On the relatively flat official road, a grand carriage team that looked like a caravan pulled countless carriages of goods forward. Every time they arrived, they would stop trading with the local people.
These people were [Merchants]. It was fine to call them [Vendors] too. It was a profession that many territories and countries needed… Yes, these merchants were a warrior-type combat profession.
Carrying out legitimate and recognized trade actions would gradually increase their physical fitness. The merchants also grasped the ability to continuously strengthen the quality of the horses and fold the space in the carriage through Mana.
It was precisely because of this that the trade team formed by merchants had an unimaginable abundance and variety of goods. Almost every merchant who continuously earned money from trade had wealth comparable to some small nobles.
When they were still in the Empire, Ira had given them a very vivid name—the walking snack shop.
Although many people did not know what the snack shop meant, they could understand it from the words, just like the word "loli" that spread throughout the world from him.
In war, these businessmen were [War Merchants]. They would sell goods at an expensive price… However, a country at war needed these resources very much, so the existence of war merchants was tacitly agreed upon by the world.
After the war ended, these trade teams would begin to earn money all over the world. It was estimated that they would reach the Demon King's Territory by today afternoon… Before that, they had already arrived at the other territories in the Demon King's controlled area.
"It's really unexpected that the Demon Kingdom has actually begun to fall apart."
As the race with the most number of [Merchant] professions, this trade team undoubtedly had the most humans and had the lead.
"Indeed."
A woman driving a carriage beside the male human merchant who had just spoken replied. She seemed to be very emotional and said, "Did the Demon King's Territory lose its prestige because of the long-term defeat in the war with the Empire?"
"It's also possible that the Demon Kingdom is simply afraid of being beaten."
"That's possible."
Everyone discussed the news they had heard in the previous demonic territory. By the way… although the more formal term for the area controlled by the Demon King was the [Demon King Control Area] or the [Demon Control Area], it would also be very casually called the [Demonic Creature Country] internationally.
"To be honest, I don't want the Empire to win. Ever since the Empire stopped selling fertilizer, our trade will always lose a lot of income. Moreover, the Empire has provoked too many bad impressions of humans and will affect our careers."
Regarding this human merchant, a relatively rare elf merchant revealed a disdainful expression and said, "In terms of causing bad influence to humans, you're not bad either… Everyone knows that human merchants like to take advantage and lower the price the most."
They could not refute this because that was indeed the case, but they could use other methods to argue with this elf merchant. When they could not reason with him, they could choose to attack him personally.
"It's about time for you elf merchants. When you passed by the Silver Moon Tree Court, didn't your conscience hurt when you deceived your compatriots? Or rather, do the elves of the Silver Moon Tree Court really think that you half-elves are clansmen? Or a group of bastards?"
Towards a human merchant with a vicious mouth, this elf (half-elf) merchant's face instantly turned red from anger. The redness even spread to his ears. He angrily opened his mouth and prepared to curse, "You?!"
"Alright, alright."
An orc catwoman with cat ears tried to smooth things over. She did not want to be sandwiched between the half-elves and humans and hear them curse at each other. She said, "The profits of the blue mushrooms this year seem to be especially small ~"
Indeed, in the other territories of the Demon Kingdom, the number of blue mushrooms bought in recent years had gradually decreased compared to before, and blue mushrooms were very popular specialties of the Demon Kingdom.
"The fertilizer is no longer sold, so the production has decreased…"
The human merchant did not have the intention to argue with the elf merchant anymore. As he spoke, he added, "However, after that, it's the Demon King's Territory. There will definitely be good profits from the blue mushrooms. At that time, it'll depend on your own ability ~"
"I hope so."
He seemed to have calmed down a little, but there was still a little anger in the depths of his eyes as he replied, "Do you know? The Duchy recently passed a law."
Such random words attracted the curiosity of the other travelers…
"Tell me?"
Amidst the curiosity of the orc merchant, the half-elf merchant seemed to be very satisfied with the advancedness of his information. He said, "Recognize the citizenship of the other races and allow the elves, orcs, and dwarves to obtain the title of Duke."
"…"
"Really?"
"Truly."
If that were the case, the impact would be very great. The Duchy of Hazard was a country that did not approve of the meaningless slaughter of demonic creatures and could allow outsiders to enter the city to carry out activities. It was a relatively more open human country.
Now, they seemed to be even more open-minded.
"The Duchy of Hazard doesn't seem to have the confidence to defeat the Empire…"
A merchant evaluated, but he immediately smiled and said, "On second thought, that's true. After all, the Empire has the existence of the [Consul] and that terrifying Chief Consul."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked over… This guy was too ill-informed.
"However, Ira Alkaras has already defected from the Empire. Moreover… the Consul can't obtain mana from humans."
In the face of a merchant's reminder, the merchant who mentioned that terrifying Chief Consul was immediately embarrassed. He knocked his head in embarrassment and said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I know, but my mouth was agape for a moment."
This kind of thing did happen often.
"Where do you think Ira Alkaras escaped to?"
As the first traveling merchant opened the curtain of the gossip topic, everyone began to guess—
"The Duchy, right? No… impossible. Otherwise, the Duchy would not have passed the bill related to demons."
"That's right. After all, that former Chief Consul hates demons and has to listen to their screams every day to sleep."
"I think it might be our Silver Moon Tree Court. Her Highness Cassiopeia and Mr. Alkaras are old friends."
"I think he's still in the Empire."
"…"
Although everyone was making irresponsible guesses, it was really impossible to say that he was still in the Empire, so everyone looked at the merchant.
However, the other party looked confident and said information that no one knew, "Actually, there's a saying in the Empire that the breakup between Her Highness Isabella and Chief Consul Alkaras is a scam."
"Actually, we only set up a trap to numb the Duchy and the Demonic Creature Country. We can also expose the other anti-royal factions in the country. At the moment of reckoning, we can let the royal authority reach a new peak."
"…"
"That makes sense. After all, it's very difficult to imagine that Alkaras will betray us."
"That's true. Perhaps the entire world has been deceived."
"That makes sense. Because with the relationship between Ira Alkaras and Her Highness Isabella, it's difficult to imagine them turning against each other."
...
Everyone seemed to have begun to discuss… walking further and further away from the truth.