The business meeting room was filled with air as if it had boiled over in an instant.
　But like a breeze gently rebuking such an atmosphere, a soft voice came out.

'May I begin?'

　It was Pitre again who spoke up with a raised hand.
　He smiled with a genuine, mild-mannered smile, not a fake one like the one Pauli was wearing.
　This is what it's like to be drained of your venom. Standing stiffly in front of him with his adult role model attitude makes me feel as if I'm back to being a child who doesn't belong.

　Pauli must have thought so too.

'Yes, yes, go ahead. 'Of course, of course, Mr. Pitre,'

　When Pauli, who had been priced out of me for a long time, closed her eyelids as if she were holding a contradiction, she cowered her shoulders in surrender.
　It means that Pitre has the character to remonstrate with this young man who reeks of danger. The leader of the Cassiou's Chamber of Commerce is no ordinary man.

　He is not a great leader of the Cassiou's Chamber of Commerce," he said with a warm and sincere smile.

I've heard that you are a great wizard, known as the 'Avenger of the Demon King'," he said. I'm not sure why you are doing business in Kajuu.

　I also had an inkling of his character and replied sincerely, "I need the Sword of the Eagles to avenge the Eight Demon Generals lurking in the land.

"I need the Sword of the Rumblings to defeat the Eight Demons lurking in the land.
Oh.......... Well I see..........

　I didn't need to dwell on it, and Pietre nodded repeatedly as if he had a point.
　I said, "Why did you start doing business in Kajuu? But when I asked them why they were so interested in the issue, they were convinced.
　Only Gormes said, "Ha. That's a beautiful thing to say. I won't be deceived.
　Well, since there is no way to prove my words as truth, there may be others who are doubting inside. You're the only idiot who's going out of his way to be sarcastic and say that.

　I addressed everyone in the room except Gormes.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask you a question. I wonder if any of you will be able to help me.　I don't need the pirate king's token and I don't need the diary. I'll give you the Maid of Honor back when I've defeated the Eight Devils. Lady Hanna has promised to help us, but to be honest, I'm not sure I'm ready to name baby Link the Pirate King of the South as my preferred successor.
Hmm....

　Everyone, including Pitre, thought about it.
　Only Gormes said, "Fool. That's how they're going to get us to pay them, cursed man! But of course he ignored them.

　But Paulie was the quickest to reply.

Will you give up getting the 'Maid of the Sea'?

　He smiled at the baby face with the scarred cheek and said something outrageous again.

'....I don't know what you mean by that?
Exactly what it sounds like. If you want to get the Mockingbird, you'd have to make one of the nine merchant leaders the successor to the Pirate King, wouldn't you?　Can you stop doing that because it's annoying?

　Pauli's radical statement caused a buzz in the business meeting room.
　He could not even look at them, and he could not even look at them.

Can you try to think about it from our point of view?
Well that's an interesting perspective.
I'm sure you've noticed, but secretly we at the League have given up on the Seal of the Pirate King. It's too hard to get one. Then, Magnus comes out of nowhere and offers us a revolutionary business proposition. I'd welcome that much!　But Magnus, your ultimate goal is to give someone here - or my boss - a sign that you've given up on.　In other words.
'Well I'm not that smug, but let me hear the rest of the story.
That's fine for one of us, but it's a nuisance for the rest of the eight merchants. So will you stop doing that?

　Pauli's open and cursory mannerisms.
　To be honest, it's a bit spooky.
　But that doesn't mean I can't clap my hands together for my part.

I see. But if I defeat the Eight Demon Generals and by extension the Demon King, it will be in your interest. A peaceful world is a merchant's paradise.

　Strictly speaking, there are some professions that are more lucrative in the less peaceful seas, such as arms dealers, but we don't have them in the League.
　The Southern Pirate King created such waters a hundred years ago to make a fortune in peaceful waters.

I take it you're on the right track, Master Magnus.

　Pirtle voiced his opinion in a voice that was not only mild, but intelligent.

The Nine Chamber of Commerce and the Malm Chamber of Commerce here have agreed to join forces and pay the amount of money set by the Southern Pirate King. The Nine Chamber of Commerce and Malum Chamber of Commerce here are proposing to join forces and dedicate the sum of money set by the Pirate King of the South to the siren of the sea.　If this large trading company joins forces, it should not be impossible. On top of that, Magnus-dono is to take out one of the Eight Demons. He will take the Sign of the Pirate King from you and return it to the sea. His successor would never appear again. Don't you think that would be the most harmonious solution?
I think it's a good idea, Mr. Pitre.
I'm in, dude!

　Pitre's proposal was blindingly gratifying to me.
　And Madame Hanna and Anemone were the first to agree with me, and somewhat later, Popos of the Paraiso Chamber of Commerce also agreed.

　On the other hand, Pauli was equally quick to raise her hand in a scuffed manner.

''Oh no, no matter how much Pitor-sama's proposal, I can't get on that guy.

　Quickly, Golmes said, "Yes!　Can you ride! ranting and raving, but finally, even Pietre ignored it.

What do you think, Mr. Pauli?
It's too profitable. I'm not investing in this.
But Lord Magnus had the Eight Devils...
Yeah, that's the part I don't like!　I'm not talking to you!

　Pauli made a forceful statement with a bloodless smile.

For example, if this is a story about needing the 'Sword of the Ocean' to kill the Demon King, then I'll still give it a thought. If it will wipe out all the demons in this world, then it will be a worthwhile investment.
So, in order for Lord Magnus to defeat the Demon King, he must first...
"First of all, you want us to cut our own losses in order to defeat one of the Eight Devils?　And that's a lot of money?　Let's keep your cool, Mr. Pitre.

　Paulie said it with a wry grin on his face, and then he turned to me and said.

Let me ask you a question, Mr. Magnus, how many of these demons have you killed in your career?

　The way you talk, you've probably done your research, but Pauli goes out of her way to ask you. I'm going to take my word for it.
　There's no reason for me to lie about it, either, and I answer honestly.

"There are two of them.
It's only two!　Isn't it a work in progress too!

　Pauli held her head in a theatrical gesture, as if she had just heard something unbelievable.

'Do you understand, gentlemen?　Even if I invest in Magnus, I don't know if he can really reach the Demon King. With all due respect, there's a good chance that he'll be defeated and die in the middle of defeating the Eight Demon Generals one by one. This is a poor investment. As someone who is in charge of my boss, I can't take such a gamble. What about you all?

　The blood runs through Pauli's smile as she admonishes those around her.
　It turns into a sarcastic, cheek twisting laugh.
　The large cheek wound becomes a drawn-out, dangerous smile.

'If it weren't for Lord Magnus, I wouldn't be here either. I have no objection to your investment.

　Mrs. Hanna was the first to endorse me.

'Wow, my island of Guava was also saved from pirates.
I'm also the one who taught me how to make money for decades to come. We'll get you one too.

　Popos and Anemone also came out in support.
　But that's as far as it goes.
　The rest of the party leaders hesitated or were silent.
　Only one, Golmes, said, "Guhi, this is not good news, is it? And I'm enjoying myself to a low degree.

　The meeting was split in half, four to five.

'Wait a minute, gentlemen!

　In the midst of all this - Aria gets up from her seat and appeals.

''Magnus-san is really strong!　He's definitely the one who will bring down the Demon King!
'Yes. Trust Master Magnus!

　Even Chocolat steps forward and shouts at me.
　I'm very happy for them both.

　This is the reason why it is so difficult for them to understand your laws.

　If it was about business, Aria could have been more calm.
　However, since the conversation turned to "can you kill the demon king?" or "can you not kill the demon king?", Aria's feeling of trust in me was too great, so she got pissed off.
　Maybe she thinks I've been made a fool of, and she's even angry at me.
　And Chocolat too.
　I'm really glad. It's heartbreaking and it helps me stay calm instead of me.

'No problem. Thank you both.

　I quieted Aria and Chocolat in a calm voice.
　I'm sure my feelings were understood by the two of them, but Aria sat down and Chocolat returned to her original position, looking reluctant.

　You're going to be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of your own personal life.
　On the other hand, I told him the lines he was supposed to say - the words he was going to smack Aria with, as if he had caught the head of a demon, instead.

I swear, I will do everything in my power to defeat the demon king. I will continue my journey. But I can't promise anything there. I'm not as strong as I could be. And I'm not vain. I'm not going to be the only one who can do this. Isn't that right?

　Aria and Chocolat got an 'aha' look on their faces.
　Pauli whistled briefly.
　Then he, too, changed his tone of voice to a meek one.

If you're aware, fine. And I wasn't being very polite either. I apologize for that. You will be able to find out the best way to get the best out of it, but if you are still in need of the Sword of the Sea, I will invest in you. You have my word.

　Old Georg nodded his head.

'Good point. And so will our St. Anthony's Company.

　He's been watching me and Pauli's exchange with the cat with the bad eye, and he too, who has been watching the exchange with the cat with the bad eye, gives off a distracted vibe.
　Gorky, the stainless steel merchant, also rides his buttocks, and that's the kind of talk that goes on.
　Only Gormez would say, "I won't invest a single copper coin! He was ranting and raving, but no one was listening to him anymore. Even his entourage was ignoring him.

　There were other items on the agenda - but - in any case, that was the end of the party leadership meeting.

　　　　◇◆◆◆◆.

　After we were dismissed, I was stopped by Pietre.

'I was impressed by your story but I'm sorry I couldn't help you.
No, I appreciate that. Besides, it's been a productive meeting for me.
Is that so?

　Pieter blinks his eyes.
　I wasn't sore loser or anything, but I really nodded my head.

'I know you're on my side. This is a harvest.

　In fact, in the "strategy book" information, Pitre is described as "warm and benevolent, no doubt, but somewhat conservative and hard-headed".
　That's why I went to Felix and not him in the first place.
　If I'd gone to Pitor out of the blue and asked him about the Sword of the Rumblings or some other groundbreaking business proposition, there was a good chance I'd have been warned.

　But I came to Qaziou and continued to do honest business here and there, making not only the Malm Chamber of Commerce but the Azzurri Chamber of Commerce as well.
　That must have made Pitre feel differently.
　It was only now that he trusted me so much.

　But that "now is the time" is just a consequence, and it's unknown whether or not I'll ever be able to gain this man's trust.
　And since the top of the "League" was found to be cooperating, it's worth attending this meeting in itself.

I see, Mr. Magnus. If there is anything I can do, please feel free to tell me.

　Hearing my words, Pietre gave a broken smile.

''Yes, I will indulge you.

　I exchanged a firm handshake with him.


　There was also a party leader who was waiting for me and Pitre to finish our personal conversation.
　It was an old man with a black cat in his arms, Old Georg, with a bad eye.

I'm sorry about earlier.

　And I apologize first and foremost for kicking the joint venture story of the Pitre proposal.

"I may have offended you," he said, "but I must tell you that I'm looking forward to working with you on the joint venture. "I may have offended you," he says, "but if I may be so blunt, I'm looking forward to working with you on this joint venture. I hope you haven't changed your mind, but now what do you think?
Of course, I won't let my moods and other trivial matters ruin my profitable business.
'No, I'm relieved to hear that!　Thank you, thank you.
'Now that the meeting is over, may I come back to you tomorrow, Old Georg?
Forget it, we'll call on you. I'll see you tomorrow. Lord Magnus.

　We are amicable, and I tell him I'm free for the day.
　I think I'm an old man who can't eat, but I'm dryly divided there, too.

　Besides, I'm actually not as offended as I'd like to be.
　I thought Pauli's argument had a point, and in the first place, I went to Kajiu with the intention of earning the necessary amount of money on my own.
　Of course it would be nice if you could help me, but it's a bit too lenient to resent me for not doing so.
　It's just a matter of time before he or she talks about earning money with the Malm Chamber of Commerce, as opposed to a fool like Gormes.