Chapter 415
Chapter 415. The Corrupt Trading Company
Ark Deacon Trading Company… I must have heard about it not from my previous life but from this current one. I barely remember anything from my past life anymore.
“Ant, don’t you remember?”
“Hehe! Of course not!”
I knew it, but don’t act all smug.
—Then, until the soldier arrived, the woman slowly began to explain the situation.
Her name is Ohanna. It seems her father is a merchant.
She mentioned the Tamikusa Trading Company, which deals in furniture and wood. Apparently, they’ve been seeing a rise in sales due to a skilled craftsman creating innovative furniture designs.
However, it seems someone didn’t like their success, and harassment from thugs began to occur frequently.
“During the night, they ransacked the shop and broke the products. Unsavory people would loiter in front of the store, scaring away customers…”
Of course, they appealed to the soldiers, but it seemed the guards were either bribed or lacked motivation, as they were utterly useless.
Customer traffic dwindled, and just when their business was already struggling, their transport ship filled with newly sourced products went missing.
…That could’ve been sunk by a vampire…
And just as their financial troubles were worsening—an unexpected hand of salvation reached out.
“That’s when the Ark Deacon Trading Company stepped in. They said, ‘We’re all in this together during tough times’ and offered us an unbelievably low-interest loan…”
It sounded too convenient, and I suspected it might be a scam, but after carefully checking the contract, her father decided to accept their offer. They received the loan as promised, and it seemed like the store was on the mend—
However, shortly thereafter, a monstrous collection of debts began. They were demanded to pay interest at ridiculously high rates that made no sense.
“When my father brought out the contract and said it was different from what they agreed on, they insisted that was how it was from the very beginning and even provided a forged contract that perfectly mimicked my father’s handwriting…!”
Ohanna said through gritted teeth, filled with frustration.
Naturally, they tried appealing to the magistrate, but it seemed he was in cahoots with them too, only supporting the Ark Deacon Trading Company. In fact, they insisted that the contract from the Tamikusa Trading Company was the fake one and pressured them to repay immediately.
The Ark Deacon Trading Company threatened to seize their shop and home if they couldn’t pay up! How ridiculous is that?! Her father, along with the employees, barricaded themselves in the shop, determined to stand their ground.
With the situation as it was, Ohanna, feeling a sense of danger about her surroundings, had been holed up at home—
“Did they time it so the servants were out? Suddenly, these guys burst into our house… that’s how it went…!”
Ohanna teared up. It looked like they were saying something like, “If you can’t pay up, we’ll just take your body,” and almost kidnapped her.
Ugh, they’re absolutely irredeemable scoundrels…!
“I will not forgive this! What a corrupt trading company! And to think the magistrate is involved too…!”
After hearing the story, Milt’s Old Man switched from his normally genial demeanor to furious anger as if it was his own issue.
Before long, the soldiers arrived and took the thugs away—though they had an attitude like, “You again?” and “Better keep it down,” clearly not very motivated.
“I’m sure they’ll be released quickly…”
Ohanna forced a weary smile.
“Capturing a bunch like that wouldn’t be enough to fill all the jails…”
A heavy sigh escaped her.
Sebaai—though it seems like a lively town, the lives of the common folk are…
“What is the soldier force doing?! What a disgrace!!”
Milt’s Old Man was furious again, veins bulging on his forehead, making me worry he might collapse from rage…
“Miss!”
However, he quickly regained his composure and turned to Ohanna with a serious expression.
“It might be an unnecessary offer, but… how about we lend a hand!”
He declared firmly, patting Ohanna on the shoulder.
Seriously? I couldn’t help but do a double-take at his face. Ohanna was also staring at him with that look of, “Is this for real?”
Sure, Ohanna’s situation is pitiful (if her story is all true), and if I could do something to help, I would like to…
But something’s bothering me.
My memory isn’t clear, but the Ark Deacon Trading Company. Let’s say it’s related to the Night Elves. If I just charge in, I could wipe out the trading company, and all the debt problems and issues could be swept under the rug.
But if it’s truly a puppet company of the Night Elves, there’s no way they’d resort to underhanded tricks like this…
Rather, to blend into the local scene, they’d realistically offer low-interest loans with reasonable repayment grace periods. Sure, they could orchestrate harassment while also providing aid—hard to believe, but possible.
Yet, they seem to be making moves that could easily lead to public outcry.
“…But…”
Ohanna was clearly troubled. Even if they said they’d lend a hand, what could they actually do?
Well, if the corrupt trading company isn’t the only issue but also the magistrate being in on it, and the soldier force being useless, then this old rich guy is a bit out of his depth. Surely he isn’t just going to take on their debts…?
“I appreciate your feelings very much, but… the deadline for the repayment they threatened is approaching. I’m afraid it might be too late…”
“When is it?”
“Day after tomorrow…”
That’s fast… I gazed into the distance.
The old man momentarily went serious, thinking, “Time is not on our side…” but quickly broke into a cheerful smile.
“…Let’s do everything we can. Gizelle.”
“Yes!”
The skilled woman, who didn’t seem like a novice, stepped forward beside the old man.
“Can you investigate the Ark Deacon Trading Company?”
“As you wish…”
She bowed respectfully and then slipped away into the night, merging with the darkness.
Hey! She’s definitely not a regular citizen!!
What is this old man?! If he’s a merchant, he’s likely done some real shady stuff! If not, then he might be a spy from another country! I don’t get why a spy would bother to meddle like this!!
But that woman—could she really be planning to infiltrate the Ark Deacon Trading Company? If Night Elves are hiding there, it’d be dangerous to get caught off guard. They really should—
“No, it’s better to let her go.”
…Does Ant have some plan?
“If she encounters the Night Elves and gets killed, it’ll be rather convenient—just summon her soul instead. She could be a valuable clue.”
…….
While I was woken up from my stupor, the woman’s presence completely vanished.
…There’s no helping what’s already gone.
“Did that woman go by the name ‘Gizelle’?”
“Yes. She’s a rather reliable subordinate.”
The old man nodded gravely. Subordinate, huh…? Wait, did someone just grab my elbow?
“Mmm…”
Ah! Leila is puffing out her cheeks!
No! No! It’s not that! I’m not distracted by her beauty!
In a panic, I grabbed Leila’s neck (the part of her【Kizuna】choker) and swiftly conveyed the possibility of summoning through necromancy and my reason for confirming her name.
Even if it’s a false name, we’ve exchanged glances and built a thin connection, so with my serious magical power, summoning should be possible…
Realizing the misunderstanding, Leila relaxed but then got embarrassed, looking down with a reddened face.
“…”
Meanwhile, the old man’s group was watching us with what seemed to be a strange expression.
What’s going on with that?
“If you suddenly grab the nape of your jealous partner’s neck and turn her red, it’s understandable that they’d look like that…”
Tch… not true!
It’s not like that! Seriously, it’s not like that…!
“Hmm, the Ark Deacon Trading Company,”
I cleared my throat and opened my mouth.
“I can’t just listen to the situation this far and say goodbye. There may still be dirt I can dig up, so I’m thinking about what I can do as a hero…”
The old man nodded, looking impressed.
“U-uh… yes… thank you. Everyone… truly…!”
Ohanna burst into tears. It’s hard to believe that they hadn’t sought help from the surrounding area before. Did no one extend a helping hand, or were they simply unable to? Either way, they must have been isolated and without assistance.
Giving hope could be crueler if it fails…
Having committed to help, I should do what I can.
…Time to summon Vilossa again.
