kscans

Chapter 246 - Topics on the Way Home

On the way home from the hospital, inside the car.

The two black vans, under Kuroda's orders, remained at the hospital. They were likely there for protection and surveillance. We both wanted to avoid any unnecessary trouble. Also, it was probably to avoid arousing suspicion among the hospital staff. That giant's frame and anachronistic clothing would draw strange looks just by walking around. Of course, a few men in black suits walking around would also stand out.

A quiet drive. The road was dotted with flickering lights. There was no sign of human presence.

Amidst this, Kuroda spoke. "Kaikawa-san, I hesitate to say this, but about the next auction... all of our clients are demanding that you put up a live monster."

I sighed. "If I did that, it would be a nightmare if it escaped. I feel like I've said something similar before."

Kuroda had a bitter look on his face. "That's true, but... the matter of the Reverse Slime has become known. Well, given the emergency meeting of the top brass, I suppose it couldn't be helped. Because of that, the demand for other monsters has skyrocketed. For research materials, or as pets. I'm at my wit's end myself."

He looked genuinely troubled.

Honestly, I wanted to ignore such people. But now that it was known, it might be better to make some sort of compromise rather than be hounded by a bunch of idiots.

To this, I said, "Then I'd like them to be content with something more like a specimen than a carcass. Like that four-armed gorilla. I heard it's been quite useful in the electrical field."

Kuroda's mood shifted. "Yes, the company that purchased that gorilla saw a dramatic increase in their electrical product sales, and in an attempt to ride that wave, various other companies have proposed partnerships and joint ventures, bringing in considerable profits. Speaking of electricity, that Thunder Stone... the research results from a major power company I'm on friendly terms with have come in."

To this, I said, "Already?! It's only been about half a day since then, right? Isn't that too fast?!"

Kuroda smiled. "The engineers who saw the stone's properties and the actual thing started their research with great enthusiasm. I heard that their work progressed more efficiently than ever before, and everyone was working as one."

If they have that much spirit, they should show it in their regular work.

Calming down a bit, I asked, "So? What were the results?"

Kuroda composed himself. "To put it bluntly, it's a masterpiece capable of supplying unlimited power to an entire country without issue. The initial output was about enough for ten thousand households. The usual estimated value for one house is about one hundred to five hundred thousand, so the stone's power was on par with a single power plant. However, further research revealed that not just light, but adding heat increases the power several to several tens of times over. The value is... one million to ten million volts!! Furthermore, it's predicted that increasing the heat will increase the output, and it's inexhaustible!! It's a power that's impossible for conventional power plants to achieve!!"

"Therefore, the power company has decided to build a new power plant and substation on par with the latest models. And they plan to place them all over the country. Thus, they are planning a joint construction with the power companies of each prefecture. Of course, they laughed at the idea of the Thunder Stone, but after seeing a video, the president of a nearby company came for a tour and confirmed it was real. Now, presidents and executives from all over the country are starting to gather. The plan will probably be set in motion in a few months."

To this, I said, "That's really fast. They should put some of that spirit into helping the world."

Kuroda smiled. "Humans don't use their power for anything other than what interests them. That tendency is particularly strong in the world today."

He laughed.

Should I call that cynical, or just the way of the world?

Kuroda continued, "Oh, and one more thing. It's an annoying story for you, Kaikawa-san, but... the two matters I just mentioned have become known to the heads of major corporations around the world. They'll be gathering in Japan soon."

To this, I said, "...What?! The whole world?! Why?! Isn't information control in the underworld supposed to be perfect?!"

Kuroda had a serious look on his face. "It's certainly strict compared to the surface world, but that just means there are eyes everywhere. It started when the products developed by the companies that bought the items you put up for auction attracted public attention. Spies from various countries had come to Japan to discover the secret."

"They seem to have traced it back to items from the black-market auction and were marking our clients. That's how the Reverse Slime and Thunder Stone leaked. Fortunately, the seller's name isn't on record, and you haven't been to the auction recently, so there shouldn't be a problem, but... I don't know how long that will last. Well, you're not really the problem, are you, Kaikawa-san? It doesn't matter what the other countries do; it's useless."

He smirked.

It's impossible to capture me, who can go to another world and has gained power. Even if they tried to take a hostage, I'm an orphan with no family or relatives.

Their usual tricks won't work at all. And those four will be fine.

"You're right," I said. "I don't have anyone important to me in this world. Blackmail won't work on me."

Kuroda had a worried look on his face. "We are also taking the utmost precautions, but... what about those four?"

I answered with full confidence. "They'll be fine. Bardos has that build and is a battle maniac. Milfy and Matilda are young girls, but they have plenty of combat experience. They'd be no match for spies, let alone special forces. They'll probably target Rumily, but she has a way to attack even if she can't move. And of course, they have experience killing people. No matter how much training a unit has... they shouldn't have been trained to kill people so easily."

I answered with a cold look in my eyes.

Such training, in this world, is unacceptable not just morally but as a human being. Killing a single unrelated civilian would result in punishment. Even a soldier is no exception.

Kuroda said, "...Indeed. In this day and age, killing even one person is a big deal. If they were killing in large numbers... it would have to be in secret."

He had the same cold look in his eyes.

As we were talking, the car stopped.

The door opened, and I could see my house.

I thanked him and got out, and Kuroda said, "Well then, Kaikawa-san. About the auction... I'll be waiting for your contact."

The door closed, and the car drove away.

The current time was two in the morning.

I could have slept at my family's house, but I couldn't seem to settle down. It would be better to go back to the other side. I used the magic circle to head to the other world.

After arriving, perhaps because I was tired, I decided to rest at my house.

The next morning.

I should have slept soundly, but my body felt sluggish.

It was seven o'clock.

For breakfast, I had only a can of mackerel that had been left out and water. After quickly finishing, I immediately used the teleportation magic circle to fly to the royal capital.

After arriving, I headed straight for the castle. I had to report to Tina about the four and consult with her about hunting for items for the auction after we returned to the Empire.

In front of the gate.

Tina was standing there, arms crossed, like a statue. Her expression was stern. The shiver of a war maiden emanated from her.

The two knight guards at the gate, perhaps having succumbed to the pressure, were keeping their distance.

Breaking out in a cold sweat, I asked, "W-What's wrong? Why the long face? Did you have something you dislike for breakfast?"

I asked timidly, joking, and Tina replied, "Rest assured. Breakfast was excellent. I have no complaints."

She answered curtly.

Steeling myself, I asked, "Then? What are you so angry about?"

Tina smiled. "Angry? Yes, that's right. I am angry. After you dropped off Rumily and the others, I waited up all night thinking you'd be back, only for you to show up in the morning. What were you doing?"

Sweating even more, I said, "Um... well, after I dropped them off, it was midnight when I got back. I figured they wouldn't let me into the castle at that hour, so I just slept at my house. They wouldn't have let me in, right?"

I looked to the two knights for help.

They averted their gaze. Normally, they wouldn't let anyone in. They wanted to say so, but under the pressure of the war maiden, they couldn't say anything and offered no defense.

Tina sighed. "Honestly. You are just... From now on, I'd like you to please let me know exactly when you'll be back."

Her voice was filled with considerable anger.

I nodded rapidly.

And so, I followed Tina into the castle, feeling incredibly small.