kscans

Chapter 219 - Mia's Answer

After we defeated the Magician Doll, I expected an even stronger foe to appear... but nothing of the sort happened.

We dealt with the remaining Killing Dolls and rendezvoused with Mia-san's group without any trouble. For a moment, I considered collecting the drop items, but securing the safety of the person we were rescuing was the top priority.

"We've cleared out the nearby enemies. All we have to do now is wait for the police or the Self-Defense Force."

"Excellent work. Now, Mr. Manager, let's move a little."

"O-Oh... a-are we really safe now?"

"Yes, please don't worry. For us, enemies of this level are a piece of cake!"

To reassure him, Mia-san offered a smile brimming with confidence.

Her expression, as you'd expect from sisters, resembled Aira-san's... no. She was probably consciously trying to imitate her. Among the people we knew, Aira-san was the one who made that kind of face most often.

'Did you just think something rude, Kyouta-kun?'

"No, not at all. More importantly, when will the rescue team arrive?"

'About that. I inquired, and they said that due to reports of a C-Rank monster, sending in a team rashly would only increase the number of casualties. So they need a little more time to prepare.'

"Ah..."

Well, that made sense. Recalling past monster outbreaks, handgun rounds lacked the power to be effective against this rank of monster. Based on the feeling when I punched it, the Killing Doll was as hard as steel, despite being made of wood.

On top of that, we were in the middle of a mountain, and the clock had just passed 11 p.m. It was an environment where you couldn't carelessly send people in, even without monsters.

I have a feeling this is the biggest reason why they haven't been able to fully grasp the situation with dungeons located in mountains and forests.

'Honestly, I think they'd be better off if you just came down the mountain on your own. Though they'd probably have to give you a lecture for the sake of appearances.'

"Well, yes... I suppose so."

'By the way, Grandma and Erina-kun have already arrived at the foot of the mountain. They're currently negotiating with the police who have sealed off the area to see if they can head your way. Not that either of them is in a huge hurry, and I doubt they'll be allowed through, since the police have their pride to consider.'

"Understood. In that case, we'll head down the mountain ourselves."

'Do that. The reason the police aren't contacting you through me is likely for that very reason.'

Ah, so telling a civilian directly, 'It's a pain to come rescue you, so come back on your own!' would be bad for their image.

But if they said what they were formally required to say and we took them at their word, that would also be a problem. So they just don't make contact at all.

"...It's not really my place to say, but is that really okay?"

'I have nooo idea. Well, the police are seriously understaffed right now.'

That's probably true, I nodded. I'd heard on TV that even before the 'Day of Awakening,' they were said to be short on frontline officers, but the number of people handing in their resignations had increased since dungeons appeared.

According to the former officers who were interviewed, they said things like, 'It's just not worth it,' 'I was prepared to fight dangerous criminals, but monsters are another story,' and 'It's too much to be sent to the front lines just because I became an Awakened Person.' It all made perfect sense.

Even I had turned down an exclusive contract offer from a government agency. I didn't want to take on more risk for less pay. I couldn't blame them.

But I digress. It seemed the manager had calmed down, so we began to move.

Even though the tent's canopy had been blown away, providing some ventilation, a foul stench clung to the air. I don't think I'll ever get used to the smell of death.

Still, before we left, I closed my eyes and gave a small bow toward the bodies. Their restraints had been undone, and their hands were placed on their laps. Their eyes, which must have been wide open, were now closed. Mia-san must have done that.

From the perspective of preserving a crime scene, it wasn't a good thing to do. But I had already rampaged through the area. I hoped the police would be willing to overlook this much.

I walked at the head of our group, cautiously scanning our surroundings just in case. The order was myself, Mia-san, the manager, and then Blanc.

"..."

'Kyouta-kun. Is something there? You seem tense...'

Perhaps so the manager wouldn't hear, Mia-san whispered to me through the earring.

"No, it's not about enemies or anything."

'Then what are you on guard for? Could there be a fire from the aftermath of the battle?'

"It's not that... it's just. An amusement park at night is strangely terrifying, don't you think...?"

I hadn't noticed it during the fight, but now that I was looking at it calmly, an indescribable sense of unease sent a chill down my spine.

The only light sources were my lantern and Mia-san's flashlight. The darkness seemed to amplify the fear.

Maybe I should just create a flame in my palm to make it brighter. But occupying one of my hands for such a reason felt like a bad idea.

'...Pfft.'

"Hey, did you just laugh?"

'No, it's just...! After all that rampaging... heheh...!'

"This is different from that."

Though I was whispering, I could hear the pout in my own voice as I replied.

'Are you scared of things like Wraiths, too?'

"No. I've never fought one, but not particularly."

'What about ghosts?'

"...If I can't beat them by punching them, then a little."

"Hngh...!!"

From behind me, I heard the sound of someone biting back their laughter. She must have been trying with all her might to hold it in, realizing it would be inappropriate to burst out laughing here.

I'm gonna knock you out, you hopeless college girl, number two.

'Ohohoho. I've learned something interesting. Let's watch a horror movie together later, Kyouta-kun!'

"No. It's not that I'm bad with horror movies. Especially not recently."

My tolerance for horror was originally about average, but ever since I Awakened, I just couldn't enjoy those kinds of movies anymore.

"With my current eyes, I can see the makeup and CG too clearly..."

I can enjoy anime just fine, and I can actually appreciate action movies even more since I can clearly follow the movements with my eyes.

Especially since Awakened Persons have been entering the film industry lately, there are a lot of flashy action scenes.

'Tch. And here I was hoping to get footage of you screaming and crying and wetting yourself so I could use it to make you my errand boy...!'

"How malicious..."

Also, though I had no intention of saying it here, I'd seen plenty of dead bodies over the past few months.

At this point, I couldn't be scared by a fake, no matter how realistic it looked. It just brought back bad memories, which put me in a foul mood.

"Whoa. I can see the fence."

The place wasn't that large, it seemed, as we reached the edge while making small talk.

I immediately grabbed the iron fence and created an exit. This time, I bent the iron bars even further to the side than when I first opened it.

I stepped outside first and scanned the surroundings again. Considering the possibility of surviving Killing Dolls, I couldn't let my guard down too much.

If only Erina-san were here, I could relax a little more...

A thought like that crossed my mind, and I gave my head a small shake. This stray thought was proof that my guard was down.

"So, what do we do from here?"

"Carrying the manager on my back down the mountain... would be too much of a burden on her. Let's return to the campground once and take the car down."

"Got it."

I nodded at Mia-san's words and used my lantern to search for the markers I had left on our way up.

"W-Wait a minute. Are you planning to cut straight through the forest?"

"Eh? Yes. I carved markers into the trees, so there's no need to worry about getting lost."

"If it's too difficult for you, I can carry you. The distance to the foot of the mountain would be tough, but I'd like you to please endure the distance from here to the campground..."

"I'm sorry... for some reason, my body just won't move properly..."

"Not at all. We have to help each other in times of need."

"...Should I carry him?"

"Kyouta-kun, you focus on keeping watch. Your scouting and interception capabilities are far superior, after all."

"Understood. I'll protect you with everything I have."

"Thank you... both of you, thank you so much...!"

Mia-san took the manager's hand as he bowed deeply and gave him a gentle smile.

"It's alright. Come now, let's get going. It gets cold at night."

I nodded at her words and started walking, sword in hand. I led the way for the two of them and Blanc, cutting or stamping down any branches or weeds that might get in the way.

I said I would protect them, but no matter how much I scanned our surroundings, I couldn't find any sign of enemies.

Not even the chirping of insects could be heard; only our footsteps echoed in the night forest. After about twenty minutes, we arrived at the campground and, after looking around, I let out a sigh of relief.

"No sign of the enemy. Were the ones at the amusement park all of them?"

"I don't know. Still, we should remain vigilant... oh."

Mia-san let out a small, surprised voice, and I hurriedly turned around.

From her posture, it seemed the manager was about to slip off her back.

"He seems to have fallen asleep. I can't blame him. He lost too much mana all at once."

"You're right. Let's be as careful as possible..."

When I saw him during the day, he looked to be in his mid-to-late sixties, but now the manager looked like he was over eighty.

I had heard in the adventurer course before that there's a huge difference in the natural mana recovery rate between Awakened and non-Awakened people. If we had been just ten minutes later in storming that theater, it might have been irreversible.

I placed the manager in the passenger seat of the light truck, and Mia-san got into the driver's seat. I climbed into the truck bed. I also put Blanc into standby mode and loaded it onto the back.

"Should we ask the police to take care of the tent and chairs later?"

"We could go get them ourselves once we have permission to enter the mountain."

'The cruel difference in our abilities is what makes it impossible to call you guys carefree...'

I gave a wry smile at Aira-san's slightly exasperated voice, and the truck started moving.

I stood on the truck bed, one hand on the roof. Though my sword was sheathed, my right hand rested on the hilt, ready to draw it at any moment.

The way back is the most dangerous. That was something else I'd learned in the course.

'Kyouta-kun.'

"Yes. What is it?"

'I don't think now is the time to say this... but still, it's just overflowing.'

'Gotta use the bathroom?'

'Sis, I'm trying to have a serious conversation right now.'

'Sorry.'

On top of the slowly moving truck, I waited for her to speak.

'I've decided. I'm going to continue being an adventurer.'

Mia-san's voice was a whisper, but it was cheerful as she made her declaration.

Her answer.

'It sounds mercenary of me, but... when the manager said 'thank you' to me, it made me so happy.'

"...Is that your reason?"

'Yes. I originally became an adventurer because I wanted someone to acknowledge me. I want that someone to be you, Sis, Grandma, and Erina-san... but I also wanted people other than you to see me.'

"...You could do that without being an adventurer, couldn't you?"

'Yes. But this is the path I want. This is what made me the happiest.'

Her reason was, admittedly, a worldly one.

It feels good to be thanked. It is a happy thing to have one's desire for recognition fulfilled.

But just because it's worldly doesn't mean it's evil, not in the slightest. In the first place, is there even such a thing as good or evil when one risks their life of their own free will? In my mere fifteen years of life experience, I don't know.

Therefore, to the answer she had found... this is how I replied.

"I think that's fine. If that's what you've chosen."

Even to my own ears, my words sounded curt, as if I were pushing her away.

However, they were undeniably my true feelings. To comment on her choice from the sidelines wouldn't be fair. No, more than that...

It's just like Mia-san. That's what I thought.

'Yes. I knew you would accept it, Kyouta-kun. Ah, but. This might be the kind of answer my sister hates, the kind that leaves the choice to others...'

'Mia. Don't underestimate me so much. I am neither so narrow-minded nor so shallow.'

Through the earring, Aira-san spoke in an unusually gentle voice.

'An answer you gave while watching my expression would be far less to my liking. A desire for recognition is fine. Affirmation of the self is wonderful. If you say you can risk your life for it. If you can run on the words of gratitude from others... then your life will surely be filled with color. There is no sister who would not bless that.'

'Sis...!'

'Ah, but however.'

From her tone, I could tell Aira-san had put on a mischievous expression.

'After all that talk of 'Sis, Sis,' am I not enough to satisfy you? How sad. Is this what they call growing out of your sister phase...?'

'What?! I will absolutely never leave your side again, Sis...? Should I prove it?'

'Ah, no thank you.'

'Don't say that.'

'It's quite alright.'

'Why are you being so formal?'

'Please pay it no mind.'

"You hopeless sisters. If you make too much noise, you'll wake the manager. Also, please focus on driving."

'Hopeless?!'

'I am not hopele... I'm not...!'

Mia-san, who had been about to shout, hurriedly denied it in a whisper. Aira-san, on the other hand, was barking at full volume without a care.

Still, 'the reason I became an adventurer,' huh...

I wonder what my reason was.

For the sake of the family finances... was just an excuse. It wasn't a complete lie, but it was largely to convince my parents.

For self-defense was a reason that came later. It was because I saw the dragon appear during the outbreak in Chiba and create a sea of fire, but by that time I was already an adventurer.

So, why did I decide to become one? That was───

'Hey, Kyouta-kun! I demand a retraction! I am not hopeless. At the very least, I have the magnanimity to stop my game grinding to help my sister with a problem that occurred while she was out with a boy! And in the middle of the night, no less!'

'Out with a boy... that's shameless, Sis...!'

'So, how far did you go? To A? To B? Don't tell me you went all the way to C...?! Tell your big sister, I won't tell a soul. Really, I won't tell anyone!!'

'That's definitely what someone who plans to tell everyone says...!'

"You hopeless sisters, honestly..."

The answer was starting to take shape, however vaguely.

But that didn't mean I could decide right away. This wasn't an exaggeration; it was a decision I was betting my life on.

To begin with, the weight of what Mia-san and I carried from the start was different.

She grew up in a special family environment and, despite having plenty of talent herself, she continued to walk on even while feeling warped by seeing something 'higher.'

I am a mediocre person who was born into a very ordinary family and lived a very ordinary life. I've recently come to realize the happiness in that, but that's not relevant right now.

In short, Mia-san and I are completely different people. I have some doubts about reaching an answer with the same approach.

It's hard to be convinced. This is a decision about whether or not to continue putting my life on the line. Whether I can be convinced or not is the top priority.

A small sigh escaped me.

Even while the hopeless sisters were having their stupid conversation, I continued to keep watch on our surroundings. I was debating whether I should just break through the roof and drop a fist on Mia-san's head, but the lights of the mountain's foot were gradually coming into view. It was probably the police, blocking the road.

I decided to stop thinking about my answer for today. The camp, and the answer Mia-san had found, had become a good opportunity to re-evaluate myself.

"Mia-san."

'Y-Yes. What is it?'

"Thank you for today."

'Huh...? You're... welcome?'

And after that.

Putting aside the light scolding I received from the police officer for taking it upon myself as a civilian to launch a rescue operation—even if there were extenuating circumstances...

The earful I got from the professor, who had sped her car here in the middle of the night, was another story entirely. No, really. I'm sorry for making you worry.

She said to value my own life more than others'. Not to underestimate the mountains at night. Not to underestimate the enemy's strength. It was all so logical that I couldn't say a thing in return.

But, in the end, she gently patted our heads and praised us, saying, 'You did well.' That's why I think this woman is quite the 'charmer.' I'm sure there are quite a few people at the university who have lost their hearts to this professor.

After the lecture, before I returned to the car where Erina-san was—in a style that screamed 'Yes, I'm sleeping, what of it?' with an eye mask and a snot bubble—the professor whispered in my ear.

Radiating a faint scent of soap, the beautiful educator asked in a low voice.

"Could it be that... you and Mia have become intimate?"

Could it be that I'm not trusted at all?

As the professor asked me as if she were a maiden gossiping about love, who could blame me for the face I made, like that of a Tibetan sand fox?

Aira-san had been teasing with full intent, but this woman was asking with the air of a bashful schoolgirl.

And yet, the content of their questions was so similar that, even though she was said to resemble her grandfather, I felt a strong sense of their blood connection.