CH 178

Grass

***---***

Thanks to a relaxing day, my health had almost returned to normal.

When I woke up at my usual time and finished my breakfast as usual, I felt like my normal life had finally returned.

Today, I planned to report the details of the matter to Klaus-san, and then transport Takagi-san's body to Japan.

It was still a little early, so before heading to the guild, I decided to take a look at the land that my genus had cleared.

"Eeeehhhh ... Hey, isn't this too wide?"

[ We just cleared it according to the division. It's not good for the ramparts and the Devil's Forest to meet, so the surrounding trees were cut down just like the other places, so it just feels wider. ]

"No, even so, it's quite wide ..."

[ That's probably because there are no buildings. ]

It's true as Reinhardt says, the land with no buildings looks spacious, but the land in front of me looked more expansive than wide.

"Umm, is one-third of this land going to be ours?"

[ Indeed. It might be bigger than the Feudal Lord's mansion. ]

"Eeehhh ... That isn't good."

[ Buhahaha, in that case, shouldn't Kent-sama become the Lord of Volzard? ]

"No, no, I just want to live in peace and harmony with everyone."

Klaus-san seemed to have a son who would be his successor, so I would be spared the troublesome work of being a Feudal Lord.

Even so, the forest had been felled, the roots dug up, the ground leveled, the base of the ramparts dug down, and even the stonework had already begun.

"That stone, what's with that?"

[ Last night in the middle of the night ... I cut it out ... ]

"Nero helped carry it, too, nya."

[ Don't worry about it, Kent-sama's protection was secured by me and Basten. ]

[ Kent-sama, we will complete the ramparts within this week. ]

"Y, yeah, thank you ..."

I didn't know what was motivating everyone, but if the house was built too early, there would be no excuse to prolong the marriage with Seraphima.

Well, even if I thought about it, the construction wouldn't stop, so let's proceed.

After confirming the location of my home, I visited Klaus-san in the guild's office.

"Good morning. Sorry for worrying you."

"Good morning, your complexion isn't bad, you look alright."

"Yes, I took it easy yesterday, so I think I'm almost okay now."

"Well, to be honest, when I heard the news, my heart sank. The Griffon turmoil has just ended, and there's no certainty that there won't be a massive outbreak in the future. We can't afford to lose you at this time."

Klaus-san was talking with a serious expression, but Beatriche couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"What's wrong, Riche."

"Ufufufu, you say you were worried about the maximum outbreak, but you were more worried about Kent-sama than I was."

When Beatriche revealed what happened at the time of the incident, Klaus-san blushed and denied it.

"D, don't be silly, I was worried because Volzard's defense would be weak ..."

"He had Hort make many round trips between this place and the garrison to keep him informed of Kent-sama's situation. What's wrong with Kent ... I wonder if he's okay ... he was so distraught that he only calmed down when you regained consciousness."

"That's why, about the city ..."

"Thank you very much. I'm sorry to make you worry so much, but I'm really happy."

When I bowed my head again, Klaus-san's expression relaxed and he stared at me.

"It's obvious. It's natural to be worried. Kent, you're an important family member."

"Yes, thank you very much."

My tear glands collapsed again, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling as I kept my head down.

I told Klaus-san the information I learned yesterday.

"I see ... No matter how the country appears to be peaceful on the surface, there are dark battles behind the scenes. Certainly, Kent's ability is reassuring if he becomes an ally, but is extremely dangerous if he becomes an enemy. 

"But, I never thought I would be attacked by Takagi-san."

"From Takagi's point of view, that's probably what he  was aiming for. I couldn't even imagine it, so when I heard that you were attacked, at first I thought it was just a fistfight."

Klaus-san summoned Miura-san of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday to lodge a strong protest.

In order not to expose those who have taken great pains to protects us, and who have already seen the path to the students' return, to danger, from now on, a strict background check will be run on anyone who comes to Volzard from Japan or who is involved with Kent in Japan.

"Even so, how far did that bastard go with his acting? I heard that Yuika also slapped him, but at that time, he didn't unconsciously avoid it? A man involved in assassination would probably also have training in martial arts."

"That's right ... even when I think back, I don't think there was any suspicious feeling, and right after being hit, he was really surprised."

"Does that mean that Yuika's slap was calculated, too?"

"Speaking of which, the incident at the Griffon dismantling site was also the same. Did he get hit on purpose?"

"Maybe so."

When Klaus-san cut off his words, he stared into my eyes.

"Kent, are you going to turn Takagi's corpse into an undead?"

Klaus-san's expression was serious, and I knew he was testing me.

"Honestly, I'm conflicted."

"Why are you conflicted?"

"If I could make him undead, I would be able to obtain information about the organization Takagi-san belonged to, but I feel that the dignity of the deceased would be lost. Besides, making someone my genus is the same as becoming a family member for me, so I'm reluctant to do it just for the sake of getting information. Conversely, if I don't turn him into an undead, I feel that information will be lost, and the families of me and Yuika will be in danger."

"I see ... So, which one do you choose?"

From Klaus-san, who pressed me to make a decision, I could feel the harshness of being the Lord of Volzard, and the sweat gushed down my back.

"I ... I won't turn Takagi-san into an undead."

To be honest, I was hesitant to say it, but when I looked Klaus-san in the eyes, I said it clearly.

After Klaus-san stared at me in silence for a while, he slowly opened his mouth.

"It's naive ... But, for this time, that's fine. Return Takagi's body to his family."

"Haaaa ... Understood."

I involuntarily let out a big sigh, and my body lost strength.

"Kent, you were hesitant until the last minute to answer, weren't you?"

"Yes, to be honest, I didn't have a clear reason for it, I just kind of didn't like it."

"I see, then I'll tell you why. To draw a line."

"A line ... is it?"

"Right. The fight between you and Takagi was, so to speak, a small war. Takagi launched a surprise attack and you repelled it. Isn't that right?"

"That's right, it feels like that."

"Certainly, as you said, organizations and countries are pulling strings behind Takagi. Here, the return of 200 people and the future of trade are at stake. It's precisely because so many people and things are involved that a war won't end unless a line is drawn somewhere. If you draw a line, draw it with respect. Besides, Takagi wouldn't have had any useful information. He may have been a terrifying user, but he was a disposable agent after all."

"But, then he didn't need to die ..."

"Isn't the Japanese government aware that you are using undead genus? Then you should think that the enemy also knows. If he knew, he would be turned into an undead even after he died, and they would at least assume that information would be extracted. Even if you pass on the information that Takagi knew, it wouldn't be anything about the mastermind. Make a distinction that it was Takagi who died."

"I see ... That may be true."

"Before the story gets too big, draw a line here. Mourn Takagi's body with gratitude. And show a clear will that this conflict is over. Draw a line here, but in case the line is crossed, tell the other party that you will show no mercy next time!"

"Yes!"

Klaus-san took a deep breath and relaxed his expression.

"War is easy to start, but difficult to stop. For you, with your confrontation with Resenburg, you should have had a taste of that."

"Yes, that's right."

"Even if it's a conflict that your opponent has started, think about how to end it and where to draw the line, not how to stop the opponent. Got it."

"Understood."

"Takagi's body is in the garrison's morgue. If you get in touch with the sentry, I told them to hand it over."

"Yes, thank you very much. I'm planning to transport it to Japan by the end of the day."

"Well, if you go back to Japan, there will be new information, so please let me know what you find out. It's my first time seeing a type like Takagi, so I'd like to know a little more for my future studies."

"Undrestood. I'll let you know."

Klaus-san nodded and then changed the subject.

"Also, it depends on the situation, but please expect to receive a nomination request."

"A nomination request, is it? Maybe it's from another city?"

"The client is Master Reese."

"Ehh, no way ... Is it the matter of becoming her companion?"

"Idiot, that's not it. It's an escort to Bakkenheim."

"Ehh, but Lau-san will accompany Reese-san."

"Of course that's right, but since Volzard cannot monopolize the iron you brought in, it will eventually be transported to Bakkenhaim. For that time, I'm thinking of having you go to Bakkenheim once."

If I used shadow movement, I could immediately move to a place I had visited once, and I could also transport goods.

I guess that's why he wants me to go to Bakkenheim once.

"But, even if I don't go there, if my genus have been there before, it's possible to move there if I have them move first and use them as landmarks."

"Oh, right, that's right. Reinhardt and the others might have been there before."

"Maybe ... Reinhardt, have you ever been to Bakkenheim?"

[ Of course, Landshelt used to be a part of Resenburg, and since then Bakkenheim has flourished as an academic city. ]

"Is that so ... Klaus-san, I hear they've been there before."

"I see, then there's no need to go. Alright, Reese and I will have a meeting about that matter, and I will contact you when the details are decided."

"Understood. I'll keep it in mind for now."

After reporting to Klaus-san, I headed to the garrison's morgue to pick up Takagi-san's body.

I thought about calling out to the chairman and Manon at the clinic, but they were both busy working as the examination had already started.

In particular, the chairman seemed to be handling the main treatment while consulting with the healer who was originally enrolled.

In the case of trauma treatment, it seemed to be good to close the wound with healing magic and heal it by increasing the regenerative power, but in the case of illness, it seemed that if healing magic was used to completely recover, the immune system would decrease.

So, for example, in the case of a cold, healing magic should be applied to increase immunity while suppressing inflammation in the throat.

Yeah, just trying to fix everything like me ... then they couldn't do that.

I stepped out from the shadows of the building and called out to the garrison member guarding the morgue so as not to startle them.

"Good morning. I've come to pick up Takagi-san's body."

"Yes, I heard. Go ahead ..."

Takagi-san's body was placed on a stretcher on a table with a stone top.

Judging from the swelling of the white cloth that was hung over the body, it seemed that the severed arms were put into their original positions.

"You don't have to return the stretcher. Also, the weapon used to attack Kent-san is wrapped in this cloth."

"What about the blood on the murder weapon?"

"It was left as it was. Also, the belongings of the deceased are gathered there."

"Understood, thank you very much."

It seemed that the teachers sorted out the belongings and put them in a carry-on bag.

When I contacted Suzuki-san in Japan before taking Takagi-san's body out, she replied that preparations were in place to accept it.

"Then, I'll carry it out. Thank you for your help."

"No, thank you for your hard work."

Reinhardt and Basten carried Takagi-san's body on the stretcher, and Fred carried his luggage.

At the Nerima garrison, which was visited by the Skeletons, there were a lot of people I knew.

From among them, Kajikawa-san and Suzuki-san stepped forward and bowed their heads deeply.

"Kokubu-kun, I'm really sorry. We put your life in danger because of the oversight of the Japanese government. Originally, the Prime Minister or the Chief Cabinet Secretary should apologize, but we took over. I apologize from the bottom of my heart. I am truly sorry."

"Kajikawa-san, Suzuki-san, please raise your heads. To be honest, if I were anyone other than me, I think I would have died. The effects of the bleeding have subsided, so I'll draw a clear line here."

"If you're drawing a line, does that mean you don't intend to hold the people behind Takagi-san accountable?"

I told Kajikawa-san, who had a dubious expression, about my conversation with Klaus-san.

"As for me, I don't want any more conflict, so at this point I will draw a line and I won't question the responsibility. In exchange, could you announce that I will show no mercy if they continue to cause conflict?"

"Are you sure you are okay with that?"

"Yes, it's no problem."

"Hmm ... alright. Kokubu-kun, I will make the statement as your individual opinion, but I will continue the investigation activities of the Japanese government. This is not a problem that the government can tolerate. We will conduct a thorough investigation, destroy any domestic organization, and if any country is involved, we will issue a strong protest, or possibly impose sanctions. This is an assassination attempt on a Japanese citizen, and an act of terrorism that threatens the return from Volzard."

"Yes, I understand."

I held out my right hand and exchanged a firm handshake with Kajikawa-san.

"At a later date, the government will send an official apology. At the same time, Kokubu-kun should be paid a consolation fee."

"No, even if you don't go that far ..."

"No, we have to make a distinction, so I want you to accept it."

"Is that so ... I understand. So, where should I put Takagi-san's body ..."

"Can you put it down on the examination table for now?"

"Sudou-san, this is the weapon used in the attack."

"Let me take a look ..."

Putting on gloves, Sudou-san opened the wrapping and found something like a piano wire that had turned dark and was stained with blood.

The end part was connected to a metal ring, and the finger must have been put through the ring.

"Is this covered in Kokubu-kun's blood?"

"That's right, but Takagi-san's bleeding seemed to have been severe, so it's possible that his also flew there."

"Okay, Kokubu-kun, I'm sorry, but could you help me collect DNA later?"

"Is it blood sampling or something?"

"No, it's just rubbing the inside of your cheek with a cotton swab, so it'll be over in no time."

"Understood."

After that, Morita-san interviewed me about the situation.

I was also a victim, but since Fred cut off Takagi-san's arms, I was also in the position of the perpetrator, but it seemed that there was no worry that I would be prosecuted due to the circumstances.

"You don't have to be so stiff, so it's fine."

"Yes, my best regards."

The interrogation wasn't just about what happened at the garrison's training grounds. I was asked about the events from just before Takagi-san was assigned to Volzard until the incident occurred in detail.

Looking back, I could only believe that from the first time I met Takagi-san, he was showing his hostility towards me and was deliberately trying to make a strong impression.

It seemed that it could only be a minus as an agent, but did he have any speculations.

After the general interview was over, I asked Sudou-san, who was present with me, about Takagi-san.

"Takagi-san, was he really an agent of some country? Wasn't he just a person who falsified his identity?"

"Kokubu-kun, do you think an ordinary person would prepare such a deadly weapon?"

"Ahh, I see ... That's right."

If I was attacked with a knife, it was possible that an amateur was furious, but it was hard to imagine using a dark instrument made of piano wire or not making a sound with his footsteps.

"Kokubu-kun, do you know grass?"

"Ehh, grass ... is it? it grows from the ground ..."

"Don't you know how it looks? I'm not talking about the net term grass."(TN:Net term for grass is the Japanese way of saying LoL, which looks like grass growing. WWWWWWWWW)

"It's neither the plant grass nor internet slang, but grass, is it? I don't know."

"It's a word that appears in ninja stories in period novels, and it's said that grass is a ninja who lives in the land under the guise of a normal person and continues to hide for generations."

"Are you saying Takagi-san was that grass?"

"Well, it's not a ninja, so I guess it's like grass."

Through the investigation so far, the real Takagi Keiichirou ran away from his parents' home in Fukuoka 12 years ago when he was a high school student.

After that, it turned out that he was in Osaka, but about 10 years ago, he moved around and changed his address, and before anyone knew it, he had been replaced by the fake Takagi-san, a university student from Tohoku.

After that, he obtained a medical license and received training as a psychiatrist, working at a hospital in Tokyo.

He said that he received financial support from his uncle for his university tuition, but the existence of said uncle could not be confirmed, so it was possible that the support came from the organization he belonged to. It seemed expensive.

It was said that the Takagi family in Fukuoka received letters and remittances that said he was engaged in the construction industry that moved from place to place in various places, although he did not show his face at home, they seemed to think that he was doing well.

The Investigation Headquarters believed that the real Takagi Keiichirou was likely to have been killed.

"Pretending to be someone else, hiding in Japanese society, working as an agent if ordered, and ending his life as a commoner if there was no order ... We believe that such a person existed. The story of the counselor to be dispatched to the world leaked out, and Takagi-san, who happened to meet the conditions, was probably dragged in by the organization."

Listening to Sudou-san's story, I felt like cold water had been poured on my back.

"Perhaps the reason Takagi-san was confronting me was not because he was against the harem, but because he would not be able to see his daughter by assassinating me. He was angry with me for causing such a situation, and if it weren't for me, he would have been able to live in peace with his daughter ..."

"Kokubu-kun. If you feel responsible, you're wrong."

"Ehh, but ..."

"But, nothing. You have no responsibility, and you have no valid reason to be killed."

I couldn't help but nod at Sudou-san's harsh tone.

"This is just my personal opinion, but I believe that the person who ordered Kokubu-kun's assassination was someone who was afraid of being assassinated. For example, it might be a dictator of some country. There's also the issue of resources from another world, but if they were to be obtained, they would benefit the entire planet, and it's hard to imagine crushing that possibility at this point in time when it is unknown what kind of resources there are. Conversely, from the perspective of those who fear assassination, Kokubu-kun's abilities are extremely dangerous. No matter how much you protect yourself, you can't escape from Kokubu-kun, who can enter anywhere. Even so, Kokubu-kun didn't attempt any assassination, and the person who should be held responsible is the person who ordered the assassination out of fear, and Takagi-san, who carried out the assassination. Kokubu-kun bears no responsibility."

Sudou-san quenched his thirst with cold tea after clearly stating such.

"If Takagi-san was forced to assassinate Kokubu-kun for the sake of his family's safety, he should have asked for help. In that case, he should have asked Kokubu-kun to evacuate his wife and daughter to a different world. If that happened, people on this side wouldn't be able to get their hands on them."

"Umm ... Are the safety of Takagi-san's wife and daughter ensured?"

"Of course, we have security guards assigned, and we are proceeding with arrangements to have the photos of his daughter deleted from the internet as requested by Kokubu-kun. However, it is practically impossible to delete all information from the internet, so we are trying to focus on personal protection as we proceed."

"Is that so, my best regards."

"Kokubu-kun, you're strange. Normally, if someone were almost killed, they would direct their anger and resentment not only on the perpetrator, but also on the perpetrator's family and relatives. Only someone extremely good-natured ..."

"I think I'm distorted."

"Distorted?"

When I talked to Sudou-san about Klaus-san's story the other day, he nodded in agreement.

"It's true that Kokubu-kun has a tendency to care too much about others. It might be a problem if it becomes too excessive, but if Kokubu-kun is satisfied with it and it doesn't interfere with your life, I think it's fine to do what you want."

"Is that so. I don't know how much is normal ..."

"Hahahaha, no, I'm sorry, unfortunately, Kokubu-kun can no longer be a normal person. The only person in the world who can travel between different worlds and transport people and goods. Even if you were a normal person, the world wouldn't allow it. So, yes ... as long as you don't deviate too much from the law and don't get too much backlash from others, you can do whatever you want, right."

"No, is that something Sudou-san should be saying?"

"Hahahaha, that's right. But in fact, even if Kokubu-kun does whatever he pleases, there is a limit to what we can do to stop you, in the situation where you are responsible for the return of 200 people from another world, public opinion would not allow us to detain you. In reality, it is a fact that Kokubu-kun is in an extralegal state. Well, even so, I would be in trouble if you were allowed to do whatever you wanted."

"I see ... I'm in a state of being raised up right now, and if I do too much, later the ladder will be removed, I'll be dropped, and I'll be hit ..."

"Well, it's like that. The media likes that kind of thing, so it would be wise to be careful."

When I was thinking about returning to Volzard after finishing the interview, Kajikawa-san stopped me.

"I'm sorry, Kokubu-kun, but could you take some luggage with you when you return?"

"Yes, I don't mind, but what is it?"

"I'm sorry, it's a slightly large luggage, so it's in the warehouse."

When I moved to the warehouse with Kajikawa-san, there was a small container with the Japanese flag on it.

"This is an item requested by Miura-san of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This is the key to the contain, so could you give it to Miura-san? The container can be left outdoors."

"I understand, what's inside?"

"It seems that additional solar panels, TVs, antennae, a set of construction materials such as cables, etc., and Japanese food items are also included. Of course, we have strictly checked that there are no explosives mixed in, so I want you to feel at ease."

"Understood, then I'll have it carried."

I put out a shield of darkness and asked everyone in the Kobold Corps to carry it, but all the Undead Lizardmen, excluding Tsuo, came out.

"My King, the Kobolds are concentrating on the construction, so let us carry it."

"Ahh, that's right, understood, please."

"Leave it to me."

Ah, while I'm doing this, the ramparts surrounding my land must have been steadily built.

Before Seraphima comes, I have to get permission from the chairman's parents, but ... I have to do my best.