Well, that's a start. "Demons don't eat," and I think that's something you guys want to hide.

''Well, yes. It's a fact I'd prefer to keep secret if possible.

In that case, we'll provide you with the proof. As long as you put a mark of 'purveyor of the current demon king' on our trade association, I'll prepare all the sales channels, import routes, and import records from the founding of the country to the present. It's not that demons don't eat, it's just that our company is the one that takes care of it.

....

　With a twitch, Jessica's eyebrows move.
　Certainly, I don't think the Empire is certain of that information yet.
　I don't think there are many people like Silmeria who think with certainty that 'demons don't eat'. If that's the case, then if you create a fake import route there, which is made by Silmeria, this information should not be a certainty from the Empire's side.

''I see.......Indeed, it might be a necessary measure to prevent information from being leaked.

I see. But I do need to get paid in full.

'But ... doesn't it seem unnatural to just put it on the record?　At the very least, if you're wholesaling food to a city with more than ten thousand demons, you'll need to move the logistics around. It would seem unnatural to just keep a record of them.

　Jessica pointed out, sharply.
　However, Silmeria chuckled as if such a reaction was to be expected.

It's only natural. Of course, we'll stock up on food for that amount. I'm sure we'll need to stock up on foodstuffs from now on as well, although we'll be able to use the amount of money we've got from our storage facility.

But we don't need food in this country. Then what are you going to do with all that food?

Well, yeah. Just give it to the desolate farming communities and give it to them cheaply. I don't know any other country on this continent that can say 'we don't need food' except here.

I mean....

Yeah, that's right.

　Kooky, Silmeria narrowed her eyes.
　She announced.

"We say to you guys, 'Pay for the food you don't eat.

....

Of course, we don't need the money. Of course, we are a large transaction, so we wholesale just before the purchase price. And in reality, it's an empty trade...how so?

I see...

　With a gulp, I can hear Jessica swallowing her spit.
　Certainly, we can't let the information leak out.
　I don't know how this fact will have a positive effect in the future, but we should take the steps we should be able to take.
　It's true that I should certainly take Silmeria's proposal in that regard.
　However.

''You know very well how greedy you are........''

Exactly. There's no merchant who isn't crazy about money.

We get money from our country for food, and we get money for food that we don't actually bring in to these lonely farming communities, right?

Well, I guess that's the word on the street.

　Bitterly, Jessica mutters.
　This proposal is too one-sided - it's only beneficial to Silmeria.
　Certainly, as someone who wants to keep information private, this may be a proposal that we should take. However, I don't think it's a good idea for Silmeria to benefit from it.
　Is this because of my narrow-mindedness?

It's not worth talking about.

　But Drake answered so immediately.
　Silmeria may have said it confidently, but apparently she didn't like Drake's opinion.
　Yeah. I don't really like it either, so I'm in the same boat as Drake.

"Do you realize the threat you pose to this country?

I don't know what this is all about.

'You've put it very far afield, but I'll put it plainly. 'If you want me to keep a secret, you have to pay me.'

Oh, well....

　Silmeria smiles wryly in response to Drake's words as well.
　I see. I've finally grasped a sense of discomfort too. That's the reason why I didn't like it somehow.

　Silmeria--this guy is threatening our country.

Well, that's what it is.

'Master Noah, you may ask this merchant to leave now, may I?

Heh...?

　Suddenly, Drake called out to me as such.
　Apparently, Jessica seemed to agree with him and nodded bitterly.

''The fact that 'demons don't need to eat' is certainly a secret that we want to protect. But it's not a secret that you have to spend so much money to keep it secret. Right, Princess Jessica?

Yes. At best, it would only slightly increase the threat level of the Empire to Grandizia.

　Drake, Jessica continued.
　But Silmeria raised her glasses with a smile on her face.

You have to say that, young lady. You have to listen to the end of your story.

What more do you want...

What you said so far is for our benefit. And what comes next is for your benefit.

　Silmeria tells me that with confidence.
　Currently, there doesn't seem to be any advantage to us doing business with Silmeria, though. I wonder if there's still something in her that will blow away our doubts and make us want to do business with her.
　Gulping, I can't help but swallow my spit.

''.......I don't think it's something that would be beneficial to us.

I'll tell you about it now. Young lady you're a royal of the Kingdom of Orleans, judging by the name you just gave me.　Well, I don't know why you're here.

I don't think I need to tell you that.

Oh, scary. You get so angry, you'll get wrinkles between your eyes, little girl.

If you're kidding me, I'd like to end the conversation here.

　Ki, Jessica glares at Silmeria.
　But it's only an eight year old little girl glaring at her, so it's nothing to be afraid of.
　In fact, from my point of view, it's like a young child growing taller and even smiling. If I told the person in question, he or she would get angry.

'Well, yeah. But you know........for the royal family of the Kingdom of Orleans, young lady, you're reading too much into it.

...What do you mean by that?

As you said before. "The Empire's threat to Grandizia will only increase slightly.

So... what is it?

Of course not. Threat level?　It's a blast. It's a bombing of the highest order. That's for sure.

　Silmeria told her so simply.
　And at the same time, Jessica's eyebrows twitched.

'Yo, think about it. What do you think the fort is for?　What do you think it's for?

It's...

An answer that even a layman could understand. It's simple, it's to block the enemy's supply line. Even if you ignore the fort and march into it, the fort is built so that the supply line won't continue. Without supply, an army can't work. That's why the army marches slowly and surely. They move slowly, taking down forts, tearing down barriers, and occupying towns. Otherwise, they won't be able to get their supplies to us.

....

There is a powerful army that doesn't need to be resupplied at all. An army that can come straight to the imperial capital without regard for forts and gates. That kind of thing is horrible and unbearable. If we could control the imperial army, I would do my best to attack them now. That's exactly what I'm going to do, I'm going to use the entire imperial army.

....

I don't know how many demons there are in your country but are there enough of them to surpass the full power of the Empire?

　The full force of the Empire.
　As a former citizen of the Empire, I don't understand that either. But without a doubt, there will be tens of thousands of soldiers, or even hundreds of thousands if it's done poorly.
　And if they were to gather troops without a care in the world, adventurers would be called in as well. Just like Drake, as many S-ranked adventurers as possible will be called up.
　The ability to receive and surpass the full force of the adventurers.
　Will my subordinates, less than 15,000 demons, have the strength to take it all in and overcome it?
　I wonder if they have it.
　To be honest, I think they do. It's not too scary.

Well, this is one of the advantages we can offer you. It's something I can understand if I think about it.

Ultimately, though, all it sounds like is, 'If you want me to shut up, give me the money.'

In fact, he says so. You're not wrong.

Tsk.

　Silmeria laughed so arrogantly, even in response to Drake's words.
　And looking at me again, Silmeria fluttered her hand.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this. I know that this is a weak advantage for your side.

....

We've brought you a huge bottle of wine to make sure you're happy with it. I'm sure you'll be happy with this one.

Tell me about it now.

　Jessica puts her hand to her forehead as if she's just tired.
　It's as if we're being driven into a corner just by the way we talk. Naturally, it's as if I'm listening to Silmeria's story.
　I can't interrupt her.
　Rather, I was even in awe of Silmeria's imposing attitude.

'Information and,'

　Silmeria's shapely lips.
　Yes, they told me in a nutshell what the 'big product' was.