kscans

Chapter 264 - Side Story 3: An Otherworld Transfer?

I wonder, does this count as being transferred to another world?

As the Self-Defense Force ship swayed, that question suddenly crossed my mind.

It was late November. The heat of summer, and even autumn, was a distant memory, replaced now by a biting cold wind. Being out on the ocean was probably a factor, of course.

The day the professor had told me about had finally arrived. When I first heard about it, I thought, 'I'm so done with adventures,' but now that I was actually going to another world, my heart was starting to pound with excitement.

Thinking about it, just because I was coming along as a bodyguard didn't mean that trouble was guaranteed to happen. The SDF probably wouldn't let a civilian like the professor go anywhere beyond the areas they'd already scouted.

In that case, I was just insurance for an emergency. It was unlikely anything would happen, and while I wouldn't call it sightseeing, I should be able to relax a little. After all, it's a day trip.

With that in mind, I held onto the deck's railing and looked around.

"Find something interesting, son-in-law?"

"Oh, Professor."

The professor, wearing light brown pants, a black shirt, and a life jacket over them, struck up a conversation.

Her hair played lightly in the sea breeze, and her smiling face made it hard to believe she was seventy-one. That's an elf for you.

"No, I was just thinking... there are a lot of ships out here."

I turned my gaze back to the sea. Besides the Maritime Self-Defense Force escort ship, a variety of other vessels were sailing nearby.

On top of that, helicopters occasionally flew overhead with a whir of their propellers, creating a rather lively scene.

"It can't be helped. The media outlets want to get the 'gate connected to the other world' on camera at any cost... or maybe even sneak inside and visit the other world themselves. That's what they're thinking. Of course, I'm sure there are others with different motives as well."

"Right..."

Strictly speaking, all dungeons are connected to the other world, but clearing away the collapsed rocks to get outside is difficult. Not to mention the monsters in the way.

Being able to go to another world holds a great deal of appeal, and not just for subculture enthusiasts.

The media wants a scoop. Researchers want to see new minerals and plants. Corporations hope to create new markets. And the governments of every country have an endless list of things they want.

An American journalist once called a dungeon a 'frontier,' but many people now believe that what lies beyond it is the true frontier.

"Oh, it looks like we're here."

At the professor's words, I looked in the direction the ship was heading. There was a very artificial-looking island.

It was originally just a gate connected by a rock rising from the seabed and a thin line of mana. This artificial island was built to make it easier for people and goods to enter.

Well, even calling it an island might be a stretch; it's smaller than a schoolyard.

The 'Minotaur's Dungeon,' where I once fought for my life.

It was welcoming us once again.

To get to the artificial island, we transferred from the escort ship to a smaller boat. After landing, we underwent a light body check. Then again, most of our belongings, including our phones, were back on the ship.

We only had enough luggage to fit in small backpacks, so the check was over quickly. We were permitted to bring combat magic items, but cameras and communication devices were forbidden.

After that, I activated my Arcane Gear and stepped inside the gate. I had a terrible experience the last time I entered, so I couldn't help but feel tense.

I swallowed hard, checked that the professor had her hand on my shoulder, and then stepped through the white door...

"Whoa..."

A strange sound escaped my lips.

The massive stone labyrinth had been completely transformed.

Lighting fixtures were installed everywhere. People and vehicles moved about hurriedly. SDF officers in what they called Kongō suits, wearable golems, stood guard.

It looked less like a dungeon and more like a secret SDF base.

As we walked down the now single path, I spotted a group of Awakened SDF members protecting a glass case off to the side. In the center of the armed group was a crystal inscribed with a pattern that looked like a ball of yarn.

"We've been expecting you, Professor Arisugawa. And Yagawa Kyouta-san."

As I stood there, stunned by the completely different scene from before, a female SDF officer called out to me.

She was dressed in camouflage combat fatigues and gave us a crisp salute. She looked to be in her twenties, with short black hair in a bob, and her face was vaguely familiar.

"Thank you for meeting us. Are you Third Lieutenant Kageyama?"

"Yes. From today, I will be serving as your 'bodyguard' in the other world. I am Third Lieutenant Kageyama Touko. It's a pleasure to work with you."

"Indeed. A pleasure."

"A pleasure..."

Hmm, I feel like I've met her somewhere before.

I wracked my brain—and then, seeing the professor's blonde hair and the labyrinth walls, I remembered.

"Oh, could you be Kageyama-san from the practical exam for the adventurer license...?"

At my words, Kageyama-san's eyes widened.

"...I never thought you would remember me. It's been a while, Yagawa-san."

"No, it's been a while for me too. It was the first day I ever entered a dungeon, so a lot of things from that day left a strong impression..."

I bowed my head in return as Kageyama-san gave a nod.

Back then, the two of us were a little taken aback by the energy of a certain high-tension, self-proclaimed blonde ninja.

Our relationship is too shallow to call us acquaintances, but I couldn't help but smile wryly at this strange reunion.

"That day left a deep impression on me as well. To think that the boy I was in charge of back then would become a savior of Japan..."

"No, um, I'm no savior..."

"Please don't be so modest. You 'A-Rank Candidates' are without a doubt saviors of Japan."

Being told that, it would be rude to deny it. Rude to her, and to those who fought that day.

As I tried to brush it off with a vague smile, I felt a strange gaze from Kageyama-san.

It wasn't particularly friendly, nor was it openly hostile. It was as if she were looking at me, but actually looking at something else, something more ambiguous. I felt a flow of mana like that.

I feel like I've been looked at like that somewhere before, but unfortunately, I couldn't remember where.

"Well then, shall we be on our way?"

Kageyama-san flashed a friendly smile.

We walked behind her and passed through the exit gate about 300 meters ahead.

Beyond it was, in the truest sense, the 'other world.' After a less-than-dramatic journey, we had set foot in a different world.

Well, this was an artificial island too, though.

A gate room that looked exactly like a normal Dungeon Store. I stepped onto the concrete floor and deactivated my Arcane Gear.

Kageyama-san saluted the SDF personnel on guard duty, and we followed behind her with a nod.

Leaving the gate room, we entered a pure white corridor. There were three doors at the end of the passage, apparently separated by gender.

"Now, as I'm sure you were briefed, you will enter that room, change your clothes, and then go through an air shower. If by some chance we were to bring our pathogens to the other world, it could cause a terrible disaster..."

"Yes. We must prevent such a tragic accident."

The professor replied with a smile to Kageyama-san, who seemed to be gauging our reaction. I nodded as well and entered the room as prompted.

I handed my backpack to a male SDF officer just inside, changed into what looked like new clothes, and moved on to the next room.

After going through an air shower and being disinfected with alcohol, I waited for a few minutes until the professor and the others arrived.

I received my disinfected belongings along with the professor, dressed in clothes identical to what I was wearing before.

And so, at last, we were ready to set foot on otherworld soil.

Kageyama-san led us to a ship. It wasn't an escort vessel, but looked more like a civilian ship. As we boarded, we were greeted by a clear sky and a blue sea.

The white clouds drifting by and the wind caressing my skin weren't particularly unusual, but knowing that this was another world made everything seem fresh.

As I looked around like a wide-eyed tourist, I spotted another artificial island in the distance, different from the one we had just been on.

"Kageyama-san. What's that...?"

"Hmm? In this direction... ah, that's the site of the Atlantis ruins. You have good eyes to be able to see it from this distance."

"Huh?"

A strange sound escaped me at Kageyama-san's casual reply.

I looked toward the artificial island again and could faintly make out something that looked like a cannon. I could also sense strong mana, so security seemed to be extremely tight.

"Still, it's impressive that you were able to bring something of that scale to another world. It hasn't been that long since the SDF was dispatched, has it?"

The professor, who was now holding a pair of binoculars, posed a question, to which Kageyama-san replied with a wry smile.

"To be honest, we had help from a civilian organization. We had the Alchemy Enthusiasts Club assemble the materials we brought in, and had a barrier master dispatched from Walkers adjust the space."

Two names that you're almost guaranteed to hear if you live in Japan both came up.

That Club and Walkers... they really do everything.

"I see. So skills can be quite convenient depending on how you use them."

"Yes... truly."

For a moment, a gaze similar to the one I'd felt earlier was directed from her toward the artificial island.

"They're amazing, aren't they?"

Her expression was, as before, a bright, untroubled smile.

*

After about thirty minutes on the ship.

Since staying on deck the whole time was a bit much, I had gone inside with the professor, but it seemed we had finally reached land.

Led by Kageyama-san, we proceeded down a narrow corridor. A quick glance out the window revealed a townscape reminiscent of medieval Europe.

At first glance, there were no griffins or wizards flying around, nor were there two moons in the sky.

But the sight, so much like the 'other worlds' I'd seen in anime, naturally made my heart race.

The ship's hatch opened, and a folded gangway was lowered onto the port.

Kageyama-san disembarked first, and we followed. Stepping onto the cobblestone ground, I took a slow, deep breath.

"So this is another world..."

A port made of stone and wood. Men dressed in linen cloth bustled about, loading and unloading cargo onto docked sailing ships.

There was also a manually operated crane, which was used to lift large cargo.

The language being spoken was incomprehensible, though it sounded somewhat like Italian. The men, moving about briskly, occasionally glanced at us and the ship behind us.

Beyond the port, a stone cityscape spread out, with numerous horse-drawn carriages and carts coming and going.

As I stood there dumbfounded, the professor patted my shoulder with a wry smile.

"Son-in-law. I understand your excitement, but I'm counting on you for my protection, you know?"

"Oh, uh, right!"

I hurriedly closed my gaping mouth and nodded vigorously.

It seemed that the sailors' gazes were mostly focused on the professor. It was partly because she was beautiful, but I felt that even more eyes were drawn to her 'ears.'

Most of the people at the port were human, with the occasional beastman. But there were no elves.

I'm not familiar with the culture of this world, but I should probably be wary of the possibility of slave traders kidnapping elves to sell them, just like in light novels.

Honestly, the professor looks like she could fight off any common thugs herself, but since I was called here as her bodyguard, I have to do my job.

Just as I was steeling my resolve, a man in a white shirt, tie, and suit pants approached us.

"Professor Arisugawa! We've been expecting you!"

The man, in his late thirties with a generally square face, wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief and offered a business card.

"My name is Marui Tatsunori, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I am currently working at the embassy here in the Callsten Kingdom."

"My, how very kind of you."

The professor smiled warmly and exchanged business cards.

Then, Marui-san offered me a card as well.

"And you must be the famous Yagawa-san! I've heard a great deal about you! Welcome to Callsten!"

"Oh, uh, yes. Hello... I'm Yagawa. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Overwhelmed by his distinctly extroverted aura, I bowed with a strained face and exchanged cards with him. Good thing I had them made.

This was a genuine bright, social type, not a fake one like me who just struts around yelling 'I'm a harem master! Yeah!' I felt myself shrinking under his presence.

Sorry, Professor. I don't think I can protect you properly.

"Third Lieutenant Kageyama, thank you for your hard work as well. Now, we have a car waiting, so please, this way. We'll stop by the embassy first."

Guided by Marui-san, we headed to a black car parked next to where the horse-drawn carriages were tied up.

Somehow, it looked incredibly out of place in a setting that seemed like old-timey Europe. Then again, the same could be said for us.

Marui-san got into the driver's seat, and Kageyama-san sat in the passenger seat. The professor and I took the back seats, and once we fastened our seatbelts, the car started moving.

But the speed was very slow. That's because the surrounding traffic was all horse-drawn carriages.

Looking out the window, I saw two-story brick buildings lining the street. There were also rows of shops made of wood and cloth, with many people walking in front of them.

We were in the middle of a main street, sandwiched between these buildings and shops. It was wide enough for about four carriages to pass each other, and at some point, the ground turned to dirt.

There were fewer stares than at the port. Marui-san and the others had probably used the car to get around several times already.

"Son-in-law, here."

"Oh, thanks."

As I was looking around, the professor created a golden ripple in the air and pulled an earring out of it.

As soon as I took it and put it on, I heard a familiar voice.

'Suddenly, you were hit by a truck, then swallowed by a herd of hippos and died...! But! It turns out it wasn't your time to die yet, so I'll reincarnate you in another world!!'

"Four out of ten."

'So harsh!? No way, that was a heart-pounding opening, wasn't it!?'

'Sis, I think we need to add some sexy elements.'

'I see!'

"Don't 'I see' her, you two unfortunate sisters."

My cheeks twitched at the voices coming through the earring.

And also...

"Um, Professor."

"What is it?"

I asked the person next to me, who was also wearing an earring and listening to the telepathic conversation, as cold sweat trickled down my back.

"Communication devices and cameras are banned, but if we can connect with Aira-san via Telepathy, then what's the point—"

"Son-in-law."

The professor cut me off with a radiant smile.

"No matter what world you're in, even another world, 'public appearances' are important, you know?"

"Oh, right."

I instinctively glanced at the driver's and passenger's seats, but both of them were still looking straight ahead.

...Adults are so corrupt.

'Now, now, don't worry about it, Kyouta-kun. This is just an 'accident' that happened because old Grandma and the self-proclaimed harem master with his head in the clouds were dying to hear my voice. It can't be helped, it can't be helped.'

"Who are you calling 'head in the clouds'?"

"My life is a bed of roses right now, you know?"

"...Good for you, Professor."

"Yes. I'm looking forward to my great-grandchildren, son-in-law."

I averted my eyes from the professor's incredibly bright smile and touched the earring.

Hey now, we're still students. Even if you press us for that sort of thing...

'So, how is it? The other world. Are there people in bikini armor!?'

"Sorry, Mia-san. Lately, when I hear 'bikini armor,' the 'A-Rank Candidates' come to mind."

'Oh, right. I'm sorry. I just pictured it too.'

The image of a hairy old man with a hairy butt flashed through my mind, and I felt slightly nauseous.

'Hahaha. You've got it bad. Don't worry, we'll wear bikini armor for you later and overwrite that memory.'

'Really, Sis!?'

'Yes. I had a feeling you'd bite before Kyouta-kun, my dear sister.'

Such speed. That's Mia-san for you.

Well, I admit I couldn't help but pump my fist, but the professor's lukewarm gaze is painful.

"...Ah."

'Is something wrong, Kyouta-kun?'

"No."

Hearing Mia-san's voice, I remembered what Kageyama-san's gaze reminded me of.

Right, that was it.

"I was just remembering when Mia-san was still a cool beauty with a bit of a shadow."

It's similar to the look she gave me when we defeated the Cockadrille.

'Hey, I'm still a cool beauty! Unlike my sister!'

'Hold on a sec.'

"Two out of ten."

'That wasn't a joke, you know!? And isn't your scoring a bit too harsh!?'

Even amidst the lighthearted conversation, the car continued to move slowly.

The scenery of another world, looking just like the townscapes I'd seen in dungeons. But here, there was the life of the people.

The otherworld wind was as warm as spring.