Chapter 4


    One moment, I was stepping out of the cold, dimly lit dungeon, the scent of kobold''s blood and stone still clinging to my senses. The next, I was back in my domain—bathed in the golden hues of the afternoon sun. A warm breeze brushed against my face, carrying with it the faint scent of wood and soil.


    I let out a slow breath. My domain. Home.


    It has been only half a day at most, right? But the domain had changed in the short time I was away. More people, more movement, more progress.


    From my vantage point I emerged from, I look at my growing domain. Several dozen workers were spread across the area, moving with purpose. Some carried stacks of wooden planks, while others worked at the frame of a building taking shape in the distance. The construction of the first industrial structures had begun.


    Near the center of the domain, there''s a new open tent that had become something of a hub. Rows of monoblock chairs had been set up under the large canopy, where a gathering of people sat in what looked like an impromptu local meeting or briefing session. They were listening to someone at the front, though from this angle, I could see it was Yuriko-san speaking.


    I barely had time to process all of this before her familiar voice called out to me.


    “Meir-sama! You’ve returned!” She called over the microphone, which of course made the other listeners to look at my direction.


    Strange, so it is not "Sir Meir" anymore but "Meir-sama", huh. Well, I changed the way I called her also so its a fair trade. She rose swiftly from her seat under the tent, her sharp eyes scanning me from head to toe. Before I could say anything, she was already approaching.


    Her crisp white blouse and black slacks made her stand out among the more roughly dressed workers. She carried herself with the professional air of a businesswoman, yet her expression was edged with something close to concern.


    “Meir-sama, I thought you will dive three more domains for this day?” she remarked as she stopped in front of me, eyes narrowing slightly. “Is there any problems?”


    Smiling gently, I showed her my mana gun. "I need to recharge my mana gun." I lied, I just don''t want to accidentally cross path with those high leveled monsters roaming around my planned domain raids.


    "Is that so?" Yuriko-san observed the mana essence vessel attached to my gun. There are about 1/5 mana essence left in the vessel.


    "Who are they?" I asked.


    Yuriko-san glanced back at the gathering under the tent before returning her attention to me. "Ah, I was just finishing a briefing," she said, lowering the microphone in her hand. "They’re from Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company. A new company specializing in monster scavenging and material recovery."


    I raised an eyebrow. "Hachiji? Wait, isn''t that Tanaka-san''s ...?"


    She nodded. "Yes, Meir-sama. They''re a sister company of Tanaka-san''s company, Hachiji Builders. Tanaka-san recommended and proposed them to me. Since Hachiji Builders primarily focuses on construction but given the rapid expansion of domain-related industries lately, they decided to branch out. Monster materials are highly valuable on the past years and their raw materials, processed or not, is skyrocketing ing the market and auctions. Moreover, Japan has been struggling with an efficient monster processing infrastructure."


    "Meaning they’re testing their business model on our domain?" I asked.


    "Yes, Meir-sama." Yuriko-san folded her arms. "Since we’re planning to conduct daily raid, we will now be also steadily collecting monsters from raided monster domains, it made sense to collaborate with a company specializing in scavenging and processing monster corpses."


    "Don''t we just need to sell the corpses at the DP Shop?" I asked.


    "Meir-sama, I''m not sure if you are already aware of this but instead of selling monster corpses to directly to the DP shop at low value, we can instead scavenge their corpses and process them into refined goods, extract rare materials, trade commodities, or usable resources." Yuriko-san made a gesture of money symbol with her fingers and continued. "Domains earns more DP through this process."


    "I see... Good job then. Thank you Yuriko-san," I said as I glanced toward the seated workers under the tent, some still murmuring among themselves as they stole curious glances at me.


    "But still... they’re running their first trial here?" The thought of being a testing ground doesn''t sit well for me.


    "Yes." Yuriko-san confirmed. "They’ll be immediately handling the processing of monster parts, mana core extractions, and scavenging for any leftover valuable materials. Actually, we already tried a trial run earlier." she pointed at another large canopy at the other edge of the domain.


    "We focused on hound-type and goblin-type monsters from the recent hunts," Yuriko-san continued. "With proper dismantling, we managed to extract intact mana cores, fangs, and pelts from the hounds, while the goblins provided usable bone fragments, sinew, and even a few salvaged weapons. The pelts and sinew, on the other hand, are suitable for basic armor crafting."


    "I see..." Yuriko-san has this side that loves to report, huh?


    "Meanwhile, goblin''s blood is on high demand lately on the global trading store because they can be processed to cheap healing potions. So we focused on extracting goblin''s blood essence and since Meir-sama provided clean corpses with minimal damage, the trial run went smoothly, and we even earned a notable increase in DP compared to just offering raw corpses to the domain core."


    More DP, huh? I folded my arms and glanced at the workers,"So you approved of their work?"


    "Yes, Meir-sama. If they succeed in establishing a working system, we can create a proper monster scavenging and processing department within our domain earlier than other domains average growth."


    A structured industry for monster scavenging… It made sense. Like she said, it was inefficient to just dump corpses, offering them at the DP Shop without getting their full value. If we could integrate a processing chain, it could bring a sustainable source of DP and materials.


    Still, there was one thing I needed to clarify.


    "Are they reliable?" I asked, lowering my voice slightly. "This domain is still in its early stages. I don’t want security leaks or third parties selling information about our capabilities."


    Yuriko-san smirked, clearly expecting the question. "Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company is still a small company, but its key members have been working under Hachiji Builders for years. They''re handpicked veterans in logistics and material processing. They won’t betray us, especially since Tanaka-san has a stake in their success. Plus…" she paused, tilting her head slightly. "I’ve already made them sign an exclusive contract with our domain. If they breach it, they lose all rights to work with domain lords."


    That was good enough for now. Tanaka-san’s involvement meant they had a vested interest in keeping this deal clean.


    I exhaled through my nose and gave a slight nod. "Alright. We’ll see how they perform. Just don''t sell the mana cores. Offer them directly to our domain core for its growth. I''ll leave them to you, okay?"


    She smiled, professional but pleased. "Understood, Meir-sama. I''ll handle the rest."


    With a flick of my wrist, I chanted, " <Dimensional Storage> ".


    A faint ripple of mana spread outward as the space before me distorted. A diamond-shaped rift materialized in the air. In an instant, numerous hounds corpses, goblin corpses, kobold corpses and the remains of the greater kobold I had fought earlier fell, landing heavily onto the ground with dull thuds. They were the whole loot of the three monster domain I raided today. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the dry afternoon air.


    "Please take care of these corpses as well," I said, stepping back.


    Yuriko-san widened an eye at the sight, but she immediately turned to the workers nearby. She clapped her hands once, "Marika-san, please handle these corpses as well."


    I saw a woman swiftly rose up and attended Yuriko-san''s demand, probably the Marika-san, a sturdy woman in her late thirties with a no-nonsense demeanor, gave a curt nod at Yuriko-san’s instruction. Adjusting the cap on her head, she turned to her team.


    "You heard her! Start sorting the corpses—mana cores first, then separate the equipment and salvageable parts!" she barked, her voice carrying authority.


    "Thank you, Marika-san."


    "Oh my gosh, Yamamoto-san! Just look at this fresh and high preserved quality corpses!" Marika-san''s eyes gleamed at the pile of monster corpses I deposited to them. Weird, it''s strange for humans to be delighted at monster corpses. "Did the Domain Lord-sama collected them all alone?"


    "Yes," I offered her a handshake as I smiled gently at her, "The name''s Meir. Nashchor Meir."


    "That doesn''t sound like a Japanese name, hahaha." Marika-san chuckled as she accepted my handshake. "Are you a foreigner?"


    "Something like that, but my family tree traces back to Japan." I answered though I don''t know. I was an orphan just taken in by the Professor.


    "I see. I''m Tanaka Marika, cousin of that idiot engineer over there." She pointed her thumbs backwards in the construction site where I can barely recognize Tanaka Kentaro. "My team will be working here. Please take care of our team, Meir-sama."


    "Likewise, please take care of our loots."


    Without hesitation, her crew sprang into action. A pair of workers immediately began checking the kobolds for intact mana cores, using small, specialized knives to extract them from the chest cavities. Others inspected the pelts and claws, muttering assessments to one another as they worked. The greater kobold’s body required extra hands, so two more workers joined in, ensuring nothing went to waste.


    I noticed that their reaction is like they just found a treasure chest, all of them are smiling wide with eyes appreciating the beauty of the kobold corpses.


    By the time a pickup truck rolled into place, the team had already finished their initial assessment. "Load ‘em up, make sure they don’t get damaged on the way!" Marika-san ordered, stepping aside as her team efficiently transferred the corpses onto the vehicle.


    A few men rushed forward as they open the guard railings of the pickup truck while the others hoisted the bodies onto the back with practiced ease. Even the greater kobold, despite its bulk, was lifted without much difficulty—these people were used to handling monster carcasses.


    As the corpses was being loaded one by one, I tapped Yuriko-san’s shoulder, catching her attention again. "I''ll leave them to you, Yuriko-san. Ah, right, right. Can you cancel the remaining monster domain raids?"


    She blinked, momentarily surprised by the request, but quickly adjusted. "Cancel them? Did something happen?"


    I flicked my head to the side, gesturing for her to follow me. Yuriko-san hesitated only a second before nodding, falling into step beside me as we walked away from the workers. We didn’t stop until we were far enough that no one could overhear us.


    Keeping my voice low, I recounted everything—the domain raid, the greater kobold’s surprising strength, how I barely managed to take it down, and most importantly, the three suspicious monsters who arrived afterward. I explained how they were all much stronger than me, their presence alone enough to make me retreat.


    When I finished, I swiped my hand in the air, pulling up a hunter system UI window and shifting it towards Yuriko-san. The floating screen displayed captured footage—three figures standing amidst the bloodied dungeon.


    The level 7 troll shaman, with his hunched frame and tribal ornaments.


    The level 15 hobgoblin, arms crossed, exuding a menacing presence.


    And their strange level 22 leader—pointed ears, pink hair, and dressed in black researcher-like clothing.


    The analysis skill automatically identified them as monsters. Alongside the footage, I pulled up details from my analysis skill, highlighting the mention of a Grand Order—evidence that these weren’t just random strong creatures wandering about.


    "You can make a report to the JNHA to help them investigate the matter," I said, watching as Yuriko-san’s brows furrowed in thought. "But if we seek their assistance, can you make sure it''s anonymous? Don''t mention our domain at all."


    She looked at me sharply. I continued, "I don’t want us gathering unnecessary attention from a secretive organization of high-level monsters. Especially now that we’re just an upstarting domain. We can''t afford that risk."


    Yuriko-san’s eyes remained fixed on the hovering system window, her brows furrowed as she absorbed the information. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but she closed them again, still processing what I had just handed her.


    She exhaled slowly, tilting her head as she studied the footage. "This is… concerning," she muttered, her fingers tapping lightly against her crossed arms. "If monsters of this level are freely roaming the north side of our domain, then it’s far too dangerous to continue raiding there in the mean time."


    I gave a small nod. "Exactly. I barely got out."


    She turned her gaze back to me, eyes sharp with calculation. "Specially that our raiding team only consist of you, Meir-sama. Thankfully you are not as naive as other hunters and have a reliable monster analysis skill. Thank goodness," She let out a sigh through her nose.


    "Understood. I’ll reach out to the JNHA and provide them with this intel. I’ll make sure the report is anonymous—no mention of our domain. We can’t risk drawing attention to ourselves, not with something this big."


    I let out a breath I hadn''t realized I was holding. "I''m glad you understand."


    Yuriko-san shut the system window with a swipe of her hand, her usual composed expression returning, though I could tell she was already planning the next steps in her head.


    "I''ll just finish our business meeting with the Hachiji Monster''s Scavenging and Processing Company, Meir-sama."


    "Oh, okay. I''ll also consult someone regarding this issue." I answered.


    Yuriko-san bowed and turned on her heel and strode back toward the canopy, her posture straight and purposeful. I hope the discussion with the monster scavenging company went well, ensuring everything was set in motion.


    I watched her go for a moment before shaking my head and stepping toward the house. The moment I crossed the door the cool air inside greeted me, offering a welcome reprieve from the afternoon heat.


    Heading toward the dining room, I caught sight of Aoi-san and Chie-chan, both busy packing food into containers. The kitchen area which was small, has been cramped with lots of plastic container. This kitchen area is definitely not suitable for large batch of cooking. But their movements were smooth and practiced—Aoi-san carefully sealing the lids while Chie-chan neatly stacked them into a delivery bag. The scent of fresh bread and fried cutlets filled the air, making my stomach tighten in response.


    Aoi-san was the first to notice me. She looked up with a warm smile. "Meir-sama, welcome back. Do you want to have some afternoon break-time meal?"


    She reached for a neatly packed food container and handed it to me. Inside were two kinds of sandwiches: Tamago Sando, a fluffy egg sandwich, and Katsu Sando, a crispy chicken cutlet sandwich drizzled with rich tonkatsu sauce.


    At the sight of the food, my stomach betrayed me with a low growl. I gave a small chuckle, accepting the pack with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Aoi-san. These foods looks delicious."


    Before I could say more, Chie-chan stepped forward, carefully holding out a pitcher of lemon tea. Her expression was composed, but I noticed the slight eagerness in her gaze.


    "Meir-sama, please accept this also," she said, her voice soft but clear.


    I took the pitcher, feeling the cool condensation against my fingertips. "I appreciate it, Chie-chan. You’re both too kind."


    Chie gave a small, pleased smile, while Aoi-san chuckled lightly before returning to packing.


    "I''ll eat them in my room. Thanks again, okay?" I smiled at them.


    Balancing the food container and pitcher in one hand, I made my way upstairs to my room. The moment I stepped inside, I set the meal down on my desk and exhaled. The day had been long, and it wasn’t even over yet.


    Before anything else, I needed to check something.


    I walked over to a small safe embedded in the wall, pressing my hand against its surface. A faint shimmer of mana pulsed as it recognized me, unlocking with a quiet click. As the door swung open, my eyes fell on the domain core resting inside—a pearl-like crystal, roughly the size of my hand, pulsing faintly with energy. The protective spells surrounding it hovered like rings around a planet, shifting subtly as they detected my presence.


    Still intact. Still stable. That meant everything inside the domain was secure.


    Satisfied, I closed the safe and turned to my desk. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone and tapped on a saved contact labeled "Professor".


    Calling someone in the future wasn’t as simple as making a normal phone call.


    The moment I pressed the dial button, I felt a pull—a strange sensation as if something deep inside me was being siphoned away. Mana. The device was actively drawing energy from me, weaving it through time itself to establish a connection.


    A few rings later, a voice came through the line—clear and distinctly feminine. "Yes, Meir? Do you have any updates regarding the Dream Pearl?"


    I adjusted my grip on the phone, my expression turning serious. "Not yet, the scheduled meeting with Seikishi-Dan Guild is tomorrow, professor. Well, I have something else to report."


    "Go on," the professor prompted, her tone sharp with expectation.


    I exhaled and leaned against the desk. "During my last domain raid, I encountered a Greater Kobold acting as a domain boss. It wasn''t much of a challenge, but after I took it down, three unfamiliar monsters appeared—strong ones. A Troll Shaman, a Hobgoblin, and a third... something else entirely. This last one had pink hair, pointed ears, and was dressed like a researcher in black robes. My analysis skill flagged them as part of something called the ‘Valthorne Grand Order.’"


    I let the words settle for a moment before asking, "Professor, do you have any data on this Valthorne Grand Order? Or about this... Vaerilith Valthorne monster?"


    There was a brief pause, then a quiet sigh from the other end. "Forget about it, Meir. You have more important things to focus on. Stay on mission."


    I frowned. "Professor—"


    "You’re running out of time," she cut in, her voice firm. "I’ve been digging and transcribing virtual data through the global archived files and found something that might be useful. If my computations and transcriptions were right, you''ve arrived at the time close to when there was a mysterious incident involving the Seikishi-Dan Guild and the disappearance of Dream Pearl. Details are scarce, but if we’re right, we need to focus on it before the Dream Pearl disappears from our handreach. It''s our only way now to find the Saintess. You must find out exactly what''s the current situation is before making any moves."


    I ran a hand through my hair. So that was why she was pressing so hard for results.


    "Understood," I muttered as I drank lemon tea. "I''ll look into it."


    A faint electronic beep echoed through the line, followed by the professor''s voice shifting into a more focused tone. "Oh, wait—additional details about the incident just finished transcribing, Meir. Let’s see…"


    I heard the faint rustling of digital files being sorted before she continued, "After one year of investigation, it was later found that the culprit was a Senior Hunter of the Seikishi-Dan Guild… who had become a Shever Follower…" Her voice trailed off for a second before she muttered under her breath, "Oh no… Shever’s followers already knew about how the Dream Pearl hidden power works?"


    I felt my grip on the phone tighten as a realization slammed into me. "Oh shit…" My mind pieced together the implications at once. "Professor, I think I have a clue on how things worked out here. They probably used the Dream Pearl to get the exact location of the hiding Saintess in Korea!"


    The line was silent for a moment, as if she was processing the same horrifying conclusion. Then, a sharp inhale. "That means… if Shever’s forces haven''t found out the Saintess exact location yet, but they could have a way to track her location. Meir, this just escalated beyond a simple retrieval mission."


    I exhaled sharply, setting my phone on speaker mode as I reached for my tablet. The glow of the screen illuminated my face as I quickly navigated through the database, pulling up information on the Seikishi-Dan Guild and its current roster.


    “But who is the Senior Hunter that betrayed them?” I muttered, scanning through the registered squad parties, cross-referencing them with past mission records. Names and ranks filled the screen, but nothing stood out immediately.


    "I''ll try to transcribe more data, but it will take some time," the professor responded. Her voice held a note of frustration, likely from dealing with the security enchantments woven into the classified files. "The data is protected by alternating security spells. For now, we need to obtain information on how far the incident has progressed. Since you''re playing house as a domain lord working there, try to take advantage of that."


    I frowned. "I’m not playing house, Professor. I''m a legit domain lord."


    "So what? It''s the same thing anyway." She dismissed it without hesitation. "Focus on your mission and take advantage of everything you have. Don’t forget—this is our last hope to open the ''Gate.'' "


    Her words hit like a quiet thunderclap. I leaned back in my chair, opening the plastic container and getting the egg sandwich. "Yes, yes. I''ll focus, okay?"


    A brief silence hung between us before she sighed. "Sorry. I know how much you admire domain lords and domains, but we have a mission here."


    I didn''t respond. There wasn’t much to say.


    "Contact me if you find anything."


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    With that, the line went dead. The conversation was over.


    I set the tablet down, staring at the screen where the Seikishi-Dan member list was still displayed. A senior hunter turned Shever follower. The Dream Pearl already compromised. The Saintess possibly tracked.


    Everything was spiraling faster than I expected. Well at least I''m eating delicious food, for now.


    Later that night, as Yuriko-san and I was doing our daily report. I let out a quiet sigh, rubbing my temple as I skimmed through the final numbers for the day. Sitting across from me at the small living room table, Yuriko-san had a similar look of exhaustion, her pen tapping idly against the edge of her laptop as she double-checked the expenses.


    “We need more people,” I finally said, breaking the silence. “And an office. Handling all of this—DP expenses and earnings, domain reports, raid results—with just the two of us is… exhausting.” I flicked my pen toward the growing stack of reports in front of us. “At this rate, we’ll be drowning in paperwork before the domain even properly expands.”


    Yuriko-san let out a tired chuckle, stretching her arms over her head. “Meir-sama, you know, just yesterday I thought managing one raid team and starting a guild wouldn’t be so bad. But at this rate, I’m going to end up calculating numbers in my sleep.”


    I smirked. “I’d believe it. You already talk about DP calculations in dinner earlier.”


    She blinked, caught off guard. “Wait—do I really?”


    “No, but I had you there for a second.”


    She sighed, shaking her head with a small, amused smile. “I''ve noticed but you’re a carefree person, Meir-sama.” She typed down the last few figures before closing down her laptop. “But actually, I already interviewed two potential assistants online. They might be able to start tomorrow or the day after.”


    That was good news. “What are they like?”


    “But actually, I already interviewed two potential assistants online. They might be able to start tomorrow or the day after.”


    That was good news. “What are they like?”


    “They’re both fresh graduates with impressive credentials. One specialized in bookkeeping and finance and worked part-time at a logistics company to support her studies. The other studied business management and had a part-time job as a receptionist at a hunter association branch.” She explained as she opened one of her notebooks and prepared her calculator again.


    I nodded approvingly. “Sounds like exactly what we need.” I don''t know much about hiring people and what qualities are good. Sorry but I''ll leave them to your judgement, Yuriko-san!


    She tapped her pen against her notebook, thoughtful. “People like them are easier to train than hiring someone too set in their ways. I’d rather build a team that grows with us.”


    My lips went for an appreciative smile, "I agree."


    Yuriko-san stretched again, stifling a yawn. “Sounds like a plan. For now, we have one final interview before the day ends.”


    I raised an eyebrow. “Final interview?”


    She nodded, flipping through her notes. “You remember my friend at JNHA who helped us with our loan?”


    “The one who pulled strings to get us better terms? Yeah, what about her?”


    “Well, she reached out to some investors on our behalf—people looking for promising up-and-coming guilds to support. One investor came forward, saying they’re willing to provide capital for our guild.”


    That caught my attention. “That’s great news. What’s the catch?”


    Yuriko-san exhaled, tapping her pen against the table. “They want one of their hunters to gain experience through our low-level domain raids.”


    I frowned slightly. “So, we’d basically be training their hunter?”


    “Pretty much. It’s not the worst deal, though. If we accept, we get much-needed funding, and in return, we mentor a hunter who’s still in the early stages of their career.”


    I leaned back in my chair, considering it. “It’s not unreasonable, but it depends on the hunter. Do we know who they’re sending?”


    She hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of her notebook. “Well… she''s my junior back in high school.”


    That was interesting. “What’s she like?”


    Yuriko-san sighed, shaking her head with a wry smile. “She’s a bit… well, let’s just say she has a strong personality. But she’s a good girl.”


    I chuckled nervously. “That sounds ominous.”


    “You’ll see soon enough." Yuriko-san placed a tablet before us. Inside, there is a video meeting already set-up. Yuriko-san opened her laptop again and joined the video meeting also.


    "Meir-sama, do you want to change to formal clothes?" Yuriko-san asked as she stood up. "I''ve bought different suits for your earlier just in case."


    I don''t like formality and things that much. I also already did my bath and is ready to go to bed anytime. Changing clothes is too much hassle now... "Can''t I just attend with this hoodie? I''ll be an observer anyways."


    Yuriko-san scanned my hoodie, whereas she thought for moments before answering. "Hmmm, maybe that''ll do anyways." She left quickly as soon as gave her verdict. "I''ll still change clothes, Meir-sama. At least one of us needs to stay professional."


    I let out a small sigh, shaking my head with a smirk. “I feel like I’m about to meet a handful.”


    Yuriko-san only gave a knowing smile before disappearing into the other room to change.


    Left alone, I shifted my chair slightly and glanced at the tablet screen. The meeting was already set up, the interface waiting for the other participant to join. I leaned back, contemplating whether I should have taken Yuriko-san’s advice and changed into something more formal. But then again, it was already late, and I was comfortable. The hoodie stays.


    Just as I adjusted my posture, the screen blinked.


    [Hoshimizu Aiya has joined the video meeting.]


    Her video camera turned on immediately, revealing a young woman with sharp, attentive eyes.


    "Hello? Can you hear me?" She waved at the camera, her tone bright but confident. Her gaze landed on me. Her eyes narrowed immediately, "Are you perhaps the domain lord at the domain where Yuri-chan is working?"


    I took a moment to observe her. Shoulder-length platinum hair with dark roots—either a dyed job or natural regrowth. Her features were striking, refined, but not overly intimidating. About on the same level as Yuriko-san in terms of looks. What stood out more was her attire—she was dressed in a formal blazer and blouse, looking completely composed for a 9 PM meeting.


    I glanced at my reflection in the screen, suddenly aware of my hoodie and relaxed posture. Maybe I should have worn a suit after all.


    Clearing my throat, I straightened up. "Yes, I''m Nashchor Meir. Nice to meet you, umm... Hoshimizu Aiya-san."


    She looked around, seemingly searching for Yuriko-san. Her forehead knotted as she continued darting her eyes around. "Where is Yuri-chan?"


    I glanced at the door, waiting a few more seconds for Yuriko-san. Hoshimizu-san was about to speak again, but I interjected first. "She''s just changing clothes. Please wait a few more moments."


    Now that I thought about it, there were still about five minutes before 9 PM. Did we join the call earlier than scheduled?


    Hoshimizu-san nodded slowly, as if piecing together the situation. She glanced at her wristwatch and gave a knowing look. Did she also realize she joined earlier than expected?


    After confirming the time, she fidgeted slightly, adjusting her clothes with her hands. As she did, she caught me watching her. Her expression immediately wrinkled, and she rolled her eyes before glancing away.


    Miss… you could have just turned off the camera.


    She pulled out a folder containing documents and began reading. I figured there was no need to entertain her. We could just pass the time quietly. Yeah, that seemed like a good plan.


    I was about to go back to reviewing the Seikishi-dan Guild data when I caught her sneaking a glance at me with a grumpy expression.


    I’m starting to think this girl is a little odd.


    "What is it?" I asked.


    She rolled her eyes again before answering, "Yuri-chan is taking her time changing. I also put in the effort to wear something professional. Don’t you think you should change too?"


    Oh, so that’s what’s bothering her. But changing is a hassle…


    "Do I really need to?" I asked.


    She scoffed and shook her head. "So unprofessional," she muttered before going back to reading.


    I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "I''m just trying to make the environment more relaxed. Chill. Why are you so grumpy?"


    "What did you say?!" she asked, her voice rising slightly—not quite angry, but definitely sharper than before.


    I decided not to say anything else that would add fuel to the fire. Instead, I just shrugged and focused on what I was working on.


    "For your information, I’m not a grumpy old auntie," she muttered.


    Miss, where did the "old auntie" part even come from?


    After three more minutes, Yuriko-san arrived, now fully dressed in professional attire—a corporate blouse and skirt. She even had light makeup on, and her hair was neatly styled. The two ladies immediately noticed each other.


    "Ah, Aiya-chan," she beamed. "You''re here already," Yuriko-san greeted her.


    "Heya~ Yuri-chan." Aiya greeted cheerfully, waving her hand. She seemed all happy, but the moment she looked away to another direction, her face turned grumpy again.


    She raised a brow, her gaze fixed on what I assumed was my video feed on her screen. I raised a brow in return, silently asking What now?


    "Meir-sama, this is Hoshimizu Aiya, the hunter I told you about from our potential investor," Yuriko-san said, elbowing me. "Greet her properly, Meir-sama. First impressions matter," she whispered.


    I’m sorry, Yuriko-san, but I think I’ve already ruined my first impression.


    "I greet you."


    The words left my mouth before I even processed them. I realized, too late, that I was still in my unserious mode. I met Yuriko-san’s surprised eyes with an equally surprised expression.


    Hoshimizu-san immediately glared at me. "Okay. Thanks," she said dryly, rolling her eyes again. Doesn''t she get dizzy from doing that?


    "A-Ah, Aiya-chan, how’s your training going? I heard you finished your Hunter Training Course last month. How have you been?" Yuriko-san quickly followed up, her tone light and cheerful.


    "My life was great until that stranger showed up," she complained.


    …I''m definitely that stranger.


    "She took you away from me!"


    What?!


    Yuriko-san and I exchanged surprised looks. I leaned closer, whispering, "You''re in a relationship with her?!"


    I was genuinely curious—I had never witnessed a same-sex relationship before.


    "No, Meir-sama! You misunderstood!" Yuriko-san looked flustered. "I was supposed to start working for their domain next month, managing her team. But then you came along and made me an unexpected better position offer, and well... things happened... and now we’re here."


    She clapped her hands together, then turned to Aiya-chan, her eyes widening as if they were having some kind of silent conversation.


    "Don''t worry, Hoshimizu-san," I reassured them. "I’m not a fan of NTR."


    "What?!"


    Now they both looked at me, utterly baffled.


    "You know what," Yuriko-san sighed, massaging her temple. "Let’s just focus on work, please..."


    I mean, I would like to comply but Hoshimizu-san kept glaring at my feed, even narrowing her eyes, maybe trying to stab with imaginary daggers through her glare. Now this is awkward.


    Yuriko-san cleared her throat, shaking off the awkwardness from earlier. "Alright, let’s move on to the main discussion."


    Hoshimizu-san adjusted her posture, looking more composed. She pulled out a few papers from her folder and glanced at the screen. "The proposal is simple. In exchange for the investment we will put on your domain, I’ll be conducting five domain raids as part of my training with your raid team."


    I leaned back slightly, processing her words. "So, field experience."


    "Yes," she confirmed. "I''ve completed my combat and basic hunter training, but I lack real-world experience in actual monster domains. My sponsor—your investor—wants me to go through a structured training process before they assign me to larger operations."


    That made sense. No matter how much training you had, it was useless without real combat experience.


    She continued, "Your domain is a prime candidate for this because of your record—23 cleared monster domains in just a week, level 1 to 5 monster domains, solo. That kind of efficiency is rare, and they want to evaluate your domain’s potential for long-term investment."


    I glanced at Yuriko-san, who gave me a subtle nod. The record we have confirmed on clearing monster domains have been uploaded in JNHA public database. Maybe they got our achievement there. So, that’s how it is. Not just training, but also a test.


    "That’s fine," I said. "But let’s set some expectations first. I don’t normally take outsiders into my operations unless I trust them. These raids aren’t like any training camp. The moment we enter, everything is real. Your safety will come first, always, whether we clear the monster domain or not."


    Hoshimizu-san raised an eyebrow. "That’s exactly what I’m here to learn. But let’s be clear—I''m not asking for special treatment. Just treat me like any other new recruit."


    A straightforward answer. At least she had the right mindset.


    "Alright," I said. "Five raids only. After that, I''ll submit the evaluation report. No additional raids beyond that, okay? Once it''s done, we’ll let your side decide whether you''re fit for more advanced hunts."


    "Works for me," she said with a nod.


    I sighed, not entirely convinced by this whole proposal. "Can she really work with me?" I asked Yuriko-san.


    "Umm... Aiya-chan, can you work with Meir-sama? I mean we don''t have any other teams to help you raid right now..." Yuriko-san asked cautiously.


    "Yeah, I don''t care that much about him," she replied, not even looking in our direction as she flipped through her documents.


    "Yuriko-san, I think she has attitude problems going on..." I chuckled as I joked lightly.


    "Meir-sama, now please... That is just how Aiya-san is. She is a good girl, I promise." Yuriko-san defended her but it feels like not defending her at all.


    "Sighs... teens of this era... really." I shook my head, forcing myself to be a bit more patient.


    Hoshimizu-san immediately stood up and leaned closer to the camera. She glared more looking at our direction. She crossed her arm and raised a brow. I think she is showing that she dislikes me.


    Oh, this is a test. She is testing my patience again. Now, now. I''m a mature young adult. I loosened up the tension of my face and gave her back a warm smile.


    "Excuse me, I''m not a brat anymore!" she snapped, as if I had personally insulted her.


    Really, this girl. She is easy to rile up. But her reactions is so amusing. Ibit my lips, trying to stop myself to stifle a chuckle.


    "Chill, no one called you a brat. I just said you’re a teen," I replied calmly.


    "I’m not a teen, I’m a young adult! I’m already 22! Are you mocking me?!" she leaned in even closer to the camera, clearly agitated.


    I glanced at Yuriko-san to see if she will say anything. And also to ask for help. Instead, I caught her covering her face and was smiling behind her hand. She''s enjoying this right? Yuriko-san is enjoying this childish banter?!


    Hey, that''s not fair! I''m the only bad guy if you''re not caught also!


    "No, why would I mock you? You''re our precious trainee after all. Please smile. Let us all smile. We will be working with others from now on, right?" I tried to save the proposal in the end.


    "Only for five domain raids." She grumbled. I think this investment proposal will go down the drain for sure after that five domain raids.


    Yuriko-san finally interjected, guiding the talk back to business again. After confirming all the clauses of the contract, we finally ended our video meeting.


    Yuriko-san smiled. "That settles it, then. I’ll handle the paperwork, and we’ll try to contact you as soon as possible for the first raid."


    "Looking forward to it," Hoshimizu-san said, though her eyes carried a sharp determination, like she was sizing me up.


    The video meeting finally ended, with me feeling exhausted after all of that.


    Yuriko-san began cleaning our documents. "Please don''t play with Aiya-chan that much, Meir-sama. She is a hardworking and honest person. I guarantee she will be a decent support for your raids."


    "Okay, I''ll try to. We also need the investment, right?" I said. Then I remembered something to ask. "Yuriko-san, are you busy tomorrow? Can you accompany me tomorrow at the Seikishi-Dan Guild?"


    Yuriko-san paused, glancing up from the stack of documents. "Seikishi-Dan Guild? I don’t recall anything scheduled with them. Or is there? What’s the meeting about?"


    I leaned back in my chair, choosing my words carefully. "I have scheduled the meeting a week ago. There’s an important artifact I’m investigating and trying to secure. If the meeting goes well, I might be able to ask about it. Securing it could be a valuable investment for the growth of our domain."


    Her eyes narrowed slightly, sensing there was more to it, but she didn’t press. "An artifact, huh? Something from the Domain Shop?"


    "Not exactly," I said, shaking my head. "It’s something... rarer. I need information, and Seikishi-Dan might have the right lead. If they do, it could be a major advantage for us."


    Yuriko-san crossed her arms, thinking. "And you want me there because...?"


    I smiled. "Because I trust your communication skills more than my own. I think I fail at communicating professionally with people. You handle negotiations better than I do. If they get wary of my questions, you can smooth things over."


    Her lips curled into a teasing smile. "Ah, so you admit it. Meir-sama, you should work on your social skills. But fine, I’ll go with you. What time?"


    "Before 8 AM tomorrow," I replied.


    She nodded. "Alright. I''ll schedule a rental service. Just don’t get us into any unnecessary trouble."


    I chuckled, though my mind lingered on the true reason behind this meeting. The Dream Pearl—the artifact the professor had asked me to retrieve. I couldn''t let anything slip, not even to Yuriko-san. For now, all she needed to know was that this was an investment opportunity.


    "Don''t worry," I reassured her. "This is just business."


    The next morning, we arrived at the Seikishi-Dan Guild—the Holy Knight Order Guild of northern part of Nagoya City—before 8 AM. A staff member greeted us at the entrance and promptly guided us through the grand halls of the guild headquarters. The place exuded prestige, its towering white stone walls adorned with banners of the guild’s emblem. Knights in polished armor moved about—probably paladin job class hunter— some busy with their conversations, others checking their equipment and armors.


    Soon, we were led to the Guild Relations Division Office, where a man in his mid-thirties sat behind a polished wooden desk. His black hair was neatly combed back, and his sharp brown eyes assessed us with a mix of curiosity and professionalism.


    The nameplate on top of his table says:


    [ Reiji Himura


    Deputy Director of Relations


    Guild Relations Division


    Seikishi-Dan Guild ]


    He folded his hands on the desk and spoke first. "Are you perhaps, Nashchor Meir? How can I help you, sir?"


    Seeing the title on the nameplate, I felt a slight twinge of surprise. I had expected to meet with a mid-level officer or a liaison, not someone holding a high-ranking position like a Deputy Director. This meant that either my request had drawn more attention than I anticipated, or the Seikishi-Dan Guild took even minor domain lords very seriously. Either way, it changed the stakes. A man of his rank wouldn''t waste time on trivial matters—I''d have to choose my words carefully.


    I quickly adjusted my posture, straightening my back slightly as I stepped forward.


    I nodded as I offer a handshake. "Deputy Director Himura, thank you for meeting with us. My name is Nashchor Meir, a new Domain Lord operating south of Nagano Prefecture. This is Yamamoto Yuriko, the acting Chief Operations Officer of our guild."


    Yuriko-san’s posture stiffened slightly, her eyes widening for just a fraction of a second. She shot me a glance but remained composed, not voicing her surprise. I had just given her a higher title than she expected, but it wasn’t just for show—she was already handling most of our domain’s management, and for this negotiation, a formal corporate-sounding role would give us more credibility.


    "Yamamoto Yuriko. Nice to meet you Himura-san" Yuriko-san also offered a handshake.


    Reiji Himura arched a brow, shifting his gaze between the two of us as he return both of our handshakes. Then, a knowing smile appeared on his face. "A new domain lord? Interesting. And a COO, you say? So in Nagano, huh. What Grand Order are you affiliated with in Nagano? Rengou Seishi-kai? Kanshou Dantai? or perhaps from Hoshimizu Grand Order?"


    I shook my head lightly. "None, Deputy Director. I''m not affiliated with any Grand Order—I''m operating independently for now. I only started as a Domain Lord about two weeks ago.


    Reiji Himura leaned back slightly, tapping a finger against his desk as he studied me. After a brief pause, he gestured toward the chairs in front of him. "Please, have a seat," he said, his tone remaining neutral but laced with curiosity.


    Yuriko-san and I sat down, the polished leather chair cool beneath my hands as I rested them on the armrests. Himura reached for a folder on his desk, flipping through papers and documents. The air in the room felt heavier now, the kind of weight that came with business negotiations where both sides were still gauging each other.


    Only after a moment of silence did I speak again. "Ah, we’re also looking into potential collaborations, investors and resource exchanges. But more importantly, I came here to inquire about a certain artifact rumored to be connected to the last Domain Lord Wars."


    Himura’s expression remained neutral, but I noticed a flicker of interest in his eyes. "An artifact? That’s a rather broad topic, Nashchor-sama. You’ll have to be more specific."


    I leaned in slightly. "I''m looking for information about something called the Dream Pearl."


    Himura-san''s expression remained neutral, but his fingers drummed lightly against his desk before he finally spoke. "Mikhail-sama, the Golden Holy Saint, entrusted this artifact to the Golden Holy Knight Grand Order, which our Seikishi-dan Guild is affiliated with."


    As he spoke, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a small, worn token along with a neatly folded letter. He placed both on the desk between us. "A week ago, we received a letter—this letter—asking about the whereabouts of the Dream Pearl. And along with it, this token. You''re the one who sent us this right, Meir-san?"


    My eyes flickered to the token. A coin-like emblem engraved with intricate holy symbols—one that had been given to me by my ''friend'' from the future. According to them, if I ever needed assistance from the Holy Knight Grand Order or any of its affiliated guilds, presenting this token would guarantee their cooperation.


    "Yes, the staff wouldn''t allow me to meet anyone so I had no choice but to use that."


    "Sorry about that, but there are only select few who know about this case."Himura-san exhaled, his fingers brushing against the letter as he continued. "The Dream Pearl is an artifact once used by Aiyehssa Hoshigetsu, the famed mage of the Hero’s Party—the very one that marked the end of the Domain Lord Wars fifty years ago. However, I found it strange because this artifact is only used by Hoshigetsu-sama during her early days as a novice mage, it was little more than a simple, low level orb-class mage weapon. By all accounts, it holds no significant power compared to modern low level or novice level artifacts."


    His gaze darkened slightly, as if recalling something troubling. "And yet… I’ve never quite understood why Mikhail-sama himself ordered us to maintain the shrine where Hoshigetsu-sama left the artifact on a whim. That order was given to a select members of our guild twenty years ago when our domain was just starting and I was just a simple founding member here. I still remember his words clearly—''Someone will come for it in the future. Someone bearing the token of the Holy Goddess.'' And now, here you are."


    So that was it, huh. The Professor had guided me in writing that letter, but neither of us could be sure if the Dream Pearl’s importance had been recognized yet. Did Mikhail-sama, being the Golden Holy Saint, someone blessed directly by the Goddess herself, saw the future where we will need the Dream Pearl to locate the hidden Saintess? Then does that mean the Professor sending us back to the past... and this timeline ... did Mikhail-sama perhaps saw this future twenty years ago?


    I met Himura-san’s gaze. "Then… can you tell me where this shrine is?"


    He hesitated. For the first time, his composed demeanor faltered slightly. A quiet breath left him before he leaned back in his chair. "I’m afraid now is not the best time."


    I frowned. "Why?"


    "The higher-ups are currently occupied with urgent matters in Europe," he said, his tone growing heavier. "Even Mikhail-sama himself, along with several of our top raid squads, has been called there. And as for the artifact itself…" He sighed. "We are currently tied up with internal affairs. If this isn’t an emergency, I must ask you to wait until these matters are settled."


    I studied his expression carefully. Something about the way he phrased it—''internal affairs''—felt like an intentional vagueness.


    "Is it something bad?" I asked, recalling the warnings the Professor had given me before I came here.


    Himura-san’s eyes sharpened slightly. "Even though you are a guest holding this token, I cannot divulge internal matters to an outsider."


    A carefully diplomatic answer. That only confirmed my suspicions—this wasn’t just standard bureaucracy. Something had happened within their guild, something sensitive enough that they couldn’t afford leaks.


    I leaned back slightly, lost in thoughts. "As we thought," I murmured, more to myself than to him. "There may be a traitor involved."


    "What?!" Himura-san''s expression darkened, his frown deepening as he shot me a sharp glare. "Meir-san, where did you hear that? Did someone tell you to probe me for such information?"


    I stiffened. "A-Ah… no!" My pulse quickened. How was I supposed to explain that I had received that report from the future? "I was just… deducing based on what you said. A-And didn’t Mikhail-sama also mention something twenty years ago? About a Senior Hunter betraying you at this time?"


    Himura-san’s glare turned ice-cold. His fingers curled slightly against the desk, his voice lowering to a warning tone. "Watch your words, Meir-san."


    I swallowed.


    "Is this some kind of joke?" His voice was calm, but the weight behind it was anything but. "We are a loyal guild sworn under the Golden Holy Knight Grand Order. Every single one of us has dedicated our lives to serving Mikhail-sama and upholding the will of the Holy Goddess. We take pride in our duty." His gaze sharpened. "Even though we strive to be unwavering devotees, we are still human—we do not take baseless accusations lightly."


    The tension in the air was suffocating. I could feel Yuriko-san stiffen beside me.


    "Be careful what you say next," Himura-san warned. "Some things should not be spoken so carelessly."


    Yuriko-san subtly shifted beside me, her posture straightening as she placed a firm hand on my forearm under the desk—a silent but urgent warning. Her expression remained composed, but there was a tightness in her gaze as she turned slightly toward me.


    "Meir-sama," she said in a low voice, her tone carefully measured, "you shouldn’t make such remarks so lightly."


    She maintained eye contact with me for a brief second before turning toward Himura-san with a polite but reassuring smile. "The Seikishi-dan Guild takes immense pride in their devotion to Mikhail-sama and the Holy Goddess. Their loyalty is not something to be questioned without proof. Even a mere suggestion of betrayal could be seen as an insult to their honor."


    Her grip on my arm tightened slightly—just enough to emphasize the weight of her words.


    "These are individuals who have sworn their lives to their cause. Accusations, even indirect ones, are not just words to them—they are challenges to their very beliefs," she continued, her voice soft enough that only I could hear. "If you keep pushing like this, we may lose any chance of their cooperation."


    It was a warning, a plea, and a subtle reprimand all wrapped into one.


    I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to ease the tension in my shoulders. She was right. If I pushed too hard, I wouldn''t just risk Himura-san''s patience—I’d risk turning an entire faction against us.


    Yuriko-san withdrew her hand from my arm and turned to Himura-san with a composed expression. She straightened her posture, offering him a respectful nod.


    "I sincerely apologize, Himura-san," she said in a professional yet courteous tone. "Meir-sama did not intend any offense. He simply speaks with a direct manner, and sometimes his curiosity can come across the wrong way."


    She placed a hand lightly over her chest, a subtle gesture of sincerity. "We fully recognize the dedication and unwavering loyalty of the Seikishi-dan Guild to Mikhail-sama and the Holy Goddess. We deeply respect your commitment and the sacrifices you have made in service to your order. Please forgive any misunderstanding."


    Her words were smooth, tactful—carefully chosen to ease the tension that had begun to rise in the room. She met Himura-san’s gaze steadily, neither overly submissive nor confrontational, but with the practiced professionalism of someone who knew how to mend relationships before they soured.


    I watched as Himura-san’s sharp gaze softened just slightly, his fingers, which had been gripping the desk, easing as he exhaled. It seemed Yuriko-san’s words had managed to prevent this conversation from derailing entirely.


    Thank goodness I brought her here.


    Just as the tension in the room began to settle, the door behind Himura-san suddenly burst open. A young man, dressed in the same formal uniform as the staff who had guided us here, rushed in, his breath uneven. He was so focused on delivering his report that he didn’t even notice Yuriko-san and me seated across from his superior.


    "Sir, it was confirmed!" he blurted out, his voice laced with urgency. "Three more Level 5 monster domains have spawned near the shrine. That brings the total up to ten! The Hoshimizu Guild has agreed to help us deal with five of them since they''re also part of this deal. They’re sending a team tomorrow."


    I caught the flicker of shock in Himura-san’s expression. His fingers tensed against the desk, his brows furrowing at the sheer scale of the problem. But as the staff member finished his rushed report, realization dawned on his face—there were outsiders in the room.


    His gaze snapped to me and Yuriko-san, and his jaw visibly clenched. "Enough," he cut in sharply, raising a hand. "We’ll discuss this later."


    The staff member blinked, confused, before finally registering our presence. His eyes widened, and a hint of panic crossed his face as he straightened his posture, lips pressing into a thin line.


    Himura-san exhaled through his nose, schooling his features back into something more composed. But I had already heard enough. A total of ten monster domains near the shrine where the Dream Pearl was kept? That wasn’t normal.


    I exchanged a quick glance with Yuriko-san, who remained perfectly poised, though I could tell she had picked up on the implications as well.


    Something was seriously wrong.


    Himura-san exhaled slowly, regaining his composure. He cast a glance at the still-stiff staff member, then turned his attention back to me and Yuriko-san.


    "My apologies, but I’m afraid this is where we must end our discussion for today," he said, his voice measured but firm. "As I mentioned earlier, our guild is currently tied up with internal affairs. I will contact you or Yamamoto-san once we have settled matters on our end."


    I leaned forward slightly. "If the issue is with the monster domains, I might be able to help. I am a Domain Lord, after all."


    Himura-san’s expression didn’t waver. "I appreciate the offer, but this is an internal matter of our guild. We will handle it ourselves." His tone left no room for argument.


    I studied his face for a moment, searching for any sign that he might reconsider, but his resolve was clear.


    Yuriko-san tugged at my elbow again, probably trying to say that we need to retreat for now. I wasn’t going to push any further also—not here, at least.


    "Understood," I said, standing up. Yuriko-san followed suit, offering a professional nod of acknowledgment.


    Himura-san called a staff member via his telephone. "Escort our guests out."


    Moments later, the same staff that guided as in here, fetched us.


    With that, Yuriko-san and I were led out of the office, but my mind was already racing. Ten monster domains near the shrine? A high-ranking guild scrambling to handle the situation while their top members were away? Something wasn’t adding up.