After some time in the evening, Yory was riding in the carriage with JOE GOSTAVE beside him.

Yory broke the silence with friendly words, "So Joe, what are the best routes for the merchant? I am new and looking for reliable information for my journey."

Joe looked at him after pondering for a moment and replied, "Once you reach Northon Village, you’ll find many routes for traders. For instance, the road to the city of Roxana, where the temple of light will appreciate some medical herbs for healing potions. You can also trade magic scrolls with a magician's guild, or start a business trading weapons for the guild of fighters. The market offers rich opportunities for merchants of various specialities. Alternatively, you can commence your journey without heading to the capital. Savvy merchants often travel to cities and villages near the borders to exchange goods between human and demon markets. It's a good way to earn extra money for ordinary products that are rare on the other side. Another option is to travel to Daekrahm City, a city that shares borders with the ghouls' kingdom. They are not known for being friendly, and there was a war between them over territories, but everything seems calm after so many years. It's also a good place to gather the latest information about the capital's situation and market economy, due to its size."

Yory was impressed by this information, "Thank you. So, if I were to start a business, I wouldn't necessarily have to travel to the capital. That's interesting. What's your advice for me then?"

Joe replied after a moment of thought, "If you ask me, I'd suggest heading to Daekrahm City after Roxana. It's a better option for trading than going to the capital directly. Between the two major cities, there are three smaller but beneficial cities, along with some villages that will keep us busy for a good amount of time."

Yory contemplated his adventure. He realized that he had all the time in the world. Becoming a merchant was a challenging endeavour, requiring a blend of wisdom and daring. These were not unfamiliar qualities to Yory, who had once been a king of a large kingdom – a wise and daring king. This was what excited him about this new venture. Merchants always faced the unknown, and the best stories were the ones whose endings were yet to be written.

Yory said, "If it's not a problem for you, can we head to Daekrahm City after Roxana? If not, then off to the capital without delay."

Joe considered the offer and replied with a smile, "Daekrahm City is good for my business, and I haven't visited it in a while. Let's go."

After a day had passed, Joe lay in a carriage, asleep, clutching a small dagger in his hand. Such precautions were second nature for seasoned travelling merchants, who knew how to guard themselves, even in slumber, as advised by some experienced adventurers.

Meanwhile, Yory found himself deep in the woods, a considerable distance from the carriage. He grasped his crystal tightly, murmuring ancient demonic incantations that translated to: "[By the magic I command, The Crystal of Godfire, Meet my order, Get me to my sister]."

The crystal began to radiate with a brilliant white light, transforming into a small mirror. In the reflection, Yory beheld the visage of his beautiful sister, Jane Grey, smiling. However, the sounds of people shouting emanated from behind her. Yory wanted to inquire, but Jane beat him to it, "If you're wondering about the commotion, our brothers and sisters are vying for the throne."

Yory was taken aback by this revelation. "You haven't chosen a king? What's wrong with you, Jane? The human king is on his way to the northern castle, and there's no king to welcome him!"

Meanwhile, Monroe, the dashing white-haired brother, declared to the twins and their other siblings, "Being the eldest, the throne is rightfully mine. Thanks for your efforts, HAHAHAHAHA!"

Monroe's laughter echoed, a cocky air of a warrior who had just rescued a princess.

Returning to the conversation, Jane addressed Yory, "I'm sorry, Yoranios. When you set out on your journey, there was a noticeable gap in the kingdom's governance. Everyone was fulfilling their duties, and I assumed that if I or anyone else were to assume the throne, it would be a straightforward task. However, the moment you stepped away from your position, I realized how intricate it is to oversee every facet of the kingdom. Each division requires meticulous attention, and even though I was by your side the entire time, experiencing this firsthand is undeniably draining."

Yory sighed, a mixture of contentment at hearing people acknowledge the weight of his previous role and concern for his family's situation. He then spoke, saying, "I have faith in you. You're not just my elder sister, but also the mightiest demon in our family. You're wise and brave, and frankly, I don't have much confidence in those fools for the job."

Suddenly, screams pierced through the throne chamber, and Yory exclaimed, "What's happening?"

Jane swung open the grand doors to find a maid shrieking, "Lord Monroe!!"

As Jane approached the throne, she discovered Monroe on the ground, his blood staining parts of the royal carpet. Jane was appalled by the sight and shouted in anger, "WHO RUINED THE ROYAL CARPET, YOU IMBECILES!!!"

Ignoring her brother's unconscious state, the doctors arrived and began invoking healing magic upon him.

Yory observed Jane's heated exchange with their family, his raised eyebrow betraying his lack of impressed sentiment. With disappointment etched across his face, he remarked, "Is this what you deem fitting for the demon kingdom? Pitiful."

In response, Jane seized the crown, holding it aloft, far from her brother Nearf and the twins. She then thundered, "Who struck Monroe on the head with an enchanted rock!? Who defiled the throne's costly carpet, you imbeciles?!"

Nearf and the twins erupted in protest, while Monroe regained consciousness, clutching a white cloth to his head wound. Yory, his disappointment evident, uttered, "Farewell, you are wasting my time," before ending the communication magic.

Angrily, Jane proclaimed, "HALT! I am the new queen of the demon kingdom, we have..."

The head servant entered the chamber with military precision, his announcement a firm yet subdued command, "THE KING OF RENOLVA KINGDOM, RALONDO NEBBIRO, IS HERE!"

Jane's face contorted with disappointment, her voice dripping with apathy and disinterest, "Oh joy, just what we needed, more problems!"

Ten minutes prior to this chaos, King Ralondo sat in his royal carriage, demon guards allowing passage to the castle's outer perimeter. His son, Riyo, a tall, handsome prince with golden locks, piercing blue eyes, and a captivating smile, garnered immediate attention from the demons within the castle. It was evident that the prince possessed the aura of a worthy champion and warrior, even more so than that of a prince.

As they traversed the castle's hallway, Head Servant Fulik, accompanying the king and prince, pondered after observing them, "Despite the disparities in age and appearance, their eyes, ears, nose, even their gait—all identical. A father and his son, they may be. Yet, they remain humans. Trusting them is out of the question. I trust the queen to safeguard our beloved kingdom, for we know that humans never relinquish their fantasies or abandon their notions of racial purity and superiority."

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Guiding the king and his entourage into a spacious and elegant room, the king settled into a plush, comfortable couch. The room was adorned with an assortment of books and offered a breathtaking view of the city. Two guards stood to watch over the king, while in the far corner, four demon maids awaited any instructions from their guests, maintaining a respectful distance to honour their privacy.

Engaged in conversation with his son, the king's attention was soon diverted by a medley of sounds—small explosions, shouts, and the echoes of impacts against walls. He listened intently, a furrow of concern etched on his features, wondering about the tumult within the castle.

He then observed the maids, who maintained their poised and composed demeanour despite the commotion. Their patience was admirable. Suddenly, the door to the kingdom's resting room swung open, revealing Monroe, bloodied and clutching fabric to staunch the bleeding.

Monroe's eyes widened as he locked onto the figure of the king. The realization hit him—he was face to face with the king!

Regaining his composure, Monroe bowed respectfully to the king, who acknowledged the gesture with a nod. He closed the door gently, leaving the king and his son momentarily bewildered. Abruptly, they heard Monroe's cry, "SISTER! THE KING IS HERE!"

Moments later, the room's doors swung open again, and two trusted generals of the demon kingdom entered, paying their respects to the king and inviting him to follow. After a brief walk, King Ralondo stepped into the throne chamber and announced, facing the throne, "KING OF RENOLVA KINGDOM, ROLANDO NEBBIRO! Today, I come to reaffirm the peace we have forged with your kingdom, a legacy upheld by the kings before me. I greet my esteemed lady, JANE GREY GYOVANI, THE DEMON QUEEN!"

Queen Jane sat on the throne, her golden crown adding to her regal presence. The prince gazed at her, struck by her beauty, and offered a bow while stealing glances at her stunning appearance.

Jane discreetly signalled for Monroe to leave, which he promptly understood.

As Monroe exited the throne chamber, he crossed paths with his brother Nearf and the twins. Addressing his twin sisters with a mixture of frustration and disappointment, he remarked, "Well, here I was, considering you my trusted aides." The twins responded with playful, mocking gestures as Monroe left to tend to his injured head.

In the royal chamber, typically reserved for meetings with generals, the king, Queen Jane, and the prince discussed the future relationship between their two kingdoms. After an extensive conversation, Jane observed the king's fatigue and suggested, "Why don't we take a break?"

The king, stretching his neck, agreed, "Indeed, a rest is in order. Thank you for your gracious reception."

Accompanied by four demon butlers, the king departed with his son, heading to the most opulent accommodations that the northern castle and the city of Arctic had to offer.

After the king's departure, Queen Jane settled into her throne and reflected, "That was a demanding meeting. It's exhausting to realize that these are just words without action. True peace will come when our kingdoms engage in meaningful economic collaboration. Nonetheless, let's take a moment to rest. Generals, you've earned it."

In the morning, following the completion of the peace ceremony, King Ralondo, his son Riyo, and Jane exchanged bows. The king and prince then waved their farewells and boarded the carriage bound for their homeland, Renolva Kingdom.

Jane returned to her castle, reflecting, "Pointless, but peace is peace."

Monroe, standing beside her much like he was with Yoranios, inquired with a calm tone, "What's your plan, sister? Yoranios has restored so much in this kingdom. What's next?"

Jane gazed at her brother, her smile appearing somewhat forced, as she replied, "Not everything. There are areas he didn't address, and I intend to be the greatest demon queen to ever rule these magnificent lands. Remember my words, Monroe! I am JANE GREY GYOVANI, AND I WILL LEAD A GOLDEN ERA IN DEMONIC HISTORY!"

On that same morning in Renolva Kingdom, Yory and Joe arrived at the Northon village where they prepared their carriage for business. Yory, while waiting for customers, asked, "If you don't mind me asking, Joe, how long have you been in the merchant trade?"

Joe pondered for a moment before responding, "Nine years now. I'm twenty-nine, and it's flown by." His expression then shifted, betraying a hint of sorrow, as he continued, "It's a long story. In short, I looked at my life before all of this and realized it was empty. I needed something to achieve because a person can't live without fulfilling something, or you end up like the GREENE DEMON."

Intrigued by the name, Yory inquired, "Who's that?"

Joe explained, "Greene Village was once a largely peaceful place. However, after a civil war erupted between the two regions, the village found itself caught in the middle. Our kingdom couldn't intervene due to its weakened state following a major war with the ARGUAND KINGDOM over land and resources. The civil war was brutal, and a notorious warrior named KIVET emerged. He was said to be a masterful swordsman who revelled in combat and bloodshed as if it were a hobby. He didn't have a family, just drinking, fighting, and recounting tales of the war and his love for it."

Yory remarked, "He led an empty existence, merely awaiting his demise."

Joe agreed, "Exactly. After years of repeating the same cycle, he died. It happened after he insulted an elf woman, which led to her husband defending her honour and engaging in a fatal duel with Kivet. Kivet was skilled, but he ended up on the losing side of that fight. The elf beheaded him."

Yory noted, "It seems that's what he wanted."

Joe responded, "You might find this odd, but I believe what the elf did was an act of mercy. The emptiness slowly consumes a person. It doesn't matter if they're a ghoul, elf, or even a demon. It will find you, and it will make you suffer."

Yory contemplated how this emptiness had influenced his decision to relinquish his kingship. He sought a new purpose, something more meaningful than languishing in the demon kingdom without much to engage him. This emptiness was a silent killer.

Joe, his smile now back in place, locked eyes with Yory, "You know what really killed him, Yory? He didn't live for forty-six years; he lived one day repeatedly for his entire life. That's what did him in."

After trading some leather and fur, Yory and Joe made their way to the inn to rest for the upcoming journey.

The next day, as they approached Roxana City, Joe's face lit up with excitement. He exclaimed after cresting a hill, "Yory, there it is!"

Yory's eyes were fixed on the road, and he shared in Joe's excitement. When the grand walls of the city came into view, along with the bustling carts and the sight of the city's defences and training forces, Yory was captivated. Though the wind was cold, he hardly noticed. This view, though familiar from many travels, felt different this time. Yory wasn't here for political games or to meet a king. He was here to live life to its fullest, and that's what made this view so magnificent.

The line of waiting merchants meant it took three hours to reach the gate, but no one complained. Such was the life of a trader.

When it was finally Yory's turn, a burly guard with a scar running down his left cheek and clad in silver armour barked, "STOP!!! WE'RE SEARCHING THIS CART, EVERYONE OUT!!!"

Yory gazed at the captain with an innocent smile, saying, "Of course, sir..."

The guard cut him off brusquely, "Shut up and move already!"

Joe nudged Yory and whispered, "They're a surly bunch. Keep an eye on them in case they try anything."

Yory nodded, understanding the situation, and descended from the cart as the guards commenced their search.

Meanwhile, in the city's bustling market, Lord Nietyro, accompanied by a robust warrior with orange hair and a face marked by scars, greeted the locals who responded with respectful bows and grateful expressions. The warrior suggested with a calm, respectful tone, "Sir, you've completed your rounds. Perhaps it's time to head home?"

Nietyro inquired, "I've heard rumours of guards harassing merchants, especially newcomers. Is there any truth to this?"

The warrior paused for a moment before responding, "I will investigate and keep a close watch, my lord. Rest assured, I'll mete out severe punishment to these unruly guards before dismissing them from their posts!"

Back at the city gate, when the guards finished their search, the captain shouted at Yory after he had disembarked, "MOVE!!!"

Yory hesitated for a moment, then retorted, "Yes, of course, once you've returned what you took."

The captain's voice thundered angrily, "I stole from you, a lowly trader!?"

Meanwhile, Joe rushed to Yory's cart and realized his bag had been moved during the search process, which he hadn't noticed due to the guards' distraction.

When he checked his bag, he discovered something was missing. Joe then marched toward the captain, who was berating Yory, and threatening him, "Look at me, you scoundrel! You have mere seconds to run, or else..."

As Yory stood, arms crossed, his eyes filled with challenge and a grin that bordered on insolence, he continued, "...Or what? What exactly are you planning to do? You're powerless because..."

At that moment, Joe firmly gripped the captain's right shoulder, pivoted him around, and delivered a powerful punch to the captain's face, sending him sprawling to the ground, unconscious.

The other guards were stunned, while Yory finished his statement, "...Because, truthfully, you're capable of nothing. You're WEAK."