"So, regarding Takeo-kun's Title... what are we talking about specifically?"
The Association reception room.
The discussion began with Hinata-san, Urara-san, Mito-san's look-alike sister—Tona-san—and me all taking our seats.
As for the seating arrangement, Urara-san and I sat side-by-side, with Hinata-san across from me and Tona-san across from Urara-san.
Urara-san spoke to the high-ranking official across from her with visible trepidation. In response, Tona-san cut straight to the chase.
"Yes. Officer Kongoji, you may have already confirmed this yourself, but we are here to discuss the 'Pleasure Killer' Title held by Takeo-kun."
"...?! Y-you know about that...?!"
"Yes. The Association's upper management is already fully aware of the situation."
Tona-san nodded frankly at Urara-san's exclamation.
"T-then why...?!"
Why hadn't they reported me to the police or taken other appropriate measures?
Tona-san provided the answer.
"Because we have determined that Takeo-kun was not at fault....First, allow me to explain the circumstances behind how Takeo-kun acquired 'Pleasure Killer'."
Then, Tona-san's explanation began.
She detailed how Hinata-san and I were attacked by a Quasi-gang group in the dungeon and were nearly killed. How I had fought back and ended up killing them without the luxury of holding back. How, at that moment, because of a constitution that experiences pleasure upon leveling up, the status system "misidentified" the act and granted me the "Pleasure Killer" Title.
She explained that the Quasi-gang had activated a magic-comms jammer to interfere with camera recordings. Therefore, no evidence existed that could be presented to a third party; whether it was the fact that we were attacked or the fact that we fought back and killed them, there was no longer any proof to judge either side.
"In addition to these circumstances, the Association leadership has decided to overlook this matter given that Takeo-kun and Mashiro-san are such excellent explorers. Well, as a practical matter, even if the prosecution were to find out, they could not indict anyone due to insufficient evidence."
Tona-san seemed to have grasped the events in remarkable detail.
Had she heard this from Mito-san? Or was it true that the Association's upper management really knew everything?
Either way, her explanation continued.
"Let's return to the matter of the Title. 'Pleasure Killer' has the effect of inciting a strong murderous impulse in the owner, which made it dangerous to leave as is. Therefore, Mas—no, our collaborator, placed a seal on 'Pleasure Killer' and its Title Skill."
"A seal... Such a thing is possible?"
Urara-san looked dazed.
Since the existence of skills or magic capable of "sealing" Titles or skills was unknown to the public, her reaction was perfectly natural.
Of course, Urara-san should have known my skills were sealed already, but she likely never imagined it was something done by another person.
"Wait! B-but if that's the case, isn't it dangerous?! That seal was the blacked-out part on his status, right?! When I looked earlier, the seal was gone!"
Urara-san stood up from her seat, trying to put distance between us.
It was a reasonable reaction, but it still stung a little.
"Officer Kongoji, please rest assured. The seal was released because it was no longer necessary to keep it hidden."
"Huh?!"
Tona-san went on to explain the effect of the 'Equanimity' Title Skill I had obtained. She described it as a rare skill that allowed the user to maintain their sanity even when subjected to mental interference from Titles, skills, or magic.
Once Tona-san finished her summary...
"I-I see... I understand what you're saying....But why was this kept a secret even from me, Takeo-kun's coordinator?"
A fair point. Normally, Urara-san should have been looped in....Assuming, that is, that Tona-san's story about the Association management knowing everything was actually true.
I wondered how she would answer. For that matter, I still wasn't sure if Tona-san really was a Special Advisor to the Association.
Filled with anxiety over the truth, I listened intently to her response alongside Urara-san.
"This matter involves extremely delicate issues. Even we didn't expect Takeo-kun to acquire 'Equanimity,' so the release of the 'Pleasure Killer' seal was an irregular occurrence. Ordinarily, the Title would have remained sealed forever, and we never would have disclosed the circumstances of its acquisition to you. The only reason we're telling you now is because you discovered the Title yourself. Had that not happened, we would not be having this conversation. That was the decision of the Association's upper management. Please understand, Officer Kongoji."
"Mu, mumu...!!"
Urara-san puffed out her cheeks at the response.
She was essentially being told: "We weren't going to tell you, but we have to now because the seal broke. It was the leadership's decision to keep it secret, so deal with it." It was no wonder she felt like getting angry.
Perhaps that was why Urara-san, who had until now been cowed by the authority of Tona-san's title, asked a question as if to strike back.
"I understand. If that is the Association's decision, I will comply... However!! That is only if this truly is the Association's decision!! I don't see why Ms. Hitokata, a Special Advisor, would go out of her way to come here and provide this explanation!! Is what you just told me truly the will of the Association?!"
She actually landed a critical hit with that question...!!
It really was strange for a Special Advisor like Tona-san to be the one explaining this. Normally, this was the kind of thing Urara-san's direct supervisor would discuss with her in private. The fact that the story had suddenly dropped down from someone so high up had clearly triggered Urara-san's suspicions.
In my estimation, Tona-san was probably trying to use her personal influence to suppress the matter at her sister Mito-san's request. Therefore, it was highly likely that her explanation was just a story made up for this occasion, not the consensus of the Association leadership...!!
Once she grew distrustful of Tona-san, Urara-san would surely check within the Association to see if the story held up. If she did that, the lie would be exposed in an instant...!!
—This is it... we're finished...!!
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Tona-san spoke.
"Yes, of course. Since Section Chief Higashiyama, your direct supervisor, is also aware of this matter, you are more than welcome to confirm it with him directly."
"...Wha?"
Tona-san replied with a composed smile. Urara-san looked like a deer in the headlights. It was clearly an answer she hadn't expected.
Actually, I hadn't expected it either.
This response... it meant that both Tona-san's position as Special Advisor and her story were almost certainly the real deal.
Wait, so that meant the Association's upper management really did know about my 'Pleasure Killer' Title and the fact that I'd turned Kanzaki and his goons into a red smear...!!?
It was a bolt from the blue. I wondered how they found out. It was probably through Mito-san, but still...
Regardless, this was basically a powerful public institution implicitly declaring me innocent...!!
Yes...!! I did it!! I'm innocent!!!
"Oh, I see... If that's the case, then I have no reason to... he-heh. Ah! Ms. Hitokata, please, have some more tea!"
"No, I still have some, so I'm fine."
"I-is that so... ehehehe...!!"
Where had her rebellious spirit gone? Urara-san had suddenly turned incredibly humble. She's consistent, I'll give her that.
—And so, that was how it went.
I, who was on the verge of being forced to turn myself in for a crime (?) I didn't commit, had somehow managed to survive the situation.
Urara-san would surely follow the decision of the higher-ups, and I doubted she'd pry any further into the 'Pleasure Killer' matter.
Relieved, I whispered my thanks to Hinata-san across the table.
"Thank you, Hinata-san. You really saved me."
"No, don't worry about it. Mito-san and Tona-san are the ones who actually handled it."
Of course, I intended to properly thank both Mito-san and Tona-san again at a later date.
"Now then, with that settled... I assume it's fine for Takeo-kun and Mashiro-san to head home now, Officer Kongoji?"
"Eh? Oh, yes! Of course!"
"Since Officer Kongoji says so, you two are free to go. I'm sorry for keeping you so late. Please get some good rest today."
Tona-san offered a gentle smile. Was she an angel? Her personality was the complete opposite of Mito-san's.
"No, it's I who should be thanking you, Tona-san. I'll make sure to repay this favor soon..."
"Fufu, there's no need for that. It's true that the Association has high expectations for you both....And I, personally, am expecting great things from you as well."
Was she a goddess?
I expressed my gratitude repeatedly, feeling humbled by Tona-san's kind words, and then stood up. The room settled into an atmosphere of adjournment. Urara-san also stood, looking somewhat relieved herself.
"W-well then, shall we call it a day? Ms. Hitokata, if you're heading back, I'll see you o—"
"Ah, Officer Kongoji, please stay."
"—Eh?"
"There are still a few things I need to discuss with you."
"............Yes."
Did she think she was about to get scolded? Or was she just nervous about being alone with a superior? Urara-san turned her eyes toward us, looking like a primary school girl on the verge of tears, silently begging for help.
"...Ah, well, we'll be going then."
"Excuse us."
"Yes, good work today."
Seeing us off with a pleasant smile from Tona-san, we left the reception room.
●◯●
"—Well, it seems we made it in time."
"Tell me about it~. It was a real pain to secure this many magic stones while we're also busy supporting terrorists and handing out stones to trigger special variants..."
"I've put you all through quite a lot of trouble. However, it was worth it; we've secured a sufficient number of stones. While we can't do it for every dungeon, we should be able to create at least one that is beyond the Master's control....I'm looking forward to it."
"Yeah, it's finally almost here~."
"Yes—the Second Dungeon Manifestation. With the emergence of special variants, terrorism, and the manifestation of countless new dungeons... the forces of the Master's collaborators will be spread thin. It's perfect for us."
"It's so close~. I can't wait~."
"It would be ideal if we could push things as far as a dungeon collapse... but let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"The main goal is the Master's assassination, after all."
"Indeed. This current move also serves as preparation for that. —With that said, I will be entering a sleep for a while. As per our prior arrangement, I'm leaving the management of the Japan side to you until then. I'm counting on you."
"Okey-dokey. I'll do my best to train and manage the pawns in Sensei's place. But Sensei, you really made a bold move there. Even if you were planning to use Leveling Junkie Bro-kun, I never thought you'd do it this way."
"This is likely the method least likely to draw the Master's suspicion. —Fufu. I shall push Leveling Junkie Bro and the others into stardom. As a pair consisting of Japan's second Hero and a Saint."
"How exciting...!!"