Negotiations, especially involving political exchanges, were something that had nothing to do with me in the past.
The only negotiations I had conducted before were about extending delivery deadlines and price haggling.
If the past me heard that I, who used to do nothing more than that, was now putting on a poker face and probing the minds of political and financial leaders, he would have probably prepared himself for a hospital visit.
It seems that tales of the Demon World, my work history, and how I rose through the ranks are all interesting topics for my conversation partners.
However, it wouldn’t be a fair trade if I did all the talking.
If I speak, I must also listen to what they have to say.
This is where my experience conversing with nobles comes in handy.
The possibility of having my weaknesses exposed, of leaking secrets, the tension of them skillfully trying to extract information even when I’m being extremely careful.
While I do feel fear in such situations, I don’t get paralyzed by tension.
Having experienced battles where I was constantly on the brink of death has desensitized me in these scenarios, allowing my vigilance alone to function effectively.
My expression is gentle, my mind is calm, and my heart is passionate.
I’ve unconsciously become adept at making such delicate maneuvers.
This allows me to gradually steer the flow of conversation.
From the people drawn in by the bait of my background, I’ve gathered that information about this company isn’t widely publicized.
It’s more like “for those in the know” information, with many details only known to the highest echelons of government.
It seems that America and Japan are generally taking the lead, and other countries often hear this information secondhand.
That’s likely why my firsthand accounts from the local scene are valuable.
Even though it put me at a slight disadvantage, I was occasionally unnerved by their almost desperate negotiations to extract information, but I maintained control of the pace throughout.
I was also able to objectively recognize my own growth, realizing I could now engage in such subtle maneuverings.
“Son-in-law, we should be arriving at our destination soon.”
We had spent quite a bit of time conversing, and when I glanced at the clock after Muil-san’s telepathic call, I realized it was time to arrive.
“Excuse me, we’ll be arriving at our destination shortly, so I’ll be returning to my supervisor for now.”
I chose a natural break in the conversation to interrupt.
With a bittersweet smile at their disappointed faces, I said “See you later” and carefully navigated through the crowd to find my President. As usual, he was sandwiched between the Prime Minister and the Vice President.
The defensive formations of both countries seemed determined to hold their ground.
However, I offered a wry smile at the necessity of being in between them.
“Demon Lord, we’ll be arriving at our destination soon. We need to prepare for the ceremony.”
“Oh, is it that time already? It was so enjoyable that the journey felt much shorter.”
Before returning to the President, I recomposed my poker face and spoke to him. The President, as if genuinely surprised, offered a smile.
Upon closer inspection, I felt he was quite close to both the Prime Minister and the Vice President.
It would probably only be the President who could accomplish so much in such a short span of time. He is someone who can manage generals, all of whom are bursting with individuality and a desire for self-display.
There’s also the difference in accumulated years of life.
He could probably stroll through human politics as easily as humming a tune.
“Well then, I’ll stop by again later.”
“Is that so? Do that later then.”
“Ah, I’m looking forward to it.”
The President’s friendly tone, which could easily be mistaken for speaking to a friend, made me think of how amazing our Demon Lord is. I left the waiting area with the Tree King.
“Don’t you think our Demon Lord is excessively gifted at charming people? Am I just imagining this?”
As we left the venue, walking behind the President who was leading the way, I voiced my thoughts to the Tree King, who remained silently by my side.
“Asking the obvious shows a lack of sense, Human King. The moment we pledge our allegiance and loyalty to him, it is evident that his capacity is immeasurable.”
“It was a foolish question indeed.”
“You two? Even if you praise me, your year-end bonus will only increase by a tiny amount?”
The Tree King said something that sounded like praising the President with a sly grin. The President, pleased by his words, mentioned a bonus increase.
Normally, one would be happy about that.
“The salary for the General rank is exceptional, and I recall it being a fixed salary, including bonuses.”
“Yes, and as I earn income from territory management, the stipend from the Demon Lord is uniform.”
“Oh, you found out?”
Unfortunately, the salary for the General rank is fixed, so there’s no increase.
Still, in terms of annual income, I receive so much that it dwarfs that of an average company president, so I have no complaints.
I also have various other sources of income, so even with a fixed salary, most Generals don’t pay much attention to it.
They earn so much from territory management that they can ignore it.
Therefore, what he just said was the President’s way of telling a joke.
“However, Human King, why the sudden praise? Is there something you want to ask of me?”
“I have no hidden agenda at the moment. I’m simply impressed by your communication skills, being able to quickly befriend such famously well-known figures.”
“It’s not for nothing that I manage generals who are embodiments of individuality, or engage in constant mental sparring with those old foxes who never lie but never tell the whole truth either. As they have no malicious intent, conversations with them are quite carefree.”
All I can say is, you’ve been through a lot.
Calmly considering it, I recognize that at the very least, I have to keep the battle-maniac instructor and the Dragon King in check, and on top of that, I have to deal with the perpetually nagging old people.
And on top of that, there’s the mountain of paperwork.
Listening calmly, I think being the Demon Lord is a tough job, truly a black company.
“After this ceremony, I will bring you some sweets as a gift.”
“Yes, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but it would be more helpful if you could assist me with paperwork.”
“Regrettably, as a new general, I still have my own duties to attend to.”
“Demon Lord, the Human King has an important task of creating a dungeon, so that might be difficult.”
“That’s right. For now, I’ll settle for the sweets. I’ll send you a list later. By the way, what I want most right now is sweets from that popular store in the Shinjuku station building.”
“Human King, if possible, please secure some for me as well.”
“I’ll have Kaido go and buy them.”
While engaging in such casual conversation, we passed through a teleportation circle and arrived at a hangar.
“This is the Earth Creation Magic Tool.”
“That’s right. It’s a magic tool with the Ancient Dragon’s Magic Stone at its core. If this breaks, it’ll be a disaster. Even with your salary, you’d be working for free for three hundred years.”
Inside the spacious hangar stood a single, inverted conical object.
“We must be very careful with it.”
This is the magic tool prepared by the temple to create the foundation land for the dungeon. It’s a special custom-made item that incorporates a large-scale spell to raise the land and create islands into the Ancient Dragon’s Magic Stone.
“Don’t worry, it looks fragile, but it’s strong enough to withstand Raidou’s punches a few times. It’s not easily broken. All you need to do is channel magic into it and drop it at the target location. There’s almost no damage to the surroundings. The only thing is the noise, perhaps. There’s no need to worry about earthquakes, tsunamis, or any natural disasters. In a while, it will be like a volcanic eruption at sea, and an island will form.”
The magic tool’s effects trigger immense natural phenomena. The President’s words are a perfect example of “easier said than done.”
Logically speaking, he’s trying to cause an event that would take many years, not just a few.
“Alright, Human King. Shall we begin? We shouldn’t keep our guests waiting any longer.”
“Understood.”
However, there isn’t a single person here who thinks this is impossible.
Even events that seem reckless and audacious can be accomplished with the right preparation, thanks to magic.
Following the President’s instructions, I approached the magic tool and…
“Heave ho!”
“That’s not a cool battle cry, Human King.”
I easily lifted the object, which was over ten meters long. Even on the ship, I try to minimize the use of magic to conserve magic power.
Perhaps I should have used teleportation magic, which would have been cooler, but this class of magic tool consumes an immense amount of magic to teleport.
This means it also depletes magic power, so transporting it manually is more cost-effective.
I held the narrow part of the inverted cone and headed towards the elevator.
The President told me to do something about my battle cry, but it can’t be helped when it just comes out when I’m carrying something.
It’s not heavy, so if I concentrate, I don’t have to say it, but sometimes it just slips out.
“Now then, while the Human King is handling the luggage, let’s also get our preparations done, shall we, Tree King?”
“Yes, Demon Lord.”
While I was left to do the physical labor, the President and the Tree King began preparing for another task. Behind this magic tool, unseen, there was another magic tool brought onto the ship.
It was a circular object that resembled a stage.
“Hmm, the magic power seems fine.”
“Yes, but as there’s no magic power in the air, the range of transmission is quite limited.”
“It’s fine if it can be heard on this ship and the surrounding ships.”
This is a magic tool used for speeches in the Demon Kingdom. I’ve used it before, incidentally.
It’s an excellent device that, when you stand in the center of that stage, projects your image as a three-dimensional hologram via a relay device.
In a way, the magical civilization is truly superior to Earth in its advanced aspects. However, when it comes to daily life, like PCs, quality of paper, writing utensils, food culture, bedding, or lighting fixtures, there’s a sudden resurgence of medieval-level technology, making their evolution quite peculiar.
Since coming into contact with Earth, I feel that balance is gradually being corrected, but even so, it’s still only within the company, and ordinary citizens haven’t been granted such comforts.
It might be possible in the future, but not yet.
The Tree King operated this world’s magic tool, and the President ascended the platform.
Sensing these actions, I got into the elevator.
The massive elevator is for carrying out large cargo, and even colossal magic tools like this can fit inside. As the mechanical hum signals, it ascends. Upon reaching the deck, a vast blue sky opens before me.
“Phew, what nice weather.”
This is perfect weather for building an island, I thought, looking up at the clearly sunny sky as if telling a joke, and stepping out of the elevator.
“Oh, I’m being watched, I’m being watched.”
Carrying such a massive object across the deck of the battleship Tufaris naturally draws attention. It’s outdoors, so the magic concentration is much thinner than inside the ship.
However, the magic power itself still remains within my body, so the benefits of the Magic Crest enhancement are maintained.
I’ll be fine until this task is done, and I walked to the bow of the ship.
“An island will be made here.”
As far as the eye could see, there was only the sea.
Apart from a few ships visible nearby, there was truly nothing else.
In a sense, it’s the moment of creating something from nothing.
As the appointed time drew closer, a reaction of magic power occurred behind me as planned.
“They’re here.”
I gently turned around, and there stood the President, projected as a giant hologram.
“Esteemed guests, what I am about to show you now is the power of a treasure of our Demon Lord’s Army.”
This was the opening greeting of the ceremony.
And thus began the creation of my dungeon.
Today’s word: Experience is something that settles in firmly.
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