The Branch Manager was greatly troubled by the lack of contact from the two units.
The only report received was from the postal unit stating, “Safely delivered to the vicinity of the destination.”
There was no communication from the Megias Annihilation Force, which was equipped with long-distance communication devices superior to those of the Docs Advance Reconnaissance Unit.
Could this be a situation that would put his own head on the line?
It had been two days. Two days of no scheduled contact.
“Demotion. My first mission in a while.”
At first, he thought they were just enjoying themselves and had forgotten, as a way to blow off steam.
It was impossible for a messenger to forget their duty.
It would be better if the long-distance communication device had malfunctioned, but…
It turned out to be a mistake to have waited for the Megias Annihilation Force’s report, in order to make things easier for the recovery team of the Dark Tribe sample (the Dark Tribe killed along with Phasis, who had been secured by the Docs Advance Reconnaissance Unit).
If they had sent the recovery team even with the extra effort, they could have at least replied to the Homeland’s inquiries with “We have obtained the Dark Tribe sample.”
What a shame that the Dark Tribe sample was likely being eaten by beasts right now…
The Branch Manager let out a deep, deep sigh.
He stamped his approval on the documents from each department that needed to be confirmed.
He was in the process of confirming budget increase/decrease requests from the brand new Research and Development Department and the Club Activities Department.
Today, they were piled high on his desk.
“Magic Stones. Piping materials. For an increase in personnel…”
He marveled at how smoothly they could come up with reasons to request funding.
There was not a shred of consideration for the reader.
By the time he finished dealing with all the documents, it was noon.
After lunch, during which he chatted with the heads of each department about work complaints, recent rumors, and the merits of their subordinates, he thought:
Well then, we must obtain the Dark Tribe sample.
Something unfortunate has happened to the elite Megias Annihilation Force.
“Creating units from those whose proficiency has dropped is merely a waste of personnel. But… but… hmmm.”
If his own head was on the line, he couldn’t just sit there and wait for death like a condemned prisoner.
“Why don’t you go and find out what happened to the two units?” the Homeland’s communications officer told him.
For his own self-preservation, he would have to send someone.
“I will send a unit with someone who can absolutely bring back information.”
The Branch Manager took out files of outstanding individuals from his desk drawer and began carefully selecting personnel to send against the natives who were building fortifications along with the Dark Tribe sample.
***
In the frontier city of Gallons Pay, where McGillis and Phasis had stolen the Knight Golem amidst the chaos caused by merchants who were displeased with the guards who had saved their town.
“They still haven’t been found?!”
“Captain, please calm down.”
“The Vice-Captain is right.”
“We will make the residents who heard what sounded like a Knight Golem running in the middle of the night tell us the direction in which the thieves fled.”
“You calm down too.”
“That’s right. What do you mean, ‘make them tell’? They are townspeople who can provide valuable clues for the search of the Knight Golem. What are you thinking?”
The high-ranking officials of the guard were still listless due to the merchants’ food laced with laxatives.
They were pursuing the stolen Knight Golem in a state that made one wonder if they were ill.
The merchants, to their disgust, had the backing of the mayor, had eaten the same food as them, and the townspeople had sided with them.
Because of this, they could neither arrest them nor throw them in jail.
At best, they could point out hygiene concerns?
Even though they had caused trouble for seventy percent of the guard’s personnel.
While it was somewhat unpalatable to point out issues after expressing gratitude, they had to convey the will of the entire guard to those greedy, black-hearted individuals.
“Detestable…!”
“Captain, please stop there. The desk will break. We are short on budget this month.”
The merchants’ foreign cuisine with laxatives.
They couldn’t use the roof tiles and had to relieve themselves in a corner of the premises.
The next day, they had to clean up, and neighboring residents complained about the stench.
The mayor’s reprimand. Money given to appease them.
Right now, they were simply lacking funds.
They might even have to become adventurers temporarily (disguising their identities) to earn money.
“Investigate the background of the thieves as well. If they have a lair, destroy it with a large Knight Golem!!”
To the Captain’s order, the subordinates replied, “Yes!” and went to investigate clues about the stolen Knight Golem.
Meanwhile, the merchants:
“Soldiers came to the shop again today.”
“So, having soldiers for shop security is a good idea, right?”
Hahaha♪
“Bodyguards are enough, aren’t they?”
“No, you see, them asking our staff (butlers, maids) every day if they have any clues is currently quite amusing~~♪”
“Yes, I understand. I completely understand, hehe♪”
“Heh, hahaha♪”
Hahaha♪
The guard had their Knight Golem stolen?
And while they were defecating and vomiting from the laxatives?
That’s hilarious! It’s hilarious!
Whenever two or more merchants gathered, laughter had been constant lately.
The shop employees were happy because the shop owner, master, and managers were in good spirits, and they were not being harassed daily.
They felt sorry for the soldiers who came to ask every morning and evening, but since they had absolutely no involvement in the Knight Golem theft, they could only reply that they didn’t know.
Rumor had it that some were being interrogated or tortured for acting conspicuously suggestive, and this information was being shared through the employee network.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?”
“I’m sorry. Is that so.”
This exchange took place in front of a shop at the edge of town.
“Next, we’ll question the shop over there.”
“It’s a slum. Ah, why do I have to be in charge of the slum…”
The soldiers, wary of being stripped and buried somewhere, went to question employees of shops in the slum.
