CH 262

After that, Shirua’s first-ever birthday party ended without a hitch, with Shirua as the star of the show, who somehow returned to normal despite her slightly strange condition.

It wasn’t even a fraction of the budget of Adelaide-chan’s and Beatrice-chan’s debutante party, though.

Oh, except for the cost of the gifts, of course.

However, I think that the <degree of her happiness> was probably as high as those two.

That girl… Shirua was clearly expressing her feelings. After all, she looked so happy, joyful, grateful, and she felt very blessed at the same time……

After the party, I left, but since they are already at home, and tomorrow is a holiday, maybe they’ll redo the celebration on their own after their employers, who they need to take care of, left the establishment.

Yep. The bosses should get out of the way and let the young people enjoy themselves. That’s what superiors should do.

……I don’t read just salaryman novels, but also 4-koma manga about office workers.

Well, I’ll just leave them alone for now…….

Tomorrow, I’m supposed to meet with someone.

Of course, I’ve already made an appointment.

Today, I’ll sleep soundly at my home in Japan instead of [General store Mitsuha]…

If I return to [General store Mitsuha], there is a possibility that Sabine-chan will be waiting for me and won’t let me sleep at all, so I should play it safe.

I guess I made a mistake giving the key to Sabine-chan……

In a rather high-class café in a certain city in a certain country.

Ah, I’m still here on Earth, you know.

And in that private room, it’s just me and one elderly person I’ve invited.

I met up with him at another place, somewhere in the capital of the country where I always asked for aerial reconnaissance, and then “moved” here, so I didn’t have to worry about being bugged or having a spy among the shopkeepers.

We arrived at a city in another country through a <continuous transfer> while taking a leisure walk, so even if the other party was tailing me, we would have been able to completely shake them off.

……Being followed like that is extremely scary!

And since they know I’m that much capable, so there’s no need to hide it now.

Since we came to a country with a different language, the people in the store wouldn’t be able to understand what we were saying, so that was a relief. Unless it’s a coincidence that one of the employees here happens to be fluent in the language of a certain country, that is.

[Thank you for coming all this way today.] Mitsuha

Yes, I’m grateful to the person who took the time and expense to come and meet me, because I can be anywhere on the planet in an instant.

The fact that he came to meet me despite the disadvantages of a possible accident on the way deserves my sincere gratitude. It was also a great opportunity for me to meet a highly respected scholarly professor who was using his precious time, which he has very little left due to his age…….

[No no. As a researcher, it is an honor and a fortuitous thing to be able to meet Her Highness Viscount Nanoha, the sister of the King of the other world, alone.

Now then, time is running fast, let’s get down to business!] Old Man

He may be an elderly man with a lot of knowledge, but he seems to be a researcher idiot who doesn’t care much about manners, or he may think it’s a hundred times better to ask relevant questions than spending his time on such trivial things. Perhaps he thinks that he’s not being rude since he’s using polite words, he’s basically a self-centered old man who likes to talk about his research topic. He’s even using 『儂』(Washi)* to refer to himself…….

But, well, I don’t really care about that, because that’s what a researcher is…… And men, no matter how old they are, all of them are still [children] deep inside……

So yeah, I’m sure he’s not taking me lightly because I’m a woman or because I look like a child. It’s just that all men who are crazy about pursuing their dreams are like [boys] who are excited to show off their new toys.

[Well then, I’ll take your word for it and get right to it.

Also, in order to save time and to ensure better communication, I’d like to skip the honorifics, the roundabout phrases, and the use of restrained words…… Let’s <talk frankly as equals> is what I’m trying to say……] Mitsuha

[Splendid! Now, let’s start with why do you want to talk to me!] Old Man

[Understood.] Mitsuha

Yeah, I won’t speak so rudely, no matter how <unrestrained> my words are. I don’t forget to be respectful to the elderly. It’s just that it’s too much trouble to speak politely and courteously, so I just said that as a <buffer> or a safety measure.

I’ve never talked to an old, famous researcher before, so I might accidentally speak rudely to him. He’s probably used to meeting subordinates, disciples, students, and other people far below him, so I was worried that my appearance, age, and sheer ignorance might offend him.

No, I don’t intend to hurt him or make him uncomfortable, although I’m sure he won’t be angry with me if I misspoke a little, because of my position.

It would be best to get along and build a good relationship with each other.

And so the discussion begins!

[Umumu, another hard one to answer……] Old Man

The researcher-sensei looked troubled at my question.

Yeah, I asked things like <How much is the organisms, plants, minerals, or whatever I’m offering worth? Financially, academically, and politically> and this is what happened.

[I have no idea what will be discovered from what is provided……. If we don’t mess it up, we could discover new materials, new drugs, new genomes, or other crazy things.

If they were put up for auction, the price would be unbelievable.

And if you’re a researcher in that field, you wouldn’t hesitate to kill 20 or 30 people to get it……] Old Man

[That’s terrifying!] Mitsuha

Oh, it’s just like what Iris-sama said from that time, <If you put that pearl necklace up for auction> it’ll have the same result!

[Of course, the payout may not be immediate, but the potential for future profits are huge. And the academic value is enormous, so the advantage of having an exclusive hold on these things are overwhelming.

What do you think will happen if we made a groundbreaking discovery?

Even if we abide by the instruction from Her Royal Highness that <we will not monopolize the results of our research>, the fact that we can be at the forefront of that research, and that we can enclose technology and rights through patents and other means, is a treasure trove in itself.

And in the area of dragon-related research, which is currently the most leading research material, a number of discoveries have already been made.

How much value do you think there is in a one-of-a-kind, otherworldly material that only you have access to, as opposed to the dragon materials that have been shared with many nations?] Old Man

Ah～……

Every time I give them a creature or plant from another world as thanks, was it too much?……

No, not per flight, of course, but per request.

[In addition, the Army’s helicopter crew were able to obtain valuable samples of animals, plants, ores, and soil, so the crew was awarded the Medal of Honor for <taking a step on another world>, while the Naval Air Force crew were only able to obtain photographs…… Next time, please give some consideration to the Air Force and the Navy……] Old Man

Eh～……

But, well, it’s not good to make too much of a difference between them, surely…… Wait a darn frickin minute!

[Soil? When did they collect that?…….] Mitsuha

[No, wait, didn’t everyone deliberately fall or “accidentally” get caught up in soft soil or mud?] Old Man

[Ah……] Mitsuha

I’ve been haaaaddddd~!!

Damn it! I made sure they didn’t have any plants or ores hidden away, so I had excluded those from the transfer, but I didn’t mind about the dirt on their clothes or mud on their shoes!

No, of course, I ruled out the insects, bacteria, viruses, and such, but I wasn’t going to go as far as give them clothes stain removal cleaning service……

U ō ō o~o ~~!!

The researcher-sensei was laughing at me, as I hold my head in frustration…