#1106 Antitrust Act Offense

Apparently, letting the public know about the saint’s existence is important.

The satyrs and minotaurs who dropped by the other day all ended up settling here in the development site to work for us.

Thanks to them, our pioneers never run out of fresh milk, so they’re all getting healthier and more eager to work.

Not that any real work is actually getting done!

Because today, once again, we’ve got another unexpected visitor throwing a wrench into our progress.

“...Hm, yes indeed. Elven-grown first-flush tea is truly extraordinary. Enjoying it in such a lush, green setting makes it even better.”

Um…

I get that the tea’s delicious, but could you not have your afternoon tea break in the middle of somebody else’s workplace?

Mr. Shax.

Yes, this exceptionally dashing gentleman is a demon merchant I’ve known for ages.

He’s the big boss at this massive trading company, the puppet master behind the Demon Kingdom’s commerce.

Our relationship with him started through an introduction by the Demon King. He takes everything we produce, ships it out, sells it at fair prices, and brings in the money.

He’s essentially our middleman, and he’s a pretty crucial partner for our farm.

Sure, even if we never made a single coin, the farm would keep running, but we like hearing how our goods are valued out in the world.

One of the clearest forms of feedback is money, so Mr. Shax is a key partner for us.

Besides, a little savings never hurts.

Anyway, we’ve depended on Mr. Shax for years.

And yet for some bizarre reason, here he is, lounging at the site, sipping tea with no apparent business to discuss.

That sounds awfully suspicious to me.

If you had a new proposal, couldn’t you just drop by the farm to talk?

“No, that won’t do. Besides, I’m not here on business this time, which makes me even less inclined to set foot on your farm.”

You’re here in the middle of nowhere but not for business? You’re losing me.

What are you really here for?

There have got to be better vacation spots than this dusty settlement.

“Well, you see, I’m on the run, and it’s all thanks to you, Lord Saint.”

On the run?

“I don’t think it’s asking too much to hide under your divine protection for a while, is it?”

Whoa, whoa, hold it.

You’re dumping a lot of bombshells, and I’m only human here. I need details!

“Now that everyone knows you, the saint, someone whose existence was iffy at best until recently, is real, the whole world also knows precisely who and where you are.”

So once again, this all started because of me?

Figures. It feels like half the craziness in this world stems from my big reveal.

“And that’s why certain people now want me dead.”

“Why?!”

“I’m laying low to keep myself safe.”

Wait, wait, time out.

You’re leaving out a bunch of steps here!

I need the play-by-play, or I’ll never catch up.

I’m not that bright as you might think!!!

“Only one person in the entire world has dealt directly with you, Lord Saint; yours truly, Shax, Chairman of Pandemonium Trading.”

Yeah, that’s…definitely true.

“Thanks to that, I’ve been making a tidy profit. Everything you and your farm produce is one-of-a-kind, unbelievably rare, and top quality. They’re worth more than any old gemstone.”

Well, that’s only because you’re such a savvy merchant, Mr. Shax.

Your sales skills are off the charts.

“My fellow merchants have asked me, time and time again:”

—Where do you find such incredible goods?

—Is there some secret supply line only Pandemonium Trading has?

“Of course, I couldn’t spill the beans about Lord Saint, so I always dodged the question. Then recently, all my efforts went up in smoke.”

Uh-oh…

“Ever since your existence became common knowledge, word got out that everything I sold through Pandemonium Trading came from you. And right away, other merchants started ganging up on me.”

Which is... probably my fault for going public.

I guess the fallout was bigger than I realized.

“In our circle, hogging massive profits alone is frowned upon. Normally, if you were open for trade, several big companies would vie for the opportunity, and you’d pick one. We skipped all that, which upset them.”

So...the other merchants are angry?

“But legally, I haven’t broken a single rule. They can’t officially come after me. That hasn’t stopped a few people from holding a grudge, though…”

So now you’re forced to go into hiding?

“Precisely.”

Wow, that’s rough. Mr. Shax has helped us for so long; I can’t just stand by while he’s targeted.

Is there anything I can do?

Should we tell the Demon King and have him crack down?

“No need. As I said, I’m clean in the eyes of the law. They can’t lay charges against my firm, staff, or family. As long as I lie low, everything’s fine. So I’m enjoying my ‘exile’ in style.”

He certainly doesn’t look worried.

He’s even sipping tea like he’s on holiday. Is this ‘life on the run’ or a vacation?

“A merchant learns to grin even when backed into a corner. If you look frantic, it’s impossible to negotiate tough deals.”

Fair enough.

Huh?

But if your family and employees are safe, shouldn’t you be safe too?

Couldn’t you just stay proudly in the capital instead of trekking out to this backwoods hideout?

“Well, that’s…”

Hm?

Suddenly, there’s a flash in Mr. Shax’s eyes...then he leaps, body and all!

The instant he’s airborne, a flurry of small flying objects rips into the ground where he’d stood, going thwip-thwip-thwip.

Bullets?!

A sniper?!

While I’m busy panicking, Mr. Shax rolls neatly across the ground, gets to his feet, and brushes himself off like nothing happened.

“…Showing up without an appointment is terrible business etiquette.”

“…………”

“Why not come out and show yourself? Proper negotiations happen face to face, with open eyes and honest expressions.”

At his invitation, a man steps from the undergrowth.

He’s wearing a mask that reveals only his eyes which shine with a creepy gleam.

He’s definitely no ordinary civilian!

“M-Mr. Shax, who is that?”

“My guest. Likely an assassin dispatched by one of my rivals.”

An assassin?!

You’re in a way more dangerous situation than I expected!

This is seriously a case for going undercover! Even when you hide like this, they still manage to find and chase you down!

“…Shax, you snake. You spout nonsense about ‘proper merchants’ while hoarding immense wealth for yourself. Time to pay for your crimes!”

He lifts his hand toward us. Another flurry of tiny projectiles whizzes from his fingertips!

Gyaaaah!

More bullet-like things sink deep into the ground and nearby tree trunks.

If Mr. Shax hadn’t dodged at the last second, those would’ve slammed right into his body.

What in the world?!

Are there actual guns here?

Does the underworld secretly have that sort of tech?

“How crude and classless.”

Next thing I know, Mr. Shax is behind the assassin, pinning him to the ground.

“Lord Saint, this is what he was firing.”

Coins spill from the assassin’s hand... He was shooting money?!

Is he Zenigata He*ji or what?!

“Money is a merchant’s ultimate weapon, after all, twisted little joke used by hired killers who work for big-time merchants. But you clearly misunderstood the concept.”

Mr. Shax says as he knocks the assassin out cold with a quick chop to the neck.

You see that in manga all the time!

But it actually works?!

“If you’re a real merchant, money is heavier than life. You might forfeit your life, but you’d never just toss away your cash. Cease this silly charade.”

Oh, man, Mr. Shax is stronggggggg!

He’s like a character straight out of a comic. It looks like no assassin stands a chance against him!

==========

Zenigata Heiji s a Japanese fictional character, the hero of a series of Japanese novels, films and TV programmes in the Edo period. He is a policeman who catches criminals by throwing coins, the zeni of the title, thus Zenigata Heiji (source: Wikipedia).