kscans

Chapter 192 - A World That Demands Self-Defense

Well, things have gotten crazy.

The day after the cultural festival, while the excitement still lingered, the Prime Minister announced the 'SDF's Otherworld Dispatch Plan'.

And then, the very next day, the 'large-scale rebellion in China by remnants of Turohorse' occurred.

With one major event after another, I don't even know what to be surprised about anymore.

But one thing is certain. The SDF's trip to the other world will be postponed. That much is clear.

"Among the rebel forces that have taken control of Beijing are remnants of 'Turohorse' calling themselves 'Istio', and it is possible they were at the center of the rebellion."

"There has been no official announcement from the Chinese government yet, and with key national figures including the chairman currently unreachable, the situation is in chaos."

"Don't you think Japan bears some responsibility for this rebellion? I mean, come on, the main force of the rebel army includes Japanese people."

"'Arianrhod,' a 'former Turohorse organization,' has denied any involvement, and states that they have never even seen the individuals participating in the rebellion."

"'Representative Yaguruma was defiled by the state! For the sake of the nation he envisioned, a nation ruled by the Awakened and free from the threat of monsters, we have risen up! There is no hope left in Japan! Those who share our ideals, cross the sea and gather in this land!'"

"The Awakened are dangerous after all! We can't let them run wild! Now is the time for strict management and guidance for the sake of peace!"

"With a situation like this, we can't be talking about other worlds, can we? We need to focus on the now, not the future. After all, everyone is living in the now."

"As a result of this incident, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has seen an unprecedented—"

"My husband is on a business trip in China...! I can't reach him by phone, and when I contact his company, they just say they don't know anything! Please, help him right away...!"

"Many Japanese companies have expanded into China, and there are many Japanese nationals stranded there with whom contact cannot be made."

"In response to this situation, countries including the United States and the United Kingdom have announced that they will do everything in their power to protect civilians."

"A press conference by the Minister for Foreign Affairs is scheduled for this evening, where the future response will be—"

And so on. The news was completely dominated by this topic, and related to it, a majority opinion was forming that 'this is not the time to be sending the SDF to another world'.

And it's true. Before any humanitarian, economic, or political concerns, with a massive fire like this raging next door, sending the already understaffed Self-Defense Force to another world is probably impossible.

With one big news story after another, Japan was in a state of utter chaos, from top to bottom.

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"Things have really gotten out of hand, haven't they..."

"Indeed. They really have."

While the world was in such a state, what were we doing?

"I hear there are even protests in front of the stores managed by the SDF. 'See, the Awakened were dangerous after all' and all that."

"...I'm really glad that's not happening at this store."

Today, once again, we had come to a dungeon.

In this overly tumultuous world, you can never have enough power to protect yourself. They say that too much power will lead to ruin, but in this day and age, I don't even know where the line for 'too much power' is anymore.

I hear the drop items from this dungeon are excellent as 'golem materials.' The Enthusiasts Club is apparently giving it their seal of approval, so the information is highly credible.

We definitely want to get our hands on them as reinforcement materials for our own golems. With that in mind, we made the trip, even though it's a bit far.

It's not the kind of distance you'd normally travel to on a weekday after school, but we can shorten the return trip with Erina-san's teleportation, so it's not a problem. All hail Erina-sama.

So, here I was, having left the changing room a bit early, waiting for the two girls to finish getting ready while chatting with Aira-san through my earring.

"Well, I doubt anyone but a total moron would go protest at a dungeon frequented by adventurers."

"...So they think they won't be fought back against if they're protesting the SDF?"

"The Self-Defense Force is certainly trusted, aren't they?"

I wasn't sure how to respond to that.

Realizing that talking about it would only lead to complaining, I changed the subject.

"...Let's get back to business. About that SDF dispatch to the other world. Is it true that Professor Arisugawa might accompany them if it happens?"

"Yup. Grandma is a world-renowned authority now, after all. She was all geared up to go herself. Well, the plan is under review now, though. Besides, they haven't even finished clearing the rubble blocking the dungeon entrance. It'll be a long time before they can actually go."

"I see. But if the Professor does go with the SDF, has it been decided what we'll do in the meantime?"

"The original plan was for you guys to be on standby here with me. You'd be free to go to any dungeon you chose. I've also been told by Grandma about where to sell your drop items."

"I see."

"Are you disappointed? That you can't go to the other world?"

"No, actually, I'm relieved."

"Oh? Why's that? I'd have thought you'd be fantasizing about 'conquering another world with modern knowledge! Building my own country and an erotic harem'!"

"What kind of image do you have of me? I mean, I have fantasized about being reincarnated or transported to another world... but still, I'd hate it."

"Oh? And why is that?"

"I don't know what another world is like, but I have no desire to go to a place without internet or running water."

"I couldn't agree more...!"

I'm a modern kid through and through. The idea of giving up a life where I can watch my favorite videos and play games online, and where clean water comes out of the tap with a twist of a faucet, is impossible.

I'd hate it for the same reason if it were the depths of the Amazon, not just another world. Plus, there would probably be more bugs and snakes than in modern Japan.

"On the other hand, what about you, Aira-san? Modern civilization or curiosity, which would you choose?"

"...I'd like to conduct on-site research with a camper van packed with magical tools and modern equipment, while securing infrastructure with a powerful base station."

"Ever heard the saying, 'He who chases two rabbits catches neither'?"

"And I'd want you guys as my bodyguards too...! Doing research while being guarded by strangers sounds so stressful I think I'd puke."

"So it wasn't just two rabbits."

Just as we were having that conversation, it seemed Erina-san and the others had finished getting ready. The two of them came out of the changing room.

"Sorry to keep you waiting~. What were you talking about~?"

"Whether we'd want to go to another world or not."

"I see. Well, for me, I'd have to establish a ninja village in Japan first! Making the name of the [Invisible Ninjas] echo throughout another world would come after th—"

"What about you, Mia-san?"

"Hey, listen to me~."

Stop writhing around, you self-proclaimed ninja. The fact that your name is already known throughout Japan is already chipping away at my sanity.

And I haven't forgotten my grudge from the cultural festival, you know...!

"Me? Let's see..."

Mia-san touched her slender chin with her index finger, closing her eyes in thought.

As always, she's so beautiful and has such a great figure that she looks good no matter what she does.

"If my sister, Erina-san, and Kyouta-kun are going, then I'll go. If they're not, then I won't. Especially my sister."

"Oh, come on, Mia, you're so dependent. You need to be a little more independent."

"So it's okay for me to act independently!?"

"Hahahahaha. What should I do? My sister has been really scary lately."

She really is a tragic beauty...!

I gently averted my eyes from the sad creature with broken brakes. For some reason, her gaze turned this way, but it must have been my imagination.

Joking aside, we headed towards the gate room.

"Alright, shall we get going?"

"Ah, yes. We should."

"Okay~."

"Yes. Let's do that. Let's end this conversation here...!"

I could hear a slightly trembling voice from my earring, but I decided that was my imagination too.

Stay strong, Aira-san...! I'll be watching over you from a safe distance...!

To be honest, I really want to see the interactions between the beautiful, well-endowed sisters. I'm about a hundred times more interested in that than in any otherworld investigation.

"Oh, by the way, Kyo-chan-kun."

"Yes? What is it?"

"About those 'Turohorse' remnants. They might be dealt with sooner than you think."

I couldn't help but stop in my tracks at Aira-san's words.

"...Did something happen?"

"It's just an internet rumor. It would be embarrassing to talk about it with confidence only to be proven wrong later. I can't say any more for now. Now, get to your dungeon exploration."

"...Understood."

After taking a single deep breath, I went through the reception.

There's a lot going on in the world, but now it's time to switch my focus to the dungeon.

In front of the white gate, I deployed my [Arcane Gear] and activated [Byakuren]. After arming the golem, I also donned my [Flügel].

I gave it a light touch with my hand just to be sure. A glance at my two companions was met with small nods.

"Aira-san. We're ready, so we're entering the gate now."

"Right. Be careful."

I visually confirmed that Erina-san and the others had their hands on my shoulder, and that the golems were also in contact somewhere.

I took another deep breath.

"Going in."

I stepped through the white door.

—Another world.

Come to think of it, couldn't this dungeon exploration also be called a transfer to another world?

As I thought about that, I tested the hard rock ground through my boots.

There were no SDF lights. I illuminated the surroundings with the LED lantern hanging from my sword belt and the lights attached to the golems.

A cave that seemed to have been hollowed out in a perfect circle. It almost felt like being inside some giant pipe, with a damp air flowing from the depths.

A creepy dungeon that made you feel like you were inside a living creature.

I drew my one-and-a-half-handed sword from its scabbard and gripped the hilt tightly.

"We have entered the dungeon. Commencing exploration."

"Right. Though I don't have much work to do this time."

"It's a straight path, after all. But I'm counting on you for a rescue request in case of an emergency."

"Of course. All three of you, safety first."

"Understood."

"Yes!"

"Got it!"

Byakuren, holding a tower shield and battle axe, took the lead, with me positioned diagonally behind it.

We began to walk slowly down the gently sloping cave.

A single drop of water fell from the ceiling. It hit the ground, making a small sound.