Read Novel Full Vol 23 Chapter 22
Vol 23 Chapter 22
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Chapter 22 – Saporabi Conference
While waiting for Camille-san to finish her work and gather supplies in Lucca, Donatella-san joined us. They started learning the language of the southern continent. I feel a little pressure being their teacher, but having three beautiful women as students makes it worthwhile, so I don’t think it’s so bad.
“Camille, I think we need to check beforehand.”
“We’ve already done some preliminary checks on ships other than the Castle. Wouldn’t it be more effective to make an impact here among the royal and noble families?”
A heated discussion is taking place right in front of me.
The participants are me, Alessia-san, Camille-san, Donatella-san, Mauro-san, and the three Saporabis.
Alessia-san and I are keeping a low profile, while Mauro-san is trying to calm the discussion and act as a moderator. Camille-san, Donatella-san, and the three Saporabis are engaged in a fierce debate.
They are discussing the timing of Saporabi’s consciousness liberation on the Castle.
Camille-san emphasizes the importance of making an impact and wants to do it on the first regular voyage. She wants the consciousness liberation to be an event held after the ceremony, once the current Saporabis have gotten used to their new lives. Donatella-san emphasizes the importance of repeating the pre-introduction to improve completion levels.
The discussion cannot reach a conclusion because the three Saporabis are divided in their opinions.
One supports Camille-san, one supports Donatella-san, and one is neutral.
You might wonder why they are divided even though they are the same Saporabi. However, even though they are the same Saporabi, they have different souls. Liberating their consciousness means liberating their individuality, so it is natural that they have different opinions.
If their opinions were more evenly split, it would be easier to reach a conclusion. However, the neutral Saporabi complicates matters. Mauro-san is in the same position, but he is also the moderator and must remain neutral.
Incidentally, Alessia-san and I initially expressed our opinions to a certain extent and then went with the flow.
Once opinions began to diverge, attempts were made to persuade us to join their side. Halfway through, the persuasion turned into brainwashing, so we quickly gave up and became observers.
That’s why Alessia-san and I are just observers now.
I still didn’t expect the discussion about Saporabi to heat up at this point, though.
After gathering supplies in Lucca, and after Camille-san finished her work, we moved to Cagliari.
The rebellion had little impact here, allowing us to gather supplies smoothly. All that was left was to depart for the southern continent.
The only thing I was worried about was that we had gathered more supplies than expected and might have time for a detour to Dark Elf Island. However, I wasn’t sure what to do.
However, merchants pursue profits when they’re right in front of them. Now that I’m somewhat accustomed to the situation, I have the leeway to think about the Saporabi’s consciousness liberation, which led to this meeting.
Incidentally, Alessia-san and I were unaware of the meeting until just before it started. We were suddenly brought to the battlefield and felt as if we had been transported to a different place.
“We’re not getting anywhere like this. Should we add more people and hold the meeting again?”
“It’ll be difficult to have a constructive discussion if we add too many opinions from people who don’t know much about business.”
Camille-san and Donatella-san also felt it would be hard to reach a conclusion, so they considered restarting the meeting.
I don’t care; I just want to go back to my room. But if the meeting continues, I’ll be dragged into it, too. As the person in charge, I’ll have to attend the rescheduled meeting.
No, I have to make a decision today, even if I have to stay late.
I want to, but whether I can come up with a conclusion is another matter. I don’t usually care about this kind of thing, but at times like this, I hate my mediocrity.
Assuming I can’t come up with a solution on the spot, the important thing is that I don’t get involved in the meeting. In other words, if the meeting is postponed and a vague conclusion is reached, that’s fine.
After all, I’m not interested in profit.
I’m good at self-preservation. I can shift the focus of the problem. Camille-san and Donatella-san are talking about Saporabi. Okay, I’ve decided.
“We don’t yet have a complete understanding of Saporabi’s movements now that their consciousness has been freed. Shouldn’t we focus on that first?”
Everyone turned to look at me in surprise at my sudden outburst. I had been keeping a low profile, but they didn’t have to be so shocked. Especially you, Saporabi. I’m your employer—or rather, your summoner. I did kill you all, but…
It’s confusing how life works, isn’t it? I slaughtered you because you were profitable and delicious, and now you’re my subordinates. It’s all the Creator God-sama’s fault.
“Wataru-san, do you have any ideas?”
As I was thinking about it, Camille-san asked me a question. I wish she wouldn’t look at me with such an expectant expression.
“Well, it’s not a groundbreaking idea, but as a trial, I thought we could free the consciousness of the Saporabi assigned exclusively to Camille-san and the others. While you’re at it, give them names to deepen your relationship. While we’re at it, how about making those three Saporabi your subordinates?”
The three Saporabi are business-minded and talented, but honestly, dealing with them and their ideas is a hassle. I want to stay on this luxury liner and live an elegant life, even if it means I’m not productive.
“What? Is that okay?”
“That’s a wonderful suggestion.”
“Yes, I’d be happy if those children were conscious of their roles. Those three Saporabi are excellent and will definitely be a big help.”
The response was more favorable than I had expected. I had assigned them exclusively to support Camille-san and the others in their commercial activities. However, it seems that they were treated not only as subordinates but also were loved more than that.
After all, they are big stuffed animals that can move and help out. If I didn’t know the circumstances, I could understand why they would be so fond of them.
If we can set sail while they’re distracted by the Saporabi, Camille-san and Mauro-san can take care of things while we’re away.
“It’s decided. Wataru-san, please keep it like this.”
“I’ll take this one.”
“I’ll go with this one.”
The comment was intended to derail the meeting. As expected, the meeting ended inconclusively. However, Camille-san and the others started thinking about settings for their Saporabi, which caused the meeting to drag on even longer.
I suggested they think about it individually and reconvene the next day, but they kept putting it off, saying, “Just a little longer” and “Just a little more.” We ended up wasting over an hour.
Camille-san and the others were concerned about compatibility with the new Saporabi. Based on their interactions with the existing Saporabi, they had various thoughts and were particular about the settings.
I regret not continuing the meeting as usual.
“I understand your requests. However, I can’t guarantee that everything will be exactly as you want it to be, except for the names. Their personalities and preferences are entirely up to Saporabi.”
After all, it’s a liberation of consciousness. I don’t decide their will or personalities. As for their costumes, I can get a general idea when I summon them, but I won’t know the details.
Actually, the liberated Saporabi change their costumes to whatever they like. I don’t mind, as long as they don’t wear costumes that ruin the atmosphere of the ship. But I’m secretly curious about how they change their costumes.
“I understand. Please do your best, Wataru-san.”
Since you asked me to do my best, please don’t put too much pressure on me with your intense gaze.
“…I’ll give it a try.”
I read the specifications—or rather, the character sheets—submitted by Camille-san and the others. I recalled the Saporabis assigned exclusively to them and summoned them again.
While I’m at it, I’ll re-summon one of the three Saporabis and send the other two back. These three will be assigned to support Camille-san and the others.
“Kyaa! How cute, Josephine! Oh, Alan is cool—or rather, serious. But it suits him.”
Camille-san hugged them before I could check their personalities, but it seems that I was able to summon them as requested.
Her name is Josephine. She’s a female Saporabi wearing a white sailor uniform. One of them is named Alan. He wears black-rimmed glasses and old-fashioned bank clerk clothes. He looks serious but seems good at negotiation.
It would be scary to be forced into negotiations while dressed like that. It would feel like being scolded by an accountant. Well, I’ve never had to settle expenses before, though.
I wanted to check for problems, but that seems impossible right now, so I’ll continue summoning Donatella-san and Mauro-san’s Saporabi.
“Fufu, Sophia and Lorenzo, you look great together. I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Donatella-san greets them calmly, but her hands are shaking so much that it ruins the moment. If no one were watching, I would probably hug her and stroke her hair like I did with Camille-san.
Actually, I couldn’t resist and started stroking her hair.
Sophia and Lorenzo are wearing ribbed clothing with gold decorations that seem a bit flashy. I thought ribbed clothing looked better on slim people, but it suits the stocky bodies of the Saporabi somehow. It’s not bad, but it looks a little stiff.
Next, I summoned Mauro-san’s Saporabi.
“Ugh, why!”
Mauro-san cried out in surprise when he saw the Saporabi that appeared.
It was probably because the Saporabi that appeared was wearing the default sailor outfit. I had a feeling that would happen. It seems that the Saporabi rejected Mauro-san’s request after all.
I thought it might end up like this, if only a little.
It would be a relief if Mauro-san just gave up and accepted it, but it doesn’t seem likely. I still can’t go back to my room. I want Rimu and Pent to heal me.
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