Chapter 23.1
Thoop!
I looked at Lindon’s stamped physical forfeiture agreement with a satisfied expression.
Now that I’ve resolved Lindon’s debt, he will be my slave… no, graduate student.
“By the way, how did you end up with so much debt from stocks?”
Lindon’s debt was a whopping 100,000 Pena.
Considering 2,000 Pena is an average family’s yearly living expenses on Earth, he was in debt for approximately 10 billion in Korean terms.
“…I got involved in gift options. I took a lot of loans, and then, I got caught in a wrong sell position…”
“Why did you push it so hard?”
“I… I wanted to become rich in one shot.”
Lindon hesitated in his response, and I sighed again.
The more I knew, the more pathetic he seemed!
‘The so-called Lindon, a life’s free rider. No, could this greedy guy have become the ‘Emperor of Gluttony’ later?’
Hans cautiously asked from the side.
“Master, are you okay? Uh, Master, don’t you have very little money right now?”
It’s a valid point.
Currently, I don’t even have 500 in my pocket, let alone 100,000 penas.
‘A while back, I won some money from a bet with Valic at ‘Daien,’ but this time, I used it all as a security deposit for shelter. Damn, the cost of living in this free city.’
“It’s fine. After all, it won’t be paid with my money anyway.”
“Really? With my money?! Oh, no! Of course, my loyalty to you, Master, reaches the heavens…! B-But Th-This money is for later use for Master…!!”
“…I’ve never aimed for your money, so stop making a fuss.”
Hans breathed a sigh of relief.
“So, what are we going to do? Are we going to request support from the Ecclesia Ducal House?”
“No, we can’t do that.”
If I ask the family for help, they might give me money.
The problem is that I have to pay it back.
This darn family didn’t do anything for free.
‘No matter how tempting Lindon is, I can’t do something that puts me at a loss.’
There was only one solution.
“We need to find an ‘angel’ who will pay off the debt for free.”
“…Is there really someone like that?”
“There is.”
Thud.
I placed the document on a shabby table.
It was Lindon’s accumulated debt document.
The name of the ‘creditor’ who lent the money was written as follows:
Lord Arines.
A famous upper figure.
Attached to the Rapalt Dukedom.
“This guy’s debt will be paid off by the Rapalt Ducal House.”
Turning the Rapalt Duchy into a sucker for me again… no, I had to turn them into an ‘angel.’
* * *
‘The “Hero Academy” is filled with numerous villains, dark figures, and villainous organizations. The Rapalt Ducal House was one of them.’
‘An early main villain in the “Ruby Storyline”.’
‘Best to avoid getting entangled as much as possible.’
I shook my head.
‘No use. It’s already a mess anyway.’
It was different from the ‘Chancellor,’ another villain in the Ruby Storyline.
I planned to avoid any conflicts with the ‘Chancellor’ and maintain a smooth relationship as much as possible.
However, it was impossible with the Rapalt Ducal House.
‘Even if I try to stay quiet, the Rapalt Duchy won’t leave me alone.’
In that case, there was no need to be subtle.
“You’ve come to see Lord?.”
A man with an unknown name frowned at my presence.
“Excuse me, but what business does a disciple of Ecclesia have with our Lord?”
An unfriendly attitude.
Expected.
After all, the four major dukedoms weren’t on good terms with each other from the start.
Especially, the Ecclesia of ‘politics’ and the Rapalt in ‘business’ had a deep-seated conflict.
On top of that, I had a history of clashing with the Rapalt, and not long ago, I tarnished the honor of the Rapalt Ducal House through Valic’s incident.
‘…It’s already a messed-up relationship, so there’s no need to be subtle.’
To put it simply, the Rapalt Duchy and I were like hostile companies.
I boldly proceeded.
“I’ve come for compensation.”
“…What do you mean all of a sudden?”
“It seems that in the process of debt collection, one of my students, Lindon, suffered significant damage. I’m here to demand compensation, specifically a reduction of Lindon’s debt by 100,000 Pena.”
“What nonsense?!”
The man raised his voice as if bewildered.
“I don’t have time for discussions with low-ranking employees like you. I’ll talk directly to your master, so guide me.”
“What?! What the hell?!”
That was when.
“Enough. I’ll handle it myself, so send him up.”
“L-Lord?”
A chilling voice.
Like she ascended from the stairs, a woman with an equally cold demeanor was looking down at me.
I felt a moment of defeat.
‘This is beyond calculations.’
A familiar face.
“Long time no see, Van.”
The woman spoke with an expressionless face.
“Nice to see you. I had something to discuss with you as well.”
Emily Rapalt.
She used to be ‘Van’s’ former fiancée.
* * *
‘Of all people, it had to be the Lord, my former fiancée.’
I felt a mixture of annoyance and frustration.
I had tried to avoid her forever, but the plan went awry from the beginning.
Emily suggested we talk.
“Long time no see. Uh. It’s awkward to talk like this face to face. Have you been well?”
“I’ve been fine. It’s fortunate that you seem to be doing well too.”
Emily had a slightly surprised expression.
“Something seems different from before? I mean, um. I thought you would hold a lot of resentment when you meet me. We broke up because of my misunderstanding.”
“Not really. You’re a victim too, so there’s nothing to worry about.”
I tried to respond as neutrally as possible.
‘Begging for forgiveness here is a bad move.’
Isn’t there a saying that the opposite of love is not hate but indifference?
There was no need to act badly and earn resentment. It would be a problem if a flag was raised.
“I’m glad. In fact, I wanted to tell you another sorry story.”
“What is it?”
“I’ll be straightforward. I don’t want to reunite with you.”
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