Chapter 56 - Chapter 56: Continuing the Work
Suddenly summoned by a university professor, I went diving into a dungeon lightly.
It seemed she wanted to see the Harpy I had become friends with.
She was surprised to see that I could truly communicate with monsters.
As a reward -- for joining the New Humanity Project of me and the Princess.
Having experts participate as advisors is a great help.
The Yaegashi Group seems to have experts too, but judging from the Princess and Kaorulko's reactions, it seems better not to get too involved with them.
I received an additional reward and left the dungeon with a beaming smile.
But then -- recently, isn't it too much that a normal middle-aged man like me is so popular?
Could it be that my hidden status values have risen significantly now that I am a high-level adventurer?
I am so popular with young girls that it makes people misunderstand things like that.
I had planned to return to my hometown as soon as I earned money as an adventurer, but this kind of life might be nice too.
-- That's when I started thinking that.
At my age, aging should be starting soon, but with the benefits of being high-level, maybe aging can be slowed down.
Thinking about it that way, there are merits to continuing as an adventurer.
Well, even so, I think there are limits...
I was about to return to the hotel, but I was caught by Oga-san on the way.
Here too, I ended up having a one-on-one match with her.
Since I don't get tired as long as I eat, I can enjoy it as much as I want.
This sense of omnipotence is hard to give up.
When you reach high levels, it's understandable that people start getting delusions.
After finishing the match with Oga-san, I returned to the hotel.
"Welcome back~ Darling!"
Sitting on the sofa was someone with the same face as the Princess, but not her.
It was Kako, the Princess's older sister.
"You're late! You said you were just going to the weapon shop!"
Sitting right in front of her was the Princess, angry that my return was late.
"I just happened to meet an acquaintance and got talking about the dungeon and such."
Of course, it was a lie, but half of it was true.
"...You have acquaintances in the Special District?"
"Before the world stopped, I lived in Tokyo."
"Oh, is that so?!"
Kaorulko was surprised by my words.
"That's right. I was just visiting my hometown, and the world stopped and I couldn't come back."
"What happened to the house in Tokyo?"
"Since I can't go back, it's just as it is. I couldn't dispose of it, and I couldn't contact the landlord or real estate agents either."
After that, it was just a matter of how things turned out, but I have no idea what the result was.
Fortunately, my parents' home had everything needed for living, so I managed somehow.
For those who got caught up in this while traveling, they must have suffered quite a bit.
"So that's how it was."
The whole world really became unable to move, turning into a survival from zero.
I had a field in the countryside, and I could live off the land, which was a huge help.
Many people must have lost their lives.
"By the way, Kako-san, please stop calling him Darling."
"That's fine."
"It's not fine! He is my Darling!"
"Guu nuu..."
As the Princess and Kako glared at each other, a message came into my smartphone.
It was from Hareyama-san of the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy.
『Production of the additional tanks is also complete. How about we proceed now?』
"No problem. We apologize sincerely for the interruption due to our troubles."
『No, no, you went through a terrible ordeal, so I thought it was unavoidable.』
-- And so, I was going to continue the work at the nuclear power plant.
There is only a little bit of the treated water left.
"Princess, I'm going to work for a bit."
"W-Where?!"
"To the north, the nuclear power plant ruins."
"There is work there?"
"Yes, it's work using the Item Box."
"Muu~"
"There is also an unprepared dungeon nearby."
"Really?!"
The Princess bit on it.
It seems she wants to go with me and dive into the dungeon, but this is government work.
"Was that place mentioned by Daisuke-san before?"
"It's the place where we got lots of potions -- I'll ask the official in charge."
"Please do."
The Princess is already excited, full of intent to come along... but I wonder.
"It really is an unprepared dungeon, so there's a possibility there's nothing there?"
"I know."
"The time spent diving might not be that long either."
"I understand."
Well, maybe she just wants to go with me.
I sent a message to Hareyama-san.
『A high-level adventurer wishes to accompany us. Is that a problem?』
『Eh? An accompanying person?』
"Is it really not allowed?"
『Let me inquire a bit.』
"Thank you very much."
『By the way -- who is this high-level adventurer accompanying you?』
"They are the top rankers, Cherry Princess and Empress."
I haven't confirmed with Kaorulko, but she will probably go.
She is a guild member, and she is always with the Princess.
『Understood. Please wait a moment.』
I waited for a while.
"How is it?!"
The Princess hugged me.
"I don't know yet. They are inquiring now."
"Daisuke-san. How do we get there? By car?"
At Kaorulko's words, I pointed up.
"A helicopter will pick us up on the roof of this building."
"If that's the case, adding one or two people shouldn't be a problem."
"No, if it's a two-seater small helicopter, it's impossible."
"Muu~"
The Princess has an unhappy face, but this is national work, so it can't be helped.
While waiting, I received a call from Hareyama-san.
『OK!』
"Really? Thank you."
I never thought it would be OK.
Well, it would be a help for us.
But still, I can't imagine it being interesting to go to such a place...
"Sakurako is being unfair!"
Kako suddenly started getting angry.
"She isn't being unfair. You should just be working hard under your mother."
"The opponent isn't Father, it's Mother."
"My mother holds the actual power of the Yaegashi Group."
It seems the group is a matrilineal family generation after generation.
Is Father a Masuo-san type?
Kako seems to be learning something like imperial studies to inherit the group while helping her mother.
"Isn't that amazing? The Yaegashi Group is one of the top companies in the world, right?"
"Yes, well..."
"Isn't it like you have already seized the world?"
"T-That is so..."
"They say born with a silver spoon, but it's not silver, it's diamond."
"..."
"I hated that, so I left home."
The Princess said that, but to those who have nothing, it just looks like a luxurious worry.
"The Princess also became a top ranker with her own power, so that's amazing. You showed that your power is real."
"Hehe, that's right."
"But Kaorulko, who is forced to keep up with you, must have a hard time."
"I'm used to it now."
Kaorulko has a face as if she has realized something, but she is also listed among the top rankers, so her ability is amazing.
She does more than just adventurer work; she handles office tasks and negotiations with other groups.
Could she be the type who could even become a politician?
If she stood on the main stage with those breasts, she might become more popular than the Princess.
"I didn't do it because I wanted to either..."
Kako, who had been listening to our conversation, muttered.
"Oh, is that so? Then you should leave home too."
"..."
Kako fell silent at the Princess's words.
She probably doesn't have the confidence to run away from home and manage on her own.
A child born with a diamond spoon can't suddenly live a poor life.
Well, I think she has savings with an amount that ordinary adventurers wouldn't touch.
Even the Princess must have borrowed her family's prestige at first.
She probably didn't start from a completely blank zero point.
Between zero yen in possession and 100 million yen in possession -- which is easier is obvious.
"Alright, now I have to have a match with Darling. Outsiders, get out, get out!"
The Princess took Kako's hand and started pushing her firmly toward the door.
Against the power of an adventurer, there is no resistance.
"Hey, hey, is that how you treat your older sister?!"
"I cut ties with my parents' home, so it doesn't matter."
"Heyyy!"
Kako was thrown out into the hallway.
"Isn't that pitiful?"
"If you spoil her, she'll get arrogant, so it's no good."
"Is that so?"
Looking at Kaorulko, she has a troubled face.
"If you're not careful, she might target Darling."
"Yes, in that case, Kako-san is a no-go."
"Of course!"
Judging from the Princess's reaction, touching Kako seems to be out.
She might be admiring her as an older sister in some way.
Well, there are plenty of OK girls, so there's no need to go out of my way to touch a no-go girl.
So, let's have an unlimited one-on-one match with the Princess~.
I've been having matches all day today.
-- The day after diving into the dungeon with the professor.
I make breakfast from items in the Item Box.
The Princess and Kaorulko are eating sandwiches ordered via room service.
The hotel seems to have a buffet-style morning, so using that is an option.
Those kinds of things are mostly similar, so they are delicious if you eat them occasionally.
But if you eat them every day, you'd get bored quickly.
While eating, a message came.
It was from Hareyama-san.
The pickup will come at 9 o'clock.
I told them the number of people increased, and permission was obtained, so it won't be a small helicopter.
Will it be a tiltrotor aircraft again?
That thing flies fast, so it's nice.
"Princess, the pickup comes at 9, so get ready. Even if you say you're late because of makeup, they won't wait."
"She wouldn't say that."
"Hehe, is that so? My guild members used to say things like that without a second thought."
"You must have had a hard time."
"The Princess isn't wearing much makeup, but Kaorulko is. She probably couldn't do it when she was thrown into the deep layers."
"Well, just in case..."
"...Darling, do you think you should wear makeup?"
"Eh~? Well, men don't really care about that kind of thing."
If it's a blind date or marriage party to make a one-shot hit, I suppose a strategy of fully arming with makeup to attract attention is possible...
"I-Is that so?"
"Oh, no -- this is just my opinion as an old man, so don't take it as reference. Anyway, I don't care about makeup at all."
Basically, if you are doing farm work in the countryside, it doesn't matter.
I might wear sunscreen, though.
"I see."
"Maybe just for events or ceremonies?"
"In those cases, even I will do it?"
"Hehehe, inside a dungeon, there's no need to wear sunscreen."
"Oh, that's true~"
Kaorulko seems to agree with that.
Sunburns also cause spots easily.
The Princess wears her usual bikini armor style with a robe over it.
Kaorulko wears the Breast-Curtain Dress style, where her lower breasts are dazzling.
"High-performance drop items really can't be discarded, huh?"
"It's embarrassing, but since I can't choose my stomach over my back... once we enter the dungeon, no one will be there..."
Well, normally, in deep layers where two people dive, adventurers are rare.
Only a limited number of high-level adventurers can reach that far.
I equipped my usual modern black armor.
As someone once said, "If it doesn't hit, it doesn't matter."
No matter how high-performance the drop items are, an old man's embarrassing outfit...
If you are beautiful and have a good figure, an outfit like Empress would suit you, but...
For an old man, it would just be a gag.
Once preparations were complete, the time came.
The hotel side confirmed the use of the helipad, so the sister who usually guides us came.
Clanking my armor, I walked down the hallway.
"Boarding the helipad without permission and flying off without permission..."
"We cannot allow that."
Just in case something happens, there must be a person in charge and a responsible party.
If you don't follow the set procedures properly, insurance won't pay out in case of an accident.
I heard that security companies have problems even if the uniform is slightly different.
Since it took a while, I took a video from the rooftop.
I took it before, but let's try to capture a different place this time.
As I was recording, I heard a roar.
"Oh my..."
Seeing the aircraft flying in the sky, Kaorulko raised her voice.
"What's wrong?"
"It's our aircraft."
"Huh?"
It is a white tiltrotor aircraft, but indeed, it is not the Self-Defense Forces.
"They must have sent it since we are moving..."
The Princess says she left home, but seeing this, she hasn't completely left.
Well, her parents must be worried.
I understand that.
With the roar and wind like a typhoon, a large bird descended.
When the door, which serves as a ramp, opened, Hareyama-san was waving her hand.
I hurriedly ran to the door.
"I'm sorry for asking too much!"
"No! We are grateful to lend such a splendid aircraft!"
Since it was a conversation in the roar, I shouted loudly as usual.
"Muu!"
Since my contact person was a woman, the Princess was on guard again.
I don't just grab hands at random.
Well, if Hareyama-san gives me various rewards, I wouldn't mind.
Inside, it was completely different from the Self-Defense Forces aircraft I rode before.
The Self-Defense Forces aircraft had visible airplane frames and simple chairs to some extent.
This was a luxurious lounge, with expensive sofas and tables lined up.
In front of the aircraft were high-end white leather seats.
Just these would cost millions... as I was thinking, a hand rose from one of the seats.
"Yo!"
A man in a dark suit looked at us -- it was the Prime Minister.
"Good morning!"
"We are taking off, so please sit in the seats."
Told by Hareyama-san, I sat on the slippery leather seat and fastened the seatbelt.
The Princess and others sat together and fastened their belts.
『Taking off』
As the voice came from the airplane speaker, the engine noise increased.
Feeling weightlessness for a moment, the plane soared into the sky.
It seems to be a civilian aircraft of the Yaegashi Group, so soundproofing measures seem to be in place.
It is quiet enough to have a normal conversation.
Looking around, there are no escort aircraft.
Do they think there is no threat from external enemies anymore?
"Is the Prime Minister also traveling for work?"
"No, that's part of it..."
He was glancing at the Princess.
"Do you have something to say to her?"
"Hehe -- well, it is something..."
He seems to be speaking indistinctly.
The plane entered horizontal flight, but with this aircraft, it would reach the destination immediately.
"What is it?"
The Princess seems to have noticed the Prime Minister's gaze.
"No -- I am always indebted to your mother."
As expected, the leader of the Yaegashi Group is on the same level as the Prime Minister of a country.
"My mother has nothing to do with this."
"Hehehe."
The Prime Minister gave a bitter smile at the Princess, who wouldn't budge.
For adventurers, the only thing that matters is their own strength, whether in heaven or earth.
The Prime Minister's connections and prestige do not work in the darkness of the otherworld.
"Well -- my granddaughter..."
"Do you have a granddaughter?"
Since the Princess was silent, I became the conversation partner.
"That's right. That girl is a big fan of Cherry Princess."
Now I understood the strange reason for the Prime Minister's demeanor.
"Ah -- in the past, it would be a signature, but what do you do in times like these?"
"...Photos... maybe?"
The Princess seems confused too.
"Princess, is it okay to take a photo?"
"It's fine..."
"Prime Minister, is a photo okay? You're not bringing a color board like in the old days, are you?"
At my words, the Prime Minister made an awkward face.
"S-Sorry!"
He took out a color board and a marker from his bag and held them out in front of us.
"Color boards are still sold?"
"What do we do with this?"
She also seems confused receiving a color board.
"Have you never written a signature?"
"Eh? No such thing..."
There seems to be a huge generation gap.
"Write your name on this."
"Ah -- I might have seen something like that."
Since there are no dedicated signatures, I decided to have her write only "Cherry Princess".
I also asked for the granddaughter's name.
"...Kaorulko -- ◯◯, what kanji is that?"
"Please wait a moment."
Kaorulko searched on her smartphone.
"You can use a smartphone even inside this plane?"
"Yes, you can."
She said this was an aircraft of their family group, so she probably knows the specifications.
I got the kanji from Kaorulko, and the Princess drew her pen name on the color board.
It included the granddaughter's name.
"Umm..."
I hate to say it -- it's bad.
In the past, calligraphy was a standard hobby, but things are different now.
A young lady of the Yaegashi Group seems like she would do various hobbies...
"..."
Perhaps thinking she is bad herself, the Princess turns red.
"It's okay, it's cute."
As proof of what the Princess wrote, we took a photo along with the color board.
"I thought a super young lady would be busy with hobbies since childhood..."
"Miss Sakurako hated those things and ran away everywhere."
The Princess handed the signed color board to the Prime Minister.
"Politicians often write with brush pens for ceremonies, so there must be many people who do calligraphy."
"Well, if the Prime Minister of a country had bad handwriting, it wouldn't look good, right?"
"That's true -- actually, it's a bit disappointing."
"Hehehe. There are politicians who don't have that kind of sense."
Anyway, the Prime Minister who received the Princess's signature seems happy.
The Prime Minister is also weak for grandchildren.
"Hareyama-san, does this aircraft go directly to the dungeon helipad?"
"Oh, no -- since the new tank is at the ruins..."
"I understand."
I have to replenish the tanks I threw into the dungeon.
It must be difficult to transport them in that mountainous dungeon.
It would be difficult for a large trailer to move on winding roads.
The plane arrived at the nuclear power plant ruins.
The round tank groups gradually came into view, but it seems they have already started to be dismantled.
It would be simple to process if they were thrown somewhere in the Item Box, but it doesn't go that smoothly.
The helipad gradually approached, and my body bounced.
I was ready to get off immediately, but the Prime Minister seems to stay on board and go somewhere else.
He really seems to have hitched a ride just to get a signature.
How much does he want to butter up his granddaughter?
When everyone landed on the helipad, the tiltrotor aircraft took off, leaving a violent wind like a tornado.
"The Prime Minister has a hard time too."
"Hehe, yes."
Kaorulko is laughing, which is rare.
"Are your grandfathers like that too?"
"Yes, well -- but the person in charge of the group is Neneko-sama."
Neneko -- probably Kaorulko's aunt, the Princess's mother.
Before the world stopped, a female hero who dominated other countries -- what kind of person is she?
Did she make the Princess stronger?
She seems very scary, so if possible, I don't want to meet her.
-- But of course, since the Princess and I are in this relationship, we will have to meet eventually.
"Princess, I want to meet your mother someday..."
"Why?!"
At my words, she turned to me with a severe face.
"Why... well, since we are in this relationship now. If we have children, that kind of talk will inevitably come up..."
If we keep having unlimited one-on-one matches, that will happen for real sooner or later.
"It has nothing to do with us!"
"No, no, it won't be considered unrelated in society. I will be criticized by society too."
"Just ignore it."
"No, no..."
For now, forcing it will only cause resistance.
When you say "No!", it gets more exciting.
I have to persuade her gradually.
Maybe they will approach us from their side eventually.
Well -- even I feel, as an adult, is that okay?
-- I do have those feelings.
Seriously.
"Niwa-san, this way."
"Yes."
While I was thinking, Hareyama-san called me.
Following her, five brand new tanks appeared.
"I'm sorry. I had new tanks made."
"I heard you were thrown into the deep parts of the dungeon, so it must have been a desperate situation?"
"Hehehe, that's right -- I used the tanks as stepping stones and did various things, so I ended up leaving them behind."
"A-Ah!"
Her eyes lit up.
"What kind of place was the deep part of the dungeon?!"
"I will explain in detail when we move..."
The work at the nuclear power plant ruins began.