Dryads are a forest-dwelling species.

　But that doesn't mean they live in the trees like monkeys.

　They usually form groups of thirty people and build settlements in the forest.
　They build simple houses and live there while raising their children.

Can you build a village like that around here? Of course you can continue your business.

　The black market.
　Most of the Dryad settlements also serve as black market venues.

　There is always an underhanded merchant coming in and out, scavenging and bringing in the goods that are notorious.

'What?'
I don't like being told this all of a sudden.

　The dryads are not enthusiastic.

"The people of the plain don't know this, but we don't move the yasa that easily, do we?　There are conflicts with other dryad settlements, and in-laws with our customers.
''You wouldn't want a merchant who always uses the black market to suddenly change places, would you?　We have to be honorable, too, especially in an industry like this.

　They have a point.

'I'm not suggesting that we move now. They can afford to make their familiarity known. And, you know, I'm not proposing this for nothing. We have plans for you to make a profit.
Oh.
Heh.
"You want to get your mithril products on the black market?

　As soon as I said that, the dryads' eyes changed color.

　It's a good thing.
　Our mithril smiths have been following their own creative impulses to create not only weapons for the human race, but also magic tools for the demon race.

　Naturally, these are not sold on the human side. The only way to sell them to the demons is to get them to buy them, but of course they can't be sold openly to the enemy.

　In the past, I used to go through my friend Rizzet, but it's about time for me to ask her, who isn't even the main job of a sideline, to do it.

How about it?　Can you add the mithril mages we produce to your black market offerings?
I'll do it.

　A quick answer, huh?

　But this is a very nimble thing to do. If you're not this quick, you can't handle something as dangerous as the black market, right?

But wait, wait, there's more that I can't understand.

　The oldest and most sensible of the several dryads gathered here said.

''Aren't you, as I recall, a Yippesotu with no power in the Demon King's army?　What kind of power do you have over a mithril mage?　Besides, I know that the Mithril mine belongs to the humans now. I can't sell mithril grimoires to the demons any more.

　Good question.
　You're right, the dryads who run the black market are very intelligent in the world.

　They are the ones you can be proud of.

"Don't worry, I'm moving up in the world.

　Now I'm no Yippee-Sotu.

"I am Soncho!

　So there's nothing in this world that I can't do!
　Village chief, I'm a great guy!

""I see...oh, I see!"
'The dryads!　There's nothing to worry about!　Trust me and follow me!　Let's open a black market in my lap and we'll make a lot of money together!
""Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

　Thus, I was able to take in the dryads.

◆

　And a few days later.
　And a few days later, the forest was a bustling place, just like the one we were in before.

"We've moved to a dryad settlement.

　I didn't expect it to happen so soon.

　I can only assume it's hasty, right?
　Do you have any obligations to the regulars who used to go to the previous settlement?

　Oh well.

　The area in front of me is already opened with the least amount of grass and trees trimmed, and a simple but solid hut has been erected in front of it.

　Who would have thought that there would be spectacularly rare and famous items lined up for sale inside that place?

''Well Mr. Dariel, I'm beginning to see what you're up to.''

　Says Radey, who has been watching my work from the side.

'You plan to use this dryad settlement as a way station?　You want me to go from Rax Village to the Demon King's Castle through this settlement?
Do you understand me, Radey?

　With this, the march from Lux Village to the Demon King's Castle route should be easy for now.
　The newly created Dryad settlement is located in a forest in the Demon territory.
　The dryad settlement is also a black market, so it was possible to take a break and prepare equipment.

''How could you think that far and call the Dryad together...?　A bottomless person...!　But.........?

　A stinging word from Radey.

'Is that all you want?'
Hmm?
''Placing mithril magic tools on the black market was treated as bait to make the dryads feel more attractive, but the benefits to Lux Village that can be gained from that are absurdly large, right?

　That's right.
　With the big sales channel of the dryad black market, we can sell more of Lux Village's mithril products to the demon tribe.

　It's going to be a boon for sure.

　If this is the case, Rizzet's got no more use for me now...?

Don't call it cheating. A good trick is to have a variety of effects with a single move. And there's nothing wrong with me, the mayor, wanting to make Lax Village a better place.
..........

　Radey, with a deep look on his face that seemed to swallow something.

Even if you care about appearances now, it's just a halfway house....... In that case, I'm going to thoroughly push forward without regard to appearances and reach the Demon King. And I will definitely defeat the Demon King!

　Radie was on fire.
　He is determined to defeat the Demon King without reservation.

　And then there's the other guy who doesn't mind pretending.

The other guy is the one who doesn't mind.　This is a treasure trove!　Another treasure trove of goodies over there!　It's a bargain over here too!

　Zebiantes was addicted to the black market.

'You're buying everything from here to there!　I'll have the steward carry it out and pack it in the carriage!
'No!　It's a top-secret market so no extravagant transport!

　Was it a mistake to let him know about this place?
　He's a noisy guy who is definitely not good at keeping secrets.

　Well, now we've opened up a new sales route for the village of Lax, while also opening up a new route for Radie's march.

　Since the Demon King's Army is still unaware of this route (Droyer and Zebiantes know about it, but they don't intend to interfere with it), if they want to go, they can reach the Demon King's presence without any effort.

''Now that we're ready to reach it, all that remains is to prepare to win.

　Radey said.

''Of course we can't get upset that we can win at the current rate. To make this sword reach the Demon King, further training is essential...!''

　Well, you will.
　I'm also relieved to see that you're not as reckless as I thought.

But when you're dealing with a demon king, isn't it enough to train for dozens of years?

　You might end up spending the rest of your life in a 'I'm going to get serious tomorrow' kind of groove.

' "It's okay. We already have a trump card.
What?
All that's left to do is train them to perfection. .........Zebi-chan!

　Zebiantes, who was about to buy the entire hut built by the dryad, turned around.

'Hoho?　What's the matter with you?
'Keep me in practice!　A new special move for the Demon King, I'll have it within a year!
''It's fine - I made a promise and I will cooperate with you thoroughly!

　Thus.

　The brave Radie has been steadily preparing for the battle against the Demon King.

　She didn't know what her secret trump card for the Demon King was, but she managed to obtain it through her blood-soaked efforts and headed for the Demon King's Castle.

　The news that the brave Radie had confronted the Demon King echoed around the world.