My name was Messer. I was a demon man who turned forty this year.
My job was serving as a civil official dedicated to Lady Yoko, the Acting Village Head of Village Five. According to the Village Head himself, my position was that of a "secretary." I didn't quite understand the term, but I liked it; it had a certain air of importance that I found rather pleasing.
Unfortunately, I was not Lady Yoko’s only secretary. A single person could not possibly support Lady Yoko, who managed a settlement as massive as Village Five, all on their own. There were about ten of us in total. While there was no formal ranking system among us, I would have placed myself somewhere around the fourth-tier.
I, Messer, knew I had to work even harder to climb those ranks. It was a pleasure to be in your service.
As Lady Yoko’s secretary, I handled a wide variety of duties. Today, I was receiving guests in one of the reception rooms within the Village Five Village Council Hall. It was just past noon. My counterparts were representatives of a certain religion—humans who likely held significant standing, given that they had arrived with a retinue of over twenty people.
Of course, no matter how many people arrived, the number of individuals allowed into the reception room was limited. Their request, put simply, was for us to build them a temple in Village Five. Not "allow us to build," but "build it for us." In other words, they wanted Village Five to provide the land and fund the construction of a temple with our own coffers.
Naturally, I refused. This was not a personal whim, but the established policy of Village Five. If they wanted a temple, they were free to put up the money and build it themselves. There was no reason for them to rely on Village Five. It was a matter of common sense.
And yet, I knew exactly why they had brought such a proposal to us. It was because of the Shrine. The Village Head of Village Five had built a Shrine. Because of that, they must have harbored the hope that we would do the same for their religious institution.
Regrettably for them, the Shrine had been built using the Village Head’s private funds. No Village Five tax money had been spent on its construction or its operation. Furthermore, Village Five had no intention of funding the construction of any specific religious facilities.
When I explained this, most people in their position eventually demanded a meeting with someone of higher rank—either Lady Yoko or the Village Head. They likely felt that speaking to me, a mere secretary to the Acting Village Head, was a waste of time. I understood the sentiment. However, those above me were even busier than I was and simply had no time to spare. I requested that they take their leave.
Some individuals attempted to offer bribes at that point, but I was not seeking kickbacks. To be thought of as someone whose principles could be swayed by coin was deeply insulting. My loyalty to Village Five was anything but low. I asked them to leave once more.
They were quite persistent. Still, since they didn't resort to threats in the name of their god, I supposed they were among the more rational sorts.
As an aside, they spotted Lady Reginleiv on their way out and attempted to ask her to facilitate the temple’s construction. Since they mentioned their religion was practiced even in the Garlet Kingdom, perhaps they were acquaintances. Or perhaps they assumed Lady Reginleiv possessed enough influence to force her will upon Village Five.
In any case, hiding right behind Lady Reginleiv was our very own Village Head. Since those people never realized his identity until the very end, there was no need to detail the outcome of that encounter.
The Village Head had apparently been summoned by Lady Yoko. Since I also had a report for her, I was permitted to accompany him. As a resident staff member, I took the lead. Whenever people we passed caught sight of the Village Head, they stopped and bowed deeply. In the past, they would have walked right by, which suggested his appearance was finally becoming widely recognized. This was a good thing. No, it was only natural. He was Lady Yoko’s superior, after all.
Upon arriving at Lady Yoko’s office, I knocked on the door. The maid waiting on the other side opened it, and when she saw me, she gave me a suspicious look. Normally, as a secretary, I should have entered the secretary's room adjacent to the office and moved through from there. However, seeing the Village Head standing with me, the maid instantly corrected her posture. She announced us to Lady Yoko and opened the door wide to invite the Village Head inside. I followed him in.
Lady Reginleiv, who had been acting as his escort, stayed behind. Since she was the Village Head’s guard, she took up a position by the door to wait. Come to think of it, I wondered where Lord Daga and Lord Galf were. Usually, they would be the ones present. When I checked with Lady Reginleiv, she informed me that they were checking in with the Security Team.
Ah, I remembered now. Sir Lilius, Sir Rigul, and Sir Ratte—the Village Head’s sons—were currently with the Security Team. They must have gone to see how the young masters were faring.
Ah, but I digress. I am Messer, Lady Yoko's secretary. I look forward to your continued patronage.
The discussion between the Village Head and Lady Yoko covered a vast range of topics, yet it concluded with remarkable efficiency. The primary points were as follows:
First, they intended to issue a request for adventurers to locate a geothermal source, as they wanted to establish a hot spring facility near Village Five.
Second, they would secure a residential sector at the foothills of Village Five for the secondary villas of the Demon Kingdom's nobility.
Third, a plan was set in motion for an amusement park to be operated under the jurisdiction of Village Five.
Finally, there was a consultation regarding the Village Five New Road, which was being planned as a bypass to alleviate traffic at the Teleportation Gate. There was a particularly difficult spot along the route, and they were debating whether to curve the road or push through the terrain. The Village Head decided to push through. He said he would head out and handle the difficult spot himself.
As expected of the Village Head. Truly reliable.
These matters were recorded by the first-tier and second-tier secretaries, who immediately began the formal procedures. Since I was only there waiting to deliver my own report, I didn't have any tasks to perform, but I was glad to have been privy to such important information.
Yes, it was quite fortuitous. While the top two secretaries were present, the third-tier secretary was not. My personal rival, Focke, was nowhere to be seen. This meant I had gained a significant informational advantage over him. Of course, I would be sharing the data later, but because I had witnessed the decision-making process firsthand, I would be able to handle any related assignments with far more flexibility. Given that I was in the room, the odds of being assigned those tasks were high.
Hehehe. I could already see the look of frustration on Focke’s face.
However, I was somewhat concerned by how frequently the installation of new Teleportation Gates came up during their talk. Weren't those the property of the Demon Kingdom?
Wait, what? Those were actually created by one of the Village Head’s wives?
Um, was that a secret I was allowed to hear?
...I see. Thank you for your trust. I shall never let a word of this leak to the outside.
As I gave my solemn word, there was a knock on the door leading from the secretary's room, and Focke, the third-tier secretary, stepped inside.
Hehehe. You’re one step too late, Focke. I’ll tell you all about it later. Enjoy your envy.
Focke was surprised to see the Village Head in the office and offered his greetings. Then he noticed me and looked surprised once more. Hehehe. However, Focke soon wore a composed, smug smile as he addressed Lady Yoko.
"Pardon the interruption during your meeting. I have a report for Lady Yoko. May I proceed?"
Hm? What was this, Focke? Was it something so urgent that it couldn't wait?
Lady Yoko gave her permission, and Focke delivered his news.
"Please, be glad. It passed."
It passed? Something that would make Lady Yoko glad...!
Could it be that matter?! Resistance to that proposal had been fierce; the chances of it passing were supposed to be non-existent! In fact, many had said it was impossible! And he actually got it through?! Focke did?!
Lady Yoko looked equally stunned as she sought confirmation.
"Yes. At today’s Village Council Hall Operations Meeting, it was officially decided that the 'Lady Yoko Special Set' will be added to the dining hall's permanent menu."
Normally, the "Kitsune Udon Set" consisted of kitsune udon topped with aburaage, two pieces of o-inari-san, and a small side dish. The Lady Yoko Special Set was a glorious upgrade where the aburaage on the udon was a size larger, and an additional piece was added. Lady Yoko had negotiated for it personally, but until now, it had only been served in limited quantities once every thirty days.
To think it would become a permanent fixture!
"Furthermore," Focke continued, "the number of o-inari-san in the set has been increased to three."
Impossible! The number of o-inari-san was supposed to be two, no matter what! Even when Lady Yoko had cast aside her pride and negotiated in her young girl form, the limit had remained at two! And yet, it was now three?!
"Since we have secured an increase in the production of the tofu used for the aburaage."
Ooooooooooh! How magnificent! I’ll have to order it myself!
Wait, no, that’s not right. How frustrating! Lady Yoko looked exceptionally delighted.
Gunu-nu-nu! I, too, must work even harder.
My name was Messer, one of Lady Yoko's secretaries. While a secretary’s work was varied, I primarily assisted with Lady Yoko’s diplomatic affairs. My goal was to become the third-tier secretary. If not that, then to take over the internal affairs duties Focke handled. It didn't matter if I was suited for it or not. In diplomatic affairs, there were simply too few opportunities to interact with Lady Yoko.
Fourth-tier Secretary: "If anything, I have more chances to speak with the Village Head..."
Third-tier Secretary: "I'm envious of that in its own right, mind you..."
Second-tier Secretary: "To reach the second-tier, one must be capable of negotiating with the Lord Demon King or Dragons."
First-tier Secretary: "To reach the first-tier, one must be able to deliver sharp retorts to the Village Head or Lady Yoko."
Yoko: "The importance of the work varies, but there is no formal ranking among my secretaries."
Village Head: "Several Angels have started helping us with tofu production."
Yoko: "I want to be able to make tofu here in Village Five as well, but the water is the problem..."