Chapter 25
“How unrefined! It’s not efficient!”
Professor Horace examined Pastel’s Smuggled Goods and clicked his tongue.
“Cotton fabric? Spices? Huhu!”
Gasp.
Is there any problem with these Smuggled Goods?
“I would like to hear your esteemed opinion, Professor!”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled.
Horace spoke with the face of a Sage supporting the Ivory Tower.
“The items fail to reflect the latest trends in Smuggling! To conduct Smuggling based on past trends, what a massive loss this is!”
The latest trend in Smuggling!
Pastel’s mouth fell open.
This person was an active Smuggling expert who could Mercilessly criticize the Outdated knowledge of the Demon locked in the basement.
“Hmm.”
Professor Horace tapped the box.
“The Demon Realm cannot handle the Self-production of Premium Cotton Fabric, so there is certainly demand. But that is an old story. Now, the Demon Realm knows how to handle the Self-production of anything below that quality. Thanks to that, the demand that should have grown as the Demon Realm developed has been significantly diluted. The price has also been at the Status Quo since the old days.”
Pastel’s eyes sparkled. She hadn’t listened to a single class at School so far, but here she focused on the lesson like a Model Student.
“So you’re saying it still makes money, but there’s no merit in going out of our way to smuggle cotton fabric when there are better items available?”
Horace snapped his fingers.
“What an Excellent Student!”
Hehe.
Pastel is a Model Student.
“Spices are slightly better. The Demon Realm’s Self-production can’t keep up. But just like cotton fabric, there’s no need to deal in spices when there are larger profits to be made.”
Ooh.
“Then what?”
“What should we sell?”
Professor Horace looked at the Model Student and smiled warmly.
“Processed Magic stones.”
Processed Magic stones?
Eh.
Aren’t Magic stones originally from the mines of the Demon Realm? What does it mean to sell them to the Demon Realm?
Pastel became confused.
The super ultra active Smuggling expert couldn’t be wrong. Was my brain failing To Accept knowledge because I was studying after not doing it for so long?
“I don’t quite understand.”
Professor Horace sent her a Gentle look.
“As the Top Scorer in the Written Exam, you probably already know. But your good-natured mind is refusing To abuse that knowledge.”
Oing.
Is that it? I already know, but is my mind too good-natured to keep up?
Gasp, I Think that’s right. There’s no way a smart person like me wouldn’t understand. My good-natured heart is definitely refusing To abuse it.
“Magic Stone Processing cannot be done in the Demon Realm. It is institutionally banned. There are some exceptions, but all the Magic stones they handle through Self-production are Unprocessed Magic stones.”
Come to Think of it, all the Magic stones received from Smuggling were in an Unprocessed state. The usual method was to entrust them to a company and then to gobble up the processed Magic stones.
“As the Demon Realm developed, the demand for processed Magic stones exploded. However, the Trade Procedure for processed Magic stones is strict, so the supply from Sky Island can’t keep up. Our job is to Fill that massive demand.”
Processed Magic stones were roughly the same price as an equal volume of gold. If we smuggled this, how much profit would be left?
Pastel gulped.
“If we smuggle processed Magic stones, how much will the profit increase compared to when we dealt in cotton fabric and spices?”
“The profit margin of the Magic stones themselves is larger than before, and since the Distribution Process of exchanging them for cotton fabric or spices is eliminated, expenses will also decrease. I’d have to calculate the exact numbers for This and That, but…”
Two fingers unfolded.
“It’s roughly 20%.”
Heuaaa.
Pastel’s mouth fell open.
A 20% increase in profit was achieved just by changing the item.
And that was a Compound Interest Figure that was amplified with every Smuggling run.
Gasp.
Is this the expert touch of an active Smuggling expert?
She tapped the Magic sword at her waist.
Lord Demon! Lord Demon! Hurry and Learn! Hurry up and Learn so you can Help the hungry child!
“Don’t Learn too many weird things from this guy.”
Uwaa, what un-Demon-like advice.
Professor Horace looked at the surprised girl and smiled warmly.
Then he felt slightly uncomfortable.
“However, teaching this to a young person like you makes me feel like a bad adult. Is this really okay?”
“So this guy actually has a conscience.”
Pastel’s Eyes Widened.
“Are you perhaps feeling a prick of conscience, Professor?”
“Ahem.”
Professor Horace averted his Gaze.
How, how could this be?
“Professor Horace, no, senior! There’s no need for you to suffer!”
Pastel felt like she was looking at a doctor agonizing over failing To Save a patient.
“Smuggling is fulfilling a desperate demand! It’s delivering necessary goods to desperate people! It’s Righteous and good-natured! There’s no need to suffer!”
“What on Earth are you talking about?”
Professor Horace’s Eyes Widened in realization.
“You, no, junior! How could you come up with such a true thought?!”
The Professor placed a hand on his own chest.
“Heo-eo! My uncomfortable stomach is Clearing up refreshingly! The more I chew on it, the more I like the Idea! That’s right, yes! We were good-natured Delivery persons delivering necessary goods to desperate people! Indeed, indeed!”
“Why is this guy agreeing with this?”
The Professor sent her a Gaze full of fervor.
“As expected of the Top Scorer in Written Exam! I’ve learned a thing or two! How were you able to come up with such a true thought? Please, share your esteemed opinion!”
Having saved a person who almost died because of their conscience, Pastel felt proud.
She had revealed the majesty of the Top Scorer in the Written Exam!
She placed her hands on her hips and explained Triumphantly.
“Because this is the undeniable truth! Even at this moment, there are many people who need Help. You can’t Save desperate people if you’re pricked by your conscience! We must uphold Humanity and justice against this Ruthless World! Only we can do it!”
“Young Kraft?”
Professor Horace clutched his chest, moved.
“I will confess honestly. The truth is, I’ve been losing sleep over Smuggling all this time.”
“Senior?!”
How could that be?
I slept like a log!
I was so embarrassed about drooling that I even flipped my pillow over without Lord Demon’s knowing!
Horace agonized.
“Is it okay for me, a Professor, to do this? Is it truly right to ride the current instead of cracking down on it? Is it okay to Throw away morality and honor for mere money! Heo-eo!”
“He knows well.”
“But after Hearing your words, I feel like all those worries are subsiding! That’s right, yes! Necessary goods to the desperate! We are upholding Humanity and justice!”
“No.”
“That’s right! Right!”
Pastel jumped up and down in joy.
This was the first time in her life she had met someone she clicked with so well!
“Senior! Senior!”
She raised one hand high.
“Ooh!”
Horace also moved one hand.
“High Five~!”
Smack!
Yahoo.
A little while later, they conversed in a Serious atmosphere.
“Ah, so you’re ultimately supplying the Demon World Corporation? While paying a 20% commission?”
Holding her coffee cup, Pastel put on a Business Expression. Magic Stone Powder was added.
At the Opposite Side of the table, Professor Horace set down the wine glass he had been drinking from.
“It is because it’s safe and requires no extra effort. Given my status as a Professor, it’s difficult to engage in activities that stand out too much.”
“Your junior can Help you with that.”
Pastel lightly boasted.
“I’ve secured a Criminal Organization in Blue Wave. The contract is already finished, so if you visit, you can trade immediately without the 20% commission.”
“Oho. Your drive is extraordinary. As expected of Kraft!”
A First-year Student was talking about a Criminal Organization, yet the Professor admired her without an ounce of Doubt or verification.
“If you do that, I’ll arrange a Magic Stone Processing Company for you! It’s a company I barely managed to open trade with by earning their trust over a long period as a Professor. High quality and Excellent prices! It’s a place equipped with Tight-lipped people who don’t ask where it’s used!”
“Sounds good.”
Answering Coolly, Pastel took a sip of her coffee just as Coolly. The black liquid wet her mouth.
Ugh, bitter.
So bitter.
Tastes awful.
Not particularly cool sentiments filled her head, but she immediately blew them away.
Business, Business.
Professor Horace expressed his regret.
“However, it will be difficult to Receive your Help for this Smuggling run.”
“Why is that?”
“I’ve already set a schedule with the Demon World Corporation, so it’s difficult To Break.”
“Ah, then it can’t be helped. How about you come find me in Blue Wave after trading according to your schedule? I’ll go ahead, get things ready, and guide you. We can just do the trade itself next time.”
“Mmm! Thank you. I will visit immediately!”
They concluded the Verbal Contract.
They relaxed the atmosphere and shared small talk.
Professor Horace tossed a Cheese Biscuit into his mouth.
“Have you had any troubles while living at School? Even though you’re in the Student Council, there are things only a Professor can do.”
“Troubles?”
Having thrown away the coffee and bought milk as soon as the Business Operations were finished, Pastel looked ready to cry.
“Of course I do! I accidentally forgot my Semester Report!”
Uwaa.
“I wanted To evolve from Top Scorer in Written Exam to Top Scorer in Research, but it’s become completely impossible!”
Everyone will misunderstand and Think Pastel is stupid.
“Heo-eo!”
Professor Horace lamented.
“For a smart person like you to miss out on being the Top Scorer in Research! That shouldn’t happen!”
“That’s right! Right!”
Pastel is totally smart.
Pastel strongly agreed.
“Junior!”
Professor Horace thumped his own chest.
“Just trust this senior! Who am I?”
Ing.
“Professor Horace?”
“And the Chief Officer of the semester reports!”
Oing.
“Just trust your senior!”
Professor Horace smiled.
“I’ll give that worry a clean Resolution!”
O-i-ing.
#
After parting ways with the Professor, Pastel arrived at Blue Wave.
She read a letter while walking down the Street. It said that the Organization had undergone an Organization Expansion and moved its Residence.
“I Think it should be visible if I turn the corner here.”
“Isn’t it that building?”
“Isn’t that a bit big? It doesn’t look like the sinister Residence of a Criminal Organization.”
As she looked around, someone Hurriedly approached.
It was a man with a familiar knife scar on his lip.
The nice person who guided her to the Organization last time!
“Kraft-nim, quickly, this way.”
Unlike last time, the man spoke in polite language.
“Nice to see you! We meet again! Woowaoowa!”
Pastel offered a bright and cheerful greeting. Her high-pitched voice rang out in the Street.
The man turned Pale and placed his Index Finger to his lips.
“Shh! Shh! Please follow me quietly.”
Eng.
Ah, right!
You’re supposed To Follow a Secret Organization quietly!
Oh yeah.
La-la-la, she followed the man.
Dugeun Dugeun.
However, upon arriving at a small building in the corner, she heard news different from her expectations.
“Pardon? A Raid?”
“We overreached while expanding our Organization. The Opposing Organization hired a Semi-Knight Level mercenary.”
“Oho.”
Semi-Knight Level?
“Ask if they are truly Semi-Knight-Level.”
When she asked, the Answer was that it didn’t seem entirely like that.
“Are they people blocked by the Wall of Realm of the Semi-Knight Level? There are plenty of ascetics seeking a strong person To Break through the wall. Most of them die, though.”
“The mercenary is On Standby while occupying our building. He is looking forward to clashing with Kraft-nim, who committed the Massacre of thirty people.”
The Organization member spoke in a Calm Voice.
“We will handle the Resolution of this matter ourselves, so please head back for today. You can just Process the trade goods at the Demon World Corporation.”
“W-Wait a moment. Let me Think about it alone. Could you give me some space?”
Pastel sent the Organization member away and drew her Magic sword.
“Lord Demon, Lord Demon. What is Semi-Knight Level?”
“As you do your Training in Martial Arts, your Status of Existence rises. Nature synchronizes and order follows. The World flows centered around the person.”
Ing.
“Do they split mountains and Slash the sky with a single Sword Strike?”
“That’s a story from a fairy tale. Don’t confuse it with reality.”
Eh.
There’s even a Demon King, but this isn’t real?
It was confusing what he meant.
“Please explain it intuitively.”
“They can cut steel with a wooden sword. But they die to a single gunshot.”
Gasp.
Too intuitive.
“The difference between one who has broken through the Wall of Realm and one who is blocked by the wall is huge. The mercenary is the latter, so he won’t be at this level. But he is still a Dangerous opponent.”
Uwaa.
A mercenary right on the verge of cutting steel with a wooden sword.
“There is no need To Fight unreasonably. He is not an opponent you can definitely beat. You could die before you even have a chance to React.”
Uwaa.
“As the Organization member said, step away for today. They took action, so it is a matter they must take responsibility for themself.”
A Gentle voice rang out.
“Your future is bright. You will undoubtedly reach not only the Semi-Knight Level but even the Knight-Level. Do not bring danger upon yourself. Time is on your side.”
Pastel hugged the Magic sword tightly.
“But I, I don’t want to do that.”
She suppressed her fear and Survival Instinct as much as possible.
“Lord Demon, Lord Demon. Didn’t you say something like this on the way here too?”
“I did.”
“But in the end, we saved the Professor.”
“It wasn’t something you chose.”
She shook her head.
“It’s the result I accepted. And how was it? It was fun, wasn’t it?”
Contrary to her words, Pastel’s body trembled. She forced her trembling legs To Move. The sound of her Footsteps rang out slowly.
So.
“I want to keep having fun.”
Because that’s what I want to do.
“You could die.”
“You’re wrong.”
The girl shook her head.
“At times like this, you should be cheering me on.”
The Demon was silent for a moment.
Then, he spoke quietly.
“You can do it.”
The girl’s fear vanished.