Earth Dungeon 171

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Chapter 171. Sake Party

Sakimori, while drinking with old man Takauji, decided to inquire about something that had been bothering him.

"It's understandable that the Ashikaga helicopter doesn't show up on radar because of the old man's connections. But why did the controller ignore the other three aircraft?"

I asked Serika, but the radar in the inner town is excellent. It seems they've set up observation devices to monitor low altitudes. So, I don't think they would overlook anything.

Those three aircraft shouldn't have been from the inner city. In that case, it's normal to wonder why they got overlooked.

As the old man Ashikaga poured whiskey into his empty glass, he looked at me pretending to be intoxicated. I'll chalk this up to the ramblings of a drunkard only for this moment.

"Who's the current head of the Air Force? You know, right? Bats, no, foxes are lurking around."

"Ah, partnering with Nishikawa, surprising. After all, the fate of traitors is already sealed."

Serika's response was casual, as expected. But even when looking back at the past, those who betray from within receive a fate fitting for small-minded individuals.

I'd recommend using the name Akechi instead of Oda. But the old man laughed, shaking the glass and clinking the ice.

"It's not betrayal. Seen as a single nation, their actions aren't strange. They're removing the harm to Japan and returning to the right path of politics. To achieve that, they're collaborating with the military. They're just following the path of history, aren't they?"

"Laughable. Where should we build Honnoji Temple?"

"The Honnoji Incident is a mystery. Honestly, I believe that Akechi Mitsuhide was already dead, and someone who secretly replaced him caused the incident."

Laughing at the simplicity of old man Takauji's words, I pondered their hidden meaning. This grandfather is by far the most cunning person I've ever met. I can't let my guard down; he might set traps even in simple conversations.

"The Oda family aims for a change in power. They're no different from the others... But they seem to excel at ambushes. They don't act themselves; they move someone else or shift blame onto others."

"The troops of the Ashikaga and Oda families, along with my grandson's death and the capture of the most important magical tool in the inner city by Nishikawa's soldiers. Only the daughter of the Oda family's sword saint survived. According to the surviving girl, she was killed by Nishikawa's unit. Although they're called a mysterious unit, there's no doubt about their skill."

The grandfather squinted at me. So that's how it was.

"Too convenient, isn't it?"

He posed it as a question, but indeed, it's suspicious. And now, relations with Nishikawa City are at their worst.

In the conflict with Nishikawa City, the Oda family seeks to swiftly seize power. If they plan a coup d'état with only the military, they're naive. The Taira, Minamoto, and Ashikaga families are all major corporations.

In other words, that's not their goal. So then.

"Are they planning to divide and conquer? The Oda family alone will survive unscathed, or rather, they'll keep the most troops."

That would make sense. It's a simple and surefire plan. Let Nishikawa City's troops fight. Yeah, I understand.

"You don't get it. This isn't the Warring States period. Chiba and Tokyo are too close. If they start shooting missiles, both cities will get engulfed in flames in no time."

Even with the Magic Line Fortress, it's assaulted by sea and transportation by air. The inner city seems overwhelmingly advantageous. They likely have more troops. But if they start shooting missiles, both sides will suffer. After all, the two cities are too close. It's uncertain if they can intercept.

"Yeah. You can't completely stop missiles. The Oda family won't get off scot-free either."

"Ah... There's a magical tool to block missiles?"

The grandfather's teasing response made me grimace as if I'd swallowed a bitter pill. Can I have one of those magical tools?

"No, it's a wall. That wall can even create barriers in the sky. That's why it's called the inner city. In this world, safety isn't guaranteed just by appearances."

"Come to think of it, it's made of magic alloy. It performs better than I thought."

[Probably a barrier expansion magical tool. The drawback is that it can only be used once a day. It should last for an hour]

I agreed with Shizuku's explanation. No wonder they've likely made all the walls out of magic alloy. Next time, I'd like to see that barrier. If you don't know its performance, you could mistakenly believe you can always put up a barrier.

However, is what the Oda family saying true?

"Understood. Nishikawa City and the Oda family aren't directly connected. They're operating behind the scenes and staying out of sight. Who's today's controller?"

Snapping my fingers, I speculated on what was happening. Because of Nishikawa City, Ashikaga suffered damage, and if the Oda family were to accuse them, Nishikawa City wouldn't just be unhappy. They might even consider them enemies.

So, Nishikawa City and the Oda family aren't directly connected. They should be partnering with someone who quietly aims to take over Nishikawa City, like the Oda family.

"It's the Miyoshi family. They seem to have been in bad shape recently. Since the Yukibana Incident, they've been having a rough time there. They were also involved with the Wadakazu family's story."

It seems they had a pathetic scapegoat prepared. How pitiful.

"To crush the Miyoshi family and accuse Nishikawa City... Hmm, this won't come to light, will it? Did I mess up? No, was it intentional?"

Tilting my head, I was puzzled by the absurd situation, but then I realized. It's connected. The Ashikaga family and Nishikawa City were connected, and the Miyoshi family had been given false information.

"The Ashikaga family's helicopter was there too. They're allied with Nishikawa City and tried to kill the insignificant, impoverished president of the Tianjin Corporation. An act favorable to Nishikawa City. It's a rumor, but it has some convincing power. After all, the declining Ashikaga family. Old man, did you already know that Nishikawa City's helicopter was coming from the start?"

"I'm not senile yet."

The grandfather, who had already emptied his whiskey glass, smirked as he poured himself another, leaving me dumbfounded. This grandfather is too strong with alcohol.

"If I hadn't come to negotiate, the Ashikaga family would... It's ridiculous; the stakes are too high."

If my deal hadn't gone through, the Ashikaga family would continue to be spread as rumors, and they would decline.

"Turning the helicopter meant as a gift to me into an ambush. Poor pilot."

"The pilots aboard often let slip some words. Their sleeves always held weight."

"Are you considering it that deeply?" I shrug my shoulders and sip whiskey.

"The Oda family won't be easily drawn out, huh?"

"Foxes are clever creatures. While the Miyoshi family might take a hit, grabbing their tails won't be easy."

"Well, that's unfortunate. So, war with Nara City is unavoidable?"

"It looks tough as it stands. But the Oda family will realize they've been used by me. It won't turn into a war."

The old man twists his lips, intending to show his trustworthiness or puff his chest out.

In other words, it's a lie. I'm tired of talking to this old man.

"Well, that's good. So, I'm looking forward to the special district declaration in the northwest Kanto region."

I stand up from the sofa, waving my hand for a goodbye. It's about time to go back and sleep.

"Huh? The night is still young, you know?"

The old man looks at me suspiciously, but I'm done. It's a game of foxes and raccoons. I don't want to be a pawn dancing on their palms.

"It's already early summer. Staying up too late will make it morning. Early summer dawns quickly. The whiskey was delicious."

[Dark Teleport]

Chanting a spell, I return home.

Watching Fumito vanish into the darkness on his way home, I rub my beard, amused.

"The leader... He might indeed make it happen. Well, I'll be busy starting tomorrow. Let's start by reclaiming the position of Air Force General."

Sakimori, about to pour whiskey, chuckles at the empty bottle and moves to his bed, ready to sleep.

Teleporting to the living room of my house, I collapse onto the sofa, exhausted.

"Ah... I'm tired."

I'm seriously tired. More tired than running from the helicopter. I slump onto the sofa, pressing my face against it, and close my eyes.

Talking with the old man. Considering how it looks from the outside. Will it seem like I sided with the Ashikaga? Probably. But they'll realize that it was just a deal, not an alliance. When I give money to Katsuyori, I'll tell him secretly that I got compensation from the Ashikaga. It should be fine if Daiki is the one serving tea. And it won't be a problem to give summer bonuses to executives and employees.

We've also gained control of the Air Force and, though the land is not confirmed yet, acquired it. If recognized as survivors, negotiations will be easier. This deal was big.

I stop thinking and exhale deeply. It was a mentally exhausting negotiation, indeed.

"Good work, Fumito-san. Oh, you smell like alcohol. I'll make rice porridge for you. I can cook, too."

"Leave the porridge to me. Cooking is my specialty. I'll make the most delicious porridge as a loving wife. Infusing it with crafting skills."

"Well then, I'll make rice porridge for Serika-chan. As a best friend, I'll make it with love. I'll mimic the bald, barcode-on-the-back-of-the-head cook while making it."

From the kitchen, Shizuku and Serika emerge, both wearing aprons labeled [Good Wife]. They're a good pair. They exchange smiles and chat happily.

"No... Shizuku's cooking has a somewhat dangerous scent."

Sitting on the opposite sofa as she enters the living room, Yukihana sighs tiredly but doesn't delve deeper. I'm tired.

"The helicopter has been recovered. Type 26 came back without a scratch. Please praise him, Sakimori-san."

It seems Selica decided not to make porridge, as Shizuku approaches me and sticks out her head. I pat her soft hair, praising her for a job well done. As expected of Shizuku. Well, I anticipated there would be nothing afterward, as I witnessed the battle.

"But Type 22's canopy was smashed to pieces."

I know that. As I watched it. While Shizuku puffs her cheeks in response to Yuki's comment, I stroke Haru's head while looking around the living room.

"Hanari is sleeping in the guest room. Seems tired."

As Haru places a small pot on the table, she tells me. I thank her and uncover the pot, eating the porridge with a spoon while conveying the results of the meeting with the tanuki.

"The Oda family is scheming? It might be tough to catch them red-handed. They hold quite a decent position. Whether in the military or politics."

For some reason, Serika fidgets while holding another spoon, agreeing with my words. The spoon is a mystery. Haru also holds one, but I'm tired. No jokes.

"Don't trouble Fumito-san too much, so I won't, but the area that will suffer in the battle with Nara is the ruins. The walls will be destroyed, and the fields will be burned."

Quick to notice that I'm really tired, Shizuku puts down the spoon and adopts a serious expression. Indeed, that's probably how it'll go.

"Ashikaga understands that development. They're definitely planning to use Sakimori as a shield and make him work for free. That darn tanuki! Unforgivable!"

Clenching her fists, Serika is frustrated, but someone should show her a mirror.

However, I'll just let that joke pass and smirk lightly.

"The current situation is unclear due to various factors. So, I plan to confirm the current situation."

"Are you trying to be a hero?"

I shake my head at Yukihana's question. In that case, there'd be no reward. It's simply to protect the company.

"Nah. War is the worst for the economy. To prevent the economy from deteriorating, let's head to Nara."

I don't know what's going on. If I rely solely on inner town information, I might make the wrong judgment.

"Let's prepare for the trip."

"Especially since it's summer."

Serika gleefully sparkles with anticipation.

"We need to get new swimsuits."

Serika declares, full of determination.

"Well then, let's see how it goes."

Yukihana nods, also looking forward to it.

Amidst the laughter of the three, Sakimori also smiles faintly, thinking that this summer seems to be hot as well. It's about a week to prepare. I expect Hanari to gather information.