“So, I’ve heard from the President and the instructor that we don’t have much time, so I’d like to begin an emergency meeting.”
“A sudden summons, I wondered what it was for, but it’s about war. I thought it would come eventually, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”
“Yes, I’ve sensed a bad atmosphere, but that’s what they were discussing back home, huh?”
We had a critical matter and had to ask Muil-san and Keiri-san, who were busy, to come.
I apologize, but we were also given a deadline.
We had no choice but to take appropriate action.
Matters of marriage proposals were out of the question.
Regarding that, we decided to put it aside for now and appeal through events like parties on our future schedule.
I thought it would be better to focus on the more urgent matter of dungeon construction.
Rather than a highly confidential conference room within the company, I decided my mansion’s reception room would be better, so I had everyone gather there. I prepared a PC and a projector that were out of place among the furnishings.
Skipping the sight of Muil-san, who was unfamiliar with PCs, hesitantly touching one, I projected the documents I had on hand using the projector onto a white screen installed on the wall.
“It seems like war won’t break out today or tomorrow, but the instructor believes avoiding it will be difficult. If it’s early, next summer, and at the latest, the spring of the year after next.”
“So, we have less than two years at most?”
“It’s enough time to prepare for war. I think next summer, with the harvest season approaching, is too soon, but it’s also dangerous to be caught off guard when you least expect it.”
The documents there are reports from spies that I asked the instructor to prepare.
The photographic materials show the state of the army that is preparing for war, and the fact that the soldiers’ armor is not uniform indicates that it is a joint army of several countries.
“…It’s sad that I can’t say it’s impossible. I’ve heard similar things from nobles on my end, but to think they’ve already formed a united front.”
“What’s frightening is that the Empire and the Kingdom, which were at war, are now marching in lockstep. Dealing with multiple countries individually would require different levels of effort. And this includes the church, right? If so, there’s no doubt our opponent is us. Did they accomplish that in such a short period? Who was it? If you know, tell me, I’ll report them to the dark side and have them assassinated later.”
Muil-san frowned and pondered the terrifying reality, while Keiri-san uttered words that could be taken as either a joke or serious.
“Officially, it’s said that the Hero united them.”
“Officially means there’s an unofficial side, right? And this is it… that’s quite ironic. Is it because we’re cooperating with Japanese that they are too?”
“Ah, they’re people who went missing from the religious groups we’ve confirmed are participating on this side.”
Then, seeing the next photograph projected, Keiri-san’s eyes widened slightly as if she recognized it, and she glared at the photo with resentment.
Those few photographs.
In the photos brought back by the spies, not all of them, but everyone captured was participating in the religious group founded by Himik’s sister, Nisia.
However, their attire was not casual wear like one would wear in Japan, but rather gleaming white armor emblazoned with the church’s crest, exuding a menacing aura.
I was speechless at the fact that they had crossed over to the other world, just as I had expected.
I had thought they might become an enemy eventually, but they had come to this point much faster than I had anticipated.
“Haa, troublesome, truly troublesome. I can tell from the photos. These people probably think we’re nothing but embodiments of evil, right?”
“Otherwise, they wouldn’t give such speeches, would they? Shall we watch? They’re practically portraying us as villains, like an evil organization from a tokusatsu show.”
The eyes in the photos were clouded with what could be called hatred, and one of the report documents stated that a leader was giving a speech to the populace, explaining how evil the Demon Lord’s Army was.
Their position is akin to saviors who will save the otherworld.
“They’re the ones who are wrong. Using the name value of the Hero for propaganda, is that it?”
“It means there’s a historical foundation to believe such things.”
“Haa, war is unpleasant.”
Who said that hatred breeds more hatred?
We, who were shown a prime example of how convenient an element it is to manipulate people’s consciousness, all sighed in unison.
“Well, now that we have all this unpleasant information, we need to decide on our course of action. As the ‘Tanaka Faction’ (provisional name), what form should our contribution to the country take?”
“Even if you say that, what’s expected of a General is military strength. Dungeons, which are synonymous with Generals, aren’t completed overnight. Other Generals have spent over ten years on them.”
“Indeed. No matter how fast we rush, we won’t make it in time for the war. The Demon Lord wouldn’t be unaware of this. Rather, the way this notification is being given means it’s being taken into consideration. What is your policy, my son-in-law?”
After confirming all the unpleasant information, we again had to decide on the direction of our organization.
Following Muil-san’s words to confirm our guiding principles, I again operated the PC and displayed the documents I had written out the previous night, covering everything I could think of.
“First and foremost, we don’t have enough time. However, we must avoid doing nothing, so I’ve thought of things we can do despite the time constraints.”
It’s impossible to immediately create a dungeon that can withstand war, a dungeon that the Hero cannot conquer, as per our company’s policy, because there isn’t enough time.
There are also issues with know-how and organizational problems.
But it doesn’t mean we can’t do anything.
It’s still a concept at the theoretical level, a vision that can be brought to reality if the conditions are met.
“…It looks like the priority is support, centered on efficiently transporting supplies from this world to the continent, essentially a trade hub, isn’t it?”
Muil-san immediately grasped my intention after quickly glancing at the documents.
I didn’t have time to create a 3D diagram, so the content was written in a 2D plan, but Muil-san’s interpretation was largely accurate.
“My original role is to be a liaison connecting this world and the Demon Lord’s Army. I’m not entirely excluded from contributing military strength, but with no hastily assembled army, expectations are low in that regard.”
“Yes, we don’t even have private soldiers.”
“We’re recruiting volunteers, but we lack the time, facilities, and equipment for training. We’re managing thanks to support from the country and aid from the Toris Trading Company.”
The harsh reality is that I’m the only one who can be counted as military strength.
Although several nobles are under my umbrella and have joined my faction, our relationship isn’t strong enough to shamelessly ask them to deploy troops immediately.
This is the sad reality for a newly appointed General.
My lack of a power base is evident.
This is what the President told me to build a power base.
“The President told me the other day, ‘Are you really in a position to refuse a political marriage when you’re struggling to build your influence?'”
I should convey that clearly to both of them.
“It can’t be helped, can it?”
“I must admit, our calculations were too optimistic. That’s absolutely right.”
Both of them shrugged, admitting they had no excuses, and reflected on their words.
“Considering that, I’d like to ask, should we go through with a political marriage?”
“Does this mean we’re setting aside whether Jiro-kun wants to or not, right?”
“Yes, I want you to consider it from the perspective of organizational benefits and drawbacks.”
“…”
“…”
Organizationally speaking, it’s no exaggeration to say we are fragile.
A political marriage is something that can compensate for that. After all, we can connect with an existing large organization.
Even with connections to Evia’s family, the Nordis family, and the major trading company Toris Trading Company, it’s not enough to quickly overcome our current situation, so it’s a fitting strategy.
“As someone belonging to the Demon Lord’s Army, I’d say the benefits are significant. However, I think it’s too soon.”
“What’s the reason for that?”
“If we request assistance at this stage and enter into a political marriage, your position is likely to be reduced to that of a puppet. Furthermore, it would be a betrayal of Evia-sama’s family. If that happens, we wouldn’t be able to expect aid from their side. If we were to do it, it would have to be after solidifying our own power base and building a certain level of trust with the Nordis family.”
After a few seconds of silent thought, Keiri-san weighed the benefits and drawbacks and concluded that the drawbacks were greater.
I myself am concerned about what Keiri-san mentioned.
“I agree. The Demon Lord’s words are reasonable, but a political marriage is merely one means. We need to assess the situation until the very last moment. And Evia-sama is also taking action, isn’t she? If so, it would be better for us to wait a while longer before acting on that front.”
“So, there are more opposing opinions?”
“That’s only true in the current situation. When your position becomes more solid, the disadvantages of a political marriage will decrease, and the benefits will increase. It’s not the right time yet.”
Having had no experience with political marriages, I honestly don’t know what to do.
Political marriage often conjures images of women sacrificing themselves to protect their families.
I honestly don’t have much of an image of it.
“Personally, I’d prefer not to.”
“There will be a time when you can’t say that.”
“Many people are asking me to mediate with you, my son-in-law. Eventually, when the time comes, I might have to take one or two concubines.”
“Ugh.”
A marriage decided between families.
As I wondered if there was a bright future in such a situation, I operated the PC.
What I displayed was the plan in case the political marriage was opposed.
“Then, what we can do is gather military strength solely on our own and solidify our foundation as Generals to deal with the war and future work.”
“Ah, yes. Speaking of which, we had this.”
“The warship gifted by the Machine King. Come to think of it, we had something like this too. What do you plan to do with it? I don’t suppose you intend to use it normally?”
“But can this be used inside a dungeon? I think it would be difficult to use in a confined space…”
This was originally a plan I hoped would be chosen, a masterpiece born from that desire.
The key to this plan is the operation using the warship I received from Amili-san.
“We’ll use the Dragon King’s Dungeon and Evia’s Dungeon as references. Quality over quantity, elite few. If it’s that spacious, we can prepare the facilities to operate the warship. That said, this warship isn’t meant for combat.”
What I’m seeking from the dungeon is rescue and commercial facility functions.
Dungeons, though inherently closed off in another dimension, can create exceptionally vast spaces.
To fully leverage its capabilities, it would be logical to specialize in combat, but I intend to use about 20% of it and give it functions different from its original purpose.
“This is an ambulance. We’ll create a medical facility within the dungeon and use it to support other forces.”
Today’s word: If you look for what you can do, you will inevitably find it.
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I am currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic. The Pandora’s Box has been opened again, but we are fighting back with various things in our secret base! Please check that out as well!
