◇Meanwhile at the Dungeon Association Japan Branch, Grand Conference Room

“Then, China also wants to join the war?”

 

“Yes, Operation Reclaim Dragon Island. Why don’t we establish a united front of the U.S., China, and Japan? Right, Chairman Ryuenji?”

 

A man with glasses who appeared to be Chinese was seated there. He was one of the leading figures of the Chinese Dungeon Association, known as Li Wei.

Opposite him sat the President of the Japan Dungeon Association, Ryuenji Kagetora.

Also present were the vice-representative of Japan’s top guild, Avalon, Tanaka Kazuma, and its representative, Tendou Ryunosuke.

 

Tendou Ryunosuke, a man who was larger than the chairman, looked like a mercenary. With a scruffy beard and unkempt hair, he always wore a tank top and had a cigarette in his mouth without any concern for his appearance.

But today, obviously he was at least just barely dressed up in formal attire with a button-down shirt.

His sharp gaze would make an ordinary person tremble just by meeting his eyes, fitting for a seasoned warrior.

 

“The original plan was for a united front between the U.S. and Japan. And now you’re asking us to include you after the fact?”

 

“Well, don’t say it like that. After all, that island is located next to us, China, right after Japan, so we’re also anxious about the situation.”

 

Another man entered the conversation.

 

“It’s not just about that, is it…”

 

The man with blonde hair and blue eyes in a military uniform was an American soldier.

 

The U.S. has a slightly different structure where the Dungeon Association and the military are closely connected.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be inappropriate to call the Dungeon Association’s U.S. branch as the U.S. military.

 

And this man was a senior figure in the Dungeon Association and a Major General in the military.

 

He was called Star and was known as Major General Star.

 

“Tanaka-san, as the U.S. military, we would like to decline China’s participation unless there’s a valid reason.”

 

“Just as Major General Star said, the plan is already underway with the three S-Ranked individuals from Japan and twenty from the U.S. Li-san, we can’t make this change.”

 

The one who spoke to control the situation was Tanaka Kazuma.

Although Tendou Ryunosuke was technically the representative, the real authority was held by Tanaka.

Tendou found it troublesome and didn’t want to be the guild master in the first place, but Tanaka insisted that the representative should be the strongest.

 

Tanaka restrained the man called Li.

 

“Then, let’s do this. We will standby at the rear. We’ll only participate if the operation is in danger. There should be no loss for you, only potential gains.”

 

(They just want to be able to say they participated… But it’s hard to refuse under these conditions…)

 

Without missing a beat, the man called Li continued his speech.

 

“You are aware of our Battle God Guild, aren’t you? We’ll let ten people from there participate.”

 

“Ten!? That’s equivalent to a main force! More than our Japanese strength!”

 

China’s strongest and largest guild, 『Battle God. 』

It was a small guild with only 33 members.

 

But their power was the strongest in the world.

Because every single member of the guild was S-Ranked, it was a monstrous guild.

It was always competing for the top spot with the largest American guild, 『USA』, in the world rankings.

Incidentally, Avalon was ranked 23rd this year because they only had one S-Ranked member.

 

“It’s insurance in case something happens. We won’t move unless there’s a request for assistance. Besides, Japan has already failed twice. You can’t afford to fail anymore, can you?”

 

Li smiled smugly; Japan was weak against this argument.

They could not afford another failure, having failed twice before. They had lost their credibility globally.

 

So, Chairman Kagetora had to speak.

He hadn’t surrendered, but it was a difficult diplomatic issue.

 

Japan had to get along with both China and the U.S.

In fact, geographically, China had a greater influence and a bigger impact on the economy.

 

If that country were serious, with more than ten times the population and even more S-Ranked individuals, Japan wouldn’t stand a chance if a war of aggression were to happen. But that would possibly lead to a world war with the U.S.

 

Then Chairman Kagetora spoke.

Once the aforementioned major power conceded so much, the answer was decided.

 

“…Understood. We’ll accept China’s standby at the rear. Is that fine, Major General Star?”

 

“Well, if it’s insurance, I guess we can’t help it. But only if our operation fails. We can’t compromise on that, and the management after that too.”

 

“Heh, agreed. Let’s discuss the S-Rank Cubes after the operation succeeds, shall we?”

 

“…Understood. Then, Tanaka-san, onto the main topic.”

 

“Yes.”

 

With that, Tanaka stood up and projected an image of Dragon Island on the screen.

The strategy meeting was about to start, with the footage being sent to S-Rank individuals from various countries participating over the web.

 

“This is an estimate from satellite photos, but currently, there are over 100 dragons equivalent to S-Rank on Dragon Island, and thousands of A-Rank equivalent dragons are flying around the Cube that was dyed black due after it collapsed. Taking that into account, the strategy is…”

 

The strategy meeting continued until after noon.

 

“That’s all. If you have any questions, I’ll be happy to answer them…”

 

Then, it was time for the Q&A session.

Powerful individuals connected remotely from both the U.S. and China successively raised questions.

Tanaka responded to each question in both languages.

Japan has the least manpower, but all operational planning and management are handled by Avalon.

At least in name, there is a need to maintain the image of this just being support towards Japan.

 

“It seems like we’ve covered most of it. With that, we will conclude the first Dragon Island recapture strategy meeting. The next one will be in two weeks.”

 

As Tanaka was about to conclude today’s meeting, Li, the Chinese representative, raised his hand.

 

“Ah, yes, there’s another topic I wanted to ask about at the end. I assume Major General Star is curious about this as well.”

 

Li raised his hand. Major General Star, who came as the American representative, stared at Li, indicating that he was also interested in what Li had to say.

 

“What is it, Representative Li?”

 

“The matter of Colonel Alfred, who used to be under Major General Star. The S-Rank awakened individual.”

 

At those words, Tanaka understood. The topic Li was trying to raise was about the golden Cube. And surely enough…

 

“It’s about the golden Cube. The golden Cube that Japan has been hiding.”

 

“Hiding? We should have responded to that in writing. We reported that there was a powerful monster, and after defeating it, the Cube disappeared. Colonel Alfred fought until the end. The casualties were many… but Midori and I survived.”

 

“Right, that’s what was reported. Well, since the Cube has disappeared and dead men tell no tales, we have no choice but to believe it, right?”

 

Li smiled faintly at Tanaka’s answer.

The only people who knew the truth of what happened that day were the involved parties and the chairman.

It was Tanaka’s information manipulation to keep Kai from being endangered.

 

However, there was one undeniable fact that couldn’t be hidden.

It was a regrettable fact for Tanaka.

But at that time, the truth was that he had no choice but to report that Kai had died.

 

And as expected, Li pointed that out.

 

“So, just one thing. You and Midori. Only two people were supposed to have survived… So, why did Kai Amachi suddenly come back to life? A paperwork error? Impossible. There are testimonies that you two emerged from the Cube. Moreover, the initial report declared him dead. His sister was even moved to the bereaved family ward. There’s circumstantial evidence.”

 

(…Did they investigate that far?)

 

Tanaka and Keitora had concealed all documents and other evidence that could serve as proof.

However, information could have easily leaked from the hospital staff who handled the death paperwork, the nurses, those who guarded the Cube, and so on.

 

China had been persistently investigating the golden Cube.

 

The Cube that Japan was trying to keep hidden.

And also the boy that Tanaka and Kagetora were trying to hide.

 

And once again, Li smiled and asked Tanaka.

 

“…So, can you explain? The identity of Kai Amachi, the Unranked who came back to life.”

 

Cold sweat trickled down Tanaka’s forehead.

 

◇Meanwhile, at the Ryuenji residence

 

“Wow! This lasagna is delicious! It tastes professional!”

 

“I-I’m glad you like it!!”

 

(I’m glad all my practice paid off… even though grandpa called it disgusting at first…)

 

This was Aya’s earnestly made lasagna.

She remembered how her grandmother used to make it and spent a week practicing. Other thank that, various Western-style dishes were served; it’s needless to say how much food Kagetora consumed during this week’s “practice.”

 

Originally researcher-like in her approach, Aya was capable of cooking down to the scale of millimeters and grams when she got serious.

 

There were things in the world called recipes. So, if she just practiced, she believed she could overcome any culinary challenge.

Up until now, she had treated cooking as a mere necessity, as long as it provided nutrition.

 

“Aya… You never used to cook. Why start now, all of a sudden?”

 

However, a girl who couldn’t read the air asked a question. Flustered, Aya tried to correct her.

 

“I-I do cook! What are you talking about, Reina? Have you forgotten?”

 

Aya desperately signaled with her eyes, trying to keep Kai from finding out. But Reina didn’t understand.

 

But Reina didn’t care anyways so she decided not to think too deeply about it.

 

“…I see. But Aya. It’s delicious…”

 

“Phew… thank you, for being the way you are.”

 

Breaking into a light sweat, Aya was internally celebrating the success of her plan.

After researching a lot online, she decided to try cooking, taking inspiration from an article that said, “First win over the stomach.”

The strategy seemed successful, and Kai seemed to have a newfound appreciation for Aya.

 

“I didn’t know you were good at cooking, Aya. I’d want to eat this every day. I’ve been living off convenience store food recently.”

 

“P-please feel free to come and eat anytime.”

 

“Aya… I want more. Seconds, please.”

 

“Reina, I’ve never noticed before, but… how come you never gain weight despite eating so much…”

 

Kai, too, watched as the plates piled up in front of Reina.

Her silent, munching way of eating was cute like a squirrel’s, but the quantity was extraordinary.

Was she a competitive eater? That’s what it looked like.

 

“Chest?…”

 

At those words, Aya looked at Reina’s chest.

 

And then at her own.

She considered herself to have a larger size considering her slim figure, but compared to Reina, she stood no chance.

This reality slightly disheartened her. She felt a bit gloomy as the difference in their figures struck her.

 

“Maybe… it’s because you move a lot? Like me with my muscles.”

 

“Oh right… Reina is the world’s strongest woman.”

 

“Both of you are slim, though… Aya, you look like a model. It’s amazing.”

 

“R-really? By the way, do you prefer slim girls, Kai…?”

 

“Huh? …Um, well, I think being healthy is the best. Aya, you’re slim yet healthy, which is incredible. Reina is…”

 

(Is it the voluptuousness…? The plump thighs and the full chest. Honestly, I prefer that kind… but it seems like adding fuel to the fire to say so, so I’ll keep quiet.)

 

“Kai, what were you just looking at?”

 

“What!? No, nothing…”

 

“You were looking at Reina, and your eyes were glowing gold…”

 

“A-ah! I was just looking at Reina’s stats, only her stats!! I definitely wasn’t looking anywhere inappropriate!”

 

“Ha… Because of Kai, I’m becoming more and more of an unpleasant woman… This must be what they call a ‘mentally unstable person.’”

 

Aya muttered in a soft voice.

 

“What did you say?”

 

“Nothing at all!!”

 

“Kai, what do you mean by ‘stats’?”

 

Reina reacted to my slip of the tongue.

I thought I was in trouble, but I diverted the topic by talking about games, and Reina didn’t particularly mind, allowing the conversation to flow.

 

(Even so… this is Reina’s status. The reality of the world’s strongest woman…)

 

I let my eyes glow gold again and looked at Reina.

 

There, the secret of Reina, who holds the world’s strongest level of magic power, yet whose actual power remained at S-Rank, was revealed.