The Kamishiro Group also launched operations in Lepsitol, ostensibly by licensing out their trademark. It was essentially the same services under the same name, but with no formal capital ties.
People often overlook it as a form of technology, but maneuvering through legal loopholes was a specialty of the Galactic Empire's citizens. Having lived through centuries of internal strife and court politics, they were ages ahead of other civilizations in the art of legal manipulation. This was precisely why they got along so well with the Latarnians.
Round 1-2-3 was rolled out nationwide. Seeing this, Rikochi let out a voice tinged with exasperation.
"Another cultural invasion..."
"You've got it all wrong. We're simply letting them experience our country's culture."
We never engaged in blatant propaganda. At most, our messages were things like: "Don't you want to eat safe, delicious food?" or "Let's all get along," or "I will never forgive those who waste rice... Never... Absolutely never!"
Conversely, those were the only real claims we made. Even California rolls wouldn't be a problem as long as they didn't last forever. The fact that they were the only option was what made it an issue.
And then there was the fried sushi. Why was it deep-fried instead of being made into tempura? I didn't eat it, but I wouldn't complain about its existence.
At any rate, I figured I might be able to head home soon. It didn't necessarily have to be me here. Currently, after absorbing Mikoshi Trading Co., our control over Lepsitol sat at about ten percent. Considering the weakening of Mike & Hammer Co., we had done almost too well. It wasn't good to overdo it; as with anything, being too greedy was a bad idea. I thought it would be fine if we just maintained our political influence and solved the Armored Rikishi incident.
Then, we would harass Parcion while suppressing hostile feelings toward Chronos. The goal was stability, a three-way standoff between the nations. I decided to call it the Galaxy Tripartition Plan. This strategy would effectively neutralize the Zen God Race's mainland. They simply wouldn't be able to reach us. It was a grim prospect for the buffer zones of Ozen and Magellan, but I figured our descendants could handle that eventually. It was a perfect plan.
Just as I was thinking that, the situation began to shift.
It was Parcion. Perhaps I had given them a bit too much time. The Zen God Race was clearly backing them. There was a report that they had contacted the Takanashi Dine Group, the massive conglomerate that held Lepsitol in its grip. The Takanashi Dine Group was a major player in mechanization surgery and the space industry. Naturally, they were also a leading suspect in the Armored Rikishi Incident. And Parcion had made contact with them.
Deciding this was bad news, I moved to gather information using the ninjas. How? Through information exchange at the social club. I didn't need state secrets; what I wanted was information on food. Parcionians didn't eat sushi. They used salt, herbs, and pepper. And spices. I just had to ask what they ate at the Parcion restaurants. I used the pretext of a struggling sushi restaurant wanting to pivot its business model into a Parcion restaurant.
"Haha, I don't think it'll be a hit. You're a Chronosian, aren't you? You know far too little about our country's dining scene."
I infiltrated the social scene with Rikochi. My mark was an administrative staff member from a famous Parcion restaurant.
"You can tell?"
I wore a black Latarnian suit with a yellow shirt. At a glance, I went for a look reminiscent of the nightlife industry, complete with high-end Latarnian brand shoes and a watch. I played the role of a young entrepreneur who had found a bit of success in the hospitality business and looked down on the world. Rikochi was his woman. Today, her habit of covering her eyes was forbidden; I had styled her like a young cabaret girl.
The middle-aged man wearing glasses laughed. "Well, you don't have scales. Are you Parcionian?"
"I'm Ozenian."
"Ah, I see. Plenty of people have fled that place."
Both my statement and the middle-aged man's were lies. I wasn't Ozenian, and Lepsitol had been extremely reluctant to accept Ozenians. Those who were here were mostly illegal residents.
"So, about Parcion cuisine? It's true that we are a Parcion restaurant, but... how did you know?"
"I caught the nostalgic scent of spices."
"I see. And... are sushi restaurants really struggling that much?"
It seemed he wanted information as well. Hahaha, the idea that sushi restaurants were struggling was actually a rumor I was intentionally spreading! It wasn't just me; the ninjas were busy seeding the lie while feigning idle chatter.
"We're losing to the take-out sushi from Mike & Hammer Co. I've started to see the limits of sushi bars."
"Ah, that... I've been hearing a lot about that lately."
He was referring to that Inari sushi shop.
"But you should reconsider Parcion cuisine. The only reason we're managing is because foreign dignitaries visit us."
"Is that so? The food and beverage industry is tough after all."
Alright, I found a primary suspect. I'd strip their information bare later using drones and by rummaging through their trash.
"Well, no industry is easy. By the way, your companion... she's quite a beauty."
"Ah, she's my wife."
Rikochi had scales attached to her face and was wearing contact lenses. Since I couldn't replicate her characteristic height, she didn't look like a perfect Lepsitolian, but she could pass for someone with Lepsitolian blood.
"My apologies. Take good care of her."
Oh, what a gentleman. He was loose-lipped, but as a staff member, he was the kind type who didn't ruin the atmosphere of the workplace. I should poach him. Our organization prioritized people like this over the brilliant-but-toxic types. After parting with the man, I linked arms with Rikochi.
"Hehe, it feels like a date."
"Unfortunately, it's work."
"Hey, what about alcohol?"
"Only after you learn how to moderate yourself. Grin and bear it with juice."
Rikochi had collapsed from drinking too much recently, so alcohol was banned for the time being.
"Even so, Leo-kun... you look good in that host-like style..."
"You look beautiful too, Rikochi."
"It's things like that, you know!"
Wait... did I pick the wrong dialogue option? Why?
"By the way, can I say what I'm thinking?"
"You're making me feel a bit scared."
"I'm not scary, it's just an observation. Leo-kun... you're good at this kind of thing too, aren't you?"
"I'm glad I didn't become a spy. If I had been at the Imperial Capital School, I really would have been wiped out."
The military academy that trained intelligence analysis officers had been destroyed during Zork's attack on the Imperial Capital. The students were slaughtered. If I had been there, I would have died too.
"That's something you can only say because you survived... Same with marriage hunting."
Oh... this was strange. For sensible comments to be coming out of Rikochi's mouth... I had a bad feeling. Wait... I was sweating...
"Leo-kun, you're sweating buckets. Are you alright?"
"N-no, it’s just a cold sweat..."
"That's not it. Check your nanomachine status right now."
"What?"
I pulled up the status display. Biological toxin? What?
"Ri-Rikochi, give me Ampoule No. 13... hurry..."
I triggered the dose from the menu. It was an antitoxin.
"Got it! Thirteen!"
Had I been poisoned? But how? I was reeling.
"Was it just... food poisoning?"
Ah.