Perse, the female merchant, is a demon.

This is not a metaphor for bad guys, and I think Perse is a conscientious person as a merchant.

Perse is a literal demon.

The devil is a being that has the same appearance as man, while being close in nature to the Enemy of Humanity "Demon Nation" that nests in the ruins.

They, with their peculiar power, have been treated as slaves and scorned by humans.

I myself don't think of the devil as a being with dirty blood, nor do I think of him as a being below human beings.

But as long as we follow the teachings of the Imperial Church, the devil is never human.

heresy to be persecuted.

"Yet how is Mr. Perse a merchant in the Imperial Capital?

Philia asks me.

The real question is, if normal, Perse remains a slave and cannot act as a merchant.

Many human and demonic hybrids are not slaves, but it is normal for pure demons to be considered slaves.

Besides, Perse doesn't even hide that he's a demon.

I had my reasons for that.

"Perse is my slave."

"Huh?"

"It's a formal story. The devil cannot leave his slave status under imperial law. Conversely, we just have to serve someone as a slave in form alone."

Originally Perse was an ordinary slave girl, working under a noble master, treated badly.

Around that time, when I was a student at the School of Magic, I was to gamble from a moment of opportunity with the nobility of Perse's master, and I won a great victory.

I got Perse for the victory.

Perse stared at me and smiled.

"Mr. Solon let me go. He made my place."

"I thought Perse had talent."

"I was very helpful to Mr. Solon."

Speaking of not having the desire to help a girl who is seeing terrible eyes, it makes me lie.

But the other reason I helped Perse was because of my ability to be Perse's appraiser.

Because he was a demon of demonic nature, Perse had the power to discern the true value of the treasures of the ruins and also to identify the magical qualities of men and provide them with the best tools.

Perse was deposited with a merchant I knew to train and eventually, independently, opened a chamber of commerce.

The money I earned as an adventurer goes to the capital contribution.

The money has now more than doubled and returned.

As I planned, the woman merchant Perse was a great success.

"Even after I was made to stop the Knights, business went well?

Perse's business was also big where he relied on the Knights of St. Sophia.

It was a major pillar of Perse's Chamber of Commerce's sales to sell treasures obtained by the Knights on their behalf, as well as to deliver supplies according to Knights' demand.

I was worried that my deportation of the Knights would not tilt Perse's business.

Perse laughed and nodded, though.

"I'm letting you continue your business like the Knights of St. Sophia."

"Really?

"Yes, Mr. Cleon knows it's better to keep doing business with me."

Because Perse is my slave, it seems Cleon never broke a deal with Perse.

That means Perse becomes an important source of information in learning about trends in the Knights.

"I won't fail in business. I will continue to be of service to Mr. Solon."

Perse offered me his right hand.

Let's shake hands, I guess.

I shook that hand back.

Perse is an important collaborator of mine.

I didn't mean to treat Perse like a slave, and I want to be a reciprocal.

Speaking of which, my left hand remains connected to Philia.

Philia snapped.

"Nice. I want to be able to help Solon soon."

"You don't have to think that disciples can help your master."

I smiled and told Philia.

Seeing how it went, Perse asked us.

"I've been wondering just now, does Mr. Solon use reverence for his disciples?

Shit.

I had inadvertently forgotten, but I was going to hide that Phyllia was the Empress, but I stuck around and used my salutation.

Perse looked at us with interest.

"It doesn't seem like you're just a master and a disciple. I imagine he's noble..."

Perse smiled, saying nothing more.

You must have noticed that I'm not going to tell you who Philia is.

In the unlikely event that Philia is known to be a princess, I don't think Perse will be so problematic because she can be trusted.

Still, just in case, it's easier to keep it hidden.

"Now, Mr. Solon and his lovely apprentice, what can I do for you?

"I'm looking for this kid's magic wand. I thought Perse might be able to pick the right one."

"You teach this one magic."

He's my apprentice.

Perse looked closely at Philia, then said.

"Mr. Solon. I can't recommend teaching this person magic, although it seems to be a good idea."

"Why?"

I was surprised and questioned Perse.

The fact that Phyllia has a magical talent should be known to Perse with appraisal skills.

I don't think there's any reason to disagree.

Perse, however, shook his head to the side.

"A man who draws the blood of a demon can no longer control magic."

The demon Perse said so in a quiet tone.