Chapter 141 -Ootori Information Department?

“So the building is already finished.”

“It is scheduled to officially open in spring, but part of it has been in operation since January of this year.”

The day after taking a day off, I entered the Ootori Building under construction across from the Ootori Hotel.
The exterior of the building was already complete, and the interior work was in full swing. In some sections, moving in had already begun.

Guided by Tokita, I proceeded through one section of the building. My attendants were kept to a minimum, with only Shizu accompanying me. The others, Sebastian and the rest of the westerners, were busy with courtesy visits and preparations for work in Japan, so even the new foreign maids who had greeted me the other day were absent.

As for the building’s interior, being constructed right after the Great Kanto Earthquake, the pillars were unusually thick and the walls were massive. However, in this case, the design was not only earthquake-resistant but also incorporated anti-terrorism measures that I had personally ordered.

That is why, in the small courtyard space before the main entrance, there was a deep trench in front, and behind it stood a thick stone “wall” about a meter high. The garden itself, under the guise of containing ornaments and benches, was filled with sturdy obstacles made of boulders meant to block vehicles. 

The small guardhouse at the front was, in effect, comparable to a military pillbox. Even the gates were built to be extremely strong.

When arriving by car, taxis stopped at the small rotary in front, while other vehicles entered directly into the underground parking area, but outside operating hours, the gate was sealed with an iron shutter.

The building itself is unusually sturdy, so much so that it’s said to be able to withstand some level of shelling or bombing.
In particular, the very top ceiling is extremely thick. Durable, high-strength materials were chosen throughout the structure, so it’s said to remain solid even after a hundred years. I can see now why the construction took so long.

The first floor not only has a high ceiling but also very few windows. It looks almost like a bank, but since Ootori Holdings occupies a large section of both the basement and the first floor, such security measures are acceptable.

For fire safety, every area is equipped with standard fire shutters. Even the smaller, less noticeable doors aside from the large, grand main entrance have additional fire doors installed. Some parts can even be sealed off with metal partitions.

Furthermore, some windows are fitted with stylishly designed iron bars for security. These iron bars are also installed on the second and third floors. Of course, there are emergency mechanisms to forcibly remove them in case of fire, but the lower floors are designed so that they can be broken from the inside easily while being difficult to breach from the outside.

In addition, the building features what is effectively Japan’s first indoor sprinkler system for fire prevention.
There are also exterior water cannons for firefighting, powerful enough to mimic police water cannons if desired. Naturally, they can be aimed outward as well. Various tools like hand axes are also placed throughout the building as part of its disaster-prevention equipment.

Calling it a “fortress” or a “headquarters” is no exaggeration.

And the interior had become the “headquarters” of the Ootori Group.

“The second basement floor houses the building’s utilities such as power systems, while the first basement floor is planned to be half parking area for future use, part of it equipped with bank vault–level security facilities, and the rest serves as waste disposal facilities.”

“But in reality, that’s not quite true, is it?”

“Indeed. The first and second basement floors, as well as part of the third floor, are set up as the Ootori Group’s central command headquarters.”

“You’re planning to put antennas on the rooftop, right? I’m surprised you managed to get approval from the government and the authorities.”

“It was difficult, but necessary.”

“You even installed radio antennas at the Ootori main estate.”

“That one is for amateur radio use.”

“If that counts as amateur, then most of the world’s militaries and governments must be amateurs too.”

At my words, Tokita only gave a small laugh and said, “That may be true.”

After descending to the basement, I passed through the personnel-only door on the first basement level and walked a little further, only to find a metal door far too sturdy to be called a mere fire door. In front of it was a small window for communication. After receiving permission there, I proceeded about five meters ahead to find another door just like it.

Moreover, the first door had to be completely closed before the next one would open, a special feature. I’d seen this kind of structure in some spy movie before, but this was clearly a military facility in every sense.

Then, passing through a smaller and seemingly less sturdy door at the end of a short hallway, I emerged into a wide space.

“I didn’t think you’d actually build it, but it really looks like a command room for a future army.”

“Is that so? We’ve adopted the latest Western designs, but perhaps it appears that way because the equipment anticipates future technological developments. In this ‘future scene’ you speak of, what else would be added?”

“Let’s see. There would be monitors showing all kinds of images, lots of electronic screens. And we’d need electronic brains called computers. They’re currently being researched and developed at Tohoku University and at Torasaburou’s facilities.”

“That is quite fascinating.”

As Tokita and I talked, a low, muttering voice suddenly interrupted.

There had been no sign or presence, but it seemed Tokita and Shizu had already noticed.

I hadn’t, so I turned my eyes in that direction, trying to stay composed even as I felt startled, and saw an older man standing there.

He was wearing a black suit, with round glasses resting on a rather prominent nose. His hair was short, just a bit longer than a crew cut. He wasn’t balding, but his forehead was broad. He looked to be in his mid-forties, and there was something about his demeanor that felt military. 

Behind his glasses, his narrow, slightly slanted eyes and the shape of his face gave off a reptilian impression. If a lizard-like tongue were to flick out of his mouth, it would almost seem fitting.

In a two-dimensional world, he would fall under the “slit-eyed character” category, but he was far from handsome, he wouldn’t even qualify as average-looking, so he would probably be classified as a villainous type.

“And you are?”

“My apologies. My name is Donrou Junichi. Don as in greedy, and Rou as in wolf, Donrou. It’s an unusual surname, so I’ve gotten into the habit of explaining it every time.”

He smiled faintly at the end of his sentence, a thin, razor-like smile. If the room were dark and only the reflection from his round glasses showed, the sight would surely be intimidating.

More than anything, this man was also a character from the game. Bearing the name “Donrou,” taken from one of the stars of the Big Dipper, he was one of the Hououin family’s operatives who handled the rough work related to intelligence. He often sided with the villainess. 

Despite his appearance and role, he possessed a surprisingly strong sense of loyalty, or perhaps professionalism, and in the game, recruiting him as an ally was quietly but significantly important.

And now, he stood as the head of an organization far larger than in the game. My grandfather, the patriarch, and I had him as one of our pawns.

“Nice to meet you, Donrou-san. Are you the commander here?”

“I’m a hired commander, you could say. Though personally, I prefer gathering information with my own two feet.”

“This is the Ootori General Research Institute, right? It’s my first time here. But I’ve often used your information. It’s always accurate and objective, it’s been a great help.”

“To be praised like that by the Miko of Ootori herself is an unexpected honor.”

(So he knows about that too, huh. This could be troublesome.)

“By gathering information on foot, do you mean you used to be a reporter?”

“I did some reporting work, but I’ve moved through various positions. I originally started out in the army, as a military policeman.”

“I see. No wonder you have the same aura as Father. Ah, just to confirm, you’re the director of the Ootori General Research Institute, right?”

“You could say I’m the deputy director and the head of this particular division. Well, I’m in charge of the darker side of things. The Ootori Research Institute handles all forms of information, so the director and the head of the public division are separate people.”

“I see. Since I’ve also been getting involved with the legitimate side of the business, I should probably meet the people from that division too, shouldn’t I?”

“That meeting will take place another day, after the entire building is complete and we relocate, sometime after April.”

At that point, Tokita finally joined the conversation.
So I decided to listen quietly.

“What about Tokita’s office?”

“That will also be after April. However, officially, it will be after the meeting of the company presidents.”

“Then, why did you call me here before all that movement in April, and have me meet Commander Donrou?”

“It is so that you may hear about the state of affairs in Japan and abroad during the time you were away, Lady Reiko.”

“So that’s why Tokita is here too?”

“Precisely. Like you, Lady Reiko, I have also been somewhat out of touch with information during my travels. Donrou.”

At Tokita’s words, Commander Donrou gave a small bow.

“Then, if I may be so bold, I would like to begin the briefing right away. However, it would not be appropriate to keep Lady Reiko in such a cluttered place, so please, this way.”

He gestured with his eyes toward a small door ahead.