Chapter-08 · EP-124

Episode 124: Tatsunori Susa (Part 3)

"I apologize. I didn't know you were from the Ministry of Defense."

"No, I'm the one who's sorry for causing a disturbance."

In the Shinjuku Dungeon Explorer Guild's interview room, I explained the situation and cleared up the misunderstanding. An official then guided me to the room where Josh and his group were being questioned.

――Why had it come to this in the first place?

While tailing Shirou Ichinose, a student at Tokyo Dungeon Academy, Josh and his team of American explorers suddenly appeared, causing Ichinose and the others to call the officials. As a result, even I ended up being questioned.

The tail was ruined. I'd have no choice but to leave everything to Yumi.

I was furious at Josh and his group for causing this situation. Although Ichinose seemed to have noticed my tail, that was a separate issue.

I had known Josh Carmichael for some time. We met during a Japan-US joint exploration exercise back when he was still a fledgling explorer.

I'd met him several times since. I thought he was a reliable person, but why were they here? Was it bad timing, or were they also investigating something…? If so, that was troublesome.

They were high-level explorers, part of America's top team. There was a possibility that the matter of high-rank potions had reached America as well.

But it could also be a complete coincidence. I had to proceed with the questioning carefully.

I stepped into the room where Josh was.

Inside, a large blond man was seated. Josh Carmichael. An explorer I knew from before.

"Susa~!"

Josh sighed in relief upon seeing my face.

"You explain it to them too! We didn't do anything wrong!"

"If you did nothing wrong, then tell me everything. What were you doing in a place like that? You weren't just there to explore, were you? What was your goal?"

I sat down on the chair opposite Josh.

"You suspect us too? That's what I've been saying! We just came to Japan to collect potions."

"Then why did you need to talk to the academy students? What do you know?"

"It was really a coincidence!"

"Don't lie! Tell me the truth!"

When I said that forcefully, Josh's expression suddenly turned serious.

"Susa, what were you doing? Tailing a student? You, of all people? Why would a high-level explorer like you need to tail an ordinary student? Are those kids something special?"

Asked a difficult question, I faltered in my response.

Reading my expression, Josh smirked.

"Susa, we've probably both arrived at the same answer. Let's stop hiding things and show our cards."

So Josh knew about Ichinose's involvement with multiple high-rank potions?

Shocked, I listened intently as Josh continued.

"Who is that girl?"

"…?"

A girl? Shirou Ichinose was a male student…

Who was Josh talking about?

"Sorry for interfering if you were investigating her too. But we couldn't overlook it either."

"W-wait a minute, Josh! Who are you talking about?"

Come to think of it, before we were taken in, he had also said "that girl." Who exactly was he referring to?

Josh answered my question.

"No more secrets now. Obviously, it's about Yuno Hayasaka. We also saw with our Skill Scope that her Healing Magic is Skill Level 2."

My mind was in turmoil.

They hadn't approached Shirou Ichinose?

If so, it would be safer for me not to bring up the matter of high-rank potion transactions.

Still, Healing Magic at Skill Level 2?

The ones with Shirou Ichinose were presumably his first-year classmates. Could they raise their Skill Levels within just a month of enrollment?

"Let me ask you straight, Susa. Is she connected to the Saint of the Theocracy?"

"The Saint of the Theocracy? You mean the Holy Remedios Theocracy? Why bring that up here?"

"Didn't you notice? Yuno Hayasaka's Explorer Level is only 3, yet her Healing Magic is already Skill Level 2. That's not normal. The Saint of the Theocracy was also said to have Healing Magic at Skill Level 2 from Explorer Level 1. Wasn't Yuno Hayasaka also at Healing Magic Skill Level 2 from the start?"

"I don't know about that, but even if so, what of it?"

"If it's the same, then like the Saint of the Theocracy, she might have the ability to raise the Healing Magic skill levels of those around her, or cause some kind of supernatural phenomenon."

The Saint of the Theocracy –

I searched my memory. Saint Aurelia, who reportedly appeared suddenly in the Holy Remedios Theocracy.

The priest who found and protected her, Krishna Sabath, saw his Skill Level rise rapidly while at the saint's side. His Healing Magic was now Skill Level 5, making him a candidate for the next Pope.

Could the same phenomenon be happening in Japan?

Could someone among Shirou Ichinose's classmates possess such mysterious power?

Was this about more than just high-rank potions?

What exactly was happening at the Dungeon Academy?

At any rate, now that Ichinose knew about the tail, I had no choice but to ask him directly.

"Josh…"

"Finally believe me?"

"Unauthorized information gathering using a Skill Scope may constitute a privacy violation. I'll let it slide this time, but please do not engage in such activities in this country again. I will also report this to my superiors."

"I understand that. I'm sorry."

"As for Yuno Hayasaka… after they finish exploring, I'll meet her and ask her directly. Depending on the content, I'll share what I can. However, if it's something that should remain a state secret, I may not be able to say anything."

"OK, OK. I understand. So our suspicions are cleared, right? You'll release us now?"

"Yes. Sorry for the delay."

With that, the suspicions against Josh Carmichael and his companions were cleared, and his teammates in the other room were also released.

――What was Shirou Ichinose hiding?

Holding a small doubt in my heart, I walked toward the dungeon entrance.