The negotiations so far had been conducted under the scales of crude oil versus the activities of Testers.
However, this balance, maintained through back-and-forth negotiations, was disrupted by Evia’s move.
The scales of negotiation were tipped with the condition of items from another world.
This resulted in Japanese and American diplomats struggling to make a decision.
“By the way, Mr. Hanau, may I ask how your country perceives the matter we just discussed?”
“Whoa there, Mr. Hanau. It’s not fair for me to go first, is it?”
If that was the case, it would not be wise to continue the drawn-out conversation.
A man, after requesting a break, entered a room intended for smoking with his guards, not long ago.
After taking a puff of smoke, his mood settled somewhat, and while thinking to himself that this was why he could never give up smoking, Kase’s first words were about the previous meeting.
There was no other topic to discuss, as he reflected on it.
The three stood around the ashtray.
They were trying to share information while smoking cigarettes of different brands from their respective countries.
“You are the organizers this time, are you not? Then it is up to you to reveal your intentions first, wouldn’t you agree?”
“That’s rich. You’re the ones who, with your keen ears and noses, caught wind of this matter and suddenly forced your way into our schedule, aren’t you?”
“But the higher-ups approved it.”
“Yes, they did.”
Although both seemed to be hiding their true intentions, Kase, judging that this probing match was a waste of time and was going nowhere, relented.
With a sigh, he flicked the ash into the ashtray and then, his tired expression vanishing, looked directly at Joseph.
“To be honest, I think we can already see a potential resolution. We understand that if we can achieve this, the other party will be satisfied. Even if the content is somewhat inconvenient for us.”
“Oh?”
“You know it too, don’t you? Furthermore, it’s almost impossible to refuse their demands. If, hypothetically, this meeting were to fail, the next step would be to approach other countries. While it might be manageable with your country, if they were to go to other nations, especially across the continent, recovery would be impossible. Considering the future, it would undoubtedly be a major loss. Not just for our country, but for yours as well, I’m sure.”
Kase’s expression was grim as he indirectly implied that they had no choice but to accept the demands.
And Joseph could not deny his words.
The exchange itself implicitly indicated that the outcome of this negotiation would not be favorable.
“Mr. Akebono, what are the Ministry of Defense’s thoughts on this?”
“We’ve known each other for a long time, Kase. You know my thoughts, don’t you?”
“We won’t be sure unless you say it.”
“Indeed.”
Akebono, smoking a different brand of cigarette next to Kase, felt the same.
With the current strong public opinion against smokers, Akebono took a deep drag as if he couldn’t do without it, and exhaling the smoke, he revealed his inner feelings.
“I understand we have to accept it, but the thought of having it within our borders sends a shiver down my spine. Not only for defense, but also for the future international troubles that could arise from interacting with that country. Our country will have to bear the brunt of it, both openly and behind the scenes. Crude oil alone doesn’t compensate for that. If possible, we’d like to get more out of it, like…”
The other two understood what Akebono wanted to say.
Akebono showed a wry smile as if he had bitten into a bitter gourd, extinguished the end of his cigarette, and was about to light another, but it seemed he had run out.
Seeing this, someone offered him a pack.
“If you don’t mind American-made.”
“We don’t intend to impose our national ideology to that extent.”
He took a cigarette offered by Joseph, lit it, and let out a sigh of relief.
“I always think Japanese people work too hard, but you two especially so. Have you been sleeping lately?”
“I’m not young anymore. My body won’t hold up if I don’t sleep.”
“Me neither. But I can do this job because I feel I have to do it, not because someone else will.”
“That’s true patriotism. I wish our politicians would learn from that.”
“Our opposition parties are similar. They get paid more than us just for sitting there. When you think about it that way, she who came here this time is also a fine patriot.”
The course of action for resolution was clear, but as they shook their heads, their heads still ached considering the process, Joseph, wanting to lighten the mood, offered his concern, and they responded with jokes.
Perhaps it was because they were around the same age, or perhaps the cigarette they were smoking made their tongues loosen, but they found themselves speaking more freely than usual.
“Ah, she’s a good woman. A truly exceptional one, at that.”
“To say that after being so coolly rejected, you must be quite smitten?”
“Whoa, don’t tell my wife that. She gets quite jealous. If she knew I was dallying with another woman, my allowance next month would be spent on flowers for her.”
“If it were me, perhaps a hot spring trip?”
“My wife would probably turn it into clothes.”
They probably knew it wasn’t the time for such jokes, given the situation.
However, what they needed at that moment was a moment of respite.
When the light of this cigarette went out, they would become cogs in a machine, fulfilling their role as the gateway to the nation, not as individuals acting on personal emotions.
“Regarding the resolution, I have a proposal.”
As Joseph extinguished his cigarette with a sizzle, Kase and Akebono followed suit, extinguishing their half-smoked cigarettes.
“We’re listening.”
The man straightened his collar, and the man who had just been complaining about his wife was no longer there.
“Our policy was to manage trade with that country jointly by Japan and America, opening it up to friendly nations. However, we wish to change one aspect of our plan.”
“Are you narrowing it down? Or expanding it?”
“No, we want to consult with our home country first. To the greatest extent possible, we should expand the scope of our rights to accommodate their demands.”
The man facing him also lost his cheerful smile and looked directly at Kase.
“…That is something we had also considered.”
“I understand. They are likely thinking about the direction of this matter sooner rather than later. However, you can’t conduct proper diplomacy by only listening to their requests. I must be cautious about their value.”
Kase and the others had also considered this proposal itself.
They too did not believe this matter could be resolved within the short period of a week’s discussion.
However, they had assumed that a general direction could be shown.
But in the end, like an old man who opened a Pandora’s Box, the more they talked, the more their values shifted, and they began to doubt whether the initial values they had decided upon were correct.
Therefore, they had considered a reset.
However, as they had initially feared, they absolutely had to avoid this matter leaking to other countries.
If the conditions were easily transferable, the other country would quickly transfer to one that readily accepted their terms.
Therefore, the choice of postponement should have been a cautious one for them, but Joseph seemed to think differently.
“If there isn’t enough information, then we should obtain it.”
Kase and the others exchanged glances, wondering if such a convenient method existed.
If it were possible, they would have already done so.
“It does exist. In any case, this is something I was planning to discuss later. I also intend to confirm this with my home country to get their permission.”
Joseph, understanding their doubts from their gestures, explained his thoughts with a smile.
While they harbored doubts as to whether it was truly possible, they compromised, seeing no other way, and prepared for the subsequent discussion.
Side: Association
And as the government side discussed, the association side also gathered to discuss.
“So, Naniwa, did you find anything?”
Abe, the vice chairman and the highest-ranking person present, led the discussion.
He, who had been quietly observing for the past three days, despite his appearance, boldly inquired with a direct question.
“They didn’t make it easy to get a grasp on anything. I believe Sagami-san has obtained more information about the other party.”
In response, Naniwa shook his head, indicating it was not favorable.
From the brief exchange, what he could discern was barely enough to be called Evia’s personality.
To get a foothold with Evia’s country based on that alone was an impossible feat.
The association, facing financial difficulties in the current climate, saw a great opportunity if the Demon Lord’s Army were to step onto the world stage.
Therefore, Naniwa actively pursued opportunities to return to the forefront.
In this day and age, the role of sorcerers has greatly diminished compared to the era when spirits roamed freely.
Involvement in politics was a distant memory.
The role of protecting the country had long since been ceded to the Self-Defense Forces and the police.
Now, they were treated as mere handy men, summoned only for prayers and exorcisms when misfortune occurred.
Due to the frequent cases involving the supernatural and divine rituals, many shrine families survived, but their strength had dropped to less than a tenth of its peak.
With the advancement of science, the number of sorcerers decreased, bloodlines vanished, and many families disappeared into history.
Just when they thought the era had abandoned the association, the arrival of emissaries from a fantastical otherworld was a true turning point.
“All the information I have is as reported.”
“Is that truly so? I heard that the young man who provided escort today was your nephew.”
“It is true that we are related by blood, but we each have our own positions, and we do not indulge in excessive familiarity. While I acknowledge that he is here due to kinship, I have not forgotten my position.”
Therefore, Naniwa’s tone became harsh even towards Sagami Kirie, who was familial.
This was also proof of his eagerness not to miss this favorable turn of events.
It was understandable for him to feel anxious at the thought of this matter falling through and reaching the European organizations that still held power.
“Calm down, Naniwa. Now is not the time for internal strife.”
“…I apologize. Sagami-san, I am sorry.”
“No, I understand your feelings.”
For the association, missing this opportunity was unthinkable.
This was the majority opinion, not just among the three present, but for the organization as a whole.
Even with different intentions and motivations, as long as their goals aligned, they could at least walk together.
“…The problem lies with the government’s policy.”
“Yes, I don’t think they’ll waver, but in any era, they’re too concerned with appearances and are slow to act.”
“And it’s our job to make them move.”
“Yes, I believe that will benefit the association.”
Therefore, the association was leaning towards backing the Demon Lord’s Army this time.
While they were nominally intermediaries, they had their own reasons for acting.
Kirie had no intention of interfering with their intentions.
She could understand their motives to some extent.
She had also given her advice.
After that, it was only a matter of acting according to her own position.
Abe and Naniwa, the vice chairman and vice director, would act, and Kirie had decided from the outset to remain in a watchful capacity.
“…In that case, we could use more opportunities for interaction.”
“It would not give the government a good impression if we were to contact them alone. If we are to do so, it would be better to involve the government.”
“Indeed. The feast is scheduled for the evening of the sixth day, isn’t it?”
“Yes, by then I expect some progress will have been made, but the talks are going in circles. I wonder if holding a feast in such a state is appropriate, but we can’t NOT hold it. We need to warm up the atmosphere a bit more.”
“…Then, perhaps we should arrange an informal gathering, separate from politics?”
Therefore, unless something extraordinary happened, Kirie would not intervene.
Abe and Naniwa would discuss how to establish diplomatic relations with the Demon Lord’s Army.
“Sagami.”
“Yes.”
However, if the flow of conversation directed her, she would speak.
“I heard your master’s nephew is skilled in martial arts, is that true?”
“I do not deny it. However, if asked about the extent of his abilities, it would be accurate to say it is unknown. What I have seen and heard is only a small part of it.”
“Hmm.”
However, what was the meaning behind his acceptance?
Naniwa seemed to understand from the flow of the conversation what kind of story would emerge from this old man, but Kirie, while understanding, earnestly wished that the conversation would not go there.
It wouldn’t be wrong to wish for this negotiation, where intentions intertwined, to end safely, but human interaction, too, rarely goes as planned.
Kirie reconsidered and refrained from intervening.
Today’s Word:
If you are going to take action, do so cautiously.
Thank you as always for your comments and reports of typos.
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*The first volume of the book has been published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
An e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume two was released on December 19th.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content has been revised and expanded from the version posted on Shosetsuka ni Naro, with additional unpublished interlude chapters included.
Please check out the new books as well!
Thank you for your continued support of this work.
