Dungeon's Final Boss: Banished by My Boss, the Goddess, to Earth—So I'll Continue My Past Life - 60

Chapter 60: Preparation

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While having a meal at the hotel, I received an explanation of her position in the Kingdom of Peischel. The room service at a first-class hotel was delicious.

Of course, I didn’t go anywhere near the bed. I had no problem with going to the Kingdom of Peischel as per Claire’s request. A sufficient reward had been offered. The amount itself didn’t really matter to me at this point, but I was interested in the very idea of a dungeon producing orichalcum at this particular time.

That being said, while I was no longer a public servant, I was still receiving work from the Ministry of Dungeon, and if I were to take on another job with an uncertain duration, I would need to adjust my schedule accordingly. If that happened, the Ministry of Dungeon… Minister Niitaka… And by extension, the Japanese government would become aware of my movements.

When I explained that, Claire agreed. After the meal, I returned to the Ministry of Dungeon. It felt like a completely wasted trip, but considering Claire’s actions couldn’t be made public, it was inevitable.

“They were never going to let an S-rank Awakened act without government oversight, and Japan wouldn’t want to let another country monopolize a rare metal that’s a subject of research, would they?”

Claire seemed to believe my actions would either be approved or tacitly ignored. And in fact, that was exactly what happened. I was able to meet with Minister Niitaka right away, and our conversation progressed smoothly.

“Very well. We are also interested in what happens in the Kingdom of Peischel. If you bring back orichalcum, we will provide an additional reward.”

“Are you sure?”

“There are diplomatic relations between our country and the Kingdom of Peischel, and there are no restrictions on entry and exit. You are simply going to challenge an overseas dungeon. There is no legal basis to stop you.”

“What about the request to clear a dungeon immediately?”

“No problem. You’ve made things a lot easier for us.”

Samejima-san, who was also present for the discussion, pointed to the ring on her arm. A DC Ring—so she had purchased one as well.

“What about Piroane?”

“That depends on her. If it’s the request to clear a dungeon immediately, she should be able to manage without me.”

“She’ll be fine without you.”

Samejima-san rejected the idea without expression. The two of them didn’t seem like they would get along, and as expected, it seemed I was right after all. With the condition that I would return at least once a month, I was granted permission to go to the Kingdom of Peischel.

I also requested the issuance of a passport while I was at it. Ordinarily, it would take some time, but apparently, Awakened individuals had the privilege of receiving theirs faster than usual. Considering that this was in exchange for having one’s personal information publicly disclosed, it didn’t seem like much of a special privilege.

Claire and I agreed to meet up at the destination. We had agreed, but then…

“You have a normal sexual preference, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You don’t get excited by the same sex, right?”

“Of course not.”

“I figured. You’re surrounded by beautiful women, after all.”

Beautiful women? Was she referring to Piroane? It seemed like she was including Mio as well. I wouldn’t deny that they were attractive, but why was this topic coming up now? No, come to think of it, we had talked about sexual preferences a little earlier, too.

“Why are you so interested in my sexual preferences?”

“Oh, no, it’s just…”

“You don’t need to worry. I wouldn’t lay a hand on my employer.”

“…Hearing you say that so definitively is kind of irritating.”

“Aren’t you the ones who should be more concerned about this? Like this?”

I pointed to the corner of my eye with my finger. I meant to reference a certain discriminatory gesture used overseas, but Claire’s expression turned deeply displeased when she saw it.

“If that was something I cared about, I wouldn’t have come to you in the first place.”

“Well, thanks, I guess.”

“Besides, I don’t like discrimination.”

“Well, I don’t think anyone actually likes it.”

It could be said discrimination had a tranquilizing effect on one’s psyche. That made it so troublesome and that was also the reason why I knew discrimination couldn’t be completely eradicated.  Discrimination only disappeared when new discrimination brought to existence. 

There was no need for me to delve deeper into it, but that was why I believed people should be grateful for their own good fortune and cherish the integrity they believe in.

“So then, why bring up the topic of sexual preferences?”

“…No, well, it’s just…”

And yet, when it came to this subject, she became strangely hesitant.

“Anyway! Decide on a departure date soon! I’ll arrange the flight for you!”

Forcing the conversation to a close, Claire left.

What was that all about? Anyway, if I was going to travel, the only people I needed to inform were Mio and Piroane. Especially Piroane—since I needed to keep an eye on her, I might have to bring her along.

I figured she would be fine, though. She was into D-Tuber activities lately.

“Oh, I’m not going.”

When I told them about the trip, Piroane was the first to speak up.

“I found another one of her dungeons in the country.”

She had a mischievous smile on her face. By “her,” she must have meant the same creator as that dungeon in a certain other country.

“Don’t do anything too reckless.”

“I know, I know!”

Not reassuring at all. But worrying too much wouldn’t help.

“Um… Can I come along?”

The one who said something unexpected was Mio.

“Oh, s-sorry. I’d just be in the way, right?”

“No, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just surprised.”

I hadn’t told her the details, but I had mentioned it was a job. Mio was perceptive enough that she normally wouldn’t ask something like this in this kind of situation. Could it be…?

“Did you say something?”

“For now, I don’t think it’s fair to assume I’m the culprit.”

“No, no, that’s not what I meant!”

Mio frantically waved her hands in denial.

“It’s just that… I’ve never been overseas before, and I thought it would be reassuring if Jiro-san was there. Ahh, why did I have to think of it at a time like this?”

She groaned, holding her head.

“Overseas travel, huh?”

Come to think of it, had I ever traveled abroad? I had owned a passport before, so I might have, but… I couldn’t remember. It must not have been that memorable.

“Sure. I don’t mind.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah.”

No one had told me not to bring anyone along.

“But it doesn’t seem like the safest country, and I don’t know if there will be any fun sightseeing spots.”

“That’s fine by me!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes!”

“In that case…”

Seeing Mio’s face light up, I figured, well, why not? Besides, I had given her a special DC Ring. It would be a good opportunity to test its performance.

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