The conditions presented by Minami are currently acceptable.
They are within reasonable limits and can be considered a right one would naturally desire if aiming for promotion.
However, Minami is not the type of woman to settle for just that.
Is this where the real challenge begins?
Facing Minami, who gestured with her eyes as if to say, “There’s still more,” I placed down my glass of sake.
“It wouldn’t end there, would it? What unreasonable demands are you going to throw at me?”
“Fufufufu, the remuneration for shouldering responsibility with me will be steep, gozaru.”
Though she smiled cheerfully, her eyes conveyed that from this point forward, we would be speaking not as senpai and kouhai, but as colleagues in the company.
“First, I need information, gozaru. I will confirm what information can be viewed with my section chief authority, but considering the current situation, I absolutely need information on the war and on what’s happening on Earth, gozaru. I want you to grant me that authority.”
“You’re coming in strong right from the start. Granting access to classified information is something I can do with my authority, but there will still be restrictions. Is that alright?”
“It’s fine as long as I can view credible information, gozaru. I won’t be able to have an information department like organization, will I?”
“That’s true.”
And just as her scheming eyes suggested, she came in with a demand that was pushing quite a difficult line from the very first move.
Information is treasure.
Knowing where and what is happening makes a significant difference in one’s course of action.
The company itself is an organization under the umbrella of the Demon Lord’s Army.
It’s natural for there to be one or two pieces of information that are not communicated.
And most of this uncommunicated information is either deemed unnecessary for the department in charge of dungeon testing, or information that would have a negative impact if communicated.
This is what Minami was asking for.
“…Are you concerned about spies infiltrating among the Testers?”
“Well, yes, gozaru. Leaders are also avoiding bringing in new people because they’re wary of that, aren’t they?”
“That’s also a part of it.”
The reason for that would be to suppress the occurrence of spies, as Minami had mentioned earlier.
New personnel, regardless of whether they are from the continent or Earth, are thoroughly vetted.
Such a level of caution is in place.
And sadly, the information department operates even on its own people.
This is because an incident occurred where “it’s alright because we’ve already vetted them once” proved to be shortsighted.
The incident caused by Kawasaki Midori, who had become a completely different person, brought things to a crisis where the Dungeon Testers might have to cease operations.
It was only natural for the Demon Lord’s Army to develop caution and suspicion.
If one considers the worst-case scenario, even those present here could be considered subjects of surveillance.
However, an organization cannot operate on suspicion alone.
There is no time to crush the old stone bridge and build a new iron one.
Some compromise is necessary.
“Well, I can’t say anything about that right now, but regarding information viewing authority, I’ll speak with Evia and then propose it to the President. I suspect only you will be able to use it, and you’ll have a Geass Roll cast on you with a pact, so be prepared.”
“Well, that’s to be expected, gozaru.”
Even with that compromise, it’s a grim situation where they resort to an extreme measure like using magic that enforces a vow of silence to minimize information leaks.
“Next is that I want to move the office we’re currently using, gozaru.”
“Move the office?”
I was somewhat looking forward to what she would ask for after information, so the office relocation was a bit surprising.
“That’s right, gozaru. If there are troublesome neighbors, we can simply move far away physically. The current policy is competition rather than cooperation, gozaru. In that case, it’s better to distance ourselves to prevent information leaks and interference, gozaru.”
“I see.”
There are no security issues with the current situation, but when it comes to a section chief-level visit, office security is generally bypassed.
However, there are watchful eyes, and any attempt at sabotage would involve higher authorities, so one cannot afford to be careless.
But it seems Minami wants to avoid such petty harassment.
“The current office provides easy access to the Dungeon, and it’s also convenient for bartering drop items, with good access to the underground mall. There are also training facilities nearby. Moving to a different location will be somewhat inconvenient, you know?”
In exchange for that, they would forgo the benefit of the location.
At first glance, it might seem like an act of retreat or a weak stance.
However, if safety is considered, it could be the best move.
“The disadvantage of decreased performance outweighs that benefit, gozaru. It’s fine to meet in the Dungeon, but meeting elsewhere is stressful and unacceptable, gozaru. Besides, as a leader, you’ll introduce properties that allow me to inherit the benefits I’ve received so far, won’t you?”
And the boldness to clearly tell me that she can make a better move than this seemingly best approach.
It’s probably because of this courage that Keiri recommended Minami as section chief.
When you do something, you do your best.
Is it because Minami is a rational thinker who believes that temporary hardship is a small price to pay to eliminate future hardship?
“There isn’t… none.”
And I have a good idea of the property that rationality is seeking, and if the procedures are taken, I can use it.
If that’s what she’s looking for, then I should give it to her.
“In that case…”
“However, there’s a problem.”
“But, I have to clear the conditions for giving it to you.”
“That area is vacant, but it’s not under my jurisdiction, nor Evia’s.”
This company itself is Evia’s Dungeon.
Therefore, it would seem that all areas are managed by Evia, but exceptions always exist.
There are areas that even a Dungeon Master cannot touch.
One is the area of the Dungeon Core.
As it is the place where a Divine Beast sleeps, even a Dungeon Master cannot interfere there.
So, where is the area I’m referring to?
“What I have in mind is a corner of the underground mall; there are a few vacant stores there. If we can apply for and use the back alley passageway, it would provide the shortest route to the Dungeon and is also close to the training grounds. Being in the underground mall also makes it easy to resupply consumables.”
The underground mall.
While the turnover of stores isn’t exactly rapid, it’s not uncommon for store owners to change.
And although Evia oversees this area, there’s a reason she can’t have complete freedom.
“However, this is the stronghold of the Commercial Alliance. And those vacant stores are places where merchants stake their lives. For outsiders like us to rent those stores as offices, our application won’t pass.”
Merchants are merchants when they do business.
This is the credo of the group, the Commercial Alliance.
They invest heavily in the Demon Lord’s Army, hold influence, and are planning to engage in trade with Earth.
Toris Trading Company, where Memoria belongs, is also a member of this alliance.
The Demon Lord’s Army cannot afford to dismiss this group, which possesses considerable wealth and is responsible for creating logistical flows.
“If we were to force it through using the prestige of myself or Evia, we wouldn’t know what kind of interest it would accrue.”
If it’s an area managed by such an alliance, other departments within the company can’t easily interfere.
It’s the location that best matches the company’s conditions, but it’s unimaginable how much effort it would take to rent those stores.
“Would it be impossible to ask Ms. Memoria?”
“It’s difficult. Toris Trading Company has high influence, but the timing is bad. If their trade with Earth goes well, they might be able to make a leap as a trading company. That’s precisely why the underground mall is valuable as it holds high potential for trade with Earth. Even Toris Trading Company would be ostracized if they tried to force their way in through improper means.”
While it might be possible to force the issue depending on the authority, I want to avoid creating unnecessary rifts here.
“Hmm, if that’s the case, perhaps a temporary office on the leader’s land, even if it entails some inconvenience…”
“No, why would you think that? Don’t bring work into my private space.”
“Ehhh, it was originally planned to build a building for the leader’s faction there, and you have quite a bit of space, don’t you? A little bit wouldn’t hurt, would it?”
“It would.”
However, the situation was escalating towards an office spontaneously appearing near my mansion.
There is sufficient space on the land, and in the future, I might build such facilities, but with the creation of the artificial island, that plan was all but scrapped.
All necessary bases are on the island… No, wait a minute.
“There was another candidate.”
“Oh? What is it?”
“My managed artificial island. From there, it’s connected to this company by a teleportation circle, and there’s no need to worry about incompetent personnel infiltrating. The training facilities are currently under construction, so it won’t be immediate, but we can prepare an office right away.”
“You have an internet connection, don’t you? If not, I’d go insane, gozaru.”
“The network environment is fully equipped, and even cracking countermeasures are in place.”
“Then it’s fine, gozaru.”
Come to think of it, what Minami is seeking is an office where she won’t face unwanted interference.
If that’s the case, wouldn’t it be best to transfer the office to my territory?
It would pose no problem for Dungeon Tester activities, and in my territory, other departments couldn’t easily interfere.
Well, ghost knights do roam around at night, but let’s adopt a policy of not minding that.
“However, the island under the leader’s jurisdiction, gozaru? Isn’t it a bit inconvenient for travel?”
“The company and the island are only a short distance away via teleportation circle. In some cases, I’ll arrange for a dedicated teleportation circle to be installed, but various other procedures will be necessary. We will inspect anything brought in, and the comings and goings of people will also be checked.”
“Hmm, that’s a bit troublesome, gozaru.”
“On the other hand, there’s no troublesome negotiation with others, so don’t complain. I’m the top authority on that island. I can make a few exceptions.”
We will establish the minimum necessary rules, but conversely, that’s all there is to it.
In terms of safety, my territory currently has very high security, with carefully selected workers and the Ghost Knights dispatched by Instructor Fushio.
And the cityscape that is being built there.
I think it’s a not bad idea.
Although convenience will be somewhat reduced, Minami seems to see the merit in being under my protection.
She also appears to find it appealing to avoid creating friction with merchants.
“It’s not bad, not bad at all… but… hmmm.”
However, wondering if there might be something more, she racks her brain, crossing her arms and shaking her head.
Her hair sways with each movement.
“Can we put this on hold for now, gozaru? I’d like to consolidate my thoughts on this a little more. It’s not like I have to take over as section chief immediately, is it?”
“That’s right. I’m thinking of a handover within about three months, at least.”
“…It doesn’t seem like there’s much time, is there? Are you in that much of a rush?”
“Hahaha! After this drinking party, who knows when the next one will be!!”
Her wavering stops, and her words, which don’t hide her indecision, convey only that time is short. I then take another drink.
In reality, there isn’t that much leeway.
Today’s Word:
Workplace environment is important.
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