Chapter 239
“A business idea? Why all of a sudden…?”
At Seere’s question, Paimon replied.
“Recently, you’ve changed tiers and fought many wars. Don’t you need to secure funding?”
Seere nodded. That was certainly the case. The war against the Phynox coalition on the 40th floor had brought Seere solid fame, but it had also resulted in significant losses. Before she could really gain any benefits from the conquered tiers, she had to return them at the general assembly, and the war funds had all been consumed. Additionally, the costs incurred for the tier change were substantial.
Of course, her rank had risen significantly through this process, so the benefits outweighed the losses to some extent. However, what she had previously told Nahun about “lacking money” wasn’t just a joke. She still managed to cover her expenses by selling the high-quality weapons produced in Doomgrik’s forge, but gradually, the weapons from other tiers were beginning to match in quality, leading to a slow decline in sales.
So, the moment she thought she needed a new business, Paimon brought this topic up.
“Do you know what this place I govern is called?”
“The Tier of Art… isn’t it?”
“That’s right. I have a deep interest in art and am involved in many related businesses. It may sound a bit grand, but it’s not wrong to say that the 9th floor leads the trends in the Demon World.”
“Yes, I know. Is the business idea you mentioned… related to art?”
Art on the 9th floor, led by Paimon, wasn’t limited just to painting. It spanned a wide array of cultural ventures in writing, illustration, sculpture, music, theater, and more. The art sector was dominated by them to such an extent that other demon kings found it difficult to challenge.
“Yes.”
However, when Paimon brought up providing Seere with a business-related idea, Seere couldn’t help but feel a bit taken aback.
“Isn’t that something you should be doing?”
“Ah, to be precise, it’s something I cannot do.”
“What does that mean?”
“Do you know that ever since the Celestial Demon War, a new wind has been blowing in the Demon World?”
“Wait, what?”
The mention of a new wind piqued Nahun’s interest as well. Seeing their intrigued expressions, Paimon smiled.
“It’s an interest in the human world.”
“…What?”
“To be exact, there are many in my tier who are curious about human art. This is not only due to the Celestial Demon War but also because ‘someone’ has supplied humanoid slaves to the Demon World, which has made the race of humans somewhat familiar.”
Nahun and Seere felt a jolt. The slave business was ostensibly conducted by Bernet and that trading company, but it was easy to guess who supplied them. There was only one master connected to the 72nd floor linked to the human world.
“You know that a considerable number of the prisoners captured during the Celestial Demon War have been supplied as slaves, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
Although Seere and the Debata army had retreated early due to circumstances, many demon kings brought back human prisoners from the recent invasion of the human world and released them into the slave market. Nahun had previously received word that Bernet had also started receiving supplies from another demon king.
“Among those captives, many were conscripted soldiers. They weren’t originally part of the military, but had separate professions.”
“Are you saying some of them were artists?”
“You’re quick to understand. That’s right, Seere.”
Paimon was explaining that among the humans supplied as slaves, there were indeed some artists, and as a result, demon artists exposed to human art began to show an interest.
“Many demon kings might not like it, but the demon race wishes to embrace human art culture a bit more. Just as your weapon business has improved the quality of weapons in the entire Demon World, Seere.”
“…So, you’re saying that accepting human elements can lead to the advancement of art in the Demon World?”
“Exactly. At least among the artists in my tier, such a current is flowing. Many want to see or possess human artworks.”
Nahun and Seere quickly grasped what Paimon was saying. That’s why this was something she couldn’t do herself, but she was sharing it with Seere. The master of the 72nd floor linked to the human world was still Seere.
Seere seemed to be contemplating for a moment. Though she was a demon king, there were specific issues related to the human world that were troubling her.
But that contemplation was brief. Knowing the substantial profits generated from Paimon’s art business, Seere quickly calculated the advantages and spoke.
“So what should I do?”
“Purchase artworks in the 72nd floor that you own and sell them to our 9th floor artists.”
“…So you’re asking me to earn profits from the price difference?”
“Right.”
“But wouldn’t that lower the income of the existing artists?”
This was a natural deduction. The artworks brought in from the human world would become new premium items, thus devaluing the artworks they currently occupied that space. This would inevitably affect the incomes of the 9th floor artists. Consequently, those suffering would be the artists involved in the relevant businesses, and Paimon and the 9th floor, who benefited from them.
“Is that acceptable?”
“That’s how it goes. If one fears the bleeding that results from cutting away rotten flesh and neglects it, that will ultimately take away their life. However, if they overcome that fear and cut away the rot, healthy new flesh will grow back, and they can save their life.”
Paimon stated.
“The losses incurred during the process of accepting new cultures are to be expected. But I believe it will develop the art business in the Demon World positively. By then, the temporary losses will be insignificant.”
Both Seere and Nahun were slightly surprised.
“…You have quite an ambitious mindset.”
Nahun agreed with Seere’s brief comment. This was how she could possess such unique and challenging ambitions even though she was born a demon king.
Paimon smiled brightly and asked.
“So, do you have any thoughts?”
“I have no reason to decline such an offer. I’m slightly worried about procuring human artworks…”
There was a nuance of slight worry, but still, Seere replied cheerfully.
“It’s an opportunity so great that it would be a waste to let it slip away.”
Once Seere accepted, Paimon smiled widely and said,
“If you bring back human artworks, I’ll send the trading company to the 72nd floor to purchase them all. Since our trading company deals with artworks, they’ll offer appropriate prices, but if you have a specific price in mind, you can discuss it separately.”
“Sure, I understand.”
Seere replied and then glanced at Paimon.
“Paimon.”
“Yes?”
“I don’t know exactly what you and the teacher talked about, or what plans you’re aiming for… but…”
Seere spoke with a gentle smile.
“I sincerely hope you achieve what you wish to accomplish.”
“…….”
Paimon’s eyes widened slightly at Seere’s words. She felt a familiar sensation that she had experienced a long time ago. Initially, she thought it was déjà vu, but it was truly a sensation she had felt before.
“…You really resemble the Faceless King, don’t you? In many ways.”
“Did you know my father personally?”
“Lord Seir was incredibly amicable, so high-ranking demon kings like myself often maintained friendly relationships with him. Regardless of his frequent conquests.”
This was the reason Seir von Debata was known by the name the Faceless King. While his skills were remarkable, it was also because Seir had continuously waged wars of conquest to elevate his rank.
Seere felt a bit puzzled. After all, she was pursuing a shared goal with her teacher, but she wondered why her father had aimed for the pinnacle.
As this question floated in her mind, Paimon spoke.
“Oh, it’s already this late. I think I won’t be able to spare more time since I have work.”
“It’s fine. We can meet again next time.”
“Thank you for your understanding.”
Paimon smiled gently and turned to Nahun. Her gaze carried a hint of expectation. Expectation of a being that could fulfill her ambition. Nahun sensed this and briefly closed his eyelids.
Paimon turned her gaze back to Seere and simply greeted her.
“I look forward to seeing you again next time.”
#
Paimon then guided the two back outside the Demon King Castle. Although she could not accompany them directly, Sargatanas, who had ushered them, took them to the entrance himself.
“Please be careful on your way back.”
“Thanks for the guidance.”
Seere simply nodded, and Sargatanas graciously bowed. Before parting, Nahun casually inquired.
“May I ask you one thing, if possible?”
“Please go ahead.”
“Is there a harpy warrior named ‘Harpia’ in your unit?”
At Nahun’s question, Sargatanas lifted her head slightly. She then answered Nahun.
“I’m sorry, but that’s a name I’ve never heard before.”
“…I see.”
Nahun nodded, and Sargatanas bowed her head again before returning to her fellow unit members.
‘Not here.’
She even said it was a name she had never heard before. Nahun slightly narrowed his eyebrows.
He had been thinking about this for a while. It was clear that this world was indeed the same as the one in ‘Ebel Queen Maker,’ but something felt consistently different. Initially, he thought it was because he was interfering with the scenario. It indeed seemed that way.
‘…That’s not it.’
It wasn’t that the change stemmed from his interference, as Paimon’s influence showed little to no effect from Nahun’s involvement. Even if it were to be affected, it was strange that there existed no warrior named ‘Harpia’ leading a harpy unit, who he didn’t know either.
“I need to think this through.”
“Hmm?”
“…It’s nothing. Just talking to myself.”
“Are you worried about something? About that… ‘Harpia,’ right? Is that person someone the teacher knows?”
“…Yes, somewhat, from the past.”
Nahun made an evasive response. Seere then squinted her eyes slightly and said,
“Is that person perhaps the one you dated in the past?”
“…Huh?”
“You mentioned in the past that you had a romantic involvement, although it wasn’t exactly a relationship, you at least had a romantic encounter.”
Seere looked at Nahun with a hint of jealousy in her eyes. Nahun chuckled at that gaze and replied.
“……No, it wasn’t like that. You don’t have to be jealous about it.”
“I wasn’t particularly jealous.”
“Sure… Now, let’s head off for the date we were supposed to have. We have busy schedules too.”
“Uh, yes.”
Seere exited the Demon King Castle with Nahun. And as soon as they left, Seere spoke to him.
“Teacher.”
“Yes?”
“Shall we go to the street where there are many artists?”
Was she already thinking about business? Seere seemed to be in a good mood regarding making money. Nahun glanced at Seere for a moment and then smiled as he said.
“You can take your time thinking about business, but since it’s a date, let’s go where you want to go.”
“I just want to see it. I’ve never really been interested in art… but if I want to do a related business, I need to know at least a bit about it.”
“Right, since this place is the tier of art…”
“Exactly.”
Seere briefly looked at the tree with blooming red cherry blossoms, then smiled and linked her arm with Nahun’s.
“Let’s go!”
