Chương 170: Chapter 153. Dispute

" And with that, we begin the duel to establish who will be responsible for the production of silverware in Paradise! BEGIN!" /CLANG! / I currently was sitting on an elevated platform above the ground. I could oversee the battlegrounds in front of me from this vantage point. Sarah was sitting to my right side and Anna to my left. For the first time today, I was viewing an Ancient Diablos Tradition. It was a battle between the 2 heads of different businesses battling for the right to claim a product as their own.

It's an Old Tradition that was started by King Draken Bloodboon The Wise. He was the 3rd recognized King of Diablos. He was a historical figure that seemed as if he was from a different time than the one he was actually born in. Thankfully, seeing as he was a King who was beloved by his people, there were autobiographic texts that were completed after interviewing Draken when he was a retired King living in his retirement home. I was given the 3 books that comprised his life story by Warrick to read. /CLANG! CLANG!

/ The battle I was watching was beginning to heat up, the clashes of dulled sparring swords were reverberating in the battlegrounds. It was if the sounds were reflecting off of the crowds cheering and booing and growing louder as the 2 fighters were locked in their intense battle. Draken, who as he told it to his interviewer, wanted to become King from a young age as he noticed that his people were causing more harm to each other than any foreign enemy could.

Because of that, when he became King, he began to install laws that would protect his people from themselves more or less. /CLANG! CLANG! / This battle is an example of one of his changes. Before, when people had a disagreement over products or business dealings in a territory, or any other kind of disagreement that neither party would back down from, they'd fight in a deathmatch. The one still breathing at the end was the correct party in the dispute. Obviously, this is a great way to lower your population.

From childish squabbles over toys, to men fighting over women and vice versa. It all contributed to the multiple reasons why Demons were nearly overtaken by their neighboring Species countless times through their history as a people. From Humans, Elves and even Beastmen at one point in time. They all had a turn wrecking shop in Diablos. Draken, who obviously wasn't blind, noticed this problem, along with many others and instilled the law that deathmatches were illegal from then on.

Instead of killing each other, the parties could fight in a public space with an Official of the Government there to witness the outcome and name the winner and the spoils. /Clang! /" GUWA!" Speaking of which, a winner was made today. I rose to my feet and with that, both the fighters, and the crowd, turned their attention to me. I began to speak loudly so everyone could hear me." Winner of this dispute, George Bronzebone!

As per the agreement both participants signed before this fight, with the power vested in me as a Marquess of Diablos and the Lord of Paradise, granted by our King, Warrick Dreadnaught! I declare from this day forth, George Bronzebone's business, Bronze Works, will oversee production of all silverware for Paradise starting from today onward, unless he chooses to relinquish his rights or loses in a dispute!"" Thank you, Lord Drake!"

The winner flashed a happy smile, when this case first came across my desk, I wondered why a dispute that worked its way to a fight for the rights to silverware happened. I ended up asking both of them, I was surprised at their answers. Because they were the same. Silverware production is highly coveted because, as the person making it, you can add your own art style to the handles of the silverware. Because of this, a good silverware creator is judged under the same criteria as a good blacksmith.

However, I have heard arguments that silverware creators deserve more respect as you don't need to be a warrior to use their creations. Regardless, I turned to the loser of the contest and begin to address him." As the loser of this contest! David Sander, from this day forth, with the power vested in me as a Marquess and Lord of Paradise, I declare that your business, Tempered Sands, shall have the rights to productions of all plates and bowls of Paradise! With this, I declare this dispute settled! George! David!

I expect you both to put your all into your work." I call to the 2 fighters of the day. Their attention was placed firmly on me and my words." I expect work that is on the level of a place called Paradise from you both! Work with pride! For your work is needed here and represents us!"" Yes, Sir!" With their acknowledgement of my words, the event was over. I addressed the crowd of townsfolk next." Everyone is dismissed! Continue with your day now!"

Now that it was over, I marveled at the thought process Draken had behind this law. He not only gave satisfaction to the winner, through having the rights to whatever the argument was, but he also made sure to have something for the loser as well, this way, even with a loss, there was less chance of the loser having resentment build up within themselves for the winner. They can even rechallenge the winner after the 1-year anniversary of their defeat. The loser was allowed to try 3 times in all.

I continued to think about Draken and what he had done in his time as King until I arrived back at my office. My thoughts were interrupted by Emily. It was just her and I going through some paperwork together, Sarah, Anna and Ruby felt like moving their bodies after watching the battle. So they were currently sparring each other and weren't in the office. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions." I've never seen a business dispute handled like that."

Emily seemed to be shocked. After a moment I responded to her." Yes, it can be shocking the first time you see it."" First time? You've seen something like this before?"" Seen? I've been in one before. I fought Anna's father due to a misunderstanding after I fought the Hero. That was almost a year ago now I think? Or it will be in 2 months or so?"" You fought him!? Why? What was the misunderstanding?"" He thought I was going to treat Anna as a Servant even if I Married her.

Something about Nobles being "terrible people". Which, I can't deny, there are quite a few, probably... But I Love Anna. So, I ended up fighting him.. Well, "fight" is a strong word. The "fight" wasn't much of a fight, I used it as a way to bring the Mori Family together." Emily was confused at my words. I carefully explained the situation in simple terms. Of course, I didn't tell her everything as that wasn't my place. Just enough for her to get the idea." And that worked?""

Well, I think his and Anna's relationship can become better than it was from now on. As for me, I believe he's still wary of me, Anna's brother Lucas is going to be coming here one day soon. I assume he'll be feeding Les information about me as well as working for me."" And you're just okay with that? Isn't that... Really bad?"" Usually. And if I had something to hide, I would be afraid, but all Lucas will see is that I'm in Love with his sister just as much as I Love a Princess of Diablos.""

You're strangely forgiving to people. It worries me... As your Secretary of course!" Emily began acting quite bashful after finishing her sentence, I guess she doesn't want to admit that we're Friends for fear that I don't think we are..." I admit, I'm probably more forgiving than others, but this is a case of a father and brother being fearful for their daughter and sister.

If others were to do the same just because they were trying to find a reason to break My Family apart or hurt my Wives in some way, I'd show that I'm just as capable of being as Demonic as any Demon."" I... I see." Emily was still a little shy after my words. Granted, admitting that I would probably kill someone if they tried to hurt My Family isn't exactly a joyful topic, is it?" Anyways, the laws of Diablos surrounding dispute handlings are a good compromise for the Demonkin.

Seeing as how they love to fight and they're constantly fighting against some foreign enemy. A simple contest where killing the opponent isn't allowed is a good way to protect the population from itself. Or even a Human that wound up fighting a Demon in a dispute."" But you didn't even treat it as a fight, did you?"" If you mean with Anna's father, no... Not really. After Anna explained her thoughts to me, I knew I needed to help her. I think that's the key to my relationships with my Wives.

We all just Love each other so much that we endlessly want to help each other. Heck, one of the reasons I'm even operating as a Lord of a Town is because of Sarah and Anna. I want anyone who looks down on us to eat their words." Emily seemed curious about what I meant." Well, you need to look at it like this. I'm seen as a pariah in the High Society of Diablos. They look down on my Marriage to Sarah in particular. After all, she's the 1st Princess of Diablos.

The older Nobles see it as Sarah being wasted on such a lowly creature as a Human. The younger Noblemen look at it as if I snatched their golden ticket away. And the younger Noblewomen, aside from Sarah's Friends, view me Marrying Anna, as an insult to Sarah as a Princess of Diablos, I'd imagine if given the opportunity, they'd try to hurt Anna or I if given the chance?"

"How do you know this?" Emily asked a simple question. It was almost like she couldn't believe what I was saying. I took out a somewhat slim folder and showed her it." Because of my ability to open Portals to places, I've been able to teleport and report to Warrick and Aqua every now and again. The last time I was there, Aqua passed me this file." Emily took the file and examined the content on the pages in it." These are spy reports on different Noble Families of Diablos?"

She looked at me with disbelief on her face." Yes. Warrick and Aqua decided to check in with the Noble Families in and around Blackstone City with their spy network after Sarah, Anna and I left to come here. Once the coast was clear, the Nobles felt more lax and free to express their opinions about myself, my Wives and Our Marriage."" How can they say these things!? Have they even talked to you before!?" Emily was working herself into a rage from reading the reports.

I took them from her and began to calm her down." I understand that it can be maddening to see, Emily. Thank you for being angry for us. I can understand why they act this way towards me, like I said, I'm a pariah here in Diablos. That's more than enough reason to dislike me. But it's fine. It's the way they look at Sarah and Anna that bothers me."" How could this be fine, Lord Matthew!?" Emily started crying as she asked me that question. Maybe showing her the report was a mistake?

I took a handkerchief from my pocket and handed it to her." Just call me "Matthew" from now on, Emily, it'll be easier when working to not have to worry about Formal Titles."" Is it really okay to do that?..." / Sniffle... / I nodded to her words." I mean, we're Friends already, right? As for how it's fine. It's because I know we can make them eat their words in time. Oh, if you don't think we're Frie---"" Of course you're my Friend! You've saved my life and the lives of my Friends!

You even allowed my selfishness and let me stay here in Paradise! You even gave me a job so I could truly be a part of Paradise! How could I not view you as a Friend!?" She enthusiastically answered my question." See, that's why it's okay. I've met good Friends along the way. And all the hate in the world couldn't hope to match the Love I feel from, and for my Wives. So, it's all fine as long as they don't attempt anything stupid."" What would happen if they did?" Emily asked with a serious expression on her face."

Well, I hope I can rely on my Friends to help me pay them back."" Of course, you can always rely on me, Lo... Matthew!" With a smile from Emily, we finished our work right as the 3 Demons came back from a good sparring session. The night was fun after that.