It’s a story that goes back about a month and a week.
“Yes, these are Nord, Nordis-kun, and Mura, Mura-kun, who will be working with us from now on.”
“Please treat it favorably!”
I remember this clearly, as it was when these two arrived quite some time after I had greeted Evia’s parents.
Since it’s this company, they’re already quite accustomed to it and don’t seem out of place, but Nord-kun and Mura-kun are impeccably wearing suits as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Both are demons, and because their appearances are close to humans, they wear their suits sharply. However, there’s still a hint of inexperience about them, aren’t there?
Their backs are straight, and you can see the tension in their shoulders, like new employees.
“Oh my, they’re cute.”
“Indeed. I hear they’re quite talented from what I’ve heard. We’re honestly grateful for immediate reinforcements.”
“You’re quite capable to bring in someone like that.”
“In return, I’ve been constantly on guard from behind.”
“There’s no help for it, that place has a special environment.”
As they stood side-by-side, the focus was naturally on Mura-kun from the Mura family, which has produced many capable individuals.
His preferences regarding romance are well-known, but there’s no one here who would shy away from it.
Despite the excellent reputation for both his abilities and personality, his politeness didn’t betray those expectations.
“Hey, hey, don’t pout. I’ll raise you so well that you’ll be able to get back at them from here, so don’t worry.”
When Mura-kun is so openly expected of, Nord-kun, who is left out, doesn’t feel good.
Keiri-san had seen his character during a past special screening, and Muil-san knew his personality through his unique information network.
Both of them…
“That’s right, you’re going to have a tough time from now on, so live to the fullest.”
“That’s right. You’ll have many hardships ahead, but don’t give up.”
Knowing the future that awaits Nord-kun, they looked at him with eyes filled with pity.
If their abilities are low, they must be compensated.
If there’s no time, they must be finished at breakneck speed.
Therefore, first, we eliminate the most unnecessary thing, kindness, and with its compensation, we teach them strictly with a precisely finished schedule.
“Eh?”
Nord-kun, who had expected not to be valued, was bewildered by the two gently patting his shoulder.
Those who know the future can only encourage him by saying “do your best.”
“Well, you can continue the rest where the teacher is.”
Before that confusion turned into a sense of crisis, I quickly moved him towards the training grounds.
If I were to take too long, he might run away again and it would be left unsettled.
“Valse-san, please.”
“Yes, I’ve been entrusted. I’ll have him back within a week at the latest.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Knowing his character, I called Valse-san, whom I had summoned in advance, to prevent him from having time to escape.
“Eh?”
Before he could fully grasp the confusion, Nord-kun was transported to another space.
“With this, we’ve secured one combat power.”
“You’re a demon.”
“Inded.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t have demon blood in me. Though most humans have quit now.”
This has long since been elevated to my stock joke, the non-human trope.
Even if I’m called a demon or an oni, I still don’t have that kind of blood.
I have a feeling it might enter someday, but it hasn’t yet.
I am half-dragon, half-human, a non-human.
“Besides, the two who didn’t stop my actions are equally guilty.”
Even if they call me an oni, I have no right to be complained about since I need to secure combat power.
Rather than feeling guilt for the unquestionable forced transfer, I actually feel a sense of accomplishment.
The destination is a space managed by Valse-san.
There, a high-ranking spirit who has agreed to educate under a certain condition awaits.
According to Valse-san, no matter how worthless someone is, she will train them into a highly competent individual.
With her skills, I expect Nord-kun to be Super Nord-kun by the time he returns.
“Um, is that really alright?”
To Mura-kun, who is looking at me with anxiety, Keiri-san, Muil-san, and I look at each other and then…
“It’s alright, it’s always like this.”
We smile at Mura-kun reassuringly, telling him not to panic over such a thing.
“Huh? Is he disgusted?”
“Well, that’s true. Normally, one would be surprised if a person disappeared.”
“We can remain calm because we understand what’s happening, but it’s understandable that Mura-dono, who doesn’t know, would be surprised.”
However, it seems Mura-kun, who isn’t used to such situations, can’t keep up, and his mouth is twitching, as if he’s not caught up with reality.
“That’s true. Sorry about that. I got carried away with the usual vibe.”
While everyone else has already returned to their work after the introductions, only Mura-kun, who is not used to it, is left behind.
I apologize while scratching my head, thinking “I messed up.”
“Um, what about Nord-sama?”
“He’s studying under a high-ranking spirit acquaintance. Probably, about a week has passed while we’ve been talking. After all, the time difference is significant.”
“Eh?”
“Ah, you’ve confused me again. Your stories are too full of information. By the way, only this person can perform such reckless training methods. Even other generals can’t do something like this.”
“That’s right. Not only contracting with a high-ranking spirit, but also using that connection to foster cooperation is an extraordinary feat. It’s a once-in-a-million, no, a once-in-a-hundred-million chance to find someone like that.”
I answer Mura-kun’s question honestly.
Adding unnecessary details seems to have increased his confusion even further, and Keiri-san and Muil-san also try to explain, but he still doesn’t seem to fully understand.
It seems it will take time for him to calm down.
“For now, Nord-kun is doing his best at his training, so Mura-kun, let’s try your best at your work too.”
So, for now, I’ll have him work and make effective use of the time until he calms down.
“Muil-san, please.”
Muil-san is aware of the field Mura-kun will be in charge of.
It will be officially activated after assessing his aptitude and observing his actions, but still, negotiations with the Mura family have been steadily progressing, so there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Understood. We’ve been short-handed, so this is a great help.”
Although outwardly welcoming, the guard hasn’t been lowered yet.
Muil-san is in charge of information, so that’s natural.
“Here, let’s go, Mura-dono.”
“Y-yes. Please treat it favorably.”
He looks like a kind old man, but who knows how many schemes are brewing inside him.
I’ll see them off, praying that they become good master and disciple.
“I’m jealous, Jiro-kun. Don’t you have any replacements for me?”
“I’ll deliver the demonically modified Nord-kun later. Until then, please cover with replacement personnel by fishing with that story.”
“Che, understood.”
I forcibly pushed through the initial confusion.
I, myself, moved on to my own work.
Watching Mura-kun being taught by Muil-san from the side, I proceed with my own tasks.
Lately, I’ve only been seeing Yukiera and Sachiera sleeping.
As a father, I’m getting into my work with all my might so that I won’t be forgotten, and today, I will definitely see their faces while they’re awake.
“Here, today’s schedule. Meeting with the envoy from the Mura family in the morning. Followed by a meeting with the manager of the Toris Trading Company. Lunch is a discussion with the envoy from the Nordis family. After that, paperwork, and then a dinner party with the envoy from Japan in the evening. Overtime is confirmed.”
“It’s packed, but we have no choice.”
A demanding schedule is handed to me, as if laughing at my resolve.
Honestly, jobs that involve meeting people take the most time.
Paperwork can be accelerated and finished at once, but with jobs that require maintaining connections with people, time-saving isn’t possible.
If I show impatience, they’ll exploit it, so I must act cautiously and naturally.
It’s better because the people I’m meeting are allies—the Nordis family, the Mura family, and the Toris Trading Company—but when dealing with nobles whose allegiances aren’t yet decided, I need to be careful not to give them any grounds for suspicion, as I don’t know where they might extract information.
I check my emails on the PC and confirm my appointments.
“How are things on your end?”
“It’s going so-so. The turnout isn’t too bad. If nothing goes wrong, we should make it in time for the schedule.”
“I see. If that’s the case, it’s good, but should we perhaps set up another insurance policy just in case?”
When I check the progress of what I’d asked Keiri-san, I receive a reply that there are no problems.
“Indeed. It’s clear this will be a bridge for international relations, so it’s good to have insurance.”
“A marriage hunting party as a bridge for international relations. That’s quite a statement.”
However, as a general, I can’t afford to focus on just one thing.
There’s just so much to do.
Since Nord-kun fell through, we abandoned the one-on-one matchmaking format and switched to a marriage hunting party format, leaving the lead to Keiri-san.
I’m still taking it easy because I’m only managing the overall aspects of it, but if I were handling the detailed arrangements, I’d definitely have dark circles under my eyes.
“So, about ten participants have been gathered, right?”
“Including myself, it’s about that many, gathered from acquaintances. Jiro-kun promised to prepare a good job post, so it was quite easy to gather them.”
“It’s going to be like being a diplomat, so a certain level of education is required, but the fact that they can work at this company means we don’t have to worry too much, which is helpful.”
After all, most of the Demon Lord’s Army employees working at this company are elites.
Otherwise, we couldn’t execute plans like establishing a base in another world and welcoming people from other worlds.
“Have you looked at the matchmaking photos?”
“Yes. They were quite elaborate in both content and appearance. Keiri-san, you looked beautiful too?”
With so many elites, there are also many beautiful women, and Keiri-san, who is proudly showing off in front of me, has the looks to be a model.
When she’s dressed in Dark Elf ethnic clothing and seriously applying makeup, she becomes even more beautiful, which is surprising.
“Naturally! Makeup is a woman’s battle preparation!”
I nod in agreement with her, as she stands proudly.
“That’s true. The others also look beautiful in their photos, so won’t your counterparts get distracted?”
Unlike the other side, which is unified by a single Japanese race, we are composed of a variety of species.
Even with different tastes and preferences, with so many beautiful women lined up, it’s going to be a difficult choice.
If I were the one receiving the matchmaking photos, I’d definitely spend over an hour agonizing over it.
“After all, it was stated that makeup would be covered by expenses! So I went all out.”
“You really did go all out. When I saw the receipt, I was shocked by the amount.”
“And you, Jiro-kun, you accepted it with just a single word. Honestly, I was prepared to pay out of my own pocket.”
“You were aware you were using it?! Honestly, next time tone it down. Our department doesn’t have an infinite amount of money either. If I hadn’t asked Memoria to get it for us cheaply, who knows what would have happened?”
That’s how much effort was put into our side’s matchmaking photos.
Now, all that’s left is to wait for contact from the other side.
“Human King!! A delivery for you!”
Speak of the devil. A package arrived from outside.
Today’s word:
It’s often difficult to notice the trigger for something.
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