Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 415

I was wondering what would happen after the break, but…

“Nordis-san. We’d like to hear a proposal from us right away, right after we restart.”

“Hmm, I’m listening.”

It seemed the government was going to break the ice this time.

During the break, we had thought about discussing detailed conditions for allowing recruitment activities and proposing the establishment of facilities to draft Dungeon Testers for licensing.

However, the conversation began before we could even bring those points up, so we had no choice but to listen. Kase put on a serious expression, waiting to hear what would be said.

“We believe the reason we haven’t been able to align on various points is largely due to our lack of understanding of you all.”

“That’s a fair assessment.”

The words spoken were quite reasonable. Just as knowledge differs from experience, seeing is believing. Ever since I joined that company, I’ve broken and rebuilt the common sense fantasies I held. What they lack is experience – the opportunity to see and touch things firsthand.

“Therefore, we would like to welcome a delegation and, through their insights, renegotiate our terms. Of course, we will offer concessions in return. In exchange, perhaps not a full permission for your recruitment activities, but how about allowing you to establish an embassy in our country? If you agree today, we promise to expedite the process by consulting with construction companies, selecting land, and completing the construction within the year.”

However, I couldn’t help but wonder about this proposal. It was difficult to make a decision. While maintaining contact, our own desires weren’t being met. Yet, we could secure a stable connection with the government. From a national perspective, this was a concession. The clear declaration of the construction period was also a positive point. However…

“Where would the embassy construction site be?”

“If possible, we are considering coastal areas within the Tokyo metropolitan area, in conjunction with future Mega Float construction plans. We hope to foster future exchanges with Japan from that hub.”

“We are of a different race than the people of this country. What about consideration for the neighboring residents? Even if you prepare it, it would be meaningless if the residents of this country oppose it.”

“We plan to select from land owned by the country. Furthermore, we will spare no effort in information control and public relations to the neighbors.”

There was no concern about being confined to a remote location, but the friction with Japanese people was a decidedly sensitive issue. It wasn’t just about individuals; if an entire nation were to be stationed there, considerable preparation would be necessary. Moreover, establishing an embassy meant spreading information about the Demon Lord’s Army domestically and seeking the consent of the citizens before its construction was completed. In other words, it was equivalent to establishing diplomatic relations. While curious young people might accept it, I honestly couldn’t predict how the elderly, bound by their preconceptions, would react.

“I see…”

Evia also seemed cautious about this proposal. Regarding recruitment activities, while it was always better to have a steady supply of new talent, operating for one or two years would be no problem. We could probably maintain it even for a decade. Beyond that would certainly be an issue, but the fact that they were pushing the conversation forward so abruptly made me suspect there was something more to it.

“May I have a moment?”

Before I could give an answer, Naniwa from the Association raised his hand, requesting to speak, seemingly suspecting some ulterior motive. Interrupting a negotiation between two countries required considerable courage, but I felt he had handled the line-drawing skillfully during the previous apple incident. Evia encouraged him with her gaze, and with her permission, he spoke.

“Yes, it’s alright. Is there something?”

“Regarding the land for the embassy construction, would you consider offering land owned by our Association?”

“!?”

Kase also gave her permission, but his eyes widened at his words. Then, without Evia even agreeing, they proceeded with a hypothetical scenario.

“Our Association possesses deep knowledge of the mystical. Therefore, we believe we can cooperate with the government, which is weak in that regard. If so, we will have to step into the spotlight, but that cannot be helped. We consider this matter of diplomatic relations extremely important. Please consider this our service to the country.”

At this, I roughly understood Naniwa’s intentions. While his words sounded like a simple request for cooperation, I could see the ambition hidden behind them. They were using the Demon Lord’s Army as a stepping stone to revive a new fantasy in this world. They were acting as spokespeople for old knowledge, beings cast aside by the times, beings that people had deemed unnecessary and dismissed as mere fantasy.

“What do you say, Nordis-san? We may not be able to offer prime real estate in Tokyo, but we can provide an environment that avoids friction with residents and minimizes interference.”

Naniwa smiled, a smile that made me think of a fox. Abe and Kirie-san, seated beside him, simply watched. Two choices. Two opinions. Two intentions. Were their ultimate goals, though momentarily intertwined, the same?

“I see, and what’s the return?”

“No, we are simply sincerely wishing for harmony and exchange with you.”

Hiding his true intentions, he changed the flow of the conversation. What lay beyond that? Not a distant view from the opposite shore, nor a distance that ignited fear of burns from a campfire, but… They were reaching for embers from a fire. So it seemed to me. The government sought to understand the Demon Lord’s Army by sending people, while the Association sought to understand it by welcoming them onto their own land. Both would have their pros and cons, but they had certainly taken a significant leap forward compared to the beginning. Kase shot a glance at Naniwa, as if to say, “You’ve done something unnecessary,” a glance that Naniwa could justifiably dismiss by thinking, “You were the one who tried to sideline us first.” Evia, who had entrusted them with the decision-making power while observing from the sidelines, was surely laughing gleefully in her heart. Her tail, not hidden at the moment, was swaying slightly, indicating her enjoyment.

“If you’d like, shall we send personnel for the Tester matter as well?”

“What?”

However, that enjoyment seemed short-lived. Just when I thought they were cautiously probing to retrieve the embers from the fire, Naniwa, as if impatient, plunged his hand straight into the flames.

“Naniwa-san! That’s…!”

“Is there something wrong with that? What the country fears is ordinary people cooperating with his country and acquiring unknown technology to commit crimes. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable for us, who have knowledge and experience in the mystical that ordinary people lack, to offer our cooperation.”

Kase raised her voice, scolding him for his excessive unilateral action, but Naniwa showed no signs of concern.

“Akebono-san.”

Ignoring her gaze, he even turned to Akebono, a representative from the Ministry of Defense, seated next to him. While sending a gaze that said, “Don’t bring this up at this timing,” Akebono sighed audibly, clearly protesting being addressed, but had no choice but to respond.

“What is it?”

He clearly wanted to convey that he was responding reluctantly. Naniwa, however, paid no heed.

“Regarding the unknown… Of course, there is the option of dispatching the Self-Defense Force, rather than us, to gain knowledge. With that in mind, may I ask if the Ministry of Defense would consider dispatching the Self-Defense Force as Testers?”

“…I cannot provide an answer at this time.”

“You mean it’s difficult?”

Naniwa was so enthusiastic about the conversation that I even felt concerned by how aggressively he was pushing it forward. The public reacted sensitively to the movements of the Self-Defense Force. Without knowing what they were doing during normal times, some heartless individuals even demonstrated, calling them unnecessary. Even those who understood them as a force for emergencies would hesitate to send them into a war zone. While they might accept rescue and support operations in disaster-stricken areas, how would they react to being dispatched to a company run by an otherworldly nation?

“…I cannot answer.”

Akebono, understanding this, replied without changing his expression, though his words were firm. I thought he had no choice but to answer that way and felt a sense of sympathy.

“I see. If you cannot answer, then so be it.”

Seeing his feigned attempt to conclude the discussion, I was surprisingly impressed. Naniwa’s previous statements had, in effect, appealed that there was no organization in the country more willing to cooperate with the Demon Lord’s Army than their Association. The government, having delegated certain aspects of the mystical to them, couldn’t strongly object. However, they were undoubtedly displeased with Naniwa’s intrusive behavior, bordering on overstepping, and the fact that the other two weren’t reprimanding him.

“…Naniwa, this is a negotiation between countries. Us interfering too much could lead to discord. Restrain yourself.”

“My apologies. Kase-san, Akebono-san, Nordis-san, I am sorry.”

Abe’s admonishment, which felt rather late, only deepened their displeasure. However, the fact that he had reprimanded Naniwa remained.

“Please be careful next time.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I don’t mind.”

Kase, who could only express her displeasure, must have been internally seething. Naniwa, on the other hand, seemed satisfied, having successfully made an impression on Evia. It was truly a display of his foxy nature.

“…Well then, let’s get back to the matter at hand.”

Although the extraneous interference had occurred, Kase decided it wasn’t wise to interrupt the meeting and switched her focus back to the ongoing discussion.

“Let’s move on to the matter of the delegation, should you accept this proposal.”

This was the government’s true objective. Sending a delegation to the Demon Lord’s stronghold. We needed to discern their intentions behind this.

“As I said at the beginning, our country lacks knowledge regarding you. Therefore, we would like an opportunity to learn about your country.”

“…So the delegation is for that purpose?”

“Yes. We believe it’s a proposal that will lead to smoother discussions going forward, rather than proceeding hand-in-hand. If possible, we would like to establish an embassy in your country, similar to the one we propose to build here.”

This seemed to be the Japanese Government’s bridgehead for probing into the Demon Lord’s Army’s internal affairs. Initially, they might aim for contact with local residents, and later, if deemed safe, they might seek out technology and magic from the other world. The Demon Lord’s Army, having researched various Earth technologies, would have difficulty refusing this. Now, how would Evia decide?

“What do you think? I believe it would be mutually beneficial exchange.”

Hearing Kase’s words, Evia folded her arms and showed a brief moment of thought, but she seemed to have already reached a decision, as she answered without much delay.

“…Tentatively, if we accept, there are, of course, conditions.”

“…Yes, it’s still a hypothetical situation for now. That’s fine in that case. So, what are the conditions?”

Naturally, she wouldn’t accept without setting conditions.

“To be clear, our country is not as safe as yours. You may investigate and interact, but if you go outside the protected areas, we cannot guarantee your safety, nor will we search for you if you go missing. Furthermore, our country will not be involved in any exchange that does not go through this channel.”

In a way, this was a statement allowing them to act as they pleased, but it was also a warning that if they didn’t follow the guidelines, their lives wouldn’t be guaranteed. It was both advice and a threat, implying that they should be prepared for the consequences if they acted rashly. For our part, the matter of the delegation was within our expectations. Naturally, we had the right to choose what to show and what to say, and we had no intention of taking responsibility for any unauthorized actions.

“These are simple conditions. If you follow our instructions, we will guarantee you the treatment of state guests. That’s all there is to it. It’s easy to understand, isn’t it?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

There was no need to convey the hidden intentions. After that, they spent some time discussing the details of the delegation, and the meeting concluded for the day.

Today’s Proverb:

It is difficult to align one’s thoughts.

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*The first volume of this 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 has been revised and expanded from the version posted on Shosetsuka ni Naro, with the inclusion of unreleased interlude chapters. Please consider purchasing the new releases as well!

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