Chapter 13
Chapter 13
The Mad Priest of the Slums #13
Instead of answering how to obtain a residence, she simply pulled out a musket.
With even the slightest sense, it was impossible not to understand what that meant.
She put the musket away and continued.
“Of course, there are unspoken rules. If you drive someone out but destroy the place in the process, it defeats the purpose.”
That made sense.
Damaging the building while forcing someone out would be the most foolish outcome.
“Usually, protection fees are collected.”
She explained further.
A small number of powerful individuals manage buildings like territories and collect rent.
Even if you killed a tenant, you couldn’t simply take their place, so killing over housing had long disappeared.
As for landlords—
If one died, people just assumed ownership had changed.
Just like on Earth—
Tenants worried whether the new landlord would raise the fees.
Even here—
People were still people.
“You went to District 12?”
As I sat at a desk in a private room, writing down plans, Benjamin—who had gone out early—burst in.
“Yes. The secretary tried to stop me, but I insisted.”
“Insisted, huh.”
Watching his heavy figure approach, I couldn’t help but think how drastically heartbreak could change a person.
The man in the portrait—
And the one sitting across from me now—
Didn’t feel like the same person.
“The job went well, I hear.”
“Thanks to the secretary’s advice.”
“She’s capable in many ways.”
I nodded.
“I extracted everything from Deungyun and organized it into books.”
“I heard. Sorted by date, right?”
“Yes.”
In truth—
All I did was praise Verdia’s beauty.
Bishua loved money.
Verdia loved beauty.
Apparently—
She valued inner beauty more than appearance.
Anyway—
“Sign here.”
I handed him the third contract I had prepared.
“I can sign with mine?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Bishua only cared about money.
After that—
The contract was mine to use.
Scritch—
Without reading, Benjamin signed immediately.
Even now—
His decisiveness matched the man in the portrait.
The contract turned into colored smoke and vanished.
Verdia—smoke.
Bishua—fire.
Convenient.
“So what now?”
“I’ll send you into my dream. When you find what you want, say ‘return.’”
He looked at me.
“I go alone?”
“No need for me to join.”
“…What if I can’t find it? And can I even enter your dream while you’re awake?”
Good question.
“With Verdia, it’s possible.”
I didn’t know how.
Didn’t matter.
When beings like that are involved—
Understanding isn’t necessary.
“Lie down, or—”
“No need. I’ll do it here.”
“Then go ahead.”
I called his name and praised Verdia.
His head fell back instantly.
“…So that’s what happens when you gain weight.”
Even with his head back—
It barely moved.
“His mustache is still the same.”
Maybe—
His late wife liked it.
If I hadn’t seen the portrait—
I might’ve asked to pull it as payment.
‘Back to planning.’
“…Hmm.”
Not long after—
He woke up.
“….”
Silent.
I closed my notebook.
“Did you find what you wanted?”
“I did. And in great detail.”
“Then why that expression?”
“…Ah. Sorry.”
He pulled his mustache.
“How long was I out?”
“Less than 30 minutes, I think.”
“…Hah.”
He stared at my hand.
“My body slept, but my mind was awake. Yet all my fatigue is gone. My mind is clear.”
“…Hmm.”
Interesting.
I didn’t feel that.
But—
If the customer was satisfied—
That’s enough.
“As promised, I’ll support your settlement here.”
“Thank you.”
“Where will you settle?”
“District 12.”
“…As expected.”
He sighed.
“You’re really choosing that place?”
“Yes.”
“…You’re insane.”
“People live everywhere the same.”
“Only difference is how crazy they are.”
He laughed.
“Give me two days. I’ll clean it up.”
“No need. That defeats the purpose.”
The addicts—
Were important.
I planned to use them later.
“….”
He looked at me—
Like everyone else had.
“Fine. What do you need?”
“A guard for about two months.”
“Easy.”
“And a building in District 12.”
“…Size?”
“Space for two people and one room for guests.”
“Floors?”
“…At least two.”
Better to use the first floor for a business.
“Got it. I’ll handle it.”
He left.
I resumed writing.
Later—
The secretary came.
“Priest.”
“Yes.”
“When will you move?”
“As soon as the place is ready.”
“Then I’ll prepare your departure.”
“…You?”
“Unfortunately, I must stay with the boss. I’ve selected someone capable.”
“That’s fine.”
“As for the building—three floors.”
“You?”
“Yes.”
“…Alone?”
“My skills haven’t dulled.”
“…I see.”
So—
In that short time—
She had already dealt with the previous owner.
As expected—
From someone at that level.