Chapter 96

"Seems like we're catching up to the sky-high weapons we can make with the materials we have..."

"Maybe you should stop refining for a while?"

No matter how close it seems we can reach, I want you to know your limits.

Moreover, it's not like we have enough for everyone.

It's better to maintain a situation where we can continue to earn steadily.

"The country recently sent us a good notice. It seems that thanks to our contributions, adventurers and citizens are working together to combat the monsters that have become more active due to the calamity year."

"Do you need points to enjoy the entertainment we provide?"

The citizens were quite passive about monster hunting beyond protecting their own lives.

As a result, the country's knights have to go to the border areas where dangerous monsters regularly appear. However, to enjoy the entertainment we provide, they need money and points.

Because of this, monster hunting has become more active, and the market is circulating well.

The quality of life has improved, and things are progressing nicely.

It's a good thing, but I'm worried that something dangerous might happen.

"We're still at the two to three-month stage, so I want you to take a long-term view."

A short-term boom wouldn't be good.

To gather everyone's equipment, we'll need a lot of points, like water.

Actually, the points are inflating too much!

It feels like an online game.

Of course, money will become more valuable.

I can handle money, which feels like a privilege of being from another world.

If I started a money exchange, I think Ramless would be stopped by the country, not to mention the danger of such a business.

"That's the thing. I don't want to control the market, but the movement of money and points is enormous. In that sense, it might be comparable to our modern society."

"Really?"

"Yes... at least it's definitely in the billions. If we include trade with other countries, it's even more."

We seem to be making a lot of money, but that's just a small part of it.

We're still newcomers.

We need to make much more.

"Why are we talking like merchants?"

Hagizawa snaps out of it and splashes water on everyone.

Yeah... that's right.

"We're working hard to return to our original world, but it feels like we're focusing on trivial things."

"Still, it's so easy to make money that it feels like our senses are numbing."

"I can understand how the Taniizumi group might be deluding themselves."

Even the class committee understands.

This is quite dangerous.

So, we disbanded for the day.

The equipment for Ito and the others is flowing in quite generously... maybe we're close to the Adamant Turtle series?

Thinking about that, we went to sleep.

That night.

"Mr. Hanebashi, Mr. Hanebashi!"

I wake up to the sound of someone knocking on our workshop door late at night.

Rubbing my eyes, I step out of my room, and similarly sleepy Shigenobu and Hagizawa come out of theirs.

"Is that... Ramless?"

"Calling on Kousuke at this late hour? Is there some urgent work?"

"Gauu..."

Kumako is also rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"Kumako, you can sleep in your glove form if you're tired."

"Gauu."

Kumako shakes her head and follows me.

I try to transfer my vision to Ito's place.

There doesn't seem to be anything unusual.

He's just reading a manga.

Ito and the others are fine.

So, it must be someone else?

I open the door cautiously, wondering what it could be.

"Mr. Hanebashi, I'm sorry to disturb you so late at night."

"Did something happen? Is someone in the class in trouble!?"

Ramless shakes her head calmly.

"Don't worry, it's not that. Mr. Hanebashi, could you please come with me?"

"Taking Kousuke away? What are you planning?"

Shigenobu is on guard, thinking it might be a conspiracy.

Depending on the situation...

"No, not that—"

"Alright."

Then, a voice comes from the carriage behind Ramless, and the door opens.

There, the king is walking towards us, waving his hand.

Despite the late hour, several knights are standing guard, saluting.

The king personally calling for me at night?

What does he want?

If it's a request, he could have called me during the day.

Besides, it's been a while since I last met the king...

I don't really know him that well.

Mr. Kurohon might have met him several times while working in the national library.

"The country greatly appreciates the contributions of the people from another world who have integrated into our society. As history has shown, we want to express our gratitude to the good people from another world."

"Thank you."

The king looks at me, not Shigenobu, who is representing us.

Why me?

It's true that I've been bringing things from Japan recently.

"Speaking of which, I have a request for you, Mr. Hanebashi."

The king looks a bit hesitant.

Ramless and the others look tired, exasperated, and a bit envious.

"What is it?"

I try to keep my head from going blank and answer the king.

Then, the king pulls something from under his cloak.

"The battery of the game console has run out. I heard that charging it with lightning magic is dangerous, so I came to ask you, Mr. Hanebashi, to charge it. Could you please charge it for me?"

Shigenobu and Hagizawa fall over in a fit of suppressed laughter.

The king coming at night to ask for a charge is quite something.

Still, your reaction is a bit over the top, isn't it?

"Your Majesty, playing games late at night will interfere with your duties. I'll charge it by tomorrow, so please go to bed for your health and the country's sake."

Some of the knights are trying to hold back their laughter.

Several of them even look brighter.

Who lent the game console to the king?

Really...

"Do you have a charged game console? I want to continue playing."

"Your Majesty, in the world of people from another world, there's a saying: 'One hour a day for games.'"

"Ha!—Hanebashi, stop—"

Hagizawa can't hold it in and bursts out laughing.

"One hour!? Can people from another world really enjoy it in such a short time? Impossible!"

Well, in Japan, it's not often followed either...

Some people play all day.

I hardly ever followed it myself.

"Please! I beg you! I'm on my knees!"

"Your Majesty, please don't make this difficult. We don't want to make it difficult for you. Please consider this as a citizen's advice for the king."

I bow deeply, and a sleepy minister comes out of the carriage to calm the king down.

"That's right. This proves that the people from another world are not trying to invade our country. As Mr. Hanebashi said, let's continue tomorrow."

"Very reluctantly, but I have no choice... I expect you to deliver it to the castle by morning. It's a promise, okay?"

"Yes, I understand."

The king reluctantly returns to the carriage.

Looking closely, he seems extremely sleepy.

He must have been playing after his daily work.

"Mr. Hanebashi, I greatly appreciate your response this time."

Ramless and the minister bow in gratitude.

Apparently, the king had been borrowing a game console from a classmate and couldn't resist playing it tonight when the battery ran out.

"Then, we'll be on our way."

The carriage drives off, and the knights follow.

I feel a bit uneasy about the king, but maybe he's a good person for being open to new things.

By the way, when I checked what the king was playing, it was a board game about buying land.

He was also playing action games, hunting games, and puzzle games.

It's impressive that he can handle them even without understanding the text.

Apparently, he can read some Japanese.

Is that what it takes to lead people? No, no.

I later hear that my reaction was highly praised by the minister and others in the country.