A figure emerged from the dispersing crowd with a presence that dominated the whole crowd. Power radiated from his body like heat from a furnace, and every demon in the vicinity lowered their heads in respect immediately.
The only demon grandmaster. King of the demon realm.
The ruler of the entire demon kingdom had arrived personally, his expression carrying fury that transcended mere royal displeasure. This was an existential threat to his authority.
No negotiations. No diplomatic solutions. He’s here to end this permanently.
Without a preamble or royal pronouncement, the Grandmaster raised his hand. Magical energy began coalescing around his fingers with density that made the air itself groan under pressure.
He’s not talking. He’s attacking immediately.
"System!" Noah shouted with desperate urgency. "Transport us to Esta! Now!"
Although he had faith in the system’s power and his safety. He knew that the surrounding area would be affected. Noah didn’t want that to happen.
Two thousand shop points. Get us out of here!
[Emergency Relocation Activated][Destination: Esta Kingdom][Cost: 2000 Shop Points][Initiating Transport...]
The world dissolved into swirling energy as dimensional barriers collapsed around them. Noah felt the familiar sensation of portal travel, but amplified beyond anything he’d experienced before.
Lola walked beside him as the transport effect encompassed the shop’s entire interior. Leo bounded between them with excited confusion at the sudden spatial displacement.
Everyone accounted for. We’re actually escaping.
The king’s eyes spotted the change. He immediately deactivated his attack, making it disappear.
The shop building remained physically present, but its magical essence had departed entirely. What was left appeared to be ordinary architecture rather than Noah’s shop.
Empty shell. The real shop travelled with us.
The Grandmaster frowned, to teleport with so many things, this required either a legendary treasure never seen before or power that he didn’t dare imagine.
"Malphas...tell me everything about this shop, I want no details left." The king looked at his son with a frown that made Malphas gulp.
"Yes, your highness." Malphas nodded before relaying everything.
[Transport Complete][Welcome to Esta Kingdom][Shop Relocation Successful]
Inside Esta, Noah found himself in the same abandoned alleyway where he’d first established his shop—the exact location where he’d met Valeria nine days ago.
Same buildings, same architectural style. But something’s completely different.
Surprisingly, the area was no longer abandoned. The narrow alleyway that had once been a forgotten corner of the city now bustled with commercial activity that transformed the entire atmosphere.
In the nine days I was gone, this place became a thriving marketplace.
Shops lined both sides of what had been empty space, their signs and busy entrances creating a vibrant commercial district. The distinctive architectural style of the original buildings remained unchanged, but their lower floors had been completely renovated into various retail establishments.
The upper floors maintained their original appearance—weathered stone and traditional Esta craftsmanship that spoke to centuries of history. But ground level had been transformed into bakeries, weapon shops, food vendors, and general merchants that catered to the city’s growing population.
Someone invested serious money in developing this area. I wonder why they chose this specific location.
Lola looked around with obvious curiosity, her ruby eyes taking in the human kingdom’s architectural differences compared to Sin City’s demonic aesthetics.
"You’ve taken me to the human kingdom, huh?" she asked with interest rather than concern. "Is this where you come from?"
Noah shook his head while continuing to survey the transformed alleyway. "This is the city of Esta, capital of the Kingdom of Durenholde."
Not my original home, but the first place my shop landed in.
"No, it’s not where I come from. But you are indeed right, this is the human kingdom." Noah responded.
Lola nodded with understanding, her attention shifting between human merchants and customers. The cultural differences were immediately apparent to her.
Whether it was their clothing or the way they interacted, it was different.
’System,’ Noah thought with growing confusion, ’are we really in the same location? This looks completely different.’
[Yes, Host. The exact coordinates match your previous shop location. Development occurred during your absence, hence your confusion.]
’Nine days. They transformed an abandoned alleyway into a commercial district in nine days. That’s incredible construction speed, although it makes sense considering that magic is a thing in this world. Plus, they didn’t fully renovate the place, they just adjusted what was already there.’
Noah approached his shop’s entrance with growing anticipation. The familiar door stood ready to welcome customers, but the surrounding environment had changed beyond his recognition.
Time to see how Esta reacts to my return.
He opened the door, and immediately dozens of eyes turned toward him with expressions that cycled through recognition, shock, and growing excitement.
They know me. That’s... unexpected. I don’t remember serving any of them.
"That’s the mysterious shopkeeper!" one merchant called out with obvious enthusiasm. "The one who freed the genius mage Kip and his sister, the legendary swordsman Alissa!"
I freed them? How do they know that I freed Kip and Alissa from slavery?
The news spread through the crowd like wildfire. Several people immediately broke away from their shopping activities, running toward a section of the city with urgent purpose.
"It’s really him!" another voice confirmed. "The magical bread seller!"
Magical bread seller. That’s my reputation in human territory, I wonder what they will call me with all of the different items in store now, Noah thought with a wry smile.
Noah stood frozen with confusion as recognition washed over the assembled crowd. His brief interaction with Kip and Alissa had apparently become a legendary story during his absence.
What exactly happened after I left?
But the crowd’s reaction shifted quickly from amazement to commercial opportunity. Human merchants and customers began approaching with eager expressions.
"Do you have the healing bread?" one adventurer asked with desperate hope.
"What about the mana enhancement drinks?" a mage added, his robes indicating guild affiliation.
They know about my old products. Word spread far beyond my original customers. It seems like business is going to thrive in Esta.