Brain bloom

This chair is made of stone and seems quite old, but thanks to that, a chilling sensation that makes your bottom uncomfortable penetrates directly through the thin fabric of your clothes.

Sen Shi hurriedly and secretly used her hand to cushion her bottom, while thinking of the Peda Empire. She feared that the coldness the other side was experiencing was thousands of times greater than what her bottom felt.

“According to the treaty signed between the human world and the ancient demon king a thousand years ago, this emergency meeting will certainly be conducted in accordance with fairness and equality—” Melia was reciting something very serious when she was suddenly stopped by a slap.

It was Aureliano, his strong but age-spotted hands slamming heavily against the stone table.

He didn't hide his anxiety: "Enough already, we have to go through all those formalities every time... I didn't come here to listen to history."

"Then let's skip this—your attitude is really unpleasant."

"Queen of Demons and Banshees, you know I'm not a patient person. My people are even more anxious in the face of winter. So please forgive me, and let's jump straight into the terms of the deal."

Melia shrugged and formally presented the content.

"The terms of the trade are simple: a specialty of the Demon Realm, the Balrog's Egg Stone, can help you ward off the winter chill. You can imagine it as having an ever-burning campfire to keep you company through the winter."

“I already have a general understanding of these things, but I want to see this stone with my own eyes.”

"Please calm down." She said calmly, then turned to the Flame Demon sitting next to her.

She spoke in some strange language, babbling and conversing with the powerful fire demon for quite a while. Mori couldn't understand a word; it was as if he were listening to an Italian opera.

This is a bit strange, because neither the salt sprites nor the time sprites use the common language, yet they can still be understood.

But the language of these fire demons sounds like that of an uncivilized people.

The Balrog accepted the wish's instructions, removed the necklace from his neck, tore off the small stones strung on the leather cord, and threw them in front of Aureliano. The latter intended to reach out and touch it, but instantly felt the warmth within, and immediately withdrew his hand.

"It felt like being in the middle of summer in the Chaos Land... at midday, facing the sun directly. It was warm... no, it was actually scorching hot."

“Such an area can indeed provide warmth for ordinary families…” the Rain Wizard pondered from the side.

"The homes of nobles are probably not enough."

"They have their own ways of keeping warm."

Aureliano nodded slowly, giving his final opinion directly.

"Hmm, indeed there's no need to ignite the Undying Flame. Promotion is also very simple; just distribute it, and it will cover the entire country within two days... The army has been mobilized just in time. Although the war didn't happen, I'm sure everyone would be happy to do this kind of thing."

“Your Majesty Aureliano, I think this is a gamble worth trying, the risk is much lower than war…” Even as he spoke, the Rain Wizard’s eyes never left the eggstone.

"It all depends on what they want—Princess Dawn, what is the price?"

"The eggstone itself comes at a price: a powerful but corrupted soul. One is enough."

"that's it?"

Both opponents forgot their usual poker faces. Their mouths gaped open, stunned by this insignificant price. Compared to spending tens of thousands of gold coins annually to hire mages and expending vast resources to ignite the Undying Flame, what was a mere soul?

“That’s how it is; the devil never lies, and he only ever takes what he deserves,” she said proudly, then changed the subject, “But other people are probably not as kind as us devils…”

“The referral fee is very expensive,” Melia said with a wicked smile.

Her smiling face and the gesture of her fingers pointing towards money left Aureliano and the Rain Wizard exchanging bewildered glances, their eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow.

The Rain Wizard murmured to himself, "For the first time in my life, I feel that the devil is such a wonderful being."

"Is that so? I've thought so ever since the first day I met the devil."

"What do you want? A referral fee is a reasonable request, and we will try our best to meet it."

"Come on, you didn't rob anything this year, how much money do you have to offer? So, I'll borrow your army for a day, and let the rich pay for it."

Upon hearing this, aside from the Balrog who was completely baffled by the humans' babbling and B who remained in meditation, everyone else understood Melia's intention: to conduct a private deal with the Peda Empire.

Although the country no longer had a reason to plunder Silvermoon City after resolving the winter problem, Silvermoon City was unaware of this.

They are wealthy, fearful of the looming threat of war, and willing to pay for the peace they have long been accustomed to, to prolong their stable lives. That is exactly what Melia wants.

"Queen of Demons and Banshees, why did you do this? As far as I know, the Chaos Lands are not short of money, yet you have offended Silvermoon City like this..."

"Money is always better when it's plentiful, and if neither of us tells anyone, Lord Balzac won't know the inside story. Instead, he'll think I mediated the war, and you'll continue to play the villain as always—that's also true."

Aureliano remained silent, for he could easily bear such a loss.

The infamy is already borne the moment the troops are dispatched, so reputation is irrelevant. As long as the country can withstand the harsh winter and improve year by year, that is more important than anything else.

The Rain Wizard seemed to have sensed something deeper, and he looked towards Sen Shi.

He roughly guessed that the real insider trading was between the Four Seasons and Melia, and that the money Silvermoon City paid for peace would become the foundation for the Four Seasons' restoration.

But what price did this hero, who could help restore the kingdom, pay to make the Demon Queen so devoted to helping him? The Rain Wizard couldn't figure it out at all.

"If neither party objects, then this matter is settled."

“We accept this condition and will do as you request to intimidate Silvermoon City. We also swear by the honor of pirates that we will keep everything a secret.”

"The Balrog said they would be happy to give you those egg stones. They also find them too hot and would like you to take more of them instead."

"—There's one more thing."

Sen, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke, causing the atmosphere to become tense once again.

It wasn't about money, nor was it about seeking revenge against Silvermoon City. Sen Shi knew better than anyone what the real reason this deal was reached was.

"Please don't forget, and let the people of your country who are suffering from hunger and cold know that it was actually this girl named Yuan who drove away the cold..."

Volume 1 #209: I've always been me

Mori didn't explain the reason, only asking them not to forget to be grateful. Melia was probably the only one who knew about this; if it weren't for the formal occasion, she and her dearest friend would have wanted to embrace.

The ancient demon king, upon recalling the process of Mori's ascension to godhood, immediately guessed the root cause and looked at Mori with awe.

However, the person involved seemed uncomfortable, her face flushed slightly, and she muttered a lot of things under her breath.

"That would be too shameful. Don't thank me. The devil does good and bad deeds alike, asking for nothing in return, just giving up your soul is enough... I really can't accept any other price, it would violate the devil's rules."

“This time is an exception, so accept this kindness.” The ancient demon king’s wings gently touched his daughter’s hand. “If you have the opportunity in the future, go and do some other good deeds for those who are grateful to you, so that the price will be balanced.”

"Am I obligated to accept these thanks?"

"Yes."

Its gaze sometimes drifted towards Sen Shi, a woman who had reached the realm of true godhood in one step through the accumulation of money and faith. Perhaps, with these thanks, she too could purify that inescapable curse... or at least delay it.

Although unaware of the details, both leaders of the Peda Empire silently accepted the request, as it was merely a trivial matter.

"Next, regarding the souls to be paid, I'll return to my country first and personally go to the prison to find a powerful death row inmate..."

Aureliano straightened his crown, and after explaining his plans, asked another question.

"Is one soul really enough? It's a shame to talk about, but we do have quite a few death row inmates in our country."

One serving is enough.

"Your Majesty," the Rain Wizard suddenly spoke thoughtfully, "I have some thoughts regarding the matter of death row inmates..."

Aureliano remained silent for a moment, then let out a low growl in a muffled voice, abruptly expressing the wrath of an emperor.

"Rain Wizard, you are insulting me."

"W-what?"

Even the Rain Wizard, who knew this monarch intimately, was baffled by this statement. What was going on? Could it be the work of the Seasons and the devil? Some kind of brainwashing? Why had His Majesty Aureliano suddenly become so violent?

Then, Aureliano suddenly stood up, like a sea monster locking onto its prey.

"You are my first confidant! You have proven my judgment and made countless contributions to the country. Although the world scorns you, in our country, you can be considered a hero."

"Uh... I think so too."

The Rain Wizard stroked his chin, unsure how to respond.

Aureliano's rebuke rang out once again—

"But you think you're cheaper than a death row inmate? To donate your soul under these circumstances? That's an insult to your king, a questioning of his judgment in choosing people, and a slap in the face."

"……what?"

“But I can understand you, Rain Wizard. Your soul will soon perish, and if you were to donate it here, it would be a perfect ending... But... I will never allow it.”

“Your Majesty Aureliano, you are mistaken,” the Rain Wizard said, bowing his head. “I have no intention of paying the price with my own soul.”

"Really? Then you mean death row inmates..."

"Giving my soul to the devil would be too foolish, I have no intention of doing so. My soul can last a little longer, I'm going to witness the coming of winter, but I hope that everyone in the country, rich or poor, can live a warm life..."

He breathed a long sigh of relief, his gambler's madness gone.

“I have been battling the cold winter all along, and now, I have won by sheer luck. I will witness my victory as I vanish into the sea breeze of my homeland.”

Aureliano couldn't bring himself to offer any words of praise for his old friend's death; he could only nod silently.

The Rain Wizard coughed, putting the awkward atmosphere at ease.

"Back to the main topic, I have some thoughts about the prisoners in the jail. This time, the transport of the egg stones will require a lot of manpower. Let's not trouble our army; let the prisoners do the work. And... if they unfortunately die on the road due to the harsh nature of the Demon Realm, it will save the country some food."

"...You're still you."

"Yes, I have always been me."

……

After that, the deal was successfully completed.

The ancient demon king accepted the soul but did not torment the resigned soul. After annihilation, he divided his power in two, giving the larger portion to the fire demon. The smaller portion condensed into some kind of power, which he stored away.

The transportation of the egg stones was not something that Mori and the others needed to worry about.

Melia informed Aureliano of the specific siege time and discussed the amount of money to be extorted. Afterward, she secretly found Mori. The latter, having nothing to do, was scribbling in his travel notebook, sketching out plans for the upcoming operation.

"Dad, the initial amount for this money is 70,000 gold coins. That should be enough to do a lot of things, and Princess Dandelion will probably be very happy."

"...It's as if you're saying it's for us."

"Yes, I'll give them all to you. I hope to help Dandelion restore the Kingdom of Flowers as soon as possible. Then she'll have a lot of things to do. And your duties will be over... At that time, I will formally invite you to join the Chaos Land. Please don't refuse me."

"...So, so you were planning this all along."

"hey-hey."

Mori knew best; Melia was absolutely right. It seemed the mission to restore the kingdom would be completed soon…

The Holy Coffin Kingdom will welcome her to the throne of divinity, and the Chaos Lands are her closest allies. After today's transaction, the Peda Empire, which should have been the biggest obstacle, will certainly improve its attitude towards the Four Seasons.