kscans

Chapter 45 - Episode 45

Hayate and Rena had successfully rescued the diva who had become a trophy in Thailand and were being profusely thanked by the Thai royalty and its people. The country was in a festive uproar.

At the same time, in the White House in America.

"How much longer will it take! When can Mary be rescued!?"

President of the United States George Tyler’s voice was harsh.

George’s anger was palpable as he raged about the failure to rescue his daughter, who was being held as a trophy in the Spring Dungeon that had appeared in Washington. The fact that other people who had been turned into trophies were being rescued one after another was another factor fueling his irritation.

As if to placate George, his presidential aide, David, explained the situation.

"Mr. President, please wait a little longer. The dungeon clearing unit will reach the final floor shortly. They have cleared other Grade 3 dungeons without difficulty, so your daughter should be safely recovered."

"This is all because you failed to secure Hayate Shizukuishi in the first place! If he were here, Mary would already be… Did you not understand what I meant when I told you to secure Hayate before another country snatched him up!?"

"No, that’s not it."

Ever since it became clear that precious minerals and items unobtainable on Earth could be secured in dungeons, the Executive Office of the President of the United States had been creating a list of individuals with high dungeon-clearing abilities and constantly monitoring their actions.

It was easy to imagine that those who controlled the dungeons would become the ones to control the world of tomorrow. And when the Goddess changed the world’s specifications to allow entry into other countries’ dungeons, George had immediately ordered the acquisition of Hayate. He figured that even if things got a little rough, it was better than losing him to China or Russia.

"You were also the one who advised that we should seal off the Spring Dungeon so that some scoundrel couldn't alter Mary’s personality."

Until recently, there had been a setting that allowed the clearer of the Spring Dungeon to rewrite the trophy’s personality as they pleased. That setting had since been removed thanks to Sadaharu’s negotiations, but America had kept the Spring Dungeon in Washington completely sealed off until now.

"If you fail this time as well, you had better be prepared."

"U, understood."

A disgusting sweat beaded on David’s entire body.

Just then, the phone on the desk rang.

The color drained from George’s face as he took the call and received the report.

"Mr. President. Um… did something happen?"

"It seems the special forces unit you organized was defeated by a mid-boss called the Fake Hayate."

"Th, that’s impossible!? But they had defeated the Fake Hayate many times in dungeons in other areas."

"Silence!"

"Eek."

"David. You have worked well until now. But I cannot forgive this blunder. Take some time off. Your punishment will be decided at a later date."

With a flick of George’s hand, several security officers restrained a despair-faced David and escorted him out of the Oval Office.

"Keaney."

"Yes, Mr. President. What is it?"

"As of now, you are David’s successor. I want you to invite Hayate Shizukuishi to this country. Explain that the previous dispatch of special forces was not intended to be a forceful abduction, and convey our intent to apologize and offer compensation. And tell them that if they successfully rescue my daughter, the United States will fully support their activities."

"Understood, Mr. President."

Aide Keaney, having received her orders to invite Hayate, left the room.

A short while later.

"Keaney, Keaney!!"

"Huh, David?"

David stopped her as she was walking while making calls to various parties.

"What are you still doing here!?"

"The President just told me to take a rest, so it’s fine. The security officers let me go right away. Come on, I’m begging you. Let me help you too. I just finally became a Presidential Aide… Please. Give me a chance to make a comeback."

"Even if you’re asking, it’s no good. I can’t let you on the team."

"F, fine! Then let’s do this. All you have to do is tell me how you plan to invite Hayate. I’ll support you from behind the scenes with everything I’ve got. I still have plenty of useful connections. You can count on me. Then, when everything goes well, you report my contributions to the President. That much is fine, right?"

After a moment’s thought, Keaney ended up agreeing to her long-time colleague’s request.

She believed that David would act with the best interests of the United States at heart.

However, this man was a scoundrel beyond anything Keaney could have imagined. For the sake of his own ambitions, he would end up betraying his colleague and the United States.