Chapter 524: with translation of chapter title

"Bright Long Stone...... what a fine ship. After we finish talking business, I should also go attend to my little love."

Tuopa couldn't help but curiously ask: "Do you want to also open the 【Ciyu Pawnshop】 on the airship?"

"After all, such an opportunity doesn't come often. Look at the passengers on this ship; surely we can get many valuable treasures from him. That's settled then; the pawnshop can't open without the madam. See you later, Tuopa."

"Lady Feicui, I still have a question I want to ask." Tuopa called out to Feicui, who was about to leave.

"Hmm? Go ahead and ask."

"That dose of poison—I'm curious, where did you get the news?"

"It's not that I found the news; the news found me. It comes from… a girl who cares about the future of harmony. In exchange, I also have to help her accomplish something, but that's a story for later. We can take care of it after we leave Pinokangni."

Feicui let out a light laugh: "You see, this is exactly 【investment】—the seed of opportunity is buried in the soil; it only needs a bit of nourishment to take root and sprout, and all we have to do is patiently wait."

"Just like now, the last distinguished guest I've been waiting for… should also board this ship."

"……"

Meanwhile, on the deck of the Bright Long Stone, Liuying had already openly mingled among the coming and going passengers.

(The process of sneaking in was even easier than I thought; the family's security is still full of holes.)

(This is the Bright Long Stone… truly luxurious.)

(A pawnshop where wishes can be fulfilled through collateral—does such a place really exist on this ship?)

——

Demon Slayer.

"A pawnshop that can fulfill any wish? Hahaha…… you're joking, right?"

The Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa couldn't help but burst out laughing, thinking this woman was truly somewhat ridiculous; if he wished for a wish to resurrect the dead, or…… to become the boss of the Interstellar Peace Company, how would she make it happen?

"These are just external excuses; don't take them too seriously, Sanemi." The Snake Hashira Iguro Obanai said lightly, "What she means by that is probably just to let people know that her pawnshop can help the vast majority of people fulfill their wishes." Obanai paused, "Moreover, given Lady Feicui's status, wealth, position, and connections… I believe she truly could do it."

"A pawnshop…… that would mean having to collateralize something, right? Like what kind of item?" Mitsuri Kanroji suddenly thought of something, "Huh? Couldn't we wish for something like…… making all the demons in the world disappear? Can she do that?"

"Probably not an issue. However, Mitsuri, have you considered what kind of item you would need to offer as collateral for this 'wish'?"

"Um…… none."

Based on Miss Tuopa's prior dealings with Bu Luoniya, it's likely that the Demon Slayer Corps would need to work for the Interstellar Peace Company in the future, becoming their employees.

"Huh?? That would be double blessings!!" Mitsuri's eyes sparkled, and she shot to her feet with a "whoosh": "No, not only would we wipe out the demons, we'd also settle our future job problems! From now on we wouldn't have to worry about going hungry! I recall the Interstellar Peace Company's meals are also pretty good, right?!"

"Seems to indeed be……"

The Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps hadn't given much thought to life after the demons' demise. But upon careful consideration, swordsmen who specialize solely in slaying demons would indeed face livelihood issues; the master obviously couldn't support them for life, and if there truly were a company offering food and lodging that could take them in…… what would there be to hesitate about?

——

Upon arriving at the dazzling hall, one could see from afar Zhigengniao surrounded by the crowd…… and a fleeting star.

(That…… is a star? It vanished in an instant; turns out the Astral Express is also here.)

Beside her, Zhigengniao was chatting with a waiter, seemingly having already discussed something with Lao Aodi; she planned to gift the Astral Express a present in her family's name. After saying that, she left, and Liuying followed up, asking that waiter how to get to the pawnshop.

"Pawn… oh, you're probably looking for Lady Ciyu's room, right? I heard she's indeed offering some… special services. I've marked the location on your device; please check."

(Lady Ciyu? I seem to have heard that name from somewhere… is it Silver Wolf? Speaking of which, she said she'd go check out the Genius Club and then disappeared; I don't know if she made it safely.)

On the way, Liuying saw Star wandering around and gambling with people; although she looked full of energy and Liuying wanted to go say hello, she had more important things to do at the moment.

Upon arriving at the pawnshop, Lady Ciyu warmly came up and greeted her: "Welcome to Ciyu Pawnshop, Bright Long Stone branch. Miss, how should I address you?"

"Just call me Samuel."

"Samuel, what a nice name. So, Miss Samuel, what do you want, and what are you willing to give in return?"

"……"

Liuying fell silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head: "I want to survive. For this wish, I'm willing to stake everything I have."

"Everything you have?" Lady Feicui frowned.

——

A Certain Scientific Railgun.

"Although Miss Liuying's idea is wonderful, upon further thought, it seems she doesn't really have anything to offer, right?" Kamijou Touma closed his eyes and thought seriously for a moment; although he didn't think Liuying lacked money, money should also be the least attractive thing to Lady Ciyu.

If she were willing to exchange her own mech, Lady Ciyu might be slightly moved, but he also knows Liuying would never be foolish enough to use that as a trade.

"No, there are other things besides items that can be used in exchange." Misaka Mikoto tilted her head back and took a sip of juice, "There's also…… a promise. If Liuying were to be more candid, I think she could use the Star Hunters' pledge as collateral, which also fits Lady Feicui's role as an 'investor.' Who knows whether the promise we sow now might help her later?"

"That makes sense…… the biggest threat in this universe right now is 【Destruction】; sooner or later we'll have to deal with the company, and by then it's possible that the Star Hunters, this group of fugitives, might end up on the same front as the company hunting them."

——

Lady Feicui turned away, losing interest: "Miss Samuel, please go back. You don't yet understand the definition of a pawnshop."

"What do you mean?"

"It's exactly what it says." Lady Feicui turned her face, scrutinizing the girl with the corner of her eye, "I can feel your strong will to survive, it burns like a flame; but on the other hand, you have nothing to offer as collateral equivalent to it."

Liuying's tone instantly turned cold, and she somewhat disappointedly turned around: "Huh… is that so. Indeed, whatever 【a pawnshop that fulfills wishes through collateral】…… is just mystifying nonsense."