—- Arakawa Kouki Point of View —-

I was inside the airplane sitting on my seat . I was drinking coffee which is in a paper cup while spreading a newspaper to know what’s in today’s news . I have been busy lately so I haven’t experienced such free time in a long while .

When I look outside the window, I can see the Russian Air Force . Further more, there are powerful looking ossans sitting in front of me . While thinking on why this is happening, I then heard an announcement .

“We will soon temporary land at an Air Force Base in Moscow . We will take off after around 15 minutes once some of the pa.s.sengers get off”

After listening to the announcement, I tried reading the newspaper again . The ossan in front of me cleared his throat while making a “Nnnnn” sound, so I decided to fold the newspaper and fasten my seat belt . Still… Skinhead, I mean Anton-san and I were able to secure a ticket after I use my personal terminal . When we board the plane, these guys also boarded the plane with us .

Moreover, the moment the airplane entered Russian Airs.p.a.ce, there are fighter jets who graciously started to escort our plane . Thanks to them, I cannot enjoy drinking the coffee that the beautiful oneesan brought me earlier .

“I know we haven’t spoken to each other but… when the announcement said ‘pa.s.sengers’ earlier, they were talking about us right? Since when did Russian Government started providing guides for civilians to a.s.sist their tours?”

I suddenly asked them in Russian and they were so surprised that even me, an amateur, could tell . Fuhahaha!

Serves them right! It was already over 4 hours since the plane took off from j.a.pan and they were intimidating me ever since . Thanks to that, I cannot enjoy my very first normal air travel experience .

Also, I live at “Hakone Base” right? I was living with the murderer-looking Coat-san, my witch mom and other dangerous looking fellows so your intimidating look is nothing to me .

“We are here to escort you . Our boss is waiting on the ground, he will explain the details later”

“Explain? I am entering the country via normal and legal procedure… so why are you changing my landing destination to an Air Force Base to arrest me?”

“W-w-we are not arresting you! If something happens to you, it will be a great loss to the world . We are just making sure that you are safe”

“Ma~ alright . However, remember that if you make even a single mistake . It will become a diplomatic issue”

The ossan were dismayed by the word ‘diplomatic issue’ but I ignored them by closing my eyes . Anton-san who was sitting next to me was silent because I was able to explain to him beforehand that I will be copying how mom and Claire-san do their negotiation . Mom once told me that you will have an overwhelming advantage in negotiation if you take the initiative . So I think hard on the last 4 hours and was able to think of a solution to use the word ‘diplomatic issue’ to stop our opponents . With this, the ossans cannot forcibly take us away somewhere without any explanation… probably .

Still, I’m so hungry . Since I was in a hurry earlier, I haven’t eaten lunch and if this continue I will not be able to have dinner as well . Maybe I can ask them to feed me once we reach our destination?

“Anton-san, I’m hungry . Oh yeah, I heard herring is a famous dish in Russia, how do you usually eat it?”

“Hm? A~ it would be marinated or served as a soup called Ukha, its pretty tasty” (TN: Ukha is a clear Russian soup, made from various types of fish)

“Is that so, I hope I can eat it”

While talking, I look at the ossans and they were consulting at each other while saying ‘prepare dinner’ in small voice . Yos.h.i.+ Yos.h.i.+! Looks like I will be able to eat dinner once we land on the ground . The only possible problem left is if they mixed our meal with poison… They have no reason to kill me and Anton-san is my escort right now so they cannot kill him either .

Rather, if they do such thing, it will definitely become a diplomatic issue . I also asked Anton-san earlier on our way to the airport and it seems ‘that incident’ did not happen to this world so there is no worry of using radioactive substance such as ‘polonium’ for a.s.sa.s.sination .  (TN: ‘that incident’ pertains to the a.s.sa.s.sination of Aleksandr Litvinenko, a former Russian security officer who received political asylum in Britain after becoming a highly vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin . He died of polonium poisoning in November 2006)

Now that I think about it, Claire-san was always stealing a bite on my meal . I thought she just want to taste them but it looks like she was testing them for ‘poison’ . That means, Claire-san was taking good care of my well being .

“Kouki-kun, it seems we are about to land”

Anton-san told me that while pointing at the fighter aircraft who are going away . Alright, in that case I will need to do my best for the person who relied on me . While imagining the appearance of the boss of these ossans who should be waiting on the ground, I drunk the rest of my coffee and throw away the paper cup .

■■■ (TN: This is not me, there really is something like this in the raw)

When we land to the ground, a relatively warm wind was blowing . Although it was often misunderstood, Russia is not a cold place all year round . The truth is that the average temperature in Moscow during summer is 22°C and around 20°C in Siberia during its short summer . Today seems to be slightly higher than the average temperature since the terminal attached in my arm is indicating that the current temperature is 24°C .

“We have a car waiting for you, this way please”

As they say that, we walk to the hangar which is in the corner of the base . A large four-wheel drive car and a black luxury car was parked in there . One of the ossan approach the luxury car, opens the door at the rear and urges us to get inside . I can’t back off now that I have come this far .

I bow to the ossan and quickly get in the car . There was an elderly man inside wearing a suit and another ossan wearing a dark blue military uniform . They greeted me as soon as we have taken our sit .

“Pleased to meet you, Arakawsan . I am Lieutenant Colonel Yakov Tarkovsky from Intelligence Service . The man next to me is Yuri Pamfilova from Ministry of Foreign Affairs”

“Nice to meet you Lieutenant Colonel . As you know I am Arakawa Kouki, and the one accompanying me is Anton Volkkievich a former member of your country’s secret unit”

As I say my introduction, I also made a slight jab about Anton-san . The lieutenant made a clouded expression for a moment while Yuri-san had no change in his face . As I thought, I cannot do it as good as my mom but since I am here I can just do my best .

“So, what is the purpose of your visit to our country?”

The lieutenant ignored my remarks about Anton-san’s background and asked the purpose of my visit instead . Here is the first hurdle, Claire-san said before ‘If you want to negotiate carefully, you should approach them in a roundabout way’ but ‘If you want to achieve your goal quickly, go straight to the point’ . The purpose of our travel this time is to rescue the former boss of Anton-san, I can’t afford to waste time so I’ll go straight to the point .

“I’d like you to hand over Anton-san’s former boss who is currently detained”

“I apologize but I do not know who you are referring to . Also, supposedly we do have that person in our custody, how are you related to them? Even if its you, you should not be interfering with our internal affairs”

“Let’s stop playing around . I believe it will be a problem if other countries find out that I am currently ‘confined’ in this car”

As soon as I said the word ‘confined’, Yuri-san eyebrow slightly move . Ma~ what do you expect… in this situation, only I can decide if I am confined or not . They can just say “We do not know that person, please leave” while forcing me to get out of the country but they will be in trouble if I say “I was confined in Russia!” afterwards .

“If that person is really in our custody… since this is a country ruled by law, that person probably committed a crime . Arakawsan, are you trying to say that Noah is trying to release a criminal?”

So you are now bringing up the name ‘Noah’ in here . Is he trying to check how serious I am on this one or is he trying to determine if my mom is involved to all of this? I do not know his intention but I should answer the question . Think, how can I answer without getting into trouble?

“No way, I have not said such a thing . I just heard this morning that they are detained and was thinking that it might be due to some kind of mistake or miscommunication? In that case, even if they were mistakenly arrested it will be hard for them to continue their current work after their release . So, I am trying to scout them and want to ask ‘If they don’t mind, they can work with us'”

“I see, so that is your reason?”

“Yes . Also, I have a special job to them in mind so I thought it is necessary to ask permission to someone like Yuri-san and the Lieutenant Colonel to get them out . That’s why I visit your country . Of course I will not leave you empty handed and will be sure to give ‘compensation'”

How’s that? As far as the reaction of the Lieutenant Colonel is concerned, I think there will be no problems on his answer but I am worried about Yuri-san since he is just silent as usual . We remain silent for a while, then Anton-san gave his personal terminal to me .

A simple text was displayed on the screen, it says “Kouki-kun, just like you said that thing was found on that place” . Yos.h.i.+, with this we can now move forward to a full-blown negotiation . I lightly nodded to Anton-san and decided to talk to the lieutenant .

“Lieutenant Colonel, I’d like you to confirm if that person in question is really in your custody or if they really commit any crimes…”

“I understand . Although I normally refuse this kind of request, I cannot refuse if the one asking is Arakawsan . It will take some time so in the meantime, would you like to have some dinner?”

“I will gratefully accept . I am ashamed to say this but I haven’t eaten lunch because of my work . Allow me to join you”

“I will gratefully accept . I am ashamed to say this but I haven’t eaten lunch because of my work . Allow me to join you”

I felt something wrong when he said “I cannot refuse if the one asking is Arakawsan” but whatever . Considering his att.i.tude changed when I talk about compensation earlier, there is no doubt that this guy knows about Anton-san’s former boss right from the start!! I want to point it out to them but since negotiation is going well, it will be bad if all of my effort is wasted .

I can now understand why mom looks like an ‘oni’ after negotiations . I always thought it was because she was tired from all the complicated talk but looks like that’s not it . I also heard from macho that after negotiation, Claire-san will go to the training facility and beat up her subordinates…… It is because they feel a lot of stress .  (TN: Oni are a kind of Youkai from j.a.panese folklore, variously translated as demons, devils, ogres or trolls . Youkai are a cla.s.s of supernatural monsters, spirits and demons in j.a.panese Folklore . )

“By the way, I believe you saw our state-of-the-art aircraft that was involved in escorting you to our country but as an expert, may I have your opinion? Did you feel excited seeing them?”

While the car started to move towards the place where we will eat our dinner, the Lieutenant Colonel asked me a question . So that was state-of-the-art… the fighter jets of Noah who are doing flight tests on Noah Island seemed to be more agile and have more fire power . It was ridiculously powerful that it made me think that those are UFO in a SF . These are nothing compared to that .  (TN: SF = SciFi / Science Fiction)

“I am not an expert, but let’s see… they look like manned aircraft, why not do an unmanned aircraft? For example, if you can control those planes from the ground, the stress of the pilot is alleviated especially if it is a dangerous mission and if the target is worth more than the aircraft then they can just use the jet itself once they used up all of their ammunition . Unlike powersuit, aircraft doesn’t need precise control . I think these are the great advantages of an aircraft”

“T-the jet itself?”

You don’t need to be that surprised, I am not telling you to do that with manned aircraft you know? Since it is an unmanned aircraft, I am just telling you to treat it like an expensive missile .   In this era, aerial dog fight doesn’t happen and fighter aircraft are more efficient if they are ‘aircraft carrying missiles’ .

In fact, almost all of Noah’s fighter jet are unmanned and I expect all the powersuit would be unmanned except for the high-spec model used by some commanders within 4 to 5 years . Mom was also seriously trying to build a powersuit when I mentioned to her half joking about the specs of a robot that I saw in an anime in my previous life but that one is impossible . Well, I really hope that its impossible… I mean, how are you going to create an anti-matter engine that will allow the suit to move both in ground and s.p.a.ce .

“We have arrived”

I was starting to break in cold sweat thinking on my mom developing new weapons which makes her look like a mad scientist as we arrived at our destination . I look outside the tinted gla.s.s, are we in an underground parking lot? Several private cars are also parked nearby . An ossan who seemed to be one of the escorts riding at the other vehicle opened the door and guide us towards the elevator .

“All of you can stay here”

Lieutenant Colonel stops the ossans who were trying to ride the elevator with us . Fumu, are you going to stop being intimidating in hope to discuss a better compensation? It was a good judgment but since I’m the type who hold a grudge, there is no point in doing that . While I was thinking that, I was watching the Lieutenant Colonel when he push the b.u.t.ton for the 30th floor .

“We are originally heading to floor 83 but we cannot go to above floor 80 without pa.s.sing through the security room on the 30th floor”

I see, so it will keep us safe but at the same time we will also have trouble in leaving the place . Actually, even at Hakone Base it is not possible to go to the underground floor where my mom office is located without switching to a different elevator . I guess this is a security standard . Just like the Lieutenant Colonel said, we transfer to a different elevator on the 30th floor and get off to the 83rd floor . A corridor similar to that of a luxury hotel is before my eyes .

“We are here . We have prepared the best suite, I hope you like it”

“Despite my sudden visit, I’m amazed that you were able to prepare such place for me”

While walking through the corridor, I enjoy the feeling of the soft carpet through my shoes . A beautiful employee came out from a room up ahead while pus.h.i.+ng a cart .

The beautiful woman bow to us as she pa.s.s to our side but as she move the cart to the wall, it lost its balance and the cart fall down spreading the content of the cart throughout the floor . Anton-san who saw that, go to her to help pick them up .

“Hey, are you okay?”

“I apologize!! Please allow me clean this up alone, It will be bad if you get your clothes dirty because of this”

The beautiful woman was desperately trying to stop Anton-san in helping her . She then brush off the coat of Anton-san to clean it up but I saw it .

While the Lieutenant Colonel and Yuri-san were glaring at the clumsy employee, as she turned her back to the two people allowing her to blocking their field of vision on her hand── she slip a small pistol inside Anton-san’s pocket .

“Please excuse me”

Since she is giving us a gun, I suppose she is an ally . The beautiful woman who finished picking everything up, bowed and quickly leave . Anton-san and that girl’s facial expression did not change and are acting very naturally . It was as if I am watching a spy movie . Is this is the real capability of trained agents, rather I am worried that they might noticed a change in my expression . While thinking about that, the Lieutenant Colonel stopped at the end of the corner and opened the door .

“Sa, here we are… Please have a sit, we will have the meals ready as soon as possible”

“Sa, here we are… Please have a sit, we will have the meals ready as soon as possible”

As told, we enter the room and sat on a prepared chair on the large table . The Lieutenant Colonel sat down in front of me and Yuri-san sat down in front of Anton-san . Now what?

We can stay quiet until the food arrives but I think I need to break the silence somehow . While I was thinking on how to start a conversation, the Lieutenant Colonel suddenly spoke to us while looking at his personal terminal .

“Arakawsan, it is still under investigation but the person that you mentioned is apparently really in our custody and there was a possibility that they are arrested without solid evidence”

“Is that so, that’s good . Though, I’d like to think that I am not a person who will scout someone who actually committed a crime”

Yeah yeah, I know that we know that you cannot say “We don’t have them” if I am offering you something . It’s about time to tell them my offer── I can offer to Lieutenant Colonel the “Broadcasting Rights of Noah” or ‘that’ which we asked from Anton-san’s 2 old colleagues to investigate .

“Lieutenant Colonel, if proved innocent and they accept my proposal──”

When I was talking to the Lieutenant Colonel, someone knocked on the door and informed us that the food has arrived . It was such a bad timing . Lieutenant Colonel stands up from his chair after he reply and unlocks the door to let the employee in .

A man who was dressed as a bellboy came inside and brings dishes and tableware to our table . A knife with a little bit of dirt was placed in front of me . When I look at it closely, it was not dirt but very thin characters that can only be seen in a very close distance .

“Seeking Asylum, 18 people”

You are not a real employee too!? Wait a second, this is strange . Anton-san said that he doesn’t talk much with his old colleagues and I believe he is saying the truth . It is better not to have strong connection with other agent so in case that one is caught in another country, information is can be controlled .

Despite all of that, the beautiful woman employee and the bellboy in front of me is helping us to save their former boss, I believe something is going on… Think, what is going on in this country? Did a political change took place? or are they involved in some political power struggle? I desperately think about it even though my mind is not as powerful as my mom . The Lieutenant Colonel smile and speaks to both Anton-san and me .

“Sa sa~ Arakawsan . Please eat . You too, Senior Lieutenant Anton, I’m sure its been a while since you last ate the food of your motherland”

Really? Anton-san was a Senior Lieutenant… I do not know much about military rank in Russian Army since they are needlessly complicated . I thank the Lieutenant Colonel and cut out the dish using the knife to erase the written characters, Anton-san stopped me with a somewhat panicked voice .

“Kouki-kun! Before you eat, allow me…”

Actually, the terminal attached to my arm, even though it is the basic model, has a device to measure concentration of contamination even in the air and it has no response . Its ironic that it is useful right now even though its original purpose is for when I am in the laboratory .

“Do not be so rude Anton-san, they prepared this dinner and besides there is no merit for them in doing any harm to me”

“but…”

“Really, it’s okay . See . It’s tasty”

Although it is bad manners, in order to make Anton-san relieved, I put a large lump of meat into my mouth and slowly chew and swallow it . Ah! I came up with a good idea! It will be my revenge for the ossans earlier . I’m looking forward into what kind of reaction Lieutenant Colonel and Yuri-san will make, I’m pretty sure they will be surprised .

“In addition, we can immediately detect if they use a normal poison into our meal . If they really want to poison us, they will be using ‘polonium’ but since I am a researcher I will most probably have a counter measure against it so most likely they will do that”

“Po, Polo?”

Anton-san had a face full of question mark but Lieutenant Colonel was glaring hard to Anton-san . Yuri-san who don’t change his expression is now having a troubled face while wiping his mouth with a napkin . It looks like that event or something similar to that really happened in this world . I confirmed that I was able to make them uncomfortable .

“Lieutenant Colonel, please don’t stare at him with such a scary face . He, who is a Senior Lieutenant, will not know anything about polonium . Only those who are at the top or those who have rank high enough should know about this . I’m actually surprised that Lieutenant Colonel knows what I am talking about . It seems like you have access on advanced information”

“Uh! Certainly, I am an exception and have access on information higher than Lieutenant”

Seriously? You are admitting just like that . More than half of what I said is just a bluff . Rather, based on what he said, his real rank is higher than a ‘Lieutenant Colonel’ . I just want to make them uncomfortable but we arrive into this situation, now we have the upper hand . Then I suppose I should strike while the iron is hot .

“Uh! Certainly, I am an exception and have access on information higher than Lieutenant”

Seriously? You are admitting just like that . More than half of what I said is just a bluff . Rather, based on what he said, his real rank is higher than a ‘Lieutenant Colonel’ . I just want to make them uncomfortable but we arrive into this situation, now we have the upper hand . Then I suppose I should strike while the iron is hot .

“Ma~ let’s put aside the polonium stuff for now . As I was saying earlier… if the person I am scouting was proved to be innocent and accepts my invitation . I am considering on taking in all of their ‘subordinates’ as well not just the person itself”

“…… all of them?

“Yes, of course I will not take away such talents without offering something of equivalent value”

Although this is different from my original plan, the previous bellboy earlier is most probably a subordinate of Anton’s former boss . I will help as many people as I can . The reason is because it felt good to have someone seriously rely on me, but that is a secret that only I will know .

If this goes well, we will be able to acquire people with high level of skills . I have personally seen their abilities, it will be a waste to ignore them .

“Indeed, it will be difficult for our country to lost a large number of excellent individuals . This will also have a small chance of military secrets from leaking out, we should avoid that . However it will depends on the offer of Arak.a.w.kun… there is a possibility of providing ‘special’ permission for this”

“I see, if you can provide ‘special measures’ then that will great”

After saying that, I drink a spoon of ‘ukha’ . I was expecting the peculiar smell of fish but this one is delicious, clear, and has beautiful color . It also contains ingredients good for my growing body .

As I was biting the fish that I got from the soup, the Lieutenant Colonel was looking at me and seems want to inquire about the offer . Calm down for a bit, if my mom is here and saw you like that she will make you crumble on your feet . I am still thinking about it so you have to wait for a little bit more .

“So then, may I know what you are offering?”

As I swallowed the fish and drink from a gla.s.s of water, the lieutenant who could not keep himself anymore finally asked a question . This is the start of our battle… from this point on, I cannot make any mistake . I opened my mouth while being conscious of what I am saying .

“71° 39′ north lat.i.tude, 111° 11′ east longitude…”

“Hai?”

“There is a large area where you can mine diamonds within your country . It is located at 71° 39′ north lat.i.tude, 111° 11′ east longitude . I cannot provide you a diamond to appraise but the diamonds in there are twice as hard as an ordinary diamond and is seemed to be best for industrial use”

“W-what on earth are you saying Arakawsan? Did you say Diamond Mine?”

“Here is a doc.u.ment about it . A few hours ago, Anton-san’s friends survey the geology of the area and diamonds are confirmed within rocks that are on shallow places . It is possible to mine them via open-pit mining”

The Lieutenant Colonel grabbed the micro memory stick that I held out and quickly insert it into his terminal . Even Yuri-san who is sitting next to him cannot compose himself anymore and also looked at the terminal of the Lieutenant Colonel .

The doc.u.ment that I have given them is a brief survey of a place known as ‘Popigai Crater’ in my previous life . Although it is said to be the largest crater in Eurasia, in this world the impact seemed to be smaller . There is no huge crater and it cannot be seen clearly via satellite images . For that reason, the place have been undiscovered and the area is never been surveyed .

Actually, I asked Anton-san to somehow investigate and see if there is a possibility to discover a diamond vein in that area while we are riding a car heading to the airport . Rather, considering the anomaly of this world that I reincarnated to since the impact is not that powerful on this world the possibility of a ‘diamond being created’ is plausible to make this world consistent when compared to the other world . Ma~ I will just leave this kind of complicated theory to mom . While I was thinking about such things Yuri-san, who recovered first, unexpectedly opened his mouth for the first time .

“Even if this doc.u.ment is true . Since it is a place that can be found in our territory,  we will be able to find it sooner or later . I don’t think we can gain that much on this offer?”

I know that . The number of people seeking asylum suddenly increased and investigating the geology of other country without permission is my best option . I know I am walking in a tightrope here . Originally, this is an offer to trade for two people but now, I am just using it to confuse and make them unsettled . Now, to present my real offer .

“Of course I know that . The content written in that material is just an appetizer . My real offer is the rights for Russia to broadcast in Noah Channel for free”

Looking at the expression of the Lieutenant colonel and Yuri-san who had their mouths hanged wide open, I lifted the gla.s.s of water with a big smile on my face──