Chapter 83: That time when the humans and demonkin were forming relationships even without me

TL: kizen

PR: Filip/Gecko

Caam-san, do you have a moment?

While I was working, the leader of the fishing group approached me.

What is it?

The sea over here is shallow, right? Theres something that I used before I became a slave thats called a flatboat. I think its low draft would be better with these waters so, um, would it be alright if we have one built?

Hm? If it will improve your work then you dont have to ask for my permission. It would be fine if you just go to the craftsman yourselves and ask him to build it for you, you know?

A flat-bottomed boat huh? If its that, then it should be able to carry goods even in shallow waters without any problems. I guess I should also go and have a look.

Ah, come to think of it, Ill also go with you. Ive been worrying about how were going to harvest and transport the coffee thats on the other side of the island and just realized that we dont have to transport everything by land. I dont know the technicalities of how its made so lets go to the carpenters place together

After saying that, I went together with the fishing groups leader to Jucob-sans place.1

Once we reached his workshop, we started explaining while showing him a simple drawing of the boat.

We would like to make a boat thats shaped like this. If we have this then we wont need to worry about transporting goods even with the shallow waters surrounding the island. We also wont need to worry about getting horses and oxen since we wont be going by land. Manpower will be enough

I dont mind but your destination is on the other side of the island, right? Wouldnt it be hard to get there with just oars? Well, Ill still make it though since you asked

If thats the problem then I may have a solution. Theres this girl named Sheila from the sahagin tribe that I get along with. I could talk to her and see if they could help2

Oi oi, when did that happen?

Jucob-san grinned as he teased the fishing group leader.

While I was catching fish, she suddenly appeared and told me that what I caught was poisonous then we got along from there. Even after that, she would help me out by pushing the boat from behind or holding it still whenever I lost my balance. After that Well, uh, you know

The fishing groups leader was a bit shy after saying all of that. Well, I think its great that they were able to break down the barriers between their races. It shouldnt be that hard unless its the top half fish type though.

Up until now, we havent really had anything to do with each other but we should slowly start interacting more with other races like the harpies. Group leader, I would like you to set up a meeting with their race. Can you facilitate it?

I dont mind but what are you going to do?

Im planning to hire them as our workers. If possible, I want the negotiations to end up with a win-win situation for both sides

Huh? What does win-win mean

Its when both parties come to an agreement where both sides dont lose out on anything. In other words, they both win. It would be great if everyone can proceed with the discussions and build your own connections even without me. Ill eventually want to retire and freely live my life with my family after all so Ill have to find someone wholl succeed me in being the islands leader. Thats still a long way off though. However, considering the future, I think building personal connections is also necessary. Well, youll probably be uneasy so Ill go there as the representative this time. Sooner or later, I wont have the time to attend to every single minor detail though so I should consider appointing a representative who deals with those jobs

Oi oi, the chief should be someone like Caam right?

I wont be able to handle being both a demon lord and the islands chief you know? Right now, Im just striving to make this island, which was given to me as my territory, easier to live on. I also want to live a normal life after Ive achieved that. My goal is to divide the island into four sections, make villages on each one, then appoint the village chief there and only provide them with simple instructions. Ah, we strayed away from the main topic, didnt we? Anyway, should we wait until the boat is completed before we set the date for the discussion, or should we do it before?

Youve thought of this quite a lot, havent you? I just thought it would be you that would lead the island with the way things are going

Thats not the case you know? I mean, I want to be able to enjoy my life too. If you think of being a demon lord as a business, the previous one was just not managing his employees, the humans, correctly. Well, thats just my opinion though. Well then, how about it? I think its about time I stop deciding everything so, group leader, please decide on the time and place for the meeting

I abruptly pushed the responsibility onto the fishing group leader.

O-okay. Ill inform Caam-san after Ive talked with them so lets decide at that time

He was suddenly put on the spot so he stuttered a bit but he was able to give me a proper reply.

Got it. Please let me know when youre done talking with them. As for Jucob-san, Ill leave making the boat to you and Goburg-san

Ou

After that, we went back to our respective works.

Several days later

Caam-san. How about after lunch today?

That soon!? Its almost lunchtime you know?

I said that while checking the position of the sun.

Well, after I told Sheila, she went back to tell her father then thats what she told me when she got back. The location will be the area near the beach where we eat

W-well, the earlier the better I guess. I wonder what I should use to negotiate? We dont really use money on the island yet, and its still too early to harvest the wheat Do you know what the aquatic demonkin eat?

Dont ask me, please. How would I know?

You were talking like both of you were in love though so I just

No, we havent progressed that far yet. I mean, we havent even had a meal together before

As for my sahagin mom who has more human than fish features, she eats both meat and fish. And our staple food was bread Im stumped about what to do

Me too

Do I really have no choice but to just ask? Well, lets just think about it while were eating

I was absent-mindedly waiting at a desk with a cloth over it near the beach drinking barley tea. I think you usually dont eat or drink anything while waiting for your guests to arrive though

But a woman brought me barley tea so it cant be helped.

As I was thinking that, a couple of aquatic demonkin rose from the waters then came over to us.

That girl is Sheila

The sahagin woman called Sheila had slightly pulled back, seemingly transparent, blue hair that reached to her waist and a supple build of a swimmer.

Ah, she almost looks like my mother. They have the same fin-like thing on their hands and faces for example. If they really are sisters then I just hope that their representative isnt my grandfather. I wonder if all sahagin women look alike?

Eh? Shouldnt you be happy if thats the case?

She fell for my lizardman father and gave birth to me in the middle of the continent, you know? And besides, Ive never seen my grandparents before so it should be reasonable to think that something happened, right? Id rather not find out about it at this point

I-is that so?

Well, the color of moms hair, skin, and eyes are different so they probably arent related.

Since they were almost here, I went over to meet them then gave them my greetings.

Thank you for coming here today

Dont mind it. Lets just go ahead with what you have to say

Understood. Then lets sit down and talk over here

I lead them to the seats under the tent.

I think Ive introduced myself before but my name is Caam. Nice to meet you

The names Lucan. Unlike my daughter, Im not really fit for land so it would be great if you keep it short

Understood. Ill be brief. Right now, were making a boat with a flat bottom. Unlike the rowboats weve used until now, this one can carry things on shallow waters without scraping the bottom. Right now, in order to earn money, were selling the fruits of a tree thats on the opposite side of the island. However, it takes time to transport the said fruit by land. We also dont have any horses or oxen to pull it so were thinking of transporting them by the sea and we thought of asking you guys, who can swim fast in the sea, for help. Thats the reason why we called you here

Too long! Summarize it a bit more

That was still too long!?

We would like you to transport fruits from the other side of the island that either we or the harpies will harvest to this place using boats that were currently making. What would be a good compensation for that work?

Ill just speak with the assumption that hell accept.

Things that we cant get from the sea would be good. From what Ive heard, it seems like you are raising livestock for meat. Just let us regularly eat land meat

Is that really enough?

It is. Were only interested in eating and sleeping. If we can eat land meat for just a bit of work then theres no problem. A lot of my people have excess strength after all. The boat will only have cargo in it, right? Then theres no problem

Woah, how manly. I wonder if this is what a man of the sea is like? Well, we didnt really get a win-win relationship though.

Also, well take sweets. Its pretty much impossible to make under the sea after all so we cant eat it. Even in our group, there are ones who want to eat sweet things

Understood. Well proceed with that in mind. Once the boat has been built, well show it to you so please test if whether or not you guys will be able to pull it and how much weight can you handle

Got it. Ill let everyone know. My skin is starting to dry out so I apologize but I have to get going soon. Otherwise, let me soak in the water for a moment

Im sorry for not noticing. Next time we meet, well set up a seat on the waters edge for you

That would be great. If theres nothing else, Ill leave the rest to Sheila and go back to the sea

Weve already tackled the main part of the discussion so it should be alright. Thank you for coming

After I said that, Lucan-san went back to the sea.

Even though I think hes manly, I guess his time on land is still limited. Maybe it would be a good idea to have those that have an appearance thats close to humans like Sheila-san live in the lake thats close to the mountain. Either that or make a waterway they can pass through, like salmon thats returning to the stream they were born in.

When I was eating the other day, I noticed that there are also mermaid-type demonkin so it will probably be difficult for them to travel on land. It might be a good idea to work out some kind of plan for that.

I doubt they would agree to be carried in barrels. I remember there being a certain mermaid in a tub though. There were even cod dancing on land like it was natural. I dont really get the aquatic demonkin.

Thats not saying much though since I dont even know the category of demonkin I fall in.

As I was thinking that, I noticed that the group leader and Sheila were having a nice time talking by the beach. Well, I guess its great that theyre getting along. Even though I want to just leave them alone, I also have something important I have to say. Having to butt in with the current moods going to be tough.

I dont want to get in the way of their romance but I should just talk to them now that theyre here.

E-excuse me. Sorry for interrupting your fun but please let them know about the things I asked earlier. Like if they can manage to pull a boat, or how much load on the boat they could carry, or how long will it take to get to the other side of the island?

Ah, I apologize. Ill go ask them

W-well then, Ill be going back to work

I decided to leave and let them enjoy their alone time.