Chương 146: Chapter 129. Arguments

" I'm telling you, this will be terrible for Paradise! How could you think this would be a good idea!?" Once we had all finished crossing the Portal, I closed it and let Paula head back home. I instructed the Humans to stay put and wait, I ordered some of the guards to look after them to make sure Monsters didn't attack them. I also asked Anna to keep watch to make sure nothing untoward happens to anyone.

Ruby and Edmon took off to gather the Representatives while Sarah, Anna and I waited at the Northern Gate into Paradise. I also sent Flare and Skitz to gather as many of the people of Paradise as possible to listen to the discussion I was about to have. I decided to include Emily as a Representative of the Humans. Just in case she had to confirm anything on the Human side of things. I used the Barrier seat trick and we all waited for everyone to show up. Before long, many Demons had gathered.

I'd guess about half of the Townspeople in all. Before long, Ruby and Edmon returned with Rodrick, Jim and Janet. They all looked very surprised to see the Humans behind me. I looked at the Humans and noticed most of them began to fall asleep from fatigue. This helps me honestly. Since I don't want them to hear everything." Lord Drake, what are Humans doing on the doorstep of the Northern Gate of Paradise?" Rodrick asked, searching for answers. I took everyone who had arrived through my day.

Then I explained I wanted to keep them here for a few weeks. Which led to Rodrick shouting those words earlier. Now begins my attempts to explain why they should stay." Why do you say that, Rodrick?" I asked the question I needed the answer to the most. Now I waited to hear his side of the argument before I made mine." The biggest reason is that I don't believe Humans and Demons can get along on this big of a scale. I understand that you think it's possible to do because of your presence here.

However, that's only possible because of your backing and the support you've gained from working for Paradise because you live with us." I nodded my head to his words." Does anyone else feel the same way? Ruby? Janet? Jim? Any of you?" I first spoke to the Representatives, then the crowd of Townspeople. Some seemed to. Ruby was the first to speak." I'm not sure how I feel about it to be honest. Humans have done nothing to me personally, however my Ancestors were killed by them.

I'm sure my Parents would also take umbrage with having Humans stay. I and the rest of the Flameskins have trained ourselves with the idea that we would eventually join the war effort and most likely kill Humans. So, this situation is jarring to many of us to say the least. Those are my honest thoughts on the sentiments I hold."" Thank you for being honest, Ruby."

"..." Emily started to seem a bit concerned. She was probably thinking that her group would be left in the cold. I then turned to Jim and Janet to hear their opinions. Jim spoke first." Well, I'm surprised for sure at this huge group. I assume that you decided to help them the same way you helped us. I trust your judgement personally, Lord Matthew. However, I feel that the people I speak for will be uncomfortable being around so many Humans at once.

Won't the Humans feel that same unease as well, seeing as they're injured?"" I appreciate your trust in me, Jim. While yes, I do think it'll be jarring to have an influx of Humans being here. I think it's necessary to get somewhat used to them. I plan on opening our town to all Races in time."" What!?" Rodrick was surprised by my words. I turn back to him." Yes, Rodrick. Once I finish the walls and roads, I'll be opening up the Border to allow Merchants of all kinds to enter Paradise.

For buying and selling products obviously. It's a way to bring business to Paradise. Since if you haven't noticed, citizens of Diablos don't want to visit here. If you disagree with my assessment, then can you tell me when the last time someone visited here, not under orders from someone before I arrived?" The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Rodrick didn't seem to have an answer to my question. I continued to explain my thoughts."

Diablos, for whatever reason, is currently isolated from pretty much everyone. I've yet to see any of the other Races just walking around BlackStone while I was there for instance. I plan on taking advantage of that, if Foreigners hear of a place that is welcoming to them and their business, as long as we have something to offer in terms of value besides visiting, we can start to build an actual Treasury instead of relying on handouts from the Crown and other Nobles." Rodrick scrunched his face at my explanation.

Everyone else was listening intently. This is a good chance since I haven't stated why letting the Humans in is a good idea." Rodrick, you value the way this place was run when you were young, right? You've grown to old age looking around and wondering why this place was made so large, right? As if this place was a bustling town and for whatever reason, you've just missed out on it, haven't you? Hell, I ask this question to not just you Rodrick, but all of you! Isn't it strange?

This place is the size of a mid-size city, but hardly anyone lived here. We were down to around 30 people before I and the Settlers came. Were we not, Rodrick?"" Yes, that is all true, Lord Drake." Rodrick was irritated at my words. I continued to speak." This place used to do and be something unique. What that was, I don't know. But it was great enough that a decent city was built here. With enough room and defensive options to house Civilians, Soldiers and visiting Merchants.

The only thing I can guess is that something happened to that version of these lands. Because of that, the old way will not work anymore."" How can you say that, Lord Matthew?" Ruby spoke with surprise in her voice. She may be surprised, but it was perfect for my speech." Because, the old way is what led this place to being down to 30 people and begging for aid. For this place to thrive, to be better. It needs something new. It needs something special.

I think letting these Humans stay for around 3 weeks is how we slowly start that process."" And how would you do that, Lord Drake?" Janet asked that question. I was happy to answer." There are 3 ways letting these Humans stay here helps, the 1st is simple, our population gets used to the Human Merchants of today, all of these Humans are from the city of commerce of Promethia, it's a place called Atheis. These Humans were disgruntled from being taken advantage of from corrupt officials and Nobles.

So, they set off recently from Atheis. They were attacked by Monsters. Eventually, I found one like I previously said. The 2nd is that Atheis, the place they're from is a place where the best of the best Craftsmen in Promethia gather. Any discipline you could think of, they have at least one Master of that Craft here and now, in the flesh! And for room, board and some weapons training, they will teach our workers the Skills that they've Mastered from their Crafts. Finally, the 3rd reason.

I want something only this situation can provide us, the People of Paradise, with."" What would that be, Lord Drake?" Jim asked me, while I took a breath. I turn to him and answer the question." Positive word of mouth."" Why would that be important, Lord Drake?" Janet asked me another question. I guess the general feeling of the husband is shared by the wife." Because the opinion of Diablos is terrible to Foreigners.

Which is great for when you're at war with certain people, but it's terrible when you want to create good business relationships with people. One way to fix that is to show that Diablos is willing to change. This can be a step in that direction. As I stated, the Humans will only be here a short while. They'll be leaving before autumn truly sets in and make their way to Kuga. Once in Kuga, everyone will wonder how exactly Humans with no combat abilities made it there. That's where we come in.

All they have to do is tell the truth."" But do you have a guarantee of that?" Rodrick asked a simple question. My reply was fast." That is up to them in all honesty. I haven't spent much time with these Humans. Therefore, I just need to place my trust in them and go with my gut. At the very least. I trust, Emily, the woman right here and Wendy, the child I found hunting, to tell the truth."" What about security?" Rodrick asked another question that I had an answer for."

I plan on there being 3 groups headed by my Wives and I. Sarah will overlook Ruby's combat training to make sure nothing strange happens. If something like that does happen, she will handle it with swift retaliation to the perpetrator. She and Ruby will explain what the rules shall be and what breaking them entails before the classes begin. Anna will watch over the Craftsmen classes, with her sight as a Dodomeki. She'll catch anything that happens. And then there's me."" And what will you be doing, Lord Drake?"

I looked at Rodrick with deathly seriousness." I'll be in charge of carrying out executions of any perpetrators. Seeing as this is my plan, I'll bring justice to the victims. Demon or Human. If a Citizen of Paradise were to die to any of the Humans. I'll also resign from my Office." To my words, Rodrick simply nodded and then said 3 words to me." As you wish." Everyone else besides my Wives were shocked. But more importantly, I was able to move the Humans into Paradise for the night at least.

And Rodrick took the bait I was hoping for. Since, after all... The Humans are all Merchants from one Craft or another, there's no way they'll be able to kill an actual Demon. And if something untoward was to happen during any of these future classes, I should be able to arrive in time to heal the injured so no one will lose their lives... Now then... Let's see how well this plan of mine works in real life...