The Two Deals
When the merchants, still reeling from shock, stared blankly at Nahen, he held up two fingers.
“I have two proposals for you.”
“Two, you say?”
‘Wasn’t this just about the weapons?’ All twenty merchants shared the same thought. What else could he possibly be offering besides the arms deal? A mix of unease and anticipation hung in the air as they waited for him to continue.
“The first is the weapons transaction you’ve already heard rumors about. Let’s start with that.”
Nahen accepted a document from one of Sitri’s attendants and unfolded it.
“First, you will receive the exclusive rights to sell our weapons across the entire Demon Realm.”
“…Exclusive rights?”
“Correct. It won’t be permanent, of course. The contract lasts three years, after which the exclusivity ends.”
Even without permanence, three years was more than enough time to turn a substantial profit. The merchants who remained began to pity those who had already left.
“Revenue will be split six to four.”
“Six to four… which side gets the six?”
“Naturally, ours.”
“Pardon?”
“I hope you’ll understand this is unavoidable. This venture is a joint enterprise between Her Majesty Seere von Devata and Her Majesty Sitri. The profits must be divided between their two factions. In practical terms, that means a three-three-four split, so you actually receive a slightly larger share.”
It was a blatant lie. Sitri was only receiving five percent. Nahen deliberately framed the arrangement to make it seem as though the merchants stood to gain more.
One merchant raised his hand. “Shouldn’t Her Majesties Sitri and Seere be considered joint founders? How can the split work that way?”
It was Bennett.
“Your logic is sound, but they are not joint founders.”
“What?”
“This information is for your ears only. The business is being run simultaneously on two floors. Weapons forged by blacksmiths on the 72nd Floor are separate from those made on the 71st.”
Another lie. In truth, the forges on the 70th Floor were working together, but Nahen used the presence of blacksmiths from both the 71st and 72nd to twist the narrative.
“You will receive weapons from both floors, so the profits must be accounted for separately.”
“…I understand.”
Since raw materials and labor were consumed independently, the revenue streams had to remain separate as well. Once Bennett accepted the explanation, the other merchants nodded along. After all, according to Nahen’s logic, they stood to receive a larger cut.
“Now, let’s move on to what I imagine interests you most—the quality of the goods.”
“!”
“First, allow me to show you a sword.”
An attendant carefully presented a sword to Nahen. He drew it slowly from its scabbard.
“Ooh…?”
“This is…”
Life returned to the merchants’ eyes. They had traveled the Demon Realm and seen countless weapons. Whenever they encountered something of exceptional quality, the word was always that it had been made in the Human Realm. Yet the blade Nahen now held was on par with those human-forged weapons—if not superior.
“This is a sword we forged ourselves.”
“You made this… with your own hands?”
“I’ll compare it to a human blade.”
Nahen extended his hand, and another sword was placed in it. He drew it at once. It was a high-quality weapon taken from a human adventurer.
“You’ll want a closer look.”
He placed both swords on a stand an attendant had brought forward and gestured for the attendant to carry them to the merchants. As the blades were presented, the merchants’ eyes widened.
“N-no way…”
“They’re completely equal in quality!”
No matter how they examined them, the two swords matched in craftsmanship. Bennett, still studying the weapons, swallowed hard as he thought of Wayne, who was likely already on his way back to the 69th Floor.
‘Wayne.’
The man had always been a prudent merchant, but he lacked the courage to take risks.
‘This time, you were wrong.’
Bennett smiled like a victor and turned to Nahen.
“How many can you supply?”
“Four hundred per month.”
“Then…”
“That’s twenty swords per merchant here.”
“The quantity is lower than expected…”
Nahen let out a dry laugh at Bennett’s remark.
“Quite greedy, aren’t you?”
“M-my apologies.”
“And listen carefully. What we’re trading is weapons in general, not merely swords.”
“!”
무구—the term encompassed every implement of war, not just blades.
“Have you also produced armor?”
“…Then helmets as well!?”
“In that case, the goods you’ll be supplying us are…”
Nahen grinned.
“Now you’re finally speaking properly. Yes, we will trade in most forms of armaments.”
#
Sitri’s brow furrowed slightly. The more the negotiations progressed, the more tempted she felt. Watching the merchants’ reactions, she couldn’t help thinking she could have demanded a larger share.
‘…No.’
She shook her head. Nahen was not the sort of man who would tolerate haggling. If she had insisted on more, he would have cut her out entirely and completed the plan without her. She knew better than anyone that he would have found a way to succeed regardless.
‘I should just be grateful for the five percent…’
Meanwhile, the merchants who had grasped the full scope of Nahen’s proposal wore bright expressions. He addressed them again.
“What we can supply immediately are swords, spears, battle axes, heavy and light full-body armor, protective gear, and helmets. Everything else is still in development.”
“That alone should be more than enough to launch the business! You’ll continue adding new items, after all…”
“Indeed. As new weapons are developed, you alone will receive them for the next three years.”
Nahen seemed ready to conclude. The merchants believed they had heard everything.
“About the contract…”
“I’ll draft one with each of you personally. Before that, however, there’s one more matter. I mentioned earlier that I had two proposals.”
The merchants, who had been wholly absorbed by the weapons deal, finally recalled Nahen’s opening words. This time, unlike before, they looked at him with eager anticipation.
“What sort of deal is it this time?”
They expected another rare and fascinating commodity. Nahen’s answer, however, was unexpected.
“Not all of you need to participate in this transaction. The volume won’t be large anyway.”
“Pardon?”
“…Yet you’re saying it’s still worth pursuing?”
Nahen regarded Bennett’s sharp question with genuine admiration.
“You’ve understood correctly. Some of you may hesitate, but others will do whatever it takes to secure this deal.”
“Just what kind of item are we talking about…?”
“It’s faster if you see it for yourselves.”
Nahen descended from the dais and turned to Sitri and Seere.
“I’ll show them the goods and return shortly.”
“Go ahead.”
“Be careful… I-I mean, yes, go!”
With their permission, Nahen ordered the doors of the audience chamber opened and looked back at the merchants.
“Follow me.”
#
Bennett felt a flicker of unease. The other merchants shared it. Nahen had promised to show them merchandise, yet he was leading them steadily downward. Every demon knew what lay beneath the Demon King’s castle. Regardless of its outward appearance, every castle had that place underground.
‘Why is he taking us to the dungeon?’
If he intended to show them goods, there was only one reason to descend into the prison. The merchandise must be kept there.
‘What sort of goods would be stored in a dungeon?’
That part made no sense. Bennett and the others followed Nahen with expressions full of doubt and anticipation.
When they reached the dungeon entrance, the guards bowed their heads.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Open it.”
The dungeon door swung wide. The answer to the merchants’ questions waited inside. Nahen stepped through without a word. Bennett and the others followed, half anxious, half hopeful.
“W-what!?”
One merchant cried out in shock at the sight within. Bennett and the rest were equally stunned.
‘…Humans?’
Dozens of humans—easily two hundred—were locked inside the cells.
“Humans… aren’t they?”
“This is the second deal I’m offering you.”
“What?”
“These humans were captured on the 72nd Floor.”
At the mention of captured humans, Bennett and the merchants’ eyes widened. They quickly began calculating Nahen’s intentions.
“…Are you proposing we trade in slaves?”
Bennett was the first to grasp it. Nahen nodded and asked,
“You’ve been especially quick on the uptake. What’s your name?”
“…Bennett.”
“Bennett…? Ah, I see.”
Nahen nodded as though something had clicked. Bennett didn’t understand the reaction, but it stemmed from Nahen’s knowledge as a player. Bennett was the character who, no matter the build, always became the owner of the Demon Realm’s largest trading company. His base floor might change depending on the player’s choices, but that fact never did. He was a shrewd merchant who prioritized profit over morality yet never crossed the line so far as to make too many enemies.
Nahen had kept Bennett in mind when making the offer.
“We will distribute these captured humans as slaves, supplying cheap, lifelong labor throughout the Demon Realm. Since they’re to be sold as slaves, we’ve already selected only those fit for service, and we’ll continue to do so. The supply won’t be consistent, however.”
Nahen shifted his gaze from Bennett to the other merchants.
“I won’t force any of you into this deal. Those who wish to participate may stay. The rest can return to the audience chamber and wait to sign the weapons contract.”
Slave trading. Even if the targets were human, complications were possible. Human slaves might cause trouble, and demons generally disliked any human presence in their territory. But the powerful saw things differently. Those who already possessed everything and had indulged in every pleasure often craved novel amusements—and human slaves fit that desire perfectly.
“I’ll do it.”
Bennett was the first to answer. Several others joined him, while the rest declined and returned upstairs. Nahen smiled, satisfied, as though he had expected exactly this outcome.
“More of you stayed than I anticipated. Excellent. Let me explain further.”
He began walking through the dungeon.
“These humans are for labor—simple workers. Over here are those selected for entertainment; we gathered only the most attractive. And here…”
A small group occupied a separate cell. Their epaulets bore ranks of AA or higher.
“These are for bodyguard duty. You may use them however you like.”
“How strong are they?”
“Do you know the regular knights of the Human Realm?”
“Yes, I’ve heard of them.”
“They’re on the same level.”
“…Quite usable.”
Unlike the laborers and entertainers, the bodyguards’ eyes remained sharp and fierce. Bennett met their gazes, then asked Nahen,
“They might cause problems, though.”
“No need to worry. Look closely at their necks.”
“…A curse?”
“Every human here bears the same mark. It states that if they harm a demon, their heart will burst.”
Bennett nodded. “And the range of the curse…?”
“There is no limit. Rest assured.”
“What?”
Curses that claimed a life upon fulfilling certain conditions were immensely powerful, but they always had a range restriction. Beyond a certain distance from the caster, the curse would weaken or fail to activate. Yet Nahen claimed there was no such limit. Bennett and the other merchants had never heard of such a thing.
“I-is that even possible?”
“It is. After everything you’ve seen, why would I lie to you now?”
“…I suppose you wouldn’t.”
“So you may set your minds at ease regarding rebellion. Of course, if they do rebel, it simply means they’re choosing death themselves…”
Nahen offered one more tip.
“You could always brainwash them to make them more obedient.”
Bennett and the merchants flinched at the suggestion, but slowly nodded. Bennett then asked one final question.
“…Understood. Does that mean you’ll supply all the people here right away?”
“Would you be able to handle fluctuations in supply if I did?”
“I doubt it. That’s why I asked.”
Nahen addressed the merchants.
“There are five of you remaining. I’ll give each of you ten slaves to start—five laborers, four entertainers, and one bodyguard. Once you’ve sold them all, you can request more whenever you need them.”
“Is that acceptable?”
“Just remember the supply may vary.”
“Yes, we understand.”
Bennett and the merchants bowed their heads slightly. Nahen chuckled.
“I haven’t even mentioned the split yet.”
“We trust you’ll handle it fairly, Lord Nahen.”
“It’s fifty-fifty.”
“Pardon?”
Unlike the weapons deal, an even split caught Bennett off guard.
“You’re providing the slaves and even engraving the curses. Are you sure it’s all right for us to take such a large share? We’ll have exclusivity, just like with the weapons…”
“The reason I’m giving you a larger cut is simple. I want to buy your trust.”
“Our trust?”
“As I said, the slave supply can fluctuate wildly. We can only capture humans when they cross into the Demon Realm. That means there will be times when the supply dries up completely.”
Bennett and the merchants understood at once.
“Even when the supply stops, I want you to keep trusting us and not abandon the deal. Consider the extra profit your compensation for that trust.”
Bennett and the merchants exchanged glances, then bowed in unison.
“…Thank you!”
“We look forward to doing business with you.”