Worthless Skill Escape (WN)

Chapter 236

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TL: ALT

Chapter 236 – Fighting the Air

◇Serika Akenojo’s Point of View

In a meeting room in one of the central government buildings in Kasumigaseki, I, Serika Akenojo, raised an issue with the committee members, who were all wearing suits.

“The compulsory wearing of items called ‘freedom collars’ is an undeniable violation of human rights. It should be abolished immediately.

This is the third time I have made this argument here.

The other committee members look fed up.

I am currently serving on a government panel with the long-winded name “Expert Panel on the Acceptance of Immigrants Seeking to Explore the Other World.”

When I was asked to join as a member, I considered declining.

As the leader of a medium-sized guild, I am also an S-rank explorer.

In this world, being a woman and being young are not disadvantages but rather desirable qualities.

However, the chairman of this panel of experts is Seiji Tozaki―or rather, Prime Minister Tozaki, who is the current Prime Minister of this country.

I don’t understand why he approached me since I have a deep connection with Yuto―and, thus, with me.

Haitani-chan’s analysis is that I, as a young female Explorer, was just the right person to appeal to the neutrality of the meeting.

However, Yuto’s analysis is more of a concern to me.

Seiji Tozaki’s unique ability is Change of Strategy, which means that he can force a social group that recognizes him as its leader to implement a strategy.

The exact conditions for activating this unique skill are unknown. I’ve heard an explanation of the skill from Yuto, but only Tozaki himself would know how it actually works.

However, it is broad enough that one could read the vote for his party in the proportional representation part of the Upper House election as indirect support for him as the new president after the election.

We should probably see that a Change of Strategy works for the members of this expert panel as well.

After much consideration, I accepted the position of a member of the expert panel.

This country is changing fast.

And the direction of that change seemed very dangerous to me.

Even though I was only a token committee member, I was still a committee member.

I had the right to speak at the meeting.

Rather than just sit back and do nothing, I wanted to use my position to make the public aware of my concerns about the current situation.

The problem was the risk of being subjected to a “strategy,” but I had a countermeasure for that.

Well, it was a countermeasure based on Yuto.

Yuto will ‘Archive’ and ‘Reappraise’ my status, and if he thinks I’m about to be put under a ‘Strategy,’ he’ll immediately do a ‘Forced Release.’

So, Yuto will watch over my status during the meeting.

Even though we’re in different places, he can do that, so I’m just speechless.

However, in order for Tozaki to change his strategy, there is a high probability that he will have to declare that he is changing his strategy.

The famous “Great Speech” also contains a declaration that he will change his strategy.

The reason why he can make such a declaration without arousing suspicion remains a mystery.

Is it the effect of his unique skill itself, or is he using some other skill in combination?

Even Yuto’s Escape distorts the perceptions of others who are caught up in it.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Change of Strategy had a similar effect.

Whoa. I have to concentrate on the meeting now.

“So you’re saying we should just let the explorers from another world, whose backgrounds we don’t know, run wild?”

The person who asked this was an assistant professor from a foreign university who had been invited as a young debater.

The way he spoke and the tone of his voice gave me the impression that he was quite aggressive.

I refuted him.

“Isn’t the basic philosophy of modern society that as a human being, whether you’re Japanese or an otherworlder, you have the right to be treated as a human being? Treating a foreigner who hasn’t committed a crime as a potential criminal from the start and preventing him from disobeying the orders of the Japanese is going too far, no matter how you look at it.

In fact, the liberal countries of the West have expressed “serious concern” over the Japanese government’s treatment of the otherworlders.

There are countless overseas media outlets that have warned the world with scathing comments such as “Japan’s Prime Minister Declares Slavery?”

The reaction of the Japanese Internet was――

“They have been invited to work in wealthy Japan. It is only natural that they accept some restrictions on their behavior. They should be given proper guidance.”

A female member of parliament with expertise made a comment that would probably get a lot of “likes” on social networking sites.

She is a middle-aged member of parliament who is known within her own political party as a conservative ideologue.

“Can you say that a foreigner from another world who doesn’t wear a collar should not be forced to wear one, even if he assaulted a Japanese woman? If you were to experience such a thing yourself, would you say that the human rights of the foreigner are more important? Or is it that you are so strong that you don’t care?”

“…That’s a change of point of discussion.”

I managed to point this out to the representative, who attacked me with a line of reasoning that mixed in sexual harassment.

“There are also Japanese people who commit crimes. If you’re going to let them work as party members of Japanese explorers, don’t you think it’s only natural to give them appropriate status and guarantee their basic human rights?”

“Akenojo-san, don’t you know what happened in Europe? In Europe, which accepted a large number of refugees from the Middle East, crimes committed by refugees became rampant. Violence, looting, murder, assault… They don’t even try to understand the laws, culture, or values of the host country, and they create their own communities and shut themselves off, illegally occupying parts of the city and even refusing to let police officers in―and you want us to allow the same thing to happen in Japan?”

“If we limit the number of people we admit and provide them with adequate training, we should be able to greatly reduce the risk. There is no need to admit so many that the population of Japan will more than double in a short period of time.”

This time, a male professor (who seemed to specialize in history) on the committee spoke up.

“The country’s declining birthrate shows no signs of stopping, and if things continue as they are, Japan’s international influence will be less than half of what it is now in a few decades. We can no longer afford to be picky. People are the foundation of a country. A country cannot exist without its people. Accepting otherworlders who can be expected to play an active role as soldiers when the time comes, as explorers, is the best policy for the future of this country.”

“Even if other countries criticize Japan for bringing in otherworlders and enslaving them?”

“You’re young, so you may not understand, but international politics is a naked power game where niceties don’t apply. If Japan looks like it’s gaining power, other countries will all oppose it. That’s all there is to it. It’s just stupid jealousy.”

“I think your concerns about human rights are valid.”

“The concept of human rights originated in the West and is not unique to Japan. Japan has always valued harmony. Nowadays, Japanese people are always talking about their rights. Subjugation, patience, and devotion to country and society are the virtues of the Japanese people! Men work, and women stay at home! The birthrate is declining because we are neglecting the virtues and good manners that have been fostered in this country! You can talk about it all you want after you’ve had a child!”

“This is blatant sexism or, rather, sexual harassment. I could question your qualifications as a committee member, couldn’t I?”

“Do what you want! I swear to the gods of heaven and earth that I’m only saying what’s right, no matter what you little girl says! Other human rights? You can talk about that nonsense after you’ve contributed to the population of this country! Besides, even if their human rights are restricted to some extent when they experience Japan’s wonderful culture and economic prosperity, those uncultured otherworlders will be impressed and want to live in this country!”

The historian said this and, as if pleased with his own words, patted his protruding belly.

I suppressed my irritation and said,

“Isn’t that just your delusion, your wishful thinking? Not all Japanese are the kind of nationalists you imagine them to be.”

“What! How dare you! It’s ridiculous that a mere girl like you is called upon to discuss matters of state! When you get married and have children, you’ll understand that what I say is right! Then come back and see me again!”

“…When you open your mouth, you should have children, is that it?”

As I was stunned and at a loss for words to reply,

“Professor Kodaira, that’s enough.”

The historian sat down with a red face, interrupted by a cold voice.

His eyes were still staring at me, but he didn’t seem to open his mouth.

It was none other than Seiji Tozaki who silenced the historian with a single word.

Tozaki, who is now the Prime Minister, is the chairman of this panel of experts and has volunteered to moderate the proceedings.

It’s hard to say whether this was the catalyst for the change in strategy or not.

The “experts” chosen by the current government could be said to be supporters of Tozaki, to begin with.

Perhaps they even invited some experts who were critical of the government, but they may have been too afraid of being grilled at the meeting to attend.

Even so, there is a possibility that the government had a hidden agenda to try to win over the experts who had the backbone to come on board with a change of strategy.

If there was someone like that, I was thinking of introducing him to Yuto and having him use Force Release to break the strategy.

Whether the people who decided not to participate were cowardly or wise, I can’t say for sure.

In any case, I am the only one at this meeting who opposes the Prime Minister’s policy.

But if everyone around me is the enemy, then I can speak my mind without any reservations.

“Chairman, Professor Kodaira’s earlier remarks were not only harassment against me but also a denigration of all women in this country. I cannot help but question Professor Kodaira’s qualifications as a committee member. I call for his dismissal.”

“W-what did you say!?”

The historian shouts, but I’m serious.

I know that many people have lost their original way of thinking due to Tozaki’s Change of Strategy.

Even that professor wouldn’t have been so blatant about his misogyny before.

If you think that the hidden discrimination that was kept in the background has been brought out into the open by Tozaki’s “strategy,” then you can’t help but feel some sympathy for him.

But I don’t think he should be allowed to remain on the committee.

“Then let’s vote. Who is in favor of the motion to dismiss Professor Kodaira, which was proposed by Committee Member Akenojo?”

Of course, I raised my hand.

However, the other committee members did not move.

“The motion proposed by Committee Member Akenojo was rejected by a majority vote. The next item on the agenda…”

I bite my lip.

I don’t want to admit it, but in today’s Japan, Professor Kodaira is by no means an exception.

There are even more radical comments on the Internet, and they are attracting a lot of supporters.

Genron.net, which was temporarily closed due to the outcry from intellectuals in various fields as a result of Yuto’s actions, has now reopened, and the aggressive exchange of opinions is even more intense than before.

There have even been cases where heated discussions have led to actual murders.

The aide sitting next to Tozaki looks down at the documents in front of him and starts working on the next topic.

“Three months have passed since the opening of the Otherworld Corridor in Okutama Lake Dungeon. At the end of this month, after the completion of their instruction in the Japanese language and society, it will finally be possible to invite the first group of explorers from the otherworld.”

There was a flurry of voices.

Except for me, the reaction was especially strong from the other explorer guild masters.

In addition to me, several masters from major guilds are attending this meeting as members of the expert committee.

Of course, their position is “on that side.”

“In order to ensure fairness, it has been decided that the bidding will be conducted in an open auction format. The highlight will be the level 2294 female elf. She is a former court mage of the kingdom of Erythusia. Hecatonchires has publicly announced that it will bid one billion for her.”

“One billion!”

“Even if it’s a shallow one, if Hecatonchires wants to go into an S-rank dungeon, it means we can expect a good return. Last month, it was decided by special legislation that the proceeds from the auction would be used as a special fund to ‘expand business in the other world.'”

A business expansion fund―in other words, they’re going to use the money they made selling people to buy more people.

“What about the idea of establishing a new Ministry of the Other World?”

“The tug-of-war between the various ministries is fierce, so it won’t be easy to coordinate things quickly.”

Tozaki reacted to these words.

“Please silence the bureaucrats in the relevant departments on my behalf. I want you to create a ‘Ministry of the Other World’ that really works, not a compromise product of the tug-of-war between the ministries.”

The committee members let out excited voices at Tozaki’s words.

After that, many things were decided right over my head.

This was supposed to be a place to listen to experts’ opinions, but with Tozaki around, anything could be decided.

In fact, since Tozaki became Prime Minister, the reorganization of the administrative structure has proceeded at an alarming rate.

Ever since I was born, I’ve heard criticism in the news about the slowness of political and bureaucratic reform, but that’s not the case with the current Tozaki administration.

I tried to stop the muddy torrent in front of me by interjecting a few words, but it seemed that my words did not resonate with anyone.

…I guess there’s nothing I can do.

Yuto, who went underground after being wanted by the police, is trying to do something only he can do from the depths of a dungeon.

I had hoped that my “fight” on the surface would give him cover, but when I opened my eyes, this was what I saw.

Who was the first person to say that Japan is an air-controlled society?

If it’s just a dictator in control, then all you have to do is get rid of the dictator.

Even if you don’t defeat him physically, criticism through speech can drive a dictator into a corner.

But when the opponent is air, it’s hard to know how to fight.

I’ve heard about Yuto’s plans, but they all seem to take a long time, and it’s not certain that they’ll work.

Even though it’s certain that Yuto will be the central figure, we also need a lot of other allies.

But making those allies is the difficult part of the current situation.

After he became Prime Minister, Tozaki created various social groups and recruited people to join them. He became the leader of each group and targeted them for the Change of Strategy.

Even if we thought that these people could become allies, if they voted for Tozaki’s party in the proportional representation part of the House of Councillors in the last election, they were already in his hands.

If the number is small, it is possible to ask Yuto to “cancel the strategy,” but there is also the risk that he will be used as bait to lure Yuto out.

I quietly watch Tozaki, who is watching the meeting, with a face that shows no emotion.

Tozaki must know that I am not under the “strategy.”

I wonder what Tozaki thinks?

Maybe he doesn’t think about it at all.

There must be people who don’t fall for Tozaki’s trap, just like me.

There are also people who maintain a certain level of rational judgment even after falling into a trap.

In the end, a trap only serves to distort a person’s natural personality.

In essence, it is just a skill with this level of effect.

As a way to use the skill, the main thing is the buffs, such as the increase in attack power that comes with a “Strategy” grant, and the negative effects on personality are just a side effect.

Tozaki used this to exploit the weaknesses of the democratic system.

Something like that should not be allowed.

Will it be before Tozaki’s ” scheme” engulfs the whole of Japan or before Yuto puts together the pieces he needs to turn things around?

I suppose I should panic, but for some reason, I’m not worried.

Yuto will do it.

I’ll just wait for the right moment and do what I can.

I’m used to waiting.

And Yuto will always come, even if he’s late.

It’s like he’s a hero who shows up at the very end.

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