had a hallucination ... I guess we'll just have to deceive him with something like that."

So to speak, he collapsed with what appeared to be a vascular disorder in the head, and since he fell asleep with sleeping pills immediately after the treatment, if you put the two of them together, I feel like that would make sense.

But, I can't shake the feeling that it's a pretty powerful skill ...

"I'm sorry, because I went to the grave on a whim ..."

"What are you talking about? There is no reason for Kokubu-kun to be restricted. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, but I'd like you to be patient until the other classmates can return."

"Ah, about that return, I might have found a way."

"What, is that true?"

The Investigation Headquarters, which had been filled with sorrow until then, suddenly became vigorous.

"Yes, it's still a possibility, but someone knew how to bring living people into the shadow space I use."

"Then, the others will be coming back soon, right?"

"No, I'm still at the stage of asking for the method, and I don't know if I can implement it, so I don't think it's going to happen soon."

"This guy ... You're giving us hope with such a sloppy story ..."

"Stop, Katayama! Is that the attitude of someone who seeks cooperation to solve the case! Stop it right now!"

When the violent detective tried to grab me again, Sudou-san loudly reprimanded him.

"Sudou-san, an ambulance has arrived!"

"Understood. Kokubu-kun, it wouldn't be good to be seen by the ambulance personnel, so please leave for today."

"Yes, I think I'll receive new information tomorrow."

I hid in the shadows as if being chased by the sound of the stretcher coming down the corridor.

[ Are you okay, Kent-sama? ]

[ Yeah, it's okay if I use self-healing, so it's okay. ]

[ What a rude man. the next time he behaves like that, I will break one of his arms. ]

[ Don't go that far. I will have to treat it. ]

[ I see, is that how it is. ]

I thought about returning to Volzard, but decided to take a peek inside the police station.

The ambulance parked in front of the entrance was surrounded by reporters with cameras in doubles and even triples, creating an air of frenzy.

"The ambulance stretcher is back."

"Yes, back away, everyone back away!"

"It looks like it's an adult male on board."

"Isn't that Funayama-san?"

"Turn around, connect the relay quickly!"

"Where's Kokubu? Isn't he here?"

Apparently, this bloody atmosphere was also triggered by my photo in the weekly magazine.

[ Kent-sama, are those guys after Kent-sama? ]

[ That's right, but you can't mess with them. ]

[ Are you sure you want to leave it like this? ]

[ Hmm ... There's no problem if I hide in the shadows ... ]

I don't think I can return to a very peaceful life even if my classmates return to Japan after receiving information about dark magic from Reese-san.

Even though a large problem may have been settled, it feels like a new problem had arisen.

AN: Fixed the scene involving Kent and Detective Katayama.