Year 7448, Month 4, Day 8
Before excusing myself from the audience room I was told about the schedule for the next meeting and the elevation of my n.o.ble ranking. It seems it's next Wednesday, April 14th. I was ordered to make sure I'm available that day and then when I was told "it's fine to leave", his highness Richard started talking.
"Your majesty, there's one more thing to report"
"There's still something remaining."
"Hn?"
The King and her highness the Queen both made slightly curious expressions.
"Sorry about that, Greed-kun. Both his majesty and her highness had a different audience up until right before this one. I still haven't had the chance to tell them. Though I say that, I only just heard about it myself a short while ago...Now, tell us about it, your great achievements!"
"Ha...Well then, with all due respect please allow me to announce"
Sorry about bringing this up while you're excited over the Wyvern armor.
"The other day we were able to defeat the guardians of the 12th and 13th floors of the dungeon of Baldukk. It was determined at that time but we believe that the 13th floor is the lowest floor of that dungeon. We were unable to teleport into any floors lower than that."
"Ho?"
The King leaned forward from his throne in admiration.
"We obtained a sword from the guardian of the 12th floor. Also, we obtained a ring from the guardian of the 13th floor. Ah, I left the sword with the knights at the entrance of the castle."
"Hmph, I'm sure it's just that right, at best a well-made sword so there's no need to bother with that. However, it's the first time something like a ring has come out."
"Ha. I'm wearing it right now. Would you like to take a look?"
I took of the ring and presented it.
It's the {Utility.Ring} but obviously it has a reaction to {Detect.Magic}. However, it's just a light reaction to earth, wind, and void magic.
I don't think there's any easy to way investigate it's effects.
If it's that imperial court magician, Marquis Dasurain's "unique spell" then he might be able to figure out the details a bit better.
However, after the matter with the {Loincloth.Of.Daring} I can more or less guess what kind of effect that "unique spell" has.
I think that "unique spell" or whatever is capable of detecting something like the mana waves(?) of the spell cast on the item.
In the case that he knows a spell with an effect similar to the one cast on an item then he probably can feel waves similar to that spell from the item.
And then he can make a guess about what kind of effect it'll have based on the spell he knows.
For example the {Ring.Of.Protection}, I think that's the reason why he was immediately able to confirm it was real and test it out.
After all that Marquis already had a ring with the same name.
I'm sure it wasn't exactly the same but he probably felt an extremely similar mana wave.
Also, the accuracy of that "unique spell" might not be all that high.
In comparison to the ring which he already knew the effects and mana waves, he didn't know any similar spells to the {Loincloth.Of.Daring} which mainly affects status so he probably wasn't even able to guess.
Even if he was able to guess the effects of it, I think he might only be able to that that it has an extremely weak(it might be that the effects are too weak that he wasn't even able to detect it, or even if he could detect it he could only tell it's even weaker than the effects of {Bark Skin}) defensive ability?
Things like HP recovery or damage reduction, those sorts of spells are pretty well known.
Putting aside HP recovery, quite frankly the spells which reduce damage are barely usable. Something like {Bark Skin} is barely just better than nothing, or at least it feels like that, and even I don't feel like bothering to use it most of the time.
Well, even then precisely because it "supposedly" has a magic effect it still had the value of 30,000,000 Z.
"{Status Open}..Hm~mm.. I don't really get it but for the most part it still seems to be a {Magic.Item}.."
The King said with an expression as if it completely betrayed his expectations.
"Ha. Just as you say. There's no way of determining the effects, the magic reaction is weak but I'm still thinking of making it into the heirloom of my family in commemoration for reaching the lowest floor."
"That's for the best."
Just in case he tried putting it on his finger, then after seeing it the King took it off and returned it to me.
"Then continuing on. About the guardian of the 13th floor but.."
"Yeah?"
"It was a dragon. Or to be more precise it was a {Shadow.Dragon}. Ah, it even arrogantly had a name such as Rongaruzamuryuzorufaren."
...
The King and Queen's eyes opened wide in surprise.
His highness Richard happily gazed at them.
"What was that? A dragon!?"
"Ha, this is from the guardian of the 12th floor, and this is the magic stone from the {Shadow.Dragon}, the guardian of the 13th floor. Also, today I brought along the head which we cut off as well."
I casually said with a refres.h.i.+ng expression as if I wasn't talking about anything important.
"A dragon you say! I definitely want to see it! Where is it!?"
Her highness spoke out in excitement.
No interest in the magic stone huh? Even though I went to the trouble of bringing it.
"Ha. On my carriage in the stables of the third outer citadel.."
"Richard! Bring it right away!"
After being ordered by the Queen, his highness Richard nodded before leaving the audience room in big strides and then said something to the guards in the hall.
The King is grumbling about something like, "Grrww..really a dragon..seriously..s.h.i.+t" and whispering to himself.
They still seem to have no interest in the magic stone I'm holding.
After a short while a messenger came to say that my carriage with the frozen dragon head on it was brought into the side garden in the second citadel.
After going outside right away and there was a large crowd gathered around the carriage looking from a distance.
They must have heard rumors about the dragon's head being on it and want to attend it's unveiling.
However, when both the King and Queen appeared they all took the retainer's pose all at once.
"I'll open it.."
I went to the side of my carriage while putting on airs and slowly untied the string on the canopy.
""Oh~~!!""
Shouts in admiration were raised from all over the place.
The ice is giving off a gleam in the spring sunlight.
Inside of that was the head of a black dragon the color of shadows glaring at the surroundings.
"Uumu.."
The King approached to the side and stared at it while groaning.
"As expected, of a dragon huh? It sure is big~"
The Queen was blocking her mouth with a folding fan while looking at it from all sides with her eyes opened wide.
"For it to be this size.."
His highness Richard seems to have regrouped with one of his subordinates form the first knight group and is nodding with his arms crossed as well.
"Hn? This is..Hey, Greed. What made this kind of wound?"
It seems the King noticed something.
I guess it caught their attention but his highness Richard and his subordinate came over for a look as well.
The wounds the King is pointing at are the numerous small round holes around the dragon's eyes and head.
The gunshot wounds that Angela fired.
They ignored the stab wound from {Flame.Tongue} on it's nose.
Well, since the stab wound looks more exaggerated they probably think it's from an attack spell or something.
The surroundings scales of the holes where the bullets pierced through are cracked and the scales themselves were completely torn so we tore them off.
Ah, obviously we already removed the remainders of the bullets as well.
"Yeah, that's an arrow wound. It was done by one of my combat slaves firing a crossbow. Though regrettably she lost her life in our fight with this Rongaruzamuryuzorufaren...It was precisely because I had her support that I was able to defeat it."
"Ho~ from a crossbow.."
Hearing my reply the King and Prince,
"Richard. You said that even when the Wyvern's scales were unprocessed they were able to deflect quarrels from a crossbow right?"
"Yes. Certainly. I confirmed it with my own eyes."
"..For a moment I thought I made a mistake rus.h.i.+ng with the Wyvern armor but that's a relief.."
"It seems that when it comes to the scales themselves the Wyverns are better than the Dragons."
"That seems to be the case."
And were whispering things like that.
It's a relief right?
When it comes to this fellow, I won't hand over this dragon.
After that I erased a portion of the ice so they could directly touch the head and let them check the status all they please.
Not just the King but all of the people in the surroundings lined up to touch it and check the status while raising their voices in excitement.
"However..it's certainly a dragon..Uumu, magnificent."
"Your majesty, the horn is splendid right."
The King and Queen are talking in front of the dragon's head.
Around this time the remaining Queens all gathered and were admiring it.
"For Greed to become a {Dragon.Slayer}.."
"I, just thought he was a simple rubber craftsman at first..Just as expected of Greed's younger brother right."
"I wonder if my little brother was together with them as well? Hey, greed...Eh? With your slave, just the two of you!? .....Cheh..that brat.."
"Well isn't it fine. But, for a {Dragon.Slayer} to appear in our country."
"Greed, you..It's amazing you were able to defeat this sort of giant monster~"
"Eeeh!!? You were swallowed by it once...That is"
"It seems that Greed is the number one adventurer in Baldukk."
"I see, then it's no wonder.."
After waiting for the conversation to calm down I took the chance to start talking to the King.
"Your majesty, there's one request I'd like to make."
"Hn? What is it? Try saying it."
"It's about the head of this dragon but would it be alright to leave it here frozen in ice like this for a short while?"
"I don't mind but why? I'd like to see the bones of it, so wouldn't it be best to stuff it?"
"Ha, as a matter of fact at the end of this month my family will be coming to the castle to deliver armor and saya. I definitely want to show them a true dragon."
"Greed has quite the cute side as well~ Isn't that fine, your majesty?"
Queen Morin helped follow-up for me so it was decided that it would remain on display while still frozen to the side of the castle gates for the time being.
By the way, I don't know if it's because this dragon matter came up but he didn't ask about those three illegitimate children today.
It would be the best if he could just give up on it though.
Whatever the case my elevation to peerage has been decided so I need to do what I need to do.
Incidentally, elevation to peerage is one variation(?) of naming ceremony that's done at the shrine.
However, it's not much different than delivering your notice of marriage to the government office in j.a.pan so it's nothing more than a required ceremony for the n.o.bility.
The invest.i.ture ceremony is done properly in the castle on a different day.
These past 20 years or so there hasn't been any upper ranking n.o.bles born other than successors who inherited the n.o.ble ranking.
Well, it's something that's rarely performed to that extent so quite a few n.o.bles will be in attendance at the invest.i.ture ceremony.
Though there's also the matter of their circ.u.mstances so what would be the reception party of a wedding for the invest.i.ture ceremony will take place around the fall of this year.
On the evening of this day, after returning to Baldukk I properly confirmed the remaining amount in my wallet and then went to do what needed to be done together with Miduchi.
It can't be done alone after all.
..................................
Year 7448, Month 4, Day 14
Seeing me arrive at the castle the guard left me pa.s.s with just a simple body check.
After all right now my reputation is at it's peak.
Along with that it's to the point that considerably high ranking n.o.ble families are making marriage offers.
Though I've been rejecting them all saying while I'm a borderline n.o.ble it's still too much for a mere adventurer so we don't match up.
The frozen dragon's head is still hanging from ropes as it's displayed on the side of the gate.
The knight or squire or whatever who's acting as the guard was looking at me with admiration.
This morning I have a lecture which will cover all of the details that the King knows about Count Riguru's territory.
Of course, even if I call it a lecture there's not that much to it.
Things like the taxes these past few years, the organization of the local knight groups, how many low ranking n.o.bles will withdraw when the transfer is done, and when that will take place, etc...
After that there's deciding the safety fee for when I become the Lord.
I tried negotiating to make it even just a bit cheaper but I was told that if I want to try and decrease it below the current safety fee of 30% of the taxes then they'll lower the number of stationed troops to match that so I couldn't do anything about it.
Eventually I'll have to manage everything on my own but since I have to leave the stationed troops of the second knight group to maintain public security and protect against invasions until then, there's no helping it.
Either way I'm sure I'll have to discuss the fine details of things like this sooner or later so it should be fine then right?
And then 10:00 am.
It was finally time for the naming ceremony required for the elevation to peerage.
I put on a plain but high quality robe that doesn't stand out and went together with the King wearing a hood low over his head as well as several knights from the second knight group to visit the shrine that's to the side of the castle.
It seems they've already made preparations with the shrine so we were able to perform the ceremony with zero waiting time.
"{Status Open}"
Alan.Greed/14/4/7448 Alan.Greed/8/4/7448
Male/14/2/7428
Hyumu.Count Riguru Family Head
Unique Skill: Identify(MAX)
Unique Skill: Gift of Natural Talent(MAX)
Special Skill: Earth Magic(MAX)
Special Skill: Water Magic(MAX)
Special Skill: Fire Magic(MAX)
Special Skill: Wind Magic(MAX)
Special Skill: Void Magic(MAX)
Certainly I was able to confirm that my a.s.sociation had changed.
Furthermore, in regards to the family name it's fine if I change it to match up later or there's no problem if I just want to keep using Greed as well.
n.o.ble ranking is normally something that comes attached to the territory you rule after all.
Though it's not absolute since there's also n.o.bles who don't rule any territory.
After returning to the castle this time I was pulled over by the chief of emblems under the ministry of internal affairs and made to wait.
It's supposedly about my family emblem.
The current Count Riguru family emblem is what you could call "Two Hawk Feathers in a Circle".
It's confirming whether I'm fine with keeping it as it is now or if I want to change it to a different design.
The Greed family emblem is "Three Columns in a Circle".
Incidentally, the Kawasaki family emblem from my previous life was "???" which is basically the Wisteria flower spreading out it's petals.
It's not anything that particularly needs to be hurried but it can't be helped worrying about something like this.
Though that's the case, it's what's going to be my flag so I don't want to decide it simply either.
I was told since I defeated a dragon and became a {Dragon.Slayer} what about a design that includes a dragon.
That sounded right but then I remembered my origins.
It's rubber.
That's why I decided on the rubber tree and made it the flower from the quasi-rubber tree.
It's a quasi-rubber tree shaped like a hanging bell with a lot of small yellow flowers blooming from it.
They have five flower petals.
As a matter of fact they're almost like tri-color bread shaped like three eggs stuck together.
I designed it matching up with that.
I guess it would be best to describe it as having three circles overlapping with the flower of the quasi-rubber tree placed in the center of that?
Well it's a simple design but I was satisfied with it.
Before going back I thought about going to the tailor shop and ordering a flag.
Ah, I guess it would be fine to go right now as well.
I'm making Miduchi wait right.
It's just right so I'll go now.
After I told the director of emblems "I'll order a lot of flags from the tailor and give you one when they're done" he finally let me go.
In addition to the order I said I would go and get some lunch before heading out.
However, in the afternoon I have a meeting with a different official.
I was told to come back right away.
It's expected that I'll be considerably busy for the next few months.
I took off on my horse from the castle and met up with Miduchi who was waiting at the factory of my company and had a simple of lunch of hotdogs.
And then we immediately went to do what needed to be done.
After returning to the castle I was lectured by an official from the ministry of internal affairs about Count Riguru's territory and it was evening when the portion for today was finally over.
Just when I was about to leave the castle it seems his highness Richard was waiting for me as he called out for me.
It seems the King is calling for me.
Just as I entered the audience room the King threw a bomb at me.
If I hadn't been prepared for it before hand then I probably would have been at my limit avoiding an immediate reply.
"I thought about bringing it up next month but it's better to do things like this sooner rather than later. Hey, Greed. Just in case I'll listen to your wishes. Out of the three of them, which one do you want?"
So he's finally come.
This "three of them" is probably referring to his three illegitimate children.
"..What now? Out of the three of them? Whatsoever could you mean?"
"Don't play dumb. The daughters of Jibekuto, Refaisu, and Fokein. I've heard about it. You've already met them in person right?"
"..Jibekuto..Refaisu...Fokein? Ah, those.."
I replied while making a difficult expression.
"In regards to those three there was something I wanted to report to your majesty."
It seems my expression and reply were unexpected to him. The King leaned forward from the throne with a bit of interest.
"Hn? What is it? Try telling me."
"I don't know what the reason is but those three are frequently coming to Baldukk. Last year they entered the dungeon after asking some adventurers who I've had friendly relations with for many years to act as their guides."
"That's right. It was originally my idea after all. Since in the future I'm sure they'll have to defeat monsters so I encouraged them to do it."
On the side of the King who was making a triumphant face his highness Richard was nodding to himself as well.
"..Judging from that state it seems you didn't receive a proper report about things."
"What?"
The King replied as if he was surprised.
"In accordance with their play acting as adventurer in Baldukk they caused various disturbances. As a result of that they weighed down the adventurers and caused several casualties. The original underlying cause was because they were unsatisfied with their campsite inside of the dungeon."
Since they couldn't stand the filth and stares from other adventurers inside of the dungeon.
Thanks to that they had to move their base camp.
And then that caused a large number of casualties including the leader of one of the adventurer parties.
Moreover they ended up becoming undead so I had to kill them with my own hands when I went to their rescue.
"..Hey, Richard. Did you know about the matter from just now?"
"No, I didn't know about it.."
His highness Richard was making an expression as if he had suddenly swallowed 100 bugs or so while replying.
"..I see."
Viruhaima's already dead so I'm sure Anderson wouldn't bother explaining the fine details at this point.
It seems the King has already regained his composure.
"However, what are you trying to say about that? Isn't it only obvious that there will be casualties inside of the dungeon?"
"That's right. It's obvious for there to be casualties. However, the problem isn't the fact that there were casualties. It's because there were casualties that normally wouldn't have been necessary. And the cause of that was the selfishness of those three."
"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d..Are you insulting my daughters?"
The King said with an expression of anger.
"No way! That's absurd. It's my humble opinion that the problem here is the environment they were raised in but how about? Your highness?"
I requested the opinion of her highness Queen Morairu who's just been standing with no expression like a Noh mask and not partic.i.p.ating in the discussion.
After having the discussion thrown to her Morin quickly changed her expression as if he realized and then smiled.
"Your majesty, do you understand the meaning of what Greed is trying to say? He's saying that they weren't properly disciplined and grew up getting whatever they want because they're your children you know?"
On Orth, no, at the very least in Rombert Kingdom the treatment between genders is almost equal.
Women can inherit households and there's quite a few female soldiers as well.
Also, just because they're n.o.bles doesn't mean they're free to act as selfish as they please either.
Though in reality it's still pardoned to some extent, exactly like how it was for those three.
However, it's also because most n.o.bles understand things like that they throw their younger generations into the army while they're still young.
In that sort of way it's certain that those three entered the knight group a lot later than the period most n.o.ble's children do(though it's not the case for just the youngest one) even more-so in an environment where their family's squires are already there to take care of them...
It's spoiling them too much right.
In any case, those three fail as someone you can leave a large number of subordinates to on the front lines.
I don't know whether or not they have political talent in the royal palace.
"Also, this time it was adventurers but please think about if that was kingdom's knights. What would happen if the battle ends up at a disadvantage because of their selfishness? What if a skilled knight or squire loses their life? Greed is pointing out those sorts of points."
Her highness the Queen politely and kindly sad as if scolding a small child.
"Gu..Mu.."
"Ha, mother, that is.."
"I think so too..if they were..that's right more like her highness Biagitte with great wisdom and deep prudence, a splendid lady then I wouldn't have had any reason to reject the marriage."
That's right, something like an illegitimate child that royalty like you didn't raise, unless they're exceptionally skilled there's no way I'd be willing to put on those shackles. If you were to try and sell me a favor like that and put a collar on me then it would all be pointless.
"Is that so~ It's said that Biagitte is too gentle but I guess for those who are looking they can see through it...However, it's already been 9 years since Biagitte married into Baguweru's place. n.o.bles can't divorce after all. Greed, unfortunately no matter how interested you are in her."
Her highness was pleased that the eldest daughter she gave birth to herself was praised.
However, her highness Biagitte..though she's already not her highness anymore..as expected that's raising her up a bit too high, she's not that intelligent. Though it seems she's a fluffy beauty but I've never seen her face before.
"Also, your majesty. It's more important than anything else but..while they're just illegitimate children I think it would be a bit bad for appearances sake if I were to take your majesty's daughter as my second wife.."
When I said that all three of them made surprised expressions.
"What? Second..you say?"
"You, were married?"
"Wh..when...?"
I've won in terms of speed.
On the night when my elevation to peerage was decided Miduchi and I got married at a shrine in Baldukk, since I wasn't a successor to anyone I became a commoner as the {Greed Family Head}.
And then today, after gaining the n.o.ble ranking of Count Riguru, when I went to lunch with Miduchi we had them change or status again.
And conveniently just as the Queen said Rombert Kingdom doesn't accept n.o.bles to divorce.
Since as the head of the Count Riguru family I Alan.Greed brought a woman to change her status to {Greed Family First Wife} and said, "I became a count so use naming to change my wife's status as well" then there's no reason why the priest would refuse it.
Furthermore it was still fresh in his memory that I had just formally become a count this morning.
There's nothing particularly wrong with being the second or third wife.
However, in the average household it's common for the lower numbers to have more authority so it's often the case where that's considered obvious.
This goes the same for households with men as well, the third husband has less authority than the second, and the second has less than the first so it's common for the head of the household to put more priority on their opinion.
It's not like there's any particular reason it's just how it ended up as a culture though.
Since that's the case, I had a proper reason to directly reject the marriage with those three.
Happily ever after.
Now then, what happened next was...
......................................................
One night in the late 21st century.
Even after the usual time arrived there was no contact from Al.
It's the first time this has happened but I didn't panic. It's still too soon to panic.
I'm sure he's busy after all.
With my mobile terminal connected to the charging cable I left it on the side of my desk and decided to start finis.h.i.+ng up the work I brought home first. I'm sure there's days like this as well.
..However, after that day, over a week later and there's still no contact from Al.
I was already starting to panic quite a bit.
I thought I wouldn't be able to record the continuation like this.
It's already about time for me to stop panicking over it.
The contact is made through Al's spell and he said it was pretty close to the result of an accident.
We discussed quite a few things like the gaps between time and s.p.a.ce, distortions and whatnot, but in the end we couldn't figure out the reason.
I can't find any abnormalities with my terminal.
There's no problem with calling my family, friends, or a.s.sociates from work at all.
It's possible to both make and receive calls with no problems. Of course, there's nothing wrong with sending mail or checking the web either. I tried bringing it into the shop of the carrier I have a contract with but just as expected there was no problem.
I wonder if something happened to Al?
I was worried but I couldn't do anything other than what I was able to think of doing.
Grasping for straws I tried buying the exact same model of terminal and even tried changing my personal authentication.
However, just like usual there was still no contact.
And then time pa.s.sed just like that.
I was busy with my own life and before long the number of times I remembered him decreased.
...................................................
After over 10 years had pa.s.sed, one night when I was digging through the desk drawer in my house looking for something.
The mobile terminal I used in the past rolled out.
Huh? Ah, this...
It's the old terminal before I bought a new one.
It's long since run out of battery so just as I was staring at the mobile terminal which can't be turned and I suddenly remembered the strange event that happened in the past.
Come to think of it, how many years back was that again...
For a while I even tried to think of it as just a dream.
However, the data that was carved into the octuple.level.self-flash memory(OLC) through the voice recording function on my mobile terminal proves it wasn't a dream.
Back then it was such a strange occurrence that I even requested a record of where the signal came from I think it was...
In the end there wasn't anything suspicious about where the signal came from...
For the first time in a while I wanted to hear his voice.
I guess I'll try replaying some of the recorded data.
Where did I put the charger cable from back then?
I'm sure there's no way I threw it away.
Is it inside of the drawer?
Just as I held onto the mobile terminal to stick one of my hands into the drawer...
The mobile terminal in my hand had...
started ringing that it was receiving a call...
and shook.
Even though it shouldn't have any battery remaining...
On the display was...
"Receiving Call"
just that.
There wasn't any information on the other side's registered name, number, or whether they're using a public line, just the words "Receiving Call".
I felt a shock as if I was. .h.i.t by lightning and just stared at the display.
And then with my trembling fingers I tapped the "Pick-up" b.u.t.ton.
..Yo~ sorry about yesterday..
The voice that was nostalgic for a period of time came out from the speakers.
"Is it Al!?"
..Yeah, it's me. Did you forget my voice after a single day?..
There's no way, there's no way I would forget it!
"Yo..You!! Al!! You were alright!?"
..Ha? Alright..What are you saying? I'm lively and well..
"Until now exactly..how many years do you think has pa.s.sed!! It's been over 10 years since then!"
..Han? It's only been a single night since our last contact you know..
"A single night? What do you mean?"
..Like I know. But, I see. So that much time has pa.s.sed....
It seems Al only missed calling me for a single night.
..Sorry~sorry. Various things happened on my end as well..
"You're still just as carefree as usual."
..That's why I apologized right. But, I see. 10 years is it....
All of the events that happened after the first night I was contacted by him flew through my mind.
I investigated his address from what he was barely able to remember at the time and found out that after the wife he left behind retired from the office she was working back then she returned to her family's house and died at the age of 97.
It was regretful that if I had received contact from him another several months sooner then I might have been able to somehow let them talk to each other. Al seemed disappointed as well.
I don't think I'll ever forget the deep sigh and stifled silence I heard form his disappointed voice through the speakers of the terminal when I reported it to him for the rest of my life.
I started listening to the story of his second life and at first I couldn't believe it at all but before long I started to look forward to the continuation.
I wonder when exactly it was that I got his permission and started recording it.
Before long recording his stories became a hobby of mine.
When that ended up being cut off I was considerably worried but I can listen to that continuation again...
..Hey, what's wrong? Going quiet. Are you listening?..
"Yeah, sorry. I was just remembering back."
..What is it? Ah, you did say 10 years have pa.s.sed over there..I wonder why..
"Like I could know! In the first place isn't the cause on your side Al, since you're using magic!"
..Even if you say something like that..I can't even guess why..
"That's right wasn't it..But, that's right, it's been 10 years. I was worried you know."
There's already no meaning in questioning why one night over there was ten years over here so there's no choice than to put it aside.
..Sorry about that. But 10 years is quite long..Rather than how have you been? Did anything change over there?..
"Yeah, I got married and had a child."
..Ho~ then congratulations..
"Yeah, thanks. Also, I'm about to leave my company and go independent. Right now I'm in the middle of preparations for that. Though it might lose in comparison to you. Even then the reason I was able to put in efforts towards making my own business was because I heard your story. I've already got promises from several major clients. One day I'll definitely be in the Nikkei 225."
..The Nikkei 225 how many decades has it been since I've heard that..But, I see. That's quite impressive....
"Is that sarcasm? But, well, it's that. If you're a man..Right, if you're a man then you've got to aim to be the King right!"
