𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧
“Absurd! The repayment deadline was still more than three months away!”
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Sir Wilfred’s voice echoes in shock through the reception room.
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However, Avaris’s smirking face doesn’t stop.
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“Indeed, but the document also states this: ‘The creditor may change the repayment date if unavoidable circumstances arise.’ Unfortunately, I too have circumstances, and I really need you to repay.”
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“Grr. . .”
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Sir Wilfred growls.
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“Was it Sir Avaris who lent money to Otou-sama. . .”
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Alma mutters with a tense face.
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It’s only natural Tommy knew about the Bastille family’s debt; they were the lenders after all.
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(Why suddenly demand repayment. . . what’s their intention?)
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A cloud of worry looms in Alma’s heart, unknowingly gripping Luke’s hand beside her.
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Luke firmly holds her hand, smiling in return.
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“Don’t worry, it’ll all work out,” says Luke.
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Though Alma nods with a stiff smile, her mood doesn’t clear.
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“. . .I can’t prepare the full amount. At most, I can only give 40,000 gold coins right now.”
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Sir Wilfred, sinking deeply into the sofa, shakes his head.
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“That’s troublesome.”
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Avaris frowns as if troubled, secretly smirking inside.
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(Hmph, I knew they were short on funds. After all, I am the Minister of Commerce of the Arrogas Kingdom. I’ve also influenced others not to lend them money. I hastened the plan at my sons’ urging, but it should be fine. I’ll take his title and land in full.)
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Avaris’s aim is naturally Sir Wilfred’s Margrave title.
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Not just for Tommy, but Avaris too craves the hereditary noble title.
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The plan had been in motion since hearing about Sir Wilfred’s financial troubles due to drought.
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By influencing national moneylenders not to lend to Sir Wilfred, and then offering a helping hand when he’s in dire straits.
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Then, by making difficulties in repayment, he plans to marry Alma and Tommy.
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Once inside the family, he can manipulate things as he pleases.
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Making Tommy the heir to the Bastille family would secure his victory.
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Avaris, covering his mouth to hide a budding smirk, imagines the future, already plotting.
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(The transfer requires royal approval, to avoid unnecessary suspicion. Even if he’s a rural noble, a Margrave is a Margrave. Once I get this title, I’ll do as I please. The profits to come make a 50,000 gold coin investment a small price to pay.)
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“But if you’re willing to accept actual goods as payment, I have it.”
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“Huh?”
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Surprised, Avaris glanced sideways as Sir Wilfred lined up large bottles on the table.
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There were ten in total, each filled to the brim with chimera’s blood.
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“This is chimera blood. Our financial officer roughly estimated that it’s worth about 10,000 gold coins. If you make and sell an elixir out of this, it could be worth ten or even twenty times more. Would you accept this as the remaining payment?”
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“Twenty times. . .”
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Avaris swallowed hard.
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(No, no, I mustn’t be swayed by such trivial money. I have a much bigger goal in mind!)
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Avaris almost reached out his hand, but shook his head determinedly and withdrew it.
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“Unfortunately, I am a cash-only person. I have decided not to accept even if it’s valuable magical tools or art pieces.”
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“Then could you wait a little longer? I will convert this into cash immediately. One month, no, just two weeks should be enough.”
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However, Avaris shook his head in disagreement.
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“Regrettably, I cannot agree to that either. I need the payment now.”
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“But I don’t have anything else! Sir Avaris, what exactly do you want me to do?!”
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Sir Wilfred, frustrated with Avaris’s unyielding attitude, raised his voice.
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“Rampart Margrave, please calm down. I came here for that reason. I have a good proposal that can resolve this situation.”
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Avaris smiled broadly, clasping his hands on his lap.
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“My eldest son is reaching the suitable age for marriage, and I’ve been searching for a bride candidate, but it’s been hard to find the right girl. Then I remembered, isn’t your daughter still unmarried? So, how about a proposal where my son and your daughter become husband and wife? This would nullify the family debt, and your debt will be gone too.”
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“. . .Impossible!”
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Alma, who was listening, gasped.
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(He came here with this intention from the beginning! To marry me off to Tommy. . .!)
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“Don’t joke with me!”
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Sir Wilfred slammed his fist on the table.
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“Are you telling me to sell my daughter for 10,000 gold coins? Are you insulting me and my daughter?!”
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“But a deal is a deal.”
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Avaris remained unfazed.
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“And it’s also written in the contract. If the payment is in goods, the creditor has the right to determine its value. Rampart Margrave, let me be clear. I am not willing to put a price of 10,000 gold coins on anything other than your daughter.”
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“You. . . This was your plan all along! The reason I couldn’t borrow money from anywhere a year ago was because you were meddling behind the scenes!”
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Sir Wilfred glared at Avaris with murderous intent.
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“What are you talking about.”
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Avaris shrugged and shook his head.
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“If you have any complaints, feel free to take it to the noble court. That is, if you can afford the trial fees.”
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“You. . .”
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Sir Wilfred placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
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Responding to this, the guards accompanying Avaris readied themselves for combat.
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The drawing room was instantly enveloped in the atmosphere of a battlefield.
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“Excuse me, may I have a moment?”
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The one who broke the tension was Luke.
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He was holding Sir Wilfred’s credentials in his hand.
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“What do you want? We’re in the middle of an important conversation, so back off.”
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Avaris was visibly annoyed by the intrusion, but Luke continued without concern.
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“I apologize, but the credentials also state this: If the repayment date is changed, the debtor shall be granted a minimum of one week’s grace as a relief measure.”
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“So, what about it?”
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“So, if we can prepare 10,000 gold coins within a week, that would be acceptable, right?”
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“That’s impossible!”
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“Isn’t that for you to decide?”
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“Grr. . .”
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Now it was Avaris’s turn to be at a loss for words.
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He glared at Luke with eyes filled with anger.
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Eventually, Avaris took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, and said,
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“Fine, I’ll wait a week. But exactly one week, not a second more! And remember, it’s either 10,000 gold coins or your daughter, nothing else!”
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With those parting words, Avaris left.
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