Episode 198: A Moment’s Rest
Aisha’s words were met with a moment of silence in the room.
It was Rui who spoke up after a short pause.
“…Certainly, if we could get the “Magic Gems” that various countries possess, that would be the quickest way. But is such a thing even possible?”
Everyone thought the same thing. With the world in a chaotic melting pot, Magic Gems were equivalent to “weapons” that could be used for national defense.
It was hard to imagine them being given away so easily.
“It depends on the negotiations, doesn’t it? Isn’t that your job?”
Aisha looked at Serizawa.
“Y-yes, that’s right. Depending on the conditions, it might be possible.”
“Really!?”
Yuma leaned forward, asking. However, Serizawa cleared his throat and spoke vaguely.
“I can’t make that decision alone… I have to report to my superiors.”
“I see, that’s right.”
Yuma lowered his raised body and fell silent, looking down. There was no way such an international matter could be decided so easily.
Seeing Yuma more dejected than he expected, Serizawa hurriedly continued.
“I have connections with the Prime Minister, so please rest assured. I’ll try my best to persuade them. In the meantime, Mitaka-san, why don’t you spend time with your family? I heard your house was partially damaged. The government will provide housing, so you can stay there…”
Hearing Serizawa’s words, Yuma felt a little relieved.
There was nothing he could do with his own power right now. Yuma decided to wait quietly, as Serizawa said.
◇◇◇
Somewhere in Tokyo. Yuma had come with his parents to an apartment building that had escaped the Dragon’s attack.
“I’m so glad, really. That the whole family is safe. I didn’t know what to expect at one point.”
His mother unlocked the door and entered the room. Following his mother was his father, then Yuma, and then—
“Come on, let’s go, Mamezou.”
“Woof!”
Pulling on the leash, his beloved dog barked happily.
Everyone went inside and checked out the residence prepared by the government. The furniture and appliances were provided, and the walls and floors were very clean.
“This is a good place. It looks like we can live here without any problems until we can go home.”
His father seemed to like it too, nodding in satisfaction.
Yuma and his family sat on the sofa in the living room and began to talk.
He picked up Mamezou, whose paws had been wiped, and petted him repeatedly, letting him sleep on his lap. It was a healing time he hadn’t felt in a while.
Mamezou closed his eyes contentedly, showing his belly.
“You’re lucky, you don’t seem to have any worries…”
Yuma muttered, touching Mamezou’s chin.
His parents exchanged glances. After a while, his father started to speak, trying to be considerate.
“Yuma, about Kaede-chan… I’m sorry to hear that. We were surprised when we heard.”
“Ah, yeah.”
Yuma answered vaguely. There was no way he could tell his parents that Kaede might come back to life.
“Kaede-chan, you know. When Yuma disappeared, she came to check on us, worried about us. She’s such a good girl.”
Yuma raised his head at his mother’s words.
“Kaede came?”
“Yes. When the police came to the house and articles criticizing Yuma were published, it was Kaede-chan who told us various things. And yet, she died…”
His mother looked down with an unbearable expression.
“Yuma, do you know how Kaede-chan died? When you were hospitalized, she came to visit you, full of energy.”
“No, I don’t really know either.”
“I see… Why did such a young girl suddenly…”
Having said that, his mother stopped talking. Silence fell in the room.
After a while, it was his father who started talking.
“Yuma, I don’t believe it, but is what the media was saying true? That you turn into a monster-like figure. Does that have anything to do with becoming a Seeker?”
Of course, he expected to be asked. He had been wondering how to answer, but he decided that there was no point in lying too much, and Yuma braced himself.
“Yeah, I’ve become able to use strange magic. It seems that it was unusual, and it surprised the people around me… The misunderstanding has been cleared up now, so it’s okay.”
“I see… is that so.”
His father had a complicated expression. He didn’t seem to know what else to say.
Yuma lowered his gaze and stroked Mamezou’s white belly.
He didn’t want to worry them anymore, but there was still something he had to do. He had to save Kaede no matter what.
No matter what the cost, Kaede was the only one—
◇◇◇
Yuma was called by Serizawa again and had come to the Prime Minister’s Office.
Although some parts of the building were damaged, it seemed that its functions were generally maintained.
“Let’s go, Yuma.”
“Yes.”
This time, Kanzaki would also be accompanying him. Getting out of the jeep parked at the front entrance, Yuma and Kanzaki passed through the glass doors of the Prime Minister’s Office and entered the entrance hall.
And then—
“Yuma.”
Rui, who had arrived earlier, rushed over in a suit.
Since it was also about Kaede, Rui would be listening to the story together.
Seeing Rui’s appearance, Yuma and Kanzaki looked at their own clothes.
Compared to Rui, who was smartly dressed in a gray striped suit, Yuma and Kanzaki were in their usual casual clothes.
Kanzaki was in denim and a leather jacket, and Yuma was even wearing a hoodie.
When the two exchanged glances, Rui asked, “Is something wrong?”
Yuma only replied, “No, nothing,” and decided not to worry about it. The three were led by a staff member and walked together to the conference room.
Sitting in the chairs in the room, they waited for a while, and then Serizawa entered.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Serizawa, dressed in an expensive brand-name suit, carried a black file and sat across the table.
The three of them looked tense, holding their breath and waiting for Serizawa to speak.
“To get straight to the point, the negotiations with various countries… look like they’ll work out.”
“Really!?”
Yuma put his hands on the table and lifted his body.
If that was true, he might be able to save Kaede. Serizawa opened the file and explained while looking at the materials.
“It seems that the fact that Japan defeated the Red King is gradually spreading around the world. We are receiving requests for information and support from various countries. If we accept in exchange for Magic Gems, they won’t refuse. I think this is also thanks to Mitaka-san.”
“Is that so?”
He didn’t really feel it, but it seemed that defeating the Red King had a big impact on the world.
If he could get a large amount of White Magic Gems by defeating Monsters, he couldn’t ask for more.
“I’ll do it! Which country should I go to!?”
Serizawa nodded and looked at the materials.
“Among the countries we are currently negotiating with, India has offered the largest amount of Magic Gems.”
“India…”
Just as Yuma clenched his fist and tried to solidify his resolve, Rui, who was next to him, raised his voice.
“India, does that mean—”
Serizawa nodded and looked straight at Yuma.
“The subjugation of the Green Lord and the conquest of the world’s largest Green Dungeon. These are the two conditions.”