4
Someone’s at the door again.
“Six, you there?”
Ah, Snow again.
…Whatever she wants, it’s probably not a big deal.
“The gentle and purehearted Mr. Six is off picking up trash by the river.”
“Cut the crap! I knew you were here!”
Snow bursts into the room, huffing angrily. It’s already well past 2200 hours. It’s a bit late for a social call.
“What do you want, Boobzilla? Coming to a man’s room at this late hour… Is this a booty call?”
“Stop with that dumb name! What if the others start calling me that?”
“Hey, Boobzilla. Do you want me to give you two some private time?”
“Alice! You too?!”
Snow struggles to get her breathing under control, taking a few moments to rein in her anger. She then thrusts a large leather bag in my direction.
“…And this is?”
I take the bag and peer inside…and I freeze up.
“This is your pay. Base pay plus reward money from your recent victories… I still can’t believe it. Climbing the outside of a tower, tossing a boss off the ledge—such ludicrous tactics!”
Noting that I’ve gone completely still since peering inside the bag, Alice comes to take a look herself.
“…Wow.”
“…And the worst part has to be cutting a deal with a demon! Sure, that got us the tower treasure with minimal losses, but taking hostages like that! It’s dishonorable! …Hey, why are you frozen like that?”
Snow’s suspicious tone helps me snap back to reality, and I confirm the contents of the bag. Gold coins…a mountain of gold coins.
“Um, so Snow. Just how much are these gold coins worth in this kingdom?”
“Worth? Oh, right, I’d almost forgotten you don’t remember basics like the value of money. Well, that amount would be enough for a household to enjoy a full year of luxury.”
“…Seriously?”
I’m trying to be sarcastic as I numbly grasp the bag, but Snow appears to have mistaken my incredulity for disappointment.
“Mm… I suppose you feel it’s not enough. I understand. I’ve always been prickly about my reward money, too. Still, you have to understand in spite of all your achievements, you’re still just a squadron commander. Don’t worry, though. Once you’ve gained some rank, they’ll reward you with enough money to make that amount seem like pocket cha—”
Before Snow could finish, I turn to Alice and tell her in Japanese:
“<Alice, I think I’m gonna quit this spy business. I’m going native.>”
“<Hold it. Since you’re saying this in Japanese, I’m assuming you’re serious.>”
Alice looks at me seriously. The dry wit is gone from her voice.
“<Listen, all right? There was this one time where I’d spent over a month fighting in the Sahara Desert, and when I finally get home, do I get so much as a ‘Welcome back’? Nope. Instead, my superior makes me run out and fetch her potato chips. And you know how much I got paid for that month’s work? After tax withholding and insurance premiums, I was left with a measly 180,000 yen.>”
“<I’m honestly surprised you didn’t quit a long time ago.>”
Snow furrows her brow in suspicion at our Japanese conversation. “What is it, you two? You’re speaking in that odd tongue again.”
“Don’t worry about it. Six was just excited and started babbling in his native language. It was more money than he was expecting.”
Snow doesn’t look convinced and tilts her head as she listens to Alice.
“R-really? Well, I suppose that’s fine, then… Oh, Alice, this is your cut.”
“Oh, I appreciate it. It’s the first time I’ve gotten anything since Six gave me my shotgun.”
I mean, sure, I suppose she described the shotgun as a present, but she’s the one who actually sent the request, using my points as payment. It’s not that big of a deal, is it?
Still, despite all that, Alice does carry that shotgun everywhere, almost like a favorite toy. And she seems pretty pleased about receiving her own sack of money.
…Well, if she does consider her favorite thing in the world to be a gift from me, I’ve got no problems with that.
[Status Report]
Observations indicate that the war between our chosen kingdom and the enemy is continuing to escalate. Skirmishes between the two parties occurring at more frequent intervals.
In recognition of recent contributions to the war effort, the members of our squadron have been awarded a prize consisting of gold coins with a current market value of several million Japanese yen. Repeat, awarded a prize consisting of gold coins with a current market value of several million Japanese yen.
Currently, no major issues or obstacles to carrying out mission objectives.
Will provide further updates at a later date.
Reporting Operative:
Combat Agent 6, Man Awarded Gold Coins Worth Several Million Yen
P.S. Request an immediate improvement to my compensation and position.
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