The Dalfon Company was responsible for the Demon Kingdom's food production and price adjustments.
In terms of food production, we had always pushed for increased output.
As you know, the Demon Kingdom had suffered from food shortages for a long time.
Furthermore, because of the ongoing war with the Human Kingdoms to the west, food remained in constant short supply.
However, despite the scarcity, the price of food never skyrocketed.
This was because the Dalfon Company purchased crops from production sites at high prices and continued to sell them to the public at low prices.
Naturally, this resulted in a loss.
A massive deficit, in fact.
However, those losses were historically compensated for through exemptions from transit taxes and land taxes, as well as the exclusive rights to sell certain luxury goods.
The food shortage in the Demon Kingdom was finally resolved a few years ago, once the reclamation of fields using dungeon potatoes began in earnest.
Although the market eventually became flooded with produce, prices still did not collapse significantly.
This was because the Dalfon Company continued to buy at high prices.
The food that the Dalfon Company purchased was then sold directly to the Demon Kingdom's administration.
Of course, the Dalfon Company was not merely a brokerage firm that simply moved goods.
We researched which crops were needed and subtly guided the lords of various regions to adjust their production volumes accordingly.
Our pricing was never set to reap exorbitant profits; we maintained common-sense rates for the sake of the Demon Kingdom’s stability.
This was the system of food production and price adjustment that the Dalfon Company had upheld for generations.
The issue this time centered on the Goroun Company, which held immense influence in the areas surrounding Shashato City and Village Five.
The Goroun Company was buying up crops at even higher prices than the Dalfon Company.
When this happened, the price of produce in Shashato City and Village Five naturally rose.
If it were only a local issue, it might be manageable, but Shashato City served as the primary transit point for travelers moving from the Royal Capital to the rest of the kingdom.
If prices fluctuated there, it would trigger a ripple effect across the entire Demon Kingdom.
Therefore, we had been negotiating with the Goroun Company to align their prices with ours, but the results had been less than favorable.
If the situation was left as is, we predicted that the food market would destabilize, eventually impacting food production volumes in every region.
This was the problem currently plaguing the Dalfon Company.
"To put it simply, the Goroun Company is buying up crops at such high prices that it’s causing trouble for everyone else. You're saying, 'It's fine to buy the crops, but please stick to the prices the Dalfon Company recommends,' right?"
Tiselle-sama summarized the points I had spent thirty minutes explaining to the dinner guests into a single, concise thought.
I wasn't sure if I should thank her for the simplification.
"Why does the Goroun Company insist on buying at such a high price? Would it not be more profitable for them to buy at a lower rate?"
That was the Demon King’s question.
"Because the seller of the crops is also the Goroun Company," President Michael of the Goroun Company replied.
I see, so that was how it worked.
That certainly made it difficult for the Goroun Company to agree to lowering their purchase prices.
After all, it would mean a direct decrease in profit for them as the seller.
No, wait—was this an attack by the Goroun Company?
By acting as both the seller and the buyer, they could manipulate the market price at will...
Wait?
Why was President Michael even here?
If a person of his importance had arrived in the Royal Capital, word should have reached us immediately.
I hadn't heard a single whisper of it.
"I arrived just now via Count Chrome's teleportation magic... but where exactly is this?"
The one who answered my silent confusion was Representative Delinted, the head of the Dalfon Company.
He appeared to be a man in his thirties, but he was a member of the Demon Race who had lived for over a hundred and fifty years.
"Ridley, is this your doing?"
Absolutely not.
I shook my head from side to side with all my might.
This was definitely not my doing.
"For the time being, let us all have a seat."
A young maid I didn't recognize offered chairs to President Michael and Representative Delinted.
Wait?
Is the little maid sitting down too?
Um... who is she?
As if she had sensed my confusion, she began to introduce herself.
"My name is Miyo. I serve as the Chief Secretary to Magistrate Ifuls of Shashato City."
Magistrate Ifuls was a celebrity in administrative circles.
He was known everywhere for his competence and was highly sought after by every region in the kingdom.
Considering how Shashato City had developed explosively following his appointment, his talent was undeniable.
And this was his Chief Secretary.
Since it seemed only I and the Demon King's wife were meeting her for the first time, she must be a person of considerable influence.
...
"Does Tiselle-sama know Miyo-sama as well?" I whispered to Tiselle-sama.
Before Miyo-sama sat down, she had shared a high-five with Tiselle-sama, so I assumed they were acquainted.
"She's a resident of our village."
"Um... Miyo-sama is a Village Five resident?"
Miyo-sama answered my question directly.
"My true position is that of a servant in the Village Head's house. I am a colleague of Asa over there."
I-I see.
"However, I am currently here as a proxy for Magistrate Ifuls. I request to be treated with the appropriate status."
"U-Understood, Miyo-sama."
It seemed that while I was busy explaining the Dalfon Company's woes, Count Chrome had teleported to Shashato City and brought back President Michael, Representative Delinted, and Miyo-sama.
Now, in addition to the three newcomers, the dinner party consisted of:
The Demon King, the Demon King's wife, Count Chrome, Minister Leg, Randan-sama, Tiselle-sama, Alfred-sama, Urza-sama, and me.
Why was I still in the middle of this?
If I said the wrong thing and drew more attention, I would be in serious trouble.
Therefore, I chose silence.
I would stay as quiet as humanly possible and hope to survive this.
Representative Delinted, please stop glaring at me.
I wasn't the one who complained about the food production and price issues.
Truly, I wasn't.
I have no intention of trying to usurp your position or anything of the sort.
Ignoring my internal panic, the Demon King moved the discussion forward.
"For now... Michael. If the seller and the buyer are the same entity, you can set the price however you wish. What exactly is the reason you cannot cooperate with the Dalfon Company?"
President Michael did not flinch in the face of the Demon King's question. He answered calmly:
"It involves an extremely confidential matter."
That wasn't an answer.
That wasn't an answer at all!
Wasn't that a bit dangerous?
Even for a powerful merchant, giving such a vague response to the sovereign could be considered lèse-majesté.
"Then I suppose it cannot be helped."
Your Majesty?
Why are you backing down so easily?
"Your Majesty. It is true that the matter is sensitive, but we must take some kind of action."
Count Chrome interjected.
That was true, but why was he so certain it couldn't be helped?
"Umu. Very well. Then... I command everyone present. The contents of this discussion are strictly confidential and are not to be repeated elsewhere. You are to take only the final decision with you."
The Demon King made his declaration.
In other words, he was authorizing Michael to speak about the secret.
It was the kind of topic where, if one leaked it, they would likely be eliminated without a trial.
I wanted to run away.
But I was trapped.
President Michael nodded and began to reveal the "confidential matter."
"Regarding the crops in the fields managed by the Goroun Company... they are all actually the property of the Village Head."
...I'm sorry, I don't follow.
Which Village Head are we talking about?
"Transactions between the Goroun Company and the Village Head are usually settled in currency, but the massive outflow of gold and silver coins became a serious economic problem. As a countermeasure, we began using the crops from those fields as payment in kind."
Using the crops as payment in kind?
Wait, more importantly—the Goroun Company was engaged in transactions so massive that the outflow of gold and silver became a national problem?
Miyo-sama picked up the explanation.
"In short, all revenue from the crops in the fields near Shashato City and Village Five owned by the Goroun Company is applied toward the debt owed to the Village Head. The issue is that the selling price for those crops has never been fixed."
At Miyo-sama's words, Randan-sama chimed in to confirm:
"Does that mean if the selling price drops, the Goroun Company must compensate for the shortfall out of their own pockets?"
Is that why the Goroun Company can't agree to the Dalfon Company's price cuts?
"That is not it," Miyo-sama corrected him.
"The ownership rights of the crops belong entirely to the Village Head. Therefore, if the market price drops this year, it is the Village Head who will suffer the financial loss."
I see. Then why was President Michael refusing to lower the prices?
"If the Goroun Company itself won't suffer a loss, then I see no reason why you shouldn't agree to the price reduction?"
Representative Delinted said exactly what I was thinking.
In response, President Michael's reaction was terrifying.
"Shut up, I'll kill you."
............
I could not believe those words had come from the head of the second-largest company in the kingdom.
How barbaric.
Furthermore, did he not realize who he was standing in front of?
The Demon King and the Queen were right there!
I really thought he should watch his language...
"Representative Delinted. My apologies, but please remain silent for a moment. This is a very delicate matter. I believe I understand the situation now."
The Demon King told Representative Delinted to step back without saying a word of reprimand to President Michael.
Just how important was this "Village Head"?
I still didn't understand.
President Michael appealed to the Demon King.
"To put it bluntly, the Goroun Company cannot agree to a price reduction that causes the Village Head to lose money. We are the ones who requested he accept payment in kind for our own convenience; it is unthinkable that he should suffer a loss because of it."
"Is it not possible to renegotiate the contract so the Village Head is protected?"
"I cannot suggest such a thing from my position, and even if I did, he likely wouldn't agree. He is the type of man who would simply shoulder the loss himself."
"Is it truly impossible?"
The Demon King looked toward Alfred-sama.
"If it's Father, I think he would say a contract is a contract, even if he loses money. I don't think he'd agree to change the terms just to save himself."
The trading partner was Alfred-sama's father?
In other words, the "Village Head" was the Village Head of Village Five?
If he's a partner who's willing to take a loss, why not just let him?
I wanted to say that out loud, but remembering Representative Delinted’s treatment, I bit my tongue.
"Besides, I don't think Father would want the Demon Kingdom to fall into chaos over food prices," Urza-sama added, glancing at Miyo-sama.
Miyo-sama nodded, as if she had been waiting for that opening.
"I agree. Therefore, I have a proposal... Let's proceed with the price reduction and have the Village Head accept the loss for now. However, I ask the Crown to provide compensation to him in another form."
The Demon King pondered Miyo-sama's proposal for a moment.
"Will he be alright with that?"
Miyo-sama stood tall and answered confidently.
"Regarding the loss, I will apologize to the Village Head personally. It will be fine. If I tell him the story of how much I’ve struggled alone in Shashato City, he'll surely be moved to forgive the matter."
"Very well. I shall leave it to you. As for the compensation..."
"I will work out the finer details with Randan-sama and Minister Leg. With that settled, Michael-sama?"
Miyo-sama prompted President Michael to finish.
"The Goroun Company shall align itself with the Dalfon Company's pricing. We wish only to contribute to the continued development of the Demon Kingdom."
And so, it was decided that the Goroun Company's purchase price for crops would finally be lowered.
I was relieved.
However, Representative Delinted, who had been struggling through these negotiations for so long, looked more than a little dejected.
Well... the Dalfon Company is safe now, so I suppose we should be happy.