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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: The Power of Money
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"...You're saying he won't sell the magi?"
Drakson was so shocked that he didn't even notice the meat he'd popped into his mouth falling back out.
"Yes."
Casey picked up the dropped piece and tossed it into the trash. He wiped the corners of Drakson's mouth with a napkin.
"Are you sure? He actually contacted you?"
"Yes."
"He's really selling magi?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
"He mentioned human money."
"That's it? Is he truly insane?"
Magi quantified from human emotions and life force was different from the magi of the demon realm.
Directly tied to life force, it was purer and more refined.
It was the only key to unlocking the shackles that suppressed every aspect of Demon Kings due to dimensional interference.
It also served as an escape from long-stagnant limits.
This was why all demonkin desperately enrolled in the Demon King Academy to become Demon Kings, and no Demon King in history had ever sold their collected magi to another.
Let alone for something like "money"—a human creation usable only in Aren.
All emotions, all life, were finite.
Even the fiercest rage.
Even the most searing grief.
Even the despair of wanting to die.
They all wore away and faded with time. Emotions toward a Demon King were no different. The magi collected dwindled day by day.
This was why Demon Kings had to steadily kidnap new princes or princesses or interfere in the human world to stir trouble.
With heroes overflowing in Aren, it required extra caution, making magi collection even harder than in other dimensions.
That's why this proposal seemed especially suspicious.
"Berge has proposed a long-term deal. He wants to steadily convert Hildean rage into quantified magi."
"Sounds like a huge amount."
"Hildean is one of the top powers even in the south. The people's adoration for the crown princess is immense. If we receive that rage and grief long-term..."
"It'd be enormous."
The standard was right after all. Mock the standard or not, kidnapping the top princess yielded results just like the standard predicted.
"What the hell is he scheming?"
"Maybe he's just crazy."
Who else would be crazy if not a Demon King who mocked the standard while following it more faithfully than anyone—and now selling magi?
"Could be."
Drakson rested his chin on his hand, lost in thought. But he soon reached a decision.
"Accept it unconditionally."
No matter what dirty trick was involved.
No matter how fishy it felt.
"We'd be idiots not to take it."
It was an irresistibly sweet temptation.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"...In the world. Selling magi for mere human money."
Drakson and Casey weren't the only ones thinking that.
Even the dark elf who'd proposed the sale on the Demon King's behalf couldn't comprehend it.
Why did demonkin risk their lives crossing dimensions with a Demon King?
Loyalty and trust in the Demon King, desire to earn merits—sure, but the influence of magi was huge. To obtain magi purer and higher quality than the demon realm's.
"Didn't the higher-ups give us some money when we first came down?"
"Spent it all going back and forth to Hildean. Those teleportation arrays are ridiculously expensive."
They hadn't placed much value on mid-realm money to begin with, so they hadn't been given much—and it was a journey from one end of the continent to the other.
"Magi's important, of course. But that's only possible if you're alive."
"Mm."
Gordon, who'd overheard the situation, nodded at that part.
"So, having human money opens up options?"
"Yeah."
"How, if even magi won't work?"
"We'll buy one."
An elf.
And then...
"We'll set one up as a proxy."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Demon King and hero.
Demon King and kingdom.
The era of unconditional hostility where both sides were all too familiar had passed, but it was merely a transitional period—the Demon King as invader remained unchanged.
Naturally, the dimension's races hated and despised demonkin.
So even if Berge threw money at humans to hire them, they wouldn't listen to him.
They'd probably report the crazy Demon King who'd descended instead.
So what he needed was...
"A front man."
To become a proper mastermind.
Someone to disrupt the human world on his behalf when he roared at the world as Demon King.
Someone absolutely loyal, who would follow faithfully without betrayal.
'Heroes will take longer than expected to reach here, so let's set up the board now.'
Heroes thirsted for fame and never hid their deeds.
Naturally, rumors exploded across the continent the moment it seemed heroes were mobilizing. Foolish as the Demon King's standard, but it worked in Aren.
Because the standard was even more foolish.
Crossing the continent's ends would take time anyway.
It was a race against time. Secure a front man first, hire humans to obstruct the heroes—or let the heroes arrive first.
While pondering, he arrived at his destination.
The kingdom of Horton, adjacent to the Erjest Mountains. And its fortress city, Hortonwork.
A northern continent kingdom with vast territory but sparse population due to barren land.
The defensive line guarding the kingdom's northernmost border.
"Halt! Who goes there!"
"A mercenary returning from a request."
Berge raised the Yeti pelt he'd stripped on the way. Moments later, the massive gate creaked open.
"Wandering the mountains alone? Ballsy."
"Took down a Yeti solo?"
"Yeah."
"Don't recognize the face."
"Talking like you know every mercenary in the fort."
A flicker of greed passed through the soldiers' eyes, but no further inspection. Hortonwork saw countless mercenaries come and go, by its nature.
But that was the extent of Berge's knowledge of Hortonwork.
He hadn't bothered learning much about humans in his previous life.
What he knew for sure was...
'There's a slave market here.'
Aren was a dimension where slavery thrived.
Humans dominated most of the continent, endless wars with other races, capturing them as slaves.
As time passed and interspecies wars ended, humans mostly filled the gaps—but covert otherrace trades persisted.
"Hm, how to go about it."
One Demon King had said the underworld's ecosystem resembled demonkin's.
The law of the jungle. Strength ruled all; with power, nothing was unattainable within.
And slave markets were inextricably tied to the underworld.
"Just beat 'em up moderately, and they'll spill everything."
Bonus: Ask about Hildean's response too.
Berge moved lightly on his way.
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"Buuuurp..."
Mercenary captain Bark let out a long belch. The carbonation from the beer he'd just downed rose pleasantly.
"You filthy bastard, don't do it in my face!"
"Just instinct."
"Instinct five times a minute?"
"That's a total rabbit."
His comrades chuckled.
It was a good day. Monsters had assaulted the fortress, but they'd repelled them with minimal losses. His mercenary group had scored plenty of Yeti byproducts.
"Speaking of, shouldn't we leave here soon?"
"This sweet spot?"
They'd settled in Hortonwork three years ago, lured by big money for risking their lives—and prepared to die.
But surprise: it was a goldmine. Monsters appeared daily, but veteran soldiers handled them perfectly, yielding byproducts with little threat.
"True, but rumors say a new Demon King built a tower in the Erjest Mountains..."
"Ah, that nonsense?"
Bark snorted.
"You must not know Demon Kings well. They don't build towers in suicidal spots. They pick accessible places heroes or soldiers can reach. And kidnapping Hildean's crown princess? From Erjest? You seen a Demon King trek to the continent's edge for a princess?"
"Then the rumors?"
"Wrong. Demon King's probably near Hildean, maybe one or two kingdoms away at most. That's standard."
"Heroes' guild is in uproar, though? Even offering huge sums, they refuse Erjest requests."
"Showmanship. What's the crown princess to Hildean? An irreplaceable heir. They'd pay any price, so heroes are squeezing for more. You know how money-mad they are."
"Fair point."
The mercenaries nodded one by one.
That was when it happened.
"That's an intriguing story."
A heavy voice pierced their ears. In that instant, one mercenary screamed as he flew through the air.
"Gahk."
He slumped limply.
"..."
Cognitive dissonance. Bark couldn't grasp what had just happened. His delayed response gave the gap needed to knock out all his comrades.
"One mouth's enough. You'll do—you seem the most knowledgeable."
The shadow dusted off his hands. Bark's legs gave out at those cold, pitch-black eyes in the darkness.
The alcohol burned off instantly.
His long mercenary instincts screamed: no chance of winning.
"Don't panic. Answer my questions honestly, and there'll be no issues."
A pale white hand patted his shoulder.
Bark nodded furiously.
"I-if you spare me, anything...!"
"Shh."
A pale finger sealed his lips.
"My ears work fine."
"Y-yes."
"That Demon King talk piqued my interest."
Bark inwardly cursed the comrade who'd brought it up. If he survived, he'd bash their head.
"Is it true a Demon King's in Erjest?"
"Rumors say so, but few believe it. Demon Kings don't build towers where no humans tread."
Indeed.
A smile curved the man's lips.
"Heroes aren't taking the job?"
"They refuse Erjest requests. Say it's too dangerous, but honestly, just haggling for more pay."
"Even with the crown princess kidnapped?"
"No way. No scum greedier than heroes. Guaranteed. Rumors even say heroes' guilds collude with Demon Kings."
"I see."
Bark sighed in relief at the satisfied look.
"One more. Wandered back alleys for hours. Nothing."
No subject, but clear.
"No underworld here?"
"N-no."
Fortunately, he knew this.
"Hortonwork has legions stationed permanently, so security's tight. Too many rough mercenaries for underworld to take root."
"I see."
Wasted effort.
The man clicked his tongue.
"Then you'll guide me."
"Pardon?"
"Where's the slave market?"
"East gate side..."
"Good, you know. Lead on."
"...Pardon?"
*Click.*
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His hunch was right.
'Nesting in Erjest Mountains was the correct choice.'
No heroes stepping up. Bought more time than expected.
But with Hildean frothing at the mouth to charge, they'd send strong heroes eventually—no room for complacency.
"This way."
The mercenary led him to a massive mansion not far from the east gate. Crowds of presences stirred within.
Tall walls enclosed it; inside sprawled a vast garden dotted with numerous tents.
Processed iron cages lined the tents, chained slaves inside.
"This the place?"
"Yes."
Berge scanned the garden swiftly with the mercenary in tow. Dozens of slaves, but none he wanted.
All humans.
"...Not to your liking?"
The mercenary cautiously asked, seeing his grimace.
"This all?"
"...For now."
"Means there's more."
"Yes. But it's for VIP guests only—no random entry."
"What if I must enter?"
"...That's."
*Clink.*
Berge tossed him a money pouch. Bark caught it reflexively, peeked inside, and gaped.
"Th-this?"
"Find me a slave I like, it's yours."
"R-really?"
It was an experiment.
Berge knew humans were money-grubbing. He'd witnessed them fight and feud over it.
But to what degree? Would they betray humanity for an enemy Demon King?
So he tested. Not Demon King level, but would the thug who'd knocked out his comrades treat him well for money?
"Entrust it to me, and I'll do my utmost!"
Greed and zeal flickered in the man's eyes.
Success.
'At this level, it's like magi to demonkin.'
Demonkin betrayed for mid-realm magi too.
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"Entrust it to me, and I'll do my utmost!"
'How much is this?'
Not bulging, but solid gold coins—not coppers or silvers. Two of them.
Vast sum matching his Yeti byproducts sale. For mere guiding? Had to do it.
Luckily, Bark had connections. Built over three years in Hortonwork.
"Ah, really can't."
"Please, we're not strangers. And you'll buy at top price—good for everyone, right?"
"Ugh, fine."
Slipped a silver to the guide, opened the basement door.
Descending dark stairs lit poorly by torches led to a vast cavern. Scattered iron cages within.
Just five.
But Bark was certain the gold pouch was his. A smile graced his client's lips.
'What's he looking at?'
He followed the gaze.
There sat an elf with snow-white skin.