kscans

Chapter 175 - Respective Motives (Japan)

"Is it over?"

A middle-aged man wearing glasses approached us as we stood there, able to do nothing more than watch Eleanor leave so briskly.

"Prime Minister... yes. Eleanor Ocean has returned from Frontier and left in a hurry."

The Headquarters Director answered the Prime Minister, who had been waiting alone in Satsuki-neesan's room.

"I see. I had hoped to speak with her..."

"Please, do not. That woman is as dangerous as we thought. It seems she told a person from Frontier that she would cut them down."

Well, that's just like Okita-kun. He isn't the type to pick a fight, but he's definitely the type who will buy one. Actually, it feels more like he just wants to show off his Swordsmanship. And he's a little bit of a psycho on top of that.

"Cut them down, you say... She is not a sane person. But does her return mean the Golden Witch was not from Frontier?"

"No, about that..."

The Headquarters Director hesitated.

"What is it?"

"I asked that very question, but she dodged it. She said we would receive a response to our inquiry later."

I haven't told Okita-kun this, but Japan was actually one of the countries that made an inquiry.

"Hmm, so we are to wait longer..."

The Prime Minister probably wants to tell the media as soon as possible. Day by day, the criticism of Eleanor Ocean is shifting toward criticism of the government and the Guild.

"We have no choice but to wait. Now is a time for patience."

"Her returning means she is not from Frontier. Can we not make an announcement based on that assumption?"

"The Witch's words just now were loaded. There is something more to this. We must not be hasty here."

I have a feeling that's true as well. The only reason no one can touch Eleanor is because of her threat to close the Gates. If it turns out Eleanor is not from Frontier, the possibility of that happening decreases significantly. Okita-kun would hate that, so he must have some sort of plan in motion. He may say and do foolish things, but he is by no means a fool.

"Hmm, then we shall wait... What about the Guild? Will you also wait?"

"I believe so. We will relay that to the Americans as well."

"Understood. I will do the same... Still, I never imagined that witch and America had such a close relationship."

No, they're not close at all. Eleanor has no interest in America or Japan. She just wants to make money. Well, same as me, though...

"Was the matter with Shindo-sensei the problem, after all?"

"Don't mention it... I am utterly exhausted with Shindo-san."

Okita-kun has probably forgotten all about that Shindo-sensei...

"Headquarters Director, is it fine to wait until the announcement before we reopen?"

Satsuki-neesan asked, completely failing to read the room.

"Ah, yes. That will be fine. Though it depends on the announcement..."

It might be better to ask Okita-kun about this.

"Got it. Well, I'm taking a break for a while. Don't call me."

Satsuki-neesan is incredible. Why doesn't a person like her have a unique skill?

"Do as you please... Prime Minister, let us return to your office. We must discuss our next steps."

"Indeed."

Should I head home too?

"Prime Minister!"

Just as I was thinking about maybe stopping by Okita-kun's place, a man in a suit burst in through the back entrance.

"Don't just come into someone's guild without permission..."

Satsuki-neesan muttered a complaint. What a powerhouse. But really, why does this person not have a unique skill while I do? She's definitely the more unique one.

"My apologies. He is my secretary... What is it!?"

The Prime Minister apologized to Satsuki-neesan for her complaint, then turned to the secretary who had rushed in.

"We just received a response from the Frontier side!"

Eh? That was fast!

"It has come already!?"

"Yes!"

"And what did they say?"

"Yes! Ahem, they were unable to prove that Eleanor Ocean is a person of Frontier. Therefore, they will not demand her extradition. However, she is without a doubt an entity of unknown origin, and there is a high probability that she is a genuine witch, so it would be wise to exercise caution. That is what they said."

Ehh...

"W-what does that mean!?"

the Prime Minister asked again.

"I-I'm not sure myself... If I had to interpret it, it means Eleanor Ocean might be from Frontier, or she might not be."

That's a literal interpretation.

"I know that!! I am asking what this response means! It is not a response at all!"

"Prime Minister, please calm down."

The Headquarters Director admonished the angered Prime Minister.

"Ah, my apologies... You have my apologies as well."

The Prime Minister apologized to the Headquarters Director and his secretary. For someone in such a high position, he doesn't act high and mighty.

"Not at all... Prime Minister, in short, it means she is an entity that even Frontier cannot comprehend. That witch may be a far more terrifying being than we can imagine."

"A high probability of being a genuine witch... huh."

She's not even a witch, she's a man. What's more, she can't even use magic.

"Prime Minister, it says there is no demand for extradition, so we have no choice but to announce that. We just need not mention the part about her being a witch."

The secretary advised the Prime Minister.

"What shall we tell the Americans?"

"It is likely that America has made the same inquiry as we have. Let us tell them exactly what we were told."

"What do you think will happen if the results of this inquiry leak to the media or the public?"

"She would be officially certified as a witch. In truth, her abilities are exactly those of a witch."

Hmm, Eleanor's presence just keeps growing and growing.

"Headquarters Director, do you think it will leak?"

"I doubt it will leak from Japan... However, foreign countries..."

It seems like it's only a matter of time before it leaks.

"We must also consider how to handle that... Let us convene immediately! We are returning!"

"Yes!"

The Prime Minister took the Headquarters Director and his secretary and headed for the back exit. Only Satsuki-neesan and I were left.

"Satsuki-neesan, what do you think? Is this Okita-kun's bluff?"

"No, it's a buyout. The response is clearly just what Okita-kun intended. I don't know if it was those gold bars or some other item, but he must have given them something in return and asked them to make that announcement. Otherwise, the phrase 'high probability of being a genuine witch' makes no sense."

I think so too. After all, Okita-kun can't use magic, so there's no way he could be certified as a witch.

"Maybe I'll ask Okita-kun..."

"Let's do that. Call Kaede and let's head over to his house."

That sounds like a good idea. Right about now, Okita-kun is probably either in that taxi of his or changing clothes in the cold air.