Chapter 165. Upper Class
The upper class in the inner town is wealthy, armed, and wielding power. Those from the outside envy them as they gaze at the wall that separates them, their eyes filled with jealousy and resentment, thoughts crashing against the wall.
Beyond the wall, they wear dazzling jewelry, dine luxuriously, sipping wine worth an average person's monthly salary with every gulp, engaging in sophisticated conversations, and enjoying nightly banquets.
[Only those from the outer town, flowing in from the inner town, would actually think such things.]
Sakimori squints, sending his thoughts.
[The people of the abandoned town neither have the luxury to gaze at the wall nor the knowledge to imagine the inner town.]
[True disparity lies in not being able to imagine such things. The gap is so wide, they can't even conceive it.]
I know, right? Sakimori returns cynically to Shizuku and looks around.
[Besides, being rich doesn't guarantee happiness. I once thought, that between a man earning 10 million yen annually and one earning 4 million yen, the wealthy man can only afford high-end restaurants twice a month, while the average man can drink cheap sake and eat grilled chicken outdoors twice a week. Who is happier?]
[That's being rich, Sakimori-san. The wealthy can change their lifestyle if they wish. They can reflect, prioritize family, and even enjoy cheap food. But the poor lack the flexibility to change their lives. Money is the lifeblood that improves life.]
Confidently, Shizuku speaks, wagging her index finger. Indeed, those with means can more easily turn their lives around. Those without are more likely to crumble before they can reflect.
"What a surprise. My dilemma just got solved in an instant. That's absolutely right."
Cook chuckles amusingly, observing the scene before him.
"But those living at such dizzying heights don't seem too happy, do they?"
"It's the consequence of creating disparity through walls. They understand they'll die if they fall to the ground."
"Regardless, their lives seem enjoyable."
They must be having fun, appearing content with their cemented smiles.
Enormous chandeliers, adorned with jewels made from unimaginable amounts of money, illuminate the halls. Under their light, people of all ages wear accessories with large gemstones. Surprisingly, even children wear heavy jewelry.
Perhaps taste has improved over the past twenty years. Despite their expensive attire, there's no hint of nouveau riche arrogance. Though many are overweight, they still exude elegance. There's no one here laughing crudely in garish attire like in old dramas.
Reality is harsh. Those dressed like that have no place here. They'll likely be seen as foolish and devoured by wolves.
Outside the window lies darkness, contrasting with the brightly lit mansion. Inside the spacious party room, dishes of unknown origin and taste line the tables. Sushi, steak—could that be roast beef?
Butlers in formal attire and maids in servant uniforms gracefully navigate the crowd, their movements so refined that they could pass for aristocrats' offspring.
Just that alone speaks volumes about the caliber of this party.
"It's not just status. It's the disparity in this case."
"The conversation about disparity circles back, Sakimori."
Chuckling beside him is Kamishiro Serika, wearing a dress that accentuates her cute youthfulness. The albino beauty, understanding how to showcase her charm, tilts her head slightly to look up at me.
I'm in a suit. It's a bit pricey, isn't it? Is it really worth 2 million yen? The clerk said it suits me perfectly, so there's no doubt.
[It's cruel to exclude someone from telepathic conversations, isn't it? I'm confident I'd cry for a whole day and night and lock myself in my room.]
[Baseless confidence, isn't it, Serika-chan? You were so curious if there were other communication methods unknown to others, so I reluctantly told you about it, right? You understood it well, didn't you?]
[Well, because it's like noise, you know? Like, at 3 PM, 'What's for snack today?' the thoughts of a young girl come flying in. But I can't transmit my thoughts. So, if it doesn't resonate, I guess I'm not as dull as you think.]
Shizuku's frustrated remark earns a chuckle from Serika. It seems there has been an unexpected leak of information. Though surprising, it must have been necessary.
"Well then, it's our turn soon, Sakimori. Are you nervous?"
"I've been writing 'I am ready' on my hand and eating it since earlier, but it's still not enough."
"It's scary when Takeru says things like that."
While lightly teasing Serika, I straighten my posture confidently. Shizuku shoots a glance at Serika, seemingly ready to cast a curse, but I pretend not to notice.
In the glow of the chandeliers, someone resembling a host raises their voice.
"It's the entrance of Serika Kamishiro, the president of Kamishiro Corporation, and Takeru Amano, the president of Tenjigahara Corporation!"
With those words, we enter through the wide-open doors. It feels like queuing for an attraction. There's a crowd behind us as well.
"I know about this. It's called being put on display."
"I'd prefer if you called it a nostalgic taste. Shall we, escort, my lord?"
With a mischievous smile, the albino beauty links her arm with mine and pulls me along.
"Of course, Serika."
I take her delicate hand, and we walk. There must be a private waiting room for the three major families. They must understand how well I'm being treated.
As we enter the party venue, friendly gazes are directed at us. They're sharper than needles but not cursed demon eyes, so 'friendly' might be an accurate description. By the way, the most cursed gaze seems to be from some ethereal being.
People whisper as they look at us.
"Amano... is that him?"
"Yeah, the one who can conquer dungeons with a few familiars."
"Isn't he an irregular from the abandoned town? Is this a scam?"
"No, the Minamoto family used familiars and successfully conquered dungeons without casualties."
"Why does trash like him..."
As someone who has transcended human status, when I focus, my senses sharpen twice as much as a regular person's. So, I easily hear the whispers from a distance.
Among them, I notice hateful glances and conversations.
[Later, I'll also escort you. I'll turn Serika-chan into a caterpillar and hang her from a tree somewhere.]
I'll ignore these hateful glances and conversations for now.
This time, I'm not Kamishiro Sakimori from the Kamishiro family. Nor do I have a false registry. Did I obtain a registry, you ask? No, that's not it.
When I was invited to this party, Minamoto Fuuka came with a gentle smile and suggested, "How about creating a registry for Amano-sama?"
I politely declined. Amatsugahara Corporation, a ghost company exempt from taxes. With military power and production capacity, and an increasing population, all the conditions for a nation are met.
I don't need the help of the country. We should cooperate and coexist peacefully behind the scenes.
Fuuka didn't expect me to agree, so the proposal was put on hold, and my treatment became special.
I got invited as a guest. Without a registry, I got invited like a special diplomat entering a country without a passport.
I understand their intention. They probably planned to give me a registry gradually. Creating a fait accompli from such an introduction. And to teach me the benefits of the inner city.
The benefits of this inner city, where all sorts of demons lurk. It seems enjoyable, but...
"Let's stand over there. Whoever came up with this idea, today's attraction is done in the traditional aristocratic way."
"This seems like just a hassle. What if the popular dishes run out before the latecomers arrive?"
With a graceful smile and her pure white hair swaying gently, Serika changes her cute face into a smirk and links her arm with mine, pulling me along.
I shrug and take a glass from the waiter. Guests keep coming in constantly. This ridiculous event might be more effective than wearing name tags.
For a while, I watch the arriving guests and casually pick up some roast beef to eat. There's fish mousse and lobster as well.
Then, the heads of the three major families arrive.
"The head of the Ashikaga Zaibatsu, Ashikaga Tadayoshi-sama, has arrived~"
Wearing traditional Japanese attire, an elderly man with a gentle gaze enters energetically. He looks around and stops his gaze on me. Since it's a sharp, almost glaring look, I counter by eating the roast beef. It's a sign of gratitude for the delicious food.
[What did I do to deserve this attention, Sakimori-san?]
[I've done a lot of things. The Ashikaga family would inevitably take notice.]
[Mmm, Sakimori-san, you're just... you're just too much.]
I return a wry smile to Shizuku's sulky face. There are too many memories for comfort.
The Ashikaga elder turns to his entourage.
Next is the Minamoto family, I think as I sip my cocktail with interest.
"The head of the Oda family, Oda Nobuhiro-sama, and his eldest daughter, Yoko-sama, have arrived~"
Huh? Isn't that one of the three major families? After the Ashikaga family, it's the Oda family.
An elderly man with a seemingly plump figure and gentle eyes, accompanied by a woman in traditional clothing with fox ears and a bushy fox tail, enters gracefully. She seems to be transitioning from a girl to a young woman.
[Serika, wasn't this supposed to be one of the three major families?]
[According to history, the Taira family should have been defeated, but the power of the Ashikaga family declined. Something incredible happened recently.]
While exchanging thoughts with Serika, I observe the Oda elder and the Ashikaga elder in turn. Although the Ashikaga elder doesn't show signs of displeasure, I can sense that he must be feeling frustrated and wanting to stamp his feet.
Next come the heads of the Gen family, a young couple, and an elf girl. Then, the beautiful woman and young man from the Heike family, along with a proud-looking Konoha. Konoha seems so pleased with herself that she might start skipping.
Originally, they probably wouldn't have been invited to such an event. Their excitement is innocent and soothing. Everyone else seems to be putting on fake smiles.
The party is about to begin with a toast from the head of the Heike family, Masako Heike.
She talks about an oil tanker docking and oil refining starting successfully, as well as the reconstruction of factories.
With the toast, people raise their glasses to celebrate. Even if they know the truth, they won't let it slip. Even if they were called demons instead of humans, it wouldn't be surprising.
[Hey, Serika. Aren't oil fields in Niigata? How are they bringing crude oil from there?]
[It was kept secret, but we finally found out. Let's talk about it later. Instead, shall we enjoy the party?]
Smiling at each other, we exchange thoughts and faintly curl our lips at the approaching crowd.
Indeed, as Serika says, let's enjoy this demon party. I must make sure not to get devoured, after all. After all, I'm just a kind and weak human.
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