I’m late (sweat).
I apologize.
My life has changed drastically since I gave Kaido and the others options.
This is because I transitioned from working on-site to conquer the Dungeon Test, a job function, to now being on the management side.
It’s been about half a month since I officially started as a manager.
As Evia would put it, I’ve only just taken my place, a natural position for someone in management, but it’s making me reconsider my own perspective more than I expected.
If you ask me how much my daily life has changed, it’s simply that the content of my work has changed.
However, how I spend my time has changed far more than I can put into words.
There are things you can see when you’re on the front lines, and things you can see when you’re standing behind.
When I try to implement things “we should do this” or “I wish they’d do that,” which I thought of on the front lines, as a manager, various factors like budget, personnel, time, and efficiency come into play, making it difficult to discern what can and cannot be done, and requiring stricter risk management.
Despite struggling with these things, the time I’ve secured is being used to prepare to become a general.
And this is a part of that.
“It suits you.”
“Does it?”
Suella helped me put on my formal attire.
After the final checks, I stood before the full-length mirror, feeling a bit awkward in the clothes, but I resigned myself to it, thinking it was probably like this. I felt a little embarrassed by Suella’s compliment with a smile, but I knew I had to get used to this attire as I would be wearing it more than just once.
I think the biggest change within me is probably this event.
In my previous company, it was entertaining clients with host club visits.
And in this company, it’s called a garden party, or sometimes a social gathering.
Dressed in fantasy-like attire, different from a suit, and beside me stands Memoria, who is also dressed up.
Clad in a blue mermaid dress and wearing a gold hair accessory, with makeup that makes her look more special than usual, she looks just like a noble lady to me.
Seeing her in a state so different from her usual somewhat unmotivated shop employee style, I thought, “This is good, too.”
“You’re beautiful.”
“………Thank you.”
Memoria smiled shyly when I honestly conveyed my impression.
The reason for dressing like this is for building connections. Or, as some might call it, networking. In short, it’s to build a support group for when I become a general in the future.
It’s still a pipe dream, but the other candidates are in the same boat. If I were to compare the current general selection test situation, a horse race would be an easy analogy.
You predict who the favorite is, and if they win, the supporters get paid. In this case, the payout is being offered good treatment and favorable positions by the one who becomes general. Being a general, the closest position to the Demon Lord within the Demon Lord’s Army organization, makes events like this social gathering, which hold the potential to become a close aide to such a person, quite significant. In return, they provide support for becoming a general or after becoming one, which is only natural.
Now, what I’m curious about is my own popularity.
“Here is the list of attendees.”
“Well, it’s better than having no one showing up at all.”
To be honest, my popularity is so low that it would be an exaggeration to say I’m not at the bottom of the list. It’s partly because I’m human, and partly due to a lack of recognition. I’ve tried joining parties a few times using Evia’s, Memoria’s, and Muil-san’s connections, but my name recognition in this country isn’t that high.
I’ve made introductions, but my etiquette is only a makeshift measure. While it’s not embarrassing, it’s still far from refined. It’s hard to even predict how much of a negative impact this has.
Therefore, this is my first time hosting a party, and the list of attendees Suella gave me barely exceeds ten people. Furthermore, the majority of them are from businesses connected to Memoria. The number of participants can fluctuate depending on accompanying persons, but since this is just a trial run, they’ll likely come as couples or fiancés. So, even at most, it won’t exceed thirty people. Only three noble families, holding titles like Baron or Viscount, are participating, but…
“Does the lack of history resonate, or is it because I’m human?”
“It’s probably both.”
Should I consider it a success that this many people have gathered for my first party, or a failure because it’s so few? It’s difficult to judge.
“The fact that there are any attendees at all is thanks to Memoria, isn’t it?”
Either way, I have to be grateful that people are willing to attend. I should think positively and consider this a first step.
“No, these individuals are more of a result of Jiro-san’s personal efforts.”
“My efforts?”
While other general candidates’ parties attract over a hundred nobles, merchants, and influential families, my party has barely reached double digits. I assumed the success of these double digits was due to the reputation of Memoria’s family, a major merchant house, but it seems that’s not the case.
“It’s the result of our support in the last war. Thanks to the warship still being operated by my family, transportation costs have been significantly reduced. As a result, we are currently able to conduct business even in remote areas far from the capital.”
Memoria continued, adding:
“The reputation of the elite craftsmen I borrowed from King Uuor is also good. Thanks to them, the reconstruction of the city is progressing. The nobles attending this party are likely here to thank them.”
Ah, I did do something like that. Well, it’s not like I have a use for a warship, and the same goes for the elite craftsmen.
“So, it’s a case of ‘glad I did it’?.”
“That’s right.”
So this is the result of effectively utilizing those things.
“Jiro-san, you should head to the venue soon.”
“Is that so?”
Suella, glancing at her watch, advised me that it was time to move. A quick look at the time confirmed it was indeed a suitable hour.
“Well then, Memoria, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Since this party has a lot of merchants attending and Memoria has experience with parties, I offered her my hand and escorted her using methods I learned from instructors and Evia. I managed a smile, thinking I might have gotten a little better at it, and left the room.
The destination is the land allocated to me within the company. It was originally intended to build a house there, but Muil-san took charge of it when I decided to aim for general.
“It’s an incredible house, as always.”
“It’s more of a mansion than a house.”
The result was a mansion that looked like something you’d see featured on a TV show about luxurious homes.
“Welcome back, Master.”
“Ah, is everything ready?”
“Everything is proceeding without issue.”
Muil-san declared that it would be bad for appearances if a future general lived in company housing, and thus declared he would build the most luxurious house possible. And managing this mansion is an elderly-looking Dark Elf man named Sehas. He was recommended by Muil-san from his resume, and his previous job was as a head butler for a certain noble. Apparently, he retired due to his age, but according to Muil-san, he can still serve for another three hundred years. He works here as a butler managing this mansion, but Himik, who visited once, said with a grim expression, “That man is no ordinary person.” And it’s no wonder. Currently, besides Sehas, there are three people in the kitchen, five gardeners, and four maids under Sehas’s command, totaling thirteen people managing this mansion. The number of personnel is overwhelmingly insufficient for the land being managed. I’ve only hired those I can trust for now, but this is the result. When I asked Sehas if it was feasible given the limited staff, he casually replied, “This number of people is perfectly fine. As for the master, please only hire those you can trust.” He has been managing the mansion without overworking himself until today. Although I plan to move out eventually, I feel apologetic that the party is being held before I can move in. However, there’s nothing I can do but accept it, as I can’t complain to Muil-san, who built it in just a week. This mansion was apparently modeled after the Nordis family, Evia’s family, and Evia herself said it looks very similar. The exterior is a three-story mansion, wide horizontally, like a Western-style house. The inner courtyard has a fountain and receives good sunlight. The entrance hall on the first floor is so spacious that you could probably fit two basketball courts. Additionally, there are a total of one hundred guest rooms. I almost wanted to retort, “Is this a hotel?” but Muil-san told me it’s considered a small number, as there might be cases where I need to accommodate all party guests overnight, and I was astounded by the difference in values. The construction costs were covered by savings, and even the reward money from Instructor Fushio, though consumed in war disaster reconstruction, still remains. Furthermore, I inexplicably received a large sum of money from Memoria’s family as a housewarming gift. They say money is never a problem, but hesitating to spend it is proof that my commoner roots haven’t completely disappeared. “I see. I thought I might be rejected if I tried to entertain with Japanese cuisine.” “No, your decision is not mistaken, Master. I believe it is best to prepare some classic dishes along with some novel ones for parties like this.” Because of these commoner sensibilities, the first thing I thought of when I heard about the party was the food. Wanting to serve the most delicious dishes and the best alcohol possible, I consulted with Memoria and Sehas about how to procure ingredients, as I’m not familiar with the cuisine of this continent. When doing so, to help them get to know me, I suggested dishes served at parties on Earth, rather than Japan. “I see. I’ll have to thank the chefs later. They did a great job recreating them in such a short time.” “No, it would be impossible for them to say they couldn’t do it when they were sent people who know how to cook. They simply did what was expected.” I sent Himik because I thought learning to cook from scratch would be difficult. Himik met Sehas at that time. Himik was also involved in the cooking for this party and should be in the kitchen right now. While I think Himik might eventually manage this mansion, I need to ask about another concern. “Was the alcohol arrangement made in time?” “Yes, that is also without issue. However, if I may say so, the quantity seems to be enough to assume guests from the Ogre Tribe will be visiting.” “Ah? Was it too much?” “To put it simply, yes.” I thought it would be good to have a variety of alcohol to match the food, so I used my Japanese connections for that. I only asked the brewery I was introduced to, my aunt Kirie, and my mother. I ended up ordering quite a bit when I placed an order to drink with the instructors. “That’s true. If anyone likes a particular sake, I can give it to them as a gift.” “Yes, that would be a good idea.” Thinking that everyone except Instructor Kio doesn’t drink that much, I decided that giving the ordered sake as a gift would be a good idea, and Sehas bowed his head in agreement. “And then…” “Regarding that…” While I was finalizing the party details with Sehas, time passed, and one of the maids appeared and announced with a resolute voice, “Master, Sehas-sama. Our first guests have arrived.” The moment is arriving, and I feel a bit of nervousness. “It’s alright. Jiro-san, just act as you normally do, and there will be no problem.” Memoria gently leaned towards me, as if to ease my tension. “Thank you.” It’s necessary to maintain a moderate level of tension, but I need to balance it so it doesn’t become excessive. Now, though this is unfamiliar work, I need to do this properly.
Today’s word:
You can’t start if you hate doing unfamiliar work.
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