A second life after early retirement... I had opened that cafe, only for the second spaceport to reach completion, which in turn made the enemy go absolutely ballistic.
I couldn't wrap my head around it myself.
It made no sense.
I didn't even know what had happened.
First, let's break it down.
The workers' meals had been frozen food.
That couldn't be helped.
But I had planned a dining hall.
Then some clever employees in the Kamishiro Group built a company cafeteria under the guise of market research.
The master of the cafe—the sushi chef of the dining hall, really—was a retired soldier.
He was one of those veterans who had achieved the early retirement I’d been scheming for.
It didn't look anything like a cafe anymore, but I supposed if I let that bother me, I'd already lost.
He provided freshly cooked, massive portions tailored for the tastes of soldiers and manual laborers.
Since it doubled as market research and a cargo transport test, the food was served cheap.
Even cheaper than a normal company cafeteria.
Zero profit—in fact, a deficit was fine.
Because it could all be written off as expenses.
Compared to the taxes the Kamishiro Group paid, it was pocket change.
It felt like as long as we covered facility maintenance, it was fine.
If people have food, money, and a home at a certain standard, they generally have fewer complaints.
Frozen food inevitably takes a heavy toll on the spirit.
It's not that it tastes bad... but the portions and the price... they're just disappointing.
That was why the workers were mentally exhausted.
Naturally, people swarmed the place.
After all, the dishes used fresh vegetables.
However, we were soon hit by a labor shortage as human resources ran dry.
We were completely stuck.
So, I went crying to Ha-san.
Ha-san is the CEO of an outer catering company.
If you're going to go crying for help, she's the ultimate person for the job.
As a result, we formed a subsidiary through a capital tie-up, and she started sending her employees over.
We were right on the edge of the deadline...
And the Pirate Guild members, whom I had completely forgotten about, also sent people after being contacted by Ha-san.
Thus, thanks to a dining hall that grew far larger than originally anticipated, work efficiency skyrocketed.
Improving other welfare benefits helped too, of course!
The effect wasn't just a matter of morale; it showed up on graphs as undeniable numbers.
Next thing I knew, the second spaceport and colony were finished.
You see, it wasn't a system where more work days meant more money; it was a contract to build by a deadline.
In fact, if it was completed early, the money was paid regardless of the schedule. For the workers too.
That was the contract.
I didn't allow recklessness or corner-cutting.
I had another company supervising that.
Since the industry is small, they weren't exactly total strangers, though!
Anyway, it was completed quite early.
The interior would be built later, but the exterior and fortress functions were fully operational.
Now, the Corpse Eaters didn't attack because it was finished.
They likely decided they had to invade once construction began.
Organizing an army takes time.
Especially since the Corpse Eaters have a slower decision-making process than Zork.
Well, naturally—the Corpse Eaters are lower lifeforms.
It's the difference between Zork, with its perfect centralization under Mother, and a collective of parasites.
So, while Zork would have invaded the same day, the Corpse Eaters only finally arrived after the fort was completed.
Slow decision-making isn't all bad, though.
After all, Zork lost to us because of Mother's error in judgment.
And that was why the timing worked out like this.
Man, nothing goes as planned in war, including politics and resource management.
Why did opening a dining hall lead to this?
Or rather, because I opened it, we made it in time for the enemy attack.
The Corpse Eaters' ships use bio-components.
This is the result of the Pirate Guild cutting off their ship supply.
Hahaha!
Usually, my actions are the cause.
It looks like I trapped the Corpse Eaters with some super-strategy, but in reality, even I don't really get it.
Why did it turn out like this?
Is this also due to my personal virtue?
Let's go with that.
There are countless examples of superpowers picking a fight with someone who looks weak, only to get thrashed and lose miserably.
Then, once they're weakened, their neighboring lackeys and internal dissidents do whatever they want until the nation falls.
The end of those who act tough is a pitiful one.
I should be careful too. No, seriously.
I'll say it loud and clear: I am not the Invasion King.
I keep telling everyone I don't want anything to do with war or ruling!
"Your Majesty, the preparations for the military council are complete. I shall guide you to the conference room."
I changed into Chronos ceremonial clothes and was led to the conference room by a chamberlain staff.
This cloak is in the way, so I don't need—no, never mind.
And a scepter. I held a golden staff set with jewels.
Wifey was also in the Galactic Empire's formal dress.
Shi-yun was in imperial dress as well.
The Latania King and Salia participated remotely.
Both were in their respective countries' formal attire.
One-O-One was in the Galactic Empire Army's ceremonial dress.
Tatiana was in the formal attire of a Saint of the Chronos Religion.
Karen-san was wearing a designer suit.
The most expensive custom-made suit from the Kamishiro Group.
There were still more participants.
Representing the Proone was Isaac-kun, dressed in the robes of an Archbishop of the Proone Faith.
He was attending as the Pope's Deputy.
The higher-ups must have already informally decided he'll be the leader of the Proone in the future...
I was moved to see him become so distinguished...
Additionally, representatives of the Demi-human Race joined remotely.
Everyone wore the formal attire of their own culture.
Yes, the trust we had desperately built...
Its fruit had finally ripened.
"I hereby declare the start of the Great Conference!"
Saria's Dad, the Former Great King of Kishin Nation who had somehow smoothly slipped into the role of moderator, declared the start of the meeting.
The Demi-human Race and the Proone were joining forces.
This wasn't peace.
But even so, they took each other's hands to fight their common enemy, the Corpse Eaters.
The demi-humans' hatred for the Proone was still smoldering.
To Latania, they were the arch-enemies who had killed Latarnians by any means necessary for many years.
To Shi-yun, they were her parents' murderers.
There were loud voices of resentment from Chronos as well.
Even the Kishin Nation had its feelings on the matter.
Especially Salia, who understood the feelings of small nations that had been destroyed.
In Magellan, Ozen, and Persion, demonstrations shouting "Kill the Corpse Eaters!" were breaking out nationwide, partly out of misplaced frustration.
I wanted to tell them to shut up for a bit, but I couldn't exactly say I didn't understand why they were so pissed off.
The only ones who were relatively calm were Wifey from the Galactic Empire and Karen-san from Repsitore, where the value of life is close to zero.
"Very well, let us annihilate them," the Latania King said with a smile.
Oh, crap, the most aggressive one wasn't Shi-yun; it was the Latania King!
Then Shi-yun responded with a smile of her own.
"Let's annihilate them. No matter the sacrifice, we will never forgive the Corpse Eaters."
She was smiling, but her eyes were cold.
I'll just keep my mouth shut...
This was where Karen-san would make a calm remark.
"Let's kill them."
She was just pretending to be calm.
"What does the King of Chronos think?" Karen-san asked with a lovely smile.
"I want to strike back for the sake of the Chronos citizens who fell victim..."
My voice grew small toward the end.
Wifey patted my shoulder.
Thus, at the summons of King Leo Kamishiro Chronos, the Great Alliance would challenge the Corpse Eaters with a grand fleet of unprecedented scale.
Why am I being treated like the person in charge?
I mean, fighting was already the plan!
Nobody listens to what I want!
Maybe history is just like this after all.