The regular meeting at Crown Headquarters had already concluded its scheduled agenda and was enveloped in a relaxed atmosphere.
While it was called a meeting, meaning it did discuss proper matters, its primary purpose was to serve as an icebreaker and networking opportunity for the executives.
With over twenty branches established on continents beyond the Central Continent, such exchanges had become quite important.
When continents differed, customs and common sense could also vary.
Crown generally had common rules, but each region also had aspects it operated independently.
As long as they did not deviate from the common rules set by Crown, operations were conducted at the discretion of each branch manager.
From one perspective, the branch managers’ authority seemed quite significant, but this was a measure taken to accommodate operations spanning multiple continents, unlike the early days when Crown operated only on the Central Continent.
In such circumstances, problems could be resolved by discussing how best to operate Crown among the branch managers themselves.
Therefore, for each branch manager, this meeting was a very meaningful time.
Gazeran, who had been watching the branch managers converse freely, suddenly noticed a disturbance occurring near the door.
Gazeran happened to be the only one near the door, while the others had not noticed.
Since Gazeran was not currently talking to anyone, he opened the door.
“What is it? What happened… No, it’s Kousuke. It’s rare to see you here.”
Gazeran confirmed that it was Kousuke interacting with the adventurer guarding the door and gestured for Kousuke to enter, holding the adventurer back with his gaze.
Kouhi and Nana were also accompanying Kousuke.
“Ah, Mr. Gazeran. Sorry for the sudden intrusion.”
Due to the presence of others, Kousuke maintained a slightly distant and formal demeanor compared to his usual self.
Even though only branch managers and above were gathered, almost no one present knew Kousuke’s true identity.
“That’s fine, but what’s going on?”
Sensing that gazes were gathering towards them, Gazeran ignored them and addressed Kousuke.
It was only natural to assume something had happened, given that Kousuke had gone out of his way to appear here.
“There’s a small disturbance happening where I’m currently staying…”
“Ah, you’re in the Sumit Kingdom, aren’t you? What happened?”
“Outside the branch, people who are not Crown members have gathered and are causing a disturbance.”
At Kousuke’s words, Gazeran frowned.
“What did you say?”
While it wasn’t an everyday occurrence for adventurers to cause disturbances, it did happen occasionally.
Sensing that Kousuke had not come all this way for such a reason alone, Gazeran immediately called for the branch manager of the Sumit Kingdom branch.
“Hino! Come here for a moment!”
Gazeran’s voice, which still carried the resonance of someone active, echoed well.
Hino, who was summoned by Gazeran, was at a distance but immediately noticed and hurried over.
“What is it, Division Head?”
Hino, called by Gazeran, cast a brief glance at Kousuke, tilted his head, and then asked.
Hino himself had virtually no combat ability.
The Sumit Kingdom branch was established to initiate trade, and the selected branch manager was from the Merchant Division.
Of course, even though Hino leaned towards commerce, as the branch manager, he also possessed the capability to manage adventurers.
“Ah. I was just listening to Kou’s story… Ah, should I call Schmidt too?”
Gazeran, looking at Kousuke, asked him as if he had just remembered.
However, Kousuke shook his head.
“No, there’s no need.”
After saying that, Kousuke began to explain to Hino what was happening at the Sumit Kingdom branch.
Upon hearing Kousuke’s account, Hino’s face turned slightly pale.
“I-I’ll return immediately…!”
“Now, wait,” Gazeran stopped Hino, who looked flustered, and turned his gaze to Kousuke.
“There’s more you want to say, judging by your expression, isn’t there?”
“Yes. You are both aware of what is currently happening in the Sumit Country, right?”
Both Gazeran and Hino had obtained information regarding the Dark Guild.
Hearing Kousuke’s words, Gazeran frowned.
“You don’t seriously suspect it’s a diversionary tactic?”
Kousuke had come all this way precisely because he was considering what Gazeran had just mentioned.
If he were completely certain that there was no diversionary tactic from the Dark Guild, he would not have come this far.
Squabbles between adventurers happened frequently enough.
Of course, given the nature of this particular disturbance, Crown would have to get involved to some extent, but that could wait until the current conflict escalated further.
However, if this disturbance involved the Dark Guild, then the situation changed.
In response to Gazeran’s question, Kousuke shook his head.
“I don’t know. But I believe it’s not impossible.”
Hearing Kousuke’s words, Gazeran hummed “Hmm” and then looked at Hino.
“Certainly, it’s not inconceivable. What do you think?”
Hino, whose face had turned pale while listening, immediately straightened his expression and replied.
“I believe you are correct. In fact, the probability of that being the case is higher.”
“Oh? What’s your basis for that?” Gazeran asked Hino, who had spoken with such certainty.
“There have always been some dissatisfactions regarding the handling of teleport gates, but those from the Dark Guild were particularly prone to such sentiments.”
“So that’s how it is.”
“Whether it’s orchestrated by those who oppose the kingdom’s shadows or by other forces, the idea of a diversionary tactic has considerable credibility.”
After saying that, Hino looked at Gazeran and continued.
“I apologize, but I must return to the branch immediately.”
“Ah, that would be best. I’ll inform the other members. …Ah, and one more thing!” Gazeran called out to Hino, who was about to walk away immediately after receiving his reply.
“Yes?”
“If things get serious, you have my permission to use that function as well.”
“…Understood.” Hino took a breath upon hearing Gazeran’s words but then nodded and left the room.
Gazeran watched Hino depart in a hurry and then turned his gaze back to Kousuke.
“So? What are you going to do?”
“Well, what shall I do? As a regular adventurer, I believe it would be best to refrain from further intervention without a request…”
As Kousuke said this, Gazeran gave him a look that conveyed “you rascal.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll put in a request for you. At the very least, please convey the message to the kingdom’s shadow figures.”
“Understood.” Seeing Gazeran speak with a sigh, Kousuke grinned.
This way, with a direct request from the Division Head, he could openly intervene in this matter.
Although he had said it humorously earlier, it was not untrue that as someone operating as a mere adventurer, he could not move freely without a request.
For that reason, the pretense of a request from Gazeran was absolutely necessary.
Gazeran understood this perfectly, which was why he readily decided to issue the request.
However, neither Kousuke nor Gazeran gave thought to the fact that with Crown having grown into such a large organization, direct requests from department heads were extremely rare.
The conversation between the three of them turned out to be longer than expected.
How Hino will deal with the disturbance will be written in the next chapter.
