𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐚𝐲
“Well, today is the promised day. Have you prepared the 50,000 gold coins?”
ㅤ
“. . .Not yet, but it can be arranged shortly.”
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred answers with a face like he’s chewing a bitter bug, a displeased smile on Avaris’ face.
ㅤ
The one-week deadline agreed with Avaris had arrived, but there was no sign of Luke and Alma.
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred thought they probably couldn’t gather the coins and had fled.
ㅤ
That’s fine, as long as Alma is alive, there’s no problem.
ㅤ
Luke will surely protect Alma.
ㅤ
Now, it’s just a matter of somehow deceiving this man, but it’s uncertain whether things will proceed smoothly.
ㅤ
It might become a bit rough. . .
ㅤ
ㅤ
“I have returned.”
ㅤ
As Sir Wilfred was bracing himself, the door to the parlor opened.
ㅤ
Luke and Alma were standing there.
ㅤ
“Alma! And Luke too! You’ve returned?!”
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred’s voice contained surprise and joy at their promised return, and a faint regret that they didn’t run away with Alma.
ㅤ
“Sorry for the wait. We got delayed because the running dragon escaped. . .”
ㅤ
Entering the room, Luke confronted Avaris.
ㅤ
“Today is the week we promised.”
ㅤ
“Hmph! You’ve prepared the promised gold coins, right? Not even a single copper coin less!”
ㅤ
“I understand.”
ㅤ
At Luke’s signal, a servant brought in a cart with a wooden box.
ㅤ
The box was packed full of gold coins.
ㅤ
“There are five wooden boxes in total, each containing 10,000 gold coins. Please verify them.”
ㅤ
The gold coins were all brought from Iris’s place. Iris had said 10,000 coins would be enough, but insisted they take more.
ㅤ
“Here, you could only use these to play in the river.”
ㅤ
Iris had laughed and forced the coins on them.
ㅤ
“This is absurd. . . There’s no way you could have prepared them. . .”
ㅤ
Avaris’ face turned dark with anger and confusion.
ㅤ
He was supposed to know Sir Wilfred’s financial situation.
ㅤ
The limit would be 40,000 some thousand coins; any more would be impossible without mortgaging the manorial estate, which Avaris had under pressure.
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred was supposed to kneel before him in humiliation today.
ㅤ
How could this be. . .? What kind of trickery is this. . .?
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Please, count them to your satisfaction. But do it here. I am watching.”
ㅤ
Veins throbbed on Avaris’ forehead.
ㅤ
“I understand! I’ll count them thoroughly, so just watch from there! If even one is missing, I won’t forgive you! Hurry up and start counting!”
ㅤ
Shouting at his servant, Avaris began counting the coins.
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
◆
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
ㅤ
“Huh, it really exists. . .”
ㅤ
Avaris muttered with a pale face.
ㅤ
“Hey, did you really count properly? Isn’t it a miscount?”
ㅤ
“Yes, it’s true. I counted twice.”
ㅤ
The servant answered with a tired face.
ㅤ
The sun had already set, and darkness was about to envelop the surroundings.
ㅤ
“Are you satisfied now?”
ㅤ
“You. . .”
ㅤ
Avaris glared at Luke with a face full of hatred.
ㅤ
“What kind of fraud did you pull off! It’s impossible to prepare 10,000 gold coins in such a short period!”
ㅤ
“No, this is the legitimate reward from selling the blood of the chimera I showed you.”
ㅤ
“Nonsense! I’ve instructed the merchants not to buy chimera blood. . .”
ㅤ
ㅤ
Avaris hastily closed his mouth, but it was already too late.
ㅤ
“Lord Avaris, did I just hear something intriguing? Could you repeat that?”
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred pressed Avaris with a low voice.
ㅤ
“No, I didn’t say anything. . .”
ㅤ
“It’s a serious matter if you, the Minister of Commerce, have been pressuring merchants. As a Margrave protecting the kingdom, I can’t overlook this, can I?”
ㅤ
“Grr. . .”
ㅤ
Avaris groaned in frustration, sweating profusely, and suddenly pointed at Luke.
ㅤ
“If that’s the case, what about you, Lord Rampart! You’re the one who brought such a dubious person into your mansion!”
ㅤ
It was nothing more than a desperate accusation.
ㅤ
“It’s a great problem for a Margrave to invite someone of unknown origins, isn’t it?”
ㅤ
“What are you talking about?”
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred sighed in disbelief and reached out his hand to Luke.
ㅤ
“This person, Luke, I am his guardian.”
ㅤ
“What?”
ㅤ
“Huh?”
ㅤ
“Is that so?”
ㅤ
Not only Avaris but also Luke and Alma were taken aback.
ㅤ
“I, the Margrave, vouch for him. Is there anything more certain than that?”
ㅤ
“That’s sophistry!”
ㅤ
“Shall we go to court then? In that case, I’ll thoroughly investigate your earlier statement, shall we?”
ㅤ
“Grr. . .”
ㅤ
Avaris fell completely silent as Sir Wilfred pointed towards the door.
ㅤ
“If you understand, it’s time for you to leave. It’s getting late. A longer stay will trouble you on your way back. And never involve yourself with my daughter again. Naturally, a marriage with your son is out of the question.”
ㅤ
“Damn it!”
ㅤ
Avaris stood up, trembling with anger at Sir Wilfred’s unassailable words.
ㅤ
“You will regret this, Lord Rampart!”
ㅤ
He left abruptly with the box of gold coins, throwing a parting shot.
ㅤ
ㅤ
“I’ve long since regretted it. Even though I fell into a cunning plan, I got involved with you.”
ㅤ
Sir Wilfred sighed and spread his arms with a smile to Luke and Alma.
ㅤ
“Both of you have come back well.”
ㅤ
“Otou-sama!”
ㅤ
Alma jumped into his arms.
ㅤ
“Luke, you’ve always been there to help me. I can’t thank you enough.”
ㅤ
“It’s okay. I’m glad I could be of help.”
ㅤ
Luke said with a smile to Sir Wilfred.
Translator’s Blog
Blog
- Kimonos, Cosplay, and Cultural Cancels: Nezuko’s Demon Slayer Saga in China
- Did Uncle Steve RAID Your Snack Again?
- When You Realize You’re Too Old for Anime: A Midlife Crisis in 2D
- Naruto Runners Storming Area 51: A Weeb’s Perspective
- Why You Can Read Light Novels But Can’t Speak English: A Guide to Unlocking Your Inner Voice
Leave a Reply