Merry Christmas!!
Seriously, this year’s Christmas is really cold.
Everyone, please take care of your health and enjoy Christmas!
The influence of the press conference was far greater than I imagined.
The media, of course, but also gossip lovers, paparazzi, and even severely chuunibyou individuals have been flocking to the company, and it feels like it’s become our daily routine.
“Keiri, what’s the status of the material delivery?”
“The detailed report is scheduled to arrive this evening.”
“Muil-san, the report on the nobles’ movements?”
“It’s this one.”
We’re here, in a frenzy, working our tails off on the dungeon setup.
On TV specials, we’ve been broadcasted day and night.
I honestly thought it would die down as time passed, but our topic has already been in the news for over a month.
Eventually, they’ve even created so-called magical incidents that seem to imply we’re involved in criminal activities.
The fact that magic is no longer fiction is having strange effects.
However, we are publicly announcing that we have not provided any magical technical assistance to the stage.
Therefore, we consistently claim no relation to such criminals, stating they are either fraudulent groups, strange religious organizations, or truly underground organizations.
While specialized departments within the Demon Lord’s Army handle such troublesome matters, my position is as the representative of Earth, so I have to remember all the information.
As a result, I received the dungeon construction report from Keiri and information about the nobles’ movements in the demon world from Muil-san.
“Haa, now we have a meeting request from the Western countries.”
And on the table is a pile of appointment requests from various countries that arrived just a moment ago.
“This is already narrowed down, you know? If we don’t consider small and medium-sized businesses, not only countries but also companies are trying to contact us by various means to obtain unknown technology.”
Of that list, over ten meetings are confirmed for this week alone, so I’m already feeling down.
“There was a honey trap too. Honestly, it was so blatant it made me laugh.”
These meetings occur repeatedly, and some even bring stunningly beautiful women, as if to say, ‘This is clearly that kind of recruitment.’
Cleavages, tight skirts that show a glimpse of legs, sidelong glances, and gestures that subtly hint at an invitation.
“I was even irritated that they thought I was a man who gets excited by any woman he sees for the first time.”
“But when you seriously asked Evia-sama and me to wear makeup and come, I wondered what you were thinking, but now that I know the reason, I think that look on your face was amusing.”
When faced with such individuals, we bought time by talking, giving Keiri and the others time to do their makeup, and then, at an opportune moment, making an excuse to bring in documents and enter the room, crushing their pride as women and dealing with them.
The opponents prepare women who are models, actresses, or possess considerable looks, but we have beautiful women from another world as our wives.
We have no intention of losing.
In fact, we sold them on a combination of cosmetic magic that spared no expense, utilizing the ultimate technology from another world, and cosmetic magic potions, promising to allow them to renegotiate under terms more favorable to us by hinting at our business routes.
Well, in a space without magic elements, the efficacy is halved, or rather, it significantly decreases, so it’s only temporary beauty.
However, the anti-aging and skin-brightening effects are undeniably achieved.
Many women in the other world also care about beauty.
Therefore, technological advancements occur in those areas, and when considering everything, they produce technological capabilities comparable to Earth’s.
With these conditions, the world appears attractive enough to create such a mountain of appointments.
“Well, in terms of negotiations, it all basically comes down to when Japan and America’s conditions are finalized. Until then, we can’t afford to get involved with anyone carelessly.”
The unknown world, with its useful technologies, resources, talent, and culture, continues to spark our imagination.
However, that doesn’t mean we can engage in exchanges with everyone. For now, we need to respect Japan, which is on the front lines of information warfare, and America, which supports Japan. We can’t just say, ‘Yes, let’s have exchanges.’
All we can do is listen to their requests and deflect them by saying we’ll consider it positively, without making any firm commitments.
We just talk evasively, taking care not to give them any leverage.
“You should do something about that side too, you know. They seem to be setting up honey traps for the testers’ private lives as well.”
“Is our security force sufficient?”
“We’re coordinating with the police, so for now, it’s okay. The overseas members living in the dormitories are not a problem, but it’s become quite troublesome for those who commute from outside the company. I heard Katsu-kun, Min-chan, and Karen-chan’s places are also experiencing this.”
This side is fine as we can stay within the company, but the problem lies with the employees working outside.
“The disguise magic tools are effective, and we’ve assigned bodyguards, so they haven’t been able to make a move. The problem will be when they reach their limit of patience. The police are particularly attentive to foreigners, but the issue is with Japanese people. It’s always a step behind in dealing with paparazzi, perverts, or those who manage to blend in and are hard to identify.”
“Are there any incidents or problems?”
“For now, there aren’t any, but I hear reports that they can sense strange presences, which is likely due to their training within the dungeon.”
“As the saying goes, he who wishes to shoot the hawk must first shoot the horse.” They may not have much information, but if they gather information diligently, they might discover something.
“Regarding the moving and job placement?”
“The transition rate for both is less than thirty percent. We’re introducing them to jobs related to the other world, both those we offer and those under the protection of the Japanese government. However, we explain that these jobs are related to the other world, so very few people were quick to make a decision. Some were enticed by the exceptionally high salaries and decided to change jobs immediately, while others are happy with their current jobs and have no complaints about their treatment. There are even companies trying to poach them to maintain their connection with us.”
Therefore, we are cooperating with the government to establish a guard system and provide living assistance. While the guarding aspect seems to be going well, the living assistance does not appear to be very successful.
“Katsu-kun and Min-chan are moving into the dorms this week. Karen-chan is still discussing it with her parents, so it seems to be facing some difficulty.”
“I see. If there are any problems, I’ll get involved too. Tell Kitamiya that.”
“Understood. I’ll also provide support to other testers, as the Second and Third Divisions might not be able to handle some cases.”
“Yeah.”
Fortunately, Katsu and Minami, who are close to us, gradually realized that the surroundings were becoming suspicious and decided to move.
Both of them have a difficult relationship with their parents (or guardians).
Katsu hasn’t had any contact, but Minami has been contacted by her parents, who have been asking her various questions, which she recently found troublesome.
As for Kitamiya, we made an appointment in advance and spoke with his parents, explaining that we would provide strong support for their safety and living conditions, and gave them documents.
Their student lives are also significantly affected.
The fact that this is now known to the general public has led to many people wanting to join this company, both for better and for worse.
Of course, this includes students in the midst of adolescence.
We are not currently recruiting, but I somehow heard from Minami that she heard that when the time comes to recruit part-time workers, many people will want to apply just because they want to use magic.
She mentioned that a stranger approached her and surprised her.
It seems that Minami and Katsu are moving into the dorms to distance themselves from such individuals, including their parents.
Both of them are earning quite a bit, and the dorms receive subsidies from the company.
They should be safe in terms of living.
Incidentally, due to a certain situation, their relationship has progressed, and Katsu mentioned cohabitation, but Minami decided to wait a little longer since Kitamiya’s issue is not yet resolved.
For now, at least, our immediate family is fine.
As for my mother, she embodies the concept of being here, there, and everywhere.
Given this commotion, she’s probably not concerned and is likely traveling the world, taking advantage of connections she’s made somewhere.
Worrying is a waste of time.
“But the cost of just building materials is this much. I’m afraid to press the approval stamp.”
For now, let’s return to the main issue at hand, the dungeon construction schedule, as security seems to be handled.
The approval form handed over with Keiri’s report.
I have to approve the sum of detailed material costs, labor costs, and various other expenses listed in detail.
“A nine-digit figure… this is the first time.”
Even I, at this point, need some resolve to press the stamp when a nine-digit sum is being easily moved.
Even if my approval stamp is here, Evia and the president will conduct a confirmation process afterward, so if there are any oversights, they will surely find them.
What I fear is that.
I fear being confirmed to have overlooked a mistake in this amount.
My opponents are the Demon Lord and his close aides.
The former is physically the strongest, and the latter is the strongest within the household.
In terms of position, I am lower than both of them.
I scrutinize it, doing the mental math countless times to check for any numerical errors.
“Okay, it’s good.”
As I slowly and firmly pressed the approval stamp and lifted it, my crest was imprinted on the paper.
“It’s a good job, no matter how many times I see it.”
“I’m confident in my work too.”
The seal I possess is a personal seal for me, which even the president is forbidden to use.
It’s a seal depicting a crescent moon and a great tree.
The moon is a symbol of the Demon Lord’s Army, and the great tree is originally a symbol of the Dark Elves. However, my seal depicts not an ordinary tree, but an Ore Tree.
And beneath the Ore Tree, a ring of fire.
It’s the Human King’s personal seal, a masterpiece crafted with great care by a Giant artisan.
The material is not ivory, but dragon fangs, which makes it even rarer.
The president gave me this seal, and now I’ve reached a position where I can move such large sums of money.
With such sentimental feelings, I put the documents into an envelope and handed them to Keiri to forward to the next department.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“Understood.”
Upon receiving it, she left the room with a bundle of other documents, presumably to deliver them to another department.
“Now then, Muil-san.”
Up to this point, things were fine.
I was able to speak in a soft, calm tone, but from here on, I need to be a bit more serious.
The reason is the information in the documents Muil-san handed me earlier.
Thanks to Amili-san’s information network, the investigation is likely accurate.
“Is the content of this report true?”
But even so, I couldn’t help but double-check.
The text written in the report.
It states that there are nobles who are economically struggling and cannot give up on trade routes to Earth.
One thing in that passage was troublesome.
They are amassing food supplies and gathering soldiers, including mercenaries and adventurers.
“Truly lamentable.”
“Exactly, there’s no time to be fighting amongst ourselves.”
Greed blinds people and leads to no good.
I let out a big sigh, feeling sorry for Muil-san, who nodded in confirmation that this report was true.
“They’re even preparing for war.”
I look at the report with resentment.
Today’s word: Greed is something that must be suppressed.
Thank you as always for your comments and指摘 of typos.
If you find it interesting, please leave comments, ratings, bookmarks, etc.
Currently, I am serializing another work:
“Pandora Pandemic Panic – Pandora’s Box Has Been Opened Again, But We’re Fighting Back with Secret Bases and Various Other Things!!”
Please check that one out as well!!
