New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 147

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

(POV switch – Mira)

We were shown into the embassy’s reception room as originally planned.

It was an elegantly appointed chamber, luxurious but not ostentatious, with a modest arrangement of furnishings. Ordinarily, such a room would be necessary for the embassy in Tokyo, not for this one, which merely kept it for formality’s sake. Since this embassy dealt exclusively with dungeon-related matters, opportunities to use such a room were expected to be rare.

To accommodate our number, two long sofas were arranged facing one another in the back of the room. A table stood between them, and before that, two single chairs that were likely intended for Otou-sama and the intelligence officer. There was ample space behind them, presumably for their guards to stand. While everyone else looked about curiously, Kouta alone took his seat with composure, naturally in the center of the front row.

Even when tea and sweets were brought in, he did not so much as twitch. The only time he moved was when offered a translation device. Since everyone present except Kouta and Haruka was German, it was the most practical solution. Emilia and I agreed to lend him one, and Kouta accepted it gladly. However, his left eye still shone crimson. He had maintained that state ever since the altercation outside.

The guards and secretaries entered first, followed by Otou-sama and the intelligence officer, who arrived shortly afterward.

“Apologies! I was delayed issuing directives to various departments. Please, take your seats. Let us begin at once.” (Ambassador)

He must have checked the response to the broadcast beforehand, for his expression was far brighter than before.

“Allow me to formally introduce myself once again. I am Paul Fischer, father of Mira, sometimes called the Dungeon Ambassador. Call me whatever you wish. This is our intelligence officer, Luka.” (Paul)

“I am Intelligence Officer Luka Wagner. Pleased to meet you.” (Luka)

“Nice to meet you. I am Fujikawa Kouta. Should everyone else introduce themselves as well?” (Kouta)

“No need. Nearly everyone here is already familiar with one another. Perhaps only the gentleman in the back might offer a greeting?” (Paul)

In truth, everyone except Adelaide had met several times before. Even Adelaide had seen them repeatedly during the last incident, enough to be well acquainted.

The person indicated, Haruka, offered a polite greeting, and the negotiations began at once.

For reference, the seating arrangement placed me, Kouta, and Adelaide in the front row, with Emilia, Haruka, and Sofia seated behind. Emilia and Kouta had sensed a human presence near the fireplace, which was why we had chosen this formation to protect Otou-sama.

At least, that was my hope.

“Ah, before we begin, bring it in.” (Paul)

At his command, a table stacked high with bundles of banknotes was carried into the room. The table itself was of fine make, requiring three people to move it carefully.

“Do not mistake this. This is not compensation. It is the payment for information that we prepared for this day. Despite what occurred earlier, I hope this demonstrates our earnestness toward today’s negotiation.” (Paul)

Even I was astonished. Such a display held undeniable persuasive power. Even the soldiers assigned as guards could not conceal their surprise at the sight of the mountain of cash. Emilia was noisily protesting behind me, and Adelaide’s eyes were wide as saucers.

Well done, Otou-sama. Few could look upon that sight without wanting to speak freely.

Yet Kouta merely nodded once in acknowledgment.

“Then, shall we begin the exchange?” (Paul)

“Yes. How shall we proceed?” (Kouta)

Otou-sama must have wanted to break Kouta’s poker face with this, but the young man’s response was calm, composed, and impenetrable.

“There is one question I would like to ask first. Of course, you will be compensated for the answer. Shall we start with that?” (Paul)

“As long as it is not something too personal, please go ahead.” (Kouta)

Even I found myself curious to see whether Otou-sama could crack that unflinching demeanor. After all that had just transpired, Kouta had not shown a flicker of surprise. Meanwhile, I had barely managed to keep my emotions in check.

“There are rumors that you might be ‘Kamiizumi Nobutsuna’. Could you confirm or deny that?” (Paul)

“I am not. Whoever analyzed that information must have been inexperienced. Anyone who truly knows martial arts would immediately see that I am a complete amateur.” (Kouta)

An amateur? He called himself an amateur after all that? Then what, did the terrorists perish at the hands of an untrained high-schooler? What absurd comedy is this?

Even Otou-sama glanced around, gauging everyone’s reaction.

He was being countered at every turn.

“I see. Give him two, no, three bundles.” (Ambassador)

Ah, so he merely wished to demonstrate Germany’s willingness to pay. But Otou-sama, you’ve failed to hide your agitation.

“Do you see this?” (Kouta)

Kouta tugged at his clothing to reveal a black inner garment.

Could it be?

“Oh, I saw that during the broadcast. We have not yet learned its name or precise nature, though.” (Luka)

Luka responded instantly, perhaps a sign of genuine enthusiasm for his work.

“This is called a ‘Rashatsu’. It has a defense rating of one to two and increases the Strength attribute by one.” (Kouta)

What? Why did he have that? That was supposed to be Emilia’s.

I glanced at her in alarm, and she too was staring at Kouta in shock. But Kouta seemed entirely unconcerned by our reactions.

“Ah, do you understand what ‘one to two’ means?” (Kouta)

“Yes, yes, I do understand. It is an attribute-enhancing item, correct?” (Luka)

Is this intelligence officer truly competent? His eagerness makes me anxious. This is taxpayer money at work, after all. Did he even comprehend the significance?

“This is dropped by a monster known as a ‘Hobgoblin’. Judging from the rarity of the item, it might only drop from those accompanying the ‘Goblin King.’” (Kouta)

“I see. Hobgoblins have been confirmed elsewhere, yet no information about such an item exists. It is plausible, very plausible indeed.” (Luka)

Kouta, you’ve never mentioned this. Though perhaps I could have deduced it myself had I thought more deeply. Even in the depths of the Toyota Dungeon, Hobgoblins appeared frequently. For no one to report this drop, it defies reason. There has to be another condition involved. But I have been too focused on survival to think that far.

Bundles of cash began to pile up before Adelaide.

Only ten so far, but her reaction made me uneasy. I could only hope she would not say anything foolish.

 

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