Side: ???
"What do you think of this?"
"Don't you find it interesting?"
Those are the people I would call my mentors.
Honestly, just when I thought I was being called over out of nowhere, it turns out to be this. These people really seem to be children of science to their very core... I want to catch up to them, even if just a little.
To discover unknown worlds, research them, unravel their mysteries, and build a future in the name of technology. The world is always connected to the future, to a new world. Within that, I too want to create a new future with my own hands.
However, in this world, you can't eat just by doing what you like... That is why we must produce research results, make ourselves useful to society, and prove that what we are doing is meaningful and creates the future.
Facing such realities, my mentors still remain in the laboratory today.
"Huh? Aren't we going to investigate the abnormal fluctuations of the ammeter needle today?"
"Nn? Ah, today is a break."
"Would you like to read this too?"
What was handed to me with those words was a book titled 'The History of Firearms'.
"Why this, of all things? It's completely unrelated, isn't it?"
"That's why I said it's a break. When we concentrate on one thing we lose sight of the surroundings."
"Yes, exactly. By intentionally reading something unrelated to our field of research like this, we try to calm our minds."
"Hah..."
...As usual, they are people I don't quite understand.
"It's quite interesting stuff, you know. How to make gunpowder, the strength of iron required to withstand gunshot pressure, and so on."
"We had tools provided for us from the start. If the research funds run out, we'll have no choice but to manage on our own."
"You don't seriously intend to make them yourselves, do you?"
"It's not out of the question. Preparing for emergencies is essential, otherwise it's meaningless."
"Indeed. In the end, if our research lacks evaluation from others, our research budget will be cut and eventually disappear. But if we believe that this research will surely lead to something, we need to continue researching even without money, don't we?"
"No, I mean, that's true, but..."
Why does that lead to the idea of making things from raw materials?
There is no way I can ask that out loud... They are probably just this kind of creature.
For now, I'll read the book handed to me today... I believe this kind of knowledge won't go to waste, just as my mentors said. Though I'm sure it's mostly half out of amusement...
Time passed, and while my mentors' research achieved a certain level of success, time moved on toward the Second World War. Emphasis came to be placed on research into how efficiently people could be killed, targets destroyed, and mobility improved.
"The higher-ups are so rigid-minded."
"I can understand the logic behind what they're saying, though."
"But if we can accomplish that, fewer lives would be lost..."
"Their reasoning is this: if you're emitting radio waves while doing it, it's like hanging a lantern on yourself and announcing, ‘I'm a target.'"
"If we continued improving it…"
"They say that if they have the budget to spare for improvements, they'd rather use it to develop new weapons."
And the things my mentors developed were taken up by the military because the enemy understood their usefulness better than we did... And now... It seems our country finally realized the importance of my mentors' research and development, albeit late.
Well, if it had been earlier... I have no intention of saying things like "we wouldn't be in such a disadvantageous position..."
Anyone with a decent education knows.
In this war, the timing and manner of bringing it to an end were mishandled.
...No. This was a war whose outcome had been decided from the very beginning.
As a result, many lives and resources were worn down, and the day came for me to be consumed as well.
—Woooooooooo.
A siren rang out.
The people around all looked up into the sky at once.
"W-Why here of all places!?"
"Stop spacing out and run!! It's an air raid warning!!"
Yes, an air raid warning.
It was unusual in this area, but not unheard of.
After all, military supplies were being manufactured here.
"Technical Officer!! Please evacuate!!"
"I know. But I cannot allow these documents to be burned."
These were the fruits of my mentors' research—the information we had used to develop even more precise methods of avoiding detection by the enemy...
Fwoooooooosh—
The place where I had lived before was a fairly urban area, so I had heard that sound many times.
The sound of a bomb falling.
"Evacu—"
"Eh?"
BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
Ah...
I never thought it would fall right in front of me.
everything were happening in slow motion.
Ahhh... If only I could record this on camera. The data would probably be incredibly useful.
That ridiculous thought crossed my mind as I was swallowed by the explosion.
...I'm no different from my mentors after all. In the end, I too was a researcher to my core.
Professor Yagi, Professor Uda.
I'm sorry that I couldn't continue researching improvements to the radio direction-finding system with you.
If there is a next life, I want to conduct research for something more enjoyable, rather than for war, and create a future.
For someone like me, that was a strange thing to pray for at the very end.
Well, I'm not saying I deny reincarnation.
I suppose there's nothing wrong with believing in religion, either.
But somehow, as a researcher, it seemed amusing that I would make such a wish at the very last moment...
* * *
"—Now, awaken..."
I thought I heard a voice like that.
How strange.
My consciousness had certainly faded.
No... I should have died.
Well, I suppose you could hardly call it a peaceful death, but I think I had lived a reasonably fulfilling life.
It would be a lie to say I had no regrets, but I certainly couldn't imagine having somehow escaped death... Could it be that I survived with severe injuries?
That would be unpleasant in its own way. Even if I survived a direct hit like that, I'd probably be bedridden for the rest of my life.
...It's useless to overthink it.
For now, let's open my eyes and assess the situation.
After running through my thoughts, since there was no discomfort in my physical sensations, I lifted my closed eyelids.
"Welcome. To the Sacred Realm of Aloulito. O brave hero from another world, chosen by me."
Standing there was a foreigner.
She could well be called a beauty.
Judging by how her hair reflected light to the point that it couldn't be called white, should it be called silver rather than blonde? Platinum—was that what it was called in foreign countries?
Hah, even if it's because it's the enemy's language, having such everyday words banned makes things troublesome in various ways.
Well, that aside.
First, I must respond.
The words just now were probably directed at me.
If there was someone behind me, she might have been talking to them, but unfortunately, there was no sign of anyone else in this private room.
Thanks to learning Jigen-ryu for mental discipline, I can tell at least that much.
Though my local accent caused me trouble when I went up to the capital, mind you.
"Excuse me. Were those words addressed to me?"
I returned those words to her.
Proper, clear Japanese.
And yet, with foreign features, she must be an Italian or a German.
If she is from an allied country and speaks proper Japanese, she must be a daughter of a respectable family residing in Japan.
If a technical officer like me handles things poorly, I could end up losing my head.
"Yes. Without a doubt, I was speaking to you."
"I see. I am Taizou Motome, Second Lieutenant, attached to the 23rd Unit of the Imperial Japanese Army's Technical Development Bureau."
Saying so, I gave a crisp, formal salute.
I had to avoid making any blunders.
Though I was told something incomprehensible, rather than questioning her true intent, I should first introduce myself properly.
"Mo...to-me, Tai-zō?"
"Yes. It is a name characteristic of the Japanese. Ah, Motome is my surname, or family name, while Taizou is my given name. If you were to phrase it according to your customs, it would be Taizou Motome."
"Were you born into nobility? Thank you for explaining so carefully."
"No. In our country, anyone is permitted to use a family name. I myself was born to an ordinary family, so there is no need to be so formal with me."
...Could someone really misunderstand simply because of a family name?
No. Perhaps she is a sheltered young lady?
"No, I must pay full respects to Taizo-dono. As I mentioned earlier, you are the hero I summoned from a far-off, alternate world."
"Hah. Um, by 'hero', is it acceptable to understand that as meaning a soldier?"
I was honestly becoming confused.
Even though this is clearly talk suited for play, it's turning into a discussion about becoming a soldier.
No, could orders have come down without my knowing to serve as a conversational partner for this young lady?
Because a hero (yusha) means a brave person.
In the military, it is a term that refers to an outstanding soldier.
"Ah, yes. That is what the word meant long ago. In our world, that meaning has long since been forgotten. A hero is now understood as someone who surpasses even a legendary champion."
"Is that so."
"Yes."
...Huh?
It feels as though our conversation is communicating, yet at the same time, not communicating.
Calm down.
I had introduced myself first, so at least I had fulfilled the first rule of etiquette.
I should ask her name and have her explain the situation.
I might be reprimanded by my superior later, but that would still be better than proceeding without understanding anything.
"Pardon me, but may I ask for your name?"
"Ah, my apologies. I am the Saintess Hiffy, who leads the Sacred Kingdom of Hiffy. And I am also the Goddess Hiffy, praised and worshipped by that Sacred Kingdom. Please, feel free to call me Hiffy."
...The Sacred Kingdom of Hiffy? I had never heard of it.
Moreover, if what she said was true, she was the leader of a country.
I'll set the "Goddess" part aside for now.
I didn't trust her words at all, but I also needed to keep her in a good mood, so I had no choice but to play along and gather information
"I apologize. I am ignorant and have never heard the name of the Sacred Kingdom of Hiffy. Where exactly is this country located?"
"It is only natural that you haven't heard of it. After all, this is the Sacred Realm of Aroulito, a world different from the one in which Taizou-dono was born and lived."
"I-Is that so..."
This is bad.
Have I gotten dragged into some bizarre cult?
However, there isn't a dangerous atmosphere suggesting they intend to use me as a sacrifice.
I don't understand this at all.
"Fufu. That's right. Having been brought to another world, talking inside a room won't make it clear to you. Please, follow me this way."
Saying so, she smiled and opened the door.
There, standing in front of the door, was another beautiful woman.
"Comet, thank you for your guard duty."
When Hify-dono called out to her, she bowed her head without answering.
However, though she was a beauty, her skin was abnormally pale... No, is it bluish? ...It might be rude to say this, but it's almost like a corpse.
"This is Comet. Although her position differs from yours, she is involved in the development of magical tools and is a pillar of our Sacred Kingdom of Hiffy. Please get along with her."
"My name is Comet. Please call me Comet. I look forward to working with you."
Comet-dono said so, carelessly shaking her beautiful golden hair as she bowed her head.
Yes, just like a doll dropping its head with a click.
Even after raising her head, she didn't bother fixing her disheveled hair, so I began to wonder whether my impression had been correct.
Then again, perhaps she was simply careless about her appearance... My mentors' private lives were quite disastrous as well, after all.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Taizou Motome. Please call me Taizou."
"Yes, Taizou-dono."
Her disheveled hair covered part of her face, leaving only one eye visible as she looked at me.
...As expected, there's something unusual about her.
"Araara, Comet. You need to keep your hair tidy. Otherwise, you'll ruin your beautiful appearance."
Saying so, Hiffy-dono adjusted her hair with her hands.
...Seen this way, they almost looked like an older sister taking care of a younger sister who was completely indifferent to her appearance.
"I apologize, Hiffy-sama. I will be more careful from now on."
"That's all right. I'll fix it for you. Otherwise, Comet gets too absorbed in her research."
"Understood."
Still, her responses are somewhat stiff.
Well, a corpse couldn't possibly move around, so I suppose she was simply this sort of person.
Convincing myself of that, I went outside under their guidance.
What spread before my eyes was a small amount of farmland surrounding a castle, followed by grassland stretching as far as I could see.
...There was nothing like this in Japan.
I was certain that, right before my memories cut off, I had been inside a factory in Japan.
"Do you believe me now? That this is the Sacred Realm of Aroulito."
Hiffy-dono says that.
Considering the current disadvantageous situation, traveling to an allied country should be difficult.
Furthermore, there is no way I could be brought here without waking up even once.
Judging from the situation, I really must have been brought to another world.
I had no idea why they could understand Japanese, but when I carefully watched the movements of their mouths, it didn't appear that they were actually speaking Japanese... It was more as though the sounds reaching my ears were being translated into Japanese.
Is it some kind of sorcery...? Or had they done something to my ears?
Damn it, I haven't studied the finer details of medicine at all, so I can't make a guess.
"...For now, I understand that I have been brought to an unfamiliar land, but I am still somewhat confused."
"That's understandable. We don't expect you to accomplish something right away, so please spend your time comfortably in this Great Sacred Hall. You will come to understand various things in the meantime."
"Was I not summoned as a hero?"
"Yes. However, the enemy we must defeat and the task before us are both so formidable that strength alone will not be enough. That is precisely why I summoned you, Taizou-dono, a person from another world who possesses superior knowledge. Please, lend us your strength."
"...Well, I do not believe this humble officer is suited for such a grand role, but I will cooperate. Listening to your story, it seems my life was saved, after all."
"Yes. I was on the verge of losing my life. Judging from the circumstances, it appears that I escaped that fate because you summoned me, Hifii-dono."
"Is that so? But is it truly fine to give such an immediate answer? From what you said, you belong to the military..."
"Yes, that is correct. However, having been given a second chance at life, I cannot simply return to my homeland without repaying that debt. I believe this is the time to show the spirit of Yamato—the spirit of Japan."
Well, with defeat all but certain and our nation already mobilizing every resource it had, returning now would probably only mean throwing away my life.
The course of action I should take is to build a better relationship with this Sacred Kingdom of Hify, connect diplomacy with Japan, and strive to become good friends with them.
That would also be my way of repaying them for saving my life.
Fortunately, I had read all sorts of books during my mentors' "breaks," so I should be able to create various things even starting from scratch.
I don't know the civilization level of this country, but I should manage somehow.
It really pays off to dabble in various things.
Of course, I would need to make adjustments to ensure things didn't turn into something terrible.
...Because I am thoroughly sick and tired of a war like that.
* * *
Side: Taiki Nakasato
『...And that's the situation. If we learn anything more, we may have you come over too, Taiki-kun, so keep that in mind.』
"Yes. Understood."
The call ended.
I had just received information from Yuki-san that there seemed to be someone from another world involved.
But guns, huh?
In cases like this, nine times out of ten, I'd assume they came from Japan.
I agree with Yuki-san's assessment.
Sigh... I hope this person is someone I can actually talk to.
I hope they haven't gone through the same miserable experience I did…
"Is something wrong, Taiki-sama?"
"Ah. You noticed?"
"Indeed. I saw a cloudiness in your sword, Taiki-san."
...Uh, why is Soel-san here?
Noticing the look I was giving them, Airi and Soel-san held hands intimately.
""Because we're friends!""
They announced cheerfully.
...Oh boy. Am I losing my ways out here too?
No, let's calm my spirit first.
The Jigen-ryu of Satsuma that my grandfather taught me.
I can't do even a single proper technique yet, and my weapon is a sword, after all.
But I never neglect my sword practice.
Because Yuki-san provided the katana for me, and if I ever return home and my skills have dulled, I'll get scolded.
Thinking that, I resumed my practice swings for the time being.
