The Man Picked Up By the Gods (Reboot)

Because of the large number of participants, the front of the large conference hall has a stage and blackboard, before which desks and chairs can be arranged. Placement as if it were a school classroom.

And when all the participants sat down, the first man to speak up stood on the stage and opened his mouth.

"Thank you for your valuable time today. My name is Wands and I am the founder of the meeting. Young man, I would also like to act as a facilitator of the conference today, thank you very much."

When a man named Wands praises him, he applauds with paralysis.

"Thank you. Quickly, then, what do you think of the security of this city today?

Starting with such an inquiry was a speech emphasizing (...) how dangerous the present Gimru is and the need for cooperation and measures.

"Gimru's guards are not incompetent. I have heard that the security system is being strengthened by an increase in personnel."

Some people sometimes argue with that,

"I have certainly heard about the increase in numbers and the strengthening of the security system, and I do not consider Gimru's guards incompetent. But! Increases and reinforcements are not enough in terms of the traditional number of guards against the increased number of incidents in the first place! We can't prevent crime! We need an increase or reinforcement!... as such, is not the result of what was done for what no other guard judged to be (...)?

"Mmm, Sora......"

"Necessary and imminent increases in staffing and security. This is a“ bitter meat measure ". Besides, the rapidly increased number of guards is still poorly smelled, and more and more cases are being taken of the killer being missed or returned to the killer?

Of course, I guess they're making an effort with them. I admit that. But! The guards who are supposed to protect the people of the city, on the contrary, become the victims. It's also a reality that such examples are happening! Leave it to the guards, they'll be fine, absolutely safe, can you say that? That's it. Can you trust the guards now?

"So, but..."

"But it's not! In the unlikely event that that trust is betrayed, it may be you, no, your loved one, who will meet the damage?

……

This is how Wands defeats me. And every time, he plants anxiety on the losing person and the participants who are listening to the interaction.

In case you think about it, I'd be something similar.

Is that why? I understood what you were saying, but “at the same time I felt intense discomfort".

And given the cause of that discomfort, the difference between me and Wands comes to mind.

I want to be ready to deal with it, just in case it's okay. But I don't want to push that idea on others.

In contrast, Wands is appealing to the participants to think deeply about the problem and prepare for it… it looks like it is fuelling the participants' anxiety by talking about a bad future that is only hypothetical or possible.

In addition,

"This year I was granted independence from a store I trained in for many years. So to speak, a young man who has just finally welcomed his nest. And in Giml, he's also a newcomer. Unfortunately, I am not a man with enough liver to be seated leaving the status quo to Gimru's guards. I'm always anxious about how the city is doing, although I'd like to open a store (...)"

"It's true the city is rough."

"I thought you needed security measures."

The same as everyone else, or Wands speaking anxiety by exchanging the word we. Every time a voice goes up in tune with it, more and more people are accepting his words to follow.

Incitement of anxiety...... possibly bad business practices?

Watching the meeting, I started to have that suspicion.

Also, one more thing I remembered as the objections to Wands' words diminished.

This air in the conference room. I know this air.

It's just a meeting of form, where “what the top management decided” is “what the meeting decided."

Although it is branded as a meeting, it is neither required nor required to issue new opinions on the spot, nor is it a forum for an exchange of views. Anything that speaks out against it is pointless, either to be silenced or slapped. This is not a meeting, “just a report” is enough.

I say rooting is important when starting things, but this meeting is just going beyond that and going according to pre-prepared muscles. To that end, first of all, there is no doubt that some of the people who took the initiative to speak out for endorsement and advocacy have already been embraced by Wands.

The current situation, which incites anxiety, takes the lead and the Wands and others are steering in the direction intended.

The air of unanimity is already flowing with the idea of “cooperating”.

Now he only talks about things that are still easy, but it's not good to keep doing this.

The more I think about it, the more alarm sounds in my head.

Giml's situation now, that nobility may be pulling threads behind it.

If Wands and his associates are involved in the deterioration of security, isn't this meeting a trap, too?

What are we going to do in the name of "mutual cooperation”, which is exactly what we are asking for now?

"Join forces between managers doing business on the same land to get through this difficulty!

Bigger than the first from the participants, the feverish applause rises.

Here I am, calling next door.

"Mr. Callum."

"Yes?"

"Excuse me."

"Ha, huh?

"May I have one?"

Leave him confused, raise your hand. The same gaze of the participants gathers here in a word at that time, but there was a little while before it caught the attention of Wands, either because he was sitting in the rear seat.

"Uh, who is it, your face..."

"My name is Lyoma Takebayashi. He runs a laundromat called Bamboo Forest on the west side of Gimru, near a residential area."

"This is this! Thank you very much for your kindness. I also heard about you coming to Gimru and the shallow sun. He said he was a young and talented manager. I'm sorry I didn't notice right away."

Apologies from a frantic smile. A faint laugh comes from around.

"One child among the adults. I couldn't help but stay behind like this."

"It would be helpful if you could say that. By the way, is something wrong?

"Yes. First of all, thank you for what you said earlier. It was a very interesting story for me personally...... I've just set up a shop in Gimru since about spring of this year too. As with you, you are a newcomer in Gimru, and you hardly have the so-called" horizontal connection ”. This is a good opportunity to interact with our predecessors who set up shop in the same giml. Of course, there were concerns about the current deterioration in security, and I wanted to have a good relationship with you and work with you."

This is true and sincere. There aren't as many store owners I've come to Gimru to know, and if I can have a good relationship with people in the area, I'd like to build one. If we can work together, I want to work together. Am I supposed to weigh “sum," or is this because I'm a former Japanese?

... but that's only the story of someone you can work with.

"Oh, so are you."

"That's why!"

"Huh!"

"Let me tell you something. I said we would work together against the deterioration of security, but specifically (...) what measures will we take? What exactly do we do (...)"

The moment I told him that, very slightly, Wands' mouth hardened.

But that's really a moment. If you hadn't watched, you'd think it was your fault, or you wouldn't have noticed it in the first place. At least I don't know if I would have noticed... I'm not sure.

"Oops! That's a natural question. Excuse me."

And Wands starts talking again.

But that's more like asking around and rounding up than answering a questioner named me.

Exchange of information, contact closely, night sights, escort classes, seminars to raise the awareness of store clerks about crime, etc. … It just combines words that inspire and motivate the sense of duty and self-esteem, such as "Don't rely on the guards!" in its content.

Four or five participants thought to be connected in the back. Someone among them is taking the initiative in taking turns to raise their voice of endorsement and boost the ground, but let me tell you what I honestly think.

"Well, that's all the suggestions from me. How about that, ladies and gentlemen?"

"Suba -"

"I won't talk (...)"

I speak clearly so as to block the words of the man who just tried to agree.

And he was silent as if the conference room had frozen, even feeling a faint hostility from some.

"I'm not talking, what? What does that mean? Mr. Takebayashi."

"It means exactly what you say. That kind of thing makes sense for the first time by continuing from time to time, and it's not instant from where I started in a hurry right now"

"Sure, it may not be instant. But if you don't start, you won't get anything."

"Exactly!

"What will you do if you give up before you start?"

"Damn, this is why the youngsters these days"

Again, the slap on me for opposing Wands' suggestion is about to start.

We have no choice but to be prepared here.

"All aligned and full of idiots"

"Become"

When I dare tell you to provoke me, even the people who were trying to slap me didn't think I'd be cursed so straightforward, like I was stuck in words for a moment.

"Store manager!?

"Callum (...), shut up"

……

Ask your neighbor Callum to...... I'm really sorry but keep quiet. He's originally a good guess, and he seems to have passed it on thanks to an unusual way of saying it. He doesn't seem convinced, but for now, he'll keep his mouth shut, believing me while I'm confused.

"What if we're talking about a deterioration in the security of the city and we're under exact pressure (...) to do something about it now, but we don't consider the immediacy"

"Still works better than not doing it!

"It won't hurt you to learn how to protect yourself."

"Shouldn't we be doing the lookout?

He also heard a faint positive grunt, but one raised his voice as if scratching it off, one more and one more and making noise with his opinion or something.

"Well, well, gentlemen, calm down. Thank you for your active participation in the meeting. Thanks to you, you had a lot of opinions.

As far as I'm concerned, I think the outlook can still be expected to be immediate among the suggestions, and as someone said, there's no harm in learning the art of escort, but what do you think?

"If you want to look around something else, you should, if you want to learn the art of escort. I don't care what you guys learn on your own, so make yourself comfortable there.

It's just that Mr. Wands, there's nothing else you've been talking about earlier, is there? He said there are still examples of rapidly increasing guards who are less smelly, turned back, or victimized the other way around. "

"It's"

"That example would be an indisputable fact. And poorly trained, half-armed, as a result of dealing with armed thugs and robbers. Using security as a" job, "even a dedicated guard can cause damage at the actual scene of an incident.

Yet, merchants, let's learn to defend ourselves with one hassle of work now and deal with it if we get attacked? Do you think you can? I don't think so.

Speaking of which, “I'll admit the Guard's efforts, but it doesn't make sense if it doesn't lead to results!"? I think I'm right, too. "

……

Same thing about the night out.

"I do think it has a deterrent effect on people. But if you witness a suspicious person or a crime scene, it could be a battle as it is. Some killers work break-ins and robbers on the premise of killing people, while others may be caught up in what they find and try to kill witnesses.

I'll be talking about the same protection technique here as I did earlier, but do you think I can handle it with you guys at that time? Take a good look around. "

I'll leave the difference between men and women at this time, but they're fat, or vice versa, or they're old. Participants here are merchants, and I can tell that more than half of them haven't worked out their bodies from time to time.

"If it's all around the night, the surroundings are dark and the sight is bad. There will be fewer crowds and witnesses besides the lookout.

I don't know how many people know here, but I also act as an active adventurer. Let me put it from that point of view... there's enough to lick the fight in action "

Though the world is familiar with weapons and magic, they are the main places of activity throughout the city. If you have to, the Guard will come, and maybe it's really far from a life-threatening situation.

Do you really understand that? You want to die? You want your family and employees dead? With such a doubt, we move our gaze from Wands, his people and thoughtful people to the whole participant.

Then among the people who shrink and avoid my gaze, there was the only man two rows away who looked at me from the front and slowly stood up. It's Mr. Dalson.

"Lyoma, I know how you feel, but calm down a little. Pull him in. You're so intimidating, these guys can't even say anything."

"With all due respect, Mr. Dalson. What do you do when a child like me seems to be a little intimidated? They just need to learn how to protect themselves, or something, right? Anyone who listens in silence accepts and takes his weapon, and in the worst case, loses his or her life or that of his or her family or employees. Or kill the person you attacked. Are you prepared to do that?

"Your intimidation is like a child can get out... no, but when they say it..."

Mr. Dalson looks like he bit down a bitter bug and gently turns his gaze toward the facilitator.

"It's Mr. Wands. Let me also say as a former adventurer that Lyoma's pointing is a good one. Whatever the reason, fighting an attacking opponent is basically killing or getting killed. I'm not against learning how to protect myself, but I'm too optimistic about that."

"... What a" protective technique ”in the first place, after doing all the security measures you can do in your daily life (...), but still not enough, if you find yourself in a crisis situation. What to use in one or eight limited situations under circumstances that would definitely kill you if you remained even more irresistible. The first thing to do is keep the danger away and stay away from it. If it's a premise to use and fight from the start, that's no longer a protection or anything. It's just martial arts and weaponry. Don't get me wrong there."

"I see... this is an active and former adventurer. It's a valuable feedback from both of you who know the scene."

Adding to Mr. Dalson's words, Wands nods as he is convinced. I'm starting to understand, but this guy doesn't break his floating attitude all the time, pretending he's taking their opinions positively before denying them. Somehow, but I feel pretty used to the place.

"So what exactly would you two do? What should we do? I'd like to hear your expert opinion."

"That's a good suggestion!

"Come on. You must have some great answers."

"You can hire an adventurer or a mercenary. It can be active or retired“ ex ”. Anyway, hire quite a few decent fighters, not a blade, and put in place a system for regular patrols and immediate response in emergencies. All you need is money from everyone here, and you'll get a fair amount of money, and one person's contribution should be less than you pay alone.

You must be merchants, right? Then there is a merchant-like solution. You don't have to do anything unfamiliar, adventurous or mercenary. "

Oddly enough, we just discussed something similar the other day, so I'll answer you no time.

Then a voice rises as if convinced from some, and a voice comes out discussing it with each other next door,

"Ha... I was wondering what you'd say, you're falling short of expectations"

"Is there a problem?

"Hire an adventurer, we all pay for it, yeah, that might be good. The problem of money and power will be solved. But your suggestion has a big hole (...)!

Intentionally highlighting a “big hole" means…

"You can count on me. Just say it. What's the problem?

"Let's just say it's straightforward. In your way, the nobles will look at you."

In one word, the blurring in the conference room increases.

"Have you ever considered the existential significance of an" Alliance "? Yeah, maybe we should add, in this case," for the nobles. "

"Managing the power and power of the civilian population."

I also heard about this the other day.

It's too much, so this is probably what I'm trying to say, I'll tell you.

Then the man finally showed a clear upset as to whether it was a star.

"... you knew? Do you know what I'm suggesting?

"You know, is something wrong?

"Come on! Talk to us so we can figure it out!

"Whoa, excuse me!

Do boulders have the right to lead meetings beyond...

"First of all, know that there are things that nobility is always afraid and alert to. It's a" popular revolt. "Of course, the nobility, by virtue of its power and financial strength, will defend itself with powerful weapons and private soldiers. But! In numbers, nobility is less than 10% of the civilian population.

There are many examples of civilians united unanimously if history books are tied together, confronted with aristocratic authority by differences in numbers, and overturned their absolute positions. Fear that can happen at any time for the nobility. What can we do to prevent such a rebellion? If we don't unite the civilian population (...) it's fine. "

Wands began to make his words heard around him, as if he were an actor on stage.

"All guilds operate under the control of the state, with the authorization of His Majesty the King. Therefore even aristocracy cannot come and serve, but it is the aristocracy that manages and operates the country. I mean, far away, but the guild is under noble control, you could say.

And commercial guilds can capture the power of individuals, adventurer guilds and mercenary guilds, and we are watched by nobles through guilds, on the other hand, by means of guilds that we can benefit from in a variety of ways. And if power and power focus too much on one point... you'll see later, won't you? If the united forces are small, the aristocratic side will be able to deal with them without problems. "

"So, but, Mr. Wands? You're not exaggerating that it's such a rebellion, the people here are not thinking about it. And a kid named Lyoma."

"Of course you will! None of us, and neither is he willing to rebel, though! As a nobleman, you cannot remain calm if you have an organization that gathers more force than you need. For us, even for“ defensive purposes, "nobility suspects“ preparation for rebellion "behind it. That's what people's minds, noble thoughts are about.

Our purpose is irrelevant at this time. The question is how does it look to the nobles! If the gathering of many forces fuels the vigilance of the nobility, it is very likely that all of us who inevitably financed it will be considered “accomplices”, united!

Wands is exaggerating, but that's why participants don't seem to be able to keep up with their understanding.

“Is that true?" "To a boulder." "But no way." "Maybe..."

Those words fly into the conference room.

But...

"I'm so sorry to hear you speak out of spite, but don't worry about it"

"What?

"People with decent sensibilities and common sense will understand and forgive that it's a force to protect cities and shops."

The information Wands told is still skewed in a bad direction.

They do have examples where the nobility suspected rebellion by gathering too much power.

But it's common for people to pay each other to hire adventurers and mercenaries.

Especially in small villages and settlements, they say there are places where they cannot protect themselves from warcraft and bandits if they do not.

The point is, "If you observe moderation, there's no problem first."

"And as some of you may know, I am also the lord of the land, close to the Dukes of Jameel, so I can contact you in advance and explain the lack of rebellion and circumstances."

I confidently told him so - but,

"... doesn't that just mean you're safe?

"No, is that really possible in the first place?

"I heard you have a connection to the Duke's house..."

"You seem confident, but can you negotiate with a child like that?"

Is it just skeptical voices that come out, or what? I don't have a choice.

"Huh...... oops excuse me. But, Mr. Lyoma, you don't understand.“ the feelings of ordinary merchants like us (...) "

"It's easy and good to have noble asylum. Nothing to be afraid of."

"Even kids can make money with shops."

"Hey, you guys, as much as I'm flattered that the future is cheap, it's better if you keep your mouth shut"

... I see. Understood.

Even with the same proprietors, they are not like Mr. Serge or Mr. Piolo or Mr. Olest of the Moreton Slave Chamber. Those three would be opponents of nobility, and if they had anything to do with business, they would be willing to face it. That's how you've maintained or grown your store.

But they don't have it. I have one store all over the city, and I will have the corresponding hardship, but I earn some steady income and have some spare time. I am satisfied there. I keep my engagement with nobility away as an extra risk.

They can be called successful enough. But it's not superior to trying to go further up.

And I guess I don't have the persuasion to be able to allay the fear of nobility they have.

"Apparently, it's no use talking about it any more"

When I take my seat as I say,

"Oh? Are you home?

"Yeah, I don't want to waste any more time, and I'm not going to be able to help."

"Didn't you say that and you weren't willing to cooperate from the start?

"I didn't have the same attitude that I was thinking of working with someone very much"

One last word, shall I say, because Wands and those who seem to be his companions have spoken out deliberately so that they can be heard around them?

"I'd like to say that to the majority of the participants here. I'm not saying who, but since I came in, I guess I've been treading on my own and looking down on my own, haven't I?

If you turn your gaze slightly, there are many participants who bow down or turn away.

I've felt that kind of gaze (...) since I walked into this conference room today.

My face was laughing, but with a certain respect for me, treating me equally, I didn't feel that willingness.

Even in that sense, they were not like Mr Serge or Mr Piolo.

The moment I walked into the conference room, I felt like I couldn't be here, which is also why.

Especially since it's true that I'm a child, and management relies heavily on Mr. Callum.

My own ability as a business owner would be no big deal, so I could still swallow it if that's all.

Plus people like that were also first person to each other, so you just have to understand them as they continue to hang out.

Yeah, I thought so once, but here's the result.

"Because of this, let me tell you something.

Sure, I'm a kid as you can see, and my knowledge and ability as a manager depends a lot on this culm. It is also true that luck continues, such as being blessed with the Duke's family as well.

But the size of our store is equal to or close to yours, beyond what is called this meeting with the name of "Gimru Medium Size Store (...) Federation”. It also means that we have the corresponding financial capacity and we are making revenue.

Because you have ties to nobility? Kid just lucky? I don't know what each and every one of you thinks of me - but I have a lot of trouble getting you to lick me.

Even as a result of luck, how strong are people with financial power and connections in doing business? And how important are they in business? If you don't understand, or if you think I'm cowardly with it, I suggest you quit the business now. "

If I say it with a full smile, no one even complains.

I thought you'd say about one back, but, well, no.

"... Let's go, Callum"

"Yes!

I woke up Mr. Callum, who was also solidified, and left the commercial guild behind.