Side: Shou Amanohashi
Finally, it’s lunchtime. To be honest, I’m sleepy.
Since the last class I attended was three years ago, I feel like I’m in a state of “Urashima Taro.” Naturally, the class continued as if it were a direct follow-up, but I barely remember anything.
Given that my grades were just average and that I had been away from studying for three years, my academic abilities have clearly declined.
Well, whatever. It’s lunchtime.
My high school has a cafeteria, and there’s also a shop within the school selling bento. Of course, I can also bring my own lunch.
“Are you having your homemade rice balls again today?”
“Yeah, sort of.”
Kitamura, the guy sitting next to me, made a face when he saw the rice balls on my desk.
Since it’s a private school, everyone here has a decent standard of living. There are quite a few wealthy students. Bringing just rice balls for lunch makes me the only one in the class doing that.
“Considering your guardian just passed away…”
Yeah, three years ago, after my grandmother died, I started living alone, and my meals naturally became simple. It’s not that I don’t have money to eat in the cafeteria.
Actually, I hadn’t even realized we were discussing that. I don’t remember much of the small talk.
“That’s true, but I just really like rice balls.”
While I did stick to the same routine, I hadn’t eaten rice at all during those three years over there. Simply being able to eat rice now is something I’m genuinely happy about.
Kitamura left for the cafeteria, still looking like he wanted to say, “Is that all?” Meanwhile, I took a bite of my rice ball, listening to the noise of the classroom.
Ah, the taste of nori and salt is so good. It’s really delicious. The filling is pickled plum that I made with my grandmother. It’s really sour, but that’s what makes it great.
I wonder if everyone back home is doing okay? I did prepare meals for them; they just need to heat them up in the microwave.
Finishing the first rice ball, I reached for the second one…?
Suddenly, I felt a strange sensation. My danger sense skill as a hero was reacting slightly.
“Is that an earthquake?”
“Yeah, there have been a lot of earthquakes lately.”
A girl from my class noticed the tremor but continued eating her bento without much concern. It was indeed a tremor that could barely be felt. There wasn’t even an emergency earthquake alert.
I confirmed yesterday that I could still use the skills and magic I had as a hero. The Demon Lord advised against using them, though. My physical abilities are roughly about one-tenth of what they were when I was fighting the Demon Lord. Naturally, it’s not even comparable to my original self.
Does my danger sense react to earthquakes as well? I never experienced natural earthquakes over there. I should ask Filia or the Demon Lord about it when I get back.
Just then, I noticed a large flock of crows flying off somewhere.
Side: Kasumigaseki
A heavy atmosphere dominated the meeting room.
A meeting was taking place with the members of the “Paranormal Phenomena Countermeasure Office,” a top-secret department established in the Cabinet Office several years ago, along with selected individuals from various ministries.
“Is the cause still unknown? This is quite troubling,” a man said as he threw a document on the table, where the words “Fifteenth Mid-term Paranormal Spatial Analysis Report” were written, along with “Provisional Name: Dungeon.”
“Is this a defeat for science?”
“Well, that’s hard to say. There is a possibility it could be analyzed in the future.”
“Isn’t that just what the academics say because they want funding?”
“There are only a limited number of scholars who can maintain confidentiality. There’s no helping it.”
Some among them looked weary, as if they wanted to say that. Not everyone became a public servant to serve the country or society; many did so for their own sake and livelihood.
Some harbor discontent for being selected to this incomprehensible countermeasure team. It would be fine if this resulted in achievements, but due to the confidentiality, it’s uncertain whether it would even help in promotions.
“Fortunately, there is no harm as long as we don’t go inside. So far, there are eight confirmed locations within the country. We should continue to keep it under wraps.”
“What about the budget for weapons and ammunition consumed during dungeon investigations? It’s impossible to keep producing funds while hiding this indefinitely. And what about the unidentified enhancement of physical abilities? Is it increasing in what you call levels? What about aftereffects? What will be the long-term effects? If we don’t ensure the future and safety of the Self-Defense Forces members, they will withdraw!”
“I don’t know! We can only leave it to the Prime Minister from here on out!”
This incident was too unrealistic, with too many unknowns.
One thing is certain: there isn’t much concern about significant damage or a crisis threatening the nation. At least not for now.
Such a vague situation complicates decision-making, resulting in haphazard investigations and countermeasures.
“Stop this pointless bickering. We are not politicians. Besides, I’ve heard some countries are considering publicizing this?”
“They just want to make a fuss to squeeze countermeasure funds from Europe, America, and Japan. So far, no country wants to create a huge uproar that could overturn the world… I want to believe that.”
“From an economic standpoint, many believe it would be better to make this public. There are countless unknown substances under analysis. The benefits gained by making them public are obvious, right?”
“Wait, wait, isn’t there a possibility that whatever is inside could come out? Who will manage it and protect people? First, think about that. The Self-Defense Forces are already stretched thin with missile defense and protecting the southwestern islands. They don’t have the luxury to spare. The Self-Defense Forces are not a handyman.”
“The dungeons continue to increase around the world. Eventually, the world will come to know about it.”
Each representative from the ministries expressed their opinions, but in modern society, there are limits to what can be done while keeping information under wraps.
Especially in Japan, where countermeasures against spies inside and outside the country are ridiculed as being far behind.
“Historically, it has been said that there have always been beings such as monsters, goblins, and non-humans in the world. I thought it was just a non-scientific delusion, but given the circumstances, shouldn’t we investigate from that perspective?”
“We haven’t informed the imperial family. If we leak this to religious groups, it will become difficult to maintain confidentiality. How are we supposed to investigate? Should we rely on historians? If something were amiss, there would be more uproar.”
The situation remains critical. In the end, that was all that was concluded.
Of course, necessary actions such as simulations for potential public disclosure and discussions on legal frameworks are underway. However, at this point, all that could be determined was the schedule for the next meeting.
