Hisae enters the branch chief's office and nods at the communications monitor Shima has prepared for her.
　Hisae sat in front of the screen that connected the agency's hotline, with Shima to her right behind her. Then, without standing for a few seconds, the screen switched to a new screen.
　The head of the Rome headquarters, that is to say, the head of the World Organization of Gifted Persons, and himself an SS-ranked [Salvatore] Giorgio Bortolotti, the highest rank of the agency, appeared on the screen.

''It's been a while, Nisae. This time it was a disaster.''

　Giorgio lightly brushed his slightly dull blonde bangs away and gave a smile of how good a person he was. Nissae gives a light bow and a sociable smile.
　Nisae responds politely.

''No, Giorgio-sama, I apologize for taking time out of your busy schedule.

Giorgio, okay?　Aren't Nisasae and I on the same page?

　Nicely, Giorgio showed his white teeth and brushed his hair out of his face at a slight left slant, as if it was his favorite angle.
　Hisae only moved her mouth expressionlessly at Giorgio's confident face.

''Ah, yes, we're just boss and subordinate, so it's fine, Giorgio-sama.''

''Hahaha, really, Hisae is really shy...''

　Giorgio's chair, the head of the agency, with its crisp smile, slides sideways off the screen and disappears. Then, in Giorgio's place, an elderly man emerges. His earnest-looking appearance and his white hair cut into short strands give him the vibe of a hard-headed veteran.

'Master Giorgio, that's enough,'

'Oh, Mr Bartolo!　It's been a while.

　Nisasae smiled, as if she missed it.
　It was as if she heard a voice saying, "Hisae, you're treating me differently than I'm treating you," from somewhere out of sight, but she decided not to hear it.

I'm glad to hear that she's doing well. So, let's get right to it, about this matter.

Yes, sir.

　Nissae's face tightened, too, and he looked at Bartolo's eyes, which were chiseled with wrinkles at the corners of his eyes.

'As for Nisae, as you may have already felt, we also believe that the information about this newcomer to the Japanese branch is highly credible. Perhaps the person with the ability to attack that client is definitely the Sword of Surt.

After all....

''We've been tracking the whereabouts of these swordsmen of Surt's ability for several years. These are the people who report directly to the agency headquarters. But I'm sorry for our lack of power, but we've always missed them at the critical moment.

Again, if Mr. Bartolo and the others move, aren't they going to run away this time?

No, not necessarily this time.

What do you mean by ...?

It's what they're after. It seems that this could be the fulfillment of their objective.

The purpose ... do you have any idea what it is?

'There's nothing to grasp or anything. Surt's sword would naturally have a narrower goal. Perhaps he wants to destroy the World Ability Agency, or lose the reason for its existence, and then announce his own existence to the world.

It's...

'Yes, it's the publication of what we think is the worst possible pattern. This could lead to problems with the surface world, and more and more nations will think of their gifted people as their own war potential and start holding them back. Even today, there are still some nationally owned people with abilities who do not belong to any institution. Right now, there is no such movement on a large scale out of consideration for the institutions, but I don't know what will happen if we think the power of the institutions has been weakened.

　Shima, who was standing behind Nisasae, huffed and tightened her face at Bartolo's story. Hisae understood Bartolo's request for a quick deployment to the SS rank, the highest strength of the agency this time.

''So, you're Wang Shungo-sama........''

'Yes. We can't show the world the agency's weaknesses here. That man is perfect. The Wang (Wang) family has been powerful and capable for generations, and is a family that has been a contributor to the agency since the guild's inception. The sword of Surt is not a half-hearted enemy, and at the same time, its purpose is the worst thing for us, the institution. If that's the case, the royal family won't balk. They had a great deal to do with the founding of this institution.

But.... he's...

Yeah, you're right, he did blow me off. But, for a man like him, he's lost a lot of money in his reward. I guess he figured this is not the time for reluctance when he heard that he was dealing with Surt's sword. But even so, it's a rather large sum, and I'm sorry to say, but we're going to ask each of the branches to contribute their own money as well. Of course, we want the Japan involved to contribute a substantial amount.

'Hey!　Mr. Bartolo!　In that case, we request that you send for Mr. Takenari!　Both in terms of competence and character...

''Hisae, we're checking the availability of the abilities of the various branches here as well. Yi Cheng, the request we are receiving now will take another day at the earliest?　It's the same with the other chapters...most of the S ranks and above have turned out. So.........don't you think it's strange for Nisae to hear this?

　Nissae narrowed her eyes at Bartolo's question.

''No way.......this is not a coincidence.

'No, I don't know that much. But it's a very convenient situation for Surt's sword. Moreover, Japan, China, and India, which are geographically close to Millimer, are almost at full capacity... so it's not impossible.

'Yes, and yet, no matter how many swords of Surt, I can understand if it's at its peak, but... no way!　Mr. Bartolo, do you believe that there is an organization that is responding to Surt's sword move this time?

　Bartolo didn't answer Nissae's question, but only showed a bitter smile.

''But those guys over there have miscalculated as well. The highest strength of the Chinese branch, the branch closest to Millimer, was vacant. Well, the man's vexation has made him the best and most trustworthy person in this situation. Because of the amount of compensation that man wanted, the Chinese branch also treated Wang Junhao as a talent that was almost impossible to find, but this time it was good.

　Nisae let out a sigh and turned over slightly, but quickly looked up. I have to ask you something important.

And what about the Japanese contractor's share?

'Oh, that's about it?　Well, that's about 40 percent of the total.

　When Nissae says that, Bartolo turns to the screen and holds up a few fingers.
　Seeing this, Hisae turns her eyes and shouts out.

''Haaaaaah!　Mr. Bartolo!　That's no amount of money!

'What?　Huh?　Master Omine?　How much was that?

　Shima doesn't quite understand and asks the astonished Nissae, "Shima-chan........

........That guy's reward is always in US dollars!

Eeeeeeeeee!

　A moment ago, Nissae, who had been following Wang Shunhao with a sama, unconsciously began to call him that guy.

''The headquarters will naturally bear the burden accordingly, but Japan is the party, right?

'Yes, you're right!　Mr. Bartolo!　That would be the budget for this year's Japan Chapter!

''Three new recruits from our precious Japan Chapter are in danger.　Think of it as rescuing the future breadwinners, oh, the rank D boys aren't so breadwinners, are they? But not without promise, is it?

Well I understand. I really want to protect the newcomers as well.

''Well, I can understand how Nissae feels. We also did not accept Wang Shunhao's conditions as they were, in a manner of speaking. It's a big expense for us, too.

...What do you mean?

"This time, Wang Shun-ho was given a condition that he would be paid on a piece-rate basis. This time, I made Wang Shunhao accept the condition that he will be paid only on a piece-rate basis, which means that the Japanese compensation will be paid only if it is the highest. Now that man will work hard.

　Nisae turned a surprised face to Bartolo. The mainstream of contracts with abilities are often divided into advance and success fees. It's not without a rare request for complete piece-rate, but I've never heard of forcing a rank SS to agree to that. And even more so if the other party was that [miserable] Wang Shunhao.

''How dare you make him agree to those conditions.......Bartolo-san. What in the world did you do?

'That's a hell of a way to put it, Nisae. I only discussed it with him in a gentlemanly manner. Well, I am somewhat acquainted with the man's mother. The more this relic of the past, this sword of Surt, is exposed, the more it may harm the achievements and honor of the royal family, the best and greatest contributors to the establishment of the institution, and I had a chat with the mother before I started negotiating with her.

..........

Wang Junhao is also a very proud man. He asked for the maximum amount of the reward I mentioned earlier in advance. He looked quite excited and I accepted it as a motivation. So he said he would work after he saw that the money had been paid. So, please transfer the amount of money you have to pay in as soon as possible, Nissie.

　Nisae's head started to hurt lightly as she listened to Bartolo's story.

''I understand. I'll transfer the money immediately........''

Mm, please. Don't look at me like that, Nisae. We've already finished preparing to leave for Millamar, and we'll be on our way right after this.

What?　Didn't you ask Master Wang Junhao to do this?

Yeah?　I asked, but that's no reason for us not to move, is it?　We've been chasing after Surt's sword for years. Besides, if we could capture and defeat Surt's sword, would we be able to accomplish this task at a much lower price than Wang Shunhao?　Oh, and the two rank A's you sent can play an active role, right?　I wouldn't advise you to push it, though. Also, I'd suggest that you let Rank D leave immediately.

　Here, Bartolo smirked.
　Nisae turned against him and stared at Bartolo's disgusting smile.

''So, you're on a full piece rate system...''

'Nisae!　I'm worried about these newbies, too, and I'm thinking about going!

　From the side of the screen, Giorgio Bortolotti, the head of the World Ability Agency, Rank SS, slides out of his chair again and appears.

'Giorgio-sama, yourself!　But Master Giorgio is a busy man, isn't he?

　As expected, this offer from the head of the agency surprises Hissae, and she lets out a loud voice. Shima is also surprised and opens her mouth wide.
　Giorgio turns his face to the left slant, his specialty again, and shows his white teeth crisply.

'Ah, this Giorgio Bortolotti thinks that he can't leave Hisae in trouble.

　Bartolo didn't mind his boss, Giorgio, and continued on with his story.

''Then, Nisae, please. This one will head to Miremar immediately as well. .........Giorgio-sama has some paperwork left to do, so I'll ask you to take care of that.

'Hey!　Wait for me!　I'm also trying to be helpful to Nisae...

'The only thing you'll get out of it is the final crisis of the agency. And it's not a free ride to get you going.

'What?　Then I'll take a tenth of the pay!

I've got a stack of papers. Please eat at your desk today.

'Bartolo!　One in a hundred!

We'll have to think about it.

　The communication was cut off there with a whimper.

''..........''

　Hisae looked at the darkened screen and huffed.

'I'm sorry, Shima-chan, but please get ready to deposit the money immediately, and you can run out of the branch's pool money. That, and in some cases, I'll be out too!

I understand!　I will do it right away. But I understand your concern, but it's not a good idea for you to leave Japan, Oho-sama.

But the newcomers...

According to Bartolo-sama, the possibility of an enemy plot cannot be ruled out in this current overload of requests. Therefore, Master Omine should not be absent from Japan at this time. Let's leave this place to Bartolo-sama and the rest of the team although it's frustrating for me too.

　Nissae looked at Shima's serious expression and lightly meditated.

''Alright........ Then let us do what we can. For now, let's tell Yi Cheng-sama about this current situation.

Very well, Lord Omine.

　Shima bowed her head deeply to hide her frustrated expression and hurriedly left the room.
　Seeing her off, Nisasae also clenched her fists tightly.

''What an inconvenient position I've found myself in...''

　Hisae said and looked down at the carpeted floor of the branch manager's office.