Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 76

Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, has a girlfriend.

His girlfriend is Suella Handelberg.

Memoria Tris.

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee)
Magic Aptitude: 8 (General Class)
Position: Warrior.

We must act swiftly, but not without thought.

To take optimal action based on the information provided, my body, separate from my thoughts, quickly donned the magic tools I was given and finished preparing to leave one after another.

Conversely, within my mind, I organized the current situation and determined my future actions.

Honestly, this business trip never brings anything good.

The only enjoyable part was the coffee date with Memoria.

This current situation is no different.

A God-forged weapon. In an RPG, it’s something whose name appears early on and is obtained in the later stages.

To create something with God’s name attached would indeed require appropriate materials.

However, I want to loudly protest, “Why involve inhabitants of another world?” Do they think it’s fine as long as they don’t get caught?

If that’s the case, I want to go punch the person who planned this with all my might.

However, I say this having gotten myself into it, but I never expected things to become this complicated.

At first, I thought that despite the troubles, things would somehow work out. But the moment the box was opened and the contents were confirmed, the country’s plan could no longer be stopped, and they told me negotiations were impossible.

Looking back, what a waste of effort. Even when the country proposed returning the students, they were met with passive resistance, buying time while the opponent’s intentions advanced. It’s as if they’re saying, “Even if Japan opposes us, it won’t matter if we have that weapon.”

I don’t have the slightest idea how powerful that weapon actually is, but it probably has enough influence to decide the outcome of this war.

Though I look like this, I possess considerable magic power, not quite on par with a Hero, but more than enough.

I am a candidate material for the weapon.

If I were to go to the negotiation table without thinking, it would be a delicious development for them, with me appearing with my magic power and the Ore Tree in hand.

With the “Face Ripper” deception strategy prepared, forceful measures are also well within the realm of possibility.

I am made to realize that the point of no return for a peaceful resolution has passed.

If they had intended to return the Hero and resolve this peacefully, they would have stopped the weapon’s manufacture or taken some other measure.

But instead, Amelia was captured and disappeared from the public eye.

“Well, things will work out somehow.”

If I’m going to despair over this unpleasant turn of events, perhaps I should try to be more positive.

My words are casual, but my mind calculates like an abacus, sifting through plans and discarding them.

As I do so, my leather shoes click against the cobblestones, the sound echoing through the morning market street.

Now then, shall I make my first move?

“Welcome, the usual red one?”

“No, I’m not in that mood today. I’ll take a yellow and sour one.”

“Oh, you’re a connoisseur, big brother.”

“That’s how I feel today. I heard this is good for waking up.”

“You got that right. How many will that be?”

“I’d say all of them, but I can’t possibly eat that much. I’ll take two.”

“You got it. That’ll be three copper coins. Oh, and we’re getting a new kind this afternoon. If you’re interested, come by again, big brother.”

“Yeah, I’ll stop by.”

A fruit stall in the morning market, looking like any other. As I stop and glance at the items on display, the vendor, as if knowing what I want, offers me a fruit that resembles an apple.

This seemingly ordinary stall is run by an informant belonging to the Demon Lord’s Army.

It’s not just demons who belong to the Demon Lord’s Army.

While they are few in number compared to the whole, a significant number of humans like Baas belong to the Demon Lord’s Army and exist.

And like hiding a tree in a forest, they hide people among people.

Most of these humans are not for military strength but for intelligence.

There are exceptions, but the majority are infiltrated into enemy territory.

If this is their base, it would be strange if they didn’t have one or two personnel infiltrated into the city.

Well, though I’m having a conversation like we’re acquaintances, this is only the second time we’ve met. The first time was when Baas gave me their code to identify myself, and this is the second time to indicate my current actions.

This conversation isn’t just idle chatter.

The red fruit normally means, “Standby order.”

“Not in the mood today” signifies a “Change of orders.”

The yellow and sour one is one of the pre-determined actions.

There are also codes for red and green.

Red means “Attack,” green means “Retreat,” and yellow means “Kidnap.”

The vendor’s “You got that right” confirms the plan is proceeding as expected, and the word “mood” is an affirmation.

“Waking up” refers to the student being hailed as a hero, and the subsequent “how many” is the question of how many people to abduct.

My answer, “all of them,” means of course “everyone.”

The phrase “can’t possibly eat that much” is an instruction that if it’s impossible, to do as much as possible; there’s no value in action that would expose the organization’s information at this point.

And the “new fruit” at the end means reinforcements.

The “mouse” this morning reached the informant, meaning Memoria has received her orders.

Having confirmed this, I walk along the morning market street towards the church, fruit in hand.

“This really wakes you up.”

I peel and eat a fruit that is slightly sweeter than a lemon as I walk.

Honestly, one is enough to wake me up and satisfy me.

So I don’t feel like eating the second one, or rather, it’s not for eating.

“Here, take this, kid.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I woke up more than I expected.”

“Yeah! Thank you!”

Making a gesture as if contemplating what to do, I hand the fruit to a stray child I seemingly found by chance.

At that moment, I slyly press a piece of paper into their hand and send the child running down an alley.

“Two, huh.”

I didn’t expect to completely shake off the surveillance, but the results aren’t quite as I hoped.

One is to pursue the street urchin, and the other is to go spread the word.

Well, it should be seen as them taking the bait for a diversionary tactic.

As someone being watched at every turn, I want to lessen any restrictions on my actions, even if it’s just a little.

That street urchin just now was also personnel prepared by the informant for diversion.

Naturally, all precautions have been taken to ensure I can escape if necessary.

And with this, they will know that I intended to pass on some information.

“Next, then.”

I want to set in motion two or three more things before reaching the church.

From a salaryman to a spy movie; I let out a wry smile, thinking it was hard to memorize the coded information, and without missing a beat, I set things in motion while incorporating regular shopping.

During this time, the surveillance personnel behind me are constantly changing.

I think it must be tough for them, but I cast a glance at a beggar sitting by the roadside.

Leaning against the wall, doing nothing but holding a sign around their neck stating “Please give me money.”

“White, understood.”

Confirming the color of the string around their neck, I murmur so no one can hear and understand that my preparations for action within the city are complete.

I wasn’t just waiting idly at the inn.

I had made preliminary preparations so I could act when necessary.

That is precisely why I can take such swift action.

I’ve made all the moves I can.

Straightening my loosened tie, I cease my detours and head for the church.

I had already planned to get close to the church, so it doesn’t take long.

Walking for five minutes brings me in sight of the plaza, and another five minutes brings me to the entrance of the Cathedral.

“Excuse me, is the Bishop, or rather, the Priest, here?”

“And who are you?”

Despite being in the Cathedral, I feel like I’m entering the Demon Lord’s Castle. Am I about to speak to a vanguard of the Demon Lord?

Carefully holding back any joking remarks, I speak to the soldier standing guard at the entrance. They must have received the notification.

I don’t miss the momentary sharp glance from the soldier, but without incident, they state the standard “Please wait a moment” and go to confirm.

This time, without much of a wait, I am led through by the soldier.

“To have you come from our side, has something happened?”

“Sorry to trouble you when you’re busy. No, it’s just that we haven’t received any contact, so I was wondering about the progress. Also, I heard some unsettling news, and I came to confirm it.”

“Indeed, we apologize for keeping you waiting. However, this is an important matter that moves the nation, so a conclusion won’t be reached quickly. We ask for your understanding on that point. Now, Mr. Jirou, what is this unsettling news you speak of?”

And this sly old fox is as predictable as ever. The Bishop appeared in the same room, accompanied by a Priest, just as he had before. Even when I indirectly urged him to return the Hero quickly, he avoided a direct answer, stating they also had their own preparations. This is within my expectations. I suspect that if I were to ask to meet the Hero, as I did last time, he would dodge the question by saying they would coordinate schedules. Thinking about it, the interruption of negotiations back then, while not a bad move, could hardly be called the best. What an unpredictable roll of the dice. If it had been even a slightly favorable outcome, it would have been fine, but the result has tipped toward the worse.

“Yes, when we crossed over to this world beforehand, we gathered a fair amount of information, and I happened to overhear something.”

I need to cut through that preamble. Wasting time with introductions is just that: a waste of time. Get straight to the point.

“Pray tell, how do you intend to use the Ore Tree in this world, on the verge of war?”

“…Where did you hear about that?”

The Bishop’s demeanor changes. Whose advice was it, or where did the information come from? It’s a natural reaction to ask. For now, I’ve poked the bushes, and while they rustled, I only know that something is there. Is it a fox, a snake, or something more sinister?

“Well, surely you understand that our relationship isn’t close enough for me to tell you that?”

“Haha, in that case, I cannot tell you either, as that is a state secret.”

“I see, if it’s a state secret, then I suppose it can’t be helped.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so.”

There were no outright denials, given the unknown possibilities. Perhaps he thought I had the backing of my country.

“Yes, it can’t be helped… However, normally, I would accept that and let it go at that. Unfortunately, this time is different.”

“…But there is nothing I can say from my position.”

This time, I will be as persistent as a snake.

“Is that so? Then let me put it this way: Actually, I also possess an Ore Tree.”

The Bishop shows no outward reaction to these words. But you know, sometimes not showing a reaction can be a form of eloquent speech. While you are silent, Bishop, you should be more careful about the expression in your eyes. Silence is neither denial nor affirmation. But even if your words are vague, the look in your eyes tells the story. My guess is correct.

“The Ore Tree has several properties. First, it grows by gaining magic power. Second, if treated as a weapon, it grows as a weapon.”

As I raise each finger to count, the Bishop’s eyes become more intense.

“And it is unknown whether the Ore Tree will grow into a dull or sharp sword. It is said that its cultivation method has yet to be deciphered. However, exceptions exist. Bishop, you must know of such exceptions, don’t you?”

The atmosphere in this room is now saturated with unease. I am asking if he knows, but in my mind, I am certain.

“Third, by supplying the Ore Tree with high-density magic power, a powerful weapon can be created. You have the Hero and the Ore Tree, don’t you? Now, do you understand what I am trying to say?”

I speak incessantly, leaving no room for him to interrupt. I don’t let him utter words of denial.

“I will ask again. What are you doing with the Ore Tree ‘underground’ here?”

The moment I utter these words, I feel as if I’ve flipped a switch. The door bursts open roughly, and knights enter. Just as I expected, yet as I had anticipated this outcome and desired it, I can’t help but feel a surge of tension. Why is a former salaryman doing this? But the fact that I’m enjoying this tension tells me I’ve become quite accustomed to this line of work.

“I’ll ask one last time, do you understand the meaning of this action?”

“Of course.”

“Is that so?”

Despite confidently opposing an unknown country in another world, I wonder what this confidence is all about. As I reach into my pocket, the knight reacts.

“It’s a cigarette.”

Ignoring them, I take one out of the pack and light it with my lighter. An action that might be seen as nonchalant by some.

“Let me repeat my previous question. Do you understand what that action signifies?”

“Yeah, I get it. You’ll use me as material for the ‘Face Ripper’ based on your calculations, and after replacing me, you’ll spread some suitable information, hoping to establish diplomatic relations, right?”

“As I suspected, you are dangerous. Seize him!”

“Hey, let me have one last puff.”

Did I hit the mark? If this were a quiz, I might feel a slight sense of accomplishment, but for me, who is acutely experiencing how troublesome it is to grasp state secrets, there is not even a shred of happiness. Even as these thoughts cross my mind, the knights move to apprehend me. If I’m captured, my stand-in will be ready, just as the Bishop intended. This would also expose my supposed connection to the Demon Lord’s Army. Whoa, if I fail, the Supervisor will kill me. Though I have no intention of failing.

“Hey, Bishop.”

While holding the cigarette in my mouth, I punch away the knight. Their movements are overwhelmingly slow compared to the instructors, and I can easily parry their attacks. After I’ve provoked them sufficiently, they’ve finally decided to make a move. All right, this is where the real challenge begins. I want to finish this quickly and return to Japan.

“Are you prepared to be crushed?”

To that end, I’ll start by shattering the core of this plan.

Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, has a girlfriend.

His girlfriend is Suella Handelberg.

Memoria Tris.

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee)
Magic Aptitude: 8 (General Class)
Position: Warrior.

Today’s Quote:
Trouble, the longer you delay handling it, the worse it gets (Personal Experience).

This is all for now.
The combat sequence has finally begun, and the story will unfold rapidly from here.
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