Chapter 91:

Brauder, whom I met again, wasn't much different except for being a little more crestfallen than the last time I saw him.

“Why, why are you here again, Count?”

Seeing Brauder cower at the sight of my face, he looked pitiful.

Noah shook his head as if to protest that he hadn't done anything.

“Have you been well, Mr. Brauder.”

“Are you mocking me? How could I be well when I'm stuck between demons, eating only rotten food....”

“Rotten food? Is that what you say after I went all the way to the Imperial Capital to get you food?”

As Hillia, who had been looking at the hostage discontentedly near the entrance, raised her voice, Brauder's already small voice became barely a mumble.

“I meant it figuratively. I didn't actually eat anything rotten, and it was at least commoner-level food, but still, compared to my usual meals....”

“I hope you won't add another word just to provoke my friends.”

I gently admonished Hillia, who was about to lash out in anger.

Seeing as he still hadn't come to his senses, I thought it might be fine for Hillia to hit him, though.

“Hm. I'll gratefully accept your advice, Count.”

Brauder muttered, seeming not to be so completely clueless.

It seemed the atmosphere for a conversation had finally been set.

“Do you know about the Assembly of Well-being?”

“You must know already if you're asking, right? They're guys I don't get along with.”

“It seems they're involved in the Kranacht incident I mentioned before. I'd like to ask you a few questions.”

“I don't really want to talk....”

“I said, I will ask you some questions.”

If I didn't ask 'May I ask you some questions,' he should have gotten the hint.

Noticing my displeased expression, Brauder nodded his head vigorously.

“Do you know about the relationship between the People's Medical Center and Assembly of Well-being?”

“Of course, I know, they're the ones who recommended the People's Medical Center. They're the biggest sponsors of that medical center. I heard about half of the donations come from their pockets.”

I had expected it to some extent, but their role was much bigger than I thought.

Considering the director's sensitivity to money, I could imagine how strong the Assembly of Well-being influence was.

“They have a fancy name, but they're a group of insurers and moneylenders, so their reputation among the Vestol people is quite poor. It seems they're splurging on charities to make up for it.”

“Are they supporting the People's Medical Center solely for their reputation?”

“Uh… I think so?”

Brauder's eyes trembled violently as if he knew he had given a useless answer.

I didn't expect him to know the detailed inner workings, so my disappointment wasn't great.

“How did your relationship with Assembly of Well-being turn sour?”

“My friends from Vestol asked for help. A lot of them borrowed money to expand into Imperial businesses. I gave them a stern word, and they got pouty.”

“You're not lying, are you, Mr. Brauder?”

“…I borrowed a little, too.”

At my smile, Brauder's confident expression crumbled in an instant.

I didn't know about his debt relationship, but I had a feeling it was something like that.

“How much did you borrow?”

“Well… my older brother recently reduced my allowance, no, my social support funds. My expenses stayed the same, so I had no choice but to borrow.”

“You talked back to the person who lent you money? You've got some nerve.”

“I wasn't saying I wouldn't pay it back, I just asked to extend the deadline, but they threatened me! I'm not some commoner on the street, I'm the second son of Stetten, does it make sense for them to pester me for money?”

The gazes of those around Brauder, who was grumbling as if it were unfair, were cold.

Not only Noah, who frowned as if he were openly pathetic, but Hillia also clicked her tongue loud enough for everyone to hear, clearly fed up.

“Did you only request an extension on the deadline once?”

“I-is that important?”

“It might be.”

After a moment's hesitation, Brauder held up one hand, fingers spread.

It must mean five times.

Considering Brauder's solid backing, it seemed like a rather hasty demand for repayment.

“…About 50 times?”

“Just go die.”

Unable to hold back, Noah spat out a word quietly.

I didn't particularly stop him because I wanted to say the exact same thing.

“No, but I was still paying it back little by little. I have my pride, I didn't just say I'd pay later without paying a single penny.”

“I'm purely curious, but how much did you pay back?”

“I paid back more than half of what I initially borrowed.”

“You must have borrowed more after that.”

“That's true. Still, it's not right for them to suddenly demand I pay it all back.”

No, then that's not half paid back.

It was absurd, but I decided to let it slide since it wasn't important for now.

“What happened after you fell out with the Assembly of Well-being? Did they show any strange movements?”

“Nothing really comes to mind. They went back to the Imperial Capital angry, and there's been no contact since then. The People's Medical Center didn't stop its activities either.”

“They just left a debtor like that? Strange.”

“A demon like you wouldn't know, but the prestige of Stetten is formidable.”

Brauder boasted, using his family name in response to Noah's quip, but that didn't change the fact that it was strange.

They say a debtor who has borrowed too much is actually harder to touch, but it made no sense to leave him completely alone without any contact.

For now, two possibilities came to mind.

They either really backed off after seeing the Stetten name, or someone else paid it off for him.

“You said they suddenly told you to pay it all back at once.”

“It wasn't even the day to pay interest, but they came and shoved the contract at me. I got angry and yelled that they had no right to do that.”

I had a feeling there was probably a clause in the contract about that right, but I decided to let it pass for now.

The important thing was that they suddenly made an absurd demand, unlike before.

“Did something happen that made the Assembly of Well-being desperate for money.”

“Not that I know of. Those guys rake in money, so there's no reason for them to be in a hurry to collect the money I borrowed.”

And yet, if they suddenly demanded repayment, it must mean they have another intention.

Then, one possibility crossed my mind.

“Did the Third Duke say anything separately?”

“About the debt? He warned me not to spend so lavishly before, but after that, he didn't say much.”

“Have the Assembly of Well-being and the Third Duke ever met?”

“How should I know? I promised not to interfere in my brother's affairs.”

Proud of you, you punk.

I cursed inwardly and turned away.

It seemed there was nothing more to gain by talking.

I silently beckoned Noah over with a hand gesture.

“Is there something you need me to do?”

“Prepare to transport that idiot. He'll be of use soon.

“Looks like you've found a clue.”

“That's right. Though I'm not certain yet.”

“Is that guy's brother involved by any chance?”

“You catch on quick.”

There's a possibility they used the contract as a pretext to threaten Timershi.

Of course, I doubt someone in the position of a Duke would fall for that level of threat, but it's possible the Assembly of Well-being has other cards up their sleeve.

Considering the Third Duke's knights were active in Kranacht, there's definitely a connection.

Assembly of Well-being and Timershi Stetten.

To both of them, Brauder is prime bait.

‘The bait I spread for the Assembly of Well-being should have been taken by now.’

***

“Well, what a coincidence this is. Hahahahaha.”

“Your lying skills have gotten much worse since I last saw you, Victor.”

“…What's the point in trying hard to lie in a situation that's obvious to anyone. So please, smooth out that face of yours.”

As Victor acted shamelessly, Werner's wrinkles deepened.

He knew the Three Blades were loitering around the Assembly of Well-being, but he never imagined they'd be so blatant about it, with Victor himself making an appearance.

“Then let's speak frankly. What is your purpose for coming here?”

“I was chasing someone's tail and ended up here.”

Victor grumbled and looked at the entrance of the Assembly of Well-being building.

The messenger sent by Valheit had been inside the building for a while but still hadn't come out.

Was he just bait?

He had considered that possibility from the beginning.

But it was hard to see the meeting with the Vestol spy as a simple coincidence.

“Are you talking about the person who just entered the building?”

“Even if you say 'just now,' it's been over an hour since he went in.”

“He's under investigation. He claims he was just here on an errand, but it's hard to believe.”

He didn't seem to know that Valheit had sent him.

Considering their public cooperative relationship, it was unexpected.

Are Werner and Valheit not related to each other in this matter?

“Well, why I'm here isn't very important, is it? What's important is why Lord Werner is stirring up these poor fellows.”

“Are you asking about a matter under investigation?”

“I'm not asking you to tell me everything. I'm just curious why you're suddenly pouring all your investigative resources into the Assembly of Well-being.”

“I'm just investigating because there's something suspicious. Just as I've always done.”

Werner changed the subject.

He couldn't be sure why the Three Blades had come, so he couldn't speak carelessly.

The war of nerves they were waging came to a brief end when Werner's subordinate came to report.

“May I… report?”

“If it's related to the investigation, I'll receive the report separately later.”

Werner glanced at Victor and lowered his voice.

The subordinate, who hesitated for a moment, let out a dry cough.

“It's not related to the investigation. The chairman of the Assembly of Well-being has requested a private meeting.”

“Privately?”

“Yes, he said he wanted to treat you since you're working so hard… but of course, his intentions aren't that pure.”

Is he trying to win him over with money somehow?

Until now, they had been cooperating obediently with the investigation, so to suddenly do this was quite untrustworthy.

“May I join you.”

Victor approached Werner, who was lost in thought.

Seeing Werner staring at him with narrowed eyes, Victor shrugged.

“I have a knack for such private gatherings.”

“I was thinking of refusing the invitation itself.”

“That's not a very good idea. Judging by their reaction, it seems like a sudden proposal, which means they have an urgent reason to meet. It would be best to pretend to agree to negotiate and check out the inside story.”

“Is that the way of the Three Blades?”

“It's my way. And if I'm involved, it could give a more neutral impression.”

“Is there any benefit for me in that? I could just go alone.”

Werner answered nonchalantly, but he had an idea of what Victor would say.

“Didn't I say? I have a knack for these kinds of meetings. If we invite them instead, we can also seize the initiative.”

“You mean you'll seize the initiative.”

“Wouldn't it be better than walking into the jaws of that Vestol bastard?”

Indeed, the Three Blades were more experienced and had more connections for such shady dealings.

As a Duke, it wasn't that Werner had never engaged in such political maneuvering, but he was far removed from it.

But to rashly include the Three Blades was burdensome….

As he continued to ponder, Werner smiled faintly as if he'd thought of something.

“They are guests who have come to the Empire, so it's right for us to treat them. Tell them I'll contact them later.”

“Shall we prepare it on our end?”

“That's right. You guys are better at that sort of thing. However, if the main figures are just the two of us, won't our intentions be too obvious.”

“Are you saying we should invite some other nobles as well.”

“That's good too, but wouldn't it be nice to add a celebrity who can draw a lot of attention.”

“…Do you have someone in mind?”

“Of course.”

At Werner's immediate reply, Victor gave a stiff smile as if he realized something.

Regardless, Werner calmly mentioned the name.

“Wouldn't someone like Count Valheit be on the right level?”

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