Hahaha, I can’t win against the instructor.
I slowly got up while watching the Ōni, who walked away leisurely, his back disappearing into the distance. Instructer’s strike had resonated deep within me, leaving me with a creaking sensation in my body, but in a way, this pain was invigorating.
“Ouch, ouch.”
“It’s strange if it only ends with pain.”
“Ah, thank you.”
And before I stood up, Evia came to my side and slowly extended her hand. I took her hand and stood up. I understood the feeling of being told it was strange that I only felt pain after receiving the instructor’s attack.
His fist could pierce even iron plates. If an ordinary person were to take it head-on, it would result in a gruesome scene, like a tomato smashed on the ground.
“Have you made up your mind?”
I realized again that it was I who was abnormal, my wavering resolve shattered by such a blow, leading me to make up my mind. However, it was true that I was influenced by the instructor’s words.
If I’m going to be anxious about potentially making her sad, I should either give it my all to not make her sad, or I should bravely give up on Instructor Fushio and entrust her to someone else.
However, between these two choices, the former is the obvious one.
“Ah, completely cleared up.”
I choose the former. I can’t choose the option of not saving her. It might be called self-satisfaction, but if I’m going to regret it, I want to be the one to choose it.
“Fool, you should have just remained wavering.”
Evia looked at my choice with a sad expression, but I shook my head and erased it.
“I’m sorry, but as the instructor said, I’ll finish this quickly and return safely.”
I’ve forced her to endure, but in return, I’ve decided to repay her properly. The instructor’s fist is truly mysterious. It seems to have the effect of resolving worries with just one punch. Then again, if it were normal, life would be snuffed out before that. In fact, I almost died from a sponge weapon called a “chambara sword.”
“Jiro-san.”
“Suella, it’s not a matter that apologies can fix, but I’ll apologize properly when I return. Can we leave it at that?”
The instructor severed my wavering resolve. Thanks to that, I can now concentrate on what needs to be done. Therefore, all that’s left is to speak with my actions, as the instructor told me.
“Yes, once Jiro has decided, he won’t budge an inch. I understand.”
“Keiri, you can understand too. No matter what form he takes, Jiro will definitely come back. Of course, I have my anxieties, but that’s what believing means.”
“Haa, Jiro, let me tell you, I’m not as earnest as Suella. On my next vacation, it’s a date with me, just the two of us. Of course, all on Jiro’s pocket money.”
“Oh, in that case, shall I do the same?”
“Hmm, then I’ll do that too.”
“Hmph, that’s unfair Giiro, I want that too.”
“If that’s the case, then I shall do likewise.”
The future where I’m forced to spend a considerable amount of money to speak with my actions has been solidified. However, if it will satisfy them, then so be it. The problem is…
“How am I going to adjust my vacation time?”
“That depends entirely on your work performance, doesn’t it?”
“President.”
How to allocate vacation time for five wives. To-hoho, it looks like another Death March is coming.
“Once the war is over, I’ll be able to give you as much vacation as you want, but please hang in there a little longer, Jin’ō.”
“Yes.”
“Once Nōraifu returns, there should be some leeway. Please hang in there until then.”
“Understood.”
For now, a plan for the rescue has been made.
“Alright, time waits for no one. We need to prepare for her training and your chaos countermeasures.”
Wait for me, instructor, I’m coming. I thought, steeling myself, but at that moment, I didn’t know. I didn’t know we weren’t the only ones who had found the instructor. It’s something I would realize if I thought about it calmly. If the Moon God could be found, the Sun God wouldn’t miss such a perfect opportunity when the core forces of the enemy, who I loathe, are isolated and weakened. There isn’t much time. It doesn’t matter whether the instructor can hold on. It means the enemy’s blade is approaching the instructor. And we haven’t noticed that.
Another Side
The Anti-Demon Lord Alliance. It’s the general term for the Isal Army, who cooperate across various countries, races, and positions against the threat of a coming day. Their headquarters is in a certain trading city in Isal. The city, conveniently located at a moderate distance from all great powers like the Empire, the Kingdom, and the Divine Nation, is now so vibrant that one might think it’s the very center of Isal.
“It’s going smoothly, Ojou.”
“Yes, Dazzlo.”
In a luxurious mansion in that city, one could call it the Imperial Branch of the Anti-Demon Lord Alliance. Including the mansion of the city’s lord, representatives from each country are stationed in all the mansions. And the Empire, which should have been in a state of war and hostility with the Kingdom, is also participating as a member of the Anti-Demon Lord Alliance and has established a mansion in the city. The mistress of that mansion, no, the founder of this Anti-Demon Lord Alliance, who, while claiming equality, wields actual top influence, was a seemingly frail young girl.
Anri Hanzibal. The third princess of the Hanzibal Empire. She has a nickname like a princess in a fairy tale, “Princess in a Cage,” but the problem is that she enjoys a personality and ability unbecoming of a princess, with her liking for covert operations that make it impossible to predict what she’ll do. She was elegantly drinking tea in the mansion’s office. Unbeknownst to her, who was spending busy days in the Demon Lord’s Army, she was enjoying a leisurely moment.
“About eighty percent of the material accumulation is complete. Well, as expected of Ojou. Such magnificent skill.”
“Oh, even with praise, your vacation won’t increase, will it? You have work again starting tomorrow.”
“Ugh, at least give me time to be with a prostitute.”
“Then I’ll send someone to your room. What kind of woman do you prefer? Tell me in detail, and I’ll send a woman who matches your desires.”
“No, no, part of the fun is choosing from the red-light district, and if Ojou knows my preferences, I fear I’ll end up getting married without realizing it. So, I’ll remain silent.”
One is royalty, and the other is a Court Mage, but by bloodline, not of such esteemed lineage. The Hanzibal Empire is a meritocracy, unlike the Kingdom, which is based on lineage. Even commoners can attain important positions if they have the ability. Backstabbing is commonplace. Covert operations are expected. In a way, in terms of bloodiness, they pride themselves on not losing to any other country. Therefore, it’s not impossible for Dazzlo, whose position is much lower than royalty, to make such lighthearted remarks. However, the possibility of this is quite low, and making such a statement in public would undoubtedly result in his head physically flying off. It is an unofficial setting, and it is only because he is a subordinate personally employed by Princess Anri that such remarks are permitted.
“Is that so? What a shame. Changing the subject, Dazzlo, I recently received a marriage proposal from the daughter of a certain someone.”
“You haven’t changed the subject at all!? I always say I absolutely don’t want to marry a noble!”
“Tch.”
“You clicked your tongue, boss clicked her tongue.”
“Resign yourself. Become my plaything, no, a jester to entertain my life.”
“I can’t stand this boss anymore. Why didn’t I act more cautiously in the past…”
However, how many people would envy this relationship, even if it weren’t in public? Dazzlo, tears welling up in his eyes, is forced to acknowledge the relationship where etiquette is thrown out the window, yet a clear hierarchy is established.
“If you’re going to lament, then resent your past self who became careless with money management due to excessive immersion in research.”
“No, that’s really true. Yes, if I could say something to my past self, I’d at least tell him to use loan sharks for borrowing.”
“Oh, if you wish to have every strand of your hair plucked, then say so. I did feel some guilt about the work I’ve pushed onto you, so I held back, but it seems that’s no longer necessary.”
“My, oh my! I was picked up by Ojou, I’m a blessed man!!”
“Say that from the beginning then.”
“I can’t stand this boss anymore.”
Dazzlo, genuinely regretting his past actions, clings to the armrests of the chair he’s sitting on, tears streaming down his face. An adult man is making a young girl cry. Dazzlo considered what others would think if they saw this, but Princess’s thick skin is thicker than dragon scales. No matter how he looked at it, the outcome would be that Dazzlo was in the wrong, and he sighed.
“Haa, in that case, can I at least go home and sleep early today, so can I hurry up and report?”
“Yes, let’s hear it.”
He’s competent at his job, despite everything, and began talking about the work he brought. He returned to his forward-facing posture, but perhaps due to his naturally hunched posture, Dazzlo seemed to lack spirit. The story he brought was…
“There seem to be some suspicious movements from the Kingdom and Triace. It seems they’re displeased with Ojou taking the lead.”
“Oh my, you’ve really become disliked. To think I’m working so hard for the world.”
This is a serious matter that could cause a rift in the alliance. Even after hearing this, Princess Anri feigned crying with exaggerated gestures. She seems to have plenty of余裕. Dazzlo reacts to this gesture, but…
“Yes, yes, how sad.”
Her response can be called perfunctory. She waves her hand, asking him to postpone it, as she understands. “It’s unthinkable for women to be in charge over there. Men are superior to women, and hereditary succession is natural. For people who have lived their lives like that, it’s natural they’d make an enemy of you if you achieve results like Ojou.”
“That’s right. Rather, I’m taking steps to make sure that happens. I’d rather trip them up this one time and use that as evidence to completely subjugate them. Is that the kind of information you’ve received?”
“This person is truly terrifying. Why does she enjoy failure so much?”
“Because it’s fun?”
“People who enjoy seeing others fail are called ill-natured by the world…”
“But they’re trying to trip us up, aren’t they? What’s wrong with laughing at those who fail? We’re trying to get in sync to save the world and defeat the Demon Lord, yet they’re prioritizing their own positions and trying to break our ranks. Where is the righteousness and justice in that action?”
“Ah, yes, yes. If you have complaints, tell them to the individuals when you find the evidence and mock them.”
And sensing that saying anything more to Princess Anri would delay her sleep, Dazzlo attempted to change the subject.
“From what I’ve gathered, there seems to be trouble within the Demon Lord’s Army, and I have information that a core member of the Demon Lord’s Army is isolated and weakened.”
“I see. If that’s true, it’s good news. However, concealing it without reporting it to us means…”
“Well, as Ojou imagines, they’re probably trying to gain a position within this alliance by taking credit. Well, I suspect the Temple is involved in the source of this information. It seems to be the hero unit that recently joined us.”
“Ah, that.”
With this success, Princess Anri’s expression, which had been smiling cheerfully until a moment ago, suddenly turned displeased.
“Beings that seem uninteresting.”
In fact, she showed her aversion to the existence of heroes.
Today’s word:
Steel yourself, and efficiency will change somewhat.
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Pandora Pandemic Panic – Pandora’s box has been opened again, but we’re fighting back with various things at our secret base and elsewhere!!
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