"I'm just a humble information broker."

Angie raised a brow after feeling the man's magic power but chose not to pry any further.

"What do you want with me?"

"A little bird told me that you were looking for a way to get to Goetia, and the fastest way possible at that."

Hearing their conversation, the man who knocked on Angie's door walked away, he knew it wasn't something he could know about. As soon as the two of them were sure he couldn't hear anything they continued their conversation.

"And you have a way?"

The broker chuckled and handed Angie a piece of paper with a map.

"If you go to this person, you'd be able to get what you want."

Angie stared at it for a bit. Having already read the map of the city, she could somewhat guess where this location was. It wasn't in a very savory place, it could even be said to be the dark side of the city. However, a lead was a lead, she had no choice.

"And how am I going to be sure that this isn't a trap?"

"I'm an information broker, tricking a woman like you into slavery or prostitution won't do my reputation much good. Besides, selling information is a lot more expensive than something that stupid."

To an information broker, reputation and credibility were vital to continue his trade. Nobody would buy information from a known scammer, especially since in his industry, word spread very, very fast. Unless he wanted to reduce his reputation to ashes, he couldn't do anything.

"If the information is that untrustworthy, then pay my commission after meeting with the people themselves, or after you've booked your ride. And, if you still can't trust me after that... there's nothing I can do."

The broker shrugged. After all, as an information broker, he had no notable fighting skills to speak of. He could handle himself in a normal fight with other demons but someone like Angie who gained fame in the arena in just a week? It'd be easier to say that pigs could fly—they could though.

After looking at the map for a bit, Angie retrieved a pouch of coins and threw it at the broker.

"If it turns out to be wrong, I'll be coming for your head."

The broker raised his hands in surrender and backed off. Once Angie was sure that his presence disappeared, she looked down on the paper and began inspecting it closely.

"Master, I'll be there soon..."

----------------------------------------

"Looks like you've got some pretty rare wares today."

"I can guarantee it's something only I have."

"Heh. I know. You're the only merchant here who knows where to get these things."

Kai was chatting with a customer while holding the reins to a large beast. It looked like the mix of a mole and a wolf. Its body was large like a horse's, but it had the distinct fur of wolves and claws of moles. It was restrained but just looking at it, it was evident that it could kill a person in an instant.

This was the Demon Continent where such beasts were used as mounts.

Behind Kai was a wagon filled with goods, it was modified to show the merchandise inside without having to take it out. As for the items that Kai were selling, they were items from the human continents. He didn't sell anything that could easily be identified as something from there, but he sold everything that looked valuable.

The rarer an item is, the more expensive it would sell for. Having gone to this continent without a single coin from their currency, he had no choice but to earn his own. After all, there were no places that offered money conversion with the ongoing hostilities.

"I'll buy this thing, what's it called?"

The customer was holding a ball attached to a hammer via a string. A 'kendama', a toy for entertainment.

(A/N: The kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy. It consists of a handle, a pair of cups, and a ball that are all connected together by a string. Courtesy of Google.)

The things he were selling were mostly novelty items, furniture, and tools that the Demon Continent didn't have because of the difference in bodily physique and history. For one, gunpowder was also discovered here, but guns weren't. Ordinary guns wouldn't deal any damage to demons in the first place.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

"That's called a kendama, it's a toy. You use it like this."

Kai held onto the kendama and flung the ball so it would land one of the faces, then he did it again so it would land on the handle, and then he made it land on the spike. The customer looked amused.

"My daughter will love it. I'll take it."

"That'll be ten bronze."

"Here."

The customer handed Kai a handful of bronze coins and without confirming the number, Kai stuffed it into a pouch. Once the customer left, he went to a place with cover and then disappeared along with the wagon.

...

"Akane?"

"...Kai?"

Kai roused Akane from her sleep and helped her sit up on the bed. The two of them were in the illusion world, Kai had brought her through there instead of through the teleporter because she was in no state to travel normally. He planned to let her out every now and then but she would practically spend most of her day sleeping or resting inside.

Because of Amon's trick, everyone was separated. If it weren't for Kai leaving her in the illusion world ahead of time, she would've been sent off elsewhere and it would've been dangerous.

Another reason that he kept her here was because she was an angel. Unlike Erina who could transform into one and Kai who was part-angel, Akane was pure. Even if Kai tried his best to mask her presence, the demons would still feel a subconscious dislike of her that would slowly build up so long as she was in their presence.

"How do you feel?"

"Mmm... Better than before. I still need... more time though."

Kai took a spoon and fed her some soup. Then, he gave her a bit of solid food and helped her drink.

"...You know, my arms aren't broken."

"It's fine. You still need to preserve all of your energy."

Akane chuckled a bit.

"You're being a bit too overprotective... It's not like I'd break... from just this."

Everytime after she utters a few words, she would pause before talking again. It didn't have to do with her mental state, she was just tired and even talking took a lot out of her. Back when they visited his grandmother, she was already pushing herself to a certain extent to act normally.

Now that they were alone, she had no need to act.

Kai wanted to heal her, but there was no way for him to transfer life force and heal her soul. Erina and Amelia could do so, but it was at the expense of their own lifespan. Akane didn't lose hers, it would just take time to come back. That's why they ruled out speeding up Akane's recovery through this method.

"You should go back to rest."

Akane nodded and looked at Kai's hand.

"..."

She had a sleepy look on her face, but her glare could clearly be seen. Kai smiled warmly and held a hand up to her head and began stroking. She closed her eyes like a cat feeling the touch of its owner. She savored the sensation until she fell asleep and Kai had to lay her back down and drape the blanket over her.

After making sure she was asleep and put everything she needed by the bed, he left and went back to his wagon in the outside world.

The time inside the illusion world was set to match the outside world so that it would be easier for Kai to time Akane's recovery. If he didn't do that, she would see him, he would stay for a few hours, then leave and come back a second later.

Though, Akane still needed time to heal so whenever Kai is inside, he slowed down time, making it like had never left outside in the first place. Things had gone at this pace for the past two weeks and it was about time for the reap the rewards for the seeds he sowed.

A few minutes after returning and driving the wagon, a carriage approached Kai and stopped a little bit ahead of him. Kai stopped his wagon and got off his seat. The carriage door opened and a demon wearing a mantle with a shade of mulberries. Just one glance at him made it apparent that he was a noble.

"Tullius, am I correct?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Get in the carriage, my men will drive the wagon for you."

Kai didn't have any other choice, but it was all going according to plan. Though the noble's words were crass, he wasn't treated badly. During the ride, he was asked a few questions about his goods and about where he procured them but Kai managed to always divert the noble's attention elsewhere.

There were several things he needed to watch out for during his attempts at negotiating with the demons.

The first was his identity, he couldn't reveal that he was a human right off the bat. Forget being able to meet with the demons' authorities, he'd be executed where he stood. Kai didn't want to have to fight through an entire continent. It was one thing if the people were only as strong as the humans, but there were many far stronger than Kai in this place.

The next was the people he needed to contact and the means to get there. Ideally, he needed to get in contact with peaceful faction's leader, Paimon, first. However, that was likely impossible. Hence, his goal is to meet with any member of the peaceful faction and slowly make his way up from there.

The noble in front of him was one such person.

And lastly, safety. It didn't need to be said, he had to be extra cautious during his stay here. Demons aren't as morally shackled like humans are. They'd be angry and sad at their friends dying, but a stranger dying on the street wouldn't elicit any response. Murders were a lot more common here after all.

Being a merchant without a guard, a certain level of power is expected of him and it was alright to show until that much. And, he had to be careful of the intentions hidden behind their masks. Unlike the human continents where he had a variety of contacts, he was going here completely blind. He could meet up with the Demon of Hell Flame's people, but he didn't really know if they were on his side or not.

At the very least, with the peaceful faction, he knew that they wouldn't cut him down the moment they saw him.

"Sorry for the sudden invitiation, I'm Agurys Arborius, the feudal lord of this area and a viscount."

Demons, like vampires, also had a hierarchy based on nobility. Unlike vampires, however, it isn't due to purity of their blood, but by their strength. Anyone with a title of baron to count is an S-class. An earl and marquess is an SS-class, while the dukes, duchesses, and monarch are SSS-class, with a spike in power for each rank.

The monarch of the Demon Continent changes suddenly. At times, the monarch would only last for a year, and sometimes they could last for a hundred. The current monarch is a queen, she's been reigning for nearly eighteen years now.

Though, she'll die within two years because of the hostile faction's coup.

Because of the ranks, the ones who typically get power aren't the refined ones with etiquette, but the ones who love battle the most.

"Not at all, Viscount Agurys. Just that, what do you need me for?"

Agurys took something from his pocket. It was a scalp massager that Kai had sold a few days ago.

"How did you manage to get in contact with the humans?"