CH 80

Oriental Union also known as OU

Translated by Dawn

Oriental Union also known as OU

“The Oriental Union, also known as the OU, has called for a halt to gold imports and methane hydrate drilling.”

After school.

In the director’s office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Director Sayuri said that as soon as she opened her mouth.

Standing between Kiriha, Miina, and Maria, I felt my shoulders become heavy at once.

“Good grief, it’s finally here…….it’s a good thing it’s not through the UN, at least, though. So, OU is like PAU(Southeast Asian Union), right?”

Director Sayuri gave a small nod of the head over the desk while crossing her arms on her chair.

“Yes, it is. It’s the largest Asian country in terms of population, area, and GDP made up of multiple Asian states. The difference between the EU and the PAU is that the countries have already been annexed and each country is allowed a certain degree of autonomy, but basically the OU functions as one country.”

When I explained this, Director Sayuri frowned.

“For the sake of peace and development in Asia, the PAU aims to unite all Asian nations, but it is clear that this is an invasion by a ruling power. Therefore, the PAU is a gangster state that the countries of Southeast Asia are not comfortable with the existence of the PAU.”

“I see. If Southeast Asia were to fuse into a giant nation, it would be hard to make it part of the OU.”

“Honey is right. Even if OU and PAU were to merge, it is doubtful that the leader of OU would be able to gain supremacy.”

Kiriha’s explanation made Miina gasp.

“I see, and that’s why they’re asking the PAU to stop shipping gold to them?”

“You are right, the OU’s goal is total Asian domination. Nevertheless, Southeast Asia has become powerful due to Japan’s massive flow of gold bullion through trade. Southeast Asia is now united as the PAU and is becoming a powerful nation on par with Britain, France, and Germany. This leaves no room for them to take advantage.”

“So the OU’s goal is to stop trade with Japan, weaken the PAU economy to the point where it collapses, and then bring in other countries?”

“Yes. Ostensibly, they are using the change in the gold market and the destruction of the undersea environment as reasons, but it is clear that they are trying to destroy their rivals, the PAU and Japan.”

“They have no mercy on a country whose economy has collapsed, not to mention crushed…….”

When I slumped my shoulders in disappointment, Director Sayuri leaned her elbows on the desk and smiled wryly.

“Because it is certain that Japan will come back from the economic collapse. They must be desperate. I said that the value of the Japanese yen dropped to one-tenth after the collapse of the Japanese economy, but thanks to you, it has recovered to one-third of its former value. Now, they are willing to exchange one dollar for 360 yen. It has recovered to about the same level as it was during the Showa period.”

“In three months the value of the Japanese yen has tripled?”

I was so shocked that my voice rose lightly.

“Mm-hmm. This is evidence that the psychic national revitalization project, which at first was not trusted even domestically, has recently been gaining credibility abroad. In addition, the Extraordinary Ability Department has been upgraded to the Bureau of Extraordinary Ability. I will also be promoted to Director General tomorrow. This is all thanks to you guys.”

“Ah, congratulations.”

When I bowed lightly, Director Sayuri’s eyes relaxed in a good mood.

“No need to congratulate me or anything, I’m telling you, it’s all thanks to you guys. You can call me Sayuri-chan as an equal, not Director-General Sayuri as a special one.”

“No, it’s rude not to call you Director Sayuri.”

Director Sayuri’s gaze and eyebrows dropped.

—Eh! Don’t tell me you wanted to be called SAYURI-chan!

“But, Director Sayuri, you are saying that the OU will interfere with our activities from now on, aren’t you? Do you have any countermeasures?”

“Well, that’s the thing.”

—Her voice sounds a little weak. Should I call her Sayuri-chan?

While I hesitated, Director Sayuri turned the question to Maria.

“Just to confirm, is it possible to Thoughtography what the OU is up to?”

“Unfortunately, it’s not possible. I don’t have much information, and it’s far away and foreign, especially when it comes to information that lacks specifics…….”

—I guess it’s not that convenient.

I thought it might be possible after what happened last time with the Bank of Japan governor, but the world is not so easy.

“It’s such a blur.”

Maria’s countless MR screens were filled with what appeared to be classified documents.

The resolution was quite poor, but it could be read if one tried hard enough.

Miina, Director Sayuri, and even Kiriha’s faces were hardened in astonishment.

The three people with calm faces were the only ones who could understand fearfulness of Maria.

“Maria, you could seriously rule the world.”

“What are you talking about, Honey-san? I don’t have that kind of power.”

In an emotionless voice, but with eyes full of unclouded confidence, Maria asserted with pride.

In a way, I think her personality and abilities were too best matched.

God is nice.

“Then I’ll send the data to the image processing team. You guys can get to work.”

“All right, let’s teleport.”

After Miina and Maria nodded, I teleported them out.

“Then, Honey, we’re going to the auditorium.”

“Yeah, but first.”

After saying this, I turned around and looked back at Director Sayuri.

“Director Sayuri, is there any possibility that Miina’s custody could be in danger due to current foreign pressure, not just from the OU?”

Miina could produce an unlimited amount of precious and rare metals from seawater through [rebuilding], the ability to break down and reconstruct matter at the atomic level.

This was top secret, and ostensibly, Miina was generating metals from urban mines, i.e., garbage heaps

But just being able to extract metal resources from garbage was priceless.

There was no guarantee that foreign powers would not demand Miina’s extradition.

Sure enough, Director Sayuri replied in a hushed voice.

“You are very smart about this sort of thing.”

“So am I right?”

“There is no possibility. It depends on the government. The government will take the initiative. However, extrajudicial measures are also possible. In the past, extrajudicial measures included the capture of innocent people and the release of guilty people.”

That being said, I had to be aware of Ijuin’s words.

If Ijuin became famous as one of the five supernatural powers, adding MARIA to the four unique holders who alone can influence the national interest, politicians would not be able to touch her so easily.

The more negotiation cards you have, the better.

“But we’re not sitting around waiting to be killed either, which is why the Extraordinary Ability Department is growing so rapidly. Within the year, the Bureau of Extraordinary Ability will be upgraded to the Agency of Extraordinary Ability, and then to the Ministry of Extraordinary Ability. We plan to make it a huge organization, give it power, and create a system that can protect psychics for the national interest.”

At this explanation, Kiriha put a finger to her mouth and her expression turned sharp.

“I see. So you are trying to keep the opposition in check? So we can assume that the ruling party is on our side?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes. But the ruling party is not monolithic. The current prime minister and his faction members are the ones who support us.”

“Wow, for a prime minister who nearly destroyed Japan with his friend’s appointments, he has good eyesight.”

“No, he only agreed when I said in his ear, ‘If you hold on to Naimine Miina and Okui Honey Ikuo, the prime minister’s seat will be safe and sound.’”

“I thought so.”

Shrugging her shoulders, Kiriha spat out her tongue.

—A bunch of greedy, self-protecting bastards.

“Huh? Speaking of which, Director SAYURI, you don’t, by any chance, refer to me as Okui Honey Ikuo outside of the office, do you?”

“…..”

“…..”

After a long silence, Director SAYURI stood up slowly with a solemn expression on her face, walked past me, and left the room.

Immediately afterward, I heard the sound of heels running as fast as they could down the hallway.

“She ran awaaaaayy!?”

As I dramatically collapsed, Kiriha patted me on the shoulder.

“Well, cheer up, Honey. Honey’s Honey is like a stage name.”

“How comforting!”F