Chapter 32: A Method to Make Massive Profits Through Destruction

olena, the woman who always greeted everyone with an effortless smile, as though she never had a worry in the world. At a glance, she appeared completely carefree, making it easy to converse with her without any burden. Precisely because of her unassuming nature, she came across as utterly trustworthy in a sense.

Introduced to such an innocent person by Polena herself, Lipton began to harbor keen curiosity.

‘The Inquisitor from another region that Polena mentioned… And one who has apparently earned a considerable fortune? If it’s someone like that, perhaps they could help resolve my current dilemma.’

With such thoughts, Lipton arrived at the indicated room, where he was met with the sight of a woman dressed as a Holy Knight and a man in traveler’s garb, seemingly her escort.

“Pardon the intrusion, Dame Cazeros.”

“Yes, what is it, Polena?”

The woman named Cazeros regarded them with a puzzled expression. From the Holy Knight’s insignia on her chest, Lipton could clearly discern that she was an active-duty Holy Knight without doubt.

Moreover, as Inquisitors were often appointed from among the combat-capable Holy Knights, Lipton readily accepted that this Cazeros was someone who performed or had performed the same duties as himself.

“With the increasing number of heretics, our workload has truly grown immense. While it has provided ample opportunities to earn, there are often times when we feel fatigued.”

“I understand. Even here in Munhel, the work can pile up and leave me feeling drained at times. Yet, our income keeps dwindling, which is concerning.”

“Indeed… As time passes, the citizens we mobilize become increasingly unruly, resulting in greater losses of goods and property.”

“Precisely.”

After exchanging brief greetings with Cazeros, Lipton found himself able to open up more than he had anticipated, as their conversation flowed smoothly.

Cazeros seemed to grasp the nature of his concerns accurately. Moreover, the strong sense of camaraderie stemming from their shared role as Inquisitors allowed Lipton to candidly express his innermost feelings at that moment.

“In that regard… might you, Dame Cazeros, happen to possess any special methods? I’ve heard that you’ve amassed quite a fortune while serving as an Inquisitor…”

“Ahaha… You flatter me. I wouldn’t say I’ve earned that much…”

As she spoke, Cazeros glanced subtly towards a large sack nearby.

It was then that Lipton noticed the glimmer of gold coins peeking through the sack’s opening, and the man who appeared to be Cazeros’s escort carefully revealed the sack’s contents before him.

“…Gulp…”

What lay before his eyes was an astonishing sum amounting to at least several thousand talents.

Lipton began to realize that this Holy Knight must possess some extraordinary method unknown to him. With an earnest tone, he spoke.

“If… If it’s alright, might you share the method you’ve employed with me, Dame Cazeros? As a fellow practitioner of the same duties, I would greatly appreciate learning from you, if possible.”

“Haha… There’s no need to speak of teaching. It’s simply that I’m a bit more skilled than others, so instead of relying solely on plundered goods for income, I employ other methods, which have allowed me to accumulate this much wealth.”

“Then… could you share that method with me?”

Half-entranced by the immense pile of gold before him, Lipton’s gaze prompted Cazeros to pause briefly before regarding him with a grave and cautious expression, in contrast to her earlier demeanor.

“…While the method itself is certainly feasible here, I must first inform you that it requires accepting considerable risks. If mishandled, grave misfortunes could befall you… Additionally, you would need people capable of operating covertly. Even so… would you still wish to proceed?”

“…Is there any endeavor involving profit that is truly risk-free? If anything, even in our roles of identifying heretics, we constantly tread a perilous line.”

“…That is true…”

Cazeros’s expression hardened slightly at his words, but Lipton assumed it was merely due to the inherent risks implied by her statements, fueling his eagerness further.

“Please… tell me, Dame Cazeros. What exactly is this method?”

“Haah… Very well. But first, promise me two things.”

“And… what would those be?”

Lipton inquired with a trembling voice, to which Cazeros responded firmly.

“I will reveal the method and provide assistance. However, first, you must strictly adhere to our guidance during the initial stages of implementation. Second, we must bear no responsibility whatsoever in relation to this matter – no traces or information must remain.”

The conditions she described as ‘requirements’ were far from ordinary, making Lipton realize that this endeavor entailed significant risks but also the potential for substantial profits.

And this only served to stoke his curiosity and desire even more intensely.

“I understand the implications. I will certainly uphold those promises.”

“…Very well. Then allow me to explain. Lipton, are you familiar with the Land Registry Office?”

“Yes, of course…”

“This method involves utilizing the Land Registry Office.”

As Cazeros cautiously revealed the ‘method’ she had employed, Lipton’s expression filled with astonishment, excitement, and anticipation.

As Cazeros had warned, it was an extraordinarily perilous method.

However… simultaneously, it was undoubtedly an opportunity for Lipton to earn immense wealth, far surpassing his previous earnings.

‘Regardless, as long as the perpetrators remain silent, there won’t be any issues. Given the ingenious nature of the method, there’s no risk of it being traced back without clear evidence.’

The risks were indeed substantial, but the potential gains far outweighed those dangers.

Thus, Lipton, already gripped by an intensifying thirst for wealth due to his dwindling income, willingly decided to employ this method…

And as he made that decision, a deep smile formed on Cazeros’s lips.

Oigen, a merchant operating a thriving shop in Munhel, was a devout churchgoer living each day faithfully.

Although the city had grown increasingly turbulent due to the heretic persecutions, Oigen took pride in his unwavering faith, viewing these events as merely a legitimate process of law enforcement.

One day, a man arrived bearing documents stamped with the bishop’s seal and offering money. Claiming to be acting on the bishop’s orders, he requested the formal lease of Oigen’s shop premises for just two weeks, offering payment as a commission.

Citing an important Church event, the man insisted on formally contracting the lease and borrowing the property documents as proof of ownership, rejecting Oigen’s suggestion to proceed informally.

In ordinary circumstances, Oigen might have refused due to the troublesome process.

However, being a devout believer himself, coupled with the increasingly volatile atmosphere and the man’s contractual assurance to return the documents after the period while compensating any violations, Oigen reluctantly agreed, recognizing the folly of defying the Church’s wishes.

Two days later, the Inquisitor, accompanied by mobs and followers, raided Oigen, accusing him of heresy.

Fortunately, Oigen and his family were away at the time, narrowly avoiding harm. However, the shop he had leased to the Church was left in ruins by the sudden attack under the guise of rooting out a supposed heretic.

Afterward, the Church declared Oigen innocent, citing a minor misunderstanding regarding the heresy accusation, but remained silent about compensating his damaged property.

They merely returned the now-worthless building documents upon the contract’s expiration.

While Oigen wished to protest, the increasingly ominous atmosphere surrounding heresy left him unable to voice any objections, forcing him to swallow his grievances silently.

Meanwhile, having successfully concluded the operation, Inquisitor Lipton wore a profound smile as he gazed upon the immense wealth – incomparable to his previous earnings.