The clearing where the cabin once stood had been leveled quite thoroughly. It was roughly the size of a tennis court. Although the undergrowth had run wild, there were no large boulders or stubborn stumps in the way.
Since the ground was already this well-prepared, foundation work could likely begin immediately, allowing for a reasonably sized building.
"It’s quite spacious," I noted.
"I heard several structures used to stand here, like a bunkhouse for workers and a tool shed. That’s why the leveled area is a bit larger than usual," Yuta-san explained.
"I see."
Following Yuta-san’s lead, I looked closer and could indeed see the faint traces of where buildings had once been. He then pointed toward the front right of the clearing to continue his explanation.
"And there’s an old well over there. If you restore it, I believe it could serve as a reliable water source."
"A well... Are there no natural springs on the mountain?"
"Hmm, unfortunately, there aren't any springs that look viable. It might be a geological issue, or perhaps the proximity to the river causes the groundwater to drain in that direction..."
"Ah, that makes sense. So we should assume the old well would be our primary source."
If this clearing were on the other side of the mountain, we might have been able to run a hose from the river and pump water up. However, given the choice between easy water access and the risk of flood damage, it seemed the previous owners had prioritized safety. If a well could meet our needs, there was no reason to invite unnecessary risk.
That logic had likely led them to build the cabin on this side of the ridge and rely on a well.
"Are there any other points of caution? Anything else we should keep in mind?"
"This is a gentle mountain, so there aren't any dangerous cliffs to speak of. Usually, this is where I’d tell you to be careful of the abundant wildlife, but..."
"Haha... I don't think we need to worry about that," Yuji replied with a wry, somewhat apologetic smile.
A warning didn't carry much weight when every boss-level animal we encountered immediately rolled over to show us its belly.
"Well, in that case, there aren't many other concerns. It’s a very ordinary mountain, aside from the difficulty of getting here and the high animal population. In that regard, it might be quite functional for your needs."
"True. This mountain fits our requested criteria quite well... though there was that one unexpected development with the animals fleeing."
"That is... well, it’s out of our hands, isn't it?" Yuta-san said.
Indeed, asking a regular real estate agent to make sure the animals stood their ground instead of running away was a tall order. We couldn't exactly force them to ignore their survival instincts when they sensed us coming. Unless we found a starving predator, they weren't likely to attack. And it was impossible to keep a mountain stocked with animals in a constant state of starvation.
Yeah, it was probably best to drop the "abundant wildlife" requirement. The scenario we’d envisioned was proving impossible to realize. Just our presence in the mountains was enough to clear the area.
"You're right. When we get back to the office, I’ll talk to President Kiritani and officially revise that point."
"That would be a help. If we adjust that, I should be able to find even more candidate sites for you."
"Is that so? But if we look for mountains without much wildlife..."
I immediately thought of barren peaks or craggy rock faces—or perhaps "stigmatized properties" that had suffered from soil contamination or forest fires.
Perhaps our apprehension showed on our faces, as Yuta-san quickly spoke up to reassure us.
"Oh, don't worry. I won't show you anything too bizarre. It just means I can include properties like rocky mountains or areas with extensive wetlands."
"I can see the appeal of a rocky mountain, but wetlands..."
"When I say wetlands, I don't mean a bottomless quagmire. It just means the soil is constantly damp because of how the river water filters through the earth. They aren't popular because you have to start with ground improvement or drive deep piles to build anything."
I wasn't sure about that. While building might be possible with enough effort, it sounded like it would make for a poor training ground. We’d probably better pass on that.
Once we’d finished the briefing on the clearing, Yuji and I headed off to retrieve the rubber boat. We left Hiiragi-san behind to guard Yuta-san. Even if the animals were gone for now, leaving a civilian alone was risky; the local wildlife might return and decide to take their frustration out on the one person who didn't radiate overwhelming power. We wanted to eliminate that possibility. We planned to be back in fifteen minutes, so we told them to just chat while they waited.
As expected, the boat we’d left to air-dry was almost completely free of moisture. Yuji and I quickly deflated it, folded it up, and tucked it into its storage bag. Since it was a dedicated bag, everything fit neatly inside, save for the shovels we’d used as makeshift oars.
As for the shovels... I’d just put them in my Spatial Storage after we parted ways with Yuta-san. If I did it now, he’d probably wonder if I’d just tossed them away.
"Alright, all set. Daiki, let's hurry back. We shouldn't keep them waiting."
"Got it. Still, Yuji, even if the trek is a pain, this place seems surprisingly useful."
"Yeah. The last mountain was steep by normal standards, but it didn't feel challenging to us. And since the animals won't even come near us, we might be better off just looking for properties based on how remote and isolated they are."
"I agree. I wonder if there are any hidden regions that are just a hassle to reach, without any other weird baggage."
Based on what we’d seen, "steep" by general standards wasn't going to cut it for us. Of course, famous peaks or sheer vertical cliffs would be different, but those weren't the kind of places we could just buy, so they were out of the question anyway.
In that case, "steepness" was a useless search term for us.
"Right. We should probably ask for properties in true hidden regions that take several hours to reach on foot. Those would have low utility for most people, so we could probably get them cheap."
"Yeah. In some cases, the price might even let us buy an entire mountain."
"Exactly. If we're going to buy anything, a whole mountain is much better than some subdivided plot. We can use it however we want."
"True."
Since we planned to do all sorts of things once we had a training ground, owning a whole mountain far from civilization was the best-case scenario. Our intended use would likely make people wonder if it was a Self-Defense Forces training range. For the sake of confidentiality and avoiding complaints from neighbors, a remote, hidden region was ideal.
Thinking of it that way, this property was a strong candidate. All that remained was to see what the land route back was like.
"Anyway, enough talk. Let's get back."
"Yeah."
We grabbed the gear and started running toward the clearing. As this was a plantation forest, the trees were planted in neat, orderly rows. Even with the overgrown weeds, it was a very easy environment to navigate.
Yes, far too easy.
"Hmm. Easy movement is a plus for logistics, but for a training ground, it’s a bit of a letdown."
"I was thinking the same thing. Having a mountain path be this easy to run is a bit of a problem."
"Yeah. It would be better if the growth was more complex and chaotic."
"That’s the downside of a plantation forest..."
The trees were spaced for efficiency and sunlight, making the terrain trivial for us. The undergrowth was a minor nuisance, but we could just swat it aside with the shovels in our hands.
Yeah. If our goal was a training ground, we should probably steer clear of plantation forests.
"When we update our conditions, let's ask him to exclude managed forests too..."
"Seems like the right call."
Actually visiting these places was teaching us a lot. Or rather, it was revealing just how flawed our initial assumptions had been. Mostly because of our own physical capabilities.
Talking as we wove through the trees, we made it back to the clearing where Yuta-san and Hiiragi-san were waiting within a few minutes.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Oh, you're back! Thank you, Hirose-kun, Kokonoe-kun. I appreciate you going all the way back to the river for that."
"Don't worry about it. It was our idea anyway, and it didn't take much effort."
"Well, I’m grateful regardless. Was the boat dry?"
"Yes, perfectly."
Yuta-san looked a bit guilty for putting us to work and offered us some kind words. This much movement wasn't a burden for us at all, so his apologetic look was actually more awkward for us than the chore itself.
Regardless, we were ready to head back. Now we just had to take the land route, though I wasn't entirely sure which way that was. The river had meandered quite a bit, so I wanted to get my bearings relative to the car. At worst, I knew we could just run in a straight line toward it if we had to.
"Let's head out then. Yuta-san, please give us the directions."
"Right, leave the guiding to me."
"Understood. Let's get ready."
"Ah... right. I'm in your hands," Yuta-san said, his expression turning distant as if he were bracing himself for an ordeal. Being carried on a teenager's back was probably a bit of a blow to his pride as a grown man.
Since we were used to the routine by now, we quickly strapped him into the auxiliary harness on Yuji’s back.
"Yuta-san, you ready?"
"Yes, ready."
"Alright, starting the move. Just point the way."
"Understood."
Yuta-san checked the GPS and pointed toward a specific part of the foothills.
"First, head toward that peak over there. There’s a rocky clearing—a spot with no trees and scattered boulders. Head for that first."
"Got it. Hold on tight. Daiki, Hiiragi-san, ready?"
"Good to go."
"Ready when you are."
"Then, let's move!"
With that, we took off in the direction Yuta-san indicated.
Thirty minutes after leaving the second property, we reached the car. Between the trip upriver and the "trekking," the viewing had taken about two hours. It looked like we’d make it back to the office while the sun was still high, just as planned.
"We’re back!"
"Ugh... yeah... we finally... made it..."
"Whoa, are you okay, Yuta-san? You look terrible."
"Yeah... just... give me a minute. I was staring at the GPS the whole time, and I think... ugh..."
We helped a pale, nauseated Yuta-san off Yuji’s back. It seemed that staring at the small screen to provide navigation while being jostled around at high speeds had given him a severe case of motion sickness. Even though Yuji had tried to keep his gait steady, it couldn't compare to the suspension of a car. And since this route required more frequent course corrections than the first one, Yuta-san had been glued to the GPS.
He seemed to be holding it together, so he just needed some time to recover.
"Here, Yuta-san. Have some tea."
"Th-thank you. Sorry to be a bother."
"Don't mention it. Just take it easy until you feel better."
"Right."
After handing him a bottle from the car, we began loading the gear. It looked like it would be a while before he was fit to drive.
While we waited for him to recover, we discussed the two properties. Mostly, I was just filling Hiiragi-san in on what Yuji and I had talked about while getting the boat.
"I see... so that’s what you two came up with?"
"Yeah. It’s the kind of thing you only realize once you’re actually on the ground."
"I suppose you’re right."
Hiiragi-san nodded thoughtfully as she listened to our explanation.
"Yes, I agree with you both. Changing our criteria is definitely the right move."
So, Hiiragi-san was on board with the revision.
Now all that remained was to consult with President Kiritani. But looking at Yuta-san, who was still leaning against a tree with a ghostly pale face, it looked like it would be a while before we actually got home.