“Good morning! You called for me, senpai, what kind of trouble are we in this time!!”
“Good morning gozaru!! This me, who hasn’t slept all night, will magnificently solve it gozaru!!”
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“GoodMorning!!”
And as I was in the middle of discussing not only not Keiri-san, but also my future work policy, a knock echoed.
When I said to come in, the usual faces entered the conference room with energetic voices.
“Putting aside the others, why do Kaido and Minami think my summons are always trouble?”
I returned their greetings and a wry smile escaped me at their sudden remark.
Kaido and Minami, I really think it’s strange that they equate my summons with trouble.
And Minami, did you come here still hopped up from staying up all night…
As I let out another wry smile wondering if they couldn’t just greet me normally and pointed out that part,
“Well, if it’s something simple, senpai can handle it themselves. You know, right, Min-chan?”
“That’s right gozaru. The leader tends to attract all sorts of trouble, like a protagonist in a constant stream of events gozaru.”
“But that doesn’t mean this summons is necessarily trouble, jeez.”
Still, it’s sad because they aren’t wrong.
I could feel Keiri-san smiling next to me.
I ignored that and went along with Kaido and the others’ lighthearted banter.
Staring at resumes, I couldn’t grasp what kind of talent these individuals were.
So, for now, while I was waiting for Kaido and the others to arrive, I was in the conference room discussing preparations for my future position as general, when Kaido and the others cheerfully entered the room.
Seeing their attitude, I let out another wry smile thinking, “They’re still the same,” and for a moment, I stopped my discussion with Keiri-san to invite the five of them to sit down.
Keiri-san and I sat opposite Kaido and the others.
“So, the reason I asked you all to come to the conference room first thing this morning is…”
“Uss! What is it?”
We weren’t the type to start with pleasantries.
As I cut straight to the chase, Kaido leaned forward and replied.
He’s got spirit, but…
Sometimes his enthusiasm backfires, so it would be helpful if he could calm down a little.
“I’m thinking of stepping away from dungeon operations for a while.”
With that wish in mind, I announced the main topic of today’s summons.
“Oh, you’re stepping away from dungeon operations?… Huh!?”
It wasn’t exactly a surprise, but Kaido’s reaction was as I expected.
A textbook example of someone looking surprised.
His jaw dropped to its limit, his eyes wide open, the ultimate expression of astonishment.
“Are you, are you, are you quitting your job, senpai!?”
And then, perhaps thinking that me stepping away from dungeon operations meant I was quitting, he pressed me further, flustered.
“No. The selection test for the general position is approaching. I want to concentrate on that for a while.”
I quickly put an end to that misunderstanding.
I had been thinking about this for a while.
I believed that neglecting my work while aiming to become a general would be wrong, but it seemed others thought differently.
Dungeon conquest, or in our work, dungeon testing.
In a way, this isn’t a job that only I can do.
Kaido and the others, the members of the First Division, and the dungeon testers from other divisions are all doing it.
While my presence might bring some efficiency, when weighing that efficiency against the current absence of a general in the Demon Lord’s Army, which is better for the organization?
With the perspective to weigh these things, I’ve concluded that resolving the latter issue is the priority, if I’m not being conceited.
“That’s right, gozaru. Leader said ‘for a while,’ so you should listen carefully, gozaru.”
Minami, who had been misinterpreting the situation and panicking, let out a wry smile, and then nudged Kaido to sit down and gestured with her eyes, prompting me to continue.
“I’ll omit the part about ‘various circumstances’ as it’s personal, but as you know, I’ve been recommended for the general position by the President and the instructors.”
In that case, I need to explain the reason for my withdrawal from dungeon testing step by step.
First, I’ll start with the common understanding that I’ve been recommended for the general position.
“Yes, I’ve heard.”
“Um.”
Kitamiya and Amelia nodded, and the other three followed suit.
“In light of this, I planned to focus solely on building my combat power to secure that position, but…”
“Ah, was that the reason for that hellish training menu?”
“It was a menu that made us question if you were alright in the head, gozaru.”
“You two, expect physical discipline later.”
“Eek!?”
“Don’t you two know the proverb, ‘If the pheasant doesn’t crow, it won’t be shot’?”
With Kaido and Minami’s lighthearted remarks momentarily derailing the conversation, I returned to the main topic.
“Well, being a general isn’t just about being able to fight. You also need knowledge of organizational management, building connections, forming organizations. On top of that, you need knowledge of dungeons, history, and even imperial studies. Even with the Dimensional Room and Valse-san’s power to create as much time as needed, my body has its limits.”
I showed them my dejected shoulders, acknowledging how much I lacked, and they all nodded in agreement.
“Lately, I thought senpai wasn’t human in everything but appearance, but originally you were just a corporate slave, weren’t you?”
“Conversely, Jirou-san is an example of how even a corporate slave can become strong and advance if they have the talent.”
“Certainly, with so many different species, the fact that we humans can get promoted in this company gives us hope, but seeing the process you went through…”
“Hmm, it’s true what Katsu-kun says. Jirou-san is amazing, but if you asked me if I’d want to go that far, I’d say not necessarily.”
“Well, what Amī-chan, who is closest to the leader, says is quite something, gozaru. My prediction is that after the leader, Amī-chan will become a formidable force gozaru.”
“Ho, that’s heartwarming news. Welcome to the world of non-humans.”
“We welcome increased combat power. Your abilities are highly regarded here as well. You might even be recommended for the general position.”
“Ehh, that’s a bit…”
Just shifting the conversation slightly caused this much excitement among my party members.
Kaido glanced back at my work history, as if just realizing it now, and while Kitamiya seemed poised to praise my career, the situation took a turn with Katsu, and Amelia rained down her judgment, deeming my past actions excessive. However, Minami, as if blowing away those rain clouds, grinned and told Amelia she was being silly, declaring her the next candidate for a non-human. I beckoned her forward welcomingly, and Keiri-san nodded in agreement, while Amelia scowled.
It’s good to be non-human.
At first I was hesitant, but once you get used to it, it’s surprisingly useful.
Your body becomes tougher, and you can do all sorts of things you couldn’t before.
Although the cases where I get involved in trouble are increasing, being able to have four beautiful wives and a cute daughter makes it all worthwhile.
If I had continued my corporate slave life, instead of entering the grave of my life, I would likely have been admitted to the hospital first. You really never know what life will bring.
“Well, I’ve gotten sidetracked, but that’s the situation. In preparation for the general selection test, I’ll be handling department management and document approvals, but for a while, I’ll be stepping away from dungeon testing. If I enter a dungeon, think of it as occasional stress relief or an inspection.”
“I find the idea of entering a dungeon for stress relief questionable…”
“Well, as the leader, he might just conquer dungeons for stress relief, gozaru.”
My companions gave wry smiles at my explanation.
I understand what they mean, as I’ll be focusing on something unfamiliar. In fact, I’m currently working hard on personnel recruitment for the future.
“Speaking of which, senpai, what will happen to dungeon testing if you become general? And can a general hold a department chief position concurrently?”
And Kaido, with a question that was as obvious as it was inevitable, posed it. What would happen if I became general?
“Well, if I become general, I’ll move from being the one testing to the one assigning the tests. At that point, I won’t be a tester, not even temporarily.”
And naturally, I delivered that fact with ease.
“I felt it was necessary to properly inform you all about this matter as well.”
I need to discuss my future prospects with them. Yes, in a way, this is a handover.
“… … … … …”
We’ve been through a lot together, and I think we’ve managed to get along well, despite everything. Honestly, I thought I would continue working with them for much longer. But the world doesn’t allow for such leisurely progress.
I smiled at Kaido and the others, who exchanged worried glances.
“It won’t be immediately, nor is it absolute, but I will aim to officially become a general. That means I will be counted as a combatant of the Demon Lord’s Army. You who went to save Amelia would understand, but I will stand on that battlefield.”
And I also conveyed the fact that I would become a direct combatant of the Demon Lord’s Army, not a member of the dungeon tester department. According to the company’s contract, unless we volunteer, the company does not, and must not, count us testers as combatants. This is a line drawn to protect us Earthlings. It is also, in a way, a boundary between insiders and outsiders. When I declared I would cross that boundary, their expressions seemed to convey not just worry, but anxiety about me leaving.
“… I expected this. The day you put out that training schedule and seriously declared you wanted to become stronger, I knew you were thinking of moving on to bigger things, senpai.”
“Kaido.”
I honestly couldn’t imagine what kind of words they would return to my statement. In a way, my declaration was like pushing them away. And, perhaps clumsily, this is my own form of kindness.
“I get it. How many years do you think I’ve been your kouhai? I understand why you’re not telling us to follow you.”
Kaido seemed to sense my feelings. Without sadness, lamentation, or anger, Kaido, as usual, laughed cheerfully and replied.
“You’re asking us to choose, aren’t you?”
“… Yeah.”
If I were to take the general selection exam, and when I eventually become general, and if I were told to choose my most trusted subordinates as aides, excluding Keiri-san and Suella, Kaido and the others would be the first I’d pick. That’s how much I trust and rely on them. I can leave my back to them. Our relationship is strong enough that I can answer that immediately. However, from this point forward, I mustn’t pull them in with my own words. Literally, from here on out, it’s a matter of staking one’s life.
In a way, I think the instructors understood this and maintained a good sense of distance. Instructor Fushio knew, and Instructor Kio felt it instinctively. They trained us in a praktical combat format, but tried to keep us as far away from national entanglements as possible. Even when we got involved, they provided proper aftercare. That’s probably why I, who stepped into that world, became an approachable existence to the instructors.
Therefore, I must give Kaido and the others a choice here and now. But this choice is not to push them away. It is literally a choice that says, “There is this path too.”
“I’m going over there first. But you don’t have to force yourselves to come with me. In a way, you’re all standing on a boundary line. If you want to, you can return to Japan, which has nothing to do with your current work. If you want to, you can go over there, or you can continue to stand on this boundary line.”
Take your time and think slowly. Earning time like that is not difficult at all.
“Well, there’s plenty of time. It’s not a decision to be made immediately, but I wanted to let you know that you have a choice.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
I’m not looking for an answer right now. Ideally, it would be better if they supported me by my side. That would be more reassuring. The instructors might say, “Follow me.” Or, perhaps surprisingly, they might also say, “Do as you please.” Either way. It’s selfish, but…
“I’m sorry, I’m moving forward.” I’ve already made my choice.
Today’s word: Reliable, trustworthy, leaving things to them. It’s not as easy as it sounds, but when you can do it, it brings peace of mind.
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