I said to Tenri.
“The sludge in Lake Suwa, is it the kind of thing that’s dangerous if you get close?”
『Affirmative. After viewing the medical record data from city hospitals, it appears that the closer people live to Lake Suwa, the more severe their symptoms are.』
Even with her Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet) restricted, it seems she’s managed to extract as much necessary information as possible.
“So the sludge is emitting poison gas?”
『That possibility is extremely high.』
I see… If we go to a place where poison gas is being generated without any countermeasures, there’s a chance we could get sick too.
『By the way, the components of the poison gas are also unsearchable with Omniscient and Omnipotent (Internet).』
“So, are you looking into how to investigate the poison gas?”
『Already searched.』
“Fast…”
『Also, I’ve contacted Public Security. The lockdown of Lake Suwa is already complete.』
“O-Oh…”
Competent, or rather… Her work is a bit too fast, it’s almost scary.
“Master, it seems we can analyze the poison gas components by collecting a sample and performing Spell Analysis (Hacking).”
Sinri suddenly started working seriously. It seems she realized this isn’t the time for fooling around.
“Alright, I’ll go collect a sample then.”
“But, how are you going to do that?”
“Easy. ■(Box)!”
I’m at the Suwa service area. From there, aiming in the direction of Lake Suwa, I remotely open the ■(Box).
I store the surrounding air inside the ■(Box).
“There, sample collected.”
『Then, I will analyze the sample.』
“Counting on you, Tenri.”
It was then. Thud… I heard the sound of something collapsing.
When I turned around, sunglasses-wearing Detective Niekawa-san was there.
“Geh… Niekawa-san… why…?”
『Because Master is being marked by Public Security.』
Ah, I see…
“Th-th-th-the Item Box, r-remotely operatedaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?”
Detective Niekawa shouts in astonishment.
“The Item Box is a Skill that puts objects right in front of you into a Hyperspace, right!?”
Grasp, the detective grabs my shoulder.
“What do you mean, opening an Item Box remotely!?”
“Even if you ask me what I mean…”
“And besides, spatial-type abilities are super rare abilities, you know!?”
“H-Heh… Is that so?”
“It is! Abilities classified as spatial manipulation are valuable in the first place, and I’ve never heard of an ability that stores things in space remotely!”
“H-He~eh… U-Um, please calm down, Detective Niekawa…”
From behind, nuu, a large man wearing sunglasses appeared and, gashii!, put Detective Niekawa in a full nelson.
“Jirouta!”
“Jirouta…?”
Ah, he means Niekawa’s son, the one who brought us here.
“Jirouta, why are you stopping me!? This is amazing, you know!?”
“Father, please calm down. Nagano-sama is creeped out by ya.”
“I-Is that so…?”
“Yes. Nagano-sama is a young lady, ya see. If a strange, suspicious old man gets too close, she’d naturally feel uncomfortable, ya see.”
“I-Is that so?”
Detective Niekawa-san asks me. Such an awkward question…
“I-I was thinking I’d like you to keep a little distance, perhaps.”
“I-Is that so… I’m sorry…”
The detective apologized. Pekori, Niekawa’s son… no, Jirouta-san, bowed his head.
“I apologize for my father causing you trouble, ya see.”
“Ah, no, it’s fine. I don’t really mind.”
Well, this might be a good opportunity.
“Actually, Detective Niekawa-san. It seems something abnormal is happening at Lake Suwa…”
I thought it would be smoother to borrow the power of Public Security for now, so I decided to share the information with him.
“Here, these are the investigation materials, y’know.”
Sinri made a monitor appear in mid-air. Thwump! Detective Niekawa fell on his backside.
“M-Making a Smartphone-like monitor appear in mid-air!? What is this technology!? It’s too amazing! What in the world is going on!?”
“Um, could you stop fooling around and read the investigation materials?”
When Sinri said that with a straight face, the detective became quiet, saying, “Ah, yes…”