I apologize for the one-day delay in my post. (Sweat)
I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so please everyone take care as well.
Now, about the object presented as capable of granting sudden immortality.
Evia, a female demon, showed me the golden apple while sitting in front of me.
When she first presented it, Kase probably recognized it as an unusual food item, but the more he heard about its contents, the more his mind seems to have become divided on how much value it held. I can understand that.
I agree, as I was forewarned that it was a difficult item to react to.
The conflict visible in his expression probably signifies just that.
If it were a lie, it would at most be valued as an exotic, high-end ingredient, along with the reputation of a swindler for telling such a lie in a place like this.
However, if what Evia just said is true, then he immediately realized that it could be a sufficient reason for a nation to scheme.
It’s an object whose value meter is extreme.
A gamble-like tale of trust, zero or one.
Doubt and suspicion, as if it might be a lie even if it’s not.
He sent a subtle eye contact to Akebono, who was also present, and Akebono could only shake his head, indicating he didn’t know how to judge it either.
This supports my speculation.
Even now, as if unconcerned by such behavior in front of me, she reaches for another slice of apple and bites into the juicy fruit, eating it with apparent enjoyment.
“?”
Suppressing a bitter smile at her feigned behavior, I maintain my guard.
Regardless of whether that slice could fulfill human dreams, she conveys with her expression, “If you’re not eating it, I will,” and takes a bite without hesitation.
Her gesture itself is clearly contrived.
Kase, Akebono, and even Joseph, who accompanied her through national connections, are unsure if her gestures are truthful.
If asked right now whether the three diplomats have a way to verify the truth or falsehood at this very moment, I would answer no.
I would hold the same opinion if I were on their side.
Furthermore, the fact that it’s not poisonous seems to be proven by Evia eating it, but she is a demon, not a human.
It hasn’t even been confirmed that it has no adverse effects on humans.
However, what would happen if someone here ate it and something occurred?
Without thinking, I hesitate to eat it with a smile.
Considering it’s absolutely impossible to poison someone at a meeting aiming to establish diplomatic relations, human common sense dictates a negative prediction.
If there’s even one percent doubt, one would pause and hesitate.
“………”
Unbeknownst to us, we’ve completely fallen into Evia’s rhythm, and the meeting is no longer about diplomatic relations.
The content of the discussion is beyond their grasp.
If only they could ask, “Is this a joke?”, but Evia’s behavior says it’s not the kind of joke you can ask about.
They can’t bring themselves to ask.
However, they can’t simply accept it either.
A truthful report might lead them to question their sanity.
They are probably wishing they could at least obtain some information that could serve as evidence.
At such a moment of being at a loss for how to deal with this, a statement that seems like a helping hand leaps out.
“Ho, a golden apple? Is the skin really made of gold?”
From the Association, which had been silent until now, there was a stir.
Evia’s hand, which was about to reach for another piece, stopped. She turned her gaze towards the speaker.
Tomikazu Naniwa.
The deputy manager of the Kansai branch looked with keen interest at the skin of the apple in my hand, not hiding his emotions.
“No, it looks like gold, but it’s still just apple skin. It’s edible and it spoils. Metallurgists have studied it, and research results indicate it’s like a plant.”
“Ho ho, it seems there are interesting things in your otherworld. In that case, aside from its effects, I’m also curious about the taste of that apple.”
“Want to try it?”
“May I?”
“Yes.”
And so, he volunteers for the first bite that everyone else on the verge of confusion.
Since I couldn’t move, Kirie-san stood up, took a small plate with pieces of apple skewered with bamboo toothpicks, and brought it back.
“Mmm, it looks exactly like an apple. Does it really extend your lifespan?”
“In this world, there are many reports of its actual use and extended lifespans. Of course, there are also research results.”
“May I have the documents on that as well?”
Naniwa took the plate, but instead of eating the apple immediately, he observed it carefully, then asked for confirmation again.
While others were probing, he alone, as if unaware of the landmines buried at his feet, boldly stepped forward and latched onto the topic.
The government officials’ expressions were wary as they tried to decipher the intention behind his actions.
On the other hand, the expressions of the otherworldly group remained unchanged.
Evia listened to his words with apparent amusement.
“Do you understand the language of this world?”
“Oh, unfortunately, I’ve only studied European languages like English, French, and German. No, my apologies. Your fluency made me assume you were speaking standard Japanese.”
Naniwa, unable to brazenly ask for a translation, apologizes sincerely. Hearing it calmly, he’s fluent in multiple languages, which is impressive enough when categorized as European languages, but… it’s not the time to focus on that.
“Without the ability to speak, we cannot interact. One can never stop learning, no matter how old they get.”
“Indeed, those words are a bit harsh for someone like me who’s been a bit lazy lately.”
Evia, feigning slight surprise that her words were understood, then expounds her own theory as a reply. Naniwa disregards her slightly sarcastic remark and livens up the atmosphere with a hearty, boisterous laugh.
“Oh, if we leave this like this, the delicious souvenir will go to waste!”
Saying he’d forgotten, he reaches for the apple on the toothpick on the small plate.
Tension runs through the government officials, knowing he’s finally going to eat it. They stare intently, as if not wanting to miss his every move.
“What is it? It’s a bit difficult to eat when you’re all staring at me like that.”
“Don’t say that. Lord Naniwa, even if it’s unofficial, you are the first person from an organization to taste our country’s fruit. It’s hard to ask you not to be concerned, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Oh! That’s right. I am the first person related to the country to taste it! That’s certainly something to be concerned about! My goodness! Is that so? In that case, you will have to watch me eat it to your heart’s content!”
He dismisses even their gaze and gently takes the apple into his mouth. The crunch of the apple echoes loudly, followed by the soft chewing sounds. After swallowing.
“Oh!! A gentle sweetness with a slight hint of acidity. Compared to any apple I’ve ever eaten, it’s a very refined deliciousness!”
“Naniwa-san, are you feeling any change in your body?”
“Good heavens! I just ate such a delicious apple. I don’t think anything strange would happen, and I’m not feeling anything.”
He simply states his honest impression of the taste. Kirie-san, as if to voice the government officials’ thoughts that the taste isn’t the important part, inquires about his physical condition. However, Naniwa, without any apparent concern, taps his stomach once and gives his seal of approval, stating there’s no problem.
“However, the fact that there’s no change in my physical condition means that even if you say my lifespan has been extended by three days, I can’t feel it. Even if it did increase, it would be no exaggeration to call it a margin of error. To truly feel the effect, it would take decades of continued consumption. Speaking of immortality, it also means my appearance wouldn’t change, so perhaps it would be shorter than that.”
However, what follows is that even by eating it, one cannot tell whether the effect is real or not.
“How do you intend to prove that? Mr. Nordis?”
Naniwa glares, not with a glance, but with a sharp gaze like a bird of prey hidden behind a mischievous smile.
“It simply means that to prove it, we need to advance the conversation here a bit. We haven’t established diplomatic relations yet. I only consider this fruit a topic for casual conversation.”
Evia retorts, unfazed by his piercing gaze.
“Ho ho, if this apple is indeed true, it’s understandable that you can’t make a promise without collateral.”
Naniwa seems to grasp the intent behind Evia’s words.
In other words, Evia is saying that unless the Japanese government, or the American government, grants permission for recruiters during this negotiation, she has no intention of revealing the truth about the apple.
Even more than that, she might be considering having laws established in this world to clarify the position of recruiters. I know the effects of this apple.
However, that’s purely from our perspective.
Words alone are far from enough to determine if it’s real.
Even if one were to eat this apple, as Naniwa just demonstrated, the effects would not be immediately noticeable.
Even if we report it, they could simply say that while it has an effect in our world, it doesn’t in theirs.
It’s just like a typical supplement advertisement saying “individual differences exist.” For our company, we’ve clearly presented practical benefits like oil in the first place.
We cannot guarantee an object that sounds like a joke, whether it’s true or false.
“You’re saying we don’t have enough time for a heart-to-heart talk?”
“Yes, if we keep going in circles like this, it’s difficult for us to present any profit to you.”
However, that’s different from individual desire.
A demon, and a golden apple never seen before.
These two elements alone are enough to create doubt and wonder if it might be true.
“Ho ho, profit? You’re being quite generous just for securing talent.”
“We will receive commensurate returns. Naturally, we’re not giving everything.”
“Of course. By chance, for reference, may I ask what other items you have?”
It is, after all, a person of the same ilk who is actively implanting that doubt.
A person involved in the mysteries of Japan, with a merchant’s standing.
A being who can understand both ways of thinking.
Tomikazu Naniwa.
In a sense, he is the person with the best ability to gauge interaction with us otherworldly beings.
With anticipation in his words, as if wondering what will come next.
“Conversely, I ask, what do beings like you desire from us? The apple was just one example. You’re not solely seeking eternal life, are you?”
Evia’s tone of voice changes.
From the government’s perspective, they shouldn’t take the bait, but the Association is showing an eagerness to engage in conversation.
What was supposed to be an equal footing in a triangle has become unbalanced because the Association, acting as an intermediary, has moved closer to our side.
Abbe, the vice-chairman, who should be the one to admonish this situation, remains silent and watches the proceedings. Well, among those present, he is the oldest besides Evia. Immortality would be attractive, but I wonder how he would react if he knew about the dragon’s blood I carry within me. While thinking about such things, I wait for Naniwa’s words.
“Hmm, not from my position, but purely as an individual, the first thing that comes to mind would be magical techniques. I’ve heard you can do various things with them?”
The topic I expected to come up has indeed emerged.
It’s no exaggeration to say that magic is synonymous with otherworlds.
Furthermore, since I started this job, if this magic technology could be applied on Earth, many common understandings would change. If healing magic and potions become widespread, medical common knowledge would change. If teleportation magic becomes widespread, transportation and distribution common knowledge would change. Earth magic would change civil engineering common knowledge. Attack magic, depending on the individual’s firepower, could even alter a nation’s military strength. I have no idea how my spirit power related to time and space would be used.
“I expected you to ask. Regarding that question, the answer is both yes and no. I will only say that some things can be done, and some cannot.”
“You’re being quite evasive.”
“We wish to minimize the outflow of this technology from our country. We haven’t disclosed any root-related technology to the testers either.”
He’s probably referring to the source, the Magic Crests. I also haven’t been told anything about that part. It’s a common trope in stories that if you go to another world, you can use magic, but in Evia’s world, without a Magic Crest, you can’t handle magic energy at all. Magic Crests are circuits. Without a path to use that magic energy, you can’t use magic power. In other words, no matter how much you explain the sensations and knowledge of magic verbally, without a Magic Crest, it remains mere imagination.
“I see, I see, so it’s for a later time then.”
“Yes, if we become good neighbors.”
“We must strive to become so.”
“Indeed.”
That technology is very attractive. Therefore, Naniwa’s smile, having recognized its value, genuinely looked delighted, hinting that things would not end peacefully from here on, and his eyes sparkled with the gaze of a predator.
Today’s word:
Forcing your way is not always the best strategy.
Thank you as always for your comments and reports of typos.
If you find this interesting, please leave a review, rating, bookmark, etc.
*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book 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 is a revised and expanded version of the content posted on Shosetsuka ni Naro, including unpublished interlude chapters.
Please look forward to the new releases!
Thank you for your continued support of this work.
