The Dalfon Company was the undisputed titan of commerce within the Demon Kingdom, though its rise to the top had only begun about two hundred years ago. It all traced back to a time when a global plague ravaged dungeon potato crops. To survive the resulting food shortage, twenty-three merchant guilds formed a coalition under the orders of the Demon King of that era. That coalition became the Dalfon Company.
Since its inception, the company had been indispensable for managing the production and pricing of food across the kingdom. It was even credited with steering the nation through the Great Fairy Wheat Famine two decades ago. The company was managed by a council of seventeen "candidates"—the descendants or successors of the original founders. Apparently, a few of the original representatives from that era were even still active. I wondered how they managed that, but I decided to save that curiosity for later.
The invitation had come from one of those candidates, a woman named Ridley Baker-Maka.
"I offer my deepest apologies for the events that have transpired," the plump, forty-ish woman said, bowing her head.
I looked at her coolly. "Which events, exactly?"
I wasn't suggesting we let them off the hook; I just needed clarification. The Dalfon Company had blundered so many times recently that I wasn't sure which specific crime she was apologizing for.
First, there was the matter of harboring the Lich, Tony, in the capital's ruins. Second, using that Lich to target me, Big Sister Urza, and Big Brother Alfred. Third, hiring adventurers to assassinate Tony to cover their tracks. Fourth, the armed assault on us when we entered this building. And fifth... they had burst out laughing when they saw me tied up with a rope.
I found the last one particularly unforgivable. I expected a very thorough apology for that.
"Are you familiar with our structure?" Ridley asked. "I am merely a candidate, not the Representative."
"I'm aware," I replied.
Candidates could voice opinions in the council, but final authority rested with a single Representative elected from their ranks for a five-year term. Rules forbade consecutive terms and mandated a thirty-year gap before one could serve again.
"In this instance, I only intended to invite you," Ridley continued. "Gilling was the one harboring the Lich. Maskund used it to try and kidnap you. Raizen hired the adventurers. And Lulusa was the one who attacked you here. I had nothing to do with any of it."
"You were the one who laughed at me, though."
"For that, I am sorry. I just didn't expect you to be tied up... pfft, kuku."
I narrowed my eyes, wondering how best to make her regret that laugh.
"I am truly sorry. Really. But while I'm a member of the company, I wasn't part of their schemes. We've already captured Gilling and plan to hand him over to the castle tomorrow. Maskund... well, he opposed the cleanup of the back alleys, so I suspect he was trying to spite Count Chrome. He used the Lich to flex his muscle. We've caught him, too."
"And the attempt to eliminate the Lich?"
"Awful timing. Raizen didn't even know about you. He just realized the Lich was a liability that could destroy the Dalfon Company, so he tried to eliminate the evidence."
"Fine. And what about Lulusa?"
"He's collapsed right over... wait."
I thought he’d been knocked out with the rest of the twenty-odd guards who attacked us when we entered, but he was standing up and laughing like a maniac.
"Fools! Your luck has run out! My strongest reinforcements have arrived!"
Three shadows lunged into the room.
"Tiger Demon King's Army, number three hitter, Right Ojes!"
"Tiger Demon King's Army, number four hitter, Center Hyfryguta!"
"Tiger Demon King's Army, number five hitter, Left Kihatroy!"
"Hahaha! Go! Destroy the intruders!" Lulusa shouted.
...I knew these faces.
"Forgive us! We were just hired for the cash!"
"We didn't know the details of the job!"
"It's all this guy's fault!"
The three dragons betrayed Lulusa the instant they saw me. They didn't even hesitate. It certainly made things easier, though it was a bit pathetic. I handed the tied-up Lulusa and the three dragons over to Big Brother Gol and turned back to the negotiation.
"Lulusa just wanted to protect the company," Ridley said, trying to regain her composure. "And really, even with an invitation, you climbed over the wall at night. It's natural for guards to attack."
"We were turned away at the front gate despite having the invitation. What else were we supposed to do?"
"I suppose that was my failure to communicate... but I didn't expect you to arrive the same day I sent it."
"Let's call it even then. Have you ever been the Representative, Ridley-san?"
"No, I haven't."
"Well, the pool of candidates is about to shrink, and the current Representative will likely resign. Or is he the stubborn type?"
Ridley sighed. "He's not stubborn, but he wasn't involved. The candidates acted alone."
"Then we'll say he was the mastermind and oust him. You can take over and start granting us favors."
"Wait, please. The current Representative is actually quite capable. Ousting him is a bit much."
"Someone has to take the fall, or Uncle Demon King and Uncle Beezel won't be satisfied. Will Gilling and Maskund be enough?"
"Can't we just sacrifice those two and save the company?"
"Think about it. If you keep the same leadership, people will think you can commit a crime for every candidate you have. Resigning and rebranding under a new leader is the smarter move."
"That might be true, but he's truly a good leader. He hasn't even been in the capital for months. He's in Shashato City trying to negotiate with the Goroun Company."
"The Goroun Company?"
"Yes. They've been gaining too much momentum lately. Dalfon's control over food production and prices is slipping because of them."
"So he's there begging for cooperation?"
"In a sense. But asking the Goroun Company to forfeit their profits is... difficult. That's why he's stuck."
"If it's a national issue, shouldn't Uncle Randan handle it?"
Ridley blinked. "By 'Uncle Randan,' do you mean Lord Randan of the Four Heavenly Kings? I knew you were close with the Demon King and Count Chrome, but Lord Randan too?"
"Yes. Is that a problem?"
"No, no. But this is a company matter. We couldn't just bother him."
"If Uncle Michael isn't agreeing to your terms, it's probably because he doesn't like being pushed around by a rival company. It would be much smoother if Uncle Randan talked to him."
"Wait... who is 'Uncle Michael'?"
"Michael, the President of the Goroun Company. Are you not close?"
"Not at all."
"Well, my father is. And since the Goroun Company is heavily involved in Village Five, they're great friends."
Ridley looked stunned. "Your father is the Village Head of Village Five... so the rumors were true. No wonder Dalfon couldn't make any headway there."
"Exactly. The production around Village Five and Shashato City is out of your control. You should just swallow your pride and let me talk to Uncle Randan."
"Even if I wanted to, a candidate can't just get an appointment with someone as busy as Lord Randan."
"Don't worry about that. He's coming to my house for dinner tomorrow night to celebrate my enrollment. I'll just tell him then."
"Eh?"
"So, the Goroun problem is solved. Now, why don't you use that success to secure your position as Representative?"
Ridley looked terrified. "Please, stop. If I took over without proper groundwork, the company would crumble. Just... spare me."