Chapter 262 - What Is Sought
"Well then, I shall take my leave."
"Ah, thank you, Itsuki-kun."
With a bow so graceful it was captivating, Natsume-san excused herself, leaving the two of us alone once more. Seated across from me as I returned to the sofa was a man who stood as one of the most powerful figures in the world.
The whole situation just felt completely unreal.
I'd been in similar situations for countless part-time job interviews, but I had never dreamed a day would come when I'd be face-to-face with such a titan.
"Now, where should we begin?"
—In any case. Now that this situation had become my reality, there was no point in pointlessly shrinking away.
An excess of self-assertion would only invite ridicule, but having no sense of self was also a problem.
"...If you don't mind, could you first tell me the reason you contacted me?"
And so, I swallowed my nerves and spoke without hesitation. I wasn't here for a job interview or a recruitment drive.
While there was a clear difference in our standings, I could tell from Yotsuya-shi's demeanor that I would be permitted to speak freely. If he got angry by some chance, I'd prostrate myself on the floor without a moment's hesitation.
"Ah, that's right. I had you wait for the details."
His agreeable expression and casual reply seemed to confirm that my approach hadn't been wrong, fortunately.
"There's no use beating around the bush, so let me get straight to the point. Haru Kasuga-kun, we want to form a contract with you as Haru the [Acrobat]."
That was one of the possibilities I had anticipated.
And at the same time I understood, it was a development that contained a massive question.
"When you say a 'contract,' am I correct in assuming it's the kind I'm imagining? In other words, similar to what other influential players have..."
"That understanding is more or less correct. Simply put, we will become your sponsor and, at the same time, serve as your 'shield.'"
Well, that's one hell of an invincible shield, one that the entire world couldn't hope to budge... but there was one fatal flaw in that logic.
To put it simply—
"For the game's developer to make a contract with one of the game's players... I mean, how exactly does that work?"
There were so many problems with it that I couldn't even list them all. Wasn't this an absolute taboo? That's honestly what I couldn't help but think. Above all else, the 'gods'—the management—should never, ever show favoritism to a single player.
I also couldn't fathom why Yotsuya would break such a taboo just to hire me. I could understand other corporations scrambling to get a piece of [Arcadia]'s near-infinite commercial value—to put it crudely—but not the developer itself.
What possible benefit could there be for Yotsuya Development in signing a contract with me?
And even if there were a benefit, would it be worth the drawback of even slightly tarnishing their unshakable credibility?
Even after a full day, I still couldn't come up with a convincing answer.
"Your question is a valid one. However, I'm afraid there is too much information that is confidential to the company. I cannot explain everything to you at this stage."
Therefore, I may not be able to give you an answer that satisfies you. As Yotsuya-shi's gaze conveyed this, I nodded in return, signaling for him to continue.
"Well then—first and foremost, it is to protect you."
—...
I was a little surprised that this was the first reason. But since interrupting would be rude, I swallowed my reaction for the time being.
"Pardon my bluntness, but regardless of your history, you are an extremely ordinary university student. While there are a few exceptions, your circumstances are completely different from other influential players, most of whom spent years building up their skills and status."
"...It's true. Neither my position nor my state of mind has caught up yet,"
When I said it jokingly, he readily agreed with a smile, saying, "Exactly," which was a small relief. He's a good person, I thought to myself naturally.
"If the attention on you were only moderate, it would be a different story. But in your case, your achievements and the buzz surrounding you are just too great. In the future, you will undoubtedly be inundated with troubles that a person living within the framework of an ordinary citizen cannot handle."
"..."
It was a fact I had already acknowledged, but having it thrown at me by someone in such a definitive position really made it sink in...
"However, we pride ourselves on our responsibility as the ones who brought [Arcadia] into the world. We cannot stand by and watch as you, a player enjoying our virtual world, are devoured by society."
"That... is an incredibly kind sentiment, I think, but even so, is there really a need for the management to get directly involved...?"
They could surely use their power as Yotsuya to have another company ensure my protection. The fact that they weren't doing so must mean—
"That is, of course, because we have our own reasons for wanting to take you under our wing directly."
—So there it was. A second reason, intertwined with the first.
Still, 'take you under our wing' is quite a direct way to put it...
"Unfortunately, that is the first thing I cannot discuss."
But—he cut himself off and took a sip of coffee.
I followed his lead, and for a moment, we both took a break. As we set our cups down at nearly the same time, he proudly boasted about his mysterious maid's skill.
What a character.
"In any case... I can tell you what we 'want' from you."
"What you want?"
Does such a thing even exist? My voice was tinged with doubt, but Yotsuya-shi simply offered a calm smile as he calmly spun his words.
"—I want you to challenge the conquest of that world, without being hindered by anyone. What we... what I ask of you boils down to that one single point."
"..."
I didn't know how to respond to those words. Seeing my confusion, Yotsuya-shi smiled and said, "Let me put it more simply"—
"I want you to aim to clear the game, [Arcadia]."
As if proclaiming a long-cherished wish, he presented yet another spark to fuel my confusion.