arc3 · 186-ch186

Chapter 186: The Real Purpose

"My name is Adachi, from Weekly Explorer. Sieg-san, could you tell us what you intend to do with the Blue Sapphire?"

Arihara-san had picked the first reporter, and the question went to Sieg-san. A perfectly safe opening question — a good choice for the first one, if you ask me.

"As you all know, my weapons are knuckles. And I've got knuckles for every attribute, too. But the water-attribute knuckles were the one set I was never satisfied with. With this, I should be able to make something I'm happy with."

I see. Sieg-san probably has the Weapon Generation skill as well. Still, depending on the situation, an attribute weapon can be the more advantageous choice. So once you're at the very top, keeping weapons for every attribute on hand is apparently an option.

"This is Komine, from the Maiasa Newspaper. Sieg-san, I believe an agent could have handled the transaction alone — why did you make a point of coming yourself?"

Ooh, that's the question everybody wanted to hear next, I bet. The reporters are all getting ready to take notes at once, after all.

"Well, it's true that was an option. But there was only one reason I came — I was interested in the seller."

The moment Sieg gave that answer, the camera flashes went off in a wave. The reporters' pens were racing, and their eyes kept darting toward Hayate.

"Sieg-san! What kind of interest, exactly!?"

"Please hold your questions until you're called on with your hand raised."

The reporter who'd blurted the question out on sheer momentum got a rebuke from Arihara-san. But Sieg-san seemed willing to answer it anyway, and began speaking into the microphone.

"Let me turn it around: is there anyone here who isn't interested in this Mr. SS right now? Anyone who watches the streams he films — every explorer out there starts thinking they want him to film them too, no?"

At Sieg-san's answer, the reporters couldn't help but groan. To think the world's No. 1 explorer would say that about me — what a lucky guy I am.

"This is Nashida, from Dungeon Information. Should we take that to mean you have a filming request for SS-san?"

"Hey, hey — I just answered a question, that's all. I fully intend to make the official request properly, later on."

So Sieg-san really does mean to request my services for filming. I'd love to film the world rank-1 myself — I wonder how long he plans to stay in Japan?

"This is Kimura, from Weekly Future. From your perspective, Sieg-san, what kind of presence is SS-san?"

And there's another straight-down-the-middle question. I'm a bit curious how Sieg-san will answer this one.

"Well. Honestly, I'd like nothing more than to haul him back to America with me right this second — but that's obviously not something Japan would allow. Not that I have any intention of going about it by force, mind you. Ideally, he and I — ah, or she, it might be her, that — anyway, I want a good relationship with them. And anyone who gets in the way of that can deal with me."

At Sieg-san's forceful tone, a murmur rippled through the hall. So, um, let me summarize what Sieg-san just said: anyone who messes with SS gets me, Sieg. Seriously? Arihara-san told me to put it up at auction, and I never imagined it would turn into this kind of development.

When I thought that and looked over at Arihara-san, for some reason he was nodding along while looking at Sieg-san. Could it be Arihara-san predicted this would happen? Or no — maybe he steered things so it would happen?

I got a little scared of Arihara-san.

"May we ask SS-san a question?"

When one of the reporters raised their voice, every head in the room whipped around toward Arihara-san.

"No — we have not set aside any time for that today. This concludes the press conference. Thank you all for gathering here today. Please take care on your way home."

With those words, Arihara-san rose to his feet together with Sieg and, carrying Hayate, headed for the exit.

"SS-san! What did you make of Sieg-san's remarks!?"

"Sieg-san, please tell us your plans from here!"

"SS-san, do you have any intention of revealing your identity?"

The reporters, blindsided by the sudden announcement of the end, started hurling questions at us as we tried to leave the hall. But neither Arihara-san nor Sieg-san gave the slightest answer — the two of them just walked out chatting amicably.

▽▽▽

"Well then, Arihara — was that about the way you wanted it?"

"Perfect, Sieg. I'm really glad I consulted you."

Arihara-san and Sieg, having finished the press conference, had moved to a separate room, and the moment they took their seats, that's the conversation they launched into. Hold on a second. Could it be — Arihara-san and Sieg actually know each other!?

"Excuse me — are Arihara-san and Sieg-san acquaintances?"

I couldn't sit still in this situation, so I went and asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact, Sieg and I are old friends. When I spoke to him about you, SS-san, he said, 'Let me help, by all means,' so I had him come to Japan with the Blue Sapphire purchase as the pretext."

So it was true after all!? No wonder everything had gone too smoothly. But still — where did Arihara-san and Sieg-san even meet?

"I see. I never imagined the two of you knew each other. Where did you meet?"

"It was when I was a fresh explorer — I used to live in Japan back then. Arihara looked after me quite a bit in those days."

The one who answered my question was Sieg-san himself. I had no idea the world rank-1 Sieg-san had ever lived in Japan.

"Well, 'looked after' or not — the three of us dove dungeons together all the time, you know."

Now that he mentions it, Arihara-san did say he used to be an explorer. I never imagined he'd partied up with Sieg-san, though. Hm? The three of us... the three of them?

"Oh, right — it wasn't just plain clearing, either. We ran all kinds of experiments, like whether using a drone would net you any EXP."

Hm? Experiments using a drone? Why does that sound like something I've heard before...

"Could the third person be President Yamamoto, by any chance?"

I figured there was no one else it could be, so I asked.

"Ooh, so Yamamoto's a company president now? Look how far the man's climbed!"

Yes — President Yamamoto confirmed. I get it now. When Queens had him worried, Arihara-san and President Yamamoto called Sieg-san over to keep the overseas powers in check. With that declaration of his, nobody should be able to take a casual poke at SS anymore. After all, you can hardly afford to make an enemy of the world's No. 1 explorer.

"Thank you both — for doing all this for me. It wasn't just about me; it concerned my family's safety too. I'm truly grateful."

There was no bowing to give, with Hayate in between us, but I put my heart into the words and thanked them properly.

"Oh, think nothing of it. It's true I was interested in you. Though if it's possible, I'd be delighted if you'd film me while I fight."

"Of course. Please let me film you — by all means."

We'd have to work out schedules, but I made sure to tell him I wanted to film him too.

"Well then, this is a perfect opportunity. Four days from now, we have a filming session planned with Kokushi Musou and Queens. If Sieg is willing, why not join us?"

What!? This was part of Arihara-san's plan too!?

"Ooh, that sounds fun! Where's it happening?"

"Tokyo Mouse Park Dungeon, starting from floor thirty-one."

"Even better. The Transfer Stone there's already registered. Four days from now, then. Don't you tell the Queens lot! I mean to surprise 'em!"

Ahh, and now something that sounds like real fun is taking shape. Thinking about how Michael and the others would react to this surprise, I spent a while just lending an ear to Arihara-san and Sieg-san's conversation.