Akatsuki Translations

“Mr. President. We have no choice but to agree to this reconciliation proposal.” -Advisor

“Is this really the only option?” -President

Five years have passed since the dungeons appeared. Three years have passed since the dungeon collapse that began with the previous president’s initial failure. For better or worse, our country has been built on the military industry. There’s no way I can survive as president if I neglect the military industry.

The previous president was dragged down by it to the very end, and even after the devastating damage caused by the dungeon collapse, he was unable to repeal the law closing the dungeons for a whole year. And finally, two years ago, I buried the dungeon-related regulations in darkness with my own hands.

Even so, our country, which was late in responding to the dungeons, ended up trailing behind other countries in the dungeons. And now, once again, I have to make a decision on an event that will determine the future of America with my own hands.

“In light of the current situation, these are not unreasonable conditions. If the Bow God agrees to this reconciliation proposal, they have said they are willing to cooperate in maintaining public order.” -President

When the previous president was buried in darkness and I took his place, I thought I could do a little better. In fact, to show that the president himself was actively involved with explorers, I entered the dungeon and even leveled up.

As a result, I gained power that could be called superhuman.

Level 16.

But even so, in the world of explorers, I was still like a newborn baby. More than anything, I was supposed to create a better future than the previous president, but I haven’t been able to do that at all. Recently, I’ve been having trouble sleeping, wondering if things have gotten worse than they were back then.

“I might be called the most foolish among the American presidents of history.” -President

Although we’ve somehow maintained the world’s number one GDP, America’s public safety is quite terrible right now. It was at the end of last year that we finally managed to finish dealing with the monsters that overflowed from the dungeon collapse, with the help of Japan.

At that time, we celebrated grandly, but that’s when the lid of America’s hell opened. With the common enemy of monsters gone, American explorers who had secretly leveled up in foreign countries applied to return home.

There were a few names of high-level explorers among them. Feeling that we were falling far behind in dungeon-related matters, I gladly accepted them. The public also welcomed the explorers who could be said to have fled our country, praising them rather than criticizing them.

I was proud to think that our country’s citizens were indeed generous and great.

“On the contrary, you may be regarded as the greatest president in history.”   -Advisor

“Impossible. Not in this situation where we are accepting America’s enemies and being eaten alive. Every day, I want to kill the previous president with my own hands.” -President

“Don’t worry. The previous president is already dead. He was killed by the Bow God.” -Advisor

“Ah, that’s right. What a sickening world. Our country, our citizens hated us this much.” -President

So many people died that it made me sick. Still, the conflict didn’t heal, and ironically, the ones who fought the most were not foreigners, but people within the country.

“Let’s just think that it’s better than Japan, which hasn’t reached that point yet.” -Advisor

“That’s true. Fire Dragon is working hard. Even in the war with Zeus, there were only 10,000 casualties. On top of that, I’m envious that it resolved itself without Kishitani having to do anything.” -President

“This reconciliation proposal is also a condition that Fire Dragon somehow managed to extract. If we’re going to reconcile, now is the only time. If this succeeds, the title of the world’s best will return to our country’s hands once again.” -Advisor

“You’re quite optimistic. I can’t shake the feeling that I’m making some mistake again.” -President

“Mr. President. You never know who might be listening. That’s enough.” -Advisor

“I know.” -President

I’m also involved with explorers. If they feel like it, they can prevent secret conversations no matter where they are. That’s right. No matter how good an idea I think it is, it’s just a makeshift solution. I already know that too.

If my thinking is correct, if dungeons continue to exist in this world, the world will undoubtedly become one ruled by explorers. No, it’s already almost becoming like that. At the 12 Heroes Conference three months ago. No country can go against what was decided there.

There wasn’t even a country that spoke of opposing it. But many of the 12 Heroes are sensible. That’s why the world is still able to maintain its balance.

“Sign this reconciliation proposal document. There’s no other way.” -Advisor

“Yeah, I understand. Indeed, there’s no other choice.” -President

I sign the document. Among the various conditions written, one stood out in particular. The cession of New York State, which has a special-class dungeon with 10 entrances, suffered the worst damage from the dungeon collapse, and has no prospect of reconstruction at all.

“Eventually we’ll take it back, but for now, let’s give it to them.” -President

“You can’t. If you do that, America will be engulfed in the flames of war again.” -Advisor

“I don’t want to do it either. But even so…” -President

I didn’t think for a moment that the citizens who had been number one for far too long would wholeheartedly accept such a reconciliation proposal.