Profession, Merchant Volume 12 Chapter 3 (Patreon)

Chapter 3 – The Four Devas of Newland III

“Dreary slum, you say? But I didn’t find anything dreary nor a slum about this city you spoke of.”


The first one to jump on Kriou’s topic was Gahotho, the Blue Oni and their deputy leader.


“But even then, Kriou has a point. They suddenly came and built a town in such a place without permission. Is it not too brazen? It’s one thing if they follow our customs, but they do what they want with an insolent attitude that it’s unnerving.”


“Without permission? But they do have a permit, though? Or rather, it is our side that agreed for them to settle there.”


Luna was inwardly annoyed by this the first pillar Gahotho’s words, but she continued while also keeping her voice down.


“I explained in the previous meeting that we would give them permission to live there. And you all agreed. You all know that in order to compete with the humans, we must increase the amount of magic ore we mine. And to do that, unfortunately, we have to adopt human technology. And for that to be possible, we need a man like that traveling merchant, “a rootless weed with many connections,” to make it easier for us. As a matter of fact, the mining equipment that we are using at the moment is leased through him.”


“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if we just get on friendly terms with the merchant?”


Kriou said.


“And what good will that do on his side? For any businessman, the right to a part of the mine, a tangible commodity, is much more reliable than being on friendly terms with you guys, who act on whims. And giving him the right to mine means that he will be mining as well. And there’s no way he’s going to mine alone, so he’s going to hire his own technicians and workers to mine for him and to do that, they’re going to need a place to stay.”


While Luna gives Kriou a mouthful, the first pillar, Gahotho, is twisting his cigar into an ashtray. On his blue-skinned fingers shone a wedding ring that he had never taken off since the day he wore it.


“That’s not what we’re saying. We’re saying that even if we are the ones who have given them permission to stay, the merchant has to be responsible for the behavior of the people who live there.”


“But it doesn’t seem like any crime is happening yet?”


The black dragon Nigel interjects to Gahotho. But Gahotho immediately follows up.


“Even if there is no crime, the negative impact of their behavior on our urban brethren is enormous. Especially in the neighborhoods where things like those ‘shunpon’ books are sold. Here, take a look at this.”


After saying this, the first pillar Gahotho threw a book on the table.


On the cover is “The Bitch Oni Who Cried.” The content is a comic book in which a female oni cries when she is subjected to naughty pranks.


For Gahotho, Blue Onis are considered a friend of the Red Onis. As such, he was in a great shock to see a material in which a blue Oni does depraved things to a red Oni whom they consider a friend. And it is even more unforgivable to him that the mistreated character is of the opposite sex, as he is a moralist and a true lover of his wife.


“This is very problematic. Adults are one thing, but if children are exposed to it, it will have a very negative impact on their education. People talk about ‘freedom of expression,’ but freedom is only possible when there is order. Luna, this must be strictly controlled.”


A silly speech, Luna thought.


But if they simply want to tighten the control of the shunpon, they can do it without needing to be told. For Luna, it doesn’t matter whether the residents’ expression and speech are free or unfree. As long as Gahotho is happy with it, then she will be glad to do it, just to get things over with.


“I’m not really interested in these kinds of things, but…”


Then Nigel the Black Dragon spoke up once again.


“Some of the comics and novels sold in that city don’t have any sensuality in them. There are also many stories that give children dreams. And even in those shunpons, there are good ones that touch the souls of humans and demons alike. Well, not that I’m interested in them.”


“Nigel, do you like those shunpon things?”


“I told you, I’m not interested in them.”


“Arrgh! Talk this, blabber that, look at this, hear me on that… Why don’t we just annihilate that city to get this over with!”


And came howling with the face of a lion was the demon beast king Kriou. No matter what he does, “annihilation” is always his second option when things go south. On the other hand, the fact that he is rumored to be “The Weakest of the Four Devas” and “The Smear of the Four Devas” may also be a factor in his itching for a fight – to claim some honor and disprove his military stigma.


“I’m not saying that we should suddenly exterminate them, Kriou.”


Gahotho, the first pillar of the group, says as he takes an annoyed glance at his brute force-oriented comrade as if he had been misinterpreted.


“Really? But this mistress finds the idea of eradicating them wonderful, though.”


But then the fallen angel Proditus, who had been silent up to that point, said something unexpected that quickly got everyone’s attention.


◇◆◇


“As expected of Miss Fallen Angel, you really understand what I’m talking about!”


The demon beast king Kriou murmured joyfully, hearing he unexpectedly received support for his ‘annihilation’ option.


In contrast, the Fallen Angel Proditus, who attracted the attention of everyone, tilted her head mischievously and said while resting her cheek on her bare shoulder.


“The influence of the city itself is a trivial matter. Rather than that, I think you should be focusing on a more dangerous spot. Doesn’t that city have an amazing military force?”


“What do you mean?”


“Based on what I heard, there are two strong women in that city. And you said they are the female warrior and the holy knight, respectively.”


Proditus squints at Luna. There was a kind of tantalizing element in her eyes. Compared to those of humans, the whites of her eyes were black, and the black parts of the eyes were also black, but they were outlined in gold color, resembling a total solar eclipse. This is another thing peculiar to fallen angels.


At this time, Luna noticed that the golden frame of Proditus’s eyes had a single glint. Still, she was unable to discern the type of emotion contained within them.


“Those guys are strong. At least for this mistress, they are comparable to the strength of the Four Devas.”


“Miss Fallen Angel, I don’t care if you degrade yourself, but is it really necessary for you to drag the rest of the Four Devas’ reputation with you?”


“‘I am only analyzing their strength objectively. In the first place, how could they not have resorted to force all this time when the merchant, their beloved one, was exiled to the islands? Surely, there must be something brewing over there.”


Luna was also surprised by this. She had thought that the female warrior and the holy knight were a thousand men strong, but she had not felt that they were comparable to the Four Devas. If Proditus’ analysis is accurate, Luna has no choice but to change her mind.


But even if that was the case, it didn’t mean she could just say, “Oh, well,” and agree to the city’s destruction.


“There was certainly a stir in the city at the time of the merchant’s exile. The fury of the female warrior and the holy knight was particularly intense. But they calmed down when we reached an agreement that we would release them after a period of time.”


“Then, now that the merchants have not returned, isn’t it only a matter of time before they start to go on a rampage again?”


In fact, it is happening right now. There were reports of unrest being detected amongst the female warrior and holy knight.


“No, that can’t be true.”


But Luna chose to keep this in her mind.


Previous Chapter | Table of Contents | Next Chapter