#1107 The Merchant Code

I tied up the hitman we fended off, just to keep him from moving around.
I’m not sure who to report this to, so I guess I’ll leave him trussed up in the corner until we figure out our next step.

But seriously, Mr. Shax, what in the world is going on here?
This is three times more of a political thriller than I ever imagined.

“The fact that I made an exclusive contract with you, Lord Saint, has now spread to every merchant in the Demon Capital. Some of them just can’t handle their anger.”

They’re mad enough to send an assassin after you?!
That’s taking things way too far, isn’t it?!

“Not at all. From a purely profit-driven perspective, their rage is perfectly justified.”

Really?!

“Doing business with you brings in mountains of wealth. Just having a connection to you can guarantee a merchant’s lifelong security. They might even dominate the entire Demon Kingdom’s economy.”

That much?!
Aren’t you exaggerating?!

Come on, that sounds like some shadowy behind-the-scenes Roth-something dynasty deal...!

“You still don’t fully realize your own impact on the world, Lord Saint. That’s exactly why things remain stable. But naturally, others won’t just sit by and let this opportunity slip.”

Mr. Shax explains:
Anyone with a shred of ambition would want to get close to me.

Because that’s obviously how they’d make the biggest profit.

So they just can’t forgive Mr. Shax for keeping my existence hidden and hogging all the deals until now.

It’s not about being sneaky or breaking rules.

It’s plain old jealousy.

“That’s why they’re targeting me. Typical lashing out. And if I disappear, there’s nobody left to broker deals with you, Lord Saint. In the best-case scenario, they might take my place… that’s probably what they’re thinking.”

Wow.
My presence is causing this cutthroat battle-for-the-throne kind of chaos?

We have to cool things down somehow…
I share some responsibility here, so I’ve got to protect both Mr. Shax’s life and fortune if I can...!

“I appreciate your concern, Lord Saint. However, matters between merchants should ideally be settled among merchants.”

Mr. Shax bows to me with impeccable politeness.

“And besides, it looks like everyone who wanted in on the bidding has arrived. It seems the negotiations are about to start.”

Huh? What do you mean?

I cock my head, not understanding. But then I notice a wave of unfamiliar energy spreading around us.

We’re suddenly surrounded by strangers.

Multiple people, none of whose faces I recognize.

“Pandemonium Trading Company President Shax. We’ve chased you long enough, and now we’ve finally cornered you.”

“Well, with an assassin out to kill me, locating me must’ve been a breeze. I see quite the impressive turnout here.”

Mr. Shax glances at each of the newcomers.

“President Bibro of the Acheron Company… President Jibakerodia of Limbo… then there’s Sangebub of the Tromea Company and Midichrom of the Cocytus Company. And on and on—the presidents of nearly every merchant guild in the Demon Kingdom, all gathered in one place. Not even a formal trade summit sees this many major faces.”

“It just shows how important this is. Not only to condemn you but also to meet the Saint in person.”

So these guys are all big-shot demon merchants, just like Mr. Shax said.

“President Shax of Pandemonium! Your crime is severe! You discovered a massive money-maker in the form of a deal with the Saint and tried to keep it all for yourself!”

“And?”

Mr. Shax responds with such brazen nonchalance that the crowd, who seemed ready to tear him apart, is momentarily stunned into silence.

He’s oddly reassuring today, like a seasoned pro who’s got everything handled.

“If you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you have done the same? Why hand out such a golden opportunity to others when you weren’t asked to?”

“How selfish! All you care about is yourself?!”

“Indeed. You’re all the same, aren’t you?”

They fall silent.

Mr. Shax probably hit the nail on the head.

“There’s no need to be ashamed. We’re merchants, after all. We chase profit at all costs, ignoring everyone else. Without that ruthless instinct, you’ll never survive the cutthroat world of commerce.”

“So you’re saying you’re blameless? That hiding this immensely profitable deal was just the ‘merchant’s code’?”

“Precisely. You read me well.”

He bows again.

As polite as ever.

“But your little scheme has been dragged into the daylight. We already know about the Saint, the best trading partner of all.”

“That’s right! Which means we’re entitled to strike a deal with the Saint, too! You won’t hog it anymore, Shax!”

Hm?

What about what I want…?

No one seems to care about my actual opinion here.

“So you’re all interested in doing business with Lord Saint?”

“Obviously! The dresses produced at Lord Saint’s farm! Our company has the biggest clothing distribution network; we could sell them like hotcakes!”

“As for the farm’s specialty ceramics, we have connections to countless collectors who’d pay top dollar. Twice as much as anything Pandemonium sells them for!”

They all pipe up, talking over each other.
Mr. Shax listens calmly, and then...

“Hmhmhm… Your fiery ambition is quite palpable. However, I reject every one of your demands. After all, I alone, Shax, President of Pandemonium, possess the exclusive right to negotiate with Lord Saint!”

“So you insist on clinging to your ill-gotten rights, do you? Very well…”

Suddenly, the air around the other presidents changes.

“Business is all about who acts fastest. With competition this fierce, you can’t hesitate or you’ll be left behind.”

“When opinions clash and we can’t settle things by talking, we use our merchant skills and talents to duke it out. Whoever wins deserves everything.”

“In accordance with that tradition, we’ll decide this matter through an ancient ritual passed down among demon merchants.”

“And that ritual is…”

“HEAVENLY FIVE-RING MERCANTILE CRASH!!!’”

…It’s like we just flipped open a shonen manga.

Mr. Shax smiles, baring his teeth.

“So you’ve dragged out that old ritual. It’s a contest of wit, negotiation skills, and cunning to decide which merchant is superior. The winner gets the bigger business deals.”

“No matter how slick you are with words, Shax, you can’t overturn the results of the Heavenly Five-Ring Mercantile Clash! It’s how we’ll seize the Saint’s contract!”

They’re really forcing the issue.
It’s completely absurd, but I doubt the story’s gonna let us refuse.

It’s got that classic shonen ring to it and everything.

“Well, this is amusing. You think that just pulling me into this ‘Heavenly Five-Ring Mercantile Clash’ will score you Lord Saint’s business? That you can rip the contract from me? You really have no idea who you’re challenging, Shax, head of the biggest trading company in the Demon Capital.”

He’s totally playing the overpowered shonen character role here.

“Fine. If merchants are going to test wits and strength in this ancient battle, I accept. Come at me, anyone who claims to be the strongest among you. Beat me, and you’ll inherit all deals with Lord Saint.”

“Then I’ll go first! Jibakerodia of the Limbo Company, moving in!”

“Hey, no fair!”

“Don’t we need to figure out the order first?!”

One of the presidents jumps ahead, charging directly at Mr. Shax.
What is this turn of events?

“Hah hah hah! This is exactly the cunning reflex a merchant needs! With this, the exclusive rights to the Saint are mine!”

“Pandemonium Company Fist: Hidden Technique…”

But Mr. Shax is overwhelming…

“Demon Negotiation Wave!!!”

“Gwahaaaaaa!!!”

He just took him down in one hit?!
With some kind of shockwave from his hands?!

“That’s the legendary secret technique of the Pandemonium Company?!”

“A negotiation wave so powerful it forces anyone to nod in agreement! That’s what being the biggest merchant in the Demon City is all about! You don’t stand a chance!”

Everyone looks on, rattled by Mr. Shax’s display of power.
He doesn’t flinch despite facing a whole crowd.

“Well then, if anyone else wants to become another stepping stone for my negotiation arts, step right up. I’m not giving up the right to trade with Lord Saint so easily!”