kscans

Chapter 196 - One Thing After Another...

We decided to return, and Arc used her teleportation magic for us. My vision cleared almost instantly, and we were back in front of the familiar Gate.

"That was truly instantaneous."

"Well, yeah. Let’s hurry up and get out. I’m curious about the outside world."

Arc seems very interested in Feire.

"Hold on. Before that, let’s go report to Satsuki-nee-san."

That’s right. I’m sure she received the letter, but we did stay overnight. We also need to report on the business deal, and she might be worried.

"Satsuki-nee-san? Yoshino’s older sister?"

Arc asked Yoshino-san.

"She’s my cousin. The branch manager of this guild. Simply put, she’s the most important person in this facility."

"Wow. We’re going to meet her."

"Yeah. Let’s go..."

We left the Gate behind and returned to the lobby with the reception desk. As expected, there was no one in the lobby or at the reception desk.

"Nobody’s here."

"It’s closed right now. A lot has happened."

"I see."

We went straight through the reception area and arrived in front of Yoshino-san's room. Yoshino-san knocked on the door.

"Satsuki-nee-san, it’s me."

"Yoshino! Come in!"

Satsuki-san's loud voice came from inside the room. Yoshino-san and I noticed her strange energy and exchanged glances.

"What was that?"

"I don’t know. Let’s just go in."

Yoshino-san opened the door and went inside, so Arc and I followed. Inside the room, Satsuki-san was sitting alone on the sofa with her arms crossed.

"We’re back. Satsuki-nee-san, what’s wrong?"

Yoshino-san asked the oddly behaving Satsuki-san.

"Ah, welcome back. The thing is... no, wait. Who is that child?"

Satsuki-san was about to answer Yoshino-san’s question, but her expression turned suspicious when she saw Arc with us.

"This is Arc. The King of Frontier’s child. She’s here on a trip."

I pulled Arc in front of me, placed my hands on her shoulders, and introduced her.

"What? The child of the King of Frontier? Why is she here?"

"Like I said, a trip."

"That’s not it. I came to assess Feire."

Arc said something similar to what the King had said.

"Tell the truth."

Give me the real reason, not the official one.

"I came to eat!"

See?

"Wait a minute. What? Is that alright?"

"To be honest, it’s not really. Please keep this off the record. Arc will be staying with Yoshino-san."

"I, I see... I don't really get it, but I think it's a good thing to learn about other cultures."

Even Satsuki-san is flustered. A person from Frontier coming here is that big of a deal. And what's more, it's a princess.

"So, Satsuki-san, what’s wrong with you? Did something happen? You did get the letter, right?"

Maybe the letter never arrived, and she was panicking.

"Yes, the letter arrived, and I’ve told Kaede too. It’s just that a problem has come up."

"A problem?"

"That’s right. Before that, tell me. Did the negotiations go well?"

"Of course. We’re rolling in money. It’s on a whole different level from that underground ruin."

This room might get buried in money. Though we haven't been paid yet.

"I see... That’s good. Now, let me tell you our problem."

"Go ahead."

"The story about that inquiry was leaked to the media."

What?

"Isn’t that a bit fast?"

It was only yesterday.

"Yes, it's fast. What's more, the fact that you received an invitation from Frontier was also leaked."

"Are you stupid? What were you thinking..."

"The one who leaked it was that certain great sensei you have a connection with."

Great sensei...

"Could it be, Shindo-sensei?"

He’s the congressman who barged in on my negotiations with the Headquarters Director and tried to buy a Healing Potion Lv2 for a million yen.

"That’s right. He’s completely lost his standing. And his embezzlement was leaked to the media. It seems he leaked this matter in exchange for them not reporting on it, as a sort of diversion."

Hey! What the hell is he doing!

"He’s got to be kidding me."

"I know. The government will deal with Shindo-sensei appropriately. The problem is how to handle the media."

I wonder what "appropriately" means. Oh well.

"Handling the media?"

"You, go hold a press conference."

"What? Me? Why?"

"We can’t get the situation under control. That was the request from the government and the Director. Go spin some tall tales and smooth things over."

Spin some tales... You're the one being careless.

"A press conference, huh..."

And I haven’t even caused a scandal...

"You can just say you don't know anything."

"Like that would work."

"You’re quitting anyway, right?"

Ah, well, that’s true. Eleanor-san will mostly disappear from the public eye, so it doesn't really matter.

"Hmm..."

What should I do? No, wait. This might be a good opportunity.

"I suppose it can’t be helped. I’ll do it."

"Really! Then I’ll contact the Director. Get ready to go immediately."

"Huh? Right now?"

"The media and the internet are already in an uproar. The sooner, the better."

Everyone sure loves Eleanor-san.

"By the way, you’re coming too, right? You’ll be by my side?"

I remember her saying we’d do a press conference together once.

"I’ve been told before that this is a Guild problem and has nothing to do with the Ikebukuro Guild, so I will not be attending. I’ll be watching on TV. The Director will be with you, so do your best!"

She ran away... I think it’s one of the seven wonders of the world that this woman doesn’t have a unique skill.

"Hah... Well, fine. I just have to do it, right?"

Can't be helped.

...I shall teach the world the terror of the Golden Witch.