How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 144

159. My Duty is a Merchant! (2)

“…As planned, we exist on the ground.”

“…And the humans are off their guard.”

Look.

The humans no longer believe anything will happen and don’t even come near this place.

“…The conditions are ideal.”

“…They were easily fooled.”

“…Foolish humans.”

The demons mocked the humans’ weaknesses and decided to put their plan into action.

A demon cannot be summoned to this land and interfere unless summoned directly by a human.

No one is an exception to that.

The four demons currently here can exist on this land because they were summoned by a human.

If so.

“…The remnants of the summoning?”

“…Still valid. …But there’s not much time left.”

None of the humans have noticed this.

No, they couldn’t possibly notice.

If they were that clever, why would they make a summoning contract that calls us?

And why would they willingly suffer the humiliation of being defeated by a mere human?

The demons sneered.

“…Foolish.”

“…So foolish.”

“…Stupid.”

“…So stupid.”

Of course, they didn’t agree to the summoning contract just to mock the humans.

Being defeated there was also painful.

They don’t die when they disappear from this place, but they lose a lot of power.

They could even drop in rank.

The reason they agreed to the summoning despite that risk.

They must achieve that quickly.

“…Let’s hurry.”

“…Hurry.”

“…There’s no time…”

“…We must bring that being here soon.”

The demons entered the stage of executing the ‘plan’ as scheduled.

No one will be able to stop them.

Yes… no one.

Soon, this world will become a place called hell for humans.

And conversely, it will be the beginning of paradise for them.

* * *

About fifteen days have passed since Sylvester defeated the intermediate demon.

During that time, I quietly spent my days in the relatively stable atmosphere of the Palzente Duchy, recovering my exhausted energy.

I’m anxious about what might happen, but just trembling isn’t constructive.

The best way is to build strength, rest, and do what I can.

‘And it’s about time they came back.’

Shortly after, a messenger arrived to deliver a message to me, just as I expected.

I received word that their ship had finally arrived at the Duchy’s port.

“They’re here!”

The Phileros Merchant Guild’s merchant ship, which I had asked to bring new goods, had returned.

“By the way, they’re faster than I thought?”

It’s like some unknown revelation telling me not to play around and get to work.

Okay, I’ll work! I will! I said I will!

I headed straight to the port, and as soon as I arrived, Malo C greeted me as if he had been waiting.

“You’re safe! Mr. Eilon!”

“Haha! Of course, I’m safe, right?”

We shook hands firmly and were able to talk about our recent situations to some extent.

Fortunately, there seemed to be nothing wrong with the Phileros Merchant Guild.

Reading the letter Lowell sent, there wasn’t anything particularly unusual.

‘…That’s a relief.’

I was secretly relieved.

I was a little worried.

About whether a situation I didn’t know about was happening over there.

Because the foundation of my wealth still focuses on transactions with the Phileros Merchant Guild.

If something happens, I’ll be in real trouble.

“I heard from a soldier that the war is already showing signs of calming down?”

“That’s right. It seems like the worst is over, so we can trade with peace of mind now.”

“…That’s a relief. That’s very welcome news.”

Of course, it has a double meaning.

It means that I am genuinely relieved that the war is over.

And it also means that I see this opportunity to come back to sell goods as a stroke of luck.

The fact that the war is coming to an end means that the economy here is likely to recover.

Being here and moving before other merchant guilds will be a big advantage.

“You’re really lucky, Mr. Eilon.”

“Isn’t it because I live honestly that the heavens help me?”

Of course, doesn’t the sky help those who help themselves?

It’s worth working hard all this time.

I create my own profits.

“Anyway, this place will soon be peaceful.”

It’s not officially declared the end of the war yet, but it will be a matter of time.

In the original story, the main characters left before that declaration, so there are few descriptions after that, but it will definitely happen.

‘Come to think of it, it seems like Sylvester and the others haven’t left yet?’

That’s a little different too.

Originally, they should be returning to the Selbas Kingdom right away.

Well, I want those guys to stay here until I’m sure it’s safe.

Don’t complain.

Those guys are those guys, and I’ll do my job.

“If you entrust it to me and wait, I will definitely bring good news.”

“I trust you, Mr. Eilon.”

“Trust me! Hahahaha!”

I smiled brightly and assured them that they could rest easy.

How much have I done here?

I’m sure it will work out well.

* * *

“So… Princess? What are you doing?”

“Hmm? Eilon, don’t worry about the small stuff. I just happened to have some free time.”

Princess Elenia, who was diligently looking around the goods as she pleased, certainly seemed free.

Princess Elenia, who visited as she pleased while I was sorting and checking the products with the arriving merchants, started wandering around.

It was true that I had something to talk to her about, so it didn’t really matter.

Is it because most of the problems in the territory have been resolved? She seems to be feeling relieved, and she has become more free-spirited.

“It seems you brought this and that again this time. Hmm? There are a lot of miscellaneous things.”

“Selling things like food and preserved food like last time won’t have as much demand. That’s my judgment.”

“Hmm? Surprisingly, the things you handed over were very popular though?”

“…Well, I did hear about that.”

It seemed that the duchy’s military took the bottled preserves’ popularity surprisingly seriously, and they were quietly considering adopting it as combat rations.

Of course, even if it gets approved and a deal is made, it will be after the war is completely over.

“And would you be satisfied with selling just one item? Even though it may not seem like it, we are operating with the motto of providing a variety of products.”

“Indeed… a merchant through and through.”

“More than that, if you’re free, why don’t you do some work? I think the maids were worried last time.”

“I wonder if they’re worried about what I should be doing, not about me…”

“Yes, yes. That’s why I actually received a request to catch the Princess and drag her over when I see her.”

“…Who the hell would make such a request?”

I’d get scolded if I said Mr. Delleros.

I’ll keep the secret.

“Delleros.”

Why are you so quick on the uptake for useless things!

“Okay, go in and do your work.”

I wonder if it’s right for me, who sings about not wanting to work, to push others to work, but oh well~.

I reached out to snatch the product the Princess was looking at.

“Hehe! Not a chance.”

She seemed to have anticipated my movements naturally and slipped away.

…In addition, she didn’t hold back.

At least my physical abilities are not at a level that she can handle right now.

Even if she reduces her strength, her movements will definitely be fast.

I sighed, knowing the secret to her movements now.

“…It seems you’ve completely adapted to the contract with that artifact. More than that, what a waste. Don’t use the prediction function for that kind of thing.”

“It’s thanks to that Sylvester. And it’s also thanks to you.”

Currently, Princess Elenia is under contract with the artifact .

During the attack, I hastily taught her how to contract with and use the artifact.

After that, Sylvester must have lectured her once more, following the original story.

Perhaps she’s almost mastered it now.

Excessive use is impossible, but pranks like just now are nothing now.

“…The Discernment Plate…”

However, I had to recall one setting related to that artifact separately from that.

The problem with it.

Why don’t I or Sylvester, with such powerful abilities, contract with it and use it directly?

No, we don’t even dare to use it.

The reason is one.

Because of its side effects.

It interferes with the contractor’s body and forcibly corrects it to a mana flow optimized for using the ability.

Therefore, the person who contracts with that artifact cannot obtain any other power other than that ability.

To be precise, they can obtain it, but they become unable to use it.

‘According to the original description, it seems that it is not compatible with other abilities.’

Because it is an ability that severely interferes with mana, problems arise with other powers, especially those based on mana.

Skills like swordsmanship are fine, but you can’t awaken Aura [a warrior’s life force].

The same goes for magic; controlling mana itself becomes impossible.

It seems that races with naturally excellent mana control, like dragons, can overcome it, but humans cannot.

Looking at it, it’s a serious flaw.

‘It would be a disaster if I got that.’

The secret to my current strength is the combination of countless passive abilities and spiritism.

No matter how good an ability is, is it worth giving up other things to get it?

I feel like, ‘Well?’

Maybe I can get it by using points, but it’s a gamble.

Let’s not even try since we can’t undo it.

‘If I rely on that alone, I’ll get caught up in another incident and die.’

That’s why, even in the original work, it was handled by Princess Elenia, the direct heir of the family in charge of its storage.

Well, she’s fine.

If she only lives here, it won’t be harmful.

‘…But I don’t know if it was right to force her to use that as in the original story.’

Because I see it as a choice that narrows down individual possibilities.

Even if that’s how the original story unfolds.

“You’re thinking strange things again.”

However, Princess Elenia looked at me and sighed deeply.

She pressed down on my head with her hand and rubbed it roughly.

“Ugh?! What are you doing?!”

“Do you know what, Eilon? You sometimes make strange faces.”

“Yes? A strange face?”

“Obviously. You must be thinking about this artifact.”

That’s the point.

“…Hmph, Eilon. Don’t say unnecessary things.”

The Princess said as if coaxing a child, as if she had noticed what I was thinking.

“Even if you suggested it, I made the decision. So there’s nothing to worry about. And you know. There was no other way.”

“Um…”

“It’s not just that time. I had to use it even after that. That was the situation.”

She must be talking about when she went to cooperate with Sylvester for a while.

“For some reason, I feel like the result wouldn’t have changed.”

“…You mean the result wouldn’t change.”

“Anyway, enough with the petty worries! Eilon! Above all, this isn’t bad either! Hehehe… Do you know what, Eilon?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Until now, no direct descendant of any family has ever obtained this directly.”

For some reason, she chuckled happily and stroked the artifact.

“I’m already looking forward to what I can do with this in the future! Hehehe…”

“That doesn’t sound like a joke.”

“The Falzente Principality will develop further.”

I don’t know why she’s burning with ambition here.

“Wow… If your ancestors heard that, they’d be tearing their hair out in heaven.”

Your proud descendants are already full of thoughts of using the treasures that have been passed down for generations.

Excited, excited.

Well, if she uses that, more certain development of the territory will be possible.

I know that unreasonable operation is impossible for her as an ordinary human, but still, many things will be possible.

And if they prosper, I’ll be happy.

Because they will be a better backer for me in the future.

She will never betray loyalty.

Well, so please abuse it diligently! I’ll contribute too!

…Huh? Does something sound strange?

“Anyway, I also owe you a debt. If you need this, tell me anytime. I’ll help you with what I can.”

“…I’ll think about it whenever I get the chance.”

However, there aren’t that many corners where I can get help from that.

All I can do by using that is predict the future.

Sylvester, that guy, found it because he had information he wanted to know.

‘Come to think of it, was what he wanted to find with that the location of other returnees besides himself?’

Did Sylvester ask Elenia for a prediction through the artifact as in the original story?

I wanted to ask, but I held back.

Getting involved in that is my loss.

Anyway, if I’m satisfied with the current result, I don’t need to say anything.

“Oh, Eilon. Come to think of it, what you asked for a while ago, is ready?”