Chapter 38: The Hearing Investigation and Future Goals
“I apologize for arriving so close to the scheduled time. I am Sasarahashi from the Dungeon Management Bureau, Explorer Support Division.”
“I’m Yamada-san from the Tochigi Prefecture Explorer Association. Thank you for taking the trouble to come all the way from Tokyo.”
“Not at all, we were the ones who requested this. If anything, I apologize for the inconvenience of my sudden presence.”
“Ooh…”
Shi-chan’s acting like a proper working adult.
I used to talk like that too, until February…
Though I’m gradually forgetting how to speak that way.
“Shi-chan, your seat is here. Here’s some tea too~”
“Ms. Omogawa! What kind of way is that to speak!”
“Fufu… Thank you, Otama-chan.”
You can’t do anything about Otama-chan.
Having finished exchanging business cards, Yamada-san moved to a seat near the entrance.
“Well then, since everyone is present, let’s begin the hearing investigation.”
–The location was a training room at the Tochigi Prefecture Explorer Association.
Inside the room, tables were arranged in a hollow square, and the relevant parties had gathered.
Starting from the seat of honor, it was me, Shi-chan, Jonuma-san and Tatara-san from the Gunma Prefecture Explorer Association, and then Yamada-san and Otama-chan from the Tochigi Prefecture Explorer Association.
It seemed a part-time clerk was seated at the Eeyon Explorer Association counter.
Yamada-san, while showing an A4 document, asked Shi-chan.
“Explorer Sasarahashi, since you’ve already read the initial report, may we skip the summary and begin with Natsume-san’s hearing?”
“Yes, no problem.”
“Thank you very much. Well then, Natsume-san. Excuse me, but we’d like to ask you about the events in the Ota Dungeon. If there’s anything you don’t want to talk about, please say so.”
“Understood.”
And so, the hearing investigation by the Explorer Association began.
Even though they said I didn’t have to talk about things I didn’t want to, I had already streamed most of what happened in the Ota Dungeon.
I figured there was no point hiding it from the members present here, so I honestly answered what I was asked.
“Hearing it again, that’s an incredible skill, isn’t it…”
“Yeah, warping from outside the dungeon…”
Even the two from the Gunma Prefecture Explorer Association, who had a faint suspicion about the skill’s true nature, were surprised.
“Still, the way you learn skills is quite unique… What with acquiring the 【Poison Absorption】 skill, Natsume-san, you still have plenty of room for growth.”
“I want to try feeding Imomushi-chan next time too!”
“Ah, sure.”
“…”
Shi-chan listened to my story in silence.
Seeing this, Yamada-san,
“Well then, before we move on to the next question, just one thing…”
she asked Shi-chan with a formal demeanor.
“Explorer Sasarahashi… I apologize, but please let me ask you first. As a country, what are your intentions regarding Natsume-san? You must have come here today because you have some specific intentions, correct?”
“…That’s right. It’s as you surmise.”
“Eh? Is that so, Shi-chan?”
“…Yeah.”
“Does the country also want to place Natsume-san under its control… Is that what it is?”
Shi-chan glanced at me.
“No… To be honest, opinions within the Bureau are divided. Those who prioritize the development of the dungeon industry are considering hiring Natsume-kun for the country.”
“The country?”
“Yes. In that case, his status would be that of a special researcher—Fellow—at Tokyo Labyrinth University—Tomeidai—and he would be expected to provide rear support for an exploration team. No combat duties, and his annual income would be comparable to that of the Prime Minister… meaning, it’s been decided that an offer of 40 million yen can be made.”
“K-Ko-chan…!”
“That amount for no combat is extraordinary…”
“…On the other hand, those who place more importance on Natsume-kun’s skill acquisition ability rather than the 《Wormhole》 skill itself, are hoping for Natsume-kun’s growth. The top Explorer in this country is Oji-san at level 85, and they want him to eventually become an Explorer comparable to him…”
“I can understand that opinion as well…”
“Natsume-kun reached level 30 on his first exploration, after all…”
“…I see.”
Yamada-san nodded deeply.
“So, Explorer Sasarahashi, what are your thoughts?”
“As for me…”
Shi-chan looked at me again.
“…As for the organization I belong to, we believe that, depending on the circumstances, we should support Natsume-kun’s growth, even using public funds if necessary. If that happens, there will be restrictions on Natsume-kun’s actions.”
“Restrictions?”
“…That’s right. If you’re receiving money from taxes to get stronger, it won’t be a carefree Explorer business. Explorations in response to public interest requests will likely become your main focus.”
Jonuma-san added.
“Eh…? Then, what about your promise to form a party with me…?”
“If you receive support from the country, while not impossible, there will undoubtedly be restrictions. It would be a nuisance if you were trained using taxpayer money only to go off and die on your own, after all.”
“…”
Shi-chan listened to Tatara-san’s sarcasm in silence.
She probably wasn’t going to deny it.
“Shi-chan, is that true…?”
Otama-chan asked anxiously.
“Yes. Therefore…”
Shi-chan looked straight at me and said,
“Personally, I believe Natsume-kun’s wishes should be respected.”
“Mine…?”
“–Yes.”
Shi-chan took a breath.
“–What Natsume-kun wants to do from now on. How he wants to live his life. I came here to ask that.”
“…So that’s what this is about.”
Yamada-san looked at me and smiled gently.
“Natsume-san… It seems Sasarahashi-san came all the way from Tokyo to help get your wishes through.”
“Is that true?”
“…Within what I can do, though.”
“Thanks…”
I’m blessed with good companions.
“Natsume-kun, let me hear it. How do you want to be…?”
“I…”
At Shi-chan’s question, I recalled the past.
‘An incompetent bastard like you won’t make it in any company!! You’re a failure as a working adult!!’
–The dark days of my corporate life.
‘Yessss!!’
–The days in the Private Dungeon where I learned the joy of growth.
‘Hey, why don’t you form a party with me? It’ll surely be fun, you know?’
–The beauty of the starry sky on the day I decided to form a party with Otama-chan.
‘Let’s make more memories together next time, okay?’
–The ultimate sense of fulfillment on the day Otama-chan and I conquered the Ota Dungeon.
Looking back on the days since I started entering the Private Dungeon, the answer was clear.
“I…”
I glanced at Otama-chan and answered Shi-chan.
“More than money, stability, or honor, I want to cherish my own time. Like when I was at that Secret Base, I want to spend every day having fun as an Explorer. And…”
I remembered the battle with the Green Dragon Variant in the Ota Dungeon.
Although we managed to win there, it was by no means an easy victory.
If various strokes of luck hadn’t overlapped, there’s a chance we might have lost instead.
That’s why…
“–I want to continue growing in the Private Dungeon and aim to become the strongest Explorer. I want the strength to protect Otama-chan when it counts. And besides, I want to see just how strong I can become.”
“Ko-chan…”
“I might cause trouble for you, Shi-chan, but…”
“…Nuh-uh.”
Shi-chan quietly shook her head.
“Natsume-kun’s answer isn’t that different from our division’s policy. I’ll coordinate within the Bureau so that no unnecessary pressure is put on Natsume-kun.”
“–Thanks.”
A short while later, the hearing investigation regarding the Ota Dungeon concluded.
☆★☆
“See you then, Natsume-kun, Otama-chan.”
In a corner of the Eeyon parking lot, Shi-chan got into an SUV.
“Sorry to bother you when you’re busy.”
“…Nuh-uh, this is my job.”
Shi-chan, saying that, looked a little lonely.
“Otama-chan, you formed a party with Natsume-kun, huh. I’m envious. Even when I watched your exploration in the Ota Dungeon, it might be inappropriate to say, but I thought it looked like a lot of fun.”
“Ehehe, it is fun! Nice, right? Shi-chan, let’s explore together next time too.”
“…I can’t. National Explorers, you see, are generally not allowed to engage in exploration activities outside of their duties. It’s not like what we just talked about, but since I was trained with public funds, I’m not allowed to enter dungeons for personal gain.”
“So that’s how it is…”
So we can’t all go exploring together like in the old days, huh.
But.
“But hey, if it’s for an investigation on me or something, it’s possible to dive into a dungeon together, right? I’ll work hard and grow too. And I’ll make it so the country absolutely wants to investigate me.”
“Fufu… Thanks, Natsume-kun. But you know, we can enter Dungeon No. 5 even without a commercial exploration permit. When I feel nostalgic, can I come back to that Secret Base?”
“–Of course.”
“…I’m glad.”
And with that, Shi-chan drove her car onto the national highway leading to the expressway.
“…Shi-chan seems busy, huh.”
“Yeah…”
Otama-chan and I headed back to the Explorer Association counter.
With Shi-chan like that, forming an Explorer party with the four Secret Base Members seems like it’ll be quite a high hurdle…