kscans

Chapter 212 - The Discussion

When Arc and I entered Satsuki-san's room, we found not only Satsuki-san but also the Director already seated on the sofa, waiting for us.

"My apologies for being late."

We were still ten minutes early for the appointment, but I apologized just in case.

"It's fine. Go on, sit down."

Satsuki-san gestured for us to sit, so Arc and I took our seats across from her and the Director.

"Eleanor-kun, who is this child?"

As expected, the Director asked about Arc.

"My disciple."

"...That's not right."

Arc protested in an incredibly soft voice.

"A disciple? Do you have others besides Yokokawa-kun?"

Oh my. So they do know about Nanapon. Well, of course they would.

"Yokokawa? Who's that? My only disciples are this child and Agent Seven."

"...I see. I've read the reports, but I don't quite understand what Agent Seven means. More importantly, why did you bring this child with you?"

I don't understand the meaning of Agent Seven either.

"This is Arc. I brought him along for his education. He won't be speaking, so you don't need to mind him."

In fact, this sort of thing would be a good lesson for him as the next king.

"I see... I would prefer outsiders not be present, but I suppose it cannot be helped. Sakurai, are you all right with this?"

The Director looked at Satsuki-san. Right, her last name was Sakurai.

"I don't mind either. I know him, and I trust him more than Eleanor, at least."

How cruel... Arc was even nodding with a straight face.

"If you say so, then it's fine. Now then, let's get straight to the main topic."

"Right... Director, if you would."

Satsuki-san nodded and passed the responsibility to the Director.

"Are you not the one in charge of this meeting?"

"I'm not trusted by the Guild or by you people. You all think I'm one of the witch's cronies, don't you?"

"You really don't have any credibility, do you... How pathetic."

And you're a Guild Master, too.

"That's exactly right."

Satsuki-san looked me straight in the eye and nodded.

"What do you mean by that?"

"How pathetic..."

This witch...!

"...See, she really is a damn witch."

Arc snickered.

"Be quiet. Director-san, this person cannot be trusted at all, so please proceed."

"Don't fight... I don't know what to do."

Now the Director was scolding us...

"I'm sorry. This room is full of people with the Provocation skill."

My level was fi... four, Satsuki-san's was five, and Arc's was as high as six.

"This was clearly a mistake in personnel selection..."

The sensible people must have run away.

"Please begin."

"Right. First of all, am I correct in understanding that you wish to put an area of Frontier up for auction?"

"That's right. However, as I explained at the press conference, it is strictly a land lease."

We're only lending it.

"I understand that. But what about the one hundred year period?"

"That was just a random number. I've only received the land lease rights for Earthlings from the Frontier King. When I die, those rights return to the King. But I could die tomorrow in a car accident or from an illness, and in that case, it would feel like a scam, so I decided on one hundred years."

Though I doubt I'll get sick, since I have Cure Potions.

"Hmm, one hundred years..."

"Is that too short?"

"Probably."

"Then let's make it a contract renewal every one hundred years. The negotiation rights will be given to the winning bidder. If a country wins the bid, then it's the country. They can negotiate with the King in one hundred years."

Either way, everyone here will be dead by then. The King will probably be dead too, so it'll be Arc's child, or grandchild...

"I understand that, but are you allowed to decide that on your own?"

"I received those rights as well."

To be blunt, I have been given complete rights to the Emeraldas Mountains. The King said I could do whatever I wanted with them. So I could make it a permanent right, but after hearing the King's story the other day, I decided this way was better. After all, I don't care what happens after I die, and my future children probably won't want a mountain.

"How is such a thing possible?"

"No personal questions. And just so you know, I'm not the King's mistress or concubine."

I would hate that, and so would the King. I am a man, after all.

"Did you go to Frontier using that invitation? We shouldn't have given permission..."

"Actually, I was suddenly kidnapped. It was quite a shock."

Arc, don't glare at your master. Don't look so offended.

"That sounds suspicious..."

He has no trust in me.

"Well, does it really matter? It's a Christmas present to everyone in the world."

Be grateful, be very grateful.

"If I were in the Director's position, I would have punched you."

"I would have punched you too."

You elites of Provocation, shut up!

"I am an adult, so I will not resort to violence."

See there.

"What a composed person. A truly wonderful character."

Just what I'd expect from someone who became a Director.

"Huh? Is this damn witch trying to provoke him?"

"She has a habit of doing things like this..."

I told you to be quiet.

"Ahem! Let's move on. We will set aside how you obtained the area in Frontier. The problem is that we have no way of knowing if this is genuine."

"Meaning?"

"There is an opinion within both the Guild and the government that you are deceiving us."

Honestly, I have no credibility.

"Was saying it would be the 'final auction' a bad move?"

"It was. There's a view that you intend to make one last big score and then skip town."

"If you can't trust me, why not just not participate in the auction?"

And then you can regret it later.

"Yes, that's true. But since the Guild is hosting it, we need some form of guarantee. The Guild's credibility is at stake."

That makes sense.

"Then why don't you hand it over to the Americans? Their President is a good person. He raised his hand immediately."

Spoken like a true friend.

"There's an opinion that that is also suspicious. Every country and organization is aware that you are connected to the United States."

"I'm not connected to them. They're just one of my good customers. Some country tried to steal a Level 2 Healing Potion for a million yen."

Nyaah, nyaah.

"...That was the work of individuals with no connection to our country or the Guild."

So that unpleasant guy and Shindo-sensei were completely cut loose... Serves them right.

"Hmm. Still, this lack of trust..."

What should I do? It's a hassle, so I could just leave it to America...

"Would it be a problem if America hosted the auction?"

"Please, absolutely do not do that. I'm begging you."

The Director bowed his head as low as it could possibly go.

"Hmm. What about you, Satsuki-san?"

"I'd like to say do whatever you want, but if America takes it, I'll be fired."

"Do you want to quit?"

"I'd get plenty of money... but there's Nanapon. If someone doesn't keep an eye on her, she'll do something stupid."

That's possible... Best case, she gets caught by some other Guild Master. Worst case, she gets captured by a shady organization.

"I suppose it can't be helped. Let's make it a Guild auction."

"Thank you."

The problem is trust... Now, what to do...