So, Director Marisbury, if you have no objections, please review this contract. If there are no issues, sign it.
The contract was as follows: 1. The Genji Clan would cover all costs for the development of all current Chaldea equipment.
2. Development of Chaldeas and the Near-Future Observation Lens: Sheba would be suspended, with Genji Corporation producing them independently instead.
3. Genji Clan head Yuan Shikai would become Chaldea's director and possess the corresponding authority. Former director Marisbury Animusphere would become deputy director, with authority below that of the director.
4. The director possessed veto power.
5. If a disputed choice arose, the director's decision would take precedence. If the director abstained, the decision would pass down the line.
A simple contract had changed everything at Chaldea.
Many of Chaldea's facilities could be completed around five years early. Perhaps even Mash could be born five years sooner.
After reading it, Marisbury Animusphere signed his name. Someone else was paying to fulfill his dream, so what was there to hesitate over? From this moment on, Chaldea would be entirely under my say.
Thoughtful as ever, Marisbury said, "Then how about holding the handover ceremony tomorrow morning?"
After giving it some thought, I said, "I have no problem with that. You can arrange everything."
The following morning, the succession ceremony was held in the cafeteria. Marisbury had gathered every employee, including the people I had brought, for a total of 323 people.
Marisbury spoke first. "My friends who share my aspirations, Chaldea has existed for forty-four years since its founding. Many of you have watched Chaldea grow, and we are deeply proud to be part of it.
"Unfortunately, a lack of funding has always plagued us, at times bringing Chaldea's progress to a standstill. I deeply felt my own inadequacy. Fortunately, I met Mr. Yuan Shikai, head of the Genji Clan.
"He shares our ideals. He is willing to fully fund Chaldea and help it continue growing. I have gathered everyone here today to introduce Chaldea's new director, Mr. Yuan Shikai."
The applause continued without end. I stepped forward and gestured for silence before speaking. "Hello, my name is Yuan Shikai. Yesterday, Mr. Marisbury and I toured the entirety of Chaldea.
"Seeing everyone working so diligently, in such a wonderful atmosphere that it felt like home, left me very satisfied. So there is no need to worry about losing your jobs.
"However, the one thing that disappointed me was that Mr. Marisbury had apparently put no effort into the cafeteria. But now that I am here, the cafeteria's food budget will be doubled from today onward."
Applause and cheers rose from below.
"I have also brought some researchers with me. They will work alongside all of you for Chaldea's advancement. Please support and assist one another.
"Now, get back to whatever you should be doing. Those who have not eaten, hurry up and eat. This afternoon, have the heads of every department come to the conference room for a meeting."
After the meeting ended, Marisbury and I went to the director's office. Marisbury said, "I can finally put down this burden. These past few years have exhausted me."
I smiled. "It is too early to put down the burden. I cannot stay here for long. At most, I will leave a secretary here. Contact me about major matters; make your own decisions on minor ones.
"I am only serving as director symbolically. The important work will still depend on you."
After chatting for a while, Marisbury said he had things to handle and left. In the office, I used my authority to review all of Chaldea's information, both public and confidential. For now, nothing seemed wrong.
Next came the afternoon meeting. Once it began, I saw there were more than a dozen departments of various sizes.
I cleared my throat and said, "I believe everyone has already heard some things. For those who have not, I will repeat them: I am now Chaldea's director, and Mr. Marisbury Animusphere is the deputy director.
"Under normal circumstances, if I approve something, it is approved. If I reject it, it is rejected. This is the core principle. I hope everyone understands.
"Secondly, I cannot remain at Chaldea for extended periods. Minor matters will still be handled by Deputy Director Marisbury Animusphere. I will establish a new Personnel Administration Department.
"This department will be responsible for reviewing the identities of those newly joining Chaldea and contacting me regarding important matters.
"If neither Deputy Director Marisbury Animusphere nor I am present, you may contact them, and they will contact me.
"Our goal is to preserve human history. I hope everyone can work together wholeheartedly.
"The main purpose of this meeting is to explain Chaldea's plans. My personal view is that the fusion of Heroic Spirits and humans should take priority and be listed as the first experiment."
That was right. My goal was to have Mash born sooner. If this dragged on any longer, it would turn into one of those "you were not born when I was born, and when I was born, you had already grown old" dramas. I had to hurry.
After the meeting, I sought out Marisbury and indirectly asked whether he had the Mage King Solomon's Ring, saying that I wanted to participate in the next Holy Grail War.
"Do you have any good Holy Relics you could lend me? Something like a family heirloom ring, perhaps, so I can fulfill my wish of winning the Holy Grail War."
After a roundabout exchange, Marisbury finally understood what I meant. He took out a ring he carried with him, saying it was supposedly a ring worn during the era of the Mage King Solomon and that it should help me achieve victory, along with other flattering remarks.
With Solomon's Holy Relic in hand, I had more or less claimed all the Masters of the next Holy Grail War: Rin, Sakura, and Gray were mine; Shirou Emiya, Illya, Atrum Galliasta—cross that out—Souichirou Kuzuki, and Medea herself.
Should I participate personally as well? I thought, tightening my grip around the ring in my hand.
I would summon Solomon, win the war, and have Solomon destroy the Greater Grail. A Grand Caster should have a way to destroy it, right? As for whether Romani Archaman would exist, that would depend on the future.
Seriously, I had so many things to worry about. Chaldea had not even started yet, and I was already saving Human Order. It would not be unreasonable to ask Alaya for some compensation the next time it came looking for me, would it?
I also had no idea whether Ritsuka Fujimaru was male or female. Could I even carry them?
Before you continue