Chapter 18

We headed back to the opposite side of the swamp where the shack was located. On the way, Senior Farphistanya explained the job to me while riding atop her giant owl.

“Our job is ‘Swamp Management.’ Part of that role includes preventing suicides here, as this place is a notorious spot for them.”

“I see… That’s a fairly heavy responsibility.”

“Ultimately, our goal is to improve the swamp’s image and turn it into a tourist destination that many people visit. That’s what the President said.”

“President Kelkel really puts a lot of thought into things, doesn’t she?”

“The President once said this: ‘Dark Magic has a bloody image associated with sacrifices. So, if a Dark Magic company is the one stopping people from taking their own lives, perhaps that prejudice will start to fade.’”

The President is just too good of a person.

I suppose when the person at the top is kind, the company truly becomes “white” (ethical).

●

Soaked to the bone, I changed into a spare set of Dark Mage robes in the shack. In one of the rooms, we sat down to listen to the girl’s story.

The girl’s name was Crunya. A man had run off with her money, and the shock had left her unable to function in her daily life. I ended up sitting in on the consultation. I had zero experience with this kind of thing, so I had to wing it.

“Look, you don’t love that guy anymore, right?”

“Of course not! If I were a Dark Mage, I’d curse him to death!”

“Then, if you die now, you’re essentially dying for a man like that. Why not live just to show him up? The happier you live your life, the better your revenge will be.”

Crunya’s expression softened slightly. It was proof that the will to live was starting to flicker back to life.

“You’re right. I’ll find a new job and do my best.”

“By any chance, did you quit your job too?”

“After I found out he betrayed me, I couldn’t move for a while. I kept missing work without notice, so I got fired. I don’t even know if I can pay rent.”

It’s hard when your foundation for living is gone. That loss of economic stability likely led to the loss of psychological stability, resulting in the suicide attempt.

Ideally, it would be best to keep an eye on her until she finds work. She might have another sudden impulse to end it all.

Senior Farphistanya listened while nodding along. She’s the type who focuses entirely on listening. While that role is important, I felt the need to make a proposal. There are no perfect answers to these things anyway. I might as well try.

“Um, if you have the time, would you mind coming with me for a bit?”

“I have plenty of time, but… where are we going?”

“To my company.”

I took Crunya with me and returned to the headquarters. For the time being, I left Crunya with Cerulia and entered President Kelkel’s office.

“President, I have a report regarding today’s events.”

When I told her about saving Crunya, she clapped her hands together. “Franz-san, that’s wonderful!” she praised me immediately. Her tail was wagging furiously from side to side, so I could tell it wasn’t just empty flattery—it was genuine admiration.

“So… I’m going to say something really selfish… is that okay? I’m putting aside whether it’s actually feasible for a moment.”

“Go right ahead! Since you, as a new employee, thought of this yourself, I’d be delighted to hear it!”

I’m so glad she’s not an overbearing boss.

“Well, this company has a lot of extra rooms. Do you think we could have her work here as a live-in part-timer?”

I was self-aware enough to know I was overstepping for a new hire, so I was a little scared to look the President in the face.

“Even if there isn’t work for a non-mage, we could rent her a room at a very low price. If… even if we stop a suicide, if people don’t have an environment where they can live with peace of mind, it’ll eventually be hard for them to keep going.”

A place to live and a bit of money create “breathing room.” And that breathing room is multifaceted—it’s economic, but it’s also psychological. Without that room, your brain can’t function properly. And if your brain isn’t working, you can’t make a fresh start.

“I know I’m overstepping. I know the company can’t provide this level of care for every single person who attempts suicide. But I feel like it would be irresponsible to just throw this girl out now after I’m the one who saved her…”

While I spoke, the President listened, keeping her eyes locked onto mine.

“You certainly speak your mind.”

“I’m sorry. I’m a real nuisance for a new hire, aren’t I?”

President Kelkel walked up to me and patted my shoulder.

“I made the right choice in hiring you.”

Honestly, I was relieved. I had been worried she’d tell me to “say that once you’ve actually accomplished something,” or at least look annoyed that I was bringing extra trouble to her doorstep.

“Franz-san, you try so hard to understand the pain and suffering of others. You refuse to just cast them aside.”

“It might just be my ego. It’s impossible to help everyone in trouble.”

“Trying to understand the pain—that stance is essential for us in the Dark Magic industry. A company without that will eventually collapse. I guarantee it.”

The President spoke with total confidence.

“The reason is that Dark Magic contains the concept of ‘sacrifice.’ This means using magic while accompanying it with pain. That is why Dark Magic that is indifferent to pain runs wild and leads to ruin.”

The President’s eyes were very straight, and she looked almost indignant about something.

“Actually, when I first started working, I had a human colleague. He was incredibly good at his job, but he died eventually.”

“From overwork?”

“Not quite. In order to achieve the top results in the company, he offered his own life as a sacrifice to cast Dark Magic that dominated the hearts of his clients. Eventually, his lifespan simply ran out.”

“He sacrificed… himself!?”

I felt a slight chill. He was a literal demon for work…

“That is putting the cart before the horse. That’s why, when I started this company, I decided at the very least to create a place where the employees and their families could feel happy. A company that makes its employees miserable won’t make its customers happy either. Even if they can provide temporary happiness, the company itself won’t last long.”

“Yeah, I guess it’s impossible to stay forever at a company that makes you miserable.”

The President nodded slowly.

“My old stories have gone on too long. Let’s make arrangements for Crunya-san.”

“Wait… does that mean…?”

“I’ll have to check if we can offer her a job, but it’s a fact that we have spare rooms, so I think we can at least let her live here.”

“President, thank you so much!”

I knew it. This President really is a person of character!