“Not sophisticated at all! It’s not efficient!”
Professor Horace clicked his tongue as he examined Pastel’s smuggled goods.
“Cloth? Spices? Ha ha!”
Huh.
What’s wrong with this smuggled item?
“I’d like to hear your thoughts, Professor!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
Horace, with the face of a wise man supporting the Ivory Tower, said, “The items do not reflect the latest trends in smuggling! What a great loss to be smuggling based on past trends!”
The latest trends in smuggling!
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
This man is an active smuggling expert who can mercilessly criticize the ancient knowledge of a demon trapped in the basement.
“Hmm.”
Professor Horace tapped the box lightly.
“High-quality cloth cannot be produced by the Demon Realm itself, so there is certainly a demand for it. But that’s old news. The Demon Realm can now produce at least that quality on its own. Thanks to this development, the demand that should have increased has significantly diluted. The prices have remained stagnant as well.”
Pastel’s eyes shone. Although she hadn’t attended classes so far, she focused on the lesson like a model student here.
“So even though it still earns money, it’s not worth smuggling cloth if there are better items available, right?”
Horace snapped his fingers.
“Excellent student!”
Hehe.
Pastel, the model student.
“Spices are somewhat better. Since the Demon Realm cannot keep up with its own production. But just like cloth, there’s no need to handle spices for greater profits.”
Ooh.
“So then?”
“What should we sell?”
Professor Horace smiled broadly while looking at the model student.
“Processed magic stones.”
Processed magic stones?
Huh.
Aren’t magic stones mined from the Demon Realm in the first place? What does it mean to sell them to the Demon Realm?
Pastel became confused.
The super ultra expert in current smuggling couldn’t be wrong. Has my brain become unable to accept knowledge after not studying?
“I don’t quite understand.”
Professor Horace sent a gentle glance.
“You, the top student, probably already know. But your good heart is refusing to misuse knowledge.”
Huh?
Is that so? I already know, but my good heart is stopping me from following along?
Huh, it seems right. How could a smart person like me not understand? Clearly, my good heart is refusing to misuse it.
“Processing magic stones cannot be done in the Demon Realm. It’s institutionally prohibited. There are a few exceptions, but all magic stones produced there are unprocessed.”
Now that I think about it, all the magic stones we receive from smuggling are indeed unprocessed. We usually entrust that to a company and enjoy processed magic stones afterward.
“The demand for processed magic stones has skyrocketed as the Demon Realm has developed. However, the procedures for trading processed magic stones are complicated, and supply from Sky Island can’t keep up. Our job is to meet that huge demand.”
A processed magic stone is priced similarly to gold of the same volume. How much profit would be made by smuggling this?
Pastel swallowed hard.
“If we smuggle processed magic stones, how much would the profits increase compared to handling cloth and spices?”
“The profit from the magic stones themselves is also greater than before, and since there’s no trading process involving exchanging for cloth or spices, expenses decrease as well. We would need to calculate precisely for various factors, though.”
Two fingers were held up.
“Roughly 20%.”
Wow.
Pastel’s mouth dropped open.
Just by changing the item, profits increase by 20%.
And that compounding growth amplifying with every smuggling deal.
Huh.
Is this the touch of an active smuggling expert?
She patted the magic sword at her waist.
Demon lord! Demon lord! Please learn quickly! Please learn and help the starving children!
“Don’t let that fool learn anything strange.”
Aah, that’s not a demon-like piece of advice.
Professor Horace smiled happily as he observed the surprised girl.
And then, he seemed a bit uneasy.
“However, I feel like a bad adult teaching you, a young child. Is this really okay?”
“So you do have a conscience after all.”
Pastel’s eyes widened.
“Could it be that you’re feeling guilty, Professor?”
“Ahem.”
Professor Horace averted his gaze.
How can there be such a thing?
“Professor Horace, or rather, senior! You don’t need to suffer!”
Pastel felt like a doctor who couldn’t save a patient.
“Smuggling is about fulfilling urgent demands! It’s about delivering necessary items to those who desperately need them! It’s just and good! There’s no need to suffer!”
“What are you talking about?”
Professor Horace opened wide eyes.
“You—no, junior! How could you have such true thoughts?!”
The professor’s hand pressed against his own chest.
“Wow! The unease inside me is clearing up! The more I think about it, the more I like this idea! That’s right! We are the good delivery people giving necessary items to those in need! Yum!”
“Why is he agreeing with this again?”
The professor’s eyes filled with excitement.
“Indeed, you’re the top student! I learned a thing or two! How were you able to have such true thoughts? Please share your insight!”
Pastel, who rescued someone almost dying of conscience, felt proud.
Showing the majesty of the top student!
She placed her hands on her hips and confidently explained.
“This is an undeniable truth! Even at this moment, there are many people in need of help. If you let your conscience hinder you, you can’t save those in need! We must uphold righteousness against this harsh world! Only we can do this!”
“Little Craft?”
Professor Horace pressed his hand to his chest, moved.
“I will confess honestly. To be truthful, I’ve been losing sleep over smuggling all this time.”
“Senior?!”
That can’t be.
I’ve been sleeping like a baby!
I was so embarrassed about drooling that I even flipped my pillow secretly!
Horace looked distressed.
“As a professor, is it really okay for me to do this? Is it right to ride the wave of trends instead of cracking down? Can I really throw away morals and dignity for mere money? Ugh!”
“Well, you certainly understand.”
“But after hearing your words, those worries seem to fade away! Yes, that’s right! We are delivering necessary items to those in need! We are following righteousness!”
“No.”
“Yes! Exactly!”
Pastel jumped with joy.
I’ve never met someone who sees things the same way as me!
“Senior! Senior!”
She raised one hand high.
“Ooh!”
Horace also moved one hand.
“High five!”
The palms met with a clap!
Yay.
After a while, they continued conversing with a true atmosphere.
“So, you’re finally supplying to the Demon Company? With a 20% commission?”
Pastel, holding a coffee cup, wore a business expression. Adding magic stone powder.
On the opposite table, Professor Horace set down his wine glass.
“It’s safe and doesn’t require much effort. Due to my position as a professor, it’s hard for me to engage in activities that stand out.”
“I can assist you, senior.”
Pastel boasted lightly.
“I’ve arranged a crime organization at Blue Wave. The contract is already finalized, so you can come visit and trade immediately without a 20% commission.”
“Oh? Your initiative is impressive, Craft!”
The professor marveled at a first-year student mentioning a crime organization without any hesitation or doubt.
“If you do that, I’ll connect you with a processed magic stone company! I barely got a trade going with a firm I’ve built long-term trust with as a professor. They have high quality and excellent prices! It’s a place that doesn’t ask where you’ll use it!”
“Sounds great.”
Pastel replied coolly and took a sip of coffee. The black liquid coated her mouth.
Ew, bitter.
So bitter.
Gross.
The not-so-cool thought filled her head, but she quickly brushed it away.
Business, business.
Professor Horace looked regretful.
“However, I won’t be able to accept your help with this smuggling.”
“Why’s that?”
“I’ve already scheduled with the Demon Company, so it’s hard to back out.”
“Then there’s nothing we can do. How about trading per the schedule first, then you come to Blue Wave? I’ll prepare everything in advance and guide you. We can do the trade next time.”
“Sounds good! Thank you. I’ll visit immediately!”
They completed the verbal agreement.
The atmosphere relaxed, and they chatted.
Professor Horace tossed a cheese biscuit into his mouth.
“Have you faced any difficulties while at school? Even though you’re in the student council, there are things only professors can assist you with.”
“Difficulties?”
After finishing business, Pastel had discarded her coffee and brought out milk, now looking forlorn.
“Of course I have! I accidentally forgot my semester report!”
Aah.
“I wanted to evolve from the top student to the top researcher, but it’s completely impossible now!”
Everyone must think Pastel’s foolish now.
“Wow!”
Professor Horace lamented.
“To think someone as smart as you would miss a research chief position! That cannot stand!”
“Right! Exactly!”
Pastel is incredibly smart.
Pastel agreed vigorously.
“Junior!”
Professor Horace hit his chest.
“Just trust this senior! Do you know who I am?”
Huh.
“You’re Professor Horace?”
“And the top person in charge of semester reports!”
Huh?
“Just trust this senior!”
Professor Horace smiled.
“I’ll solve that problem neatly!”
Oh dear.
#
Pastel, after parting with the professor, arrived at Blue Wave.
Walking through the streets, she read a letter. It informed her that the organization was expanding and had moved its base.
“I think we might not see it if we turn the corner here.”
“Isn’t that building over there?”
“Isn’t that a bit too big? It doesn’t really seem like a sinister lair of a crime organization.”
As she looked around, someone rushed towards her.
It was a familiar man with a scar on his lips.
The nice person who had guided her to the organization last time!
“Craft, this way quickly.”
The man began speaking formally compared to last time.
“Good to see you! We meet again! Wow wow!”
Pastel cheerfully greeted him, her high-pitched voice echoed in the street.
The man turned pale and placed a finger to his lips.
“Shh! Shh! Follow quietly.”
Huh.
Oh right!
In a secret organization, you must follow quietly!
Yay.
Lulululala, she followed the man.
Her heart raced.
However, upon reaching a small, secluded building, she received news contrary to her expectations.
“What? An ambush?”
“We got carried away while expanding the organization. We hired a quasi-knight-level mercenary from the opposing organization.”
“Oh?”
Quasi-knight level?
“Ask if they are really quasi-knights.”
Upon inquiring, the answer seemed to be that they weren’t quite that.
“A mercenary who has hit the wall of quasi-knight levels. There are plenty of monks looking for strong opponents to break through that wall. Most of them die.”
“Our mercenaries are currently occupying our building, waiting for a chance to confront you, who slaughtered thirty men, Craft.”
An organization member spoke calmly.
“We will handle this matter ourselves, so for today, please return. The trade items can be processed through the Demon Company.”
“Wait a minute. Let me think for a moment. Could you step away, please?”
Pastel sent the organization member away and took out her magic sword.
“Demon lord, demon lord. What’s a quasi-knight?”
“As you cultivate martial arts, your essence rises. Nature aligns and order follows. The world flows according to people.”
Huh.
“Can they sever mountains and cleave the sky with a single sword stroke?”
“That’s a story from a fairy tale. Don’t confuse it with reality.”
Eh.
There’s a demon lord, but this is off?
It’s a bit confusing.
“Please explain it intuitively.”
“With a wooden sword, you can cut steel. But you could die from a gunshot.”
Huh.
That’s too intuitive.
“The difference between someone who has broken through the wall of mastery and one who hasn’t is vast. Mercenaries are usually the latter, so they might not be that strong. But they are indeed a dangerous opponent.”
Aah.
A mercenary, who is at the verge of cutting steel with a wooden sword.
“It’s unnecessary to fight recklessly. This won’t be an opponent you can defeat surely. You might die before you even have a chance to act.”
Aah.
“Like the organization member said, just step back today. They will take responsibility for their actions once they act.”
The gentle voice echoed.
“You have a bright future. You’ll likely reach not only quasi-knight levels but also knight levels. Don’t seek out danger. Time is on your side.”
Pastel tightly embraced the magic sword.
“But I—I don’t want that.”
She suppressed her fear and survival instincts to the maximum.
“Demon lord, demon lord. Didn’t you say stuff like this on the way here?”
“Yes.”
“But in the end, we saved the professor.”
“You did not choose that.”
She shook her head.
“It’s the result I accepted. So what happened? It was fun.”
Pastel trembled contrary to her words. She forced her shaking legs to move forward. The sound of her footsteps reverberated slowly.
So.
“I want to keep having fun.”
Because I want that.
“You could die.”
“That’s wrong.”
The girl shook her head.
“You should encourage me in situations like this.”
The demon was silent for a moment.
Then quietly said.
“You can do it.”
The girl’s fear vanished.
