On a relatively flat official road, a grand convoy of merchant wagons, pulling countless goods in their carriages, moved forward. Wherever they went, they would stop and trade with the locals.
These people are "Traveling Merchants," also called "Merchants," a profession needed by many territories and countries... Indeed, these merchants are a warrior-type combat profession.
Engaging in legitimate and recognized trade activities would gradually enhance their physical qualities. Merchants also have the ability to continuously strengthen their horses through Mana and expand the internal space of their wagons.
Because of this, the richness and variety of goods among the trading teams formed by merchants are beyond imagination. Almost every merchant engaged in continuous profitable trade possesses wealth comparable to some minor nobles.
Back in the Empire, Yila gave them a very vivid nickname—mobile convenience stores.
Although many people didn't know the exact meaning of convenience stores, they could understand something from the words, just like the word "loli" that spread across the world from him.
During wartime, these merchants are "War Traders," selling their goods at high prices... But in times of war, countries are in great need of these resources, so the existence of War Traders is also accepted by the world.
After the war ends, these trading teams would start making money worldwide. It is expected that they will reach the Demon King Territory this afternoon... Before that, they had already arrived in other lands under the Demon King's control.
"It's truly unexpected that the Demon Kingdom has already begun to fall apart."
A human merchant said this. As the most numerous race in the "Merchant" profession, this trading team unsurprisingly comprised mostly humans, who also had the leadership role.
"Indeed."
A female merchant driving a wagon next to the previously speaking male human merchant replied, seemingly also feeling emotional, saying, "Has the long-time defeat against the Empire caused the Demon King's Territory to lose its prestige?"
"Maybe the Demon Kingdom was just too scared of being beaten."
"That's possible too."
The group discussed the news they heard in the previous Demon Territory. As a side note... Although the more formal term for the Demon King's control area is "Demon King Control Area" or "Demon Control Area," internationally it would often be casually referred to as "Demon Country" and such.
"To be honest, I don't wish for the Empire to win either. Since the Empire stopped selling fertilizers, our trade has lost a lot of income, and the Empire has given humans too many bad impressions, affecting our career."
In response to these words from the human merchant, a relatively rare Elf Traveling Merchant showed a disdainful expression, saying, "Speaking of giving humans a bad impression, you're no better... Everyone knows that human Traveling Merchants love to take advantage and undercut prices the most."
They couldn't refute this because it was indeed true. However, they could use other means to counter this Elf Traveling Merchant. When reasoning fails, personal attacks can suffice.
"You Elven Traveling Merchants aren't much better. When you pass through the Silver Moon Tree Court and deceive your fellow countrymen, doesn't your conscience hurt? Or do the Elves of the Silver Moon Tree Court really consider you half-elves as part of the clan? Or just a bunch of mongrels?"
Faced with a sharp-tongued human Traveling Merchant, the Elf (half-elf) Traveling Merchant's face instantly turned red with anger, the redness extending to his ears. He opened his mouth in fury, ready to curse, "You?!"
"Alright, alright."
A Beastman Catgirl Traveling Merchant intervened to mediate, not wanting to be caught between the half-elf and human, listening to their mutual insults. She said, "The profits from bluebell mushrooms seem extraordinarily low this year~"
Indeed, in other lands of the Demon Kingdom, the quantity of bluebell mushrooms collected in recent years has been decreasing compared to earlier times. Bluebell mushrooms are bestselling specialties of the Demon Kingdom.
"Since fertilizers are no longer for sale, productions have decreased too..."
The human Traveling Merchant had no intention to argue with the Elf merchant anymore. Saying this, he added, "But next is the Demon King Territory, surely there'll be good bluebell mushroom profits, so it all depends on our skills then~"
"Hopefully."
It seemed to have calmed down a bit, but the half-elf merchant, with a lingering trace of anger in his eyes, responded, saying, "Do you know? The Duchy recently passed an act."
Such a seemingly out-of-context statement piqued the curiosity of the other Traveling Merchants...
"Tell us?"
In the curious voice of a Beastman merchant, the half-elf merchant seemed quite pleased with the advancement of his information, saying, "Recognizing the citizenship status of foreign clans, allowing elves, beastmen, and dwarves to obtain the duchy's nobility."
"..."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
If this is true, the impact would be significant, as Duke Hazad is a country that doesn't approve of needless slaughter of demons and allows foreign clans to enter cities for activities, a relatively open human nation.
Now it seems even more open.
"Duke Hazad doesn't seem to have confidence in defeating the Empire..."
A merchant commented, but quickly laughed, saying, "I suppose so, given the Empire has the presence of the 'Governor' and that terrifying Chief Governor."
Upon these words, everyone turned their heads... This guy really lacked up-to-date information.
"But Yila Elkaras has already defected from the Empire, and... the Governor cannot gain Mana from humans."
Upon the reminder of a merchant, the one who mentioned "that terrifying Chief Governor" immediately felt embarrassed, tapping his head awkwardly, saying, "Sorry, sorry, I know, I just misspoke for a moment."
Indeed, such things happen often.
"Where do you think Yila Elkaras fled to?"
With the first merchant opening the gossip topic, everyone began to speculate—
"The Duchy? No... impossible, otherwise the Duchy wouldn't pass acts related to demons."
"Yeah, after all, that former Chief Governor hates demons, needing to hear their wails daily to sleep well."
"I think it might be in the Silver Moon Tree Court, as His Highness Cassiopeia and Mr. Elkaras are old acquaintances."
"I think they might still be within the Empire."
"..."
Although everyone irresponsibly guessed, the notion of "Yila hiding back within the Empire" had little feasibility, so everyone looked at that merchant.
But he, with a confident look, shared some information unknown to everyone, saying, "Actually, there's a saying within the Empire that Princess Isabella's rift with Chief Governor Elkaras is a scam."
"It was just a setup to lull the Duchy and Demon Country into a false sense of security, also luring out other Anti-King Factions within the country, thereby bringing royal authority to a new peak during a reckoning."
"..."
"Makes sense, it's hard to imagine that Elkaras would betray."
"Indeed, maybe the whole world was deceived."
"It makes sense because, given Yila Elkaras and Princess Isabella's relationship, it's hard to imagine them turning against each other."
...
Everyone seemed to be getting into discussions... wandering further away from the truth.