落とし穴１３１堀：らいねんのえと (Part2)
"Hmm. What are those guys doing? Are they planning to pay for that 'cash prize' out of the recreation budget?"
"I haven't the slightest clue about the budget. Anyway, Boss, what do you think I should do?"
"For now, try asking Seraria for the details. If it's just combat training, just resign yourself to it. Or better yet, have all the Four Heavenly Kings gang up on her and give her a sound thrashing for once."
"No way, that's pretty harsh for my wife."
"Seraria's love for battle is a real problem. It's causing delays in Steve and his team's work, which is a huge headache. Oh, and since Seraria's own work is piling up too, Quar is furious. She's been asking me to put the fear of God into her, too."
"Ah, I see."
If we get tied up dealing with Seraria-neesan, it means her Queenly duties are falling behind, too. With the Boss's permission, if it really is combat training, I’ll go all out and take her down a peg.
"Alright, just wait a bit. Whether you decide to flee further depends on the outcome, I'll leave that to you. Just don't cause any damage to the facilities or the soldiers, okay?"
"Roger. But if those idiots attack me, all bets are off. Make it quick, Boss."
"Got it."
With that, I ended the call with the Boss. A moment of silence followed. I spent some time quietly in the warehouse. It seems my call wasn't traced...
"The signal came from around here. I'm sure the cucumber-maniac is hiding somewhere in this area. It's good training to find someone using optical camouflage. There's a cash prize on the line, so put your backs into it and find him!!"
"Yeah!!"
Steve's voice echoed all the way into the room. Damn, they did trace the call after all. Whether it's fortunate or not, the saving grace is that they don't know my exact location. To think they'd turn capturing me into a training exercise... did they account for this, too?
That guy... should I punch him later, even if it causes me trouble? Just as I steeled my resolve to bolt out, he spoke up.
"What's wrong, Boss?"
Hm? It seems the Boss contacted Steve directly.
"Eh? Wasn't Seraria-neesan's plan supposed to be civil engineering work?"
There was a hint of confusion in Steve's voice. Wait, were they planning to put us on construction duty?
"Ah, ah. I see. Understood."
It seems the conversation ended. Then, I received a call from the Boss.
"I've settled it. Steve shouldn't be attacking you anymore."
"I heard you talking right in front of me."
"Oh, then that makes it easier. Just come on out and head over to Seraria's place. It's nothing too terrible."
"Understood. I'm heading there now."
With that, I deactivated my optical camouflage and stepped out of the warehouse, where Steve and his men were loitering.
"Ah, so you were in a place like that. Finally decided to give up?"
"No, I heard from the Boss. I decided to just show up normally."
"Tch, you heard, huh? But this might be more troublesome than combat training, you know?"
"We'll see when we get there. But for now..."
I walked right up to Steve and landed a solid hit.
"Guh!? John... what are you..."
"You put a bounty on my head, why do you look so surprised? Well, with this, I'm turning myself in. The cash prize is gone, and all your hard work was for nothing."
"!?!"
My subordinates' faces changed at my final words. Well, anyone would be crushed if the reward they were expecting vanished. Ignoring them, I headed to Seraria-neesan's place...
"Yes, John. Put this on."
Seraria-neesan said with a smile, handing me a black *hakama* meant for celebrations. I knew it wasn't combat training, but I was so stunned by being handed clothes that I froze.
"Eh? Uh, why exactly?"
"Oh, in Japan, next year's zodiac sign is the Boar."
"What does that have to do with..."
"John, you're a boar, aren't you?"
"No, I'm an Orc..."
"Close enough. The zodiac is like a good luck charm. Apparently, boar meat symbolizes good health and longevity, and its traits are courage and adventure. Don't you think that's perfect for us?"
"Haa..."
This is bad. She's completely running wild.
"It's really interesting, isn't it? This kind of faith. From now on, I'll incorporate the zodiac into Weed's culture. It should boost sales for merchandise and such. It's industrial promotion. It'll give the craftsmen a great place to express themselves, too."
No, between this and whatever the Boss is planning, it's becoming a massive pain. I have to escape quickly, or my year-end and New Year holidays will vanish. I thought that and tried to run, but...
*Grab.*
She grabbed me with terrifying strength.
"Well then, work hard as the representative of the zodiac for the coming year. To start, to spread the zodiac in a big way, I'll have you dress up in formal attire and participate in various activities at the start of the year."
Just like that, my year-end and New Year holiday-free declaration was made with a smile.
Next year is the year of the Boar! Let's do our best!
And so, John ended up working through the New Year holidays. Being the zodiac representative is tough!
Now then, the year-end special begins!! Who's going to show up next?