Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 238

Another Side

“Kukukuku, he’s truly interesting,” the Demon Lord chuckled, looking at the report from Jiro Tanaka, the man who had caused trouble right at the start of the New Year.

It was the second day of the traditional three-day New Year’s holiday. While even the busiest companies would typically be closed during this period, the Demon Lord was working as usual. If one were to question the Demon Lord, given his position, about why he wasn’t taking the New Year’s holiday of this otherworld’s Japan off, the answer would be quite simple.

“I don’t have that kind of free time.”

That single statement would likely cut off any further inquiry. He had his regular duties, expansion efforts, physical ability improvements, and communication with his subordinates – a mountain of tasks. For the Demon Lord, whose schedule was meticulously planned down to the minute, holidays didn’t exist.

Furthermore, this Demon Lord, with his formidable body and immense magical power, had a weaker sense of the need for rest than most humans. Of course, he didn’t dedicate every waking moment to work. When he felt sleepy, he slept; when hungry, he ate. And when he desired a change of pace, he meticulously scheduled time for observing his subordinates under the guise of inspection, even venturing out alone without his retinue.

However, this was not a time schedule that an ordinary person could easily imagine. Let’s assume the average Japanese adult male needs seven hours of sleep. That’s about one-third of the twenty-four hours in a day. The remaining time would presumably be used for work, meals, or leisure. Depending on the individual, this ratio might lean towards work, or for those married, towards childcare.

Within this allocation, sleep time has its limits. Even the most sleep-resistant person could collapse if they stayed awake for more than three consecutive days. And while it might be possible to function on four hours of sleep, it wouldn’t be considered healthy. Eventually, one would reach their limit.

For the Demon Lord, however, this stage is different. His approach to time itself deviates from the norm. With the unfair advantage of his robust physique and magical power, he shortens the rest periods that ordinary beings require, dedicating that time to other pursuits. Specifically, he can maintain peak physical condition with just one to two hours of sleep every three days. This leaves him with an extra four to five hours of free time daily compared to ordinary people, which he can then use for work or leisure as he pleases. He typically spends these hours, often until dawn, reviewing and drafting documents. As the leader of the organization, he takes the initiative to get things done. When those around him, aware of this, ask if he’s not tired, he replies with an effortless smile, “Of course not.”

In the past, when a formidable general asked him a similar question, he answered with a smile, even after days of sleepless work, causing the general’s mouth to twitch. On another occasion, an Undead King, concerned about his schedule, collapsed before him. While these generals might have maintained a normal expression after one or two instances, this was simply the Demon Lord’s normal mode of operation, thanks to his immense power. Consequently, they both decided not to dwell on his workload, attributing it to his being the Demon Lord.

Despite this track record, the Demon Lord does not impose his capabilities on his subordinates. He is keenly aware that he is an exception among exceptions. He understands that what he can do is far beyond the reach of most beings. Because he grasps this fact, the Demon Lord sometimes engages in work alone like this.

“Fun, fun, fun.”

There was no sadness or loneliness in this. Instead, he relished this time of working alone. After all, beings of the Demon Lord’s caliber are routinely invited to ceremonies and parties. Attending them all would leave him with no time, and each event requires attendants or escorts. He turns down unnecessary invitations and manages his schedule meticulously, integrating the escorts’ availability into his plans. This naturally includes his time off. Therefore, opportunities for the Demon Lord to be alone are limited to these situations where his escorts are fully occupied and he can work by himself.

Normally, Evia, who serves in a secretarial role, would be present. However, she too is on leave by the Demon Lord’s direct order. For the Demon Lord, this meant a rare opportunity to be alone, which is why he was reading the report with such apparent enjoyment.

Let it be clear from the outset, the Demon Lord doesn’t dislike Evia. It would be unthinkable for him to keep someone he disliked by his side. However, her being *too* competent is also a problem. While he acknowledges her excellence and the fact that his body doesn’t tire, there are times when he wishes to relax. Evia’s diligence is a virtue, but a constant atmosphere of seriousness can be rather stiffening. Reading reports leisurely is less of a mental and physical strain than doing so with rigid formality. The mental strain, in particular, cannot be underestimated.

Even with a strong body, it doesn’t necessarily equate to a strong mind. While he has trained himself to remain unfazed by most events, his mental stamina is far more sensitive to fatigue than his physical resilience.

“I never expected to create an opportunity to make contact with an organization from this world in such a manner.”

Therefore, such stimulating and interesting topics are the Demon Lord’s greatest delight. On the surface, it appears to be an act of insubordination by a subordinate. It’s a situation that could warrant punishment. If the report had been from elderly, rigid individuals, it would have been dealt with without a second thought. However, to the Demon Lord, this report was like a treasure map.

“This is interesting, ah, it’s perfect. It makes my heart pound like this.”

The Demon Lord’s original intention in establishing this company stemmed from his childhood realization that the current Demon Lord’s Army had become too rigid in its ideology. Simply charging blindly into dungeons, being repelled, gaining strength, and then charging again. A repetitive cycle. Grudges bred more grudges, and these festered, eroding the foundations of their nation. In his youth, when the Demon Lord was merely a demon, the Demon Lord’s Army was a mere embodiment of violence. An organization destined for ruin, where might alone was considered justice because it had succeeded in the past. The leader at the time held a similar ideology. “Use power to obtain that land.” He remembers everyone being intoxicated by such a simple philosophy.

That’s why, believing this was unsustainable, the young Demon Lord candidate took a stand. Instead of relying solely on brute force, he emphasized ingenuity. This applied to training his body, recruiting allies, and expanding the organization. He didn’t just act; he considered *why* he was acting, *what* was necessary, and ultimately, *where* it would lead him, and it was through this that he became the Demon Lord.

Anyone can simply negate things. The word “negate” arises simply because someone’s values differ. That judgment is based on experience, so it’s not necessarily wrong. However, to the Demon Lord, it wasn’t entirely correct either. Even if an experience is like mud, something everyone dismisses and forgets, a nugget of gold might be found within it. That’s why the Demon Lord places great importance on the ability to select and refine information. Because of this experience, Jiro Tanaka’s report appears to him as a treasure map.

“Finally, I may be able to understand in part why powerful Heroes are born in this world.”

The Demon Lord’s natural enemy is the Hero. History has taught him this. Successive powerful Demon Lords have repeatedly suffered setbacks. To understand why such an enemy arises in this world, which lacks magical power, one must understand the environment. Therefore, the Demon Lord highly valued Jiro Tanaka’s actions of making contact with and establishing ties with the underworld organization of this world to gain that information.

“However, it’s not without its problems. Hmm, what should I do? How can I convince those stubborn old men?”

Unfortunately, that appreciation has not yet permeated the entire Demon Lord’s Army, even in its ongoing reforms. Just as with humans, changing mindsets, even across different species, is not easy. The perception of humans as an inferior species remains deeply ingrained.

“His excessive success is probably also a reason for their displeasure. Hmm, this is troublesome, quite troublesome.”

In the first place, the plan to create a dungeon for confronting Heroes, which involved hiring humans, was pushed through despite considerable opposition, with their objections largely ignored. To make matters worse, these elderly dissenters who are actively seeking flaws hold high status, influence, and power within the Demon Lord’s Army. They are also key figures who have supported the Demon Lord’s Army for generations. He doesn’t disagree with them to the point of purging them. The Demon Lord knows they are not individuals who cling to power merely for its own sake; they are concerned about the future of their nation. Their resistance stems from the pride of seasoned veterans who have struggled over the years. He understands that they are displeased by the success and recognition of a newcomer.

While he could force the issue and push forward, a confrontation would likely result in significant losses.

“If I respect the elders’ opinions, it would be best to keep this matter hidden, but that would be a waste.”

This situation requires a delicate balance. Based on his experience, the Demon Lord is certain that the information Jiro Tanaka has brought will provide immense value to the future of the Demon Lord’s Army. However, that is a future prospect. It will take time for it to bear fruit. The obstinate elders become dissatisfied if results aren’t immediate. Furthermore, this world, Japan, is a death trap even for the Demon Lord. Contact with this world’s organizations must be approached with extreme caution. The elders will likely point this out. The Demon Lord is well aware of this.

“The ideal scenario would be for Jiro to gain the respect of those elders…”

Nonetheless, he believed this matter held significant value, which is why he was contemplating how to persuade the elders while processing other documents. If those elders were to accept Jiro Tanaka, the situation would become considerably easier. While there might be some disputes over methods, contact with the Japanese organization would become a realistic prospect. However, considering the sheer amount of preparation required for that alone, it seemed like an overwhelming and unrealistic undertaking.

“Therefore, it would be better to consider another approach.”

In his left hand, he held the report written by Jiro. His free hand skillfully manipulated multiple pens with magic, processing documents smoothly. The Demon Lord’s expression was one of immense enjoyment, his demeanor as innocent as that of a young child listening to an adventure story.

“Yes, it would be much faster to bring them to our side. There’s still a gap between the Testers and us. It’s a problem to have such a distance within the same organization. He’s closer to us than most, but it’s still not enough. So, why not lend a hand?”

After a few minutes of deep contemplation, the Demon Lord reached a conclusion. It was all for the future of the Demon Lord’s Army. He decided, based on his own distorted sense of normality, that some sacrifices were necessary for the organization – something Jiro, who hadn’t entirely shed his ordinary human sensibility, wouldn’t conceive of.

“Besides, it’s convenient that Evia isn’t here right now.”

Setting aside the report he had already memorized, the Demon Lord felt a surge of excitement, akin to mischievous delight, as he silently prepared to act in place of his secretary. He sent a telepathic message to the demon who would be assisting him in Evia’s stead.

“Ah, it’s me. I have something that needs to be arranged urgently. Yes, it’s a top-secret order. I’ll inform you about the personnel and details later. For now, secure the location I will tell you. You understand, this is highly classified. It’s no exaggeration to say it concerns our future progress. Be careful not to let others discover this. Yes, I’m counting on you.”

The demon at the other end of the telepathic call was, while not as skilled as Evia, an excellent demon, possessing the capability to be the Demon Lord’s chief subordinate if she weren’t present. He had entrusted the task to such a demon. Confident there would be no failure, the Demon Lord moved on to his next task.

“Ah, it’s me.”

Who was on the other end of the next telepathic call? Only the Demon Lord knew. And only the Demon Lord knew what this matter would eventually lead to. All that could be said was that the Demon Lord’s actions seemed to involve Evia.

“Hmm, Evia might get angry with me, but I think she should focus more on her private life too.”

As he continued to work, the Demon Lord thought, “Well, this is getting fun!”

Unbeknownst to the employees who were currently resting, he relentlessly pursued his work.

Another Side End

A Word for Today:
Work is something to be enjoyed, isn’t it?

This chapter marks the end of the current arc. A new arc will begin next time. Thank you, as always, for pointing out any typos and for your comments. If you found this interesting, please consider leaving a review, rating, or bookmark.

*The first volume has been greenlit for publication by Hayakawa Bunko JA and was released on October 18, 2018. The ebook version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19, and the third volume on February 20, 2019. The content has been revised and expanded from the original serialization on “Shōsetsuka ni Narō,” with additional unpublished interlude chapters included. We hope you will also consider purchasing the new releases!*

*A comic adaptation has also been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”*

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