kscans

Chapter 8 - Beware of Monsters! Selling Safety Prayer Charms

After leaving the forest, we arrived at a small human village. It was a peaceful farming village nestled between mountains and a river. The air was fresh, but they had no money.

"It's about time we got some human money," Mamoru muttered.

"Huh, human money? But do monsters use human currency?" Koni-chan tilted her head, looking puzzled.

"Of course we do. We need money to procure supplies. And what's more, we're monsters. We're going to use that status to our advantage."

What I took out was a handmade "Safety Prayer Charm." A slime's shed skin, dried Misleaf, a Lizardman's scale, an Orc's nose ring. And a single Prayer Stone.

"This is a protective charm that only works within my territory. I've already spoken to the chieftains of the allied tribes. Humans wearing this charm will not be attacked. Or rather, I've told them to make it harder to attack them."

"I see... so it actually works." Amy looked convinced for a change.

"Exactly, so it's not a scam. It's a legal, practical, and moreover, a humanitarian monster business."

When I met the village chief, he was clearly shocked by my appearance.

"A... a monster...!"

"Please be at ease. I mean you no harm. In fact, I've come to protect the peace of your village."

I politely offered him the charm.

"This is a Safety Prayer Charm. This entire area is part of the monster territory of which I, Mamoru, am the lord. Those who possess this charm will be less likely to be attacked by the monsters within my domain, Goblins, Lizardmen, Trolls, and Orcs. I will give you one for free."

"W-what...! Thank you, thank you so much...! To think a monster-sama would do so much for us...!"

The chief fell to his knees in gratitude, tears streaming down his face as he spoke. I continued my business pitch.

"If you'd like to distribute them to the villagers, I can mass produce them. A thirty percent discount for bulk purchases, and a special edition with a prayer costs an additional silver coin."

In the end, he bought enough for all the villagers, and even bought the prayer edition in bulk. I smiled, a bag of silver coins in my hand.

"Hey... isn't this kind of mean, tricking them?" Koni-chan looked appalled.

"As long as you're in Mamoru's territory, it actually works, right? If he's negotiated it properly, there's no problem," Amy muttered.

"More importantly... since when did Mamoru-sama's territory get so big?" Defray chuckled wryly.

"Heh heh, my creed is to first sell protection in order to rule."

Monsters aren't yakuza. We exist somewhere between politics and business. Probably.

And so, we set off on our journey again. The Safety Prayer Charms swaying in the wind.

"Still, for a monster to sell safety for money..." Koni-chan frowned.

"It's because we're the ones who are dangerous," Amy retorted under her breath.

"We're like bears coming down from the mountains," I said with a wry smile.

"If we go down to the village, they're scared of us. If we stay in the mountains, they forget us. But the truth is... we're not that violent."

"We may not be violent, but we do get hungry," Amy said, pouting as she snatched an insect with her long tongue.

"Even if we're hungry, we won't attack those we've decided to protect. That's... the pride of monsters." I shifted the pack on my back and started walking toward the setting sun.