I haven’t forgotten our promise about the boobs, Melissa (Grin).
“What’s with that creepy face you’re making…?”
Fairy-san interjected with a sharp retort.
“No, I was just thinking it’s a relief that outer space is so friendly. It turns out Zork was just a singular bad egg. All’s well that ends well.”
Yes, yes.
It had been a long time since things were this easy.
Man, what a load off my mind.
“You are mistaken,” Saria said, her smile as suspicious as ever.
“The only species that can be reasoned with are those affiliated with the Battle Dome. In the first place, the Battle Dome seized control of the Gate because the idiots of the Ogre God Nation looked like they were about to break it. We were in the middle of our investigation when you all arrived.”
“Ah! So that was it! The people trying to open the Gate suddenly became much tougher because they were replaced by Saria-san’s people!”
Fairy-san nodded in understanding, though she clearly had no intention of actually speaking to Saria. She made a point of staying out of the woman's line of sight.
“Will the Battle Dome protect us or anything?”
“They will not!”
Figures.
“Rather, it seems other Warrior Races are eager to make contact now that they've seen the broadcast of your match.”
Goddammit!!!
This was starting to feel like a battle manga where the enemies just keep getting stronger one after another!
“Now, regarding the matter of rights, the Emperor has graciously consented to the Broadcasting Rights Contract for the Galactic Empire.”
As expected of my Emperor. Claire was likely pulling the strings behind the scenes, but the speed of the paperwork was impressive.
“Furthermore, I would also like to sign a Promotion Contract with His Excellency the Grand Duke.”
“I’ve already signed a contract within the Empire, but I don’t mind signing one for the Battle Dome’s jurisdiction,” I replied.
“That is wonderful! I look forward to working with you!”
“In exchange… if you try to cheat me, I’ll go on a rampage.”
I gave her a bright smile.
“Please, rest assured. I would never dream of deceiving a Berserker like His Excellency the Grand Duke. I value my own life far too much.”
She returned the sentiment with an incredibly pleasant smile of her own.
What was this? I was actually getting a retort with a perfectly measured sense of distance. The reaction felt genuinely fresh.
“So, I have something I'd like to consult with Saria-san about.”
“Yes, yes. What might it be? If it’s money, I can lend it to you at a modest annual interest rate of thirty percent.”
“Not that. We want to ensure the Empire isn’t invaded. Do you have any good ideas?”
Saria took a moment to ponder.
“Let me see. If you were a nation joined to the Battle Dome, you could simply win your way up the tournament. However, currently, the participants only account for about thirty percent of the total powers. Well then, shall I explain the dangerous species in this vicinity?”
Yes, exactly. That was what I wanted to hear.
“First, there are the Ghouls. Ostensibly, they do not have a nation… but they hold territory near here and have established a de facto country.”
“Why are they just left to run wild?”
“Because the scale is too large to easily wipe them out. They lack the strength to be noticed by the top-tier powers, yet for those in the low-to-mid tiers, the cost of defeating them is simply too high. Besides, they’ll go extinct even if left alone.”
“Extinct?”
“They claim that by eating meat, they can obtain the abilities of their prey. However, they are currently on the verge of perishing due to diseases caused by consuming meat that doesn't agree with their biology.”
So it was something like prion disease. The Empire had established a cure for that ages ago. Apparently, in the past, there were cases where entire planetary populations went extinct after eating the indigenous organisms.
“Even so, they remain quite ferocious for the time being. They might decide to come and ‘sample’ you all.”
So we looked like nothing more than delicious snacks to them. I definitely didn't want to be eaten.
“What’s their culture like? Is it the kind of cultural sphere where they announce their names before a fight?”
This was important. If I knew that negotiation was impossible—like it was with Zork—then I could just launch a preemptive strike.
“It is the same as Zork… or rather, I believe Zork was heavily influenced by the Ghouls.”
“Understood. Also, do you know anything about the alien technology Zork obtained?”
“Who can say? There are factions that claim providing technology is the path to their own happiness…”
“He said he found it in ruins.”
“There are as many of those as there are stars. I will look into it, but please, don’t get your hopes up.”
Saria wore her usual suspicious smile. This person really was shady.
With that, the conversation ended, and we remained in the Battle Dome as guests. I needed to secure a proper base of operations somewhere, and I also wanted to visit the Battle Dome headquarters.
While contemplating these matters, I took the time to study the local culture. I had them provide the specifications for the terminals here so I could watch the broadcasts.
“…This is so boring.”
Compared to our world, the culture was overwhelmingly unrefined. Since they settled disputes of strength in a sporting manner, I’d expected something a bit more sophisticated. Instead, it hadn't progressed a single step beyond gathering Yankees and making them scrap.
There was no diversity in the content. Dramas barely existed, and when they did, they were exclusively about thugs. Well, not exactly thugs, but stories about low-ranking soldiers or local warlords gaining glory in war. The only narratives were about rising through the ranks via violence.
I found things resembling novels, but they were nothing but military chronicles.
Hmm… I see.
“Fairy-san, you there?”
“Yes, yes, your Fairy-chan is free right now~”
“Listen, I’m sorry to bother you, but…”
“Why are you making such an evil face?”
It was because I had thought of something very interesting.
When I submitted the plan to my Wifey, I was summoned immediately.
“Lord Groom, I understand the words you are saying, yet I do not understand the meaning. Explain yourself.”
Her brain had clearly refused to comprehend the logic. Well, it was a rather absurd strategy, after all.
“It’s Project Deculture. I intend to translate and distribute our culture, effectively attempting Cultural Contamination. At the same time, we will export food to trai—I mean, help them get to know us deeply. It is a peaceful, cultural, and humanitarian operation.”
I stated this with a look of absolute conviction. I stared her down with clear, honest eyes.
“Music… movies, anime, games, and novels… Lord Groom, do you intend to destroy the Ogre God Nation?”
“I just want us to get to know each other so we can avoid war, you know?”
“I cannot trust that expression! You are clearly smirking!”
It was only because I hadn't realized they would be such easy targets. Freedom of expression is also a weapon to prevent being invaded by external forces, isn't it?
Now then, let's start with the music. I’ll also dump a massive amount of classic content aimed at women.
I’ll make it so they can never return to their old way of life.