From Now On, This City Is Ours (2)
Of course, the mayor's sudden acceleration had consequences.
The people around us—especially our own crew, the direct beneficiaries—couldn't hide their bewilderment.
But that only lasted a moment...
"Of course, in exchange for our full support, we have some additional deals to propose to you and the Demonia branch."
"Oh?"
"I see. You're saying we should go beyond the current level and become one with the city, right?"
"Can't argue with that. But since we're at it, why not take over the entire planet?"
"M-Mr. Mayor?"
"Oh, excellent idea... from a fine, upstanding citizen."
He wasn't just blindly giving stuff away.
He was talking about expanding the board even further.
Watching that, I realized you needed a beast's heart like his to run a pioneer city.
But right as I was thinking that, my evaluation of Lime Pedro Heisenberg rollercoastered wildly inside me.
"So, what are your terms? You used the word 'full,' so I assume your price will be steep."
"Ahem."
"Ah, I see."
When Elena pointed it out in her sharp tone, he made a face like, 'At least she'll make a decent partner.'
Then his expression shifted in an instant.
To something very serious—like a sinister mafia boss about to make an offer you can't refuse.
And it wasn't just a vibe.
Right after I thought that...
"Our additional terms are as follows. From what I know, your real goal is to conquer this Milano system—no, all the nearby star systems, right?"
"Hmm, well, can't deny it."
"From my life experience and dealing with all sorts of people, you don't strike me as the type to settle on just Milano-V."
"Of course not!"
"So, no matter what, we want to be partners with you—destined to go all the way together."
"...In other words, you'll grow alongside us?"
"Exactly."
He was talking about investing in our 'future,' treating us as true partners and co-owners to the end.
Sure, we'd just devoured a Red Scourge swarm, making us strong compared to other branches (per Elena).
But even so, a small pioneer city like Heisenberg City was still a stretch for us.
"Grateful, but it's a delicate proposal."
"Hmm? What's got you worried, lady?"
"We're not naive enough to take 'full support on growth potential' at face value."
"What does that mean, assistant?"
"It could mean absorbing us with capital and turning us into the city's subcontractors."
"Ah, like outsourcing."
Elena, leading the talks for her clueless baby boss like me, pulled back slightly with a suspicious look.
I nodded at her whisper—it made sense—and crossed my arms with a pout.
The mayor waved it off lightly, insisting that wasn't it, and continued.
So, what was it?
"Simply put, it's a 'buy low' deal."
"Ho?"
"You didn't tell me, but I heard from the settlers. You've incorporated a 10,000-strong Red Scourge swarm."
"..."
"Plus, with Demonia branches scattered across the universe, you're getting reinforcements at top-tier speed... so you're probably walking a tightrope right now."
"Hmmm."
"By the way, this room has no bugs. And everyone here is in this fate community—no betrayals."
"Hng."
"And as I said, I want equal partners, not one dominating the other."
"...Not a bad pitch."
"Hmmm."
He wanted to buy us low, make us co-owners, and ride out future chaos as comrades.
Elena seemed to accept it psychologically—not impossible.
But she shot me a look: Even so, isn't he overestimating us?
The mayor just chuckled lightly.
"Of course, that's not the end of the conditions. Even a buy-low deal can't be all upside for us."
"Hearing that actually reassures me."
His 'give and take' vibe let Elena relax and accept.
So we listened quietly to the city's—well, mayor's—terms.
"Two additional conditions."
"Mm."
"First, if your organization develops special weapons or tech, share with us if possible."
"Tech sharing? Handing over all our secrets?"
"It's 'if possible,' so scale it to your judgment."
"Hmmm... Elena, thoughts?"
"Not bad. We might have to anyway later, even if we don't want to."
"Phrasing's off, but yeah, we'll need it eventually."
Up to there, it felt so politician-y.
Scheming big-picture futures, head visibly spinning—it was intriguing.
But then, right after...
"Now I'm really curious about the last condition."
"..."
"Mr. Mayor?"
"..."
"?"
He went silent when asked for the last one—what was wrong?
I felt puzzled.
"Sigh... Saying this myself is so embarrassing."
"What the hell is it?"
"...Ahem, how to put this."
"Keep stalling and we're out."
"Urgh... yeah, beating around the bush could be disastrous. Straight to it."
He steeled himself, face and tone dead serious, making even me sit up straight.
"Benya Tomiri, would you consider a serious relationship with me—leading to marriage?"
"...What?"
"Love at first sight. This is true love...!"
"Eh."
The 'last condition' was this absurdity.
Not Elena with her killer curves that made even post-TS me go 'aww.'
Me—with my flat chest indistinguishable from a guy's, mechanical tentacles wriggling on my back, who'd hung back this whole negotiation.
We'd just met, and in 10 minutes, he declares full support and confesses boldly.
Staring at Lime Pedro Heisenberg, I wondered what the hell this was.
And before I could process...
"Excellent. We'll arrange a date soon."
"Ooh!"
"Assistant?"
She straight-up approved and moved to seal the deal.
I felt my mood turn utterly weird. Was this for real?