Isekai Nonbiri Nouka

My name is Messer.

I’m a forty-year-old demon.

My job is serving as the personal civil officer to Youko-sama, the acting village chief of Village Five.

According to village chief, my position is officially that of a “secretary”.

I don’t quite understand the title, but it sounds special, and I rather like that.

Unfortunately, I’m not Youko-sama’s only secretary.

There’s simply no way a single person could support someone like her, who represents a region as large as Village Five.

There are about ten of us.

While there isn’t a clear ranking among the ten secretaries… I’d say I’m around fourth place.

Please take care of this Messer from now on.

-0-

Now then, as Youko-sama’s secretary, my duties are many and varied.

Today, I find myself in one of the many reception rooms within Village Five’s council hall, attending to guests.

It’s just past noon.

My guests today are representatives of a certain religion.

They’re humans—apparently of some standing, given that they arrived with a group of over twenty.

Well, regardless of how many they bring, only so many can fit into a reception room.

The purpose of their visit? To put it simply, they want us to build one of their temples in Village Five.

Not they will build it—but they want us to build it.

In other words, they’re asking Village Five to provide land and construct the temple at our expense.

Of course, I refuse.

This isn’t my personal decision, but the official policy of Village Five.

If they want a temple, they’re free to build one with their own funds.

There’s no need to rely on us.

That should be obvious.

So why bring such a request to us?

I understand their reasoning.

They saw the shrine, didn’t they?

Village Chief had a shrine built.

Naturally, they assumed we might be open to constructing their temple as well.

They were hopeful.

Unfortunately, that shrine was funded entirely out of village chief’s own pocket.

No public funds from Village Five were used in its construction or upkeep.

Moreover, Village Five has no plans to fund any religious facilities.

When I explain this, most visitors ask to speak with someone above me—Youko-sama herself, or village chief.

I suppose they feel they’re not getting anywhere with a lowly secretary like me.

I understand how they feel.

But unfortunately for them, my superiors are even busier than I am and cannot spare the time.

So I must ask them to leave.

Some, at this point, will attempt to offer a bribe…

Let me make it clear—I am not seeking bribes.

In fact, assuming that I would be swayed by money is deeply insulting.

My loyalty to Village Five is not shallow.

And so, once again, I say:

Please take your leave.

-0-

They were quite persistent.

Well, at least they didn’t resort to invoking the name of their god to make threats, so I suppose that puts them in the more reasonable category.

Incidentally, as they were leaving, they happened upon the angel Reginleif-sama and attempted to petition her about building the temple.

Their religion is apparently practiced in the Garret Kingdom as well, so perhaps they were already acquainted.

Or maybe they simply thought that someone like Reginleif-sama could sway Village Five into agreeing.

Either way, standing just behind Reginleif-sama at the time—mostly hidden from view—was none other than our village chief.

They never realized this fact, so I see no need to elaborate on how that encounter ended.

-0-

Village Chief had apparently been summoned by Youko-sama.

I had a report to make to her as well, so I accompanied village chief.

Since I work here, I took the lead.

As we passed through the halls, those we encountered paused and bowed upon seeing village chief.

There was a time when people would simply walk past him without a glance.

It seems his face has finally become more widely recognized.

That’s a good thing.

Or rather—as it should be.

After all, he is the superior of Youko-sama herself.

-0-

Upon arriving at Youko-sama’s office, I knocked on the door.

One of the maids, who had been waiting just behind it, opened the door and gave me a puzzled look.

Normally, as a secretary, I would enter through the adjacent office next door and proceed into the main office from there.

However, today I was accompanying village chief.

Once the maid saw who stood behind me, her demeanor changed immediately.

After briefly announcing us, she opened the door wide and welcomed village chief inside.

I entered with him.

Reginleif-sama, who had accompanied village chief as his escort….

Remained by the door to stand guard.

Come to think of it, where were Daga-sama and Gulf-sama, who are usually always around?

When I asked Reginleif-sama, she said they had gone to check in with the guards.

Ah, right—village chief’s children, Ririus-sama, Riguru-sama, and Ratte-sama, are all stationed with the guards.

They were likely just going to see how they were doing.

Oh, right—let me reintroduce myself.

I am Messer, Youko-sama’s secretary.

Please take care of me from now on.

-0-

The conversation between village chief and Youko-sama covered a wide range of topics, but everything wrapped up smoothly.

The major points were:

– A request will be sent out to adventurers to locate a natural hot spring source near Village Five, as there’s a desire to develop a bathing facility.

– A section of land at the base of Village Five will be reserved for vacation estates for Demon King’s Kingdom nobles.

– A plan is underway for a recreational facility to be operated directly by Village Five.

– There was also a discussion regarding the newly planned “Five Village Bypass”, which is meant to alleviate congestion near the teleportation gate. There’s a difficult stretch of terrain, and the decision was whether to reroute or press forward as-is.

Village chief opted to press forward.

Apparently, he’ll personally handle the difficult area.

As expected of village chief.

Reliable as always.

The first- and second-ranked secretaries were present and recorded the entire discussion. They immediately began processing the necessary paperwork.

As for me, I was merely present because I had a report to make—so I didn’t have any specific duties this time.

But I’m glad I was here to hear such important matters firsthand.

Yes, very glad indeed.

Present in the room were the first and second secretaries—but not the third.

That would be Focke, the secretary I consider my rival.

And now, I’ve gained the upper hand in terms of information.

Sure, I’ll have to share the information with him later—but I was here for the actual discussion.

I witnessed the reasoning behind the decisions.

So if I’m assigned any follow-up work, I’ll be able to respond with much more flexibility and insight.

And given that I was in this meeting, odds are good I’ll be looped in.

Fufufu.

I can already picture the frustrated look on Focke’s face.

…That said, something else from the conversation is sticking with me.

There was frequent mention of installing a new teleportation gate.

But aren’t those teleportation gates under the jurisdiction of the Demon King’s Kingdom?

Eh?

One of village chief’s wives made them?

Ano—am I even supposed to know that?

……

Thank you very much for placing your trust in me.

Of course, I would never dream of leaking anything to outsiders.

As I was giving that solemn reply, a knock came at the door connecting to the secretary’s office.

Peeking inside was none other than Focke, the third-ranked secretary.

Fufufu.

Too late, my friend.

I’ll fill you in later.

But not before you squirm with frustration.

-0-

Focke was surprised to see village chief in the office and quickly offered a respectful greeting. Then he noticed I was also present—and looked surprised all over again.

Fufufu.

Still, Focke managed to compose himself and flashed me a confident smile before turning to speak with Youko-sama.

「Pardon the interruption during your meeting. I have a report to make, Youko-sama—may I proceed?」

Hoh?

What’s this, Focke?

Is it something so urgent and important that you had to bring it up right now?

With Youko-sama’s permission, Focke delivered his report.

「I bring good news. It passed.」

It passed?

Something that would make Youko-sama this happy—wait a moment…!

C-could it be… that issue?!

The one that faced so much resistance?

The one that was considered nearly impossible to approve?

The one everyone thought was a hopeless cause?!

Focke managed to push it through?!

Even Youko-sama was visibly surprised and sought confirmation.

「Yes. At today’s Village Council meeting for the village assembly hall, the “Youko-sama Special Set” was approved to become a regular item on the cafeteria menu.」

The Youko-sama Special Set—normally, this consisted of a kitsune udon with a generous slice of fried tofu, two inari sushi stuffed with seasoned rice, and a small side dish.

The special version increases the size of the tofu and adds a second slice—making it a deluxe upgrade!

Up until now, Youko-sama had only been able to get this served once every thirty days, and even then, in limited quantities.

And now it’s becoming a regular menu item?!

「Furthermore, the inari sushi in the set will be increased to three pieces.」

T-that’s absurd!

Inari sushi has always been two pieces, no matter what!

Even when Youko-sama abandoned all pride and negotiated in the form of a child, she could only secure two!

But now she’s getting three?!

「This became possible because we’ve secured an increase in tofu production.」

OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!

What wonderful news!!

I must order it too!

Wait—no.

That’s not the point.

I’m furious!!

Youko-sama is clearly overjoyed—more than I’ve ever seen her.

Gnnnnnnnnnngh!!

I have to work harder.

Much harder.

-0-

My name is Messer.

One of Youko-sama’s secretaries.

While the secretarial duties span a wide range, I primarily assist Youko-sama with diplomatic affairs.

My current goal is to rise to the rank of third secretary.

Failing that, I’d settle for assisting with internal affairs—currently handled by Focke.

Whether I’m suited for the role or not doesn’t matter.

The truth is, in the diplomatic track, I don’t get many chances to interact directly with Youko-sama.

-0-

Fourth Secretary: 「If anything, I end up talking more with village chief…」

Third Secretary: 「That in itself is something to envy, though…」

Second Secretary: 「To become second secretary, you need to be able to negotiate with Demon King-sama and tge dragons.」

First Secretary: 「And to reach the first seat, you’ve gotta be able to give village chief or Youko-sama advice without flinching.」

Youko: 「While the importance of each assignment may vary, there’s no formal ranking among the secretaries.」

-0-

Village Chief: 「A few angels have agreed to help out with tofu production.」

Youko: 「I’d love for Village Five to be able to produce its own tofu too, but the water situation is tricky…」