kscans

Chapter 141 - Episode 104: That Crystal Orb

The day after our trip to the training ground, I was summoned to the Arisugawa estate.

Being invited to someone else's house—especially someone of the opposite sex—is normally a nerve-wracking experience, but I've been visiting so frequently that I've gotten used to it.

Professor Arisugawa even gives me lessons in etiquette and English conversation. She's a fantastic teacher, as you'd expect from a professor; her explanations are incredibly easy to understand, and I breezed through my English homework because of her.

It's a wonderful class, far too good for me... except for the fact that it's unbelievably strict.

Of course, there's no physical punishment or unreasonable verbal abuse. She instructs me with the grace and bearing of a true lady.

However, sometimes a storm of pure logic can hurt a person. I was beaten to a pulp. Utterly demolished.

And so, to the Arisugawa estate, a place filled with fun memories, terrifying memories, and enlightening memories. The reason I was called here today was...

"I'd like to discuss how we should handle this."

With those words, Professor Arisugawa placed the drop item from the Minotaur on the table. It was a crystal orb, etched with a pattern that resembled a ball of yarn.

It sat on a small, cushion-like stand, the kind a fortune teller might use. Though it was only about the size of a child's head, the mana it contained was immense.

The professor moistened her thin, cherry-pink lips with tea, then swept her gaze over us with her sharp, elegant eyes.

"I reported this magic item to the government in accordance with regulations, and they bowed their heads and said they 'would very much like to purchase this extremely important item.'"

"I see."

Well, that made sense.

With this, they could explore that dungeon in relative safety. For the Self-Defense Force, it was an object they'd kill for.

As I nodded in understanding, Aira-san placed her fingers on her slender chin.

"Grandmother. Was it a request, not a demand?"

"Yes. Drop items considered dangerous to simply possess are confiscated by force, but they said this doesn't fall into that category."

"That regulation can be interpreted however they want. The fact that they aren't doing that means..."

"They likely wish to acquire it without the United States finding out."

I couldn't help but feel a flicker of confusion at Aira-san and the professor's exchange.

But it quickly clicked, and I clapped my hands together.

"Oh, right. I remember hearing something about how in exchange for Japan buying weapons from the US at a discount, any magic items the government acquires have to be offered to them first."

"Yes, your understanding is correct."

"So, the Self-Defense Force doesn't want this crystal orb to be taken to some research facility in the States."

"No. That understanding is insufficient."

"Huh?"

Apparently, my hypothesis was wrong.

Being shot down so bluntly by the professor stung a little.

"Grandma, does that mean..."

"That's likely the case."

"What's the case...?"

I wish the pervert clan wouldn't have conversations only they can understand.

Oh, wait. Mia-san, the head pervert, is looking confused, too. So it's not some family-exclusive language.

"Basically, Kyou-chan-kun, it's not just the Self-Defense Force that wants this. It's the Japanese government... and from the looks of it, a joint effort between the SDF and the Dungeon Agency."

"I would imagine so. They want to use this to investigate inside the dungeon... and 'what lies beyond it.'"

"Beyond it?... Oh!"

Of course. Dungeons are 'connected to somewhere else.'

Even in the abandoned mine-like labyrinth I frequent, there's a collapsed section that ordinary adventurers can't get near. In other dungeons, too, any potential routes leading outside are usually blocked off.

And this is despite the fact that dungeons might have once been places where people worked.

Of course, it's possible that the gate we use was the only entrance. But for a place of that scale, with all those structures and whatnot built inside, that single door would have been incredibly inconvenient.

That means there must have been a much larger, original entrance.

It's just a thought, but maybe the gates we use are a kind of 'emergency exit.'

"This is all just speculation. Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency wouldn't reveal that much."

"Oh? I was wondering where you went yesterday. You were speaking with the director?"

"To be honest, I was surprised. I haven't been back to my family home in ages, yet 'that' Director Akasaka made time to come negotiate with me in person..."

"Um... is he famous?"

Being a director, he must be important. It doesn't really ring a bell, but I remember my dad bowing and scraping to his company's director a long time ago.

But the way she emphasized 'that' Director Akasaka makes me think there's something more to him.

"Who knows? He's famous to some and unknown to others."

"He's a man known only to those in the know. It's still too early for you, Kyouta-kun, so I won't go into detail, but just remember that he's quite a sharp fellow."

"O-Okay."

If the professor says so, he must be someone incredible.

Still, 'Director Akasaka of the Dungeon Agency,' huh? I feel like I've heard that name somewhere before...

"Come to think of it, the person who interviewed us for our 'C-Rank' promotion was also named Akasaka!"

"Ah, you're right."

I finally remembered. He suddenly started speaking English at the end, which really surprised me, so he left an impression.

At the time, I was worried I'd failed the interview. Turns out I passed just fine.

"Huh, so maybe he's not that busy...?"

"I doubt it. The Dungeon Agency is famous for being an incredibly demanding workplace, and from what I hear, he's not the type to just push work onto his subordinates. If anything, he seems like the type to create more work for himself."

"Nine times out of ten, he was being cautious because of my family connections. Honestly, it's a needless worry. He was quite wary during our discussion yesterday, too."

Aira-san snorted, and Professor Arisugawa let out a small sigh.

I don't really get it, but he sounds like a man with a lot on his plate.

"Let's return to the matter at hand. The question of 'what to do with this crystal orb.'"

At the professor's words, Erina-san, who was wearing a light green kimono today, raised a small hand.

"Shī-chan and Ā-chan said they're waiving their rights to it. They weren't uninvolved in the subjugation, but not enough to claim a stake. Me too, by the way."

Following her lead, Mia-san also turned her gaze to the professor.

"If we're talking about that, then I'm the same. I wasn't completely uninvolved, but not enough to have a say in how the drop item is handled."

The professor gave a small nod at their words. Then, her gaze fell on me and Aira-san.

"If anyone is to hold ownership of this, it would be you two, Kyouta-kun and Aira. I'd like to hear your opinions."

"—Before that, Grandmother."

Aira-san clapped her hands together lightly.

She wore a smile that was, for all intents and purposes, villainous.

"You've had a chance to speak directly with Director Akasaka. There's no way you came back without any 'souvenirs.' Stop holding out on us and tell me."

Normally, the professor would likely give her granddaughter a light scolding for making such a wicked face.

But this time was different.

"Very well. I was able to hear some interesting things."

She too, though her face held a gentle smile, had a predatory glint in her eyes.

Yikes, that's scary...

"First of all—there's a possibility that a new 'B-Rank' will be added to the adventurer ranks."

"What?!"

I shot up from my seat, the chair rattling loudly.

Ignoring it, she continued.

"The rising levels of adventurers. The successive departures from the Self-Defense Force. The mounting debt for weapons and ammunition. Concerned by this, the government intends to rely on the private sector to handle some of the 'B-Rank dungeons.'"

"T-That's far too dangerous!"

Mia-san, just as surprised as I was, raised her voice.

"To explore a dungeon filled with such monsters without firearms is..."

"We managed, didn't we?"

At her question, the professor elegantly took another sip of her tea.

"I'll admit that we are among the most skilled Awakened Persons. However, there are other 'C-Rank adventurers' who are capable of similar feats... with some exceptions."

As she said that, the professor glanced my way. If she's calling me an 'exception,' then she's one too.

I'm confident that I'm a skilled Awakened Person, but I don't think I'm so exceptional as to be called an outlier. There are probably more top-tier adventurers out there than I can count on both hands.

Still, 'B-Rank'... The danger of the dungeons themselves is one thing, but I'm worried about what happens if an adventurer who levels up even further becomes a criminal...

It seems I still need to work on my 'self-defense.' In the first place, I'm nowhere near strong enough to take on the dragon I saw on TV that day.

"The screening process will likely be even stricter than the one for 'C-Rank,' but 'B-Rank adventurer' may be established as an official system. It won't be irrelevant to you, so keep it in mind."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Okay-dokie."

"...Understood."

"Heh. I'm getting fired up."

"Aira, you will forget about it."

"Grandmother?!"

You need to pass the adventurer exam first.

"But if 'B-Rank dungeons' are being opened up... wouldn't it be better not to part with this crystal orb?"

I shifted my gaze back to the object on the table.

"Ah. As for the second piece of information, that dungeon will apparently not be opened to the public. It is 'precious,' after all."

"Oh, is that so?"

I heard on TV the other day that marine dungeons are rare.

Since it's a rare case, they probably want to restrict access to the general public for research purposes.

"Then, this crystal orb, which is linked to that dungeon..."

"It's useless for us to hold onto, and it might even sow the seeds of unnecessary conflict."

"That makes sense."

Processing it as a material for a magic item would also be difficult with something this 'complete.' Even if I tried to modify it, I couldn't expect much of a performance boost. And this isn't Ooyama-san's specialty.

Requesting it to be modified elsewhere is also risky. I don't want to go around telling people I possess such a valuable item.

"The third souvenir. If we sell this to them, we'll apparently gain the right to have a hand in things 'when they investigate what's beyond.'"

"Oh...?"

Aira-san leaned forward, staring at the professor.

My eyes were drawn to the sight of her chest resting on the table, but with what I consider to be formidable willpower, I forced my attention forward.

"My, my. That's a tempting offer, bordering on unfair."

"Indeed. For people like myself and Aira, it's an irresistible invitation. And considering Eric's work, it's a major opportunity. For our family, depending on how thick that 'slice of the pie' is, it's a condition we can't refuse."

With that, the professor looked at me.

"Of course, this isn't unrelated to you either, Kyouta-kun. This is a matter of great benefit to you as well, you know?"

"Huh, really?"

"Yes."

"...Oh, I see."

The professor is my client. I've made a lot of money working for her.

And if she gains profits and more work, that means more opportunities for me to earn as well.

She's right, this isn't unrelated. There are benefits for me, too.

"I'm glad you understand. Everyone here is practically family, after all."

"Wow, well... thank you."

The professor gave me a gentle smile, as if I were her own grandson. Feeling a little embarrassed, I scratched the back of my head.

I never thought she'd say that to me, a mere 'hired adventurer.' I wonder if being friends with Erina-san and the others has a lot to do with it.

"So, what shall we do?"

"I'm in favor of selling. Of course, that's after we negotiate just how much of a stake we get in the investigation of 'what lies beyond the dungeon.'"

"...I'll be handling the negotiations this time, but Aira, you must learn to do this on your own someday."

"Hahaha."

Aira-san averted her gaze, laughing to deflect the comment, while the professor pressed her fingers to her temples as if fighting off a headache.

I heard this somewhere before. That what scholars need most is the 'communication skill' to negotiate effectively with sponsors and partner organizations.

Apparently, it's a profession where social skills are just as important as knowledge and creativity. I have a feeling that path will be a thorny one for Aira-san.

"I'm also in favor of selling. And... I'm not good at negotiating either, so I'd like to leave it to you, Professor."

"Very well. There is still much I have to teach you, Kyouta-kun. Once you've mastered those things, I will impart this kind of knowledge and skill to you as well, as much as possible. I'm sure you will find it necessary often in your life to come."

"Eek."

Why is it? I sense nothing but goodwill from the professor, and her smile is as kind as before, like she's looking at family.

And yet, I can't stop shivering. It's as if I'm standing before the gates of hell.

Wait, am I dead?

"You did it, Kyou-chan! Grandma really likes you!"

"Um... good luck with that."

"Ha, haha..."

All I could do in response to Erina-san and Mia-san's words was laugh it off.

...Am I really going to die? If they stuff any more knowledge into my head, isn't it going to just suddenly explode?

"Oh, right. Director Akasaka proposed a purchase price of '80 million yen for this crystal orb, paid in installments over two years.'"

"That's so much?!"

"That's so cheap."

Aira-san and I had completely opposite reactions.

Seriously, she thinks that's cheap?!

"Calm yourself, Kyou-chan-kun. You may be far less intelligent than I am, but even you should be able to understand that this crystal orb is worth much more than that if you think about it calmly."

"It's hard to calm down when you're picking a fight with me."

"Easy there, easy there."

I felt a vein pop on my forehead as I glared at Aira-san, only to feel Erina-san, who had moved behind me at some point, pat my head.

Ugh, she smells so good, and the warmth of her palm is...!

"...Certainly, when you consider the management costs, including thinning out monsters in 'B-Rank dungeons,' it might seem cheap. On top of that, considering the research and everything else, I feel we could ask for ten times that amount and it wouldn't be unreasonable."

"I think we could ask for even more."

"Regarding that, I initially thought it was a negotiating tactic, but..."

The professor trailed off, her eyes wandering as if she were choosing her words carefully.

For her to make such an expression is rare, I think, and despite our short acquaintance, I was surprised. I can't really picture her reacting like this.

"What is it, Grandmother? We're involved parties too, so if there's something on your mind, I wish you'd tell us."

"...He resorted to pleading with me, saying that this was the absolute limit for the current Dungeon Agency and Self-Defense Force... He did say that if all goes well, he would try to secure a larger budget from the Diet, but..."

"Whoa. The rumored Director Akasaka did that...?"

"Yes. The one and only, for better or worse, famous Director Akasaka."

Now it was Aira-san's turn to look stumped, her expression blank.

The numbers are so large that I can't really grasp it, but... judging from their reactions, is the Dungeon Agency really that broke?

On TV, they're criticized for 'wasting the budget' and 'only doing useless things,' and adventurers trash them on internet forums...

That Dungeon Agency... could it be an incredibly pitiful organization?