Failed Failed Failed -1
Failed Failed Failed -1
"...I'm sorry, I didn't quite hear that."
Edel wore a bewildered expression.
The faint smile she had been wearing until just a moment ago had vanished.
Well, I can understand why.
The Danilu of the past would have been handing out money like a pushover.
A guy like that suddenly making threats?
It's the kind of thing that would make even me a little flustered.
"I'm sorry, Seonsaeng-nim. Could you... could you say that again?"
"Oh my, my apologies. I was a bit harsh with my words."
My goal is to win her over to my side, not to make an enemy out of her.
"First, please have a seat. This isn't the kind of conversation to have while standing."
I gesture to the sofa opposite me.
Edel sits down, still unable to lower her guard.
"...."
I stare at her across the table in silence for a moment.
It's irrelevant, but she really is a cute person.
Is this what it would look like if a small pink flower were turned into a human?
And yet, her eyes are sharp, as if they hold the stars; it's no wonder she's a saint candidate.
'No, that's not what's important right now.'
I pick up the whiskey bottle sitting next to me and pour it into a glass.
"Would you like a drink?"
"Ah, no. I am a cleric; I cannot drink alcohol so carelessly."
"Clerics must lead such boring lives."
Even so, I push the glass forward.
Edel looks back and forth between the glass and me, and eventually accepts it.
"I'm not forcing you to drink. It's just..."
I pause for a moment and look into Edel's eyes.
"The conversation we're about to have is a bit too rough to hear while sober."
Edel has no choice but to accept the glass.
I watch her as I bring up the main topic.
"How much funding have I provided to you all?"
"It's hard to count exactly, but... you've given us more than we deserve."
"Yes, that's right. I have been providing you all with funding free of charge."
I wet my throat with the whiskey and continue.
"However, I don't think I can do that going forward. I'm sorry."
"Oh, no! Just what you've lent us so far is-"
"That doesn't mean I'm cutting off support entirely."
"Pardon?"
"Though you will have to return to being a customer from now on."
Danilu Duesbury, the loan shark.
This man's means of making money were largely twofold.
One was receiving interest through usury.
The second was lending money to adventurer parties and exploiting them if they couldn't pay it back properly.
He was a guy who did dangerous work like that, but his credit was actually quite decent.
He didn't gouge people too excessively compared to other places.
Especially compared to the formal banks that only a few parties with excellent credit could use.
"Come to think of it... you're having trouble dealing with official banks, aren't you?"
"...."
Edel shuts her mouth.
"Then I suppose I'm the only place you can borrow money from."
"Th-that is."
"You know, right? That I'm at least running my business with a conscience in this line of work."
In this world, adventurers have low credit.
You never know when they might die.
They might just disappear after borrowing the money.
There isn't a bank anywhere that would easily lend money to a guy like that.
That is why it's said that adventurers often borrow money from loan sharks.
If they were capable of self-sufficiency, they wouldn't borrow it in the first place, but if not.
'This is how they slowly go to ruin.'
Anyway, I am the money source for that party.
Especially since it's a relationship built on goodwill, it means it's a relationship that can be severed at any time.
But perhaps she hadn't considered such a sudden development.
Edel hung her head.
"I have no excuse."
"Then, shall we hear it?"
"Pardon?"
"You didn't come here to hear this from me, did you?"
"Ah...!"
Edel realizes it immediately and clenches her fist.
"I, um. So...."
"Take your time."
Edel glances at me a few times before finally opening her mouth.
"Quixote is seriously injured."
"Quixote-gun?"
"Yes. He got hit hard by a trap...."
Now that I think about it, there was a description of this in the novel.
Quixote often got caught in traps because of his reckless nature.
'Stupid bastard.'
I understood why Edel had come.
"You need his medical expenses?"
"I have no excuse."
"It looks like you'll need quite a lot, won't you?"
"...I have no excuse. It's an urgent situation... I don't know when he might die."
Edel is already a quite excellent healer.
If it's to the point where even she can't treat him, it means they need to go to a high-ranking priest at the temple.
"I am swallowing my shame to ask you. Please, save Quixote-"
"Understood."
"Pardon?"
"I will give you as much as you need. Both for the medical expenses and the preparation costs for the next expedition."
Edel's face brightens for a moment before fading.
"What is the price?"
"It seems you're finally in the mood to talk business with me."
I look at the anxious Edel and tell her.
"Collateral."
"Collateral?"
"Yes, collateral. This time, I have no choice but to demand collateral."
"Ah...."
"However, I am not a person without compassion."
I tell Edel clearly.
"First, I'll lend it to you. Take this money and do your work."
"...."
"However, if you fail, I will seize the collateral. And until the money is repaid, I will be keeping that collateral."
I will be keeping that collateral.
Edel gulps at the words, which sound as if they refer to a person rather than an object.
In reality, it will be a person.
The person I will designate as collateral is Edel, the focal point and spiritual pillar of the party.
She will be handing over one of her party members as collateral, but perhaps she doesn't realize yet that it will be herself.
Edel hesitates for a long time before holding out her hand.
"Under...stood. Saving Quixote is the priority, after all."
"Thank you for the transaction, customer. It was a good deal."
I smile faintly as I hand the money to Edel.
I don't have a mirror, so I can't see it, but I'm sure it's a scary expression.
"I will... I will definitely pay it back. Th-then."
Judging by Edel's reaction, it must be quite a scary face.
"Then have a safe trip, customer."
Thud-
After Edel closes the door and leaves, I sit in the chair and finish the whiskey.
"They'll fail."
Even if not now, they will fail eventually.
The reason Quixote was fine even after failing time and time again was thanks to his financier, Danilu.
But now that I'm out of the picture, failure will not be forgiven.
"I wonder if that immature knight knows that."
What was given as collateral for the money used to treat him.
+++++
"I've brought the money. Please, treat him quickly."
"Yes, then."
Watching her childhood friend groan in pain, Edel gritted her teeth.
'I told him not to get too ahead of himself.'
The cause of the accident was Quixote, who had been excitedly exploring the dungeon, rushing alone at a golem as huge as a windmill.
Even thinking about it again, it was an absurd injury.
The fact that such a large sum of money was needed for that injury was another factor that made her chest feel tight.
'I've already borrowed a huge amount of money.'
They would have to earn money as soon as Quixote recovered.
It was something she hadn't expected. That Danilu would suddenly cut off support.
'No. Let's not think like that.'
Good rumors didn't follow a man named Danilu.
He is cruel and violent. The number of people's heads he's smashed with a golf club alone is in the hundreds.
She had heard such rumors, but strangely enough, he had lent them money free of charge.
Just the debt she owed him so far was enough to be grateful for.
That didn't mean she wanted someone to be taken as collateral.
"This time, we must succeed. We must...."
Anxiety and worry begin to bloom in her chest.
Will they really be able to do it? No, they must do it.
She tries to ignore the inner voices that have started fighting over and over again and looks at Quixote.
"Hmm, since this body is recovering, is it time to set out on our journey again?"
It's an unnecessarily heroic voice.
Without even knowing what the reality is like right now.
"...You're awake?"
"Why that look! Yesterday's sun has set and a new light has risen! Our journey will begin to shine once again!"
She envies that positive thinking.
But haven't they seen it a few times in reality?
That attitude and appearance changing the situation and making things better.
So, therefore.
"Alright. Let's prepare again. This time, you mustn't get hurt over something ridiculous."
"Hmm! Let us be off!"
Surely, it will work out somehow this time too.
If they prove their worth again, maybe the support will start again.
"Let us take our steps once again for our great journey, my companions!"
Edel heads to the inn where her companions are, along with the now-treated Quixote.
After resting well for a day, they will head back into the dungeon.
"The day is so wonderful, so the journey ahead of us must surely be beautiful too!"
"But it's dark and damp when we enter the dungeon?"
"It's all about your mindset! There were accidents, but haven't we done well so far!"
Edel nods slowly.
Things will eventually work out this time too.
With that vague expectation.
"Then let's get some good rest today. Let's rest well and make sure this expedition is a success!"
Perhaps if she didn't do that, she might.
'Oh God, please. Please watch over us during this expedition.'
She felt like she might go crazy.