“Tell the Countess that I’m sorry. From now on, I won’t lay a hand on her. Or you, for that matter.”
Whether it was an apology or a farewell, Cliff left those words behind as he was dragged away by the authorities.
Erne was about to retort that he wouldn’t even be capable of harming anyone, but instead, he just lazily waved his hand, as if uninterested.
“Did your conversation end well?”
As Cliff was taken away, Marquess Mosley entered the room. Erne’s mind was still in chaos.
His corpse had ended up in the hands of the followers.
According to Cliff’s speculation, they had likely experimented on his body.
“Marquess, you said Roam escaped right before his execution, right?”
“That’s correct.”
“Cliff or his butler might have helped him escape. Since they’re followers, after all.”
“I will investigate thoroughly.”
However, unfortunately, the Marquess’ plans fell apart from the very beginning.
Two of the followers took their own lives on the way, and another died due to a binding curse.
Meanwhile, the butler, despite severe interrogation, refused to speak.
The only thing he said was.
“Our Lord will return soon.”
After leaving those words behind, the butler bit off his own tongue.
‘My corpse was taken by the followers.’
There were indications that some kind of experiment had been conducted. However, the exact nature of the experiment remained unknown.
Why had they abandoned the body deep in the forest?
***
“Maybe they thought the experiment had failed and just discarded you? Sir Henry mentioned it, didn’t he? The forest where your body was found is so deep that only herbalists would venture there.”
After hearing Erne’s story, Judith speculated that the followers had experimented on him and then abandoned him.
It was a reasonable theory. But the truth was something only the followers knew.
Marquess Mosley promised Erne that he would share any information he found. Though it wasn’t entirely reassuring, Erne had no choice but to rely on him.
No matter how skilled Erne was, it was impossible for him alone to track down followers who were deeply hidden across the vast empire without the help of allies.
And above all—
“I-I don’t have money to pay the interest.”
“What happened to the money you got from Cliff?”
“I used it to pay last month’s interest and for our living expenses. Now there’s nothing left.”
A financial crisis had struck.
***
Every month, Smith collected 20 gold coins just for the interest. That was the amount Judith would have to make over a thousand candles to earn.
Fortunately—though she wasn’t sure if she should call it fortunate—thanks to the Geumjamgo, the interest was not an issue.
Judith’s customers often paid her extra, and suppliers frequently gave her discounts.
But now that all those lucky breaks had disappeared and a competitor had emerged, Judith was in serious trouble.
“…At this rate, I might really have to adopt Mr. Smith.”
At Judith’s sigh-filled muttering, Erne furrowed his brow.
“Isn’t that loan shark older than me?”
Erne cringed as if disgusted.
“I’ll scrape together all the gold coins I have and take them to him. Maybe I can plead my case.”
“You really think he’ll listen? I heard he’s ruthless.”
“But we’ve known each other for a while—maybe just this once?”
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Hmm… if I hold a knife to his throat, maybe he’ll reconsider?”
“And who’s going to be the one holding the knife?”
Judith stared directly at Erne.
Who else but you? Her eyes practically screamed it with a hint of madness.
Normally, Erne would have joked about not being the kind of person to threaten people with a knife.
But this time, he was serious.
At this rate, he and Judith really might end up sitting together, sucking on their fingers for sustenance.
“I’ll beg first. If Smith still insists on selling me off, then I’ll think of another plan.”
“How many men does he have?”
“At a glance, around twenty?”
Twenty at a glance? That meant there were likely even more. And they were all armed.
But not all of them were properly trained with swords, so if things went south, Erne thought he might be able to grab Judith and escape.
At least, that was what he thought—until they arrived at Smith’s office.
***
“…About twenty, you said? How is this in any way twenty, Miss Harrington?”
“They weren’t this many last time…”
Judith averted her gaze.
There were four guards just at the entrance. The hallway leading to Smith’s office was lined with thugs, rough-looking men who appeared as if they’d break a bone or two without hesitation.
And among them, Smith himself had the worst look of all.
“Welcome, Countess of Rainland.”
Smith greeted Judith with a wide grin. Even at a gallop, he looked every bit the loan shark.
His sparse, greasy mustache gave him the air of a strict and ruthless man—someone who would chase a debtor all the way to hell just to get his money.
“And the one behind you—your servant?”
Erne’s brow twitched. His eyes narrowed. This guy’s observation skills are terrible. Even with his face covered, how do he look like a servant?
“Or perhaps… your lover?”
Smith narrowed his eyes in an odd, unsettling manner and spoke in a hushed tone.
Disgusting. Erne’s brow furrowed so tightly that his eyebrows nearly met. However, Judith didn’t seem the least bit disturbed—she even smiled.
Her tolerance for this kind of thing is impressive.
While Erne was thinking that, Judith put on the most pitiful expression she could muster and spoke in a humble, pleading voice.
“Here’s this month’s interest payment. Um… Mr. Smith, I have a small favor to ask…”
“No.”
Before Judith could even finish her sentence, Smith cut her off with a firm rejection.
“But—”
“No means no, madam. You know what happens when you squeeze even a dry rag? Water still comes out.”
Smith shook his head vigorously and mimicked the motion of wringing out a cloth.
“I’m not asking to postpone the entire interest payment. Could we just delay half of next month’s interest until the month after that?”
“That’s simply not how things work.”
Smith was unwavering.
“Business isn’t going well for you, I take it?”
Judith hung her head, looking dejected. Seeing that, Smith tapped his fingers on the table before speaking again.
“Well then, would you like to learn how to squeeze water from a dry rag?”
“Are you offering me a job?”
Smith gestured towards Erne with his chubby chin.
“Your servant looks quite strong, madam. With some effort, he could find plenty of work.”
His oily eyes swept over Erne from head to toe.
“Hey, Mr. Smith, you should take better care of your eyes. If you lose them, wouldn’t it be a shame not to see all that money you love so much?”
Erne, clearly irritated, shot back sarcastically. But the response came from an unexpected source.
“Oh, it would be a shame indeed.”
“…..…”
Wait… Why is Judith answering for him?
Erne was at a loss for words as he glanced at the gold ring on Smith’s finger with something almost like envy. Meanwhile, Judith simply nodded along.
“A servant or a lover—either way, he’s got quite a personality.”
Smith said, smirking.
Instead of getting offended by Erne’s sarcasm, Smith seemed oddly pleased. Is this guy some kind of pervert?
“Judging by his hands, he knows how to fight. And he’s got quite the fiery temperament.”
Oh, sure, just go ahead and evaluate me like I’m a horse at an auction.*
Erne was so stunned by the absurdity of a loan shark sizing him up that he didn’t even feel angry anymore.
“I’ve got the perfect job for someone like him, madam. Ever heard of the arena?”
“The arena? You mean the place where people fight for money?”
“That’s the one. A friend of mine runs an arena, and lately, he’s been complaining about the lack of fresh faces. Would you like me to write a recommendation for you, madam?”
Judith’s eyes widened when she heard that just participating in the arena would earn them 50 silver coins.
“Why are you even asking, Mr. Smith? Write it up immediately.”
…Could you at least ask for my opinion first?
You’re not the one who has to fight!
Erne was so dumbfounded that he was at a loss for words.
With a bright smile, Judith took the recommendation letter from Smith and quickly grabbed Erne’s arm, dragging him out of the office before he could protest.
“The arena is illegal.”
Erne’s face was filled with dissatisfaction as he was pulled along.
“You can’t live your whole life only doing legal things.”
Actually, that’s exactly how you’re supposed to live.
“I thought you were the kind of person who could live without laws.”
“Ah, well, my principles are quite flexible.”
Sure, let’s just say everything about you is flexible.
Erne turned his head away in irritation, but Judith clung to his arm and shook it playfully.
“Sir Erne, you’re a great fighter.”
The structure of making money in the arena was simple.
Two fighters entered the ring, and the audience placed bets on the one they thought would win. When the match was decided, the winnings all went to the victor.
Even though the odds seemed like a 50-50 chance, it wasn’t easy to pick the right fighter.
But what if you knew someone who was exceptionally skilled in combat?
What if you could bet on a fighter who could take down a handful of assassins with ease?
“You think the small-time fighters in the arena would stand a chance against you, Sir Erne? No way!”
Judith flashed a thumbs-up and showered him with compliments, as if there wasn’t anyone else in the world as talented as him.
she’s such a 😭😭😭😭