kscans

Chapter 258 - Hmm... Why?

"How have things been lately? Are there still agents from other countries around?"

"Their numbers have decreased. But they’re still here. Especially the ones from countries whose Gates have been closed. They suspect you might still be holding onto some areas in Frontier."

What a persistent bunch.

"I’m not selling anymore. I have more money than I know what to do with."

"I bet. My country and the Japanese government are in a tough spot. They’re facing harsh criticism from both at home and abroad."

They had teamed up to win the auction, resulting in a joint leasehold. Now they were being slammed for being cowards and all sorts of other things.

"And to top it off, they still haven’t been able to open the area. It’s the worst."

"Exactly. The President and this country’s prime minister are both at their wits’ end. They say any further delays could affect their ability to stay in power."

Their approval ratings, I guess. And here I am, faithfully voting for the ruling party.

"So, about this investigation job…"

"Right, right. I heard you were quite active underground before. Let’s get this done quickly."

She was saying the same thing as Satsuki-san…

"By the way, why did you two take this job?"

"Orders. We may be Adventurers, but we’re also special, government-sanctioned agents."

Hmm…

"Just the two of you?"

"That’s right. There’s no point in going in with a large group. On your side, is it just you and your little disciple?"

"That’s right… Arc, are you coming too?" I called out toward the kitchen.

"I’m not going. I’m busy."

With games, he means.

"Just me and Agent Seven, then."

"Right, right. That little one. Okay, let’s go with the four of us. When can you be ready?"

"I’m free anytime. It depends on Agent Seven. I’ll talk to her tonight and get back to you."

"The sooner, the better. We’re being rushed on our end."

I bet…

"I understand. I’ll try to make it happen soon."

"Please do."

"Alright, I’ll contact you later… Arc, we’re leaving."

"Got it."

Arc came out of the kitchen, eating his ramen. Harry came out with him.

"Is it good?"

"It’s delicious. It has a different kind of deliciousness than ramen from a shop."

"Oh, you get it? That’s right. Shop ramen, homemade ramen, and cup ramen all have their own unique deliciousness."

I could kind of understand, but was it something to talk about so passionately?

"Is that guy even working?"

"He’s not."

I thought so.

With Arc, who was still eating his ramen, I teleported back home. When we arrived, Lydia-chan was glaring daggers at Arc for coming back with cup ramen, so I had to hurry to the nearby convenience store to buy some for her.

◆◇◆

In the evening, Kaede-chan came home with Nanapon.

"Senpai, I’m so tired." Kaede-chan sat on the sofa and hugged me.

"There, there. You worked hard. Work was tough, wasn’t it." I patted Kaede-chan’s back to comfort her.

"I hate work."

She only worked part-time, maybe once a week, but it was apparently still tough for her. I thought about suggesting she take maternity leave, but I figured the others would be weirded out, so I held my tongue.

"You have tomorrow off, so let’s just relax and have a drink tonight."

"Senpai, you’re so kind."

Kaede-chan is so cute. It’s hard to believe this is the same person who slapped me on the head this morning.

"Kaede-sama, the bath is ready. Would you like to get in?" Mia said to Kaede-chan.

"Wow, Mia-chan, you’re super kind. I will." Kaede-chan let go of me and left the living room.

"Mia?"

What are you doing? Kaede-chan let go of me. And I only get a "kind" while you get a "super kind"?

"...My apologies."

Being too competent has its downsides.

"Well, whatever. It doesn’t mean anything coming from me anyway… Nanaka-san, you heard the plan, right?"

"Yes. It’s a job like the underground ruins investigation from before, correct?" Nanapon, who had been watching my exchange with Kaede-chan with a disgusted look, returned to her serious expression.

"That’s right. Lydia-chan thinks it might be a mine. This is your time to shine with your Clairvoyance."

"It’s my turn to step up. The turn of me, C-Rank and Level 17."

………This girl has gotten stronger without me realizing. Was it the Yoshino Bootcamp…

"I see… Well, do your best."

Tch… Maybe I’ll overtake her on this adventure.

"So it will be me, Eleanor-san, and the two Americans?"

"That’s right. It will be a four-person investigation. They want us to start as soon as possible. What’s your schedule like?"

"I’m available anytime. I have no issues with university either."

Despicable cheating, I see.

"Then let’s start the day after tomorrow. Is that okay?"

"Yes. I’m looking forward to an adventure with Eleanor-san."

What a cute kid. If she could just show this honest side more often, she’d be a very cute disciple.

"Arc, that’s the plan, so I need you to send us there the day after tomorrow."

"I can do that, but how will you get back?"

"We’ll return to the Ikebukuro Branch through the Gate. I’ll call you to come pick us up."

A Gate has already been installed. We can’t go through it yet, but we can return.

"Got it. I’ll be on standby at home on the day."

Playing games, you mean.

"I’m counting on you."

After asking Arc, I took out my own Status Card and looked at it for the first time in a while.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Name: Eleanor Ocean
Level: 11
Job: Witch of Provocation
Skills:
≪Swordsmanship lv6≫
≪Speechcraft lv1≫
≪Provocation lv7≫
≪Presence Detection lv1≫
☆≪Alchemy≫
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－
Level 11
Healing Potion Lv1, Gender Reassignment Potion
Sleeping Potion, Pure Water
Translation Potion, Item Bag
Invisibility Potion, Appraisal Glasses, Appraisal Contacts
Healing Potion Lv2, Buff Potion (Strength)
Buff Potion (Speed), Buff Potion (Defense)
Auto-Map, Healing Potion Lv3
Water of Life, Cure Potion
－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

Hmm… Level 11. I’ve really fallen behind Nanapon… Though I have caught up to Arc…