Chapter 86
The gnome spoke firmly.
“It’s the north.”
“Y-Yes. That’s right. Definitely the north!”
Ariella’s eyes sparkled.
It was just like the Demon Realm Travel Journal—the book that had first inspired her to come here.
The author of that book had mostly traveled through the northern Demon Realm.
The north was also the birthplace of the Slime Compound.
“I see. If the products come from there, it makes sense.”
These goods weren’t made nearby, yet their quality was strangely excellent.
Even Ulken’s pocketknife seemed to have come from that region.
“No wonder! I thought his clothes looked odd at that time. So he drifted down from the north, huh?”
The adventurer Kimelt, who wrote the Demon Realm Travel Journal, had explored the Demon Realm long before Ariella was even born.
And yet, according to his writings, even back then the civilization of the northern Demon Realm was far more advanced than the southern lands today.
It was natural that Ariella had felt a sense of strangeness when she first arrived in Ludwig’s Demon King’s Domain.
Of course, this land was the farthest southern frontier—remote, poor, and underdeveloped. But even so, the difference compared to the book’s descriptions was far too great.
They didn’t even know how to make the Slime Compound—or that it even existed.
The gnome explained why.
“Until now, trade between the north and south has barely existed.”
The reason was the Sarkat Mountain Range, which divided the two regions.
“The mountains around Ludwig’s domain at least have roads. But the Sarkat Range across the center of the continent is on a whole different level.”
There, endless winter lasted all year long, without a single sun rising.
It was an impossible barrier for anyone to cross.
“And besides, the northern demons look down on the south.”
That was another reason.
“When we asked them for trade, they made outrageous demands. The Slime Compound is a good example.”
He frowned.
“Now, thanks to our contract, our company distributes it. But before, it couldn’t even be brought into the south for a long time.”
It sounded negative, but Ariella caught a glimmer of hope in his words.
“You mean you’ve actually tried asking for trade before? That means there is a way to exchange messages with them!”
Right now, Ariella was desperate enough to grab even a rotten rope.
Though the gnome seemed reluctant, she gave him a task.
“Please find us a supplier of black-iron from the north.”
“Finding one might be possible, but how would you transport it…?”
“That’s a problem we’ll solve after we find it. For now, we need to take the first step.”
A week later.
The gnome returned carrying a letter.
“This is a reply from the Schwartz Demon King’s Domain in the north.”
He handed it over.
“It was delivered through a trusted agent, so there’s no risk of rumors spreading to other Demon Kings in the south.”
In front of Ludwig and all his retainers, Ariella unfolded the letter.
“……”
Her face mixed with expectation and tension as she began to read aloud.
But as she went on, her lips twisted into a crooked smile.
By now Ludwig had enough experience to recognize that expression.
“Why is she angry?”
That smile was the kind Ariella wore when she was really furious—in Ludwig’s words, when she was “pissed.”
The Demon King, unable to read, could only understand the letter through Ariella’s voice.
The words sounded polite, though mixed with formal and difficult phrases.
“Angry? Why? Didn’t they sound polite enough?”
Even Ulken looked confused.
Only Gruve, the head butler, nodded bitterly.
“It stings. It seems our Demon King’s Domain has been looked down upon greatly. For them to send such a blunt reply…”
“What’s so blunt about it?”
Ludwig and Ulken were both bewildered.
Ariella sighed.
“Fine. I’ll explain it in plain words.”
She read again, this time with sharp eyes.
“‘We pray for your endless prosperity.
The south is famous for preserving its natural beauty. Sadly, we have had little chance to exchange with you.
So, to receive such a refined and elegant letter was surprising and delightful.’”
Meaning: You’ve been stuck in your backward countryside, so we never felt the need to talk with you. But hey, you managed to send a letter? Impressive, for a hick.
She continued.
“‘As for your request to purchase black-iron, we have considered ways to make it happen.
Unfortunately, several obstacles exist.
Our products are in such high demand that even filling current orders is difficult. We wonder if your domain has the wealth to guarantee sudden large purchases.’”
Meaning: Even here in the north, people line up for black-iron. And you think you can buy it? Do you even have money?
Next:
“‘There is also concern about the quality of finished goods.
If not properly refined, black-iron loses its value. In our domain it is called the Black Jewel, the pride of our people. It would be tragic if such a treasure rusted unused in some storage.’”
Meaning: You backwater bumpkins don’t have the skill to use it. It’ll just rot in your warehouse.
Then:
“‘As for your southern goods—herbs, wheat, grapes—we already have suppliers. Our citizens have high standards, and it would be unfortunate if your goods failed to satisfy them.’”
Meaning: Even if you bring your junk here, no one will buy it. Don’t bother.
Finally:
“‘And even if we ignored these issues, there is still the problem of trade routes.
Land routes are impossible. The mountains are too dangerous and costly.
Therefore, unless you open a new trade route yourself and cover all expenses, we cannot consider trade.’”
Meaning: Do the impossible, then maybe we’ll think about it.
And they ended with:
“‘We regret we cannot accept your charming offer.
Thank you for your interest, and if circumstances change, we will contact you first.’”
Meaning: Don’t ever contact us again.
When Ariella finished her translation, the meeting room was silent.
“Rip it up! Throw it away!”
Ludwig shouted angrily.
“Even if you rip it, nothing changes. The servants will just have to clean it up.”
Ariella sighed.
The letter itself was written on paper as smooth as silk—luxury even by human standards.
Just by looking at the paper, the gap in civilization was clear.
We’ve been completely ignored.
The best revenge, she thought, would be to succeed in a way those arrogant northerners never imagined.
Sending the letter hadn’t been a waste after all.
“They’ve dug their own grave.”
“What do you mean, grave?” Ludwig asked.
“They said it themselves: If we make a new trade route, they’ll consider it. They can’t go back on their official letter.”
Her eyes lit with determination.
“They don’t need our herbs because they haven’t experienced their real effects yet. We couldn’t send samples with the letter—it had to travel too fast. But once they try them, they won’t be able to ignore us.”
“So we just need to open a road.”
Ludwig frowned.
“But isn’t there another huge snowy mountain blocking the north? Higher than the ones here?”
“Yes.”
“And even if we cross, we still can’t go through Delrak’s domain. That tunnel idea was a lie from the start.”
It sounded like he was nitpicking, but Ariella smiled instead.
For Ludwig to follow the situation this far was already big progress.
Then the Demon King had another thought.
“What about flying? That hatchling—oh, right, it has a name now. Pi. We could make Pi carry the iron. If it eats so much, it should earn its meals.”
“Pi’s back would snap in two. Do you want to get hit by a Meteor spell from Calizard?”
Ariella spread out a map.
Her gaze lingered on one spot.
‘Ludwig’s domain is at the southern tip of the Demon Realm.’
What lay beyond the continent’s southern end?
Her finger pointed.
“Not land… but sea.”
In lands without a Demon King’s sun, there was eternal night.
The same applied to the sea.
Her homeland had been a kingdom of the sea, fed by ocean trade.
Until now, she had never thought of sea trade in the Demon Realm—because its seas were dangerous.
But now…
Just because it was impossible until now doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.
The Schwartz Demon King had said: Make the impossible possible, and then we’ll talk.
Ariella smiled.
“Fine. Let’s try.”
