Otherworld Company Chapter 59.2: On-Site Judgment is Sometimes Required

My doubts were cleared.

“I prefer seeing Jiro, who looks happy.” (Memoria)

“I don’t think I have a very kind smile on my face right now, you know?” (Jiro)

“But the air around you is lighter than before.” (Memoria)

“Even if I’m laughing like a final boss?” (Jiro)

I should regret doing it than not doing it.

While such words slither in my mind, a foundation is built up in my mind where something has been removed.

And in the process of considering whether or not a plan is possible, I realize the possibility that I may be able to create a crack in the very foundation of this war.

“Memoria.” (Jiro)

“Yes.” (Memoria)

“I have an idea. Will you listen to me?” (Jiro)

“As much as you want.” (Memoria)

Still, in the planning stage, I discussed the possible plan with Memoria and worked out the details.

“The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s definitely not a business trip.” (Jiro)

“But it does sound like fun, doesn’t it?” (Memoria)

“I don’t deny it. I’m taking it out on the country, after all, justice is mine.” (Jiro)

Speaking my mind, should I really let them get away with interfering with my work?

Time passed while we talked, and we finished our preparations quickly, deciding that it was better to act than to continue talking, and we headed for the bar where Barth would be waiting for breakfast.

A smile is forming around my mouth, a far cry from the anxiety I felt yesterday.

“Oh, I see you had a good time last night.” (Barth)

“Don’t ask me something obvious, it’s not very tasteful.” (Jiro)

“This is the norm here. Wait here for a while, I’ll bring you some food.” (Barth)

Perhaps sensing that my mood was different from yesterday, Barth said nothing more and disappeared into the kitchen behind the counter.

Either because he had left the food on the table or his timing was good, it came out quickly.

“Look, the city’s stocks have gone down, and this is all we’ve got.” (Barth)

“It’s good enough, as long as you can eat.” (Memoria)

“No, it’s not. What about in the future?” (Barth)

“Oh, wait, Barth, about that.” (Jiro)

I put down my breakfast sandwich and a glass of water, and I start to talk about our future plans, and Barth waits for me to say something.

Memoria is silently eating breakfast but goes on listening acting like she’s unaffected by this.

“We decided to head to Thoris.” (Jiro)

“Eh?” (Barth)

Barth gives me a dumbfounded look with his mouth open so much that I can make a sample picture of what he is talking about.

“So we’re heading for Thoris.” (Jiro)

“No, no, no, no, no! What the hell are you talking about? Are you insane? Did you take some kind of weird potion yesterday? Or did you just feel sorry for all the heroes who got summoned?” (Barth)

“I knew you’d say that.” (Jiro)

“You’re damn right I am! When you told me that you are going to the headquarters of a nation about to head to war, you are either insane or a hypocrite with an idiotic sense of justice.” (Barth)

“It’s refreshing to hear you say it so definitively.” (Jiro)

“What the hell are you talking about? Look, this is not like the world you live in, this is not a kind world! You can’t stop a war with being charitable!” (Barth)

“Who said he I’m going to be charitable?” (Jiro)

“Tsk!” (Barth)

I know he’s worried about me, and the fact that he’s giving me advice like this tells me he’s a good guy.

He may act coldhearted, but he is a good guy at heart.

But I don’t like to be thought of as a righteous fool.

I stopped Barth, who was about to tell me to take my business elsewhere, with a look.

“I’m going to tell you right now that this is a gamble, but I’m going to tell you what your chances are of succeeding.” (Jiro)

Here’s the thing–

“Now, let’s talk business, shall we, Barth?” (Jiro)

“What business?” (Barth)

— It’s time to do business.

And when it comes to business, Barth is on board.

He squints at me with a dubious expression, urging me on.

“More to the point, I’m talking about getting ahead.” (Jiro)

“Oh? What, you’re talking about getting into the war and making a name for yourself?　I’m not going to do it. Who’d want to go to such a hellish place?” (Barth)

“No, it’s a gamble, but I’m talking about a shorter-term project with the prospect of career advancement.” (Jiro)

“I can’t see what you’re talking about… What the hell are you planning?” (Barth)

My expression would probably be smiling like Instructor Kio’s or Instructor Fusio’s.

Enjoy the pressure, rule over your fear.

Brain doping is what they used to call it. I can laugh even at the last minute because it makes me feel like I’m just playing for fun.

“Kidnapping the heroes.” (Jiro)

“Eh?” (Barth)

“When I say ‘kidnap the heroes’ I don’t mean put a burlap sack over their faces, tie them up with ropes, and carry them back to the other side. To be more specific bring them to the other side.” (Jiro)

“…” (Barth)

Do you think this is all just me sleep-talking?

Barth’s eyes showed not half doubts, but a bit of doubt that it would be amazing if it were possible.

“Do you think it’s impossible?” (Jiro)

“…Yeah, I don’t think that gamble is going to work.” (Barth)

“I think so too.” (Jiro)

“Hey, then—” (Barth)

“Normally.” (Jiro)

I interrupted Barth, who is about to yell at me for joking, and so I add a condition.

“But if you combine the current situation with a certain condition, we have a bigger chance.” (Jiro)

“Conditions?” (Barth)

“I’ll have to ask you guys to look into it from here, but I’m guessing from the records that the summons were probably students, 15 to 17-year-olds. I don’t know if they are aiming for that kind of adolescent age or if it is a coincidence, but there you go. The point is that children this age are susceptible to the word ‘special’. Unless they have grown up in a very special environment, they are not able to read deeper into things. That’s the key to winning this time.” (Jiro)

“…What are you thinking?” (Barth)

“I’m just trying to convince you.” (Jiro)

Barth’s expression doesn’t look like he’s going to get convinced, still, I kept continuing, and the look on Barth’s face become one of semi-disbelief.

I told him about the plan that I had decided on after working out the details with Memoria.

And as I proceeded, his frown turned into a grimace, and finally, he said,

“Are you an idiot?” (Barth)

“I won’t deny there’s a part of me that’s an idiot. How about it, are you in?” (Jiro)

“It’s a really terrible gamble. There are too many holes. The probability of failure is much higher. But it sounds fun.” (Barth)

Barth laughed and clapped me on the shoulder.

“I like it, this plan, the worst that can happen is that you die. Low risk, high reward.” (Barth)

“Hey, I’m going to need you guys to help me lower that risk.” (Jiro)

“I know. Well, I thought you were a weird guy when I first heard that there was a human dating a demon, instead you’re actually an idiot.” (Barth)

Finally, I’ve been promoted from weird to stupid? Demoted?

Barth then kept hitting my shoulders with loud smacks, so I believe he liked the idea and not just laughed at it.

“I’m all for this kind of conversation. I’ll have to get some money from them to pay for abandoning this base. I’ll talk to anyone in the company who might be willing to help.” (Barth)

“Oh, a festival’s a lot of fun and enjoyed by a lot of people.” (Jiro)

“Cheers!” (Barth)

After the explanation was over, the cooperation of Bath was secured.

Now the odds of winning had improved considerably.

Now it was just a game against time.

“It seems you were able to persuade him successfully.” (Memoria)

“Yeah, I think we can handle this.” (Jiro)

“We have to arrange supplies, but it will be a race against time from here on out.” (Memoria)

I ate breakfast first and watched from the sidelines, talking to Memoria as I watched Barth walk away.

For me, the first hurdle has been conquered.

I’ve heard many stories of people who have a good plan, but fail to get the necessary support to get the job done. Without proper preparation, this plan would be nothing more than a mochi on a picture [T/N: Idiom for something useless].

“Yeah, it’s a race against time and we have to make it in time.” (Jiro)

There are several hurdles.

This exchange with Barth was just one of them.

“We have to get results so the supervisor doesn’t get mad at us.” (Jiro)

“It depends on Jiro.” (Memoria)

The die is cast, and we can’t stop until we get results.

If I don’t get the results, I don’t know what the supervisors and instructors will say and do to me.

From this point on, I would be very busy.

“Well, let’s get to it.” (Jiro)

I’m going to take a big gamble, one of the biggest in my life.

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Has Girlfriends

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg (Dark Elf) & Memoria Tris (Vampire)

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

Job Title: Warrior

Note for the Day

“A battle is just like work in the sense that you have to set up the conditions to win before you start fighting. The difference between success and failure depends on how well you lay the groundwork.” 

T/N: If you like the series rate, review and add on your reading list on Novel Updates. You can also donate through Paypal or Ko-fi, or subscribe on Ko-fi. Thank you!