Well, even calling it a victory, I won’t gloat about it.
So, I deliberately give Ms. Kashima a light smile.
“Well, in any case, you don’t need to worry about the money. If it comes down to it, I have the means to prepare any amount of money from your world. However, I have no particular complaints about my current dealings with you and your associates. I’m not saying I want to part ways on bad terms. It’s just that, if we wanted to, we could leave at any time… I wanted us to discuss things with that firmly in mind… If the Empire’s slime countermeasures can be identified by heat signatures, then applying magical technology from your world, it wouldn’t be impossible to deal with them on your own… right? Ms. Aage?”
Well, the slime countermeasures thing is just a bluff.
Come on, Ms. Aage, play along.
“U, um… yes. I’ve just begun research on that, and there’s a prospect for realization! Identifying them by heat from above… that idea surprised me. If it’s something similar, we Elves can do it too… applying night vision capabilities, that’s what you mean, isn’t it?”
Yeah, Ms. Aage… nice bluff.
And she even understood the essence of thermal vision… impressive, truly impressive.
We hadn’t discussed anything like that at all, but she managed to smoothly adapt the conversation to make it sound plausible, well done.
Now, with this, I’ve invalidated another of their cards… the military support card.
Given that our own forces include the SSR-class powerhouses Ms. Aage and the Manager, and we’re even incorporating Japan’s developed slime countermeasures… they must understand that we can fight more than sufficiently without Japan’s military support.
Of course, I know they’re overestimating us, and losing Japan’s military support right now would be a bit tough, but I won’t show even a hint of that.
Kuroie… this is how negotiations are done.
Lies, bluffs, stacks of money, connections, all mobilized, sometimes even hinting at force… all while smiling cheerfully at the table, silently exchanging blows beneath the surface.
Amidst all that, discerning each other’s non-negotiable lines and then compromising on the final area of agreement.
It’s about securing the most advantageous terms possible until we reach that point… that’s what negotiation is.
This is something where life experience, accumulated from navigating countless difficult situations, is paramount.
More importantly, not winning too much… that’s also crucial.
Leaving behind lingering resentment or dissatisfaction with the other party can affect future dealings.
So, where I can concede, I do so with good grace… aiming for an agreement that satisfies both parties, allowing them to save face.
This is the ideal negotiation.
It’s truly a battle of wits between foxes and tanuki… this is no place for children.
When I glance over, Kuroie is just watching our negotiations in stunned silence.
When I smile at her, she nods vigorously… the Commander has given her the go-ahead to proceed.
“My, my. As expected of Mr. Takakura… just as the rumors say, your negotiation skills are impeccable. It’s no wonder you’re appointed Prime Minister in another world. And Kuroie also has a good eye for people. We are completely defeated.”
Ms. Kashima declares her defeat with a sigh… she truly knows how to make a graceful exit.
“I didn’t decide this on a whim or based on personal preference, you know. It’s just that this person was a man of such value that he absolutely *had* to be taken into my service… I apologize, Ms. Kashima. If this person were in the inner circle of the Japanese government, they would surely be a great asset to your country…”
“Oh, no, no. We are immensely relieved that Mr. Takakura is not our enemy. For that reason, to be perfectly honest, our support for Mr. Takakura is also an insurance policy for our national security. Therefore, unilaterally cutting it off is completely out of the question. Our superiors also seek the most peaceful security measures possible, so if possible, we would like to continue our relationship as before. What do you say?”
…In other words, Ms. Kashima is declaring that she has no intention of using Japan’s support as a bargaining chip.
Just getting her to say that is a considerable achievement.
Hmm, this is where we find the compromise line for both sides.
Now it’s my turn to bow my head… that’s fine.
“Yes, we are of the same mind regarding that. Therefore, allow me to re-state our request… It seems you have information about our former king, His Majesty Ryosuke… That information is extremely important to us. We don’t expect it for free. If you have any requests or conditions, we will listen. We are prepared to make appropriate concessions within our capabilities.”
Even though they declared defeat, I won’t get carried away.
This is a situation where I should let them save face.
Come to think of it, my parents are there too… If they were taken hostage… I’d be helpless.
I don’t want to think about it, but the meaning of the phrase “peaceful security measures”… perhaps Ms. Kashima’s way of kindly conveying a message that without it, there’s a possibility of resorting to less peaceful means.
By creating a situation where I’m, even if only formally, holding a weakness, I can prevent them from acting with utter impunity… in that regard, maintaining the status quo was best.
Honestly, dealing with Ms. Kashima requires my brain to be operating at full capacity.
If possible, I’d rather not clash with her… I hope she feels the same way.
“Understood. …So, Mr. Sasazaki, from now on, shall we refrain from treating this like trying to take advantage of people? I sincerely apologize for any threats I may have made.”
“Indeed… Mr. Takakura, I too shall apologize for my past rudeness. I am sorry… I intend to say no more on this matter. Is that acceptable?”
“Well, please don’t hold back on that… You can say whatever you want, as long as you don’t yell.”
“Hahaha, as the intimidating enforcer, I have no further need to speak. Again, I apologize.”
Oh, he just blurted out that he’s the intimidation guy.
So that’s what it was.
“Understood. Then, now that we are both at the negotiation table, let’s hear your demands for now.”
“Our demands, you ask… For us, the model case data for doing business with residents of another world, and the connections and trust with the Merchant Guild, who serve as our trading contacts, are already sufficient gains. As for combat data for the new unmanned combat system in another world… Major Totsuka, what about the Empire’s current counter-terrorism measures? They’ve been quiet for the past few years, but with this incident and the influx of Japanese goods from Mr. Takakura’s convenience store, the Empire might realize our intervention. There’s a possibility of retaliatory terrorism, I believe.”
“…Indeed. Being able to obtain combat data against such large-scale mimic creatures was extremely significant. Although it was a byproduct, the dramatic evolution of the AI powering the unmanned weapon systems is beyond revolutionary. Furthermore, if they could eliminate such a number of mimic creatures, the Empire won’t be bothering our country for a considerable time. The Empire’s strength has also been greatly diminished by the Merchant Guild’s repeated economic sanctions, and if they lack the means to retaliate, they are powerless. It’s safe to assume that the threat from the Empire to our country has been greatly reduced.”
“That’s truly excellent news. In other words, we have already received ample return… If possible, I would have liked to conclude at least a non-aggression pact through direct negotiations with the Empire. But from what I’m hearing, that seems rather difficult. For now, if our immediate safety is secured, we should compromise on that. Mr. Sasazaki, don’t you think it would be detrimental to offend them by making unreasonable demands here? Rather, shouldn’t we be showing our gratitude?”
“Indeed… Ms. Kashima. Hahaha… if you say so, then so be it.”
Hmm, she has the air of a dispatched operator, but Ms. Kashima herself must hold a considerable position…
Among these three, Ms. Kashima is clearly the one in charge.
Despite appearing to be in her twenties and looking young, she possesses authority exceeding that of a seasoned veteran official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs… truly, who is she?
“Yes, that’s exactly right. Indeed, using information about Mr. Ryosuke, a blood relative of His Majesty Kuroie, as a bargaining chip could be considered inhumane. However, no matter how much we explain the facts here, it would be difficult to prove their veracity… Therefore, it cannot serve as grounds for determining Mr. Ryosuke’s safety… is that not so?”
Hmm, she’s hit on a sharp point.
Well… that’s how it is.
Given the situation, I have a vague sense that Ryosuke is no longer alive.
And of course, Kuroie would know that.
Without a proper explanation of how he died, or without being able to show his remains or a grave, one cannot accept the death of a loved one.
Even when my dear old man passed away, when I heard the news, I felt nothing and shed not a single tear…
After finishing work early and rushing back to Gunma the same day, I saw my grandfather’s body lying there, covered with a white cloth in the living room, and only then did tears begin to flow, and I cried out loud like a child.
Ah, I realized that I would never be able to speak with my old man again… it was only then that I could truly accept his death.
Along with funerals, confronting the body of the deceased… it’s an essential process for truly realizing death.
Humans cannot come to terms with the death of someone close unless there is something definitive.
That’s precisely why, even if Ryosuke were declared dead here, it’s another matter whether Kuroie would believe it.
Is he lying? Is he actually alive, and they’re pretending he’s dead because it’s convenient, or perhaps because he asked them to say he was dead… such possibilities exist.
As long as tangible evidence isn’t presented, the person left behind will hold onto hope somewhere in their heart.
If it can be denied, and there’s room for denial, Kuroie will likely never be convinced… It’s such a difficult problem.
