Chapter 40 - The Quasi-School Arc and the Investigation's Progress
~In the Interstellar Space Between the Gialpha Galaxy and the Lambda Mu Galaxy (Closer to the Gialpha Galaxy)~
Sangou was paying attention to the surrounding situation while continuing inertial navigation.
The reason was simple: it was in search of materials that could be used for energy replenishment.
Of course, even if it did discover some kind of material, converting it into energy would require deceleration, re-acceleration, and a temporary change of course.
In the space region called the 'Outer Universe,' it was not so convenient to find something that would yield a net positive energy balance after calculating the total energy required.
Even under such circumstances, Sangou did not give up and continued to seek improvements to the current situation.
Was Sangou being influenced by something like the Hero's fate because it had welcomed the Hero as captain?
That was something impossible to verify.
However, the reality was that because Sangou continued inertial navigation instead of warp travel, it encountered something it had not been able to discover when passing through before.
There were reactions from two spaceships sending out rescue signals.
Moreover, the signals being sent out perfectly matched the ones from the ship Deli had been on.
Therefore, Sangou was able to immediately realize that these were 'rescue signals.'
Including the encounter, that was probably a result of probability that could be called a 'miracle.'
However.
The current situation was also one where Sangou itself was in distress.
Therefore, the decision 'Should it go to the rescue?' was a delicate one.
Because there was a possibility that by helping, both parties might end up going down together.
But regardless of what it chose, it could not spend much time on the decision.
The more time it spent, the greater the waste of energy if it decided to help.
"Judging from the position and situation of the rescue signals, it is highly likely they are from spaceships carrying Deli's younger brother and sister. And if they are the same as that ship, we can expect a sufficient remaining energy. Even in the worst case, if we completely consume both hulls, the energy balance will definitely not be negative. However, that would cause a time loss. But that should be within acceptable range."
At that time, Sangou made a calm judgment.
The spaceship Deli had been on, which Sangou had analyzed before, was an escape immigrant ship intended for intergalactic travel.
Knowing that greatly influenced this decision, so perhaps the connections between things should never be dismissed as trivial.
However, it was undeniable that there was a certain element of gambling.
Even so, the conclusion was 'to head for the rescue.'
As a result of the rescue, Sangou was able to win the bet.
Because even just looking at the energy balance, it gained a significant surplus.
Following the captain's principles, perhaps it is good to help people.
However, even the excellent organic artificial intelligence had an oversight.
In this case, Sangou was able to recover six survivors.
The problem was that among the sleeping survivors in the capsules brought aboard, there was a baby.
Therefore, Sangou became virtually unable to accelerate at maximum.
Because doing so would kill the people it had just rescued.
Sangou switched to the maximum acceleration possible under the circumstances and once again turned its helm toward the Gialpha Star System.
While Captain Shin was having fun with Laura, things were progressing on Sangou's side like this.
Now, let's return to the scene where Laura asked, 'You're free now, right?' and to Shin and the others.
Shin's honest impression upon being asked that was as follows.
"Suddenly asking 'You're free, right?' like that... It already sounds like it's not going to be a good story. But I have asked for favors myself, so I can't refuse."
Shin braced himself for the difficult task that would likely come out of Laura's mouth next.
However, he couldn't run away, so he had no choice but to affirm the question.
Because he did want to find Sangou, but at this stage, there was nothing specific for Shin to do, so it was true that 'if you ask if he was free, he was free.'
And then, as predicted, the development turned out to be the usual troublesome one, perhaps a given.
"Actually, a strange situation has occurred at a military preparatory school, and I'm troubled. So, I'm asking you, who is just the right age, to 'enroll and investigate.'"
Shin's eyes widened at Laura's request.
Ever since his appearance became childlike, he had vaguely felt the possibility of being drawn into a light novel school arc-like matter due to the fate-like power of the Hero.
However, even for that 'school arc,' Shin had a template in his mind, but the fact that it deviated slightly from that simply surprised him and made him feel a hitch.
"Huh, I was prepared for a school arc, but it's not a noble academy? I never expected a military school! And they even have a preparatory school for the military?"
Such thoughts crossed Shin's mind.
However, he had the discretion not to say that out loud, so another question came out.
"Excuse me. What is this 'military preparatory school'?"
"Ah, from there? Given your current position, not having knowledge in that area is a bit problematic."
"It's not something I'm very interested in. If necessary, I can learn about it later, though."
In response to Laura's words, Shin readily promised to learn about it in the future.
If Sangou were there, he could have it pour knowledge into him using Sensory Waves and learn it, which would be easy using that method.
Of course, that does not apply to knowledge Sangou does not possess.
But in that case, Sangou could learn that knowledge in advance and acquire it first.
Furthermore, if proper data and materials are available, an organic artificial intelligence can spend an incomparably shorter time than a human and without missing any content.
Therefore, at this time, Shin strongly thought, 'I need to reunite with Sangou soon,' but that was his own secret.
Anyway, Laura's story continued.
"The military preparatory school has two courses: one that assumes becoming a regular soldier, guaranteeing tuition, room and board, plus a monthly allowance while enrolled, and another that trains personnel for positions above non-commissioned officers with slightly better treatment. The former mainly consists of children from poor commoner families, while the latter primarily consists of exceptionally talented commoners and noble children and daughters."
"I see. So why do you want to send me there to investigate?"
"There is a commoner who entered with perfect scores in both practical and written exams. His initial aspiration was to become a regular soldier, but due to his excellence, they wanted to transfer him to the officer course. So they investigated him. And they found that he was a child with absolutely no electronic data records. The fact that he has no parents is attributed to him being from an orphanage. However, according to interviews, there is nothing strange about the testimonies that the child actually exists. But apart from analog records and testimonies, there are no electronic records at all. So they went ahead with the transfer, but a further investigation is necessary. However, it's quite difficult to have children investigate children, so I thought you, with an adult's perspective, would be suitable."
Shin made no effort to hide his grimace at the reason Laura gave.
"I'm not a detective. Sure, my body is a child but my mind is an adult."
Since such a trivial impression instantly came to mind, it was natural for Shin to grimace.
Moreover, since it was not something he wanted to actively cooperate with, he couldn't help but say something to Laura in the hope that his reluctance would be conveyed softly.
"Is that so? But I haven't taken any entrance exams."
"I'll use imperial privileges to push it through. But if that gets out, it will be hard to move. So actually, I'll push it through as 'a recommendation acceptance was omitted.' I'll use that woman whose hand you healed before as the recommender."
"Whoa, she's pushing it through with forgery. Imperial power is scary!"
That was Shin's first candid thought muttered in his heart.
It was a terrible way of thinking, given that he himself relies on such power when convenient.
"Well, as long as I'm not snatching a seat by failing someone else? And the recommender selection is probably reasonable? If it were His Majesty the Emperor's recommendation, that would be dangerous."
Shin was thinking about various things.
Although the request was in form, the conversation was progressing in a way that gave not the slightest hint that he could refuse.
With Silk present, even if he thought, 'Was I set up a little?', the reality was that he felt he had to accept Laura's request.
Shin's mental state regarding this area was such that he had previously fulfilled Silk's wish under similar circumstances (see chapter 32), so it was hard to act differently from that time.
"Alright. However, if there is any progress regarding Sangou, I will prioritize that. That is my condition for accepting the request."
"Yes. Of course, that's fine."
Shin put conditions on it and ended the discussion.
Thus, Shin's identity for entering the military preparatory school was forged.
What was given to him was a rather ambiguous title: 'His parents are noble children but do not hold a title, meaning the child is a commoner.'
With such a forged identity, he entered the officer course of the military preparatory school the very next day.
Well, since the entrance ceremony had ended a few days earlier, it might be said that 'it was only natural.'
However, Shin was surprised at the speed of Laura's work.
"If Sangou were here, I could have it pour knowledge into me, but I have to seriously study at school at this age again?"
Shin's inner thoughts were frankly 'full of complaints,' but since he had accepted, it couldn't be helped.
"Let's finish this quickly."
Shin changed his mindset.
The investigation target was a girl named 'Mechamille Camino.'
Her appearance was quite refined, and the girl being investigated was surrounded by male classmates during breaks and lunch.
Originally, the military preparatory school had a low proportion of female students.
In the officer course, that proportion decreased even more markedly.
Noble girls also become pawns in political marriages, so not many parents want to put them in the military.
Therefore, it was natural that this was the case.
Normally, due to the small number, female students tend to stick together within the class.
That would be natural, but Mechamille was not like that.
This point alone was already abnormal, and from Shin's perspective, it was nothing short of a reverse harem.
When Shin caught sight of Mechamille in such a situation, he casually activated his 'Simple Appraisal' skill.
And the effect was repelled.
Mechamille, who had repelled it, glared at Shin for a split second before immediately looking away and returning to her chat.
"Huh? Why?"
It was no small matter that Shin fell into a mild panic.
In this world, humans do not have magic power, so under normal circumstances, it was unthinkable for Simple Appraisal to be repelled.
Moreover, she should not have a magic item that blocks appraisal.
"What is happening?"
Startled, Shin kept silent and stared at Mechamille, thinking.
It might have been due to the fate of the Hero that convenient conversations from the surrounding people—specifically related content—reached his ears.
Because the conversation of three female students gathered nearby about Mechamille entered Shin's ears.
"Should that person be hanging around Mechamille when they should have a fiancé? If their parents, the fiancé, or the fiancé's parents find out, it's dangerous, and the officer course has noble children and daughters, so it will eventually get around."
"That's right. I don't know that person, but that person over there also has a fiancé. I've seen them at a soirée before."
"Oh, so there are at least three similar people. I only know that one."
"Huh? What? Isn't that dangerous? A reverse harem with fiancés involved? This is like an otome game from a light novel!"
Shin's head became even more confused.
Having finished the first day with only observation, Shin returned to the room assigned to him because the military preparatory school had a full boarding system.
Regular soldiers get four-person rooms, but officers are given either two-person rooms or private rooms.
Incidentally, private rooms are usually assigned to children of high-ranking parents.
Such an unwritten rule existed, but Shin, who was supposed to be treated as a commoner, was given a private room.
Due to school circumstances, Shin enrolled late, so all two-person rooms were already occupied, but ostensibly, it was 'as an apology for an oversight in the enrollment procedures.'
However, the private room prepared was not originally used for that purpose.
In fact, not only the two-person rooms but also the private rooms were all occupied.
Therefore, what was given to Shin was a storage room hastily converted.
Thus, the balance was maintained so that others would not complain.
At any rate, Shin returned to his private room like that, teleported back to his home, and opened a communication line with Laura via Silk.
It was for the first day's report.
"I will give you my impression of the first day. I cannot reveal the detailed reasons for my judgment, but it is highly likely that child is not a human of this world. However, that does not immediately mean that she is an evil existence that must be eliminated. Her abilities themselves are very high, and she certainly has the potential to become excellent talent."
Shin, who paused for a moment, had something he knew that made him hesitate about how to convey it.
After a brief hesitation, he decided, 'I'll leave the adjustment of the nobles to Laura,' and resigned himself.
"From what I saw today, she is abnormally popular among the male students and has already formed a group of 'followers' that can be called that. That itself is not something to praise, but it's hard to call it a 'problem.' However, there is a problem with the personnel who have joined that group. There are at least three noble children with fiancés. I don't know them, but if we investigate, there might be more."
"That is definitely problematic. Entanglements in engagement relationships tend to linger."
Laura's face clearly turned displeased.
Well, the fact that it hadn't yet become a commotion at a level that reached her ears, i.e., that it could be dealt with at this stage, was already a result of sending Shin.
However, the content of the report was not pleasant, and it was regrettable that it was far from the expected direction.
"I suppose so. (That's why I reported today.) So, what will you do?"
"A list of information about fiancés. I'll have this side investigate all enrolled students and prepare it by tomorrow morning. Please check if those in the follower group are on the list. Well, since registration is not mandatory for commoners, it will be incomplete."
Laura's countermeasure was extremely sound.
Although it did impose extra burden on Shin.
Incidentally, commoners have no obligation to report engagements, so unless there are special circumstances, they are not reported.
However, cases that cross class boundaries, such as becoming a noble's concubine, are a different story.
Since Shin had experience taking Silk as a concubine, he immediately understood the part about commoners that Laura mentioned, but that was his own secret.
With all this going on, Shin continued observing Mechamille at the military preparatory school from the next day onward.
What he learned were two points.
First, her physical abilities were on par with an adult male, which was hard to believe for a girl of this age.
Second, she was perfect in so-called academic subjects as well, with no room for complaint.
"A prodigy like this would definitely become a rumor."
It seemed so unbelievable, but the preliminary investigation report Laura had shown contained no such description at all.
The testimonies from the surroundings in the investigation report were only about how 'she was a well-behaved child.'
Also, her response to her gathered followers was strange.
Because Mechamille herself showed no sign of 'tempting' them.
On the contrary, she even scolded students who were found to have fiancés, saying, 'Don't get involved with me, and properly face your fiancé.'
But still.
That scolding was not effective; it only had the opposite effect.
The scolded side became even more infatuated with Mechamille, and the situation only worsened.
There were still points that seemed abnormal.
If she were a commoner, and especially if she were from an orphanage without support,
it wouldn't be surprising for Mechamille to aim for a advantageous marriage.
Nevertheless,
there was 'absolutely' no part that suggested that.
From Shin's point of view, to put it simply, 'it looked nothing but suspicious.'
However, such a situation did not last long.
Shin, who wanted to get the job done quickly, tried what he could.
Also, the one being heavily watched by Shin would have to notice and find it unpleasant.
Shin, whose Simple Appraisal had been repelled before, came to the school building early in the morning when no one was there.
His purpose was to set up magical traps in various places that would only cause minor damage if triggered.
With that, Shin decided to see Mechamille's reaction.
To conclude, the result was that 'the girl under Shin's surveillance nimbly dodged all the magical traps as if she could visually identify them.'
Only the male followers triggered the magical traps.
"I expected this, but it's now certain that Mechamille has magic power."
Shin made that judgment based on this fact.
Well, in reality, that judgment itself was completely wrong, but since it didn't affect the overall situation, there was probably no problem.
Setting that aside, not long after, this incident triggered Mechamille to approach Shin first.
"Hey, after today's lectures, I would like to talk alone. Can you spare some time?"
Shin had not expected Mechamille to make a direct move toward him.
Therefore, he was surprised by her summoning words.
But since it was a good opportunity, he conveyed his consent and ended the matter.
The stares from the followers were intense, so he had no choice but to do so; that was a minor detail.
"I've applied to use the lounge, so let's go there."
"Ah, okay."
After the lectures ended, Shin was called, and he followed behind Mechamille to the lounge.
"Now, I'll be blunt. Could you stop the surveillance and tests?"
"Huh?"
Shin didn't think he was doing any tests (aside from surveillance), so a clumsy word came out.
Differences in perception are frightening.
Shin considered the magical traps he had set to confirm that Mechamille was an anomalous existence.
The one subjected to them perceived it as 'taking a test,' so it was natural that mutual understanding did not progress.
"Don't play dumb. You're properly accumulating virtue and gathering faith, right? First of all, I was only told that you would 'judge by results.' I wasn't told that 'surveillance would be attached.'"
"It seems you're misunderstanding. I did indeed watch you. I admit that. But it has nothing to do with 'virtue' or 'faith' that you mentioned."
"Eh? What do you mean?"
This time, it was Mechamille's turn to be surprised.
"Let me be clear. Mechamille, the country thinks you are a 'suspicious existence.' That's why I came to investigate."
"Huh? Why? I should have properly taken care of my surroundings. There shouldn't be any reason to be suspicious!"
Hearing this, Shin's look toward Mechamille changed to that of seeing a hopeless child.
"Ah, she's just exposed that she 'did something.' At this point, I should just come clean and settle this quickly."
Thinking that, Shin shifted his thinking to a realistic line.
"Listen. You came from another world, right? In this world, it's no good to only falsify analog records like paper and people's memories. Because it's a mechanical civilization, there are 'electronic data' records separately. So, being a person with 'absolutely none' of that made you stand out."
"No way. I wasn't told that. If I fail this time, my qualification will be revoked. Boo-hoo."
Shocked by the truth Shin told, Mechamille burst into tears.
"Is she acting her age in this aspect? Or is she just a hopeless child?"
Even though such thoughts crossed his mind, he couldn't leave a crying child alone.
Therefore, Shin aimed to break through the situation by presenting new information and moving the conversation forward.
"There, there. Calm down. Crying won't do any good. For now, tell me your purpose. If it's not something that harms the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, there's still a good chance you'll be accepted as a capable talent. Actually, the reason for this investigation is that. It's like 'Found a promising talent, but background is suspicious, so let's investigate.'"
"Is that so? But who are you? It's strange that you can use appraisal and set magical traps! This world doesn't have usable magic power!"
Because it is a world without usable magic power, magic and skills that require magic power cannot exist.
Therefore, Mechamille was correct in pointing out that something that shouldn't exist 'doesn't exist.'
In this case, it is only that the existence of the Hero Shin, who has integrated the 'Origin of Dragon Vein' that endlessly generates magic power, is an irregular and abnormal.
Well, it was typical of Shin to deftly steer the conversation away from such criticism.
"Hmm. You haven't answered me yet, but okay. I'll tell you first: I have no intention of taking offensive measures because I do not currently judge you as a threat. But I will not hesitate if you become hostile. That is the premise. Knowing that, if you learn the secrets of my appraisal and magic, you might get involved in some unpleasant things, but do you still want to hear the explanation?"
"When you put it that way... Okay, I don't need such an explanation! So, should I state my purpose? The development of this island universe. Increase in happiness. Increase in feelings of gratitude toward me. Love is treated the same as gratitude. Roughly speaking, that's my purpose."
"That's probably also a purpose in a narrow sense. But this is that thing. It seems like a means to achieve a larger goal."
Shin sensed that from the atmosphere alone.
He is usually dense, but only in such times is he uselessly perceptive.
Is this also a phenomenon arising from Shin being guided by the fate of the Hero?
The truth about that will probably never be clear.
"Ah. That's also a purpose, but you have a different final goal, right?"
"Yes, well, that's true."
From Mechamille's viewpoint, the accurate question from the boy who intrusively and unceremoniously probed into her personal circumstances was simply harsh.
Nevertheless, because she felt that choosing anything other than affirmation was a 'bad move,' Mechamille answered honestly, and it could be said that 'good luck still remained for her.'
Because Shin is essentially lenient toward women and children, albeit conditionally limited to 'as long as they are not clearly enemies.'
"Just spill it all here. I have a feeling I can handle it without making things bad for you."
"Ugh. I messed up on my first job, and I was sent here as punishment and training. If I do well here, I'll be able to work again as a junior goddess. If I fail, my qualification will be revoked. If that happens, I'll probably be deleted."
Mechamille's expression darkened as she spoke about her dire prospects.
However, her own perception of the situation might not be entirely correct.
In reality, even if Mechamille failed again in the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, things wouldn't get that bad.
But there was definitely the fact that higher beings had 'exaggeratedly conveyed it to her to motivate her.'
It was simply that Mechamille would never know that.
"I-Is that so. That's tough. Well, it's not a story that harms the Empire, so it seems okay from our side. For now, work hard as a future military officer, okay? Oh, but please stop making men with fiancés develop romantic love for you. It causes trouble."
Shin was relieved that he could report to Laura that 'it's fine to use her as a military asset.'
"And she's a goddess like this? If it didn't have the 'Me,' I thought the name was the same as a new type of protagonist, but it was the one with the voiced diacritical mark! Both her surname and given name are super clichéd!"
Shin secretly diverted his thoughts to something completely unrelated to the conversation, something truly trivial.
Moreover, once he relaxed, his thoughts wandered in even stranger directions.
"Good thing this case didn't turn into an otome game romance simulation game."
Shin breathed a sigh of relief that he hadn't drawn the worst of the possible scenarios.
To add, at this time he firmly decided to 'keep as much distance as possible from Mechamille, who had started to exude a strong aura of a hopeless child.'
However, being outmaneuvered by fate might also be the destiny of the Hero Shin.
Shin, the pathetic Hero, bears the fate of being unable to escape troublesome matters.
With this flow, Shin judged that 'there was no longer any need for surveillance on Mechamille,' and thought, 'If I report that to Laura, this matter will be over.'
On the other hand, Mechamille, who would end up with a future of no particular punishment, would from then on work hard toward becoming a war goddess in the military.
And that Mechamille would race through countless battlefields and be revered as a symbol of invincibility is a story for much later.
In the meantime, she would show her useless goddess side many times and Shin would be called to help her multiple times, but that is another story.
However, putting aside Shin's report on this matter and the future useless goddess story, reuniting with Sangou had not yet been achieved.
Even though the discussion with Mechamille had reached a conclusion, the overall chain of events was not over yet.
Thus, the Hero Shin advanced Laura's request in a good manner and brought it to the point where only a report remained.
However, even though Mechamille's purpose itself had no intention of harming the Gialpha Galaxy Empire, there still remained the possibility that her very presence could invite delusional obsession.
This point would shift to a problem of how Shin reported, how Laura received it, and the subsequent handling.
Also, separately, although Sangou had gained a little leeway in energy to head for the Gialpha Galaxy, it was also carrying the rescued personnel from the distress situation, who were like baggage for travel.
What would become of the report on the Mechamille matter to Laura?
When would the reunion with Sangou be possible?
No one knows the future.
The Hero, who was nervously talking directly with the girl under surveillance, was unexpectedly relieved to find that she was only in punitive demotion and aiming to regain her position, and had no ill will toward the Gialpha Galaxy Empire. The anticlimax was palpable.
Still, even if she was in a demoted state after failing at the first step, Mechamille was no less than a goddess despite being rotten, so Shin muttered in his heart, 'I have no choice but to at least issue a warning about her being naturally attractive to men with just her appearance, full of charm that draws men in.'