After finishing my talk with the sect leader, I went to find the dwarf after a long ti.
“Hikurod Murad.”
“Bjooorrn! Why only now...? Why did you only co now...? I’ve sent so many letters...!”
The dwarf’s reaction to our reunion was more intense than ever. Understandably so — his forge had suffered from the recent chaos and he was out of work.
That’s why we were eting at the Comlby Inn lobby, a place neither of us was used to.
“Sorry. I wanted to co earlier, but I was busy.”
“Busy? You’ve been back over a month!”
“Yeah, busy, I said.”
“.......”
Honestly, I could have made ti anyti, but kept postponing until now.
‘Looks like most of the assets, including the Mistium I entrusted, were preserved intact.’
So it wasn’t that dire?
According to the letters, as soon as the trouble began, despite the chaos, they managed to take all important assets and evacuate.
Though, they couldn’t avoid losing the forge.
“So, Hikurod, how have you been?”
“Hmph... I’m keeping an eye on things for now. I considered using all my connections to repair the forge... but as you know, no business will run well reopening the forge now. So I’m thinking maybe I’ll start fresh in Comlby.”
“And?”
“Recently, average monthly rents in Comlby and other districts shot up. Seems many share my thoughts. I heard from a rchant I know that the number of explorers wanting to open shops is increasing dramatically.”
Oh, that was new info to .
Maybe because people from Districts 7 and 13 are flowing into other districts, combined with the labyrinth closure?
‘...Even the noble landowners must be desperate for money.’
The saying that in chaotic tis the commoners suffer is exactly right.
“So, before making any decision, I wanted to hear your thoughts... Do you know how this situation will turn out?”
...By the way, was the dwarf always this small?
His discreet tone was like a stock expert asking for hot tips.
Well, I suppose he thought as a noble, I might know sothing.
“I don’t know when it will end.”
“Hmph... I thought so...”
“But if you plan to reopen the forge, do it in District 7 as soon as possible.”
“Why?”
“Reconstruction will start soon. Even just supplying rebar and shovels will let you break even. Maybe I can funnel work your way.”
When I told him I would participate in the bidding representing lbes, his expression changed.
He knew that governnt-related business always made big money.
“Ah! Then I must hurry! Trust ! I’ll work hard!”
“But there’s no need to rush now.”
“Huh...? No need to rush?”
Seeing him tilt his head, I took the chance to explain the ‘jeonse’ system.
“What? There’s a way to lease without paying monthly rent?!”
“Yes. If you buy land soon, just sign contracts as I explained. Until then, just think about how to build.”
I patted his shoulder, knowing he had suffered recently. Tears welled in his eyes.
“Bjorn...! Even though we’re close, this is such a huge favor...! Thank you! Truly thank you!”
People in this world are really naive.
Our conversation went on.
Though he had beco a rchant, he asked all sorts of questions about exploring the labyrinth’s first basent floor.
Ah, I guess anyone living in this city would be curious.
Anyway.
“On the first basent floor is a silver sea. Above it float items abandoned when the labyrinth closed.”
The dwarf had a light mouth, so I avoided secret info and focused on things he could share.
But...
“A silver sea... If that friend had seen it, he might have liked it.”
“He would have liked it even if it wasn’t really a sea. He was so curious.”
“Yeah...”
Suddenly, the dwarf’s joyful eyes grew somber.
He stared blankly as if recalling his youth over drinks.
“Bjorn, what do you think?”
“What do you an?”
“If... that incident hadn’t happened, do you think I’d still be exploring?”
His voice was filled with deep regret and sorrow.
I hesitated to answer, then jokingly said,
“Maybe, but even then, you wouldn’t have gone exploring with .”
“Huh?”
“I’m not the kind to drag along a lagging companion.”
The dwarf chuckled.
“A lagging companion... I can’t argue seeing you now. I would have struggled to keep up. Maybe your friend though.”
“Well, honestly, Dwalke, I think you had more potential than him.”
“Ha, really? Anyway, either way, we would have followed you.”
“No, what have you been hearing? They never intended to accept .”
“That friend is joking. You’re not the kind to abandon comrades.”
Joking, huh.
Actually, just before the incident, I was thinking of disbanding the half-assed team.
That’s why I regretted so much later.
I should have made that decision sooner.
“.......”
After a brief silence, the dwarf brought up a new topic.
“But it’s relieving to have all the forge destroyed.”
“Relieving? Do you have a headache?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that it feels like your friend is pushing forward. Telling to leave the past behind and move on.”
That made involuntarily solemn.
Co to think of it, that forge was originally Dwalke’s ho.
Later, the dwarf spoke of plans to build a bigger, better-equipped forge.
And how much ti passed?
“I don’t know why I talk so much when I see you. Sorry. But can I ask one last thing?”
“Of course.”
“What do you think your friend would say if he saw you now?”
“......?”
“Not an explorer or a blacksmith... but just a re rchant. Would he think it pathetic?”
His trembling voice made chuckle despite myself.
Sorry for joking at such a serious mont.
“He’d probably think it’s pathetic.”
“...I thought you thought—”
“I’d say that’s a useless worry.”
Curious what nonsense he’d say next, I started wrapping up as ti had passed.
Then, standing up,
“Oh, and this must not be known yet.”
I whispered in the dwarf’s ear.
“Spirit Slayer, Rigal Baggos.”
“......!”
At the na, he flinched like a trauma was triggered.
That reaction wiped away my lingering hesitation.
“Don’t worry about him anymore.”
The fewer who know the secret, the better.
But this guy deserved to hear it.
“He’s no longer in this world.”
Maybe he never showed it but deeply hoped for this inside.
And that hope was basically fulfilled.
“I see......”
Still, the dwarf only remained silent after that.
Why he was like that.
How I knew that fact.
Did you?
Not a word.
As if understanding my situation.
After a long silence, the only word he finally spoke was,
“...Thanks.”
At that, I awkwardly turned my back.
“.........Thanks.”
I still had many debts to repay.
As expected, it didn’t take long to hear back from the sect leader.
About four days.
That was enough ti to return ho and sort my thoughts, then contact him.
‘He said he’ll start scouting for nobles selling land tomorrow, so I can leave that part to him...’
After his reply, I arranged a eting with Count Alminous.
“Truly a brilliant idea. Shabin Emur, was it? Why did I only learn of such talent now?”
Regardless of wanting to covet our administrative officer.
We smiled amicably and took a photo, then the count gave advice on the clauses for the jeonse contract I devised.
And...
“If these clauses are mandatory in the contract, good. Using your ‘deposit’ as collateral, people would get loans treated like regular secured loans.”
He gave a firm answer about today’s visit.
Honestly, I felt a bit uneasy.
Was I too surprised by how smoothly things were going?
So I asked around subtly, and surprisingly, Count Alminous answered openly.
“Do you think the business will succeed? Honestly, it’s fifty-fifty. The business suits the tis, but also the tis make nothing certain.”
“Hmm...”
“With big gains co big losses if it fails. My house currently lacks the ans for such investnt.”
Up to here, I didn’t fully understand.
“Then wouldn’t it make sense not to approve the collateral loan?”
Getting collateral loans from Alminous Bank
Essentially, the count shared the sa risk with .
Why then did he choose this?
“I judged there was no risk of loss.”
“...Why?”
“Because you’re involved.”
The count’s gaze was so blatant it made instinctively cover my chest with both hands.
“If the business fails, you’ll owe a huge debt.”
“.......”
“I’m just judging from a businessman’s perspective. I believe you can repay that debt safely.”
“.......”
“Even if it takes a lifeti.”
That last phrase cleared my doubts.
“Oh......”
Even if I lose money, I’ll be his lifelong slave, so it’s worth it.
A chill ran down my spine.
But...
“How about it? Do you still want my help?”
“Of course.”
Without hesitation, I nodded, and the count burst into a hearty laugh.
“I knew you’d say that. But once you get used to it, these talks beco much easier.”
“What do you an?”
“Conversations like these. No hiding, no dragging it out, saves ti and energy. Efficient. I wish everyone else was like you...”
Having lived a life full of sches and manipulation, the count found this barbarian-style business refreshing and pleasing.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Not even having a al?”
“I ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) have another appointnt!”
“Ha ha, co next ti free. I surprisingly enjoy talking with you.”
“Alright.”
After finishing with the count, I headed straight to the chancellor’s mansion.
“Baron Yandel...?”
The butler looked very surprised to see suddenly.
“Excuse , but the Marquis did not notify of any visit...”
Well, who else but would co unannounced in this noble world?
Especially targeting the second highest noble family.
“Don’t look so apologetic. Of course, you wouldn’t get notice.”
“...Yes?”
“Is the marquis ho?”
“H-He is out on official business.”
“Oh, then I’ll wait inside. Please show in!”
“W-Well, the marquis is busy with state affairs and we don’t know when he’ll return. It’s better to set another appointnt and co back later—.”
What nonsense.
I was about to make an appointnt anyway, but since all had ignored , I ca directly.
“That’s enough! The marquis and I don’t care about such formalities! I’ll wait inside comfortably!”
I pushed past the baffled butler and entered.
With things unfolding this way, the butler reluctantly accepted as a guest.
And...
One day, two days, three days...
Well, I hadn’t planned to wait this long, but whatever.
I ignored the butler’s pleas to leave.
From the second day, they stopped serving als, so I survived on jerky, silently enduring all the knights’ interference trying to force out.
“Ha... I don’t have much ti, so speak quickly. What’s your business to go this far?”
Finally, the marquis appeared.
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