A few days have passed since the meeting with Kirie-san, and all that remains is to await the main event.
Keiri-san arrived, informing me that preparations for costumes, catering, and venue setup were all complete.
“It looks like you’re all fired up,” Keiri-san said.
“Yes, but I appreciate you letting me leave early today,” I replied.
“Please do. I’ll wrap things up here too and head home early today.”
Tomorrow is finally the day of the meticulously planned marriage hunting party.
With that in mind, Keiri-san headed home at her regular time.
“You look like a samurai preparing for battle,” Muil-san said.
“Muil-san,” I responded.
“Our side has also been shorthanded, so thanks to you assigning Mura-kun and Nord-kun, my work has become much easier.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
As I watched him leave, Muil-san suddenly appeared and commented on Keiri-san’s demeanor.
Perhaps for women, the venue of a marriage hunting party is akin to a battlefield.
“Muil-san, just to be sure, can I assume there will be no interference from those around us?” I asked.
“I’d like to say ‘no,’ but unfortunately, I cannot be so certain. The benefits of raiding the venue tomorrow are more than can be counted on both hands. However, you needn’t worry too much. The venue is within Evia-sama’s Dungeon, and Evia-sama will be on high alert that day. Furthermore, I hear the Machine King-sama will also be providing backup. If the Human King is also present at the venue, only a fool, a madman, or someone with a plan exceeding that would dare to confront this group.”
“It’s that last possibility that concerns me,” I confessed.
To prevent any interference on that battlefield, Keiri-san, Muil-san, and I had all taken thorough precautions.
However, even with meticulous checks, I still felt like something might have been overlooked.
While it might be the nature of a corporate slave, I couldn’t shake a certain unease.
“Is there something you feel you’re overlooking?” Muil-san inquired.
“Perhaps not a fatal blow, but something that could cause damage. While achieving perfection may be difficult, we must not stop striving for it. That’s what I learned when I entered society.”
Such anxieties often stem from intuiting danger.
I hoped for the best, but it’s always better to eliminate potential problems.
“You have a troublesome personality. Is that why the Human King always takes on so much work?” Muil-san asked, with a wry smile.
I can’t fault him for thinking of me as a worrier.
I returned his wry smile.
I began to review the security documents once more.
I wasn’t so paranoid as to find suspicion in everything, but I still scanned them with hawk-like intensity, searching for any oversight.
“It’s less about my nature and more about trusting the intuition I’ve developed at this company. In the past, I would have laughed off a bad feeling as mere fancy, but since joining this company, this intuition has saved me numerous times.”
“…If you say so, I cannot help but assist. Such matters resonate with me, who has experienced battles. Human King, I will handle the screening of the roster. The party is tomorrow, but it’s better to do this than not.”
“I’m grateful. I’ll do something to repay you.”
“I need no payment; just ensure I have time to leisurely spend with my great-grandchildren in the future.”
“Yes, I will consider it positively.”
Seeing his expression, Muil-san offered to help.
I was grateful to have one less task, and believing that the issue of my holiday request could be resolved after this party, I began to structure Muil-san’s schedule.
“Hohoho, I shall take your word for it and put my old body to the test.”
Thus, today, I worked a little overtime with Muil-san.
Later, the cause of my nagging premonition was resolved when I witnessed Keiri-san and the other women’s pep rally, and a new concern arose, but the morning sun rose as if none of that mattered.
“Well then, shall we go? To the battlefield.”
“No, it’s the venue for a marriage hunting party, you know?”
In the office, I met Keiri-san early in the morning, her makeup clearly indicating she had been up for some time, and her energy was palpable.
Her opening remark was met with a wry smile and a gentle jab from me. I, too, was dressed appropriately for the occasion.
“Before that, I need to get everyone pumped up.”
“Pumped up? I think they’re already beyond that,” I countered.
Our group consisted entirely of women.
Despite the early hour, several participants were already gathering at the meeting point.
“They’re even here to check for last-minute cancellations.”
“It’s not enough,” Keiri-san declared.
Seeing the determined women, I thought their enthusiasm was sufficient, but Keiri-san insisted otherwise.
I almost asked what she meant, but her gaze stopped me.
Dressed in a jade green dress, she turned away from me and began walking, her heels clicking on the floor.
To my worry that nothing would go wrong, I observed Keiri-san chatting with those nearby. I felt a sense of relief until…
“Human King,” a voice called out.
“Amili-san,” I replied.
Amili-san appeared at the entrance, accompanied by her bodyguards.
“I’ve come to offer my support.”
Then, as if to wish success for this marriage hunting party, she gently handed over a package she had her guards carry.
“Sweets provide energy. From here on, the women will be limiting their food and drink intake. It’s best to eat something now.”
It was a selection of sweets, including dorayaki and waffles, all quite sweet.
The assortment of treats made one wonder if they were appropriate for the morning.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness. I’ll make sure they’re distributed.”
Given their determined state, I had a feeling they would eat them without hesitation, so I entrusted them to the early arriving office staff to distribute to the women already in the venue.
“Their spirits seem high.”
“I said the same thing, but Keiri-san claims it’s not enough.”
Amili-san’s visit, though ostensibly a show of support, was also an opportunity to check on the progress of the event, which we were collaborating on.
I was deeply grateful for her making time in her busy schedule.
Amili-san nodded thoughtfully as she observed the women, dressed in colorful attire and showing a clear sense of determination.
I agreed with her sentiment, adding that they were still not “enough.”
“Incomprehensible. They seem to be making every effort.”
“I agree. That’s how it appears to me as well.”
Was there something that even Amili-san, a woman, couldn’t understand?
Amili-san and I followed Keiri-san’s movements with our eyes as she spoke a few words with various women.
With our physical abilities, we could discern what Keiri-san was saying by watching the movements of her lips.
“Are the preparations ready?”
“There are no problems.”
“What preparations are you talking about?”
“The Human King doesn’t know?”
“Yes, it’s strange, isn’t it?”
When I heard the word “preparations,” my first thought was the venue’s readiness. However, I had already received reports that all preparations, including catering and venue setup, were complete.
Therefore, there was no need for them to confirm these arrangements. This implied something else entirely.
I glanced at my wristwatch to check the time.
The party was scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM.
While this might be considered early for some, this party, which was expected to be a long one, was divided into two parts, hence the early start.
The first part would run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Following that, there would be a break of about one hour – a time for discussions between both parties.
The women might also use this time for a wardrobe change. We had prepared a considerable number of outfits for them and even invited individuals with professions akin to makeup artists.
The cost was considerable, but I considered it a necessary expense.
During that brief interval, they would exchange various pieces of information and showcase new charms.
The second part would run from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The first part was for information gathering, allowing them to narrow their focus.
I believed the real event would begin in the latter half.
Even company banquets didn’t typically run this long, but such a format was occasionally adopted for noble parties.
This time, due to the limited opportunity for interaction and the large number of participants, the schedule was extended to this length. The goal was for everyone to get to know each other a little and find someone they resonated with.
“Shall we confirm a few things?”
“I agree. If there’s even a hint of doubt, it’s best to confirm.”
The current time was 5:00 AM, so we had plenty of time to spare.
However, over seventy percent of the female participants had already gathered.
Their determination was such that they seemed intent on maintaining their energy until midnight.
I found myself curious about what preparations they were engaged in.
While it was partly due to my position as their superior, I was also equally concerned about Kirie-san, as she was Suella’s best friend.
I, along with Amili-san, headed towards Keiri-san, who was speaking with a woman who had just entered the waiting room.
“So, how are your preparations on your end?”
“Yes, they are, of course, perfect.”
Upon approaching, I heard a similar conversation.
They should have known we were approaching, so there was no reason for them to be secretive.
However, it would be strange not to ask anything after coming this far.
“Keiri-san, could I have a moment?”
“Yes, of course. Is something wrong?”
Keiri-san, unfazed by Amili-san’s arrival with me, turned to face me naturally.
It seemed unlikely she was doing anything untoward.
With one part of my anxiety relieved, a new flicker of unease settled in my heart.
“You seem to be confirming preparations. What preparations are you confirming? I’ve already checked the venue and the other party’s arrangements.”
I posed the question. As a superior, it was a sad but necessary part of my job not to be left in the dark.
My position was not so low that I could be brushed off with ignorance.
If there was any information I lacked, I had to gather it.
“Ah, that matter. Even though it’s considered private, given your position, I suppose it’s not something that can be simply dismissed.”
“Naturally,” I replied.
Keiri-san seemed to understand, nodding and beckoning me closer. She then showed me her smartphone.
“Is this social media?”
“Yes, it’s a group created by the participants. What’s written here is information on each man’s preferences and who is targeting whom based on pre-released engagement photos.”
“…I see.”
The screen was densely packed with lines of text.
A quick glance revealed that it covered the preferences of all participants. It even detailed what signal to use if male participants met their criteria.
“Could it be that this preparation is…”
“Yes, it’s about whether or not everyone has read through this information. Even though we are allies, we are also rivals participating in this event. We must share the minimum necessary information.”
“Minimum necessary?”
It felt like far more than the minimum was listed, but to them, this was the baseline.
I could feel the muscles in my mouth twitching.
“I sense a certain obsession,” Amili-san remarked, having followed along.
I silently agreed with her observation.
Word of the Day:
It’s deeply moving to think that it’s finally starting.
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