◆ Matere Headquarters – Isolation Room ◆
“Nelly, you’re safe!”
“I was so worried when I realized you were the only one missing…”
The people crammed into the stark, barren room seemed genuinely delighted to reunite with Nelly. So, her name was Nelly.
“Thanks to these kids! It’s incredible; they destroyed that security machine with their bare hands!”
“I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand what you’re saying…”
Even in this situation, I couldn’t bring myself to believe it. While they seemed to acknowledge Nelly’s ability for bringing her here safely, I still had my doubts.
“Is this the only evacuation point?”
“This is it. Oh, my apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Notes, the executive director who has been working here for a long time.”
“Executive director?! Notes, you’re an executive?!”
“Kurinka, what’s an executive? Is it impressive?”
“I’ll keep it simple for Lua-chan; it means a really important person in a company.”
“That’s harsh.”
It was harsh, but I couldn’t argue against the truth. What difference would it make to have such an important person here? If he had been involved in the wrongdoings with Matere, he could very well lose his head to the King.
“What’s happening outside?! I can’t believe you made it this far; you must be incredibly strong! What’s the Kingdom’s military planning? Are we going to be killed?”
“That’s… if that’s the case, we’d end up living our lives as the president’s slaves! I absolutely refuse!”
It was as if they had all been struck by a wave of confusion, each one hysterically shouting. There was no way I could calm this many people down. There were clearly hundreds of them, and figuring out how to safely get them out of here was becoming an impossible task.
“Everyone! We’ve come to expose Matere’s misdeeds to the Kingdom’s military! They suspect a connection between this Matere Trading Company and the Comet Wolf Brigade! Many people have been treated like slaves in the factories run by this company, but in the end, they have won their freedom! So, um, please cooperate with us!”
Kurinka’s voice echoed loudly until it cracked. This wasn’t the first time she had drawn attention to herself, so I didn’t understand why she felt the need to hide behind me.
“…So this company and the Comet Wolf Brigade, huh?”
I began to understand why Kurinka was flustered. Notes, with his glazed-over eyes, was a high-ranking official of this company, meaning he was on Matere’s side. Speaking loudly about unproven claims in front of someone like him could lead to dire consequences. I didn’t think he would attack us, but given the example of the Powered Suit, I couldn’t let my guard down. After a moment of scrutinizing us, Notes parted his dry lips.
“I don’t know which piece of evidence will be decisive, but take this.”
He quietly handed over a flat, thick leather case. What Kurinka pulled out from it was a bundle of papers, densely filled with tiny, intricate characters that I couldn’t comprehend at all.
“What is this…?”
“I have worked tirelessly to support the president of Matere. I remember the day he reached out to me when he was just a merchant without his feet on the ground.”
He didn’t answer my question and instead began staring at the ceiling, drifting into his own world. I wanted him to respond, but I knew it would be disastrous to rush him and risk his temper.
“Isn’t it just being used for war? Isn’t it possible for people to hurt each other? When I asked him that, he replied: ‘Wars will happen even without weapons, and conflicts between people will never cease. Even if we are used for those purposes, if it benefits someone, isn’t that enough for business?’ I was moved by his insatiable commercial spirit back then.”
“Ugh…”
I wanted to ignore the tears that were beginning to well up in my eyes. With arms wide open and eyes closed, Notes seemed to absorb everything around him.
“I was… young in many ways… So even if I did something a little shameful, I thought it was the right attitude for business, and I would dance with joy when it led to profit. But you see… that’s just empty. Focusing solely on numerical increases while cutting away everything else. What meaning is there in motivation that is only tied to numbers? That’s no longer what I wanted to do.”
“Y-Yeah! Right, Lua-chan?”
“Uh-huh.”
In the past, I would have questioned why he was directing that at me, but I had learned recently that sometimes it was better to go with the flow. As Kurinka would say, it’s about reading the atmosphere. But this was turning out to be more painful than I expected. Having to agree with something I didn’t truly feel.
“I can’t… take it anymore.”
As tears began to flow and he started to tremble, we were left speechless. I understood this was a significant moment for him, and I recognized its importance. It was our fault for not being able to connect. After all, even the others were shedding tears.
“Notes…!”
“Is it really okay to make someone unhappy just to earn money?!”
“Doing what you want and feeling fulfilled is the best, right?”
“Even if it means being a little poorer, happiness doesn’t come in just one shape!”
“Notes, I was wrong! I shouldn’t have participated in wrongdoing!”
“It’s alright; you all haven’t done anything wrong. I should have been the first to stand up…”
“Notes! Notes!”
Now everyone was completely fired up. They embraced each other, surrounded Notes, and shook hands with anyone they could find. Some even started singing a song, and I seriously considered retreating. We were completely out of the loop, and the atmosphere was just too strange.
“Yes, they had the courage I lacked. Those kids!”
“Ohhh! To think that a child could slip through the security machine that had taken down adventurers in the durability test!”
Before I could pull back, I was swept up in the chaos. And they were casually mentioning something terrifying. I mean, why were we even discussing this now? Whatever, we’ll take this document to the King. That should conclude our original request. But…
“…However, it’s still dangerous to be here.”
“That’s right. If that security machine comes here too…”
“That’s not it. I know a great secret of this company that only a few in the upper management are aware of…”
“A secret?”
“It is…”
“Ah! Test test! All you regular employees! It seems there’s quite a commotion, but it would be wise not to hold onto foolish hopes, Block!”
A voice so loud it made me want to cover my ears suddenly boomed from above. I thought the owner of the voice was hiding in the ceiling, but there was no sign of that at all. The only fact was that we could hear a voice from the ceiling.
“Zarock, you’ve been listening to everything.”
“That includes your defection, too, Block, Executive Director Notes. It’s truly unfortunate; you, who have greatly contributed to this company’s growth, would betray us… If the president finds out, he will be very angry, Block.”
“As a capable person like you should understand, it’s empty and foolish to inflate numbers by draining the life’s blood of others.”
“Ahhh! I can’t understand! Why on earth! A person like you! Would betray the great one, Block! Since I’ve been entrusted with overseeing the company’s security, there hasn’t been a dull day, Block! I’ve monitored all conversations, footage, even the women’s restroom, Block! All of it was for the president of Matere! I’ve dedicated myself to daily operations, even suppressing my own desires, Block!”
“Wait a minute! You didn’t mean… the women’s restroom, did you?”
“No way!”
Things were spiraling out of control. The women were hurling terrible insults at the voice’s owner, Zarock. The men were shouting in anger, and a few seemed to be envious. I didn’t know what he had been checking, but it was clear it was something truly despicable.
“Notes, where is this Zarock guy?”
“He’s likely in the security management room. But to think he would monitor the women’s restroom… I suppose I need to reevaluate my opinion of him.”
“Die! Die! You filthy pig!”
“Pervert!”
“I’ll go over there right now and rip your—whatever—off and shove it in your mouth!”
I think I heard a cute girl say something incredibly brutal. I didn’t quite understand, but it sounded very cruel.
“Yell all you want! You’ll never leave here alive, Block!”
“W-What do you mean?!”
“Those who defect are to be thoroughly disposed of, Block! In other words, you’ve made a grave mistake, Block! You chose to defy the great one, committing an act of foolishness that even the gods would fear, Block!”
More talk of gods. No matter how great a weapon merchant or god he is, there are things that should never be done. Even if he is revered as a god and everything is forgiven, I will not forgive. Not even if the other party is a god.
“Block, I’m sorry, but now that I’ve heard that, I absolutely won’t let anyone die.”
“It’s not Block, it’s Zarock! You lot have surprised me a bit! This entire place is the territory of Zarock! Killing you might be a bit tricky, but sealing you along with that data is certainly possible!”
“Notes, is it alright if the building gets destroyed?”
“W-What did you say?”
“I’m going to escape, so is it okay to destroy the building?”
“Y-Yeah…”
His vague nodding is enough. If the higher-ups say it’s fine, then there’s no need to hold back. So, here goes.
“Take this!”
With just a gentle swing, the wall explodes and flies apart. Technically, it’s just the pressure of the wind doing the work, but whatever.
“…Rua?”
“Huh, what is it now?”
“The wall disappeared?”
Why are you all just standing there? Not just Notes, but everyone else is frozen in place. If you have time to be surprised, hurry up and move! I have no idea what that Zarock guy is plotting, and while I’m fine, if these people get caught up in it, things will get a bit hectic for me.
“Come on, everyone, follow Lua-chan! It’s absolutely safe!”
“Right, there’s no time to dawdle. Here we go!”
Since we’re on the fourth floor, the only way to safely get these people down to the ground is to use the stairs. I just need to break down the walls to create the shortest path to the stairs. It’s as simple as that, so stop trembling like that.
“What is this… what is this…”
“Could it be that I’m going to die here today…?”
“Just hurry up! Take this!”
Instead of dealing with them one by one, I blew the wall at the back away all at once. The machines caught in the blast were also destroyed, which is a bonus.
“Stop it! Stop it! Hey, this is insane?!”
“Don’t think about anything unnecessary. Just stay there and watch, Zarock. If you interfere, I’ll destroy everything above this fourth floor in one go.”
As proof that I’m not just bluffing, I lightly swung at the ceiling, penetrating two or three floors. I probably can’t pay for the damages, but since the higher-ups said it was fine, it’s all good. The loud voice of Zarock that had been echoing around has completely vanished. I can’t help but worry that he might have actually died from that.
“Se-security level rising! All machines in the headquarters are to engage… Ah, it was already at maximum level. This guy… Hahaha… Hah!”
With that, he should no longer be a nuisance. Now, I wonder if the King and the others are safe.
◆ Outside Matere Headquarters ◆
【The King of Kashiram’s Great War Axe Wind! Dealt 3711 damage to the Sturdy Guardian Beast!
The Sturdy Guardian Beast has been defeated! HP 0/7440】
I didn’t need to worry at all. The machine wreckage scattered everywhere, and the King, who had just torn apart the last one with countless slashes, looked genuinely pleased.
“Pathetic. What meaning is there in mass-producing such puppets? They lack any fighting spirit. They merely follow the orders given to them, without even the will to fight. Do you think I, who am truly fighting, could lose to such beings?”
“I can’t comprehend… this utterly unreasonable situation… The calculations based on the power ratio shouldn’t be wrong; the win rate is 92.36%. Margin of error ±0.22… I refuse to accept this!”
The usually composed Lady is now cornered by the cavalry, her hair disheveled as she mutters repeatedly. Instead of worrying about calculations, she should be more concerned about her own safety, especially with a King like that who would kill without hesitation.
“However, there have been more casualties than I expected. Aside from the initial ambush, each squad has only lost a few members.”
“Hmm, it seems we still need more training.”
“The Kashiram cavalry… I never expected them to be this formidable…”
Kneeling on the ground, Lady sobs quietly, her head bowed. The people in Powered Suits have been cut down impressively, and it seems the cavalry maintained the upper hand throughout the battle. Even so, I can’t just kill like that; it’s not something I could do.
I understand now; in a fight against the cavalry, I can’t hold back. So indeed, more training is necessary. Weiss still has a long way to go.
“With this, nothing stands in our way. Lady, now that it has come to this, you are prepared, aren’t you… hmm?”
The King finally notices us. He seems a bit surprised by the many employees behind us, raising his eyebrows and widening his eyes.
“L-Lady!”
“Notes, Executive…”
“Lady, you must understand now. Evil will eventually perish, and the time for this company to face its reckoning has come. So…”
“…Matere, are you watching?”
“Lady?”
“Good grief, to think the latest model machines would be no match for me. It seems the barbarians truly excel in battle.”
Just like with Zarock, a voice that seems to belong to Matere echoes from nowhere. The cavalry looks around, but of course, Matere is nowhere to be found. Only the employees calmly listen to the voice, and many visibly tremble in response, having effectively betrayed the company.
“Matere, I have recorded all your misdeeds. The audio from the transaction with the thieves is all documented here. Every instance of fraud in the sales ledger is gathered as evidence. Some of the executives, including Zarock, are likely present as well. Please, let this end.”
“I never thought the unremarkable tool merchant I picked up would repay my kindness with betrayal. Listen well, this world is built on trust. Without trust, you cannot gain trading partners or profits. The reason I did not monitor your actions was because I trusted you. Notes… I am disappointed.”
“…I am sorry.”
Notes’ quiet apology seems genuine. He must have truly been trusted by Matere, and I believe he felt the same way. Even so, when he finally decided to act, it must have pained him greatly. I can sense just how much he struggled before making that decision through this brief exchange.
“I see, to be betrayed from within is quite a sight to behold. So, you were merely a cheap upstart after all. Hahaha!”
Could you please be quiet for a moment, Your Majesty? I dislike Matere too, but that way of speaking is genuinely infuriating. Weiss is also nodding slightly, which only adds to my irritation.
“Now, Matere. Come out from there immediately. If you obey my orders here and now, I might consider a reduced sentence. If you refuse, it will be death. Choose.”
“Well now… was there ever a law in this country against dealing with thieves?”
“I am the law. If you cannot obey, you should have left this country.”
“Hmph, so this is the end result of a barbarian. Even if it is a country, if you trace back through history, it is no different from thieves. There is no law, nor brains, is there?”
“I’ll take that as your refusal to comply.”
“I don’t mind; I never intended to end here. Now, let me show you… everything that the Matere Trading Company has honed.”
An explosion-like tremor shakes the ground. The cavalry, at least, can stand, but the employees who can’t even remain upright scream and crawl around in panic.
“W-What did you do?!”
“To think an adventurer would come this far… You little brat who hasn’t even lived half my life! Did you enjoy playing the hero?! Matere Trading Company! Now is the time to reveal your true form!”
The tall, white building begins to separate at regular intervals, and instead of collapsing, it continues to split and merge, each piece forming something. When it became clear that these were parts of a human body, the majority of those present understood the full scope of what was happening.
Arms, legs, torso—a massive building transforming into a gigantic human. From its shoulders sprouted horn-like protrusions with black lines on the shining white surface, and a head adorned with black glasses and an iron mask. That head easily looked down upon us.
“President… you finally…”
“This is my only mercy, Notes. You may go after witnessing this.”
“Ah…”
Notes collapses to the ground, and the employees can only stare up in terror at the colossal figure.
【Super Armored Machine God Material has appeared! HP 48400】
“The Kingdom of Kashiram will end today, and in its place, the Kingdom of Matere will be established.”
Matere’s voice, filled with superiority and ambition, echoed with delight.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Shin knows this well.
This is what is commonly referred to as an internal coup.
Matere claims it was because of trust, but managing the subordinates is the top’s job.
In that regard, the Demon King is truly wonderful; he is a god over there.
However, this is…
Even without evidence, this situation has unfolded as it should.
What exactly was the infiltration?
The transformation of the building into a giant machine is no longer surprising.
I’ve seen a giant golem.
Is this really something to be scared of?
“I’m not scared, I’m not scared.”
Ah, this warmth on my back feels so reassuring and cozy.