kscans

Chapter 213 - Maybe I Should Have Been a Teacher?

It appeared Eleanor-san had zero credibility.

"Then let's do this. To be honest, I was already planning to hold an information session for the auction, and I'll have Guild officials participate as well."

"Hmm? An information session?"

the Director asked.

"You don't know what kind of place the Emeraldas Mountains are, do you? So I thought I'd give a tour beforehand."

"What? A tour?"

"That's right. It's better for you to see it for yourselves, and then I'll explain the details."

"Wait a minute! Is such a thing even possible!?"

The Director shot to his feet and yelled.

"So this is the infamous power harassment. Poor Yoshino-san."

Down with toxic workplaces.

"This isn't power harass... No, my apologies. It's a bad habit of mine."

The Director lowered his tone and sat back down.

"Yoshino-san might sue you. You could be facing a claim for damages, so you should calm down."

She's a money-grubber, after all.

"You're right. That doesn't sound like a joke at all, so I'll do that."

That woman has a perfect memory, so she'll remember every detail.

"You should. To get back to the point, you don't really know anything about the Emeraldas Mountains, do you? That's why I want you to go there yourselves and let each country decide whether they want it or not. I don't want any complaints later."

"I understand that, but how will we get there?"

"You'll go through the Gate, of course. I'll connect it to the Emeraldas Mountains only at a specified Gate and time, so please summon the representatives from each country."

I'm counting on you, Arc! ...Don't give me that annoyed look.

"You can do that!?"

"Oh? I can close the Gates, you know. The reverse is also true."

That's a lie, though.

"No, but... h, how?"

"That's a secret. I'm not going to tell you, and you wouldn't understand even if I did."

"Hmm... But if we call for applicants, won't it be a large number of people?"

That was a good point.

"Two people from each country. A representative and a guard. There will be monsters, after all."

The presentation will be an hour long. It's a pain.

"Hmm, two people... Will the countries agree to that?"

"If they don't agree, they don't have to participate, right? Just create some documents and distribute them later."

"Hmm... Could we send some Guild members in advance?"

"I don't mind, but don't let them rush in and get killed by monsters. And just so you know, you can't bring adventurers. That wouldn't be fair."

They'd leak information immediately.

"Understood. I will convey that to the Guild."

"Please do. And this is non-negotiable, but the auction will be conducted in gold, not in national currencies."

"Gold? You mean it will be decided by weight?"

"That's right. I thought it would be fair. And I like gold."

I am the Golden Witch, after all.

"Hmm, well, using yen like we have been would likely cause arguments, so that might be for the best..."

Exactly.

"So that's the plan."

"Understood. I will pass this along. Sakurai, are you all right with this as well?"

The Director checked with Satsuki-san, who was listening with a look of disinterest.

"I don't care either way."

She has no motivation at all. It's probably because I guaranteed her a cut.

"Then we will proceed with this plan. I will have the Guild inform you of their decision after they've deliberated."

"Please do it quickly. If it takes too long, I'll just ask America."

"...I will pass that along as well. Now, if you'll excuse me."

The Director said, then stood up and exited the room.

"Ah, what a pain. There's no way I was needed for this. Everyone just passing the buck."

Satsuki-san said, then started to lie down on the sofa.

"You're the Guild Master, aren't you?"

"I am. That's why the responsibility fell to me. But I'm not trusted, so they'll assign the Director... Seriously, what a bunch of idiots."

Well, I can't say I disagree.

"Still, that ended surprisingly quickly. I thought there'd be more of an argument."

Arc tilted his head.

"Ah, that. The Director knows that Eleanor made a deal with America. A secret treaty was concluded between America and Japan yesterday."

"They move fast."

"It's a race against time. It seems other countries are starting to make similar moves here and there."

Huh. Everyone's so clever.

"The problem is that only Japan and America have been able to make contact with Eleanor..."

Arc fell into thought.

"That's right. It's interesting to walk around Ikebukuro these days. You see a lot of foreigners you've never seen before."

Seriously...

"Really?"

"Really. The world has officially designated you an inhuman monster. Before, you were just a merchant, but now you're a genuine witch. A being they want even if it comes with risks."

Being this popular is a real pain.

"Are they planning to make an enemy of me?"

"If they fail, they'll just shift the blame to some other country. That's their plan."

How dirty.

"America's enemies?"

"They'll likely be at the center of it. America chose the path of friendship with you early on and succeeded. The countries that fell behind are desperate to catch up."

Friendship? I was abducted and had a gun pointed at me, though.

"Satsuki-san, will you be okay?"

You won't get kidnapped like some pipsqueak?

"Who do you think I am? I'd just fight them off. Besides, no fool would try to do something to a Guild branch manager."

"Why does the Guild have so much power?"

"Because we've been entrusted by Frontier with the management and maintenance of the Gates. Making an enemy of the Guild is a huge risk."

Huh... Come to think of it, I think I learned that in the initial training course.

"I see. It looks like I really can't walk around outside anymore."

"It's better that you don't. Otherwise, a firefight with your two friends will break out."

Claire and Harry, huh. I wonder if something like a Hollywood movie will happen in Ikebukuro.

"Arc, I'm counting on you."

His teleportation magic is my only hope.

"That's fine, but be careful at that information session. There might be assassins disguised as bodyguards."

"They can't use heavy weaponry in Frontier, you know. I'm not allowing adventurers, so I'll just fight off any assassins. Who do you think I am?"

My Swordsmanship is level six!

"You're saying the same thing as Satsuki... Why are people from Feire so aggressive?"

"You need to assess that aspect too. So, sorry, but you'll have to help me a bit during the information session."

"Sure, that's fine. I'm curious about your auction, and I want to see what the people from the other countries are like."

Oh! Has he finally awakened to his role as a king?

It must be thanks to my education!