Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 534

Thanks to Valse-san, the work has been able to move on to the next stage.

I am truly grateful to that spirit to the point where I cannot sleep without turning my back on them. I’m so grateful that I even feel like building a shrine and worshiping them. I won’t do it, though, because their expression would probably suggest that it’s too much trouble.

And the next stage is the execution of dungeon construction…

“President, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule.”

Before that, we must carry out the approval process to follow the proper procedures.

Dungeons are a vital defense that should be operated by the state.

Even with my position as general, I cannot construct one on my own authority. After going through various procedures, the matter cannot proceed without the approval of the Demon Lord, who is the head of the organization and the president.

“No, if it’s while I’m working, I don’t mind.”

And that president seems to be busy dealing with the rumored outbreak of war, and while he takes his eyes off the documents because of my arrival, his hand, which is stamping the documents he had already reviewed, doesn’t stop.

Thanks to Valse-san, the production plan for the dungeon that we created was successfully submitted to the president. For a moment, I wondered if I was increasing the president’s workload, but hesitating now would lead to no good outcome.

A man has courage, so I stepped forward and presented the hard disk compiled for submission.

“President, the dungeon plan is complete.”

“Hmm, that was rather quick.”

I asked Evia to arrange the appointment, and now I have handed the president the hard disk containing all the dungeon data.

Receiving such an early submission, the president looks at the hard disk with skepticism.

“…I am well aware that you are not the type to cut corners, but even so, it is much earlier than I predicted. I believe the saying in this country is that haste makes waste?”

“You said you were short on time.”

“That’s right, those were my words.”

However, he does not deny it without looking; he connects the hard disk to his PC and begins to review it on the spot.

Although no deadline was set, we were told it would be better to hurry, so we worked with all our might. We had an incredible helper appear by chance in the middle of it, but because of that, I believe the result is quite confident.

The president, who had been staring intently at the display, quickly completes the review of content that would normally take many days to examine.

Even though I am confident, I am not without anxiety. I can’t help but think that I should have checked more carefully for any flaws, but I wait without showing it on my face.

“…Evia.”

“Yes.”

“Have you seen the contents of this?”

Without looking away from the documents, the president, who can do other things with one hand, silently continues to handle other tasks, asks Evia about the content of the dungeon I brought.

“Yes, I have confirmed it.”

“What is your impression?”

“It’s a dungeon that incorporates perspectives we lack and has the elements we’re looking for.”

I wouldn’t bring it to the president without going through it ourselves. After thoroughly reviewing it multiple times ourselves, I brought it to Evia for confirmation.

Normally, Evia viewing the documents of a dungeon managed by a general could be subject to punishment in some cases, but since I am engaged to her and construction hasn’t started, she is not subject to that. The president, guessing that I used this exemption to ask for her opinion, asked Evia for her thoughts.

“Yes, it uses quite old spell formulas, but it’s much slimmer than recent dungeons and provides room for development. It’s not finished, but a type of dungeon that leaves room for further development. It satisfactorily addresses the installation of facilities for exchanges between Earth and our continent, and defensive equipment.”

There seem to be no problems… at least. Internally, I am relieved with what seems like a passing grade. But the real test is from here.

“Jiro-kun, I have a question: why did you focus on potions? Your role as general is to fight. While the necessity of healing potions is great, I don’t think you needed to take the lead on it yourself.”

And what can be considered the most distinctive feature of this dungeon is the potion research laboratory. The president questioned the installation of facilities that could be called potion factories, utilizing the infinite magic power that dungeons generate.

“Currently, my subordinates can sortie onto the battlefield, but in terms of sustained combat capability, we are overwhelmingly inferior. Therefore, I focused on minimizing the attrition of the entire Demon Lord’s Army within my capabilities, while assuming they would be deployed to the battlefield.”

“Yes, this is also written in this document.”

“Yes, the details are as stated in the document. Regarding the necessity you mentioned, considering the current unique recovery methods of the Demon Lord’s Army, I thought it necessary for someone of a certain standing to undertake it, which is why I volunteered.”

I had anticipated this question. I can answer without hesitation because I have memorized the reasons why I focused on this part and why I am doing it, as written in this document.

“Yes, I understand the official reason. What about the real reason?” However, I don’t think the president is looking for such a rigid answer, so I anticipate his piercing gaze and respond.

“After reviewing past documents, I thought this was the best way to accumulate my own power without causing too much trouble.”

I readily reveal my true purpose. I had also informed Keiri-san and Muil-san of my true objective. It takes too much time to prepare for military expansion or territory acquisition. Therefore, time buying is necessary. And not just any time buying, but time buying in a way that contributes to the country. I hesitated to say this to the top, but I was also sure that facing it head-on would be better. I clearly stated my answer as if to say, “I’ll give it a shot.”

“Currently, no matter what species or tribe, research and development on potions and healing magic is being conducted, but the publicly disclosed technology is likely considerably inferior to monopolized technologies.”

“Indeed, there is that trend.”

And, not exactly a niche market, but there is an opening for us in fields that no one else is trying to enter. Potions exist as medicines, but their effectiveness seems intentionally limited, changing based on price. The more expensive they are, the better the product becomes, but for some reason, they stop at a certain level. Evia and Memoria told me that this is probably because they are not releasing the highest quality products due to concerns about technological leakage. So, what would happen if those highest quality potions were to be released?

“We can’t just release them to the market all at once, but if we could improve the quality of potions supplied internally within the army, our influence within the army would increase. Some may dismiss it as ‘just potions,’ but…”

“If we can’t provide potions of better quality, the higher-ups will lose face. I see, you’re trying to bring about a technological innovation in potions.”

The president, understanding my intent, smiles and gives his stamp of approval, calling it interesting. Yes, it’s not just about building a potion factory and researching potions. My target is to collect the healing methods used by each tribe and achieve a breakthrough.

In the future, when exchanges between Earth and the otherworld begin, what will attract attention? If asked, it would likely be in the field of magic technology and pharmaceuticals, such as potions. After all, technologies that can heal severe injuries like broken bones in a single day are commonplace. Surely, important figures from Japan and other countries around the world will not ignore this. They will probably attempt to collect this technology through some means and profit from it. Before that happens, we must establish an information defense line.

“Yes, improving quality will lead to more lives being saved. Moreover, if we can create potions of conventional quality from easily mass-produced medicinal herbs, it will lead to a reduction in military expenses. This will allow us to allocate funds to other areas and expect further development.”

My laboratory is for that preparatory work; if it becomes a spark, that’s good enough. After that, they will naturally get excited and compete, and I just need to participate in that competition. It’s basically an arrangement. In terms of magic, the Demon Lord’s Army will likely not lag behind for several centuries, but in the field of pharmaceuticals, if Earthlings put their minds to it, they might be able to create potions. However, knowledge of the field of magic power is also necessary, so it won’t be easy. It seems that if sealed potions are taken outside the company, they will turn into bitter liquid in about a day.

“To someone with that kind of knowledge, I might appear foolish for disseminating information, but how will the military high command see it?”

“We value those who contribute more than those who hoard and hold back.”

“That’s what I thought I’d try to exploit.”

“I see, you’re quite the fox.”

“I’m still a thin-skinned fox, but there are many ways to do things, and it would be even better if I could become a cornerstone of information regulation on the Earth side.”

On the side, if I can establish a presence with the military, my own status will be secure. Evia advised me that it’s good to have some level of inner calculation when what I say and what I think are opposite.

“I see. From my perspective, you seem like you could contribute to the country, so I think I could give you the go-ahead.”

However, the president’s words are “I think it’s good,” which are rather indecisive. Now, where did I go wrong?

“Yes, the fact that you didn’t get overly excited here is proof of your experience. Let me say this upfront: you’ve made no mistakes.”

The president, who had read my fleeting caution, stops his work completely and turns towards me, smiling broadly as he tells me there are no faults. I desperately rack my brain to figure out why I can’t get the approval seal.

“I’d like to get involved in this matter too.”

Before I could figure out the answer, the president readily gave it to me.

“Getting involved means you intend to make it a national project?”

“No, not as the Demon Lord, but I will be a sponsor personally. No money will come from the national treasury. It will be strictly my pocket money.”

However, that answer is strange. If he’s going to go along with the plan, it would be more advantageous to manage it as a nation. Yet, I can’t fathom the president’s motive for wanting to invest personally.

“In that case, I would like the Nordis family to get involved as well.”

“Evia too!?”

As I ponder, Evia also declares her participation, further complicating things. Is there something I’m overlooking? I was about to be bewildered by the sudden investment offers from both of them, but I managed to maintain my composure and consider the pros and cons. Of course, I can’t come up with an answer right away.

“Do you really see this plan as so profitable?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

When I asked honestly, they both stated it with certainty.

“I suspect that if word of this gets out, other nobles and perhaps even Lunaria will propose investment.”

“Major merchants will also likely step forward. It’s a plan they’ll want to stake a claim in early.”

While Keiri-san and Muil-san were against it, these two have agreed to the plan. So, it seems the plan receives mixed reactions depending on one’s perspective. For now.

“Understood. We will finalize the details later, but I intend to proceed with the offer of investment.”

Thinking it’s not a bad deal, I accept the offer. As a result, I ended up entering into a personal relationship with the president, who issued me a permit to give my dungeon plan the green light with a smile.

Today’s word: Utilize time effectively.

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