Daily Revenue: $135,000
Current Assets: $249,240.21
Attributes: Strength: 30, Vitality: 4, Intelligence: 20, Agility: 20
Skills: Swordsmanship(Level 6), Mana Control (Level 6), Aura (Level 5), Wind Manipulation (Level 5), Surviving on Ramen (Level 3), Cooking (Level 2), Programming (Level 2), Gaming (Level 2), Finance (Level 2)
"Alright, Leo. Let’s go back," Noah stroked the little lion’s golden fur and began their journey back to the shop.
Successful training session. Leo’s combat capabilities are insane; two of my skills have advanced, and everything is proceeding perfectly.
On their way back, Noah glanced toward the familiar grass spot where Lola had been lounging earlier. Part of him hoped to find the succubus there again—he needed her help organising another auction for the energy drink.
No sign of her. She must be dealing with whatever mysterious business keeps master-level demons busy.
Not dwelling on Lola’s absence, Noah continued toward Sin City with Leo bounding beside him and the Ed brothers maintaining their professional formation.
Back to business. I will work for two or so hours before returning to Earth.
But as they approached the shop’s location, Noah’s vision caught sight of something that made his eyes widen. A familiar figure stood before his entrance with an entourage.
Noah’s eyes widened as recognition hit him like a physical blow. Prince Malphas waited outside his shop with several royal guards positioned in formation.
They were clearly there for his shop.
The prince is here. Outside my shop, with his guards. This can’t be good.
The Ed brothers immediately straightened, their faces draining of colour as they processed the implications.
Royal displeasure could end their lives regardless of the magical oath protection. For the prince to wait outside the shop either meant that he was dissatisfied or satisfied with something; otherwise, he would simply send one of his guards to deal with it.
What if the prince wants to fight our employer? We would be dead either way—from the prince or from oath violation of not protecting our employer.
The Ed brothers began praying silently that whatever brought Prince Malphas here could be resolved without violence.
Please don’t let this escalate. Please don’t let this escalate.
Leo sensed the tension immediately, his playful demeanour shifting to something approaching protective alertness. The juvenile lion’s instincts recognised a potential threat to his Papa.
Noah approached with careful steps, his mind racing through possible reasons for royal attention. Had the protein bar not met his expectations? Was there some violation of demon commercial law he wasn’t aware of?
Stay calm. Professional courtesy. Don’t give him any reason to escalate whatever this is about. I also need to lead whatever this is inside my store, inside I’m invincible, he won’t be able to do anything to me, no matter what his issue is.
"Prince Malphas, it’s a pleasure to meet you outside my store," Noah said with a respectful nod.
Prince Malphas turned toward him with a smile on his face. His expression seemed friendly enough, but something underneath suggested there were some hidden complications.
"Likewise, Mr. Noah. Although I must admit, I’m slightly upset," the prince replied with royal bearing that made every word feel significant.
A demon prince being upset with a human...That’s never a good thing.
"Why, Your Highness?" Noah asked, although he had a hunch.
The prince’s expression shifted to something approaching disappointment mixed with calculation.
"I paid a Wind Orb worth thirteen hundred golden coins for a product I believed to be extinct. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the same item available in abundance at your shop."
I was right...he thinks I scammed him at the auction.
The royal guards’ hands drifted toward their weapons with subtle movements that suggested readiness for immediate violence.
The Ed brothers noticed this shift and began positioning themselves defensively, although they were crying inwardly. we’re...dead.
"Furthermore, the pricing structure you’ve established makes the auction price almost seem artificially inflated." Prince Malphas continued, his voice surprisingly gentle.
He’s not wrong. But I can’t admit it.
Noah nodded with understanding rather than defensiveness. "I see the misunderstanding, Your Highness."
Noah immediately acknowledged the prince’s concerns without admitting any wrongdoing. He was finding a middle ground.
"The auction price wasn’t predetermined," Noah explained, carefully walking towards his store to open it. "The final cost resulted from competitive bidding between you and Lady Lola. I never anticipated prices reaching those levels."
The auction exceeded everyone’s expectations. Even I didn’t think it would reach such numbers, and I was the one who told Lola to artificially raise the price.
Prince Malphas studied Noah’s expression with the calculating gaze of someone accustomed to detecting deception in political contexts. "Yet you had multiple units available immediately afterwards."
Fair point. From his perspective, it looks like deliberate scarcity manipulation.
"The auction price included exclusivity and first purchase rights," Noah continued with a diplomatic response. "
You received the first protein bar available through public sale, along with the prestige of winning a competitive auction.
Your highness, it’s known that auctions are mostly used to raise prestige, not that you need a prestige boost. But that’s one of the main reasons for auctions, alongside rare items.
I’ve never claimed that the item was a one-off."
Frame it as a premium service rather than price gouging.
The prince’s expression suggested he was processing this explanation with consideration rather than immediate dismissal. But his next words carried warning that made the royal guards tense.
"While that explanation has merit, the perception remains problematic. Royal dignity was involved in that auction."
Royal dignity. The most dangerous currency in any monarchy.
Leo moved closer to Noah’s leg, his juvenile instincts recognising escalating threat levels. The little lion’s presence was comforting but also concerning—protecting him might require combat against opponents far beyond Leo’s current capabilities.
If this turns violent, Leo could get hurt trying to defend me. And he isn’t immortal.
"Your Highness," Noah said with genuine respect, "I understand your concerns completely. Since you feel this way, I want to ensure you’re satisfied with our business relationship."