The conversation with my old friend Rizet, an old friend of the Demon King's Army, is still going on.
　It's over.

　Next, we should talk to the humans.

　I traded them for the mine.

　It was to the guild leaders who have been entrusted with full authority.

◆

''Selling Mithril to the Demon Race?

　At my suggestion, the guild leader raised a curt voice.

''Sell mithril to the demon tribe?''

　I said twice.
　That's how shocking it was.

'Hohohoho, are you serious, Dariel-kun!
Are you serious? And that's why I've brought a representative from the demon side here.

　Beside me, Lizette was standing with a look on her face as if she didn't know what to do.
　If you don't know, you should have laughed.

'Dariel-kun, that's...!　A grave betrayal...!
Why?
How could I?　Can't you understand that, GWB?

　Do you get sore from excitement?
　Well, let's talk calmly.

Let's talk calmly, okay?　This mine once belonged to the human race. But the demon tribe took it away, and this land has been their territory ever since.
Okay.
Now, at last, we humans have returned to our race!　This time we will monopolize the mithril and deal the demon race the blows of scarcity!　By doing so, we can maximize the effect of taking back the Mithril mine!
That's exactly what I'm saying.

　Once I agree with the executive's argument, I argue.

'But think about it. The best for this side is the worst for that side. The lack of mithril will be a serious problem for the demon race.

　That's why.........

''The demon tribe should come desperately to take back the mine. The Demon King's army will be throwing everything they have at them.
''No, Dariel.......that's why the Demon King's army won't move in earnest at the Demon King's will.......!
Shut up.

　He chided Lizete for trying to say something unnecessary.

You'll be able to see that the human side will naturally return fire to defend what they've taken from you. It's guaranteed to be a horrific battlefield of corpses and rivers of blood, with large armies from both sides clashing against each other.
Uhhhhh...
It's the Corpse Mountain Blood River.

　It would be a futile bloodbath, and the defense spending for it would be ridiculous.
　Most importantly, if the mine was recaptured after that fierce battle, it would be a lost cause.

''Why don't we avoid the worst here and avoid the worst of the other side as well?
The worst of him?
'For the demon tribe, for now, if the supply of mithril is maintained, we can breathe a sigh of relief. There will be no reason to take back the mine at all costs.
"Hmm?

　The guild leaders reacted with a twitch.

''I see, so that's how you're going to block the other side's all-out offensive, isn't it?
I'm sure you're aware.
''It's not bad, it doesn't look bad, but even so, even though you've gained the upper hand, I don't want to give them a slap on the wrist and make them equal...?
Of course it's not equal. Of course they are not equals, but we should be the ones to take the lead.

　Since the humans are the ones who are practically in control of the mine right now, they should wield that advantage to the fullest.

''Specifically........the price of mithril to sell to the demon race......!
"How?
Like this....
Hey!　Isn't this price four times the market price?　If they want to take it on like this...?
They'll still have to buy it.

　I look over at the lizet I brought with me.
　He acts like he knows what he's doing.

"...we are now depleted of mithril. We need supplies as soon as possible. It will take a long time to fight and take it back from you guys. And even if we do so and take the time and shed blood, there is no guarantee that we will get it back.

　Rizzeto does his best to produce the melancholy of the defeated.

'I am willing to settle for money if I can avoid the result of too much labor and no merit. The decision is yours to make, but...''
If we accept this offer, then

　The guild executive said hesitantly.

''You guys aren't going to attack the mines, right?
'If you can get mithril, there's no reason to fight, that is. At the very least, you won't have to do it forcefully and as a top priority...

　I heard that the Demon Lord has actually banned him from fighting, but he was bluffing there.

　It was as if a violent spinning sound could be heard from the guild executive's head.

''That's right.''

　He was quick to conclude.

"Well, it does seem to be highly profitable for you to go along with the proposal. Not just for us, but for each other.
Wait.

　Someone interrupted him.
　It was a young white-haired fitbitan.

'I disagree,'
Why?
'There's no why or what. Demons are the enemy. There's no way they would join forces with the enemy.

　Fitbitan is an adventurer and has been sent to guard this mine.
　His job is to fight the demons here.

　He will resist having that job taken away from him.

'I asked 'why?' That's not what I asked.

　The guild leaders said sternly.

''How can a mere hired adventurer interfere with the policies of the higher ups?　So that's it. The job I asked you to do was to provide security and escort. Political advice is not part of the quest.
''............?''

　He couldn't go against the guild executive, who was in a higher position in the same organization and was also his employer this time.
　Fitbitan shushed him.

''Dariel-kun, what do you think?
Am I allowed to give my opinion?

　I'm just an adventurer, too.
　And I'm only D-rated.

"You're the one who brought me this proposal. You're the one who brought us back the mine.
That may be so....

　Now, if you don't mind my presumption........

''This demon race is a trustworthy opponent.
Is that all you've got?
That's all. Isn't that enough?
Very well.

　The guild leader said.

''My guest of the demon race, I would like to share my mithril with you. For a fair price.
"For the right price...
We will have to discuss these details, but we can discuss them later. In the meantime, can you promise not to attack this mine?
For my life. Also, if you could, I would like your permission to do something else for the humans.
What's that?
"I'd like to make a formal apology to all the knockers who have been inconvenienced by our selfishness.

You're not going to be able to do that.

"You're one of those guys who has to take care of things...
Not as much as you...

　The meeting with Knocker was over, and I was outside alone with Lizet.
　The knockers accepted an apology from him.
　With my mediation, it was immediate.

　I'm afraid to ask why you are so trusting of me.

It's a good thing that the face of the Demon King's army is still intact and the supply line of mithril is still there. It's really thanks to you, thank you.
No, I'm the one who started it all.

　If they thanked me for this, it would be heartbreaking, like a match pump.

You still have the money problem, though. Four times the market price, huh? It's painful. Why is it four times the market price?
The amount of mithril I forced on the knockers was four times the usual amount delivered. Wouldn't it be nice to return the favor?
"So that's how it is...!　But can we cover that much money?
'It should be all right. If Lord Bashvaza throws away his personal fortune, well, it should be a fine amount of money.
What?

　Lizette's expression changes at my statement.

'Throwing away your personal fortune?　That stupid son of a b*tc*?　You think I'd do that?
''If I don't, that person will finally end up as the Four Heavenly Kings. If he doesn't realize that he's at a crossroads, he will have no future in the Demon King's Army.
It would be better for everyone if we didn't have it, really...

　Lizete scratched her head in frustration.

'Dariel, you really are too naive. I'm sure it was that stupid son who kicked you out of the Demon King's Army. Ever since that one incident, most of the Demon King's army has been opposed to him.

　Seriously?

''What's the point of helping him when you might have a chance to come back if your stupid son loses his place?　He's now a cancer in the Demon King's army!
I have no intention of returning to the Demon King's Army.

　I've also found out what I was really born into.
　I like my second life as a human.

My past as a demon tribe is still with me. If it wasn't for Granbaza-sama, the previous Four Heavenly Kings, picking me up, I wouldn't have even been able to live and grow up.

　That favor cannot be forgotten for life.

'Lord Bashbursa is the son of that Lord Granbursa.
..........

　Lysate just sighed without saying anything more.
　Instead, he said a word.

'Hey Dariel. We're going to remain friends, aren't we?
"That's not the kind of thing a 30-year-old man would say.
'At your age, when you change affiliations, you're going to lose more and more connections. I'm worried.

　Even so, we won't be able to cut the line with each other from this situation.
　I'm sure it will be a matter of holding each other's hands.

If you need help with something, just come to me.