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Emmmm~
Inside the common room, having listened to the straight-haired girl from the Bureau of Astrology introduce herself, Bokue stroked his mental chin.
They say sincerity is always the ultimate trump card. Kisaki Kiriha's self-introduction was refreshingly straightforward.
Identity, attitude, purpose—all laid out clearly. She'd stopped just short of adding "I'm just a grunt following orders." There was absolutely nothing to criticize.
Of course, Bokue hadn't planned on criticizing her anyway.
The only thing that made him curious was whether she'd done her homework before coming—she seemed to understand his personality remarkably well.
Not only had she been completely upfront from the start, but she'd also thoroughly grasped his behavioral style.
After all, Bokue really didn't enjoy being worshipped. As far as he was concerned, normal treatment was sufficient when dealing with people.
You respect me, I respect you. Using his name directly was fine too. As long as it wasn't maliciously derogatory, anything worked.
As for adding honorifics like "Lord So-and-So"... that gave him goosebumps. Hard pass.
"I have no issue with the Bureau of Astrology, but—"
Resting one hand on the sofa's armrest, Bokue considered for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Kisaki just said 'representing the Bureau of Astrology on behalf of Kusuki Happiness Enterprises to recover a missing asset.' But isn't the Bureau of Astrology a government agency established specifically to combat naturally occurring magical disasters? Why would you be involved with a private company?"
Exactly. Why would a government agency work for a private enterprise?
"Well..."
The young man's question was undeniably pointed, causing even Kisaki Kiriha to hesitate momentarily.
"While the Bureau of Astrology is indeed a government agency, we do maintain certain cooperative relationships with major private enterprises. Kusuki Happiness Enterprises happens to be one of our partners. So... while some requests fall outside our usual scope of responsibility, they're difficult to decline."
"I see~"
Bokue nodded.
"But you also used the word 'asset' just now. If I'm not mistaken, 'Eguchi Yume' is a person's name, right? Since when does Japanese law allow treating individuals as private property?"
"..."
Another pointed question.
While Kisaki could answer the previous one, even she couldn't directly address this issue. She could only continue smiling and acknowledge the young man's point.
"Of course—Japanese law doesn't permit human trafficking. This is merely how Kusuki Happiness Enterprises unilaterally described things in their request."
"The request also mentioned that this girl named Eguchi Yume currently resides on Itogami Island. Her parents—or rather, adoptive parents—are both Kusuki Happiness Enterprises employees who recently fell into comas after being affected by nightmare powers, causing Yume's whereabouts to become unknown."
As Kisaki spoke, she produced a document.
"Incidentally, regarding human rights, Kusuki Happiness Enterprises' position is this: Japan currently only has laws protecting human rights. Since Eguchi Yume harbors nightmare powers within her body, she doesn't qualify as human."
?
Even Bokue couldn't help but mentally add a question mark.
The only reason he didn't say anything was because the person standing before him was Kisaki Kiriha rather than the CEO of Kusuki Happiness Enterprises. Otherwise, he'd definitely ask:
Should you tell Sirzechs about this, or should I?
Like... you actually found that loophole to exploit? What a little genius you are.
"What the law doesn't prohibit is permitted," right? You're really not afraid of creating an international diplomatic incident, huh?
You don't actually think the demon realm will be too choked up by that one statement to protest, do you?
Wait, though... now that he thought about it...
Bokue reconsidered, looking back at the straight-haired girl in the center of the room.
"Shouldn't this kind of information be classified in assignment requests? Why are you telling me all this?"
"Hehe, that's true enough."
Kisaki smiled faintly.
"While the Bureau of Astrology does have obligations to maintain client confidentiality, that's only when it won't cause us trouble. If maintaining secrecy would bring disaster upon ourselves, the Bureau of Astrology won't engage in such unprofitable business."
Oh, I see...
Bokue immediately understood Kisaki's meaning.
After all, this very Itogami Island had been forcibly claimed from the Japanese government through his overwhelming personal martial force.
When the Bureau of Astrology—a magical combat agency established by said government—received this request, they'd probably let out a piercing screech on the spot.
But what could they do? It was still a request from a cooperative partner. To secure future funding allocations, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and proceed.
At most, they could clearly establish their position and distance themselves as much as possible. If questioned, they'd say they were just doing their job for pay.
"Unfortunately though, we actually met this Eguchi Yume you mentioned just this morning. We... got somewhat acquainted."
Bokue shook his head.
"I absolutely refuse to accept that a living, breathing little girl could be considered corporate property. Besides, if Kusuki Happiness Enterprises needs to cooperate with nightmares, they could easily negotiate with the demon realm. Why risk international diplomatic incidents by doing things this way?"
"Because Eguchi Yume's power is irreplaceable."
Kisaki provided an answer that shocked virtually everyone present.
"She harbors the power of Lilith, the Witch of the Night, within her body. Only she can control the legendary Leviathan."
Hmm?
Hearing those three syllables—Leviathan—Bokue experienced a moment of confusion.
Leviathan? Serafall? Kusuki Happiness Enterprises wants to control Serafall?
"No, the Leviathan I'm referring to isn't the current demon realm Satan. It's the legendary god-slaying weapon 'Leviathan,' created specifically to oppose divine beings."
Seemingly perceiving the young man's confusion, Kisaki explained further.
"However, since it's a legendary god-slaying weapon, I've never witnessed it personally. I only know of its existence."
Oh, another god-slaying weapon... Bokue thought.
Probably similar to that Narak Wearer thing some idiot had created before by playing with snakes.
"...So what do they plan to do after controlling Leviathan?"
By this point, Bokue was basically just asking for entertainment value.
The script felt familiar—driven by greed to grasp power beyond their control, inevitably leading to spectacular disaster.
Tch, why don't people ever learn?
Just as the young man was thinking this, the straight-haired girl's voice came again.
"I imagine they plan to use Leviathan's power as leverage, with Itogami Island as their starting point, to conquer the world?"
???
The question marks above Bokue's head instantly tripled.
World domination was bad enough—but using his Itogami Island as a starting point?
Yeah, he was pretty sure Kusuki Happiness Enterprises had completely lost their minds.
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