Early in the afternoon, the waterless daikon curry was finally ready.
It was delicious. However, when taking the preparation time and ingredient costs into account, it seemed that adding it to the standard menu would be difficult.
"It takes a lot of effort just to cut the ingredients, even if the actual cooking itself isn't that hard," Marcos said, sounding disappointed.
"Think of it this way," Draim offered. "You could just make it a specialty dish available only by pre-order. Selling it for a single silver coin might be a bit much, but you could still make a profit at twenty large copper coins, right?"
"At twenty large copper coins... yes, I suppose we could manage. But do you really think it would sell?"
"With this flavor? It’ll be fine. Have more confidence. If you’re still anxious, just limit the sales period to create a sense of scarcity and give it a high-impact name."
"A high-impact name?"
"Indeed. Let’s see... how about 'Crown Prince's Curry'? That has a much stronger ring to it than 'Daikon Curry'."
"T-That’s true! I’ll definitely use that as a reference!"
As Draim conversed with Marcos, Dos looked on in surprise.
"Draim. Since when did you become so knowledgeable about market prices—or rather, about business?"
"Hmph. Father, I won't be a child forever."
I knew the truth, though. Draim had studied specifically because he wanted to have a say in the distribution and pricing of the village's daikons. For him to have matured this much in such a short period—as expected of a dragon, I suppose. He might even be more savvy than I am now. After all, I leave most of those matters to the Goroun Company and the Civil Official Girls.
Now that we had finished our curry, it was time to address the main points of the aftermath.
The reason we had stayed at Maruura until now wasn't to help with the shop’s operations; rather, reports were constantly flooding in for the Demon King, Magistrate Ifuls, and Miyo. You could say we simply missed our window to leave. Since opening time had long since passed, customers were arriving at Maruura one after another, but because we were in a secluded area reserved for nobles and high-ranking officials, it wasn't an issue.
Main Point One: Count Pugyal. He was still unconscious, but he had been transported back to his mansion in the Royal Capital. It seemed he would be resting there for the foreseeable future. I wished him well.
According to Beton, Prada, and Erme, it turns out the Count could fight quite well. I couldn't have imagined it from his appearance, and from what I’d heard, he didn't seem like the type to actively seek out combat. I wanted to ask him why he had accompanied Erme in the first place, but it seemed it would be a while before I’d get the chance.
"Ah, that part is due to a sort of instinct inherent to the Demon Race—or perhaps a noble's sense of duty," the Demon King said, answering my unspoken question. "The majority of the current nobility in the Demon Kingdom are the descendants of those who distinguished themselves in the war against the Devil Race a long time ago."
That "long time ago" was apparently about two thousand years back.
"There are many among the nobility who do not hesitate to say they exist solely to prevent the tyranny of the Devil Race. Count Pugyal is one of them. If he were told that his opponent was a Devil, he would surely take to the field."
I suppose that makes sense.
"Indeed. Well, there are those who don't care about such things at all, of course. Furthermore, Count Pugyal is quite capable in individual combat. I once crossed blades with him before I became the Demon King, and I have high regard for his martial arts."
I see.
"I was the one who won, naturally."
I wasn't doubting you. Still, if he rushed out because he felt a duty to fight a Devil, was it really alright for him to be invited along by another Devil like Erme?
"He's well aware that the current Devil Race is generally peaceful. He was likely pleaded with to 'do something about a dangerous Devil,' which prompted him to act."
That sounded plausible.
Main Point Two: Beton's punishment. The Demon King had sentenced Beton to labor. I had wondered what kind of work it would be, and it turned out she would be a vendor in the stands for the baseball games held in Shashato City.
...
If that was meant to be a punishment, wouldn't the people who worked as vendors for a living be offended? Was that really okay?
"It's fine because she usually works as a vendor anyway," the Demon King explained.
Wait, what?
Apparently, while staying in Shashato City, Joro’s Caravan allowed its members to earn their own pocket money. The caravan covered essentials like lodging and basic meals, but luxury items like sake had to be paid for personally. Furthermore, the meal allowance was strictly the bare minimum; eating every meal at Maruura was impossible, and traveling to Village Five to enjoy Ramen Street was out of the question. If they wanted to enjoy the sights and tastes of Shashato or Village Five, they needed cash. Thus, the members worked various local jobs.
Beton, specifically, had been working as a vendor in the spectator seats for baseball.
"For the duration of her sentence, she will work for half-pay. If it were entirely unpaid, her motivation would vanish and she’d likely cause more trouble; besides, she still needs to live. The portion deducted from her wages will be paid to Shashato City as a fine."
The Demon King consulted with Magistrate Ifuls to determine how much money would be required to clear her debt.
"If the current frequency of baseball games remains the same, it will likely take about five years."
Five years. That sounded like a long time.
"It’s not as if they play baseball every day. If you think of it as working once every five days, I think it's a reasonable term," the Demon King added.
When he put it that way, I suppose it was. As I was nodding along, Miyo chimed in.
"However, to be perfectly honest, I feel that punishment alone is far too lenient."
Too lenient?
"Yes. Therefore, I have devised an additional penalty."
Miyo produced a vendor costume. It was a considerably cute, frilly design.
"We’ve been considering new uniforms for the vendors for some time, and this is a prototype we commissioned from a tailor in Shashato City. While it isn't bad, the older staff felt it was a bit too much, so the design was rejected. That said, it would be a waste to just throw it away!"
In other words, they were going to make Beton wear that while she worked. Well, if everyone involved was satisfied with that as a punishment, I suppose there’s no problem. Probably.
Main Point Three: The relationship between Gucci and Beton. I asked Prada, who had returned to finish her meal after completing her errands.
"They were feuding over a difference in policy," she explained.
Policy?
"The Dragon Race had offered a proposal for submission, and it came down to whether we should follow it or resist it."
I see...
"Lord Gucci was the representative of the Submission Faction, which was in favor of the proposal, while Beton led the Opposition Faction."
"Well, the proposal was made out of genuine concern for the future of the Devil Race, so Lord Gucci’s side was in the right."
So, Gucci led his faction, Beton led hers, and they clashed.
"Ah, it was a bit different than a standard war," Prada corrected. "Lord Gucci and his subordinates formed a single group and went around systematically punching out every opposing Devil one by one."
...That sounded intense.
"The Opposition Faction was mostly made up of types who didn't want to follow anyone or take orders, so they never actually bothered to organize into a group. Lord Gucci's approach was quite rational."
It certainly fit the reputation of the Devil Race.
"However, Beton was quite powerful and was holding her own against Lord Gucci's group... until I sucker-punched her from the side."
Wait, what? Prada hadn't been part of the group?
"At the time, I was part of the Neutral Faction; I didn't care either way. But Beton was starting to say some rather extreme things, and I decided I couldn't just leave her be. Honestly, because I stepped in and knocked her out, Lord Gucci couldn't deliver a finishing blow, which led to her being sealed instead. I think they both really ought to thank me."
Well, I’d prefer they discussed those historical grievances among themselves. Still, based on that story, wouldn't Beton hold a bigger grudge against Prada than against Gucci?
"She probably does. Or so I thought, but she actually tried to recruit me to her side recently. I suppose she has something more important to her now than an old grudge. It’s almost enviable."
The thing important to Beton—I suppose that would be Joro’s Caravan.
"I don't know exactly when her seal was broken, but her strength clearly hasn't fully returned. I can understand her wanting to use a magic circle to recover her power... but her common sense is still stuck in the old days."
"If you're able to guide her, would you mind looking after her for me?" I asked.
"Will there be a reward?"
She was certainly sharp. I told her I’d pay her properly.
"Thank you very much. I'll do what I can."
I’m counting on you.
While I was gathering information like this, Galf and Daga arrived at Maruura to serve as my escort. Actually, it was more like they had come to fetch me because I was so late getting back. I apologized for the delay.
Apparently, Tia and the other angels were waiting on standby in their full battle gear just to show it to me. Kuro and Yuki were ready too, along with Arako the Arachne.
I looked over at the Flying Carpet. It had spread itself out, waving as if to tell me to climb on. I didn't want us to stand out too much, but...
It couldn't be helped.
"Lu, Ann, gather everyone. Dos, Draim, let’s head home."
I gave my final greetings to the Demon King and Magistrate Ifuls, and then we finally departed for the village.