Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Black Flower
"What is this?! Amazing!!"
Kako was giggling over the otherworldly item Tetsuo had brought.
He had invited everyone into our room to explain the merchandise.
The girl named Aoi, whom Tetsuo had brought along, was in Sana's room.
The plan was to have her looked after by Sana's guild.
If my guild were in a state to accept her, I could have taken Aoi in, but she is currently with the Princess's guild.
We are about to repeat the conquest of Floor 7, so I cannot afford to look after a level 1 adventurer.
It would be nice if we had a second team like other guilds, but the Princess's guild does not have one.
At Tetsuo's request, I also agreed to look after a man named Ichiro.
Tetsuo seemed uninterested in being an adventurer.
It seems his job is simply to clear the tasks given to him by God.
"Amazing, right?"
"Too amazing! This will turn the world upside down, right?!"
The intention is to sell the magical items brought from another world to the Yaegashi Group through Kako.
As she said, each one has an impact capable of changing this world.
The sale of the items seems to be going well, but there is one thing that worries me.
A group called the Emblem Squad came to the hotel targeting Sana.
I drove them away using Tetsuo's power, but it seems they are forcibly recruiting people who possess powers similar to the Emblem Squad, just like Sana.
I encountered the rumored Emblem Squad for the first time, and it seems their actual strength is not that high, despite being able to use their powers even away from the dungeon.
The highest rank among adventurers is likely mine.
It is unlikely that someone with greater strength exists in the streets.
"Hey, Daisuke."
Tetsuo came over to where I was.
"What is it?"
"They are twins, aren't they?"
He was comparing the Princess and Kako.
"That's right."
"I feel like their personalities aren't similar..."
"No, actually, they are quite similar."
"Not similar!"
The voices of the Princess and Kako harmonized as they listened to my conversation with Tetsuo.
"See?"
"I see~"
But more importantly, let's talk about the otherworldly items.
"Every item is amazing, right?"
I spoke to Kako, who was excitedly flashing the lamp.
"Is this real?! I'm supposed to be carrying the Yaegashi Group?!"
"There is no meaning in deceiving the Princess's older sister, right? -- Hey, Princess."
"Hehehe..."
The Princess demonstrated the Magic Bag, and a plate appeared on the table before her eyes.
"This is! The item box inside the bag, right? You can make this with magic too?!"
"The production method is unknown, but it seems to be made normally in the otherworld where he lived."
I introduced Tetsuo to Kako and explained the otherworld where he lived to her.
"...Otherworld? ...Does that really exist?"
"It does! I actually lived there. There are no such items in this world, right?"
"Y-yes, that is true..."
Kako seemed unable to fully believe Tetsuo's words.
It is not surprising, but when I ask him about the otherworld, the answers come immediately.
Cities, people's lives, cooking, geography, politics, and the structure of systems, and so on -- there is no hesitation or deception whatsoever.
"Dungeons are like the otherworld, aren't they? It wouldn't be strange if a tunnel suddenly connected to the otherworld one day."
"Hmm, that's true."
"Kako should try the Magic Bag too."
Well, she may not believe it, but the item before her eyes is real.
"...L-like this?"
She hesitantly stuck her hand into the bag.
"How is it?"
"Eh? Eh? I can tell something is inside!"
"Isn't it interesting?"
For some reason, the Princess was wearing a smug expression.
"Here!"
Something that looked like a colorful box came out of the bag.
Looking closely, it was a box of instant curry.
"Ah, you picked this up inside the Gate, didn't you?"
"The Gate... is the place where Tetsuo lived, right?"
"That's it. It connects to the otherworld, and all sorts of things fall in."
"Amazing! An item box anyone can use!"
Kako, who experienced the Magic Bag, was excited like a child.
The Princess does not show this childish side...
"By the way, is it okay to eat that curry you picked up?"
"It's fine. I was hesitant at first too -- wahaha."
"The package feels a bit Showa-era..."
"Some of them actually have Showa era dates engraved on them."
"So, does that mean the inside of that Gate is connected to Showa-era Japan?"
"It might be -- since God made it, it might be something similar to the dungeons in this world."
"So -- does that mean the dungeons are made by a different God than Tetsuo's God?"
"Well, it's possible. Actually, the fact that I was sent here -- it might be something like that."
He crossed his arms and nodded thoughtfully.
Perhaps, without realizing it, I am getting caught up in a conflict between Gods.
"I get it!"
"Are you going to buy it?"
"Of course! This is absolutely amazing! Kaorulko, prepare the hologram."
"Yes."
Kaorulko pulled the curtains with a remote control and began preparing the machine.
The room grew dark.
Watching this, Kako seemed to make a call to somewhere.
"Is the plane still on the roof?"
"No, I sent it back today -- Ah, this is Kako. Regarding the matter we discussed before departure..."
"Daisuke, what are you doing?"
Tetsuo was looking around in the darkened room.
"A hologram is a communication device using 3D video."
"Wow, Japan is advanced."
"Don't you have anything like that in the otherworld?"
"We don't have communication devices, but we had magical tools like FAX."
According to his story, they were used for communication between guilds and sharing information.
On the other hand, it seems to be a magical tool that traces the exact same movements at a distant location when writing characters.
Indeed, it is like a FAX.
"We have this too."
Tetsuo took something out of the Magic Bag.
"Is it a statue of something?"
"This is The Pointer -- that's it."
"What is that?"
"Place a statue of your mother somewhere -- then..."
The hand of the small statue he is holding is always pointing toward his mother.
"Is it like a direction finder?"
"That's right -- if you place the mother's statue at the entrance of the forest, the child will always face that way, so they won't get lost -- hahaha."
"Convenient!"
"It is a must-have item when entering the forest or the Gate."
The Gate refers to the other space where he picks up items.
"Wow~"
"I want that too!"
The Princess seems interested as well.
Indeed, if you place the master unit in the safe zone at the floor entrance, you can return without getting lost.
We are currently being taken care of by the Harpies, but they might not be there forever.
"Alright! Kaorulko, turn on the hologram switch."
"Yes."
When the device's switch was turned on, a hazy white mist rose from the center of the device along with a low rumbling sound.
Like fog rising from the water surface, it floated gently while gradually taking shape.
Soon the outline became clear, and it changed into two human figures while taking on a faint glow.
Who is the trading partner?
Since the women of the Yaegashi Group seem stronger, perhaps it is the Princess and Kako's mother.
As I was thinking, I immediately recognized the person on the right.
It was the Doctor, who conducts research for the group, whom I had spoken to via hologram before.
The other one was --.
I held my breath.
That person was sitting on a wooden chair in a black dress that seemed to wrap around her like the night itself.
The smooth fabric beautifully highlighted her silhouette, enveloping her body like quietly flowing water.
Her long skirt reached the floor, rippling slightly, spreading like a shadow.
Her hair was deep and long like a dark night, silky and smooth, long enough to cover her back.
Her figure sitting on a high-backed chair was like a noblewoman in a painting.
Her flexible and dignified posture created a silence as if time had stopped.
Her eyes were dark like a deep night lake, filled with unfathomable intelligence and mystery every time she gazed at something.
Her lips were a pale color like blood --.
Her cold yet charming smile held depth and radiated irresistible charm.
The air in the room was stretched tight by her presence, mixing beauty and coolness, elegance and dignity, creating an atmosphere so unreal it seemed to have stepped out of a story.
"Ee, great-grandmother!?"
"Eh?!"
At the Princess's surprised words, I was also surprised.
I heard her age was 120 before, but she did not look like a grandmother at all.
30s, or maybe even 20s?
It has been a long time, Sakurako. You have grown quite a bit.
"T-t-actually, are you really my great-grandmother!?"
I was lonely these days, not even coming to visit...
"You have so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren..."
Well, being told that by a great-grandchild makes Great-Grandma sad...
"There is no way..."
The Princess muttered softly.
"Um! Could it be -- like the Doctor did, you rejuvenated with an Elixir?"
Kaorulko raised her voice.
Kaorulko, it has been a long time -- that is exactly right. The Doctor experimented on his own body and found it was no problem.
"Not just extending life, but rejuvenation too -- rich people all over the world will flock to this."
If one could become young again, there would be mountains of rich people willing to pay their entire fortune.
Until now, no matter how much money one had, that was impossible.
You are the man who is dating Sakurako, aren't you?
"Y-yes -- I apologize for the late self-introduction. Niwa Daisuke."
...
She stared at me intently.
Those eyes, which held a soft light, were not just a gaze; they were directed straight at the depths of my heart as if searching.
Without blinking once, she fixed her gaze on me, and I felt something like gravity.
Even if I tried to escape, I could not resist; my gaze was entangled and drawn in, feeling as if I might drown within it.
"U-um, is something --?"
Hmm... Is there something genetic about liking older men?
She muttered something.
"Hai?"
That was my conversation -- Kako!
"Y-yes!"
Called by the woman, Kako lined up the items in front of the table and began the explanation.
Well, she was just repeating the explanation she received from Tetsuo.
I thought she would say more about the fact that I am dating the Princess, but it seems not.
If this great-grandmother is the top of the group, does that mean our relationship is already accepted?
It is a blessing that I do not have to worry unnecessarily.
The beauty in the black dress was listening intently to her great-grandchild's explanation.
I had never met a beauty like this, so I was a bit flustered -- but Tetsuo seemed fine.
I thought a man would react somewhat, but he remained calm.
"Tetsuo, you are so calm about it?"
"Huh? What is it?"
He tilted his head at my words.
"There aren't many super beauties that make you shiver, are there?"
"Oh, that. I have dealings with elves."
"Are elves that beautiful?"
"Both men and women. They are so beautiful you wouldn't think they belong to this world."
"That much?"
So, having dealings with such people means he has immunity to handsome men and beautiful women.
If everyone around you is beautiful, you might get used to it...
Living in this world, I cannot even imagine it...
While I was talking to Tetsuo, the other side seemed to finish their conversation.
I understand well. If this is real, paying even 1 trillion or 2 trillion yen would leave plenty of change.
Well, it is what the great-grandmother said.
These are items that truly change the world.
"Yes, I am just the intermediary, so please negotiate with Tetsuo on this side."
"Tetsuo. No surname. Nice to meet you."
At his introduction, the great-grandmother's eyebrows twitched slightly.
Well, he is not very polite, but it probably does not matter to him.
Once the work is done, he will return to his original world immediately, so there is no need to get along.
How soon do you want to sell these?
"Honestly, any amount is fine. Whatever amount you can pay -- that is what I want to say, but there is a condition."
Condition?
"I am a traveler from another world."
Another world? Kako!
The great-grandmother's face became stern.
Well, it is natural that it is hard to believe at first.
"From what I heard, it seems to be true. These items were also made in the otherworld..."
What is the condition from this otherworlder?
"Since I am from the otherworld, Japanese yen is useless to me. It cannot be used in the otherworld."
...That is true.
She frowned and made a difficult face.
"I spoke with the people here beforehand, but I want payment in bullion or jewelry that can be used in the otherworld."
I see... That is how it is.
"However, with the current world situation, the price of gold is rising, and demand is increasing."
As Kako said.
"Also, I heard that most of the gold held by Japan is in American bases..."
There were urban legends that the gold had already been taken out and was empty, or that no one had verified it...
There was also a story that the gold was used when the world stopped, but...
That is the gold held by the government. It is about 2 trillion yen at the current price.
"Is 2 trillion yen a lot, or is it just 2 trillion yen compared to Japan's economic scale?"
If a large amount of gold disappears from the Japanese market, the government might say something...
Even the great-grandmother seems troubled.
"If it is something that can be used in the otherworld, anything is fine..."
As Tetsuo said, it is certain that bullion is the most reliable.
Kako!
"Yes."
The two were discussing something on their terminals.
Perhaps it is because they cannot whisper with holograms.
Very well.
"Yes."
Tetsuo-san.
"Is it decided?"
We will transfer all the bullion possible and all the gems from the Emerald Dragon purchased from your Daisuke-san.
"Emerald Dragon?!"
Even Tetsuo was surprised.
"Yes, Sana and I defeated it in the dungeon. It was covered in emerald-colored gems all over its body."
Are they selling that?
"That is amazing. Gems can be used sufficiently even in the otherworld."
That green stone was said to have a special composition and does not exist in this world...
"But, is that okay?"
I asked the great-grandmother just in case.
We have no choice. This magical item will bring more profit to the group.
It is actually cheap even at 1 trillion yen, but he has the restriction that he cannot use Japanese yen.
Also, according to Tetsuo, those magical items seem to be common in the otherworld.
It is better to sell them high, but they have no intention of ripping him off.
"You don't even know if these items can be analyzed, right?"
If it fails, that cannot be helped. But this is worth risking the company's future.
It is what the great-grandmother said.
"Ah!"
I remembered something I had forgotten.
"What is it, Daisuke?"
"This Tetsuo here came from the otherworld, so he does not have a Japanese National Card. Can the Yaegashi Group do something about it?"
We will prepare it.
Seriously?
It is really possible.
Will he rely on the government?
"Yay!"
Tetsuo is happy.
It would have been inconvenient.
This way, he can probably make an adventurer card too -- but he seems uninterested in being an adventurer himself.
"Well, I could have used the amnesia trick."
"Oh, getting a temporary household registration. I see, that was a good idea~"
"It seems you can make it surprisingly quickly if you can speak Japanese fluently."
"Wow~"
Anyway, the prospect of Tetsuo's National Card is settled.
This way, shopping and other things will become easy.
"Um, Tetsuo-san. If we make a National Card, a surname is required..."
As Kako said.
"Hmm, the moment I killed my parents, I denied all my ancestors and threw them all away. My parents are only God."
In that sense, he might have the qualities of a servant of God.
"You cannot go without a surname, but a pseudonym is also necessary."
"Then make it Nanashi."
"There might be a surname called Nanashi."
I searched a bit -- it seems to exist, albeit very rarely.
"Any random kanji is fine. After all, I will return to the otherworld soon."
"I understand."
My smartphone rang.
"Hm?"
Looking at the smartphone, it was the Prime Minister.
Not a message, but a direct call.
"Yes, Niwa."
This is sudden, and I don't understand much?
"As I wrote. A group called the Emblem Squad tried to take my companion, Hasegawa Sana."
The Emblem Squad?
The Princess leaned in.
"Darling, who is it?"
"The Prime Minister."
Ah, perfect. Tell him to appear on the hologram.
"Eh?! I don't know where he is."
Just do it.
An invisible pressure was transmitted.
"Can this do three-way communication?"
"Yes."
Kako answered.
"Ah, yes -- um, Prime Minister."
What is it?
"The most important person of the Yaegashi Group says they want to appear on the hologram..."
The most important person of the group? ...No way?!
"I think that is correct. Are you somewhere you can appear on the hologram now?"
I will prepare it immediately. I am hanging up.
"I understand."
The call ended.
"It seems they will prepare it immediately."
Thank you.
She was smiling, but I did not know what she was thinking.
After waiting for a while, the great-grandmother turned to the right and started talking to something.
Presumably, the Prime Minister's hologram was appearing there.
The microphone was not muted, so I could hear the conversation.
"Eh?! Is it really Kyoko-sama?! What on earth is that appearance?!"
Well, if a 120-year-old grandmother suddenly rejuvenated, that would be shocking.
The great-grandmother's name had come up in conversation before.
It is new technology for the group. Please keep it secret.
Of course! Of course!
And there are various requests...
If it is a request from Kyoko-sama, anything.
She was like a queen.
She seemed to have asked the Prime Minister for Tetsuo's National Card.
Not amnesia, but will they make a card treating him as if he had amnesia?
Or is there a separate category for such cards?
Also, I am sorry -- but I will reduce the total amount of Japanese gold bullion a little.
"Eh?! What does that mean..."
I obtained items from the otherworld through a certain transaction.
Another world?! Another world?! Um, this is not a joke, is it?
You would be surprised.
Do you think I would tell a joke to the Prime Minister of Japan?
N-no! I apologize!
Don't worry. Something wonderful will happen that will turn the world upside down -- ho ho!
I understand!
Now I don't know who is the Prime Minister.
Besides, it is not decided that the otherworldly items can be analyzed.
Well, seeing this, I have no choice but to bet on it.
If it is truly realized, it might be possible to dominate the world.