223 So it's why it's sweet.

A certain number of days have passed since I left Solide in charge. So far, there has been no significant movement among the nations, including the movement of the people of Yugra. However, this also means that the people of the planet Yugra are not dead. That man has three Demon Lords at his side, and he has the power of a whole country. If that man had died because of what happened to Serraes, something should have happened. It's because that man is still alive that the Demon Lords are keeping quiet.

"Hey, Lytal. Why don't you just go home?

It's not that easy. And even if I don't leave, it's only because Nektohar won't have anyone to prepare tea for him. It's up to me to enjoy my vacation in Tolin, isn't it?

"What kind of vacation is that if you have to disguise yourself to go out in the city? Shall I get you a girl to pass the time?

No, thanks. You don't want any information leaking out from there, do you?

Why don't you just kill her after you've had her? Play with her until you break her, and when you get tired of her, you can get another.

Solide made the suggestion out of pure kindness and answered with an honest opinion. There's no malice in it, it's just that he's mentally unwell. As a common adventurer, I can't say I have much sympathy for him.

We are not an organization that likes to commit crimes. You have to use some common sense.

"A human life or two is a small price to pay for what the Nektohar have done. If the government catches you, you'll be executed, no matter how honorable you are. Who do you think you're keeping up appearances for?

I don't have to think about it. I've led a lot of people down this path. I want to be the kind of person who makes sure they don't regret the choices they've made.

It's tough being a boss. It's a good thing that the people underneath me are all jerks, because in that respect, it's easy. It's a good thing that the people under me are all jerks. ...... "Speak of the devil," I guess.

There was a crude, unrefined pounding on the door. I hid myself with magic and blended into the background. At the same time, a subhuman man appeared, his appearance suggesting that he was one of those ruffians you see around town from time to time. Solide has such people under his command.

"Mr. Solide! Excuse me!

Uh, yeah. I didn't say it was okay, so why are you opening it?

...... Oh, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!

I'm kidding. I've never responded to a knock before. Why do I have to open my mouth in response to their movements? Don't you think it's strange?

Heh, heh. ....... Maybe they don't want to be bothered by a sudden entrance. ......

Hmm. Like what?

Well, let's see... ...... unclothed, holding a woman... ......

That doesn't bother me. I don't like it when I'm asleep. I don't like it when I'm asleep and it leaves a bloody smell in my room. I don't want to be woken up by ...... knocking in the first place. ....... Yeah, I don't want that.

You can't help but sigh when you realize that the riffraff in town have more common sense than Solide. Solide only moves at his own pace. In order to move this man, we need to intervene with our actions and make his pace work for us.

I've been doing some research on ...... what you said. I've been doing a lot of research on the thing you mentioned, and I've found that Trinh's military movements are the same as always, but I haven't been able to check out what's going on in other countries.

"Maybe you're just a little blind. Give me one of those so I can check it out.

No, please don't do that! Oh! Speaking of recent changes, there are some unfamiliar products on the market.

Unfamiliar? Isn't it just that you're not educated enough?

I won't deny that, but it seems to be ores and medicinal herbs from the demon world.

The demon world, that word makes me react too. The two demon lords that are currently ruling the demon world are the Blue Demon King and the Blue Demon King. It's not possible to harvest in the land of the Blue Demon King, who is currently a threat to humans. Even though the Scarlet Demon King is absent from the Ghanaian demon world, demons are still occurring and gathering resources can be dangerous.

This means that there are two possible locations: the Quama Realm, which is under the control of the Blue Demon King, and the Mejis Realm, where the Purple Demon King has relinquished control and removed the threat of demons. These two are under the control of Yugra's star people.

Do you know where they came from?

"Well, I've talked to a few merchants directly, and they all seem to come from the Quama Realm.

"How many? A lot of them are out there?

I heard that the Quama demon world is currently being cultivated by a man called Jestaff, who is selling goods to Quama to make money.

Jestaff-Heliodora, a good pawn, but that man also worked for the people of Yugra's planet. I've heard that they're planning to establish a country, but it's true that the resources that can be obtained in the demon world may have a certain monetary value. Ore and plants that have been tainted by the special magic of the demon world often have different characteristics from normal ones. When the threat of demons has been removed, they may be freely collected. The only person with official permission from King Quama is Jestiff, and he should be able to make enough money to do business.

...... stinks. It smells like Yggra's people are involved. Uh, how are Torin's merchants doing?

Some of them are going to Quama to buy, but most of them are trying to negotiate with the merchants coming from Quama to get a route to buy.

I think that's fair. It's the Quama country that gave Jestiff the right to explore the Quama demon world. Since Quama is mainly involved in the trade of goods from the demon world, Quama's merchants need to be in the best position. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for. When it comes to ......, it looks like the Horstal Trading Company is going to follow suit.

Let several merchants carry the goods of the demon world and distribute them to Trine. Then the merchants will try to join forces with the merchants who deal in the goods one after another. This is the most likely way that the man would try to contact the Horstal Chamber of Commerce. Given the nature of the randos, he would probably have to negotiate with four or five people, but would he try to blend in with them?

So, how can I help you?

Yeah. Can you keep an eye on the randos for a while? A few of us, of course, day in and day out. Make sure you know all the merchants Land's Sleigh comes into contact with.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

I won't let a single one of them slip through the cracks, okay? If I don't know that guy, no one will know who you are.

"Hey, hey!

The man left the room with a shrinking attitude. Solide's judgment is intact for now. I would have acted the same way. Solide, like me, is used to using his head. The only problem is that I worry about his lack of hesitation when he takes action.

You're trying to tell me something, Littoral. Don't worry, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. You've been taking care of me, haven't you? I feel like I owe you that much.

You don't seem to feel the weight of the debt you owe.

Oh, yeah. I don't think it's that much, if you ask me. If you don't have to take care of other bastards, there's no reason for you to be here. ....... But for me, someone's house is very important. If it were just me, I'd want to kill them just because they do whatever they want. It's a nice compromise.

However, the other bastards in Trine are all afraid of Solide. They are constantly being told to move to Serende if they can. I don't like to rule by fear, but Solide's influence is so great. This is why Nektokhar entrusts the management of Thorin to Solide.

"Well, aren't you going to greet the other bastards?

When I show up, they want me to take them to Serendipity.

Haha, no doubt. I wish I was as good as Arcturial, but they're all such cowards.

I think you should know that it's your fault, though.

Oh, yeah. That's a good feeling, isn't it? It's a lot better than being a big shot with half-baked talent.

Solide nodded at my sarcasm with a carefree smile.

I'll be back.

When I was alone stocking up on merchandise, Marya called out to me, sneaking around.

"Compatriot, compatriot, may I have a word?

"Hmm, what is it?

I'd like to ask you a few questions. Do you know what your favorite dish is, Mr. Ex-Doik?

You know you don't like ...... meat, right?

Yes, I do. I asked you about that before, but I was wondering if you have a preference for vegetable dishes as well.

It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money.

Basically, the more elaborate the dish, the better the reaction. I'm the type of person who can honestly admire flavors I can't produce.

If you ask me, ...... should I add more to my repertoire?

I'm sure he'd be happy with a dish he knows, even if it's just a twist. If you want, you can make such a dish with him and teach him how to cook it, so that you can get a better feeling than just pleasing him with taste.

I see. ....... You know a lot about Exoik-san, don't you, compatriot?

Yes, I do. But that doesn't mean I'm going to do everything in my power to please him.

I'm confident that if I'm thorough, he'll like me even more than he does now. But if I do that, I might make him dependent on me. I don't want to deprive him of the opportunity to act on his own initiative and grow.

I guess distance is important too. ...... It's deep.

It's not like I'm trying to bone him.

I don't think that way either! -- "I just want to be like my compatriots, to be able to rely on Mr. Ekdukku,.......

I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think it's a good idea. I'm not sure if this is a good idea, but it's a good idea. It smells of alcohol. Well, the "purple" one ...... is more like having your body turned to honey. It's not that I don't like it, but it's a sensation that will probably ruin you if you stay in it too long.

I don't mind it, but that feeling will probably ruin you if you stay too long. But when it comes to Exoik, it's a bit difficult.

"Is that so?

I don't think so. When you're sweet on that thing, it tells you that excelling isn't everything.

"...... Ha! I'm not sure what to say.

It's too late, because he looked convinced. Ao also has a soft spot for Lakra for some reason. Lakra has a talent for sniffing out who can be spoiled. She often gets carried away, though, so she's likely to get a lecture from Ecdysium sooner or later.

I'm the one in charge of dinner today, but if you want to try out what I just said, you can cook with me. If you want to try out what I just said, you can cook it with me, but you'll have to invite Exoik some other time.

If you ask her to come to your place, you'll be cooking in a sweet atmosphere. I think the flavor would be too spicy.

Yes, by all means! Thank you for giving me the opportunity!

"Well, it's easier. You don't have to be so grateful.

No, let me be grateful for your concern for my well-being!

Marya wagged her tail in delight. This magic also affects the ears and tail. It's very easy to understand those who are dog-like.

Hmmm... I'd like to let Lakra drink some of this earnest, innocent Marya's nails. No, I tried it before with Wolfe, but it didn't work, so I can't hold my breath.

What's wrong?

I'm just saying, people have different personalities. They all have their own flavor, but you have to be careful not to compare them.

Oh, ......, that's deep.

It's not deep because I've given up and accepted it. After that, Marya and I decided to cook dinner together, and Marya was impressed with Ex-Doik for cooking such an elaborate meal, as she was able to cook for both of us what she originally cooked for herself. Even though someone had helped her with the preparation, the fact that she had done almost all the seasoning by herself was quite impressive.

The only thing that went wrong was that Marya did most of the cooking, and someone who had more time was inspired by Marya to release a recipe for the after-dinner dessert that is rarely seen in this world.

"Sorry about the .......

No, ...... it was really good, and ...... you're the best of my people. ....... You have shown me the difference in your abilities by telling me to be more diligent,.......

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