There’s a saying about working like a workhorse, but the basic job of a workhorse is hauling.
It requires the effort of carrying heavy loads to faraway places. While the task itself is simple, it’s often used to describe situations that are difficult precisely because they are simple. The meaning of the phrase is to work busily without any time to rest.
For corporate slaves, such phrases are commonplace.
When I first found employment with the Demon Lord’s Army of an Otherworld corporation, such things seemed unrelated to me. However, with each promotion, my workload increased, and my free time dwindled. Recently, I’ve found myself working in a way that truly suits such a description.
But even that can be overcome if I compartmentalize it as time necessary to achieve success in my work.
“Jiro-, the minimum requirements for constructing the facilities on the island have been met with the materials we have and those arriving tomorrow,” Keiri said.
“So, we can finally get started, huh?”
A considerable amount of time has passed since the island was created. We’ve now moved beyond early summer and are entering a period where it’s gradually getting hotter. How is it that when there’s so much to do, time seems to pass so quickly?
The island now has the minimum necessary lifelines for habitation. The construction of defense facilities was prioritized in the early stages, allowing for the deployment of guards. Thanks to this, the island is now quite vibrant.
I believe this was possible precisely because we had a clear objective, a goal to strive for: the creation of a Dungeon.
“Well then,”
“Ah, Feri will become the Dungeon Core this week.”
And with that, the time has come for my farewell to Feri, with whom I’ve spent so much time together.
“Yes, it will be sad,” Keiri replied.
“I can see her easily, but the other personnel won’t be able to,” I said.
“Are Yukiera and the others going to be alright?”
“I can’t say they will be.”
Even though I was busy with work, I still had a reasonable amount of time to interact with her. Feri, with her childish nature, her energetic curiosity for anything new and interesting, was becoming like our family’s mascot.
It’s not an eternal farewell, but it’s a fact that this will be a long, long separation. Once she becomes a Dungeon Core, she won’t be able to leave the Dungeon so easily. Of course, there’s sadness because we spent time together and bonded. This will be most pronounced among the children, who spend the most time with her at home.
The word “necessary” is only uttered by organizations and those who bring the most profit. For the children, it’s just a reality that thrusts upon them the fact that they are saying goodbye to someone dear, without any room for negotiation.
“However, Feri herself seemed to sense it somehow,” Keiri said.
“She’s a Divine Beast, she could likely sense our thoughts the moment she was brought to this island,” I replied. “That’s her duty. She’s accepting a great job that even I, a human, cannot do. Should I say she has a large capacity? Or…”
As a parent, I find this difficult. But as the leader of an organization, I’m doing what is right. Being caught between personal feelings and public duty is the biggest source of stress.
“If it were just because she’s a Divine Beast, you wouldn’t be so troubled, right? You’ve spent time together and deepened your bond, so you know Lady Feri. Therefore, you feel distressed about entrusting her with such an important task. At the same time, you understand its necessity. That’s why you have that look on your face, isn’t it?” Keiri asked.
“That’s right,” I admitted.
From the stage of grasping the construction progress, I had, in the back of my mind, roughly calculated that the Dungeon would begin to be created around this time. The moment I understood this unavoidable fact, I also understood that my efforts to do everything in my power to move towards a better direction and avoid failure were my way of repaying Feri, even if only a little.
“Understanding and acceptance are different things. However, isn’t it precisely because you’ve tried your best that Lady Feri is willing to accept becoming the Dungeon Core?” Keiri asked.
“It hasn’t been that long since we met,” I said.
“Divine Beasts also have their own will. It’s that will that recognizes you.”
The very nature of a Dungeon Core, which uses a living being as its power source, strikes at the core of Japanese ethical values. I mustn’t waver. My work-related reason tells me to see this through to the end. There’s no going back now.
Considering the approximate costs incurred so far, and the labor and time of my colleagues who have shared this struggle, I can’t back down now. It’s precisely because I understand and accept this that I find myself increasingly aware of how troublesome these ethical considerations are.
“Is that so?” Keiri asked.
“Yes, it is,” I replied.
I’ve always disciplined myself not to show emotions such as anguish, or rather, I’ve considered it wrong to show them, which is why my expression probably hasn’t changed much. But Keiri, who had quietly moved behind me, embraced me from behind.
“Thank you,” I said.
I honestly appreciate her kindness.
“Whatever for? I just felt like doing it,” Keiri replied.
“Even though you’re during work?” I asked.
“I know no one else is around, and it’s about time for a break anyway,” she said.
Her feigned nonchalance, an attempt to fill the void of sadness, warmed me gradually.
“I see,” I said.
“Yes,” she replied.
After that exchange, a brief silence followed.
“It’s time to go,” Keiri said.
“Shall we go together?” I asked.
Thanks to her warmth, I’ve made up my mind.
“No, this is something I need to convey myself.”
The time has come, and I know what I need to do. From here on, I must not waver. Gently freeing myself from her arms, I stood up. She didn’t ask where I was going and simply saw me off.
“I’m heading out,” I said.
“Yes, have a good trip,” she replied.
Leaving Tufaris’s captain’s room, I stepped outside. The place where Tufaris is docked now has a proper pier, paved entirely with asphalt. The rugged landscape from when I first arrived is now a distant memory. By the time I went outside, the construction had reached a point where it could be recognized as a town. There’s even talk of implementing a greening plan to improve the scenery. I began walking through such a town, without even a bodyguard. While part of it is because it’s a town I govern, with the abundance of magic in this place, there’s no one with higher combat power than I. Some voices expressed concern about potential ambushes, but dragon blood is resistant to ordinary poisons. My body, half-dyed with dragon blood and having undergone significant modifications, followed suit.
As I continued on this path, passing by workers, they would bow their heads and interrupt their work. I must have become quite important. If I were to feel intimidated by their attitudes, it would cast an unsettling shadow on my position as a general. However, I don’t adopt an overly intimidating demeanor. Some workers feel intimidated by the magic emanating from my body, but I don’t reprimand them for it. The interactions along the way to meet Feri are valuable opportunities to hear directly from the ground. For them, it’s also a chance to appeal for improvements in their working environment. I don’t want to crush that opportunity, so I occasionally stop, finding it a good way to relax, and conduct interviews to see if there are any issues or needs. Thanks to this consistent attitude, the workers are now more willing to submit requests if necessary.
Delays in construction schedules. Insufficient personnel, materials, or magic. Such lack of preparation is entirely my fault as their superior. I’ve come to understand well since taking on this role that work is only successful when such issues are reduced to as close to zero as possible. Employing people doesn’t mean entrusting them with tasks; it means deploying the right people in the right places in the right quantities. Therefore, it’s also necessary to understand their capabilities. Fortunately, my path so far has been free of any major problems. In most cases, I have brief conversations with the workers and send them back to their tasks. Seeing them work diligently makes me consider bringing them some refreshments later.
From there, I proceeded along the side of the construction site, heading towards the center of the island. Tufaris is docked on the western side. The docking area was established close to the Japanese side, and I’m heading towards the central part, where the Dungeon is scheduled to be installed. This is the most elevated area, shaped like a small hill. Feri is ahead, amidst the activity of construction vehicles. It’s because I can sense her magic that I head there without hesitation.
Ideally, I’d like to climb this mountain path leisurely, but I’m unfortunately a busy person. Time is limited. So, I channel magic into my body and move with a slight leap. Confirming that no one is in my landing area, I leap, covering approximately a hundred meters in a single bound. Furthermore, I can use the acceleration from my descent to increase my speed, and in less than ten minutes, I reach my destination. “Woof!”
At the summit of this island, overlooking the entire island, was Feri. As if knowing I was coming, she sat there boldly, waiting to face me directly.
“Hey,” I said, raising one hand in a casual greeting towards Feri.
“You really like it here, don’t you?”
“Woof!” Feri, whose daily routine is to run around this island, spends the most time here. It’s certainly her favorite spot where she stares at the island changing every day. I’ve also come here with Feri several times.
“It was just a rocky mountain at first. It’s changed so much in such a short time.” As I approached, she moved aside slightly, offering me her favorite rock seat, inviting me to sit. I accepted her kind gesture and sat beside Feri, looking out at the island under construction.
“This island will develop even further from here.” It makes me a little nervous to think of asking Feri to become the Dungeon Core. She won’t die, but from what I’ve heard about beings becoming part of a facility, it’s something I must approach with utmost seriousness.
“So…” “Woof!” As I seriously faced Feri and was about to convey this, she placed her front paw on my knee and looked up at me. Her eyes seemed to laugh, telling me my shoulders were too tense, and that she understood and accepted. Then, withdrawing her paw from my knee, she ran to the center of the mountaintop and let out a powerful howl.
“Waoooooooon!!” A mighty howl that conveyed her willingness to take on the task to me.
“Really, I’m supported by so many,” I murmured, feeling the tension drain from my body upon hearing that. Feri had understood from the beginning. Hearing the powerful howl, the workers looked over, wondering what was happening. At that moment, Feri released her miniaturization, returned to her original size, and let out a howl far more immense than before.
“OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!!” I had never heard such a powerful howl. With such a dependable Feri supporting me in the Dungeon forever, I couldn’t show such a pathetic appearance. “Feri,” I said. Therefore, not as a general, but as Jiro Tanaka himself, “Let’s make an awesome Dungeon, okay?” I vowed to Feri, with whom I would likely have a long relationship. Even if it’s small scale now, in the future, it will be the greatest Dungeon.
“Waooooooooooon!” With that powerful response, I will create something that lives up to it.
Today’s word: Thorough preparation is key!
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