Debts Settled, Reunion Forged
"Really, is there no way?"
"No, there isn't."
"Truly, absolutely no way?"
"Yes."
The clerk rejected my earnest plea with monotonous responses, even furrowing his brow as he began. If this weren't his workplace, he looked like he might've swung at me.
"Sir, the amount of loans currently under your name is substantial, so we can't approve any additional borrowing."
He started showing me various documents. They were just clumps of useless fine print, so I didn't bother reading them closely—it was too annoying.
"On top of that, this month's interest is already overdue."
"Hmm..."
"Understood."
One thing was clear: I wasn't getting the loan I wanted here.
Sigh.
To be denied a loan at a bank that lends money. This was truly the deepest crisis I could reach.
I had to settle the piled-up interest by the end of the day.
"Hi, what now?"
Stepping out of the bank, I stopped by the roadside and caught my breath. I'd walked for days to reach Lumel, the empire's second-largest city, but I still hadn't found a solution.
I couldn't keep wasting time like this.
Should I just rob a bank?
A quick fix popped into my mind, but even though it was feasible, solving things that way felt off somehow. Plus, a criminal record would complicate my plans even more.
Hoo.
Maybe sell the fortuitous encounters I've collected so far at a pawnshop. I doubt I'd use them anyway. They could fetch a good price.
As those extreme thoughts began creeping into my head,
"Are you Mr. Karl?"
Someone placed a hand on my shoulder from behind.
"Yes, that's me."
No malice had been detectable from afar, so I turned my head and replied.
"Greetings. I am Leopold, the exclusive butler of the Schwartz family."
Standing there was an elderly man in a crisp uniform.
Hm...
His introduction as the Schwartz family's butler flooded my mind with thoughts. It was burdensome enough that someone from the family—which had commissioned me—had come looking personally.
And on top of that, it was Leopold himself.
This is getting messy.
The Schwartzes were already a name whispered in the empire's underworld. For the head butler—the highest among the servants—to come in person...
It seemed he was here to hold me accountable for failing the commission. No, it wasn't just that one job. We'd tangled in dozens of matters.
"Ahem. The reason I've come personally is none other than—"
Leopold cleared his throat once before continuing.
"To cancel the existing commission and request a new one."
His words were nothing like what I'd expected.
"Pardon?"
Cancel the commission and request a new one? It didn't make much sense logically, but...
"Don't worry about the cancellation fee. We've prepared double the promised amount."
Money was money, after all. No complaints there.
"Understood for now, but what's the new commission?"
"The lady insists on delivering the details personally, so you'll need to come to the capital."
"The capital?"
That part about going to the capital if I wanted details nagged at me. The imperial capital was full of places—and people—tied to me.
"...Yes, it's something the young lady requested directly."
"Ah."
Including the academy I'd been avoiding lately. Even wandering far away led to issues with academy folks; heading to the capital would multiply them endlessly.
I wanted to refuse if possible, but...
"The reward will be double the original contract."
"Understood."
"Thank you for your understanding."
The money was too good to pass up.
"Then, we'll meet in the capital."
He left a bag of money where he'd stood and vanished quietly.
"Ha. Haha."
This amount would cover this month's interest with plenty left over. That family... I couldn't hate them even if I tried. No matter the mess, they crushed it with sheer cash.
In this perfect capitalist world, who could argue?
Ahem.
Enough nonsense—time to pay off the debt.
**
The sky looked clearer today. With the interest mess and commission sorted in an instant, it made sense.
Anyway, now I have to head to the capital.
Still plenty left to handle, though.
I started walking slowly. No rush—the luxury of time would vanish once I reached the capital.
I'd have to fulfill the commission properly, deal with the Schwartz lady's whims...
And above all,
I'd inevitably get tangled with the academy again.
Anything but running into Astria. Half a year since that day.
If we crossed paths now, I couldn't guarantee her mental state. Her last appearance suggested it could go catastrophically wrong.
Maybe disguise myself.
Thoughts swirling, I headed to the train station, sorting them out.
Then,
"Hey, miss! What're you gonna do about this!?"
"You know how much this costs?"
Grating noises pierced my ears.
"I'm sorry..."
"Sorry doesn't cut it! This is worth ten thousand sterling!"
"Hah, miss, got money? If you do, pay up!"
Turning toward the commotion, I saw a few thugs in ill-fitting suits surrounding a girl in a wheelchair.
"I'm sorry... I don't have any money right now..."
"Hey! She says she ain't got money!"
"What? No money?"
"Then pay with your body!"
The thugs menaced her, dangling a cheap-looking necklace.
These guys still roam around.
They looked like they'd crumple with one poke—pathetic.
Ahem.
Oh dear.
Merchants and bystanders avoided eye contact or hurried away.
"Let's check Lumel that way."
"Sir? Over there..."
"Move it! Quick!"
Even the cops who should handle thugs like them.
Well run world.
A sigh escaped at the deplorable scene. My taxes fed these incompetents.
No one seemed willing to help, so I stepped in.
"Whoa, gangsters~."
I shouted once, drawing all eyes to me.
"What!? Who're you!"
The first to approach was a scrawny-looking guy.
"Doesn't matter. I have business with that girl."
I stopped in front of him, pointing at the wheelchair girl.
"Huh?"
"So, it'd be great if you cleared the way."
They burst into laughter among themselves.
"Puhaha, what'd this punk just say?"
"Kuhahat, is his head okay?"
The front guy squinted, slapping his body a couple times, striking a pose.
"You know who's in front of you?"
Utterly oblivious to his own level—arrogant.
"Dunno, thugs?"
My curt reply must've hit a nerve; he raised his fist and swung.
"This punk's lost his—"
Thwack!
The world blacked out briefly.
"Argh!"
When I came to, he was sprawled on the ground, writhing.
Tsk.
I spat a sigh at his pathetic screams and turned forward.
"What the hell's that guy!?"
"Fucking bastard!"
The rest panicked at their fallen comrade in a blink.
"Don't come closer, you fuck!"
As I took a few steps, one pulled a pistol from his pocket, aiming at me.
"Oh."
I smiled instead.
A gun, huh?
Shing—!
Perfect chance to test my practiced technique.
"Did that guy just draw a sword?"
"Looks like it?"
"He's gotta be insane."
As I drew my sword from its sheath and pointed it at the thugs, murmurs rose from the onlookers.
Everyone knew guns beat swords, so they couldn't fathom it.
"I'm shooting! For real, asshole!"
I strode forward confidently, ignoring the threat.
"Fuck this!"
Bang—!
Terror-stricken, he rambled threats and pulled the trigger.
The bullet shot toward me at high speed.
Ping—!
I casually deflected it with my sword.
It works.
The crisp ricochet echoed; I grinned.
Magic swordsmen were the best. If a plain sword couldn't deflect bullets, infuse it with mana and do it.
Why wouldn't anyone be one?
"What the fuck, what is this!?"
Clueless, their faces paled; they dropped the gun, trembling.
"Fuck, fuck! Crazy monster!"
They bolted.
Once they vanished, I slowly approached the girl in the wheelchair.
"Are you alright?"
"..."
She was shaking violently in fear. As I stepped in front and looked at her face,
"Elia?"
It was someone who should be in the hospital.
"...Mr. Karl?"
Gaunt and pale-faced.