Mimamori-sama said she would preside over the meeting, but I wonder if she has a plan for how to do it.
I reseated myself as if to calm the agitated atmosphere from the sudden development, but that wouldn’t improve the air itself.
From the government’s perspective, Mimamori-sama is not yet recognized as a god, so her influence is an unknown.
They probably recognize her as a girl with some presence from what she said earlier, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s a god.
In fact, the skeptical gazes from the government officials seem to be intensifying rather than fading.
What will happen from here on?
“Well now, I’ve been listening to all of this. It seems the parts that are causing problems for you all are safety and profit, so I’ll be clear about it.”
Mimamori-sama, who had quite literally seated Tsukiko in the seat of honor, treating it like a sofa, and spoke as if she had been listening to the entire meeting, grinned.
“There are no convenient solutions that satisfy both sides.”
She then stated that if the meeting continued like this, it would be at a standstill forever.
“There is no such thing as a convenient arrangement where both sides are safe and both sides profit. Problems arise just from two countries connecting, don’t they? It’s impossible for entirely different worlds to connect without issues. I don’t trust you enough to be bound by a compromise. Therefore, the only options are either a one-sided exploitation where one country devours the other, or an equal measure where both sides bear risks. You are currently wavering between these methods. You want to at least achieve a six-four split, if not an equal one. Such emotions are evident in your discussions. That’s like a tug-of-war. If one side pulls, the other pulls back. The one who loses endurance loses. So, of course, it will never end~”
Mimamori-sama then openly stated what was implicitly understood but never spoken.
While her words might be true, no one present felt good hearing them.
To varying degrees, this feeling is connected to self-esteem and the desire to be superior to the other party. This is especially evident between nations.
By carelessly calling it a game of cat and mouse, the atmosphere of the meeting became even heavier.
“Oh dear,” I suppressed a wry smile and my gaze drifted around, trying not to stand out. As expected, a few individuals were showing their displeasure.
Evia’s back was turned, so I couldn’t read her expression, but she didn’t seem to be exuding a dangerous aura.
If that’s the case, then we’re still alright.
“So, which do you prefer? I won’t even ask such a foolish question. Looking at you, it’s clear. It’s obvious that both sides would prefer a convenient outcome. The problem is that you can’t find a compromise, right?”
What’s more concerning is what this god wants to do, or rather, what she’s aiming for.
Although she’s a girl with a smile on her face, the divine aura she emanates, her presence, continues to speak without regard for the deteriorating atmosphere.
Her statements seem to deny the connection between countries from different worlds. However, she doesn’t say it’s impossible.
What is her ultimate goal?
It’s difficult to gauge a god’s intentions, but we can’t proceed without considering it.
“And, as a god, if I were to decide on that compromise, people would not be satisfied. That is also a fact.”
I can see she’s trying to break the cycle of endless debate. The question then becomes, how will she break it?
If instructing them with a simple signpost could solve the problem, then international trade would be something even a child could do. It’s through adults racking their brains and nations making efforts to build relationships that countries can face each other. Even as a god, she shouldn’t be able to do it so easily. I suppressed my doubtful expression and maintained an impassive one, watching to see how things would unfold.
“Well then, in this case, what’s needed is not understanding, but agreement. Hmm, this is difficult!”
“Could you please be quiet? We are in the process of searching for an answer that we can agree upon.”
Mimamori-sama may not have meant for it to be, but her actions likely appeared flippant to others. Kase, receiving Mimamori-sama’s words with polite but sharp phrasing, met her gaze intently.
“Hmm. This matter has become larger than I thought, making it difficult to make a decision. Therefore, I believe you’ll want to return to report and seek judgment. Also, you’re trying to buy time until you return to extract favorable conditions. Yes, without the decision-making authority, your negotiations will be at a standstill!”
“!? What are you talking about, that’s nonsense!”
“Is it not? Then why is there sweat on your forehead?”
Her inner thoughts were seen through and exposed, and when she tried to deny it, her words were silenced by Mimamori-sama’s unwavering gaze.
“If you can’t make a decision, then say you can’t make a decision. Your lives are finite. Therefore, if you don’t know, I think it’s more effective to try and understand the other party through a little interaction.”
This might be a genuine question, but it wouldn’t be so difficult if it could be easily answered. Words like “I can’t” or “I don’t understand” are difficult to say, not just in these situations, but even as an adult. The heavier one’s position, the more the word “responsibility” makes such words difficult to utter. To be exposed so easily leaves him with no standing. Frankly, I felt I was catching a glimpse of why gods are called merciless. Seeing the god smiling brightly, I couldn’t help but think how ruthless she was, and made sure my own mouth didn’t twitch. Mimamori-sama likely thought of it as advice, but such things were out of place in this setting. Her words, lacking in situational awareness, pierced people’s dignity like a knife. I grimly braced myself, expecting these barbs to come my way next.
“And you, you can’t compromise either, can you?”
“Ah, unfortunately, this is a project that concerns our nation’s survival. We cannot easily condone delays.”
“And you won’t spare the cost for that?”
“Within acceptable limits.”
“What are those acceptable limits?”
As expected, the question was directed at me. In a way, this was a repeat of the first day. The conversation between a god and a demon. Mimamori-sama’s stance in negotiations should be different now compared to back then. She is now a deity residing in Japan. Will she accept the proposal from the otherworld? It depends on Evia’s next words.
“If this matter can be settled with my life, I would offer one or two lives. Our nation, and I myself.”
“!?”
Someone’s seat creaked as they reacted, but I was momentarily distracted by her words. Fortunately, nothing happened at that moment, but Evia’s words, seriously stating such an anachronistic thing as offering her life, left Kase and the others wide-eyed.
“I am prepared to go this far in this negotiation. The future of the nation and my life; as someone in a position of power, you should understand which side of the scale I would tip. Only the innocent masses can afford to cherish their lives. What is the purpose of holding a position if not to imbue it with enough value to stake one’s life on it?”
Her declaration that she could stake her life was overwhelming to everyone present. Personally, Evia’s words made me realize that I still had some naive parts to shed. The room fell silent. And the one who created that silence was…
“But, you’re not looking for something like that, are you? Don’t beat around the bush. What do you want? No…”
With her usual smirk, she started speaking as if nothing had happened. Surely, there were some who wondered if she was serious for a moment. But then, realizing that this wasn’t a state of war and that a bloody resolution wasn’t the answer, they understood. As everyone let out a sigh of relief, the demon questioned the god.
“What do you want us to ‘do,’ oh god?”
Although Japan was the negotiating party, Evia’s eyes were fixed directly on the god. The answer to that gaze came quickly. The girl god, with a broad smile, replied.
“I wish for the repair of the key. If you do that, we gods will take responsibility for connecting this world and your world.”
And then, for the first time, I understood this girl’s position. She was not a neutral third party acting as a fair arbiter. The premise of the whole discussion was different. It was a fundamental misunderstanding. She said she would preside over the meeting, but she never said it would be resolved in a way we desired. So, what was Mimamori-sama’s role?
“I passed it to you through Kirie, didn’t I?”
“That one.”
That would be the negotiator, of course, attending the meeting. She was also a seeker of something. I wondered what “key” Mimamori-sama was referring to. Evia, as if she had some familiarity with it, uttered the words as though she were squeezing them out.
“Yes, that one!”
Seeing that, Mimamori-sama, who seemed to have thought of the same thing, gave a thumbs-up with a smile.
“It’s a treasure for which we have no leads yet. Do you know how long it will take to repair?” Evia responded unhurriedly to his optimistic assessment.
“It’s alright! It’s alright! I’ll teach you how to fix it properly! It won’t take that long! Only the materials are troublesome!”
“…If you had told us from the beginning, we wouldn’t have had to go through troublesome investigations.”
“That’s impossible! Because if you told us from the beginning, it wouldn’t be a negotiation, would it?”
“Did you know from the start that things would turn out this way?”
“I am a god, you know? I can foresee a certain extent of the future.”
While the details of her story weren’t fully clear to me, her cheerful tone contrasted with the situation, and I could tell that she, as a land god, had orchestrated a plan that undermined the Demon Lord’s Army.
“So? What do you say? If you grant my request, I’ll fulfill your country’s wish right away?”
“Do you really think I’ll obediently repair a Sacred Treasure whose purpose is unknown?”
Evia glared at Mimamori-sama, dissatisfied with her approach.
“That Sacred Treasure might become something that threatens our nation.”
“Ah, no, no, no! That’s not it! Because that’s the key to the Dragon Vein that connects to Takamagahara.”
“What?”
However, her dissatisfaction seemed to blow away like the wind. Mimamori-sama’s casual explanation of the key’s purpose caught Evia completely off guard, leaving her genuinely surprised. I, too, widened my eyes at the mention of that place name.
“We originally didn’t plan to use this key and left it unused until it became unusable, but if we can interact with other worlds, the story changes. The potential to revolutionize this world. It’s been thousands of years since all sorts of gods left this world. My last duty, remaining on the ground, is simply to be a messenger. If a being appears who might bring about a change in this world, I must tell a god higher than myself. That’s the only reason I’ve stayed on this land.”
That place name is from Japanese Mythology, the dwelling place of the gods.
“This is my chance to be freed from that duty. Honestly, I’m barely managing to protect my own land, and my superior is making me take on extra work and is in seclusion! I really can’t stand it!!”
Did this girl understand that she was trying to lure out the gods who lived there? I tried to simplify her words with my “corporate slave” mindset, wondering if she was like a switchboard operator waiting for a phone call that might never come.
“What the heck! ‘I’m bored, so I’m going to sleep.’ ‘Wake me up if something interesting happens.’ What does that even mean!! Of course, I’d be fed up and leave the key to its fate!!”
And then I thought that this girl, despite her appearance, was actually the type to be burdened with troublesome tasks, catching a glimpse of the unfairness in the divine world. Judging by Mimamori-sama’s frustration as she stamped her foot, she had spent a considerable amount of time on this. And based on this story, it’s as if she’s agreeing to cooperate.
“I see. It doesn’t seem like a lie.”
Whether a god or not, the demon, adept at discerning lies, understood the god’s statement and smiled.
“Very well. Establish diplomatic relations with the ‘nations’ of this world. If you will support our nation’s activities, I accept your offer.”
As he boldly accepted the god’s words, the one person who might suffer the greatest disadvantage couldn’t remain silent.
“Such reckless behavior cannot be permitted!! No matter who you are, this country is already a human nation! Gods cannot interfere and arbitrarily advance discussions!!”
Kase’s words were rough, but they were righteous. He slammed his hand on the desk, his loud criticism of Mimamori-sama showing that while he was losing his patience, he hadn’t lost sight of the fundamental issue. The future of humanity is decided by humans. That’s what he’s saying. It’s not wrong. Looking at the history woven by humanity, it’s a correct statement. Mimamori-sama’s response, which directly addressed this, was:
“I didn’t say I would be active in *this* country.”
“Eh?”
Mimamori-sama looked at Kase with a weary expression, as if to say, “What are you talking about?”
“Even gods have connections. If I put in a good word, there are other gods who will cooperate. All that’s left is to connect with the association-like organizations in that land and establish a point of contact. She’s looking for talent, not specifically Japanese people. If there’s a place where they can operate, there’s no problem.”
This meant that the land god was saying she would divert the profits that Japan might gain to another country. Kase, as if he couldn’t understand what she was saying, broke out in a cold sweat.
“Let me tell you this first, as you seem to be mistaken. They are negotiating with this country first because they took root here first. You were just lucky. If there were better conditions elsewhere, it wouldn’t be strange for them to move there.”
This is like a country commissioning a bid from a corporation. It’s a system where the lowest bidder with good conditions gets the contract. The god pointed this out, debunking Kase’s assumption that he could drag things out.
“Considering that, think carefully. The words you should choose in the future.”
Watching this, I thought again: gods are truly cruel.
“Oh, and by the way, I haven’t forgiven you for outright denying me as an atheist.”
And so, I learned that a god’s anger is troublesome.
Today’s word:
The difficulty of bringing order to a situation cannot be understood unless you are on the scene.
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*The first volume of this novel is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume 2 was released on December 19.
The third volume was released on February 20, 2019.
The content includes revised and expanded versions of the material posted on “Shosetsuka ni Naro,” with additional unpublished interlude chapters.
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