Combatants Will Be Dispatched - Volume 7 - Chapter 1.1

Chapter 1 - Hiiragi Attacks

1

After settling our differences with the Kisaragi Corporation’s second-rate imitation, aka, the Hiiragi Agency of Order, the Torace Kingdom was renamed, becoming the Hiiragi-Torace territory.

From our point of view, we basically had Torace nabbed out from under us by a newcomer, but we’ve managed to secretly link the capital of Torace to our Hideout City with a subterranean tunnel, and we’re currently mining large amounts of water crystals every day.

Because it’s possible they’ll find out we’re illegally mining the water crystals, we’ve decided not to worry about saturating the market and are selling the crystals as quickly as we mine them.

Our competition seemed perplexed by the sudden glut in water crystals, but for now, it looks like they’ve decided to just watch how the market shakes out before resuming their own mining operations.

Torace has always been a wealthy country with plenty of money, so they have the resources to be able to sit back and let their laborers rest while keeping an eye on water crystal prices.

Which fits perfectly with our plans to make money from the gems while we still have access to them.

Basically, there aren’t any major issues at the moment, and we’re making good progress on our local invasion preparations...

I sit in Viper’s office, lit softly by the afternoon sun, and listen to the sounds of her pen scratching across the surface of her paperwork and the gentle snoring coming from Rose, curled up at her feet.

As we hang out, Grimm softly says, “How peaceful...”

Viper’s pen pauses at Grimm’s remark.

“Yes, indeed. It’s a lovely calm. None of our Combat Agents need to be exposed to danger and...”

Viper smiles over at sleepy-eyed Grimm.

“Tsk tsk... Still trying to play the good girl, hinin? Have you forgotten that you’re supposed to be part of the leadership of an evil corporation...? The whole reason they keep Combat Agents around is to fight! A peaceful period is nothing to celebrate.”

"Oh! Y-you’re right, of course. I shouldn’t be glad for peace. Um... The Bashin tribe reported that they encountered a new monster in the woods. I’ll go and investigate. Depending on what I find, could be some fresh conflict, so...”

“How can you be so confidently wrong?! You’re supposed to be management! You need to be making use of your underlings! Take a page from the Grace Kingdom’s old chief of staff. That rotten pig kept sending Rose and me into the heart of the most intense fighting. You need to learn to start abusing your underlings a bit more and make them do things they don’t want to do!”

In a rare role reversal, Grimm’s the one making sense as Viper basks in the tranquil atmosphere of her office.

"Things they don’t want to do...”

Trying to think of things her subordinates might not want to do. Viper looks over in my direction.

“Mr. Six, you seem to have time on your hands. Could you please help me organize my paperwork?”

“I may look like I’m not doing much, but I’m actually super busy. And Vi, while I admire your desire to become a proper evil leader, you shouldn’t be offloading your work onto others.”

“Y-yes, you're completely right! M-my apologies.”

“Hold on there! You can’t just give up like that! Look at him more carefully. He’s clearly slacking off! Commander, tell the class what you’re actually doing!”

Grimm’s screeching interrupts Viper as she tries to resume working.

I show off the magnifying glass in my hand and point to the blue water crystal sitting on a plate.

“Water crystals slowly melt into water when you warm them up. I’m watching a crystal melt because it looks pretty cool.”

“See! He’s not busy at all! If you’re that bored, head off to Grunade already!”

There’s a country called Grunade.

In the deepest parts of what used to be the Demon Lord’s realm, there’s a mountain range called the Midgard Mountains, and Grunade considers it holy terrain.

The country rests at the foot of the Midgard Mountains and is also a big center of dragon worship, since its people still believe that ancient dragons watch over them.

And...

“...Grunade’s all up in a stir because a mysterious monster stole their sorcery stone, right? It’d be pretty rude to visit them while they’re dealing with that, don’t you think?”

They’re in quite a mess because the sorcery stone that’s their national treasure was stolen.

“...Hey, Commander, it’s time to face reality, yes? I’m sure by now even you’ve realized who actually stole the sorcery stone,” Grimm says with an exasperated sigh. But if I admit this, it’ll turn a minor problem into a major diplomatic incident.

Even though we’re planning to eventually invade Grunade, now isn’t the right time to go around making new enemies since we just finished settling a cease-fire with our imitators.

After all, we’re busy mining water crystals from right under their noses. Once they figure out what we’ve been doing, we can kiss this armistice goodbye.

“Now, let’s not be hasty, Grimm. You all seem eager to pass judgment on Tiger Man, but so far it’s just circumstantial evidence!”

"Do you really think there’s another feline monster who walks on two legs and goes around purring and meowing?”

She’s got me there, but the moment I accept that she’s right, I lose.

“I know of other feline monsters that could steal a national treasure. The group we fought the other day had a giant cat as a pet, remember?”

“I said walks on two legs! Don’t try covering your ears to deny it! Look at me!”

I resist Grimm’s efforts at persuasion by plugging my ears, even as she grabs me by the shoulders and shakes me back and forth.

“Mmph. Grimm, what are you shouting about...? It’s midday, shouldn’t you be asleep...?”

Rose, who’s been napping at Viper's feet, sits up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“Why am I, the nocturnal one, actually working while you’re taking a nap?! ...Speaking of which, Rose, you’ve gotten a lot more dog-like lately,” Grimm says with a note of exasperation, prompting Rose to leap to her feet.

“You may be my friend, Grimm, but comparing me to a mutt is going too far! And if that’s what you’re calling me, then I'll just say it! Lately you’ve been acting like an old lady, napping all day in the shade!”

“My my, you’ve got a mouth on you, don’t you, young lady? Fine. I'll inflict you with a curse as big as the one I put on the entire country of Torace!”

“C-calm down, please, both of you...”

The pair instantly enters combat mode, and Viper, caught between the two of them, shoots me a pleading gaze.

I avoid looking in their direction and continue lighting the crystal with my magnifying glass.

“It’s so peaceful...”

“It’s not peaceful at all! Help me defuse this, Mr. Six!”

The Kisaragi Corporation’s Local Branch is currently enjoying a blissful lull in the action.