“We’re in the middle of a kind of storm right now. However, by the grace of God, somehow we’ve recovered the gold. If Liebert is to be believed, it’s worth six hundred lumione. However, if we can bring it into Ruvinheigen and sell it to a broker, we should get close to ten times that – six thousand lumione.”
Norah seemed to quail at the huge figures, which were so big that even Lawrence had trouble wrapping his head around them.
“Six thousand is far more than we could possibly take receipt of, and even without facing that danger, we have six hundred in hand right now. However…”
“How… ever?”
“However, while it is true that it’s the Remelio Company’s fault that this plan has been more eventful than anybody would’ve liked, it is also true that without their investment, we never would have been able to buy the gold. And if we take the gold and run, they will be left ruined, bankrupt immediately. Thus–”
Holo nudged the side of Lawrence’s face with her nose and not in a playful fashion.
Lawrence understood what she was trying to do.
“Thus, I propose the following.”
“Now, hold–” Holo began, her tone displeased, but Lawrence would not yield.
“Holo. We do not live in a fairy-tale world. We cannot simply take revenge on those who have betrayed us and say, ‘The end.’ We have to live on after this. And taking revenge for betrayal only invites more revenge.”
“Well, then–”
“Are you going to tell me you’d kill the entire ruined company?”
“Um–”
“In the end, I don’t want the bread I buy tomorrow to have been paid for in blood. There are many ways to end this, but if we want to have a life tomorrow, we have to choose to do so.”
Holo’s amber eyes closed.
She looked away.
“If it weren’t for you, I’d be freezing to death by the forest right now. I’m well aware that if you hadn’t been here, all would be lost, and I thank you for hearing my plea. But–”
“Enough. Enough, I say. Ah, my travel companion is tiresome beyond words!” said Holo, hitting Lawrence’s head lightly with her chin. It hurt, but if this satisfied her selfishness, it was a small price to pay.
“Then here’s what I’ll have you do.”
“You may as well! Let me just say this – I’ll carry out whatever duties your undoubtedly tiresome plan asks of me, so you may as well ask away.”
Lawrence smiled, thankful beyond words, and took a deep breath before turning back to Norah.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s what I propose we do.”
Having listened to the strange exchange between Holo and Lawrence, Norah straightened herself and looked up.
“I’d like you to decide whether or not to bring the gold into Ruvinheigen.”
“Wha–?”
It was an obvious question. Without any further risk, she had six hundred lumione on hand. Of course, six thousand was an unimaginable gain over that, but it would mean risking her life again.
“However, if you bring it into Ruvinheigen, the huge profit will save both us and the Remelio Company.”
At this, Norah let slip a small “Oh.”
“On the other hand, if you decide to take it, then all of these fallen men here, along with their families in Ruvinheigen and the other remnants of the company, will all glimpse hell. Some of them will not be spared its wrath. But in their hearts, they will bear a grudge against three demons – that is to say, me, Holo, and you, Norah.”
Even for someone who lived by travel, being the object of such animosity from so many people could make life far more dangerous. Business consisted of exchanges between people. The location of Lawrence, Holo, and Norah would eventually be found and swords put to their throats.
There was another important point to make.
“Of course, if we flee to some foreign land with a foreign tongue, we can live as though nothing happened. But even living without the fear of revenge, suppose you came across a slave with a familiar face being whipped like a workhorse? Would you be able to sleep that night?”
Lawrence paused, allowing the words to sink in.
“However, I will have the Remelio Company make amends.”
Holo grinned unpleasantly.
“We’re headed there next. For your part, Norah, please make your decision by tomorrow morning. If you decide to bring the gold into Ruvinheigen, we’ll meet at the same plaza where we first discussed this. I’ll go into the city first, secure a trustworthy butcher, and wait by the eastern gate for one day. If you decide not to bring it in… Hm. Let us meet in Poroson.”
This plan did, of course, leave room for another betrayal.
Norah could take all of the gold herself and set off for some other town.
For all of them to live on without regret, though, it would be best if she brought the gold into Ruvinheigen so the Remelio Company could be saved and the money divided equitably.
Lawrence had to consider what to do if Norah were caught at the checkpoint, though. Without exception, gold smugglers were executed in the plaza, so he would just have Holo rescue her if need be. Holo had promised to do as he asked, after all, no matter how tiresome the task.
Lawrence wasn’t particularly trying to give Norah time to think, but in any case, while waiting for her reply, he went among the unconscious Remelio men and tied them up. He had no rope, so he used the sleeves of their coats. Even if the men cooperated to undo the knots, none of them seemed in any condition to do anything strenuous.
“Well then, Norah. We’ll meet again,” said Lawrence once he finished binding the men and had Holo knock out the few who were regaining consciousness.
He didn’t say that to try and persuade her of anything in particular.
It was merely to ascertain her trust and bring about a favorable outcome for all.
The moon shone vaguely through the thick clouds.
“M-Mr. Lawrence!”
He stopped as she called his name.
“We-we’ll meet again!”
He looked over his shoulder to see her holding her staff.
“We will,” he said. “And we’ll be rich.”
Norah smiled and nodded.
Enek barked and began to round up the sheep.
“Well, now.”
After they walked for a while, Lawrence starting thinking about riding on Holo’s back, but she had apparently already anticipated that and spoke up just in time to cut him off.
“What?” he said, just slightly irritated. He was sure she had chosen that exact moment on purpose.
“Might I hear the truth now?”
Holo looked at him evenly with her large eyes. Lies would not avail him – he had told Liebert the same thing.
Lawrence was aware of the pained grimace that distorted his face.
“Let me keep up the pretense a bit longer.”
“Heh-heh. No.”
Looking at her happily wagging tail, Lawrence knew she would keep asking until he relented.
He quickly gave up the deception.
“That’s not enough gold.”
“Oh ho.”
“There is no way that’s six hundred lumione. It’s a hundred, at best.”
“Your share would be used up just paying your debt. If she doesn’t smuggle it in, there’ll be no profit at all.”
The tip of her big tail brushed against the back of his neck. He slapped it away; she growled playfully.
“The Remelio Company must be up against the wall. They must have scraped together a hundred lumione hoping just to get by on that. Of course, they knew from the start they’d have to pay us enough to keep our mouths shut, but that’s precisely why they got on board the plan with us in the first place.”
And yet Lawrence’s position was such that he had no choice but to trust and rely on that same company.
“Hmph. Still, that was certainly a skillful excuse you gave her. You’re like unto a saint.”
“It was mostly sincere.”
“…”
Holo chuckled through her nose, then stopped, and crouched down.
“Get on.”
“What, no more interrogation?”
“I tire of your foolishness.”
Narrowing her amber eyes, she nudged him with her muzzle. It was but a light touch, yet Lawrence nearly stumbled and fell, though his fear at Holo’s wolf form was by now entirely gone.
“Still, we’re not just saving the Remelio Company out of charity.”
“Oh?”
Lawrence grabbed on to Holo’s fur and brought his legs up.
“No. We’re doing it to make more money for ourselves.”
He swung his legs quickly over her back.
“More money, eh? I cannot say I follow you.”
“Merchants can convert all sorts of things into money. I have to be of some occasional use.”
At first, he thought she was teasing him, but Holo’s laugh was genuine.
“I look forward to observing your skill, sir!”
Holo got to her feet and began to walk, soon breaking into a run.
The golden moon was occasionally visible in the dark sky.
Perhaps owing to the rain that had fallen since noon, the Ruvinheigen night was exceptionally quiet.
“… Th-there must be some kind of problem. Right? Like when you’ve forgotten to put salt in the soup.”
Lawrence knew only too well that merchants were people who, no matter the circumstance, lived by telling lies.
However, trust was important, even among liars – merchants were strange creatures indeed.
Lawrence pondered this.
“I-I don’t know what Liebert said. I’m sure it sounded like heaven’s own truth, as if he were confessing before an altar. But it was a lie! He lies about everything! I’ve been thinking about firing him – I swear!”
The man’s voice was hoarse and difficult to hear through the emotion, but this was no delicate business negotiation. As long as Lawrence could understand the gist, it was good enough.
“Mr. Remelio.”
“Y-y-yaaagh!”
Remelio gave a short cry because his head was firmly clamped between Holo’s jaws, and he felt her increase the pressure just a bit.
Lawrence and Holo were fortunate that he had been alone in the office, waiting for his employees to return.
Just a moment ago, Holo had jumped over the city walls with unbelievable ease. Lawrence had planned to reenter the city with Holo in human form and simply claim they had been way laid by bandits, but Holo, who could sense any presence on the other side of the wall, said simply, “It’s safe,” and cleared it with a single leap. It had been so easy that Lawrence wondered if they could have avoided all this trouble in the first place and smuggled the gold in themselves.
They entered the city unseen and, once Holo had temporarily returned to her human form, stole quietly to the Remelio Company.
Remelio had been expecting the return of his men, so when he saw Holo and Lawrence, he made quite a face.
He was now tied up and on the floor, head trapped between Holo’s terrifying teeth, looking as though he might die from terror.
It seemed imprudent to let Remelio see Holo’s wolf form, but he and Lawrence both shared the secret of the gold smuggling. If Remelio wanted to go to the Church with the revelation, let him – there was a mountain of circumstantial evidence.
No merchant would speak of his opponent’s weakness when his opponent could easily do the same to him.
Also, letting Holo terrify Remelio would make her feel better, and the overwhelming terror would discourage the master from trying to exact revenge on them later.
Unsurprisingly, the results had been immense.
“The jaws that now hold your head between their teeth are the jaws of truth, my friend. If you lie, they will know. Also, this wolf is hungry from being made to run all night, I hear. If you lie, your head may just be devoured.”
Holo’s fangs squeezed just slightly harder against Remelio’s temple.
He couldn’t even scream anymore.
“All right, Mr. Remelio. Know that I have not returned to take revenge for your betrayal. I’ve come to talk business.”
A bit of light returned to Remelio’s eyes at the word business, perhaps realizing that business was about making deals, and if a deal could be made there was the possibility that he would not die here.
“Our negotiations begin now. Feel free to lie in your interest as much as you wish. However, the wolf here is far more discerning than I, and can see the hidden meaning behind your every word. If you do anything clumsy, you may wind up a head shorter. Are we clear?”
With his head stuck in Holo’s jaws, Remelio couldn’t very well nod, but he tried to, and that was good enough.
“Then let’s begin,” said Lawrence frankly. “In the event that we succeed in the gold smuggling, might I ask you to purchase it from us at five hundred lumione?”
Remelio’s eyes were literally dots.
“We are still accomplices to smuggling. Surely you didn’t think we’d come back to take revenge on you after making off with the gold?”
The salt-and-pepper-haired Remelio nodded like a chastened child, at which Lawrence grinned bitterly. “Well, I won’t say there’s no chance of that, but no, I don’t think so. But if we don’t talk about what to do when we succeed – well, we might wind up disagreeing, mightn’t we?”
Holo chuckled deep in her throat, causing Remelio’s head to quiver along with her mouth; his face tensed in a nervous grin.
“So, I’ll say it again. Might I ask you to purchase the gold from us at five hundred lumione?”
Remelio’s face was distorted with despair – he knew how much the gold bought in Lamtra was really worth.
“I can’t possibly do–”
“Of course, I don’t expect it all in cash up front. Let’s see. Perhaps you could write me an IOU?”
In that moment, the master of the Remelio Company showed the intelligence that had gotten him his position.
He made a pained expression when he understood what Lawrence was saying and begged for mercy. “F-five hundred, that’s simply–”
“Too much? Well, hmm. In that case, I’ll just take whatever you’ve hidden away here and sell the gold to someone else.” Lawrence exchanged a look with Holo, then added, “Also, I’ll let that demon there have your life.”
Holo hated being called a god, but she apparently didn’t mind being called a demon.
Her tail swished through the air, and she panted dramatically.
All expression drained rapidly from Remelio’s face.
If Lawrence’s guess was right, it meant Remelio would now do whatever they asked.
“You see, Mr. Remelio, I don’t think it’s fair to lose everything because of a single failure. We can’t perfectly predict every price drop, can we? So I want to give you another chance. But I want you to be grateful for it, and I want that to take the form of five hundred lumione. You’ve built a wonderful company with a magnificent loading dock in a city like this. If you think in terms of decades, surely five hundred is a bargain.”
Remelio’s eyes opened wide, and after a moment, he began to cry.
If he could rebuild his business, paying five hundred lumione back over the course of ten years was far from an unreasonable proposition. A traveling merchant was no match for a trading company in that regard.
Perhaps those tears were from the prospect of managing a revived company.
“So you’ll write the note, then? Holo–”
Upon hearing her name, Holo sighed and reluctantly released Remelio, nudging his head with the tip of her nose.
Lawrence untied the rope that bound Remelio and continued. “The terms will be yearly installments over ten years. The first will be ten lumione. The last will be one hundred. You understand, yes?”
It meant that the debt would increase every year. Added all up it came to 550
lumione, but that was still an excellent interest rate.
If Remelio could get his company running successfully again, it would not be a difficult amount to manage.
“You can write it out at that desk.”
Remelio nodded and accepted Lawrence’s hand to get to his feet. His feet were still tied, so he tottered over to the desk and sat.
“S-so, should this be payable to…” began Remelio, turning around.
Lawrence smiled and answered, “The Rowen Trade Guild.”
Remelio grinned almost sadly, realizing he would never be able to run from this debt.
If Lawrence held the loan personally, then as the years passed and Remelio gained strength, he could get revenge or default on the repayment. Also, Lawrence dreaded the thought of having to return every year to the people who had wronged him in order to demand his money.
And more important still was the Remelio Company’s current utter lack of assets. No matter how many IOUs he might hold, Lawrence would see none of this money for a year. Even if the debt he had originally owed the company was now gone, the profits from the gold smuggling might be used up compensating Norah and paying obligations for the Remelio Company’s recovery. In the worst case, Norah might not even get her consideration.
But all those problems were solved by having the trade guild to which Lawrence was attached hold the loan. By selling the IOU to the Rowen Trade Guild relatively cheaply, he could cut his ties with the Remelio Company and convert ten years of repayment into immediate cash.
Also, defaulting on a loan held by a trade guild was like declaring war on another city. The Remelio Company would never dare to default.
“You’re a formidable man.”
“Not as formidable as the wolf,” Lawrence answered smoothly.
The wolf found the joke funnier than anyone.
“Now, all we need to do is pray the smuggling succeeds.”
Epilogue
Afterward, things were busy.
First, Lawrence and Holo had to borrow changes of clothes from the Remelio Company while the dirt and blood were washed from their own clothes. While those clothes dried, Lawrence took the IOU to the Rowen Trade Guild, leaving Holo (who said she was hungry) at a late-night tavern. Apparently, it was Lawrence’s job to take care of the details.
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