kscans

Chapter 170 - The Mysterious Frontier People

Should I meet the Frontier people, or should I run? I don’t like the idea of losing my income if I run. I think I have enough savings, but my life with Kaede-chan still has a long way to go. Considering I don’t know what the future holds, closing off my means of making money would be a hasty decision.

"I guess I have no choice but to meet them..."

"Sorry. Neither I nor Satsuki-nee-san can give you a definitive answer. We’re leaving this decision up to you."

Hmm, if I run, I lose my income. If I meet the Frontier people, I don't know what will happen...

"Well, I guess I’ll meet them..."

"Are you sure?"

"If they try to kidnap me, I’ll just cut them down. Then I’ll run."

And after that, I just have to never become Eleanor-san again.

"...This is the scariest you’ve been since I met you. How can you even think of doing something like that?"

"Hey, they’d be kidnappers. Of course I’m going to resist."

"These are Frontier people, beings of unknown origin."

Like I care.

"I’m just talking about a worst case scenario. Besides, I’m not a Frontier person, so there won’t be any problem."

"Hmm, well, if you say so, I’ll leave it to you..."

"So, I’m fine with meeting these Frontier people, but how am I supposed to meet them?"

"This part is also strange, but apparently, you just have to go through a Gate."

Huh?

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I don’t really get it either, but the Frontier person you’re supposed to meet will be on the other side of the Gate you pass through."

"Which Gate are we talking about?"

"They said any Gate will do."

This makes no sense.

"Huh? Can everyone else go too?"

"No, only you."

"I really don’t get it at all..."

"That’s why we feel the same way."

As expected of the Frontier people. They're even more mysterious than I am.

"Um, so, I should just go to the Ikebukuro Guild and pass through the Gate?"

"That’s right. That place is closed right now, so it’s perfect. By the way, the Prime Minister and the Chief Director will be there too."

"Are they coming with me? You just said it was only me..."

"No, the Prime Minister and the Chief Director will be waiting at the Guild."

Don’t they have anything better to do?

"I don’t need them there."

"They want to know the result of the questioning as soon as possible. You’re the one who had your friend put pressure on them, right?"

Ah, the President. He works too hard.

"No bonus Translation Potion for him, then."

"Anyway, we’re counting on you."

"Is anyone else coming?"

"I imagine there will be guards and secretaries."

Hmm...

"There won’t be any unique skill holders, will there?"

"Ah, I’ll ask them to have everyone besides the Prime Minister and the Chief Director hold back..."

"Can you do that?"

"I’ll just say it’s a request, or rather a threat, from you. They’ll get the message. The fact that you saw through that Hellish Hearing skill last time is really working in our favor."

Ah, I see. They think I have some kind of unique skill.

"Then please do that. What about the date and time?"

"They said they’ll accommodate your schedule. But they’d like it to be soon. You know, the government and the Guild have been silent about this huge news, right? Any longer and it’s going to affect approval ratings..."

What a pain. I’ll vote for the ruling party next time.

"Then let’s do it tomorrow."

"That’s sudden."

Even though Yoshino-san was the one who said to make it soon...

"Then the day after tomorrow."

"That sounds about right. Is the afternoon of the day after tomorrow okay?"

"That’s fine."

"Alright, I’ll coordinate it. I’ll come pick you up on the day. The media is swarming the front of the Guild right now, and taking a taxi would be a bad idea."

I can just change in Yoshino-san’s car.

"Please do."

"Alright! It’s settled! I’m going to report this to the Chief Director, so I’ll be taking my leave."

"You’re leaving already? You’re so busy."

"I’m still doing okay. Satsuki-nee-san and the Chief Director look like they’re dead on their feet."

I feel kind of bad. I haven’t done anything wrong, but still, I’m sorry.

"Well, I’m off. By the way, where’s Kaede?"

"In the bath. She takes forever."

Kaede-chan loves baths, so she takes her time.

"Huh. Oh well. Tell Kaede I said hello."

"Will do."

"See you the day after tomorrow, then. Sorry for intruding."

Yoshino-san chugged the rest of her coffee and stood up.

"Not at all. Thanks for coming all this way."

"It’s part of the job. Bye-bye, Nanapon."

Yoshino-san waved at Nanapon.

"Yes. Take care."

"Mm."

Yoshino-san replied and quickly left.

"Haa... This has turned into a real pain."

After Yoshino-san left, I let out a sigh.

"But it doesn’t seem like they’re going to force you into anything, so that’s a relief."

"True. I doubt they’ll actually brand me as a Frontier person, and I want them to clearly deny it."

But if they do that, the effectiveness of my Gate threat will weaken. Alright! I’ll have them leave it ambiguous!

"—Ah, that was a nice bath."

Kaede-chan came out of the bath. She had changed from her pajamas into some casual clothes for around the house.

"You’re as cute as ever today, Kaede-chan."

"Ehee... You think so?"

Kaede-chan had a huge smile on her face. This girl really loves being told she’s cute.

"Really, really."

There’s never a time when Kaede-chan isn’t cute.

"...This is why I hate coming over to a couple’s house."

Nanapon muttered under her breath.

Ignore her, ignore her. A daily mission is something you do every day. Honestly, I wonder if she ever gets tired of it.

"By the way, where’s Yoshino-san? She came over, right?" Kaede-chan asked, having been in the bath the whole time.

"She left as soon as she finished explaining."

"Did you find anything out?"

"It doesn’t seem like it’s a non-negotiable demand for my custody. Basically, some big shot from some country branded me as a Frontier person and made an inquiry to Frontier. Now, the Frontier people want to confirm it. I’m scheduled to meet them the day after tomorrow."

That was the gist of it.

"You’re meeting a Frontier person!? This has become a huge deal. Only a handful of people in the entire world have ever met one."

"Will I be in the history books?"

"Senpai, please, I’m begging you, don’t provoke them or act all cocky. I can’t bear the thought of you being in the history books for the worst possible reason."

Eleanor Ocean angered the Frontier people, and as a result, the Gates were closed. Yeah, that would be the worst.

"I know. As long as they don’t do anything to me, I’ll be friendly."

"Ehh... You sound completely ready to pick a fight."

"In situations like this, you can’t let them look down on you. I won’t say I’ll be aggressive, but since I’ve done nothing wrong, I have to be confident!"

I’m not the one at fault. If anything, I’m going out of my way to grant them my precious time. And I'll have them decide that while I might not be a Frontier person, I am a mysterious witch.

"Is she going to be okay?"

Kaede-chan looked at Nanapon.

"She is a top-class unique skill holder, after all. It’s a bit scary, but I think it’s good that she’s not intimidated."

"I’m worried..."

I told you I’ll be fine.

"More importantly, I wonder what the Frontier people are like. There were all sorts of things written about them online."

"I wonder. What were some of them?"

"Something like a Grey, something like an elf, and that they look just like us, I think. Do you know any others, Nanaka-san?"

Nanapon seems like she’d be knowledgeable about this kind of thing. She’s a kid, after all...

"There was also the alien theory."

"I’d be freaked out if an alien actually showed up."

Could I even have a conversation with one? Maybe I should drink a Translation Potion before I go.

"None of them are very credible, though. But based on the Kunaar Ruins, the prevailing theory is that they aren’t that different from us."

I see. She really is knowledgeable. Looking at that place, it's true that aliens seem unlikely. That's a bit of a relief.

"Then there’s their abilities. I imagine they have skills and magic too."

"They might be unique skill holders."

"That’s possible."

"Um, should I come with you?"

Should I take Nanapon... If she had a Status Card, she could see through their skills.

"No, let’s not. It’s dangerous, and I’m the one who was summoned."

"I see..."

"You just be a good girl and go to your university classes. By the way, are you going to be able to advance to the next year?"

"Somehow... I get nearly perfect scores on my tests, so that’s not a problem."

The problem is her attendance.

"Be careful."

"It’s fine. I’m going to my afternoon classes today."

Afternoon?

"It’s almost noon."

"Ah, I have to go."

Nanapon glanced at the clock and hurriedly left.