Chapter 25
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 25
Chapter Title: The God of Smuggling is Here
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"Not refined at all! Inefficient!"
Professor Horace clicked his tongue as he examined Pastel's smuggled goods.
"Cotton cloth? Spices? Ha ha!"
Gasp.
What's wrong with these smuggled goods?
"I'd love to hear your expert opinion, Professor!"
Pastel's eyes sparkled.
Professor Horace spoke with the face of a sage upholding the Ivory Tower.
"These items don't reflect the latest trends in smuggling! Smuggling with outdated trends—what a massive loss!"
The latest trends in smuggling!
Pastel's mouth fell open.
This man was a practicing smuggling expert who could ruthlessly critique even the outdated knowledge of a demon locked in a basement.
『Hmm.』
Professor Horace tapped the box.
"The finest cotton cloth can't be produced in the Demon Realm itself, so there's definitely demand. But that's old news. Now the Demon Realm can produce lower-quality versions on their own. Thanks to the Demon Realm's development, much of the expected increase in demand has been diluted. Prices have stayed flat for ages too."
Pastel's eyes lit up. She hadn't attended classes at school so far, but here she focused like a model student.
"It still makes money, but there's no real merit in smuggling cotton cloth when better options exist, right?"
Professor Horace snapped his fingers.
"Excellent student!"
Hee hee.
Pastel, model student.
"Spices are a bit better. The Demon Realm can't keep up with production. But just like cotton, there's no need to deal with spices when bigger profits are out there."
Ooh.
"So then?"
"What should we sell?"
Professor Horace beamed proudly at his model student.
"Processed mana stones."
Processed mana stones?
Eh?
Aren't mana stones mined in the Demon Realm to begin with? Selling them back to the Demon Realm—what's that about?
Pastel was confused.
A super ultra practicing smuggling expert couldn't be wrong. Was her brain rejecting the knowledge because she hadn't studied?
"I don't quite understand."
Professor Horace gave her a gentle look.
"You, the top scorer in written exams, must already know this. But your pure heart refuses to misuse the knowledge."
Oing?
Is that it? She already knew, but her pure heart couldn't keep up?
Gasp, that makes sense. There's no way smart her couldn't understand. Her pure heart must be rejecting the misuse.
"The Demon Realm can't process mana stones. It's institutionally forbidden. There are some exceptions, but all domestically produced mana stones are unprocessed."
Come to think of it, the mana stones received in smuggling were always unprocessed. They handed them to processors and enjoyed the finished products.
"As the Demon Realm develops, demand for processed mana stones has skyrocketed. But trade procedures for processed stones are strict, so Sky Island can't keep up. Our job is to fill that massive demand."
Processed mana stones fetched prices akin to gold by volume. How much profit from smuggling those?
Pastel swallowed hard.
"How much more profit from smuggling processed mana stones compared to cotton and spices?"
"The margin on mana stones themselves is higher, and skipping the exchange process for cotton or spices cuts expenses too. We'd have to crunch the exact numbers..."
Two fingers spread out.
"Roughly 20%."
Hwaaa.
Pastel's mouth fell open.
Just switching items for a 20% profit increase.
And compound interest amplifying with every smuggling run.
Gasp.
This is the touch of a practicing smuggling expert?
She tapped the demon sword at her waist.
Demon! Demon! Learn this quick! Learn it fast and help the starving kids!
『Don't learn weird stuff from this guy.』
Eek, un-demon-like advice.
Professor Horace smiled fondly at the surprised girl.
Then he looked a bit uneasy.
"But telling a young kid like you makes me feel like a bad adult. Is this okay?"
『He has a conscience after all.』
Pastel's eyes went wide.
"No way, Professor, you're feeling guilty?"
"Ahem."
Professor Horace averted his gaze.
How could that be.
"Professor Horace—no, Senior! No need to torment yourself!"
Pastel felt like she was facing a doctor agonizing over a patient he couldn't save.
"Smuggling fulfills desperate demand! Delivering what people desperately need! It's righteous and kind! No need to agonize!"
『What are you saying?』
Professor Horace's eyes widened.
"You—no, Junior! How can you have such a true insight?!"
The professor's hand patted his own chest.
"Hah! My uneasy heart is clearing up! The more I chew on it, the better it sounds! That's right! We're kind deliverymen providing what the desperate need! Of course!"
『Why is he agreeing with this?』
The professor gazed at her with eyes full of fervor.
"As expected of the top written scorer! I learned something! How did you come up with such true insight? Share your wisdom!"
Pastel felt proud for saving someone nearly crushed by conscience.
She exuded the dignity of the top written scorer!
Hands on hips, she explained triumphantly.
"Because it's undeniable truth! Even now, so many people need help. You can't save the desperate if guilt stabs you! We must uphold righteousness against this harsh world! Only we can do it!"
『Young Craft?』
Professor Horace clutched his chest, moved.
"I'll confess honestly. Truth be told, I've lost sleep over smuggling all this time."
"Senior?!"
No way.
She'd slept like a baby!
Drooling so much she'd flipped her pillow to hide it from the demon!
Horace agonized.
"Is it right for a professor like me to do this? Riding trends instead of enforcing rules—is that truly correct? Abandoning morals and honor for mere money! Hah!"
『He knows well.』
"But hearing you, those worries vanish! That's right! Needed goods to the desperate! We're following righteousness!"
『No.』
"Yes! Exactly!"
Pastel jumped in glee.
Someone on the same wavelength for the first time ever!
"Senior! Senior!"
She shot up one hand.
"Ooh!"
Horace raised his too.
"High five~!"
Palm to palm—smack!
Yahoo.
Soon they settled into a calmer chat.
"So you deliver to Demon Realm Stock Company? Paying them a 20% fee?"
Pastel, holding her coffee cup, put on a business face. Mana stone dust added.
Professor Horace set down his wine glass across the table.
"It's safe, no hassle needed. As a professor, flashy activities draw too much attention."
"Your junior can help."
Pastel bragged lightly.
"I saved a crime syndicate on Blue Wave. Contract's done, so visit and trade instantly—no 20% fee."
"Oh ho. Impressive drive. As expected of Craft!"
A first-year mentioning crime syndicates, and the professor admired without a hint of doubt or verification.
"If you do, I'll hook you up with a mana stone processor! Took years of professor cred to build trust. Top quality, great prices! And they don't ask about end-use—heavy mouths!"
"Sounds good."
Pastel replied coolly, then sipped her coffee coolly. Black liquid wet her mouth.
Ugh, bitter.
Super bitter.
Tastes awful.
Un-cool thoughts flooded her head, but she shoved them away.
Business, business.
Professor Horace sighed wistfully.
"But I can't use your help for this smuggling run."
"Why not?"
"Schedule's locked with Demon Realm Stock Company. Hard to cancel."
"Ah, fair enough. Do the trade as planned, then come to Blue Wave after. I'll prep and guide you. We can do our trade next time."
"Mm! Thanks. I'll visit right away!"
Verbal contract sealed.
They relaxed into small talk.
Professor Horace popped cheese biscuits into his mouth.
"Any troubles at school? Even as student council, some things only a professor can handle."
"Troubles?"
Business done, Pastel ditched the coffee for milk and pouted.
"Of course! I forgot the semester report by accident!"
Uwaaa.
"I wanted to evolve from written top to research top, but it's impossible now!"
Everyone will think Pastel's dumb.
"Hah!"
Professor Horace lamented.
"A smart kid like you missing research top? Unacceptable!"
"Right! Exactly!"
Pastel is super smart.
Pastel agreed vehemently.
"Junior!"
Professor Horace slapped his chest.
"Trust this senior only! Who am I?"
In?
"Professor Horace?"
"And the top guy for semester reports!"
Oing.
"Trust only senior!"
Professor Horace smiled.
"I'll solve that worry clean!"
Oiiing.
After parting with the professor, Pastel arrived at Blue Wave.
Walking the street, she read a letter. The organization had expanded and moved.
"Turn this corner and it should be visible, right?"
『Isn't that building?』
"That's kinda big, isn't it? Doesn't seem like a shady crime syndicate hideout."
Looking around, someone hurried over.
A man with familiar lip scars.
The nice guy who'd guided her to the organization last time!
"Miss Craft, this way please."
Unlike last time, he spoke politely.
"Nice to see you! We meet again! Wow wow!"
Pastel greeted brightly. Her high-pitched voice echoed down the street.
The man paled and pressed a finger to his lips.
"Shh! Shh! Follow quietly."
Eh?
Oh right!
Secret organizations require quiet following!
Oh yeah.
La la la, she followed the man.
Thump thump.
But at a dingy little building in the corner, she heard unexpected news.
"What? An attack?"
"We overextended expanding. The rival hired near-knight level mercenaries."
『Hoo.』
Near-knight level?
『Ask if he's really near-knight.』
Asking, the answer was not quite.
『Stuck at the near-knight wall. Plenty of cultivators seek breakthroughs against the strong. Most die.』
"The mercenaries occupy our building, waiting. They eagerly await a rematch with Miss Craft, who slaughtered thirty."
The organization member spoke calmly.
"We'll handle this ourselves, so head back today. Process goods via Demon Realm Stock Company."
"W-wait. Let me think alone. Can you step away?"
Pastel sent the member off and drew her demon sword.
"Demon! Demon. What's near-knight level?"
『Cultivating martial arts elevates existence. Nature harmonizes, order follows. The world flows around you.』
In?
"One sword stroke splits mountains, slashes skies?"
『Fairy tale stuff. Don't confuse with reality.』
Eh.
Demon King exists, but not this?
Vague.
"Explain intuitively."
『Cut steel with a wooden sword. But one bullet kills you.』
Gasp.
Too intuitive.
『Those who've broken realm walls differ vastly from the stuck. Mercenary's the latter—not that level. But still dangerous.』
Uwaaa.
Mercenary one step from cutting steel with wood.
『No need to fight rashly. Not a sure win. Could die without a chance.』
Uwaaa.
『Like the member said, retreat today. They acted, their responsibility.』
A gentle voice rang.
『Bright future ahead. You'll reach knight, even higher. Don't court danger. Time's on your side.』
Pastel hugged the demon sword tight.
"But... I don't want to."
Suppressing fear and survival instinct max.
"Demon! Demon. Didn't you say the same on the way here?"
『Yes.』
"But we saved the professor anyway."
『Not your choice.』
She shook her head.
"Result I accepted. And how was it? Fun, right?"
Unlike her words, Pastel's body trembled. She forced her shaking legs to move. Footsteps echoed slowly.
So.
"I want to keep having fun."
Because she did.
『You could die.』
"Wrong."
The girl shook her head.
"You should cheer me on now."
The demon fell silent awhile.
Then spoke softly.
『You can do it.』
The girl's fear vanished.