The Kurotsuki Hall Sweep Operation
The round table could seat about ten people and was already laden with food. Both Japanese and Western dishes that made my mouth water just by looking at them were spread across it.
“Everyone, eat your fill.”
Following Nagumo Shian’s words, we each took our seats and began the meal. Just as she had claimed, the chef’s skills were truly exceptional. The quality was almost on par with the housekeeper at the talent development center—the one I had raved about before. The beef Wellington, in particular, was outstanding. It seemed the chef had far more talent for Western cuisine than Japanese.
“Mmm! This is delicious!”
“It really is the best restaurant in Daisen. What do you think, Hubae-nim?”
“I agree. This might be the best meal I’ve had in my entire life.”
“Hehe. As the restaurant owner, that is the highest praise I could ask for.”
When everyone showered the food with compliments, Nagumo Shian beamed as if she had cooked it all herself. Because the dishes were so superb, the only sounds at the table were the gentle clinks of silverware.
Near the end of the meal, Nagumo Shian finally spoke.
“There is no one else listening now, so tell me. That proposal you mentioned…”
When I sharpened my senses, I could no longer detect the presences that had been nearby earlier. Did Nagumo Shian possess some kind of detection ability? Or had she arranged in advance for everyone to vacate the area at this time? I felt a faint curiosity, but the important matter right now was the proposal itself.
“As compensation for hiring East Weapon, could you transfer the land of Taira Foods’ Daisen Eighth Factory? In exchange, I will give you the chance to participate in our business, Noona.”
“So there really is something at the eighth site. Ichiro also said that if he assisted in the Kurotsuki Hall subjugation, he wanted to be supported at the next Taira Group executive meeting—or to receive the land of the Taira Foods Daisen Eighth Factory.”
So that was it. I had received the information from Eve through the Dark Merchant app, but that data must have leaked from somewhere. It seemed Eve had obtained it from Taira Ichiro’s side. But why had Nagumo Shian contacted me instead of seeking Ichiro’s help?
As if she had read my thoughts, Nagumo Shian gave a small smile and spoke.
“Just as I was about to ask Ichiro for help, I received a call from Danjo. He told me you had formed a PMC. That is why I chose you instead of Ichiro.”
Aha. So that was the story behind it. It seemed old man Taira Danjo was secretly looking out for me after all.
“Yes. What exactly is in the eighth district?”
“The information I possess is that there is a mithril vein located in the eighth district.”
Nagumo Shian’s eyes widened, clearly not having expected mithril. It was a precious metal, so her surprise was understandable.
“Mithril… Are you planning to establish a mining company?”
“Yes. I intend to create a mining company as a subsidiary under the Hatake Investment Company I own. What I will offer you is equity in that mining company.”
“I understand.”
“Huh?”
Nagumo Shian nodded the moment she heard my words. I had expected her to ask what percentage of shares I would give, but she simply accepted. She didn’t seem to be the type who chased immediate practical gains. It was trust over profit. That was probably why she was called the godmother of the region.
“Also, if possible, please let East Weapon handle security for the eighth district construction site.”
“Once we sell it, the land will be yours anyway. What does it matter who provides security? It will be whatever you want, Ryuta.”
Hmm. She had a point.
“Then I will give you twenty percent of the shares, Noona. I will also give five percent each to Sunbae-nim and Azuma-ssi.”
To truly bring them to my side, we needed to share the profits. Of course I trusted Sawayanagi Azuma and Mimata Chieri, but since they were responsible for my greatest military asset—the PMC—I had to make sure they weren’t left out.
“Oh, you’re including us too?”
“Really? Hubae-nim really is the best!”
Sawayanagi Azuma and Mimata Chieri, who had been sitting quietly at the table, lit up with joy at my announcement. Neither of them was particularly driven by money, so they seemed happier about the fact that I was taking care of them than about the actual value of the shares.
“But will the Taira Foods executives agree to giving us the eighth factory site instead of other compensation?”
Mimata Chieri raised a perfectly reasonable question. Although Nagumo Shian was president and held a significant stake in Taira Foods, she had been appointed by Taira Danjo like a CEO and could not dictate everything.
Too bad. I had thought everything would be settled once I reached an agreement with Nagumo Shian, but there were clearly more factors to consider. I must have been a little naïve. I hadn’t anticipated that the executives would have already bought up the surrounding land.
“The employment fee we will pay East Weapon for this war will far exceed the value of a site that was merely designated without a single shovel being used. Everyone will want to secure their own profit. If we give them time to sell the land they purchased around the factory and then allow them to earn even more by selecting a new site, no one will object.”
So that was her angle. The executives owned land around the factory intended for commercial buildings or dormitories. Since land prices had risen, letting them sell for profit and then choose a new site for additional gains would appeal to their greed. Rather than forcing her authority, Nagumo Shian planned to stimulate their desires to achieve the outcome she wanted.
“From my position, it will also be difficult to refuse. Instead of paying the expensive employment fee, selling the factory site—which has risen in value somewhat—can be justified as being in the company’s best interest.”
Because the surrounding land was currently more expensive than the factory site itself, we could reasonably demand the eighth factory site as compensation for East Weapon. Hiring over a thousand troops from East Weapon came at an enormous cost, and their decisive performance in securing victory against Kurotsuki Hall would require massive success bonuses and various other payments. For Nagumo Shian, this was the perfect opportunity to save money.
“Once everything is settled, I will contact you. The executives will need time to liquidate their land holdings, so it may take a while.”
“Understood. There is no immediate rush. I will use the time to establish the company.”
After all, if they continued delaying payments owed to East Weapon, the accumulating interest would only strengthen the argument that this arrangement benefited the company.
“You will be busy again for some time. You must normalize the company and handle this matter as well.”
“I’m sorry, Noona, for making you work so hard.”
“Why would you apologize when this is my job? Just make sure you welcome me properly the next time I visit Chiba.”
That made sense. Since Taira Group meetings were frequently held at the main family residence in Chiba, Nagumo Shian would visit often. Even after I returned to the talent development center, I would still be able to see her regularly.
“As president of East Weapon, I will need to return to Taira Foods headquarters to continue discussions.”
Mimata Chieri spoke with a slightly deflated expression. From what I understood, the morning meeting had only covered compensation for the smaller PMCs and Seryu Military Company. As president of East Weapon, she naturally had to attend the afternoon session. She had originally planned to receive her compensation and return with me, but because of the proposal I made to Nagumo Shian, she would have to negotiate with the Taira Foods side and likely wouldn’t be able to return today.
She seemed disappointed that she wouldn’t be flying back with me.
“Will you leave tomorrow, then?”
“Yes. I have a morning reservation at Akita Airport, so I will stay here tonight and depart tomorrow.”
“Then Azuma-san and Ryuta can rest here. Mimata-san and I will head to the company.”
Leaving only Sawayanagi Azuma and me behind, Mimata Chieri and Nagumo Shian headed straight for Taira Foods headquarters.
After changing into comfortable clothes in my room, I lay down and scrolled through my smartphone. The door opened, and Sawayanagi Azuma entered wearing light clothing as well.
“Hehe, Investor-nim~!”
She came in with an adorable laugh and immediately hugged me. I smiled faintly and brushed her hair back.
“Were you waiting for the moment we could be alone?”
“Yes. Hehet♥”
Sawayanagi Azuma rubbed her head against my chest like a cat, giggling continuously. It seemed the many times we had been intimate during her precognitive visions had left her with deep affection for me. To reciprocate that affection, I slid my hand under her arm as she continued rubbing against my chest and gently pulled her upward.
When our faces met, Sawayanagi Azuma blushed and turned her head slightly. I didn’t understand why she was suddenly shy after rubbing against me so boldly, but I leaned close to her ear.
“Azuma-ssi. Look at me.”
The moment she turned her head at my words, I captured her lips in a kiss.
“Mmph!”
Sawayanagi Azuma accepted my tongue as it slid inside. With wet, slippery sounds, she kissed me back while slowly rocking her hips, rubbing her pussy against my thigh in search of pleasure.
Then, as if she had suddenly remembered something, she pulled her mouth away with a small “Ah!” and stood up. She fetched a phone stand, positioned the device so the bed was clearly visible, and set it to record.
“What are you doing?”
“Mimata-ssi asked me to film us making love with the camera.”
Wow… Mimata Chieri really was something else. She clearly planned to watch the video later while pleasuring herself. And Sawayanagi Azuma, answering so innocently, was equally ridiculous. Even though she had grown up in a PMC after being a test subject and never received proper sex education, wasn’t she being far too cheerful about filming a sex video? Both of them were such strange women.