novelSecuring Human Resources
| ← Ch.055 | Ch.057 → |
"Aahh, its been a while since I went outside. I really missed this feeling of liberation"
I said as I raised my arms and stretched my body as I felt the wind drifting towards my face.
What we are in right now is an open square of the town, the last location I have been before I left for the tower.
Because I am supposed to be "monitoring" the Demon Lord inside the tower, the current me is wearing a hood to hide my face.
"Well, I did kind of expected this. You have been cooped for months in that tower after all. I wouldn't even bat an eye if you tumble and did cartwheels in joy."
"Please spare me from that. Do I look that immature to you?"
As Evelyn had said, this is my first time going out ever since I entered the tower.
Certainly, the uppermost levels of the tower where we live in were quite comfortable, and there are also a few places such as balconies exposed to outside air as well, despite the strong barrier.
What's odd is that it's so windy out there, that even I couldn't stand straight at the height of a hundred stories above ground.
"If there is time, I'd like to make a glass-walled balcony above"
While I was immersing myself in interior designing, something hit my shoulder from the side.
"What are you keeping still for? Don't tell me, you really want to do a cartwheel here?"
Dahlia teased me with foxy eyes.
Really, these girls. Do I really look that childish?
"Fine, fine, let's move on. As for me and Evelyn, we'll go to the government office. Dahlia, you go to the red-light district"
The red-light district here is the base of operations to the underworld, which manages this city from below.
Dahlia, who was originally a master thief, seems to have an acquaintance who's a senior officer there, and this time she will be using him as our messenger.
"Have you got the stuff you needed?"
Dahlia raises her stout bag to my question.
"Yep, I have checked everything I need. Don't worry, I don't intend to pull anyone's coattails. Just trust me for this"
To make sure, I made several artifacts for Dahlia.
Other than for self defense, the main reason is to prove it to them that she has me as her backing.
When I was in this city, I was slacking all over the place, but even that I also paid for the sparks that fell on me in various meanings.
As long as they remember those times, they won't treat Dahlia badly.
"The Archmage Degenerate" title bestowed on me is not just for appearances after all.
"Still, be careful on your way there"
"Okay, okay. I'm going ahead"
After that, we parted at the open square.
As for Evelyn and I, we headed towards the government office.
"So, though I said that we'll be recruiting talents here, how should we proceed?"
Though this was Belle's idea this time, it was me who decided to do it.
We have to do something to succeed somehow.
"There is a branch office of the Ministry of Magic in this town and I work there as well, so I know the mayor here. I'll try to ask them about it"
"I'll be counting on you"
After completing our preparations, we went to the government office.
Because the leading role here will be played by Evelyn, I positioned myself behind her, like an attendant awaiting orders from his master.
"I'm Evelyn, the director of the Ministry of Magic. I would like to speak with the mayor"
"D-director? Please have a seat. I'll call the mayor for you!"
When we entered and introduced ourselves, the woman who seems to be the receptionist panicked, then responded in a hurry.
Well, if one of the country's heavyweights visits you, of course you would be flustered.
I'm not that familiar with the country's politics, but it's definitely worth considering if the secretary of National Defense approaches modestly right before your face.
Even much more for terminal staffs like these, who consider them as existences above the clouds.
After waiting for a while, a middle-aged man came out from the inside.
"We're sorry to have kept you waiting. It has been a long while, Director"
"No, I should be the one apologizing instead, rushing here out of the blue, Mayor Dalton. But its still quicker to talk directly to the mayor for this. This is for the good of this town after all"
"I see. Then let's go inside. We have prepared a room for you"
We were then taken by the mayor to the reception room.
I stood behind Evelyn, who sat on a couch inside the room while the mayor sat on the opposite couch, facing Evelyn and I.
"So, what can I do for you, Miss director?"
Mayor Dalton spoke first.
"Mayor Dalton should have probably known this, but lately there were changes that took place inside the Lavabelle Tower"
"I definitely heard the rumors. They said that the dungeon has lost its fangs, and everything that will cause you to die in the dungeon has all disappeared......"
The mayor leans forward and continues.
"Is this related to Gilles Bain monitoring the Demon Lord at the Lavabelle Tower?"
"Yes. Gilles-kun and I had a personal connection, and I was asked by him to be his intermediary"
"So this request is not from the Magic Ministry, but from Gilles Bain?"
The mayor's face distorted.
Hey, I admit that I was not very well-liked by the public, but I didn't do any criminal acts either, at least not in the country. Why make such a face?
Has my younger sister's diligence also fascinated this man? The more they like my sister, the more they hate me. Is that one of the scientific laws now?
"While there are rumors circulating in the town that the women who entered the tower brought back high-quality artifacts, there are also rumors that those who were trapped or caught by the monsters have also been violated without fail"
"It's true, both of them are"
"Hmmm......then what is this talk all about this time? Judging from his alias alone, does that guy in need of more women to violate?"
What a terrible thing to say for a mayor of a town.
Well, I can't deny that after all. This guy hit the bulls-eye multiple times.
However, this time is different, as there are some circumstances I need to fulfill.
"Roughly speaking, what you have all said is about right"
Evelyn affirms to the mayor's question.
"However, merely numbers are not just his wish"
"His wish......you say?"
"He's building a new city inside the Lavabelle Tower"
"A city in that kind of place? Has he lost his mind?"
The mayor, who had been extremely calm until then, went into distraught.
It's pretty fun now that his calm yet imposing stance is broken.
"S-Still, aren't the insides supposed to be a complex dungeon?"
"About that, he and the Demon Lord will do something about it"
"What did you say? The Demon Lord is also taking part of this!?"
The mayor raised a voice of surprise once again.
But can you please stop our way of saying like it was such a bad thing? It's unnerving me. I know I'm bad, and the Demon Lord was also bad, but it has been like three four generations since she was sealed. You guys are just too wimpy.
"Yes, that's why you won't have to worry about the location and everything"
"Then, the case where you need women craftsmen and merchants are......"
Mayor Dalton is still reluctant.
Well, I can't blame him. he can't just say he's willing to send women off to the Demon Lord's castle, which is technically what we are doing right now.
However, he is a petty individual who hates putting his political life in jeopardy. As a high-ranking government official, Evelyn should already how to deal with people like him.
"Mayor, you don't need to receive a strong push from the citizens for this task"
Evelyn approached to his ear, then whispers in a gentle voice.
"You will restore the relationship between the humans and the Demon Lord, and bring prosperity to the city in the process. The wealth gained from trading with the city built on the tower will make this city several times larger."
From the back, this scene looks like a reenactment of the demon signing a contract with a human victim. In a way, Evelyn is more of a Demon Lord than Belle, if not for the latter's strength.
Still, we are not doing anything bad in particular here.
"You're going to make the best decision in history from now on, Mayor"
"I, I ......"
After a few seconds of turmoil, the mayor......nodded.
"That's quite earnest of you, Mayor Dalton. Thank you, and congratulations."
After that Evelyn and Dalton talked about the talented people they wanted to include in the tower, and when it was over, it was already evening.
After being sent off by the mayor and his staff, we left the government office with success.
"We still have time before we go to the inn. How about we have a dinner first, Evelyn?"
In fact, there was already something I have been craving to eat after a long absence since I came to this town.
Though it was only a small shop in the back alley, the taste of its dishes is so incredible that you'll want to wolf them down right away.
Certainly, Carol's homemade cooking has always left us satisfied, but because it has been so long since I tasted those dishes, I kind of missed them. So why not try them while I'm here?
"I am not the type to get fussy when eating. Do as you like"
"Good, good. Then let's go there"
I said as I pulled Evelyn's hand as we went through out the city at dusk.
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