Chapter 141: Stepping into the Light - 13
Chapter 141: Stepping into the Light - 13
The armored beauty who had just drawn their weapon stared at Jiha with open bewilderment.
Jiha got straight to business.
"You lot miscalculated. The innkeeper complained, so I came to settle things properly."
"......."
Jiha had invested one billion rel in Waris's lodging enterprise.
On top of that, he had declared a second round of investment, so the commercial powers in Waris had no choice but to keep a close eye on him.
The news had reached Jiha at once, and he fully intended to use it now.
'Beating two thousand people one by one would be a pain.'
Even sword-swinging bastards have to eat and sleep.
And all of that costs money.
"......What gives you the authority to handle this on their behalf?"
Jiha pulled a document from his coat and showed it.
"This is a contract proving I hold shares in the Waris Merchant Association. You want to verify it? Fine, but bring a lawyer. It's confidential — I can't show it to just anybody."
"......."
The androgynous beauty considered the situation, then shook their head.
"So, exactly how much more do we need to pay?"
"Twenty million rel. Right now."
"......."
The other party looked flabbergasted, so Jiha pressed on without hesitation.
"You're two hundred people, but you paid per head like ordinary travelers. When you rent out an entire establishment, you pay a premium. Do you not understand what an opportunity cost is? While idiots like you swarm the place, normal civilians stay away. Foot traffic around here plummets."
"......."
The armored beauty fell silent, seemingly struck by the point.
"Suddenly asking for two million more... that's excessive. We already discussed terms with the innkeeper."
"I wouldn't call threatening someone with a sword 'discussing terms.' In any case, you pay now. This is the Waris Merchant Association's decision."
"......."
"Originally it was five million, but I cut it to two million under the circumstances. Pay up."
The armored beauty shook their head.
"I understand, but we can't produce that kind of money overnight."
"Then clear out."
"......."
Jiha elaborated.
"Don't all cluster together. Disperse, find individual rooms, and live that way. You're not an army — do you honestly have a reason to stay bunched up?"
"No, that's...."
As Jiha pressed the financial angle, the other party, clearly unaccustomed to this kind of negotiation, couldn't muster an effective response.
"The people here need to make a living too. Look. You've been here less than a day and you've already broken a table and trashed the inn."
"That was this maid's fault...."
The one-eyed man protested, looking wronged.
Mayan turned her gaze on him, and Jiha feigned ignorance.
"Territory marking by a dog beastman is legally justified."
"......It wasn't territory marking."
"It's alright, I sometimes get so itchy to beat someone up myself. I get it. Life's full of stress, right?"
"You told me to do it!"
The androgynous beauty shook their head.
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss the details in my room."
"Ah, I'd rather not. While we're upstairs, your cronies could flood the first floor. That's a classic setup."
"......That won't happen. You came here knowing we're the escort guards of Unique Narsha, didn't you?"
The beauty spoke firmly.
"Still, if you don't believe me, I'll take responsibility."
"Not sure I can take you at your word on that. Bran Dillema."
"......."
When Jiha spoke the name so casually, Bran looked visibly startled.
'Strangers who know your name tend to make you shrink back a little.'
Jiha climbed the stairs without further hesitation.
"If you insist, fine, let's go up to the room. Mayan, follow."
Bran led the way to his room.
It was a single.
A small room with a bed, a few clothes, and a single table.
'Bran Dillema, one of the two heads of this advance party. No intel on their appearance...'
Whether Bran was male or female remained ambiguous.
But given how the others treated him as a man, he must be male.
Mayan, who had followed inside, frowned at the bed blanket.
"It's been at least two days since this was washed. Unusable..."
"How can you tell the exact time?"
"The smell."
Bran fetched two chairs leaning against the wall and set them before the table.
Mayan naturally moved to stand behind Jiha, then flinched and quickly sat down.
"I'll have coffee."
"Thanks for ordering for me. Mayan will have cocoa."
"......Why are you changing my order now?"
Mayan snapped, but Bran replied coldly.
"There's nothing like tea available here."
Mayan looked deeply disappointed.
Jiha smiled inwardly, rested his chin on his hand, and fixed an intent stare on Bran.
Bran straightened his expression and preempted the obvious.
"I'm a man."
"Oh yeah, you were amazing yesterday. I heard you fucked three women in a row? Hah, the stamina king Bran who'll even nail a guy if no woman's around to get his rocks off!"
"......."
Bran looked as if he had never encountered such a lowlife.
'No reaction to that. Well, moving in those circles, he's probably used to rough talk and mockery.'
Jiha let out a scoff.
"So, why did you bring me up here when I asked for money? Planning some pathetic performance? In that case, Mayan should be the one collecting payment."
"Why are you dragging me into this? ...And what exactly is this debauched show?"
Even through her bafflement, Mayan looked a little curious.
Bran spoke in a measured tone.
"I understand the inn's situation, but our circumstances are what they are. Considering we're long-term guests, it's only natural to offer us some sort of discount."
"Ah, you want to negotiate?"
Jiha nodded.
"Yeah, get out."
"It's better to have guests than empty rooms, and long-term guests at that..."
"I heard you. Get out."
"......."
When Jiha repeated himself, Bran shut his mouth.
"I doubt I'm the first person to have this conversation. Dirgas travel around a lot, I hear. Are you the escort guard's designated negotiator?"
"......It's not a role I enjoy. Finding a compromise is best for everyone."
Bran spoke hurriedly.
"The ones downstairs— I'm a human, but a good number of the escort guards are non-humans. And they're the more violent sort. It would be best if you settled things with me."
"Sounds like you've got plenty of folks who'd rather negotiate with swords than money."
Bran nodded.
"They're all eager to catch Lady Narsha's eye. They want to make a name for themselves, even if it means going too far. Incidents and trouble are practically welcomed."
"So am I supposed to be scared now? Mommy, I'm scared!"
Jiha lunged into an embrace, and Mayan pushed him away, exasperated.
"Don't cling to me."
"He's putting in so much effort. May as well play along."
Mayan was so entertaining to tease that he kept wanting to prod her further.
But gradually, Jiha let the joking fade and grew serious.
"So what you're telling me is to cut you a break because you'll cause a huge scene if I don't? Is that a threat right now?"
"I'm suggesting we find a solution that works for both sides."
"That's for me to decide."
Jiha folded his arms and spoke plainly.
"Either pay up, or do something that earns you the money."
"......."
Bran deliberated, then played what he clearly considered a trump card.
"Lady Narsha came to Waris to secretly support a Blue Seal Unique. If you contact Enril, the Blue Seal Unique, she'll confirm it."
"Mayan, you heard that. Inform Enril."
"......."
Bran stared at Mayan in surprise.
"Could it be... you're Mayan, Enril Woniak's Super Rare?"
"Address her as Lady Enril."
Mayan's tone was stern.
Once confirmed, Bran was utterly flabbergasted.
"What is this? Everything should have been arranged — Lady Narsha came to secretly support Lady Enril. So why are you suddenly turning on us and harassing...?"
"Who invited you to come?"
"......."
Bran looked even more flustered.
They had come after receiving word they would be supporting Enril, but now they were being squeezed by Enril's own subordinates — the situation didn't add up at all.
'He probably thinks there's some kind of emotional dispute among the Uniques.'
Bran shook his head, his expression grave.
"Our advance party's duty is to secure lodging and supplies, but it's also crucial to assess the situation accurately. What exactly is going on? Are you saying Lady Narsha's support isn't needed?"
"I appreciate you coming all this way, but I've no intention of providing provisions."
Jiha delivered the conclusion cleanly.
"If you want to eat and sleep, pay properly."
"......."
Bran, who had naturally assumed Enril and the barracks would support them, looked at a complete loss.
"So, what'll it be?"
"......This isn't something I can decide on my own. I'll send word to Lady Narsha and then decide."
"And in the meantime, you'll just hang around the inn? So I'll charge it as debt?"
"No, what kind of extortion is this..."
Jiha grinned.
"Business has always been conducted while being called a robber. Either sign a contract right now, or clear out."
"......."
Bran bit his lip, just as a commotion rose from downstairs.
Jiha nodded and rose from his seat.
"Mayan, follow."
"Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."
"......Why do I have to come along?"
Even as she said it, Mayan stood up.
She seemed to be catching on that Jiha was simply teasing her.
As Jiha stepped out of the room and into the hallway, he heard footsteps coming up the stairs.
Leading the pack was a massive ogre whose head nearly scraped the ceiling.
"What's this bastard?"
"Is this him?"
The men climbing up stopped and exchanged those words.
Jiha chuckled.
"If I say no, will you just step aside quietly?"
The hammer symbol engraved on their armor and weapons marked them as part of the advance party as well.
They must have heard their comrades had been beaten and called in the others.
"Wait, don't start trouble—!"
Bran hurriedly tried to stop Jiha, but Jiha glanced at Mayan.
"Don't let him interfere."
Mayan answered with silence and blocked Bran's path.
Bran, who had attempted to defuse the situation, looked even more stunned.
"What are you doing? If you let me through, I can stop them from causing trouble!"
"I don't entirely know what I'm doing either."
"......."
When Mayan said it so shamelessly, Bran's mouth fell open, speechless.
Mayan truly had no idea what Jiha was trying to accomplish in this situation.
But because he had saved her life, and because she believed his actions would benefit Enril, she followed orders blindly.
"Well then...."
Jiha strode down one step.
There were already twelve men packing the stairs, with more waiting on the first floor, and if they stalled, even more would flood in.
But it was all within his calculations.
"Don't wait your turn. Come at me. You all want to, don't you?"
At Jiha's provocation, the men's faces twisted into vicious grins.
After money, he would push through with fists.