Now that we have the president’s approval, we don’t have time to linger here.
There is still much to do.
We need to contact various parties regarding material orders and coordination with construction companies.
“It’s been a while, Jiro-kun.”
“Yes, it has been since our meeting, Kirie-san.”
And naturally, if we are to create a dungeon in Japan, we must also make contact with this person.
Kirie Sagami, who belongs to the Japan Shiju Jutsu Association, the organization that oversees Japanese mysticism, and who is also my aunt. She is a key figure in our Demon Lord’s Army, providing full backup and acting as an intermediary with the Japanese Government and overseas magical organizations.
This is not an in-house dungeon, but rather an external location, a port in Tokyo Bay. I am facing Kirie-san and several black-suited bodyguards, along with Keiri-san, whom I brought as my secretary, on a pier where a visibly expensive cruiser is moored.
“We’re heading out on this ship?”
“Yes, this is a ship we manage, so it’s convenient because it’s less likely to be exposed to the media.”
As it’s early morning, with sunrise just around the corner, there’s no one in the vicinity. Keiri-san, whose magical power is limited, has been staying close to me, silently maintaining her guard.
Kirie-san’s bodyguards are also diligently and silently on guard…
“Kirie-san.”
“Please don’t ask.”
“No, I was just—”
More attention-grabbing than anything else is something perched on her shoulder. To an outsider, it looks like a small, handmade doll. However, if I’m not mistaken, that doll has been waving its hand on Kirie-san’s shoulder.
And I have a hunch about the being emitting energy close to magical power.
“Um, is it really okay to bring it along?”
“It’s in a rather gray area, but we’re treating it as just barely within the limits.”
“You mean it’s an exception to the exceptions?”
In the world of mysticism, gods are quite important beings. That’s why they are revered. However, this being has been aggressively trying to get my attention.
Mimamori-sama, I wonder if it’ll be alright as we head out to sea…
Seeing that it doesn’t vocalize, I get the impression it’s just here to observe. While internally sympathizing with Kirie-san, who is holding back a headache, we board the ship.
“It will take approximately one to two hours to reach our destination. We’re using a spell, so the ship won’t sway much, please rest assured.”
As we set sail right on schedule, I was surprised by how little the ship was swaying. Kirie-san then explained the reason for the smooth ride. It was moving as smoothly as a car on a paved road.
Keiri-san, who had been wary of boats, was also surprised by the lack of swaying and bowed once to Kirie-san in gratitude.
“The fact that you’ve gone to such lengths means you have something you wish to discuss?”
“Yes, that’s right. Even the most skilled intelligence agents can’t monitor us on the open sea.”
Just a few minutes offshore, the ship is steadily moving away from land. It can’t be helped, given our destination. However, to narrow down the personnel to this extent and even deploy a company-owned cruiser indicates that the other party has some kind of intention.
Our original purpose was to be introduced to a long-established Japanese confectionery shop as a thank you from Valse-san. This meeting was arranged under the guise of scouting the planned location for the dungeon.
Given the secrecy, the personnel on both sides are minimal. Even so, Keiri-san and I are equipped for full combat, albeit only for a single day. We’ve made preparations to escape immediately if any unforeseen events occur.
I feel a sense of accomplishment that we now have to consider safety quite seriously, but at the same time, I realize the increased burden. I face Kirie-san, who adjusts her posture.
“I’ve conveyed much to Nordis-san, but this time, as a representative of the Japanese Government, I have something to discuss with Jiro Tanaka, who has his registered domicile in Japan.”
I had a pretty good idea what it meant that they brought the matter to me instead of Evia.
“…As I thought, is that it?”
“Yes, considering your current situation, it’s natural to think about such routes. My sister said she didn’t want to be a burden to you and has been in hiding ever since. The other day, I even received a postcard with a picture, showing that she’s safe, hidden deep in the wilderness. Tracing the postal route, I found it originated from a remote indigenous village in the Amazon, but they’ve probably already moved to another location by the time personnel are dispatched… I wonder if the next postcard will be from Antarctica.”
I am originally Japanese, and my registered domicile is still in Japan. In other words, legally, I am Japanese by nationality. Even having attained the position of general in the Demon Lord’s Army doesn’t make that officially applicable. Therefore, I expected the Japanese Government might demand something of me as a Japanese national. I had anticipated some form of contact from the day I stood with Evia in the presence of Japanese and American Government diplomats, and indeed, there have been several indications of them trying to reach me.
I’ve managed to avoid all of them, with assistance from my company. My stance has always been, and continues to be, that I am part of the Demon Lord’s Army. Before, the Japanese Government perceived me as merely an employee of that company, holding a moderately important position. But somewhere along the line, the moment I became a general, this is what happened. I was bewildered when I received contact from the American Embassy through diplomatic channels, not just from the Japanese Government.
As the incoming contacts became increasingly frequent, our company also found it difficult to suppress them. This was the timing for Kirie-san’s contact. The company gave the go-ahead since it was a conversation with a relative, Kirie-san.
The saving grace is that I have no siblings and no close relatives. My parents, who could be considered my only weaknesses, are, as Kirie-san complained, adventurers with the connections and drive to evade even a country, and a rather unconventional mother at that. There’s probably no need to worry about them being taken hostage. Well, if they were to somehow be captured, I worry she might just scuttle herself to avoid causing me trouble, but I can’t picture my mother being caught. In fact, I even imagine she might put on a Hollywood-level action scene and escape.
“That mother of yours sounds like she could do something like that. So, is the Japanese Government asking me to naturalize?”
“That’s a very direct question, and well, you’re not wrong. Furthermore, they asked me to convey indirectly that they want you to become a diplomat representing the Japanese Government.”
“The message is meaningless now that you’ve told me so directly.”
“I can’t help it. There’s no point in using such indirect words with you. Even if they took threatening actions, at worst, you could just retreat to the Otherworld.”
“Well, I might resort to that measure as a last resort.”
The contact between the Japanese Government and the Demon Lord’s Army is being handled with extreme caution. Frankly, it’s a clash of desires leading to a stalemate. But now that I’ve become a key card, the Japanese Government must be flustered.
“We don’t want to stir up trouble, but it’s difficult because many people’s eyes light up at the prospect of profit.”
“I understand that feeling very well, as I’ve had many opportunities to interact with that kind of person lately.”
“Yes, they are truly self-centered, aren’t they? They’re good at shifting responsibility to others to gain immediate profit…”
It’s bothersome that I can’t move around freely because it’s so obvious they want to use me as a hotline to secure more favorable terms. However, the strength of a dungeon is that it has facilities on a scale that allows for a life within the company alone. Thanks to that, I haven’t accumulated much stress, and I’m grateful.
However, Kirie-san, lacking such an outlet for stress, seems to be entering a somewhat “dark mode.” I can empathize with that feeling, given my experience dealing with nobles. But that doesn’t mean I’ll make concessions. I am here as a member of the Demon Lord’s Army to scout the location for the dungeon. Kirie-san, my relative, is also here as an executive of the Japan Shiju Jutsu Association, and she’s not seeking anything beyond that.
“So, could you tell me what position the Association is taking in this meeting?”
“…As I said at the beginning, we do not wish to cause trouble and displease you. If we proceed with the initial conditions, we can expect sufficient profits.”
“Are the ones who are trying to act being those with unstable positions?”
“You could say that. Most of the people who bring up these kinds of matters are aiming for positions in the next ruling party. If they can gain significant connections through this matter, they might even be able to produce the next party leader.”
The reason she came to this meeting, knowing all this, is likely to clarify the Association’s stance. By explicitly stating that their actions are separate from the Japanese Government’s, they are probably trying to maintain their connection with the Association, even in the worst-case scenario. I remember Evia complaining that while negotiations with the Association go smoothly, dealing with the government always takes time.
“If it involves politics, there’s a possibility that even the construction plans could be postponed?”
“I can’t say for sure there isn’t. Fortunately, the current ruling party is fully aligned with the Association’s direction, so unless something major happens, there shouldn’t be any concern. However…”
“You mean something major might happen?”
“Yes, politicians connected to the mainland, and opposition parties backed by America. Just hearing these words makes my stomach churn.”
Kirie-san seems to be experiencing similar hardships; she’s been sighing frequently.
“All I can say is to be careful. The contact rights with me are held by my company, so I don’t think there’s much risk of something major happening that would circumvent that.”
“I wish that were the case. For us, acquiring the magic arts of the Otherworld and securing oil fields would be nothing short of a nightmare if it all fell through.”
“First of all, what do you expect from me? Even if you ask me to facilitate things, I have no idea what you’re asking for.”
“It’s probably not about backing, but about recommendations. They want to obtain rights and then do as they please using those rights as a shield… That’s all it is.”
“I must say, those types of people will likely end up distracted by women in the end. I feel like sending over one of our company’s succubi might be enough to soften them up.”
“Please stop. I genuinely believe you could do it.”
“You’re so quick to deny it, it must be that bad.”
Kirie-san stops me with a serious expression as I suggest a solution that might be employed by those with power or money. While it might be fine with an ordinary woman, Kirie-san understands the danger of dealing with a succubus, famous from fairy tales, and glares at me with half-closed eyes. I wouldn’t do that now, of course, but if the situation demanded it, I would.
“I pray that you won’t resort to that measure.”
“There’s nothing more troublesome than a ship that’s difficult to steer.”
It’s good to share our hardships over bitter smiles. Time is limited, and as we slowly make progress, time passes.
“We’re almost at the destination vicinity.”
Kirie-san looked out the window as we could only see the sea and informed me that our destination was approaching.
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I am currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic. The Pandora’s Box has reopened, but we’re fighting back with various measures from our secret base!! Please check that out as well!
