Earth With Dungeon: Saving the World With an Economic Boom

Chapter 214. Soiree

At a Western mansion reminiscent of the Rokumeikan from the Meiji era, located in the inner town, Konoha was sitting on a sofa in an elegantly decorated waiting room, fidgeting restlessly.

Even though it’s called a waiting room, it’s a room at a level that would intimidate ordinary people. It’s a spacious room of about 50 tatami mats, furnished with an expensive-looking table and sofa, a long-pile carpet laid out, and paintings hanging on the walls that would make a normal person faint if they heard the price.

It’s truly a room meant for the upper class. For ordinary people, an entire family and their relatives could probably live in this room.

Since Konoha had studied about the outer town, she had a vague understanding of how people lived and what their annual income was, so she knew this room was extravagant.

The outside was already draped in darkness, and it was completely night. It was mid-August, and though the heat would gradually subside, it was still very hot outside. This room, however, was cool with air conditioning.

In that room, Konoha fidgeted with her skirt restlessly and sighed. The dress she was wearing was made from the finest fabric, incorporating the latest trends, and tailored to suit her under the supervision of a famous fashion designer.

“Miss, please don’t touch it like that; it’ll get wrinkled. Shall I iron it while you’re still wearing it?”

“The last part sounds ominous, but I understand. I am a person of the moment now.”

Nodding obediently as the maid gently approached and urged caution. Now, I am the person of the moment in the inner town. Proper conduct is also required.

“A person of the moment… In ten years, people will ask, ‘Where are they now?’ and you’ll be talked about again. I get it.”

Rei, who was wearing a dress like mine on the opposite sofa, said something that was not entirely a compliment.

“Rei, that comment is ominous. Please correct it. Oh-hohohoho!”

When I laughed heartily with my chest out, Rei shrugged his shoulders and criticized me.

“That’s not good enough. You need to puff out your chest more and hold a fan. Have you been practicing? A hearty laugh doesn’t come in a day, you know?”

Though he had a smug look while wagging his index finger, he had teased me about learning a hearty laugh as the commander the other day, so I deliberately responded to his expectations and pouted.

Though he wore a silver mask covering the upper half of his face, I couldn’t see his eyes, but his mouth seemed to be smiling amusingly. Seeing his cute lips smile made me envy how a beautiful girl remains beautiful even if I can’t see the upper half of her face.

The dress she was wearing was also beautiful. It was a dress tailored at a shop I introduced. My dress was meant to highlight beauty, while Rei’s dress emphasized cuteness. Though I won’t say where, each of us wore a different dress based on some standard.

“A hearty laugh really only becomes a joke. I’ll practice by the year-end party.”

“That’s a hard-boiled comeback, Konoha-san. That’s why I like you.”

Rei laughed softly, picking up a petit choux from the table and popping it into his mouth.

“Don’t we not need the soiree anymore? I’m satisfied just enjoying the waiting room.”

As I watched Rei drink from a cup, thinking that some people are cute just by drinking, I responded with a wry smile.

“I understand, but it’s troublesome. Let’s mix sleeping pills into the drinks we distribute. Those who don’t fall asleep gain the right to enjoy the soiree. It’s an ancient method of selection.”

“Rei, have you changed a bit?”

Seeing Rei, who started to say something silly with a smug look while wagging his index finger, I felt that something was different from before. It’s hard to pinpoint what exactly, but she seemed more human than before. Did something happen?

“Maybe I’m a bit giddy. It might take some time to return to normal. But you noticed well. Konoha-san, you have a keen eye. I’m surprised.”

“I’m a Taira daughter, after all. If I don’t observe others carefully, I often end up getting hurt.”

Answering the impressed Rei, I reminisced and looked distant. Becoming friends with someone who approached me with innocent kindness…

“Friendship scams, huh. The trick to avoiding scams is simple: ignore anyone who says, ‘Let’s be friends.'”

“Fufu. That might be true. Anyone who explicitly says ‘Let’s be friends’ is indeed suspicious.”

When I couldn’t help but chuckle, Rei smiled brilliantly at the corners of her mouth.

“Then, once again. Let’s be friends, Konoha-san.”

“That’s a scam. It’s the benefit of being a beautiful girl that you don’t look suspicious with a dazzling smile.”

When I replied with a skeptical look, Rei laughed softly with an innocent smile. Something is still different from before. Did something good happen?

Just as I was about to ask out of curiosity, there was a knock at the door. The maid opened the door and turned to the person who knocked.

“Miss, it seems it’s time for your appearance.”

Nodding at the maid’s report, I turned to Rei.

“Finally, it’s time. We’ve waited long enough. Let’s go, Rei.”

“Even though it’s a Western-style soiree, it’s very Japanese not to have an escort.”

“Apparently, even the nostalgic ones decided to do away with escorts, especially with many single men and women opposing it.”

Smiling, I playfully extended my hand to Rei, who also extended her hand with a smile. We were about to attend the soiree together. Our time to shine had finally come.

The door creaked open. As it did, the sight of many people in the hall came into view.

Under the glittering chandelier lights, people of all ages were dressed up.

They wore large jewels and clothes made of high-quality fabrics.

I wish their insides were as high-quality, Konoha thought with a wry smile.

The more money people spend on their appearance, the more cunning they are inside.

“The Vice-Commander of the Jester Knights, Rei-sama, and the Commander, Taira Konoha-sama, have arrived.”

The servant who opened the door announced loudly.

As everyone turned their attention to them, Konoha, having grown accustomed to the attention, thought about how the servant’s phrasing was different each time.

After all, this is a mock soiree. Various elements have been changed to Japanese style.

In a few decades, there might even be some strange customs, she thought, walking through the hall with Rei with a relaxed demeanor.

The door closed behind them, indicating that the guests had all arrived.

Konoha and Rei were the last to enter, meaning they were the most influential in the inner town.

Rei, the Vice-Commander of the Jester Knights, is controlled by the Amatsugahara Corporation.

The rapidly rising Kamishiro Corporation was also connected behind the scenes, and with the recent development of the northeastern Kanto region and the increased crop yields, they were now regarded as top players.

They didn’t have a company in the inner town, nor did they have the financial power or influence to be considered top-tier.

But indirectly, they had power, and while not as much as the top three families who controlled the military, they still had military strength.

All these factors contributed to their current status.

Even the Oda family, ranked fourth, distanced themselves and conversed with others.

This clearly illustrated the current power structure of the inner town.

“You both look so beautiful, I envy you~.”

Stepping out from a group, it was Konoha’s mother, Masako.

With a gentle and calm face, she approached with a warm smile.

Her dress wasn’t flashy but chic and suited her very well.

“Hehe. You’re making me blush, Mother.”

With a hand on her cheek, Konoha responded with a refined smile. Her mother chuckled softly at her words.

“Really, you’re so beautiful~. Children grow up so fast. You’re already a fine lady.”

Though it seemed like over-the-top flattery, Konoha, who had never been praised this much, blushed slightly.

At the same time, she had a bad feeling. Why was her mother praising her so much?

“Rei, you look beautiful too~. When the two of you stand together, everyone else pales in comparison. That dress suits you very well.”

Speaking softly, she now praised Rei. Glancing at Rei, Konoha saw her mouth curl coolly.

“The dress is from a store introduced by Commander Konoha. I like it quite a bit. As expected of the Commander, knowledgeable in everything from combat, intelligence, and charm to fashion and connections. I deeply respect her.”

Now Rei was praising Konoha. Were they trying to flatter her to death? Konoha felt herself melting like a jellyfish under their compliments.

Isn’t this a bit too much praise? Being knowledgeable in everything… that’s way too much.

She glanced around to see if anyone was laughing, but everyone was just smiling, which reassured her a bit.

“I’m delighted to hear such respect~. My daughter has grown into such a wonderful lady, and as a corporate woman, I’m so proud~.”

Feeling something was off, she looked around again and saw her sister and brother in the group.

Her brother still seemed inscrutable, but her sister had a mischievous grin.

Realizing it wasn’t the time to be happily basking in praise, Konoha wondered what their real goal was.

She glanced at Rei for help, but Rei also seemed unsure, smirking slightly as if wondering what was coming next.

Was her mother trying to show off her daughter as the Commander of the Jester Knights? But that was usual.

Though a puppet Commander without real power, her name was well-known.

Her sister often boasted about it at parties, probably enjoying some benefits herself.

But Konoha turned pale at her mother’s next words.

“I want the wonderful Commander and the Jester Knights to collaborate with the navy. These days, things are unstable everywhere. I think working with the Jester Knights would yield great results. What do you think, Commander?”

Staring intently at her mother, who made this shocking proposal to a powerless Commander, Konoha saw that her mother was serious.

Realizing this, Konoha panicked internally.