“Thank you for your trouble this time.”
“No, it’s not like we’re entirely uninvolved.”
Kirie bowed her head slowly, expressing her gratitude politely. I waved my hand to indicate it was alright, but I also thought that there would be a lot to discuss later.
It was a simple matter of favor for favor, but inconveniencing us, the main guests, was not ideal.
“So, were those people from the Oracle Alliance? I had checked the documents, but I thought their main activities were more moderate.”
“That was supposed to be the case, but I heard that the leader of the sect changed recently, and their policy shifted.”
The Oracle Alliance is a medium-sized organization with its headquarters in Greece, composed of people from various nationalities. Some are involved with countries, while others are not.
Although they have had exchanges with Japan, they do not have a branch there. Their activities span various fields related to gods, so they have a strong religious element. However, from what I reviewed in the documents, they did not suppress other religions, and their organization’s principle was to respect each other’s teachings and adhere to the Teachings of God.
“We aren’t somehow involved with this, are we? Like, with them advocating for the defeat of the Demon Lord or something?”
“I haven’t heard anything of that sort, and the idea of a chosen race is fatal to that organization. Their core ideology is to eliminate racial discrimination. They taught that demons, yokai, and fairies are all beings created by God, so if they changed their teachings that drastically, it would likely lead to a significant drop in members.”
The organization’s name sounded familiar, and I filed that information away. It was unavoidable to think that it was similar to a religious organization in Isal.
If gods were involved to some extent, it was understandable for them to be similar in that aspect. However, my intuition was giving me a strange feeling.
“…For now, since they caused trouble, we will be on alert. And we will also refuse passage on board.”
“That’s a reasonable judgment.”
My sixth sense was sounding an alarm, telling me I couldn’t just leave it as is. However, I also couldn’t neglect the main purpose of this job by getting overly involved.
All I could do was maintain vigilance.
“Muil-san, gather information on the Oracle Alliance.”
“Alright.”
I instructed him to gather information.
It was close to black, bordering on gray. That was my assessment. There was also the matter of Kawasaki Midori.
The influence of Isal was reaching this world as well. I heard reports from the information department about efforts to dismantle or apprehend elements related to Earth-Isal in relation to a certain incident, and that battles were ongoing. I judged this to be one of those tactics.
Sensing something, I turned my gaze in the direction of the presence.
“For now, let’s leave this matter here. It seems our guests have arrived.”
While I dealt with the situation, a considerable amount of time had passed.
A group of black cars was approaching along the dock. The national flags were displayed at the front of the cars.
I checked the collars of their suits and, realizing I had to attend to them, geared up for this unscheduled action.
And then, several tens of minutes later.
“…Haa.”
Somehow, the preparations were complete, and everyone who needed to board had boarded. I would thank Keiri later for creating the list, but the boarding process was finally over. I let out a quiet sigh, resisting the urge to loosen my tie, and looked towards the President. He was accompanied by the Tree King standing behind him and the Prime Minister of Japan beside him, surrounded by dignitaries from various countries. The bodyguards were also standing nearby, so for now, it was safe.
I checked my wristwatch; it was almost time for departure. I had to join them, and facing the people I had only seen on television, I took a breath and started walking.
As I moved, the SPs became vigilant. However, I weaved through their movements, slipping through their cordon like it was a gap, and approached the President with a distance that prevented him from moving. When approaching, I moved between our own bodyguards. The Prime Minister’s SPs were watching me, and as I approached, I drew the Prime Minister’s gaze.
“Demon Lord-sama, preparations for departure are complete. We will now head to our destination. Is that acceptable?”
“Ah, it’s fine.”
I bowed my head, intruding on their conversation, and then left after reporting the situation. If I stayed there, I would be asked many things. I wouldn’t often get the chance to speak with the Prime Minister, whose name I even knew, but it was best to avoid speaking at this moment. The President absorbed the Prime Minister’s lingering gaze, and I politely declined the approaching dignitaries by saying I had urgent business.
“Well then, shall we depart?”
I left the room, proceeded down the corridor, and went beyond the bulkhead. After confirming that no one was there, I cracked my neck. Hearing a “kuki” sound, I took another step forward, and a teleportation circle appeared, transporting me to the bridge.
“Battleship Tufaris is departing. Keiri, notify all ships.”
“Understood.”
This was a magical technology that Japan, among others, had not yet been able to reveal. There were no exposed windows; the outside was projected onto the walls of a spherical space, controlled by a single thought. Muil-san and Keiri were waiting on the bridge. Although the ship could operate with a single person, communications, etc., still required personnel.
“Permission to depart has been granted.”
“Understood. Muil-san, please handle the transport to our destination. I need to return and handle various matters.”
“Alright.”
“Looks like you have your hands full.”
“I won’t say I wish I could switch with you. This is my job.”
“When we get back, maybe I’ll give you a kiss?”
“I’m looking forward to that. Please make it a passionate one.”
“Ugh, I’ll think about it.”
“Kakaka! Keiri, the groom is quite experienced with women. If you get shy, you should do that kind of thing in private.”
I wished I could stay in this space, free from the tense atmosphere, but I couldn’t, with the real work waiting. Sensing my reluctance, Keiri glanced at me sideways and offered a reward when I returned. I would do my best with that motivation.
When returning, I used the same teleportation circle to go back to my original position and passed through the bulkhead. That bridge was in a special location, accessible only through teleportation magic. Since it was a space for operating the ship, security was paramount.
“Welcome back, Demon Lord-sama.”
“Ah, welcome back. It seems our guests are engrossed in the scenery outside.”
“So it seems.”
When I returned, the surrounding walls had transformed into the outside scenery, the ceiling showed the sky, and the floor provided a view of the ocean depths.
“If I explain that it’s magic projecting the outside scenery, they’ll start talking by the walls, like that.”
“It must be quite a novel sight. They wouldn’t think we’re inferior in terms of technological prowess.”
“Indeed. Even in this world, we often gain things that are hard to come by.”
Witnessing that technological prowess, people were moving away from the President’s vicinity. However, not everyone had moved away.
“What do you think about that, Prime Minister Kuryuin?”
“If your country learns from ours, I would be very pleased. It will eventually become the foundation for technological exchange with our country.”
First, there was the Prime Minister of Japan, Kuryuin Gonzo. His appearance exuded an aura of someone who trained rigorously, but his voice was gentle despite his stern look. However, since becoming Prime Minister, he had demonstrated his skills by preventing the opposition from interfering, and his approval ratings were quite high. Though I occasionally heard news of his radical policies, most of the public viewed him as a leader with strong leadership.
“Indeed, even now, people from our country are contributing to your nation. Even if their forms are different, it can be said to be a source of hope for those who unite a nation.”
The President, using me as an example, seemed to not only tolerate but even welcome the Prime Minister’s eagerness to seize any opportunity, however small, to absorb technology.
“Oh, don’t leave me out, Mr. Kuryuin. My country also has high expectations for yours. I hear that citizens of the United States are also working at Mr. Runaulos’s company. There should be no problem in forming a partnership here, don’t you think?”
And then there was another person; in fact, it was probably because these two were here that people gathered around the President, only to be kept at bay. James Kahn, the Vice President of the United States of America. Sending such a high-ranking official indicated the seriousness of the American side. While other foreign countries had sent diplomats, none held such a high position. It was likely due to a coordinated reception plan between the Japanese Government and the US, and a difference in information sharing. I could feel envious glances from several countries.
“Yes, the talent in your country is exceptionally skilled. They are proactive and have creative ideas.”
There was no room for nervous individuals who would care about such things here. The three of them, as if ignoring it, exuded an atmosphere that encouraged lively conversation.
“In fact, we have personnel from your country assigned to his department. He will know more about the specifics than I do.”
“Oh! That’s helpful. Mr. Tanaka. What do you think of our country’s talent?”
“Yes, from what I know, they are valuable individuals who spare no effort and achieve results. If you were to ask for them back, honestly, I would be in a difficult position to say. They are that active.”
“Hahaha! I see, I see. That’s good to hear.”
The Vice President gave an impression of cheerfulness and amiability. However, despite his friendly demeanor, my intuition buzzed with a sense of caution, hinting at something beneath the surface. I sensed something that would dive in, even with a headfirst slide, to intervene at the slightest misstep. This was the caliber of person supporting a national leader. It was a different kind of intensity than the sharp competition of sales.
“However, Mr. Runaulos, what is the principle by which this ship moves? I don’t feel any sense of movement. Yet, the external footage is clearly changing. Is it possible that you’re just displaying a video?”
“It’s simply because we’ve almost completely negated inertia with our country’s technology. The external footage is the genuine scenery outside.”
“If that’s true, it’s astonishing technology. I couldn’t see it, but I heard this ship appeared from the sky. Can this ship actually fly?”
“Ah, it is capable of flying. However, it’s more fuel-efficient to navigate the sea, so we are currently traveling by sea.”
This was a probing, a volley of jabbing attacks. While it sounded like they were conversing to explain the technology, they were actually trying to gauge the other party’s intentions behind the conversation. In essence, the ship’s value, both militarily and politically, was immeasurable. A ship that could provide a full view of the surroundings, fly through the sky, and possess unknown offensive capabilities. It would be a threat if an enemy, and a powerful ally if friendly. It could potentially disrupt the future military balance. Realizing this, the leaders of the two nations were doing their best to bring it to their side.
While exposed to that atmosphere, I was occasionally brought into the conversation, but only in a superficial way. I was merely a garnish on the top leaders’ meeting. The main focus was small talk and negotiation with the diplomats accompanying them. After the introductions were complete, we would exchange business cards. “I hope we can have a good discussion,” I would say, exchanging pleasantries, and then the real negotiations would begin. This would then serve as a catalyst, and diplomats from various countries would eagerly join the conversation, and before I knew it, people would be gathered around me.
Today’s word:
Even if there’s trouble, the schedule moves forward.
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I am currently serializing another work: Pandora Pandemic Panic, where Pandora’s box has been reopened, but we are fighting back with secret bases and other means!! Please check that out as well!!
