Chapter 20 - Hidden Item (4)

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"...There is one thing I want to ask you," Paine spoke from the depths of the shadows after a prolonged silence.

"The notion of smuggling food isn't foreign to me. The empire is vast; if you establish a merchant corps, disguising it as one from a distant province, it's nearly impossible to unearth the truth unless one delves deep. However, transporting the grain-laden wagons into our territory, especially through our domain, has always posed a challenge.

We require not just one or two carts but a substantial quantity, and finding a way to transport all that grain covertly to our land beyond the Wasteland has been an insurmountable obstacle. Not to mention the impracticality of using horses, given their aversion to madness. Master Edwin, do you have a solution to this?" Paine's shadow turned in my direction as he voiced his concern, an undertone of desperation threading his words.

I nodded and answered his question, "Do you, perhaps, have any maps?"

When I asked for a map, Paine gestured outside the door, and after a moment, Isana, who had been standing nearby, brought a rolled-up scroll and unfolded it before me.

"Thank you, Isaha."

"It's nothing. I'll be stationed by the door, so if you need anything more, please don't hesitate to call me," Isana said before leaving the room, leaving the map.

"You seem to be very close to her. You express such gratitude even for the smallest things, so even as your subordinate, I'm sure she can't help but be more loyal," I remarked, trying to lighten the atmosphere, however…

…"Oh...? Ah, yes... Thank you," Paine responded hesitantly, his reaction not quite what I had hoped for. Sensing the need to shift the conversation, I cleared my throat and steered it in a different direction.

"Cough, cough. Shall we proceed with our plan, then?" I asked, clearing my throat. "If we follow the usual route, we must evade the notice of both the locals and the watchmen. Here is the passage we will use."

"Inktowne?"

As far as I could tell, along the left side of the tall mountain range to the east, there was a village midway between the South and North roads. Paine, who looked at the map, recited the place name in a questionable tone.

"Yes, precisely. Unbeknownst to most, there is a hidden byway in this village that leads to the Wasteland—a road to be taken in peacetime, only reserved for emergencies, deliberately kept a secret and not marked on the ordinary maps. And the road is not wide, but it should be wide enough to accommodate a single wagon."

I was quick enough to explain the further strategy, "You'll pose as a merchant from the north and establish a waypoint in this village. Now the village was in ruins as all the residents had moved elsewhere. So there would be no prying eyes, and despite the slightly rugged terrain, it serves as a crucial nexus connecting the north and south. Given the absence of residents, no one will raise suspicions. Our guard posts along the side roads will be temporarily vacated due to troop redeployment.

Also, I am aware that the people in the east are taller and considerably stronger than us. Hence, you can transport the grain with a wagon only up to the midpoint and rely on your manpower afterward."

I emphasized the conditions, "However, this arrangement stands until we've shipped all the grain we've sold. Once you've secured the necessary supplies, we'll reinstate the road patrols. Therefore, it's wise to discard the idea of using this route afterward."

After I finished speaking, I turned my gaze back to Paine's shadow. "How do you feel about this arrangement?"

After I finished speaking, there was no answer and only a long silence, so I asked Paine again, "...How about it?"

The shadow seemed to have managed to come to its senses only after I urged it, "...If we can carry it out like this, it's a deal we can't help accepting. But Master Edwin, before that, there's something I'd like to ask you. Then, what do you stand to gain from this deal? We can relieve the people suffering from drought and stabilize public sentiment with this deal, but all you will get is a small amount of money. And yet, you're willing to take this risk for such pennies?"

In response to Paine's questioning, a grin spread across my face.

"Pennies, indeed, is the price for a legitimate transaction," I replied confidently. "And what greater business is there than earning the trust of your neighbors with just a handful of grains? I believe our arrangement can proceed. Establishing official camaraderie might prove challenging, but isn't that the reality, Mr. Paine?"

"...Do you truly regard us as the same? Did you not feel any trepidation when you saw Isana's true form?"

"To be honest, I was quite taken aback. In person, the feeling of intimidation was really beyond my imagination. However, rest assured—I don't judge individuals based on appearances, let alone abilities. Now that I look like this, who would discriminate against who?" I shrugged my shoulders, adopting a self-deprecating tone.

Paine fell silent for a moment after my words, and then, unexpectedly, erupted into hearty laughter, "Hahahahaha!"

It took a while for him to regain composure after laughing so heartily. He wiped his eyes with his finger and spoke with a newfound sense of lightness, "Ha, excuse me. It's been such a long time since I've laughed like this, Master Edwin. I was honestly surprised. If I'd known such a bold person was around, I would have befriended you long ago. The past years have been quite pitiful," Paine admitted, his laughter fading into a thoughtful expression.

"It's too much praise. And what's the use of regretting the past? What matters most is what lies ahead. I'm certain Mr. Paine feels the same way."

Upon hearing my words, Paine nodded in agreement. "Yes, the future is what truly matters. Very well, Master Edwin. I, Paine, accept your offer. I will tell Isana to prepare accommodations for you in the mansion. Please make yourself at ease, and we can delve into the details of our arrangement."

"It's precisely what I was hoping for, and it's an honor. Oh, and Mr. Paine, earlier you mentioned that all we could get were pennies. However, there are a few additional requests I'd like to discuss, if you wouldn't mind."

*******

After my conversation with the future Demon King, Paine, I followed Isana's guidance to the guest room. The room was unadorned, lacking decorations, yet impeccably neat and tidy, exuding a sense of luxury. I unpacked my belongings haphazardly and sank onto the bed tucked into the corner of the room.

'Ha...'

It was late in the day, and Paine had something scheduled, so our detailed discussion was postponed for the next day. I referred to it as a schedule, but I couldn't help but wonder what precisely occupied the Demon King's time. What I had encountered earlier was merely his alter ego. The true Paine was likely operating somewhere in the Empire, cloaked in human disguise.

In truth, I knew little about the Demon King —

Up to the point I had read, his story had yet to be fully revealed, leaving me with only fragmentary knowledge. I knew his gender was male. Unlike her people who shunned contact with humans, he actively established a base, using artifacts to conceal his identity, and mingled among them for several years.

He was a moderate Demon King, fond of the people and culture of the West. However, due to the demands of hardliners under his command and the unavoidable circumstances of the demons, he had ultimately decided to invade the Empire. When most of the hardliners were massacred during the war by the Hero party, and the demons' offensive came to a halt, they made peace with the Empire, acquiring a portion of the land where they settled.

— That's why, never had I anticipated meeting him so easily. In any case, the invasion of demons was not something that could be prevented by selling some grains.

The severe drought plaguing their East Continent was not a temporary occurrence but a permanent climate change.

Although we were currently selling surplus grains from a bountiful harvest, there was no guarantee this trend would persist in the following years.

Moreover, the quantity they received would not be enough to feed all the demons, so the dissatisfaction will build up. As the years pass, this dissatisfaction would intensify, eventually erupting into conflict, potentially turning their aggression toward the empire.

Similar to the humans of this era, the demons had yet to establish a centralized system. Their organization was rudimentary compared to humans, with demons divided into various clans and forming loosely knit chiefdoms.

In the original storyline, Paine ascended to the role of Demon King thanks to his innate formidable power. However, even with his strength, he was not an absolute ruler, bound by the influence of chiefs leading individual clans.

This intricate balance eventually led to a significant invasion a few years later, and the burden of this event would fall heavily upon me and my family.

A formidable mountain range, akin to a sheer cliff, separated the Empire and the Forbidden Land, acting as a natural barrier against the influx of demons and various monsters, so the only passage was through the wilderness between the Southern Region and Forbidden Land, reaching as far east as Madehaven, our own territory.

If I continue cultivating a friendship with Paine, the moderate demon king, there would be room for negotiation in the event of an emergency, and since other blood relatives will benefit from us anyway, we may be able to reduce the public opinion that openly approves of the unconditional destruction of the South.

Perhaps, if executed effectively, this approach could avert the dire outcome where the entire South was reduced to ashes like in the original storyline.

Of course, this perspective felt overly optimistic, so it was clear that additional means must be prepared separately, but anyway, this method was the best I could think of right now.

Although it bothered me a little that the knowledge about the existence of the side road had to be made public, its narrowness made it unsuitable for a large-scale movement of people; and since the road was between steep, towering cliffs, we could easily seal it off in emergencies through magical bombardment.

'After all...'

…I pondered, contemplating the grim reality. I lacked the overwhelming power to single-handedly alter the course of war or the superior intellect to manipulate every situation.

It was a harsh reality to accept, utilizing only fragmentary knowledge to avert an impending tragedy.

'It's really hard to survive…'

…thinking over and over again, before I knew it, my contemplative thoughts carried me into the soft embrace of the bed, my consciousness drifting away.

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