Chapter 44: [Side Sasarabashi Shiho] Shi-chan Lays Down the Law
“――The Rope of Enslavement, you say…?”
The day after the Private Dungeon investigation.
I was questioned by my superior, Inaba-hosa.
“Do you know of it?”
“Yes, well…”
If I recall correctly, it’s a magic tool that allows you to control a creature by wrapping the loop of a lasso around it.
It was thought to be a monster-taming tool, but ever since it was discovered to be effective on humans within dungeons, it’s been designated as a “Management Category: III” dangerous item.
“…I need you to keep this to yourself, but it seems a privately owned rope has been stolen.”
“Huh…!? Something like that wasn’t on the news…!”
“It’s an unconfirmed case, so it hasn’t been announced. Apparently, during the dawn of dungeons, before the license system, an amateur Explorer found it and tossed it into their family’s storehouse. It seems to have been stolen this time along with other miscellaneous items. Whether it’s truly the Rope of Enslavement is unclear, though…”
“…Why did you tell me this?”
“It’s about the handling of your friend, Natsume-kun.”
“Natsume-kun’s…?”
“…That’s right. For example…”
Inaba-hosa spread out a map of Tokyo.
“Even within Tokyo, Dungeon No. 5s… so-called Private Dungeons, have been appearing here and there. A recent case that comes to mind is when a door in a high-rise apartment room turned into a dungeon gate.”
“Yes… I’m aware of it. I believe it was in the bay area…”
“Ah, that’s right. On the map, it’s here.”
Inaba-hosa placed a sticky note.
“And… this is hypothetical from here on, but please don’t take offense.”
“Yes.”
“Suppose there’s a Private Dungeon that hasn’t been reported to the administration. Furthermore, let’s assume it’s managed by anti-social forces.”
“There was a time when those kinds of internet videos were popular, wasn’t there?”
The kind that said it’s harder to get caught if you dispose of bodies inside a Private Dungeon using something like 【Fire Magic】 rather than dumping them in the mountains or sea.
In reality, in today’s society of surveillance cameras, it’s said that both methods are equally risky.
“Next assumption: let’s say Natsume-kun’s 【Spatial Transfer】 skill can create a gate that connects outside a dungeon. This is probably possible. And from Natsume-kun’s Private Dungeon to Ota, it’s about 25 km…”
“Ah…”
I understood what Inaba-hosa was trying to say.
“Is this what you mean? …They tie Natsume-kun up with the rope, brainwash him, and use inter-dungeon transfer to move him to a Private Dungeon within Tokyo. Natsume-kun is then kept confined. Using the brainwashed Natsume-kun as a starting point, they repeatedly commit crimes within a 25 km radius…”
Beyond theft, murder would also be possible by, for example, throwing poison gas through a 《Wormhole》.
If they used methods like releasing a large number of hornets, human involvement might not even be suspected.
“That’s right. Besides that, if the National Diet Building or Tokyo Station are within range, bomb terrorism is also possible.”
“…That’s…”
The worst-case scenario.
“The probability might be almost zero. However, it’s not zero. Considering there are illegal Explorers who exceed level 40, don’t you think Natsume-kun also needs the power to protect himself?”
“So, what you’re trying to say is…”
“Yes. Shouldn’t Natsume-kun belong to a high-level Explorer party? That Omogawa-san from the Tochigi Prefecture Association… at her level, and alone at that, she probably wouldn’t be able to fully protect Natsume-kun in an emergency inside a dungeon.”
“That’s…!”
Tama-chan’s smile flashed through my mind.
Certainly, Tama-chan might still be developing.
But, just because of that, does the country have the right to tear her away from the person she likes?
There’s no way.
“Have him dissolve his party with Omogawa-san, and transfer Natsume-kun to an A-Rank Party. That would be for Natsume-kun’s own good. Both in terms of protection and in terms of growth promotion—power leveling, that is. If Natsume-kun reaches level 50, he’ll be among the strongest class inside dungeons, and even outside dungeons, Body Enhancement due to residual magic essence will likely begin.”
…That’s too selfish.
I retorted.
“I think that’s wrong. First of all, Natsume-kun and the others bear no responsibility for the Rope of Enslavement being stolen. There’s no reason for the two of them to suffer any disadvantage.”
“Even without the rope incident, there are many people who would covet Natsume-kun’s abilities. The self-defense issue would have arisen eventually.”
“One more thing… What you’re saying, Hosa, is missing one perspective. Natsume-kun’s ability is believed by the public to be 【Spatial Transfer】 limited to within dungeons. Therefore, if information control is thoroughly enforced, it’s impossible for the owner of the Rope of Enslavement or those with evil intentions to arrive at the idea you mentioned earlier.”
“…Do you think information won’t leak?”
“We have to make sure it doesn’t.”
An idealistic argument without basis.
In response to that, the Hosa said.
“…You know, I think they’ll eventually realize it. What if the residents of Ota were constantly watching the gate’s opening and closing status? What if the Private Dungeon was visible through the transfer gate in a streamed video?”
“…!”
Both were plausible scenarios.
No, rather, wasn’t the summer scenery visible from the 《Wormhole》?
“We don’t have time. At the very least, we must prevent Natsume-kun from being captured and enslaved inside a dungeon. Outside a dungeon, we might be able to track him with surveillance cameras, but if he’s moved between dungeons using 【Spatial Transfer】, I don’t think we can fully track him down.”
“Hosa, what do you intend to do…?”
“As a peaceful plan, I want you to persuade Natsume-kun. Tell him to stop playing around with that party with Omogawa-san and join a frontline A-Rank Party.”
“…Omogawa-san is also my close friend. I can’t say such a thing, not even for work.”
Even I was gradually getting irritated.
Everyone, all the adults, they just say whatever selfish things they want.
Natsume-kun and Tama-chan are not resources or tools.
They are human beings who enjoy doing what they like and spending time with their friends.
Why do adults have so many constraints and obligations?
…The Hosa sighed, his expression saying, “Just as I expected.”
“Of course, there’s a second plan. We’ll apply pressure to the Tochigi Prefectural Branch through the Japan Explorer Association. If Omogawa-san yields, all well and good. If she doesn’t, we’ll consider revoking her license for violating a work order.”
“Will the Association comply?”
“They will. If 【Spatial Transfer】 can be effectively utilized, they might be able to procure large quantities of rare items like ‘Skill Books’ or ‘Elixirs’. It would be perfect for building a track record of supporting Explorers.”
“Is… that so…”
Seeing my state, the Hosa said.
“Either way, the result is the same. Natsume-kun will walk the path of glory, and Omogawa-san will walk a path suited to her abilities. However, I don’t want unnecessary trouble either. Explorer Sasarabashi, persuade the two of them. Peacefully, amicably.”
――Ah, this is bad.
The emotions drained from my head, just like that.
I don’t shout even when I’m angry.
But my heart turns cold as ice.
Right now, I can say anything.
Just because I’m timid, don’t think I’ll always stay silent!
I said, abruptly.
“――Hosa, your logic has overlooked one possibility.”
“An oversight?”
“――Yes.”
I looked the Hosa straight in the eye.
“It’s that Natsume-kun and Tama-chan’s party becomes an A-Rank party. If Natsume-kun is there, that’s also possible.”
“Isn’t that a matter of years from now? Besides, a two-person party would lack adaptability, wouldn’t it?”
“It’s not two people. There are two more candidates.”
“Two people?”
“Yes. One is Miyanohara Manami. She’s Natsume-kun and Omogawa-san’s childhood friend, and currently holds a 【Green】 License.”
“【Green】? Isn’t that an amateur? And the other one?”
“Yes. If I could just get permission――I, Sasarabashi Shiho, will handle healing and defense.”
“Hmm… Party registration?”
“That’s still to come. But the name is more or less decided.”
“The name is?”
I declared it on my own accord.
“――It’s Team 《Secret Base》.”
“I see…”
Inaba-hosa made a troubled face.
“You’re competent, but you have a childish side, don’t you…”
“…Isn’t cherishing one’s friends a virtue, even for adults?”
“Haha… Can’t be helped, I suppose.”
The Hosa’s expression turned serious as he spoke.
“In any case, I’ll need time to list up A-Rank parties as potential candidates to take Natsume-kun in. Even if I have the Association apply pressure, I’ll need to prepare materials.”
“Then…”
“――I’ll wait just one month.”
“J-Just one month…!?”
With that, there’s almost no time.
“That’s right. You should be grateful I’m waiting at all. And one more thing. I’ll make arrangements to approve your participation. However, you will not be permitted to fight proactively.”
“What does that…?”
“Simply put, you are Natsume-kun’s bodyguard. Protecting him must be your top priority.”
“…Understood.”
I suppose he means that, ultimately, the remaining three will have to manage somehow with their own strength.
“The target location… I’ll set it in your hometown. The Utsunomiya Dungeon, 20th floor. That’s where the A-rank promotion exam will be held.”
“Utsunomiya Dungeon…!”
The Utsunomiya Dungeon is located in an area called the Oya District, far from the city center.
There’s a famous quarry there, and the dungeon gate is situated deep within it.
It has many rock-type monsters, so it’s a bad match-up for Natsume (he), who primarily uses physical attacks.
“…I’ll be the one to ascertain which path will truly be for Natsume’s (he) sake.”