We listened to Miyashita-san’s explanation of his "request." For a fleeting second, our brows furrowed and our expressions soured, but we quickly smoothed them back into neutral masks. In practice, it was likely the sort of demand we couldn't refuse, but since he hadn't provided any details yet, it was too early to signal whether we would comply or defy him.
Even if we were to accept, we wouldn't do so without extracting the maximum possible concessions.
"I see. I have a general grasp of how today is going to go. I expect we'll start with the official statement regarding the dungeon discovery, but I have two requests before we begin. Would that be all right?"
"Yes, what are they?"
Yuji raised a hand slightly to stall Miyashita-san, who had been about to dive into the statement. Miyashita-san looked puzzled for a moment, but he quickly regained his professional composure and inquired about Yuji’s requests.
Yuji reached into his bag, pulled out the item, and placed it on the table for the officials to see.
"First, I’d like my grandfather to be permitted to stay. I’ve explained the situation to him to a certain extent so he could accompany us today, so I believe it’s fine for him to remain present. In fact, considering the third item on the agenda, I think it’s only right that he stays. Second, I would like to use this—a recorder."
Miyashita-san looked troubled for a moment, but he closed his eyes, gave a small nod, and spoke.
"Understood. Regarding your first request, there is no problem. On our end, it is actually preferable to have a guardian present rather than proceeding solely with minors. As for the second request, we have no issue with the use of a recorder. It is a useful tool for keeping minutes. However, I have a request of my own."
"A request?"
"Yes. While recording is fine, I would like you to provide us with a copy of the audio data afterward. If both parties hold the same data, it ensures fairness in the event of any trouble."
"Understood. Once the meeting concludes, we will provide a copy of the recorded audio. As long as there's a computer available, copying the data should be simple."
Yuji nodded in agreement with Miyashita-san's request for the copy. If both sides held the same file, neither could tamper with it for their own convenience. If he was going to permit the recording, it was only natural for Miyashita-san to ask for a copy.
"Thank you. And of course, please ensure that the audio data of these minutes does not leak. This meeting will contain a great deal of information that is not yet ready for public release. Lately, there have been many incidents of personal data leaks due to viruses and the like... If possible, it would be reassuring if the device and media storing the data were physically isolated from the internet."
"In that case, I'll transfer the data to physical media for storage to ensure it doesn't leak online. Rather than copying via a computer, it would probably be better to use the recorder's internal function to copy it directly to the media before handing it over to you."
"That would be a great help. I will bring the media for the copy later."
"Understood."
Miyashita-san and Yuji both nodded, having reached an agreement on their respective proposals. At any rate, with the preliminaries settled, the formal meeting was finally beginning.
Feeling the tension in the room rise, I focused on the exchange between Yuji and Miyashita-san while maintaining as calm an expression as possible.
The first agenda item—the official statement regarding the dungeon discovery—concluded without any issues. Since we had already spoken with Uwajima-san once before, a brief interview was enough to finalize things. Uwajima-san’s presence at this meeting was likely to verify that there were no discrepancies between our original testimony and today's statement. I was glad we didn't get told, "Wait, that's not what you said back then."
"Thank you very much. Now, is everything in this official statement correct? If the content is accurate, please sign in the confirmation column."
"...Yes, this is all correct. The signature goes here, right? There you go."
"Yes, that's fine. Thank you for the confirmation."
Yuji, acting as our representative, signed the official statement handed to him by Miyashita-san, bringing the investigation interview to a close. However, the real test would be the next item: the cash-in appraisal for the drop item.
I couldn't afford to relax; I had to do my best in my role as the one exerting psychological pressure.
"Now, for the next item... let's discuss the cash-in appraisal for the drop item you submitted."
Once Miyashita-san had put away the signed official statement, he took out another set of documents and distributed them to each of us. The papers had a unique texture from some surface treatment, and the top was stamped in red with "Top Secret," "Strictly No Removal," and "TOP SECRET."
...Yeah. This was definitely a classified document.
"These are materials concerning the drop item in question. Please do not breathe a word about the contents of these documents. If any malicious acts are performed—such as posting this on the internet or distributing it to an unspecified number of people—legal punishment may be applied."
"...Yes. We understand."
Miyashita-san explained the importance of the documents in a flat tone, fixing us with a serious gaze despite his expressionless face. Uwajima-san, sitting quietly beside him, also directed a sharp look toward us, carrying an aura that warned us not to try anything funny.
For a moment, we were about to flinch from their intensity, but after a beat, we nodded back with serious gazes of our own, refusing to be intimidated.
"Now, I will begin the explanation regarding the drop item you submitted. As a result of the appraisal, the item you provided has been identified as a magic bag."
「「「「……」」」」
Hearing those words from Miyashita-san, we stole glances at each other, our eyes widening slightly in a rehearsed display of shock and realization. Juzo-san also raised an eyebrow, playing along with his own subtle look of surprise.
This was a pre-planned move. While we had a strong inkling that it was a magic bag, we were acting out the part where we were "surprised that the Association confirmed it." It would have been strange to have no reaction, but since we had submitted it to Uwajima-san and the others as if we knew something was up, it would have been equally suspicious to overact.
"...I will continue the explanation. Regarding the magic bag you submitted, the space inside the bag is expanded, allowing it to hold far more than its exterior suggests. Its capacity is several times its outward size, roughly equivalent to a large backpack."
"...So it really was. When we got that bag, I thought it might be a classic dungeon-drop item, so I tried putting something slightly larger than the bag looked into it... I was surprised when it went in without any resistance. Hearing it definitively called a 'magic bag' now, my reaction is 'I knew it.'"
"So you did know... or rather, you had guessed what it was. Uwajima-kun here mentioned that when he recovered it from you, you were acting suspiciously, yet you handed it over quite readily."
"Haha, sorry about that. We had a vague idea of what it was, but given its nature, we figured it was more than we could handle. We thought we'd be better off handing it over..."
In response to Miyashita-san's probe, Yuji looked apologetic, awkwardly averting his eyes. Hiiragi-san and I followed suit, looking away with sheepish expressions. This was strictly to reinforce the idea that we only had a vague hunch about its identity. We couldn't let them suspect for a second that we knew exactly what it was through my appraisal skill.
Miyashita-san gave a wry smile at our behavior, while Uwajima-san let out a small sigh.
"You say it's more than you could handle, but considering your track record so far, wouldn't it have been an invaluable asset for your future explorations?"
"Haha, perhaps. But considering the baggage that comes with it, we felt the trouble would far outweigh the utility. If we became the owners of what might be the only magic bag in Japan, I doubt we'd be able to continue our lives as explorers the way we have been. It might even have put a strain on our daily lives."
"It is true that being the owner of a magic bag at this stage would make it difficult to lead a peaceful life. Dungeon-related companies, general explorers, and magic item researchers... there would be no shortage of people who would want it. It possesses that much appeal."
"That's what we thought, which is why we handed it over to Uwajima-san so readily. Surely, the Association would find it problematic if such an item remained in the hands of a general explorer, right?"
As if returning Miyashita-san's earlier jab, Yuji pushed back, hinting at the Association's own motives. For a moment, sharp glares were exchanged between Miyashita-san and Yuji, and the room grew heavy with tension. However, Miyashita-san backed down first, and the atmosphere eased.
"Quite. As stated in the documents in your hands, the existence of that item is a classified matter at this stage. To be frank, its falling into general hands is a situation the Association wishes to avoid."
"I saw in the documents provided that the Association has secured several other such items in cooperation with the Self-Defense Forces, but even so?"
"Yes. At this stage, we wish to avoid publicizing its existence. Even if the public demanded it because it's necessary, it's not something that can be easily mass-produced, and it's an object that modern technology is incapable of replicating."
"Certainly, in such a situation, you'd want to avoid even information about it leaking to the public."
Miyashita-san spoke of the Association's policy regarding magic bags with a casual tone that made me worry if it was really okay to be so open. Yuji also looked momentarily surprised, but then nodded slightly in agreement, perhaps thinking that if the policy was disclosed in the documents, it was fine to talk about it.
No, Miyashita-san had just made us his accomplices. Now that we knew the Association’s secrets, we couldn't exactly turn down the "request" that was coming next. I had expected things to get heavy since a magic bag was involved, but I hadn't expected to be dragged this deep.
"Well, for those reasons, the appraisal for the magic bag you submitted will officially take the form of a different item. Since the reward is quite high, it will be recorded as having cashed in a high-value skill scroll."
"...Understood. We will go along with that story."
"Please do. I will hand over the cash-out documents later, but there is one more thing I must tell you."
"What is it?"
We nodded in agreement with Miyashita-san's proposal. Since the existence of the magic bag couldn't be made public, it was understandable that the appraisal record would take a different form. We’d just have to remember what the substituted item was so we didn't look foolish later.
But what was this "one more thing"?
"Regarding the amount listed on the appraisal report we provided, in light of the special circumstances involving the magic bag, it has been made tax-exempt—much like lottery winnings."
「「「！？ 、！？」」」
"Yes. That whole amount is tax-free. Given its rarity, it likely would have fetched a far higher price at auction, so for that, I apologize."
With that, Miyashita-san and Uwajima-san bowed their heads toward us with apologetic expressions. Well, I’m sure it would have gone for a lot more at auction, but to think the Association would pay this amount tax-free... We were bewildered by the news as we spoke to the bowing pair.
"Please, raise your heads. We submitted it intending to wash our hands of the trouble in the first place. For us, this level of compensation is more than enough."
"...It’s a relief to hear you say that."
Hearing Yuji's reply, Miyashita-san and Uwajima-san looked visibly relieved. I suppose it would have been a headache for them if we had started haggling for more here.
However, I want them to remember that we were the ones who made a concession here regarding the reward amount.
A tax-free reward... what a beautiful sound. Normally, the government would walk away with nearly half.