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High School Hack and Slash Chapter 146 Part 1

The Engraved One

「–Furthermore, the number of casualties in this advent raid is high. The total number of deaths is zero.」

「Hmm, then there is no problem with reusing the ruins. So it appears to be, does it not?」

「It is too early to make that judgment, don’t you think? First of all, we need to conduct another investigation….」

「Out of question. In the meantime, what about the operation of the storage as well as potion refining plant installed in the『Tartarus Arena』? There is no alternative facility, and the costs in terms of location will also be no joke, you know, boy.」

「In the first place, this case. Who is going to take responsibility? It was inadequately managed, don’t you think?」

In a corner of the academy’s controlled access area where students were not allowed to enter and whose existence was not even known, the temporary accident investigation committee that had just been set up was in dispute.

As for the content, it was avoidance of responsibility and self-justification, in short, pulling each other’s legs and pushing the blame onto each other.

And then, securing their own interests.

「Well, everybody calm down a little bit. The report is not yet over.」

At the words of the chairman, who was folding his hands on the desk, a truce was called.

The preliminary report had been delivered by the investigation unit dispatched to the『Tartarus Arena』.

It was estimated that as an other world (raid), it had once again shifted to the state of inert, in other words dormant.

Its material-ish constituents as an arena maintained a steady state and showed no signs of volatilization.

The same was true for other other world (raid) structures that had made an『Advent』 on earth.

Ones such as the existing pyramids, the ruins of so-called ancient megalithic civilizations, or ancient cities.

There were also those whose existence had been kept secret, but their vestiges were left behind in all over the world, such as『Tower of Babel』, 『The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria』, 『The Taj Mahal Underground Tomb』 and『The Undersea Temple of Bermuda』.

「New zones that did not exist on the map have been identified. We have rescued the students who had been secured there, but a number of missing persons (Lost Man) are also….」

「More importantly, what about the miasma levels in the ruins?」

Rather than such a thing, the remark that was spelled out all so naturally, without any shreds of guilt, was equivalent to the consensus of the conference room.

「Don’t tell me, it has not gone and dried up, has it?」

「That would be very troubling, boy.」

「… There was no change in its reading on the measurement. We have also confirmed that the gimmicks in the arena are working without problem.」

Once an other world domain manifested on the above ground, the vestiges of its encroachment to the world would be engraved on it even after it was conquered and lost its『core』.

It was believed that the encroachment of world laws, known as『pollution』, would last for hundreds of years.

「Very well. If that is the case, there does not seems to be any problem.」

「Well then, as expected, we should make the restoration of the damaged plant as our top priority….」

「Ensuring safety comes first, no? Worry not, leave it to me. Given things, looks like we need to set up a new management organization….」

Once again, the worthless dispute repeated.

The reporter, a personnel in their prime, simply held back the spit he was close to spit out.

◇ ◇ ◇

「Mm. Then, I guess that means the tournament this time is officially suspended, huh….」

「Yes. The students of the regular department should be notified by tomorrow.」

The sunken sofa creaked slightly.

Even though it was a high-class item, the one seated on it was a huge body that was too much for it to bear with ease.

Kouji, the vice president of the Toyoashihara Academy student council, let out another groan.

「Naturally, that also means that our turns are no more, huh. What a disappointment.」

「We overcame this calamity without incurring much casualties. It is a result worthy of celebration, so I find it questionable for you to harbor chagrin about it.」

「Hmm. Well, it is a figure of speech.」

He smiled bitterly at the candid remarks of Reiji, who was similarly a vice president.

Reika, with the report in her hand, secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Reiji, who never shied away from making candid remarks no matter who the opposite side was, was by no means the type of person who was well-liked.

Rather, it was only natural for him to be ostracized.

To change the subject, Reika addressed Kaori, with whom she had become a little friendly through a certain common interest.

「Kaori-san. Is there something on your mind?」

「Ah, no….」

Kaori, who had not yet shed her first-year newcomer mindset, made her body smaller.

「I am just wondering, what a dungeon is. That is.」

「I see.」

Such was all Reika could reply to her with.

「Up until now, I wonder if it is because we have a filter known as Rashomon. It did not seem so real to me, but… When I hear that monsters or raids appear in our own world like this, it is like, how should I put it….」

「… I see.」

Pouring more sympathy into those exactly same words, she nodded her head.

It was a question that every student at the academy, regardless of whether they were from the supreme or the regular department, could not help but think about it at least once.

Reika poured freshly brewed black tea into the cups.

「But still, you see, the champion of Greek mythology, Hercules, huh… To be honest, I wish I could have fought him, too.」

「As reluctant as I may be, I should say that… I agree with that statement.」

「Oh. I knew it. You think so too, huh, Reiji.」

Kouji and Reiji were not as bad of friends as students seeing from the outside might think.

It would not be too much to say that they were friends.

However, Reika earnestly wished them to perish the thoughts such as challenging a super class raid boss.

Should such a situation arise, she would surely set out and beat it up before the two of them could step up.

With a cup in her hand, Kaori watched the figures of such student council members.

「It is reality….」

「Ah, yes. Tetsurou-sama?」

Kaoru turned around, startled by the words of the President, who was also her fiancé.

Tetsurou was usually a man of few words, so each time he spoke, she wound up being surprised.

「Be it this world and the dungeon, both are similarly none other than reality.」

「Err… yes. Tetsurou-sama.」

Is he concerned about me, I wonder?

With such a thought in mind, Kaori smiled a little.

◇ ◇ ◇

「Now then, everybody’s got their glasses, right?」

The population density in the second floor of the rest area of the second open-air bath of Asagi-sou is high.

The tatami matted Japanese-style banquet hall is packed tightly with participants.

No, where they have all sprung from, I wonder?

More than half of them are not residents of Asagi-sou, though.

「Well then, good work with the inter-club tournament and Hercules subjugation. I mean, for the matches of the tournament to be null and void, don’t give me that fuck, cheers!」

The good works party begins with Otoha-senpai’s lead, which turns into a complete desperation in the latter half.

It’s inevitable that the tournament turned out to be a no-contest, I guess.

The arena, the venue of the tournament, is currently sealed off.

It’s an event with a slightly high danger level to hold in other places with no undead system support.

It’s just that, it seems that some sort of compensation will be provided for the clubs that passed the qualifying round.

「Touma-san. Here you go.」

「… Yeah.」

Shizuka-san, sitting next to me, takes care of me.

But it’s high time for this chain to be removed, don’t you think?

「Both Touma-kun and Shizuka-chan thank you for your hard work.」

「Yes, likewise, Mikan-senpai.」

Mikan-senpai, holding a glass of bubbly barley juice, pours me a drink.

「We went through great pains in vain, though, right~.」

「Well, it can’t be helped. The fact that things came to an end safely is already a good thing, no?」

Mai and Seiichi grumble as they shrug their shoulders.

「It’s surprising for the conquest of a super class raid to claim no victims-rawr.」

「… ankimo delish …」

The two vice presidents of Black Honey are taking a sip of their cups in a carefree manner.

Not only the members of the tournament, but also all the members are joining in the good works party.

The composition of there being mostly female club members is the same as our club.

Even the Senpais from the Craftsman group, who are basically shy, have gotten familiar with the Black Honey members through joint raids and other ventures.

By the way, the doggy President-san is stationed in front of a huge roasted boar she personally brought as a gift.

I think she’ll subjugate it clean by herself.

But, well, Black Honey coming to join the banquet is nothing new.

「… Why am I sitting in such a seat …?」

A dignified-looking female Senpai-san, who is participating for the first time, is sporting a distant look on her eyes.

「Impudent.」

「Stay away from Saki-chan.」

「It, it’s not like I’ve come here to see Saki or anything.」

「Don’t worry about the minor details. You too, Karin, let’s have a drink together.」

For some reason, Saki is very popular.

Miharu and Natsumi are competing for Saki with Senpai-san.

She seems to have come to scout Saki for their club, but bit by bit, she’s blending in with the others.