第５６２堀：父は頑張る (Part1)
### Chapter 562: A Father Does His Best
**Side: Yuki**
Well then, after spending a holiday with my daughters, I’ve returned to the workplace once again.
I’m currently brimming with vitality.
"Right, time to knock out this work!"
There’s a mountain of things that need to be done. Once I finish the instructions for Baide, the requests for supplies, and the progress reports for Haiden, I’ll head back to Weed to resume the intercontinental exchange.
Honestly, lazing around at home isn't good for me.
They say children grow up watching the back of a father who can get things done, and with the cheers from my daughters, there’s no way I can’t give it my all.
As I was thinking that and clearing through my work at 150% of my usual speed, a voice suddenly called out to me.
"…Um, Boss?"
"Hm? Oh, Steve. What’s up?"
"No, well, it’s the surveillance report for the Haire Church in Haiden."
I accepted the report, feeling a bit suspicious of Steve’s skittish demeanor.
"Oh. Thanks."
Hmm. No particular movements, then.
Well, it’s just surveillance, after all. We’ve already concluded that if a Great Serpent were to appear here, it would exceed the processing capabilities of Weed and Haiden, so poking the hornet’s nest should wait until the current workload settles down.
Fortunately, since I’ve turned the Haiden royal capital into a dungeon, I can monitor it, so I’d know immediately if anything dangerous were brought in.
And the ones monitoring the movements of the Haiden royal capital are…
"Yo, excuse me. Oh, Boss? Steve’s here too?"
"Ah, yeah. Is that you, John?"
"Hm? What’s wrong with you? Well, whatever. Boss, here’s the report."
"Nice timing, John. Thanks."
"Nnngh??"
I was just in need of that report on the Haiden royal capital.
Now, time to get to work.
Still, John seems a bit strange, too.
No, work comes first right now.
The dummy Magic Gears in the Haiden royal capital were all recovered during that big roundup the other day, and as of today, no new Magic Gears have been confirmed.
Nothing has been brought in from strange locations, nor has anything appeared suddenly, so it doesn't seem like there are any entry routes we aren't aware of.
Even the most suspicious party, the Haire Church, can have the number of their private rooms clearly grasped via the dungeon’s call screen, so the possibility of them hiding something is low.
It’s possible they might be storing things in treasure chest-like containers with magic-blocking properties, but since no Magic Gears have appeared from the Haire Church so far, that probability is low.
There was that whole commotion regarding the dummy Magic Gears in Haiden. If they were involved, it wouldn't be strange for them to try and retrieve them for confirmation or their own safety.
But since there was absolutely no sign of that, the Haire Church is currently in the clear.
The theory that the letter was a bluff to disrupt our investigation is the most likely.
"Both of you, I’ve read the reports. There are no suspicious movements for now. However, a full-scale investigation will have to wait until things in Weed and Haiden settle down. Once I finish the paperwork here, I’m heading back to the intercontinental exchange. I’m leaving the surveillance of Haiden to you two from here on out, so I’m counting on you."
"A-aye, sir."
"U-understood."
The two of them replied to my words.
However, for some reason, there was a sense of discomfort in their response.
As their superior and as a friend, I figured it would be best to offer some consultation.
"You two. You’ve been acting strange since a moment ago. Did something happen?"
I spoke to them as a fine father who can be proud of his considerate daughters, but the two of them…
"No, the one acting strange is you, Boss!!"
They retorted with a single arm, accompanied by a sound effect that would fit a *thwack!*
"How so? I’m just working like normal, aren't I?"
"No, no, that’s not your usual 'working' expression. Right, John?"
"Yeah. It’s clearly weird. You’re usually scratching away with a look of zero motivation, but today, you’re tearing through it."
"Isn't that just a difference in mood?"
"No, Boss, even if you get hyped up over games or something, you never get like that for work. You’re basically saying 'I’m gonna do this work!' right now, aren't you?"
"No, I mean, even for work..."
Just as I was about to argue back, wondering what kind of talk that was, Ria and Deryu, who had been helping with the paperwork next to me, were suddenly standing behind Steve and John…
"Steve. Let’s go over here for a second. There’s something I want to ask about the supply documents."
"John. Shall we have a little talk? I have some thoughts on this content as well."
Saying that, they dragged the two of them out of the office.
I tilted my head, wondering why they didn't just talk inside the room, but I figured it was probably to give them a break.
After all, it was almost noon and we’d been working since morning without a single rest.
Usually, we’d be doing this while drinking tea or coffee, but since we were pressed for time, I’d been pushing through without any of that today.
When I was in Japan, desk work without tea in the morning was standard, and since I didn't smoke, I was fine without breaks, but here in Weed, we’ve always taken proper breaks. Maybe my wives found today’s way of working a bit harsh.
It’s tough for subordinates to take a break when their boss is working hard.
Especially if they’re married, I suppose.
Maybe I shouldn't be doing things the way I used to.
A man who can do good work isn't one who breaks the rules to push himself, but one who achieves maximum results within the rules.
There’s no point if I’m the only one running ahead and those around me can’t keep up.
I should reflect on that.
While I was thinking about such things, the four of them returned, perhaps having finished their break.
"Oh, Steve, John. About what we were talking about earlier…"
"No, Boss! Thank you for your hard work!! Please, keep doing your best!! Motivation is important, isn't it!!"
"That’s right!! There’s nothing wrong with finishing work quickly. Man, Boss, I’m sorry about earlier!!"
"In that case, we’ll be taking our leave so we don't get in the way of your work any further!!"
"I thought maybe I was pushing myself a little too hard… wait, oh, yeah."
The two of them spoke with incredible intensity and left.
And Ria and Deryu watched them go with smiles on their faces.
What was that about? As I was wondering, I could hear muffled voices from beyond the door.
"…That’s how it is. Poor Boss."
"Yeah. …They really weren't kidding when they said marriage is a graveyard."
Marriage is a graveyard? That sounds incredibly nostalgic… like something packed with my own youth, and now I’m realizing it…
While I was falling into such a strange sensation due to the voices beyond the door, Ria and Deryu swung the door open vigorously.
"Ah, lightning strikes for those who are gossiping!"
"And here, a bit of fist pressure for those who are complaining about people’s views on marriage for some reason."
"Gyaaaah!?"
What are you two doing?
Well, I doubt that level of force would cause more than a scratch, but still.
"Hey. Surely, Steve, John. Are you two alr—"
"Oh, I’m sorry. Are you two alright?"
"My, my, I’m sorry. Are you hurt?"
Realizing they might have gone a bit too far, the two of them rushed over to Steve and John.
Well, as expected, they weren't injured by that level of force and stood up immediately.
"I-I’m fine!! Come on, let’s get back to work, John!!"
"Y-yeah, that’s right!! Let’s go, work!"
With that, the two of them ran off.
However, I couldn't just let their violent behavior from earlier slide.
"Hey. I don't think that was necessary, you two…"
"No. That won't do, Yuki-san. We could hear the voices of those two from the other side of the door, you know? It’s unacceptable to be talking in such loud voices."
"Indeed. This is a military facility. There are many classified matters, and talking loudly and insensitively in such a place is nothing but a nuisance to those who are working seriously."
"But still… that was so sudden…"
"If they were ordinary soldiers, a warning would suffice, but those two are generals of the Monster Army. With them acting like that, a verbal warning wouldn't set a proper example, would it?"