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To cut to the chase, the former soldiers of Harkein didn’t have any significant information.

“Harkein’s full-time employees included Ose and one other person, but full-timers never came to guard a backwater location like this one. You know how full-time employees can have completely different pays even when doing the same job, right? They kick back, take plenty of vacation, and leave the tough, dirty, and dangerous work to temporary employees.”

At the welcoming party, held in the dining hall of the Lanpeach Complex, the team leader shared this tidbit over a banquet. Yep, totally relatable. Exploiting cheap labor through temps was standard even in the previous world.

They turned out to be ordinary people despite their background as former demon soldiers. Guess enemies vary in quality too.

“This conger eel fish dish is delicious. The bones are crunchy. And this Peking duck, it’s my first time trying it. Are you really only supposed to eat the skin? The meat looks tasty too.” 

Enjoying the fluffy conger eel after it was expertly deboned and savoring the crisp Peking duck skin wrapped in thin pancakes, the diners were impressed by the textures.

“Aah, don’t worry about the cost. Eat as much as you like. From now on, we’re colleagues working together. Naturally, you’re honorary full-time hunters.” (Lanpeach)

The soldiers hesitated as they tentatively tasted the high-end cuisine, their eyes betraying doubt about whether they should be indulging in such luxurious food, so Lanpeach encouraged them to dig in with a smile.

“You’ll be the backbone of the Kouza Company moving forward. Of course, if you don’t want to work for us and prefer to join another company, that’s fine too. Just eat to your heart’s content. Everything here is top-notch cuisine that I rarely get to enjoy myself, so don’t worry since I won’t say something stingy like ‘I won’t forgive you if you dine and dash’. Nope, I’d never say something so petty.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach, kind-hearted as ever, reassured the group, trusting in their sincerity. Moments like these make words like “sincerity” feel especially fitting.

While the mansion residents cheerfully feasted and chatted noisily, the former demon soldiers sat sweating nervously. Maybe it was too warm; perhaps lowering the air conditioning would help.

“…Argh, this is the first time I’ve had such good treatment! I’ve made up my mind!”

“Yeah, yeah! I’m eating until I’m full!”

“Me too! And I’m drinking real alcohol, not that synthetic stuff!”

“I’ll have seconds on the Peking duck! I’ll eat the meat later, so please pack it in a container. First, I’ll enjoy the skin!”

Suddenly, they began eating with gusto as if on a dare. Perhaps they had a change of heart. It was encouraging to see. One person seemed to be eating more than everyone else combined despite being unrelated though.

The party finally loosened up, and the atmosphere turned lively. People started singing, sharing silly stories, and pairing up with residents.

“Usa, usa, usa, usasa!”

“We’re genius bunnies-usasa!”

“Chasing after carrots!”

A small stage was set up, and fluffy, white-furred bunnies danced, wagging their tails and shaking their hips in an adorable bunny dance.

“Koume too! Koume wants to shing too! Yoisho!” (Koume)

“I’m dancing too! I’m dancing too-deshu!” (Mei)

Naturally, Koume and the others couldn’t resist joining in, climbing onto the stage and stirring up even more excitement with their chorus.

“Lan, these people lived in the Underground District, didn’t they? They’re not so different from us though.” (Chihiro)

The festivities continued, and Chihiro approached Lanpeach, who was sampling sashimi and sipping sake. She poured him a drink, and Lanpeach couldn’t help grinning at the thought of being served by a beautiful girl.

“Well, inequality never truly disappears. Big companies outsource jobs to subcontractors of subcontractors. Even without doing much, they justify middlemen with terms like ‘outsourcing’. It’s the same as before: these guys were just pitifully stuck at the bottom of the ladder.” (Lanpeach)

Even if a job’s contract was worth a hundred million yen, by the time it filtered down, the final company might only receive ten million, and the temporary workers would end up with a pittance. Such was the harsh reality even in his previous life.

“That’s… really unfortunate, especially since they seem so strong. But I guess it’s still better than life in the slums.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro appeared puzzled but showed no sympathy, as survival in the slums was a brutal game of eat or be eaten. You would sleep with the question of whether you will be able to see the sun rise tomorrow.

“More white rice, please!”

“You’re eating rice with Peking duck? Isn’t that a terrible pairing?” (Lanpeach)

The sight of a cheerful girl raising her empty rice bowl dispelled bad memories, bringing a smile to Lanpeach’s face.

“Dwelling on the past won’t help. Just swallow those bitter memories along with your rice and digest them. There’s no need to recall unhappy times.” (Lanpeach)

“That doesn’t sound very inspiring, Lan.” (Chihiro)

Chihiro chuckled, but a bit of levity was just what everyone needed. 

Lanpeach smiled gently, watching everyone enjoy their meals.

◇◇

That said, they didn’t come away completely empty-handed.

“Have you finished analyzing the terminal? What kind of data did it contain?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach visited the colony’s research lab after the lively and fun banquet. The rabbits were diligently sniffing around the terminal they retrieved from the enemy facility, trying to extract its secrets.

The soldiers didn’t provide any useful information, but within the facility, there was an administrator’s desk where a terminal had been left behind.

“We’re currently investigating-usa.”

“Hmph, with our combination attack, this terminal is a piece of cake, right? Hey, do you think hitting it from this angle will fix it?”

“Hitting it won’t fix it-usa!”

There’s a rabbit who is wearing a lab coat and adjusting its fake glasses, and beside this rabbit sat a girl, Tsurugi Touka, excitedly raising her arm. Though it felt like it has been a while since they last met, how did she even get in here?

“I temporarily permitted her access, as there’s a chance that an amateur’s perspective could offer a solution. It’s an example of my brilliant decision-making, of course. Feel free to praise me.” (Mira)

Mira puffed out her chest with pride while munching on dorayaki. It was a mystery where she procured such a large stash of the treats, but he now understood who she got them from.

“She doesn’t look all that helpful. Can’t the Space Library handle this kind of analysis?” (Lanpeach)

“This network isn’t connected to the Space Library’s system-usa. It requires someone with a physical body to investigate directly-usa.”

The rabbit tapped on the laptop sitting on the table with a serious expression. But being a rabbit, its puffed-up cheeks only made the rabbit look cute.

“This terminal is protected by a password that changes every hour, along with five layers of security, including one-time passwords and biometric authentication. It’s nearly impossible to access-usa.”

“Well, considering most of their data is likely transmitted via thought communication, this terminal might just be for show. Probably not much important data on it.” (Lanpeach)

The rabbit opened a drawer with its white-furred hand and pulled out some rice crackers, which it began nibbling on. Looks like the snacks were prepared to get a breather.

“I’d like to help too. I have some confidence in my security-cracking skills. Besides, I’m craving something salty now.” (Mira)

Mira, who was overflowing with generosity, reached for the drawer, prompting the lab-coated rabbit to frantically and futilely resist. Meanwhile, Lanpeach began fiddling with a laptop on the side.

“These things don’t change much in design, do they?” (Lanpeach)

“Yeah, even after all these years, keyboards and monitors remain the standard unless you’re dealing with brainwave-controlled systems.” (Libra)

Libra also started poking the laptop and nodded in agreement. Unless human form itself changes, this setup would probably stay the same.

“Hey, Libra, can’t you crack this security? We need any enemy data we can get.” (Lanpeach)

Watching Mira don sunglasses and say ‘I will now start the research’ as she started inspecting the rabbits’ drawers, the sighing Lanpeach asked this question.

“Hmm, this security is tough even with my power. The passwords and procedures change every few seconds. Let me give it a try; hold on for a bit.” (Libra)

Libra placed her hands on the laptop, and magic circles appeared in her eyes. A blue light enveloped her, creating a mystical atmosphere that was almost mesmerizing. Lanpeach’s eyes were stolen by this, so he acted as if he couldn’t notice the battle between Mira and the lab-coated rabbits in the background.

“Material analysis initiated… Physical interaction starting… Generating a false anagram…” (Libra)

Encased in the blue glow, Libra muttered phrases that sounded technical. Her determination was impressive. Good job, Libra! You can do it!

Lanpeach watched her with trust and anticipation for once, genuinely impressed.

Meanwhile, Touka pointed at a sticker on the laptop.

“Hey, hey, old man. There’s a sticker on the back of the monitor. Could it be some alien code?” (Touka)

[Emergency: runa8ken Run@215506. The master card is behind the drawer.]

Yep, there it was. Makes sense. Five-layer authentication isn’t practical for everyday use. Whoever set this up probably used the emergency pass regularly. People who think lightly of security do stuff like this!

“Kuh, this is really hard! But I think I’ve figured out the logic. If I take about a week, I think I can crack the security.” (Libra)

Libra exhaled deeply. She looked both exhausted and satisfied. She seemed proud of her efforts, as if working itself had brought her joy.

Touka and Lanpeach exchanged glances and nodded in silent agreement. Their hearts were as one; the conclusion was unanimous.

“Alright, keep it up. You’re the only one we can rely on, Libra!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach patted her head with a smile, and Libra responded with a happy, bashful grin. Seeing her like this, there was no need to provide her with unnecessary information.

Waiting a week wasn’t too bad. It’s nice to let Libra shine once in a while…and it’d be cruel to say otherwise!

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