Legend of the Far East Savior Volume 1 Chapter 4 part 1

Chapter 4: Towards the Next Step
 

1.
 
It was after we had successfully retreating by scattering incendiary bullets among the horde of monsters.
 
For two days, we conducted various investigations: suggesting equipment like wire anchors that would be nice to have, sharing impressions of actually using various gear, examining the strain on the drive components likely caused by repeated jumping, and checking the connection between the upper and lower body.
 
Despite various issues, we were finally able to conclude this mission safely.
 
If there was a problem, it was that the next test schedule had been decided before I even returned.
 
When I heard that, I couldn’t help but say, “Hey, wait a minute!”
 
Setting aside my personal circumstances since I’m now officially commissioned, we need to update the mech, develop new equipment, and get familiar with the existing gear (especially the reloading systems) before we can even think about the next mission!
 
How can they arbitrarily decide the schedule without knowing how long all that will take?! After I argued strongly, the old man Mogami reluctantly gave in.
 
However, he did say, “Are you sure? You can get promoted faster if you go to the battlefield.” I wonder what that old man thinks of me.
 
Maybe he’s mistaken me for some bundle of rebellious spirit trying to climb the ranks and get close to those in power to avenge my parents?
 
Sure, I have a sister who’ll likely grow up to be a beautiful woman, but that’s our only similarity. I’m neither a mama’s boy nor a daddy’s boy, and I haven’t adapted to space. I’m just a very ordinary high school student.
 
Well, when I got home and my dear sister asked about the mech, I explained the details. When we got to talking about weight, she worried about always carrying 35 kilos. I told her, “It’s fine. It’s lighter than you.” She nearly threw a knife at me and tried to pour boiling hot bean paste on me.
 
Hot bean paste and burdock root should not be used as weapons. It’s dangerous.
 
“Well, another day to do my best… Huh?”
 
After such heartwarming interactions with my family, I went to school, where I couldn’t help but notice a change in the gazes directed at me.
 
What’s this? Did something happen during the few days I was absent from school?
 
Like deciding on groups for workplace visits or choosing class representatives?
 
If I’ve been assigned to some committee, I’m fully prepared to flatly refuse.
 
Not that I care if it’s not me.
 
“Oh my. You finally came? It’s good to see you’re so relaxed, Lieu-ten-ant.”
 
“What do you mean ‘finally’? It’s 10 minutes before homeroom, you know?”
 
As I was confused by the meaning of the gazes directed at me, the one who called out to me was, as expected or perhaps unexpectedly, my only friend, Flowe… I mean, Isotani-san.
 
(Ah, I see. So that’s what it is. I completely understand now.)
 
With her casually addressing me as “Lieutenant,” I understood the meaning of the gazes from those around us. I think this is one of Isotani-san’s good points, how she helps out in these subtle ways.
 
The content of the gazes I felt was a mixture of not knowing how to react to my sudden promotion and curiosity about how I got promoted.
 
From my perspective, it’s nothing more than an annoying story of being ordered by the boss to go to the air force base, only to be dragged out to the battlefield and made to experience actual combat under the pretext of collecting data. But for those who want to go to the battlefield, want to excel there, and want to be promoted, I suppose the basic premise is different.
 
(If they want to switch places, I’d gladly do it. If only I could say that, it would be easy.)
 
Well, I understand their feelings.
 
And once I understand that, the solution is simple. Yes, I just need to go along with Isotani-san. That’s all. At least she wouldn’t do anything that would put me at a one-sided disadvantage.
 
She wouldn’t, right? I’m trusting you.
 
“Oh? I thought you’d come early to brag about it.”
 
You wanted me to leak information under the guise of bragging, right? I get it.
 
“Even if you say ‘brag,’ it’s not like I did anything on my own. And the whole lieutenant thing is, well, the result of piling exception upon exception. There’s nothing to brag about.”
 
In fact, I became a lieutenant, albeit a special duty one, before achieving any war results. And the fact that I was able to achieve results in actual combat was entirely due to the performance of the mech and old man Mogami’s thorough preparations with armaments and behind-the-scenes work. It’s definitely not something for me to boast about.
 
“Oh? I’d like to hear more details about that.”
 
But a promotion is a promotion, even if it’s an exception. Unlike me, my classmates who aim to be promoted through military achievements probably can’t overlook the existence of this ‘exception’ that allows promotion while still a student.
 
So they want to know more. I can understand that feeling. I can understand it, but what’s in it for me if I share that information?
 
“Any further information will require a separate fee.”
 
I meant to convey that I had no intention of disclosing any more information. However, Isotani-san seemed to interpret it as ‘if you pay, I’ll sell you the information’…
 
“How much?”
 
She jumped on it eagerly.
 
I hadn’t even thought about a price. But having said it once, I can’t just say “Never mind” without earning some frowns. It would be a shame to lose my only friend over something like this.
 
(Now, what should I do?)
 
As I was pondering this, a gentleman suddenly appeared in my mind and gave me a brilliant idea.
 
— Think about it the other way around. It’s okay to give the information. Just demand an amount that a student couldn’t possibly pay right away —
 
(That’s it!)

READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM


 
Originally, the price of a product is born from the negotiation between the demand side and the supply side’s value perceptions. Therefore, an appropriate price doesn’t emerge at the initial stage.
 
So what if I say, “The value of this information is 1 million yen,” and they say, “That’s too expensive”? If I then say, “Then I won’t sell it,” the conversation ends there.
 
I didn’t say I wouldn’t share the information. They just chose not to buy it.
 
This way, I won’t have lied, and it gives them a reason to give up. There might be some dissatisfaction, but keeping information confidential is a matter of course for a soldier, so I probably won’t be resented.
 
It’s truly a brilliant plan.
 
The problem is that I don’t know the appropriate price for information, so I don’t know how much to charge to make them give up.
 
If it’s too high, I might be thought of as a ‘lowly person’ and lose the friendship, but if it’s too low, they might buy it. Maintaining friendly relations while not leaking information.
 
Having to do both is the tough part of being both a soldier and a student.
 
Are you ready? I am.
 
“…About 500,000 yen, I guess.”
 
It’s Isotani-san after all. For a number decided on the spur of the moment, it’s not bad, is it?
 
There was a time when I thought so.
 
“I’ll buy it.”
 
“That was quick!”
 
I thought it would be fairly high for a soldier and definitely a large amount for a student. I was planning to snort and say, “Considering a lieutenant’s salary, this is nothing,” if she said it was expensive.
 
But for her to buy it so easily, isn’t that a bit much?
 
“I don’t know if it’s quick or not, but I’ve definitely bought it. Let’s see. How about you tell me during our next practical training session? Oh, and don’t sell it to anyone else until I ask, okay? Of course, I know you’re not the type of fool who’d carelessly spread information to just anyone, but just in case.”
 
Now that she’s secured my word, she definitely won’t let me off the hook, and she’s saying it’s okay to sell after she’s heard it, but not for less than 500,000 yen, right?
 
“…Roger.”
 
And so, realizing I had underestimated the value of my information and Isotani-san’s financial means, I found myself attending class that day in a gloomy mood. I was planning how to sort out what I could and couldn’t tell her, and even considering negotiating to return some of the excess payment I received.
 


 
“…As you’ve heard. If you want information, you’ll have to wait until after me, okay?”
 
“Well, as long as I get the information in the end, I don’t mind.”
 
“Maybe talking to Isotani-san will lower the hurdle in his mind.”
 
“That’s possible.”
 
“I’d like you to introduce me normally, though?”
 
“Hmm… Can’t you do that yourself? It feels weird to introduce classmates at this point. Well, I think you’ll naturally get closer if you’re near me.”
 
“True,” everyone agreed.
 
“…Women are scary.”
 
“You’re only realizing that now?”


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