Episode 149: Expert Conference
Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward—
The government-sponsored expert conference, held at the Joint Government Building No. 8, was the scene of heated discussions day after day.
Presiding over the conference as chairman was Serizawa, the Defense Counselor.
“Top-tier Seekers are arriving from overseas one after another. Domestic Seeker Clans are also preparing and gathering in Tokyo, but the problem is the whereabouts of ‘Black Armor’.”
The assembled experts fell silent. Despite the public announcement of Black Armor’s existence, no useful information had surfaced.
Without knowing Black Armor’s location, it wouldn’t matter how many Seekers gathered.
The focus of the expert conference was currently concentrated on that very point.
“Isn’t it reasonable to assume it’s near a Dungeon? Reports are coming in that Mana is leaking from Dungeons all over Japan. It’s reasonable to assume that ‘Black Armor’ is moving in search of Mana.”
The one who spoke was a professor from Tokyo Teito University, sitting directly across from Serizawa. Fourteen experts were in attendance, seated in a square formation.
Serizawa agreed with the professor’s opinion.
“You’re right. We are considering the ‘Red Dungeon’ in Ibaraki, the ‘Blue Dungeon’ in Tokyo, and the ‘Green Dungeon’ in Niigata as potential candidates.”
Dungeon researcher Hashida interjected at Serizawa’s words.
“Wouldn’t the ‘White Dungeon’ in Hokkaido or the ‘Green Dungeon’ in Fukuoka be candidates?”
“We did consider those, but they are far away, and the amount of Mana leaking out is relatively small. We believe it’s safe to exclude them from the candidates.”
“Hmm.”
Hashida was convinced by Serizawa’s explanation and fell silent. Instead, Aiko Kamogawa, the director of the National Institute of Science, raised her voice.
“What about the area around the ‘Black Dungeon’ in Kanagawa?”
“The Black Dungeon…?”
Serizawa wore a puzzled expression.
“It’s a Dungeon that has already collapsed, but ‘Black Armor’ was originally there, right? Then, wouldn’t it be strange if it was lurking around that area?”
Kamogawa adjusted her glasses and looked at Serizawa. As the first woman to become the director of the National Institute of Science, she was a capable researcher, and her expression was full of confidence.
“That’s certainly true. With that in mind, let’s deploy Seekers mainly in the Kanto region for the time being. We’ll be ready to respond immediately if there are any sightings of Black Armor.”
The meeting ended, and the experts left their seats.
However, Serizawa remained seated, letting out a deep sigh. Despite being such a conspicuous Monster, it was as if it had vanished without a trace.
Some of the experts even suspected that it might be camouflaging itself as something else.
If that were the case, the public would be in an uproar.
The situation was more serious than expected. As Serizawa frowned and closed his eyes, one of his subordinates called out to him.
“Counselor Serizawa, I have investigated the matter you requested.”
He received the black file that was handed to him and opened it. It was a file that picked out overseas Seekers with high “Mana detection abilities.”
They held the key to this operation. Serizawa seriously believed so.
◇◇◇
Yuma’s friend, Kanzaki, had come to Aisha Kisaragi’s Laboratory in Ota Ward, Tokyo.
“Every time I come here, it’s dark and dirty. Why don’t you move to a nicer place?”
“Shut up. Mind your own business.”
Aisha sat in front of her desk, researching something on her computer.
“Hey! Are you seriously thinking about Yuma!? You know things are really bad if we leave it like this!”
Aisha turned around, looking disgusted at Kanzaki’s shout.
“Don’t get so worked up. I know, I’m thinking about various things too.”
“Thinking… do you have any ideas!?”
Kanzaki had expectations, but Aisha shook her head listlessly.
“After all, nothing can be done. No matter how much I think, I can’t come up with any good ideas.”
“What’s that! Are you even a scholar!? You used to be so talented that you were called an authority, right?”
“You’re annoying.”
Aisha grimaced unpleasantly. Kanzaki continued without concern.
“Wouldn’t it be better to report it to the government or the Dungeon Association now? We can’t keep running away like this.”
Recently, Kanzaki had been running around trying to help Yuma. But it didn’t work out, and in the end, he could only rely on Aisha, who knew the circumstances.
To Kanzaki’s opinion, Aisha clearly denied, “Stop it.”
“If we report it, Yuma-kun will be taken away, and at best, he’ll be imprisoned for life. At worst, he’ll be disposed of immediately.”
“Disposed of… Yuma is human! Legally, he can’t be killed that easily.”
“You don’t understand.”
“What!?”
Kanzaki raised his voice, filled with anger, but Aisha didn’t seem to care.
“Certainly, in peacetime, human rights would be respected and protected. But it’s different in times of emergency. If the pretext is for the safety of the nation, the government will do anything.”
“That’s—”
Kanzaki was at a loss for words. Because Yuma’s case was unprecedented, he really didn’t know what would happen.
“Anyway, we have to make sure he’s not found for now. Absolutely don’t let Yuma-kun do anything conspicuous.”
“I know that! But is it really okay if he just stays quiet? You say he won’t be found, but that’s what I’m most worried about!”
Kanzaki plopped down on the sofa in the room, took out a cigarette from his inside pocket with a sullen face.
“Smoking is prohibited here.”
“When did that rule come about?”
Kanzaki put the cigarette in his mouth without concern and lit it.
Aisha slowly got up from her chair and walked to Kanzaki. She snorted and looked down at Kanzaki while standing.
“Yuma-kun’s Mana is enormous. But if he’s in human form, it will be difficult for Seekers to sense it. Unless you have a precise Mana Measuring Device that I made, or the ability to sense Monsters, it’s almost impossible to find him. However—”
Aisha glared down at Kanzaki.
“If he Metallizes, it’s a different story. The Mana inside is released to the outside. This is the same characteristic as a Monster.”
“The same as a Monster…”
Kanzaki made a dubious face.
“It’s also the reason why some Seekers can sense Monsters. Monsters use Mana to strengthen their bodies or turn it into Magical Power to use magic, so Mana is released to the outside. There are humans who can sense that.”
“Then, Yuma too—”
“That’s right. If he Metallizes, Mana will overflow to the outside in the same way. Since Seekers are gathering from all over the world, the risk of being detected is increasing. Well, if you’re careful about that, you should be able to manage.”
“Are you really sure that’s okay?”
Aisha looked up and thought for a moment.
“There is one possibility that his identity could be exposed, though…”
“What? What’s that possibility!?”
Kanzaki panicked, but Aisha shook her head.
“…No, it’s nothing. I don’t think the government would take such a method. Don’t worry about it.”
Aisha said only that and returned to her desk, sitting down and crossing her legs. She began typing something into the computer again.
It seemed that the conversation was over.
Kanzaki exhaled smoke from his mouth, his face twisted as if he had swallowed a bitter bug.
—What the hell is going on? Anyway, Metallization is strictly prohibited… I need to tell Yuma again.