We were creating the report for this training session in the Party Room, not the Jigen Room.
Although the Party Room is usually lively, it was remarkably quiet compared to usual.
I, too, was engrossed in writing the report, facing the PC screen from my usual seat at a table.
The coffee I had prepared earlier had already gone cold, and I only took sips to wet my throat.
To my left, Kaido was working similarly.
His finger movements, much like mine, only stopped occasionally to recheck the text.
He was working so smoothly that it made me feel like my training at my previous company had paid off.
Kitamiya and Amelia, sitting across from me, would sometimes pause their work because Kitamiya was guiding Amelia, who was unsure how to write.
At a table a little distant from us, Minami and Katsu were tackling the same task.
Such peaceful moments had returned.
“It’s really only been a day,” Kaido said, as if voicing everyone’s thoughts, having just left that room. He must have been tired. Even though the training schedule was designed to allow for adequate rest, the change in environment and the nature of the work were undoubtedly mentally taxing. Unlike the supervisors and instructors who had immediately returned to their respective workplaces, Kaido’s words conveyed a sense of fatigue. Even if the body wasn’t tired, it’s common to feel heavy when that tension is released. Kitamiya, usually composed, Amelia, the energizer, and Katsu, who rarely showed exhaustion, were all unable to hide their fatigue on the day they were freed from training. Minami, on the other hand, seemed to have had her mental fatigue blown away by the blessings of modern technology, as she was seen frantically waving her smartphone and exclaiming, “There’s reception!!” with the energy of someone who’d pulled an all-nighter. Setting aside such exceptions, I was also tired, but not as much as everyone else, so I could continue working. However, there was no need to rush into work just because of that. Work done in an insufficient state is not efficient. If you’re tired, you can’t do good work; if you have the luxury and no urgency, it’s better to rest.
“You worked hard during the training. We’ll disband for today, so please rest and recover from your fatigue.” We dispersed that day for individual rest, deciding to meet again in three days.
During those three days, I needed to finish some troublesome matters, so having ample time was fortunate. It allowed me to prepare myself. My lack of fatigue compared to the others was probably because I was still mentally prepared. After all, I had to report to Suella and the others about the supervisor. My feelings, my thoughts. It was becoming complicated, but essentially, I had to go and convey what happened during this training to the supervisor, Evia-san. Of course, I was nervous. As I saw Kaido and the others off, I let out a sigh unnoticed by anyone, unable to feel only happiness at meeting Suella, Memoria, and Himik again after so long. For a moment, I envied those who could honestly enjoy a harem in a fantasy world. With that thought, I placed my equipment in the Party Room with a resolute clang and headed towards my room, my home, exchanging greetings with the fantasy employees I’d grown accustomed to seeing. The path forward, contemplating how to start the conversation, felt faster than usual, as if my thoughts were accelerating my pace. Suddenly, I found myself at the entrance. I had returned from the Jigen Room before noon. At this hour, I figured only Himik would be home, and then it dawned on me. To think calmly, Suella and Memoria were currently at work. They wouldn’t be home.
“What am I doing?” The tense me, who had been thinking so seriously, felt a sense of anticlimax as I inserted the key, turned the doorknob, and the door opened.
“I’m home.” As I said that and entered, I heard light pattering footsteps. The sound made me pause. Himik was tall, and her strides were long, so her footsteps should have been more spaced out. And then I saw who had come to greet me.
“Welcome back. Jiro-san.” “Suella, what are you doing here at this hour?” “Well, you see…” It was Suella, whom I hadn’t expected to be here. She should have been at work at this time, but I couldn’t recall any reason for her absence. Her usual professional suit had become looser since her stomach started showing, but she was now in complete loungewear, a casual weekend style. Seeing her, who was usually so diligent, dressed like that at this hour, I felt a flicker of worry, wondering if something had happened. Without even taking off my shoes, I expressed my concern, and Suella, looking hesitant, averted her gaze. Was the situation that serious?
“You don’t need to worry so much, Master. Suella was just kicked out of her workplace.” “No, isn’t that a big deal?” Himik, who had come to check on Suella when she didn’t return, poked her head out from deeper within the entrance, wearing her usual cooking apron. Sensing what had happened, she explained Suella’s situation.
“Hmm, perhaps my wording was poor. But it’s the truth, so it can’t be helped. Suella was neglecting her pregnancy and trying to work as usual, so I, Keiri, was called to bring her back.” Himik, puffing out her chest with her hands on her hips as if to prove she had done the right thing, spoke. Suella, embarrassed, averted her face.
“Suella…” “Yes, well, I’m sorry.” I had also brought problems back with me, but it seemed Suella had caused her own share of issues.
“Honestly, Master, you should tell her. The child in her belly isn’t Suella’s alone. I understand work is important, but it would be terrible if something irreparable happened. I believe she should be on maternity leave.” Himik, speaking with the conviction of someone who had caught a big fish, delivered her irrefutable logic. Suella, looking dejected, tried to explain the reason for her actions as a last resort.
“I want to, but a new tester project is underway, so I’ve been a bit busy.” “I see.” Suella, as the section chief of the Tester Department, was in charge of replenishing the currently insufficient number of testers. To be honest, while dungeon testing was currently sustained by our party and a few other capable individuals, the fact that it was a part-time job was problematic, with some individuals only doing the bare minimum. However, testers were indispensable to this company. They were key figures. Suella, in a position to manage and prepare for their training, was working with a strong sense of responsibility. It seemed that her strong sense of responsibility had made her forget her pregnant state. The fact that her body could withstand some strain due to magic was also a contributing factor. As this situation continued, those around her had issued a red card to the pregnant Suella and summoned Himik. I understood, and realizing we couldn’t stand there forever, I gently took Suella’s hand and led her to the living room. I felt a bit heavy-hearted thinking about the upcoming argument, but it wasn’t that I didn’t care about her well-being. Suella, slightly embarrassed, allowed me to take her hand as we entered the living room. Himik had prepared tea in that short time.
“Master, the tea is ready.” “Ah, thank you.” I sat Suella on the sofa in the living room and sat down next to her. Himik reappeared with a tray. I accepted the green tea in the teacup and took a moment to exhale. Suella hesitantly accepted hers and, like me, let out a sigh of relief after taking a sip. The awkwardness from earlier had disappeared. When I lightly told her not to overexert herself, Suella readily agreed, and her explanation came to a halt. From there, we moved on to discussing what had happened during the recent training, sharing stories. I deliberated on when to bring up the important topic, but I knew I couldn’t dwell on it forever.
“Suella, Himik, I have something important to tell you.” “What is it?” “A significant matter from the Master.” I felt hesitant to break the pleasant atmosphere, but hiding it seemed worse. I resolved myself.
“The supervisor offered me a promotion.” This was not a bad way to start. It was true that the talk of Dungeon Master and General had come up.
“Is that true!” “Indeed! It’s only natural for our Master.” They rejoiced as if it were their own accomplishment. While their happiness was a relief, the problem lay ahead.
“However, to accept this offer, there are a few things that need to be resolved, though I’m not sure if ‘problems’ is the right word.” “Resolved, you say?” There’s always a catch to a good deal. Suella, understanding this, immediately noticed the issue and looked at me directly. Himik also quietly awaited my words.
“Yes, my current position is just that of a tester. No matter how much strength I gain, that cannot be changed. Even with the instructors’ recommendation, complaints can’t be suppressed.” What I lacked was simply a title. You could also call it my background. In the Demon Lord’s Army, where many long-lived species reside, I am nothing more than a newcomer. While I’ve gained strength and my abilities are gradually climbing the ranks, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. It’s impossible for someone who appeared out of nowhere to be given an important position suddenly. While gradually rising through the ranks would be ideal, the current Demon Lord’s Army lacks a system for humans to be promoted. Even if I demonstrate my strength and prove my competence, the lack of precedent becomes a hindrance. The instructors are supporting me, but it’s not enough. I need a more powerful backing, or rather, it’s more accurate to say I need a wedge to prevent me from being seen as betraying the Demon Lord’s Army.
“Therefore, to proceed with this offer, I was told that marriage with a noble daughter is necessary.” … …
My calm explanation of what the supervisor had told me did not improve Suella and Himik’s expressions. Naturally. From a Japanese perspective, our relationship might seem abnormal, but we love each other. Our relationship is very balanced. This is largely due to their compatibility. To put it arrogantly, it’s probably because they like me. It’s natural for them to not want an outsider intervening in such a relationship, even if it’s for a promotion. Sensing this atmosphere, I thought it would be best to decline the offer. My position is unstable, and accepting this offer would grant me a certain status, making me safer. Of course, there would be hardships, but I would gain the power to overcome them. However, on the other hand, our family life would surely be thrown off balance. If I were to bring in another woman to gain status, it’s inevitable that her influence would grow. It would be best if we could all get along, but the balance would undoubtedly be disrupted. Even if the other party was someone they knew.
“…Have you heard who the other party is?” Suella, acknowledging this, asked for the identity of the person. Was it for my sake, or was there some other anxiety? I saw apprehension in her eyes. Deciding that this offer was impossible and that I should prioritize Suella and Himik, I began to wonder how I should explain it to the supervisor.
“It’s the supervisor.” The clouds had completely darkened, and I regretted the anxiety I had caused them as I revealed the name of the political marriage’s counterpart.
“Ah, in that case, there’s no problem.” “Huh?” “Indeed, if it’s her, well, there shouldn’t be a problem… hmm.” “Haa, I’m relieved. I was thinking of noble ladies who might become Jiro-san’s backing and was a bit anxious about who they might be.”
Despite my revealing the surprising news, their expressions shifted from serious to relieved. Suella casually said there was no problem and took a sip of her tea. Himik, too, muttered “hmm” as if wrestling with something, but acknowledged that it was acceptable if it was the supervisor.
“W-what? What do you mean?” “Did you think I wasn’t aware of Jiro-san’s situation?” Suella, as if reprimanding a student, pointed at me, her demeanor as resolute as a teacher, completely unlike her earlier flustered state. “I knew that for Jiro-san to escape his unstable current situation, a promotion was essential. And for that, a political marriage was necessary, so I had already looked into it and shared the information with Himik and Memoria. I intended to oppose it depending on who it was, but it seems the Demon Lord is also serious about bringing Jiro-san into the fold.” Suella remarked that it was earlier than she expected, and I wondered what expression I must have had. Suella casually uttered the words “political marriage.” What surprised me more was that countermeasures had been taken without my knowledge.
“Our minimum requirement was a relationship where we both benefited and there was no interference in our current relationship, but Evia-sama is, in my opinion, the best possible partner.” And then, my wives showed such great understanding of this matter, which began to confuse me. My expression became even more unreadable. It seemed Suella and Himik had thought more deeply about this political marriage than I had, leaving me in the dust. Hearing this, a question slipped out.
“By the way, what if the person was problematic?” “I would have stopped it with all my might?” The fact that such words came out with a smile made me realize I had wonderful wives who supported me. Feeling even more loved, and a bit embarrassed, I decided that with this momentum, it would be best to lay everything bare. I brought up the topic of dating the supervisor, and they readily agreed, saying, “Please enjoy yourself.” And then…
“Once things settle down, perhaps we can have a meal together to discuss our future?” Suella said with a smile, her eyes hinting at a certain unspoken hierarchy that only women could understand. In interactions like these, I recognized that I still hadn’t fully grasped the common sense of this world. And then…
Three days after speaking with Suella and the others. Memoria reacted similarly, and I was reminded that there was still much to get used to as this day arrived.
“Hmm, it seems there are no problems.” The Party Room, unusually quiet. Usually, it would be quite noisy with chatter even while working on reports, but today, everyone was silently and diligently working on their reports, with even Minami engaging in only the minimum necessary conversation. That was understandable. The reason for this was the person sitting on the sofa in a corner of the Party Room – the one with crimson hair. Everyone had question marks floating above their heads as to why she was there, and without being able to ask, they began working on their documents, leading to the present. Only I, knowing the reason, finished my report and submitted it to the supervisor.
“Well, as promised, you shall escort me.” With that, my work for the day concluded. It was a little before noon, and I had a half-day off in the afternoon. The supervisor, who had received her break earlier than expected, took my arm and left the Party Room.
“We’re going on your date.” The screams from beyond the door echoed behind us. As I walked away, I thought about what I would be told later and frankly said to the proactive supervisor – no, Evia-san, as it was private time.
“You were looking forward to it, weren’t you?” “As I said.” Believing that Evia-san, who had entered the Party Room with the excitement of a child waiting for a field trip, had a surprisingly cute side, I decided on our destination right away, looking at her attire.
Today’s quote: Looking back, things that seem long are often short.
This is all for now. The next installment will conclude this chapter. Thank you as always for pointing out typos and for your feedback. If you found it interesting, please consider leaving a review, rating, or bookmark.
*The first volume of the novel has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It 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. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content includes revisions and additions to the material posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, along with an unreleased interlude. Please consider purchasing the new releases!*
*A manga adaptation is scheduled to be serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third,” starting with issue No. 9. We hope you enjoy it.*
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