Chapter 5

Episode 5

“Well, that door was more fragile than I thought. It just fell apart. …Hm? What’s this? We have company?”

A muscular man stepped inside.

In this world, one of the quickest ways to assess someone’s wealth and strength was to observe their equipment.

This rugged-looking individual sported a longsword, a backup dagger, and even a rather expensive-looking leather cuirass.

It was the quintessential getup of an enforcer.

I retrieved the Lucius Inspection Unit emblem and presented it to him.

“O’Brien of the Lucius Inspection Unit. This is my lieutenant, Selendis.”

Selendis’ hand hovered near the hilt of her sword. One wrong move from this newcomer, and she would draw steel.

“Inspector? Ah, you must be with the newly established Lucius Inspection Unit. A pleasure. I am Satyr, acting on behalf of Baron Roman.”

Baron Roman, the head of House Gerard. It seemed he had arrived right on schedule.

Satyr’s gaze lingered on Selendis.

He could sense the sharp thorns hidden beneath her beauty, the danger she represented.

“A knight as a lieutenant? You must hold quite the position, Inspector. I expected a gaggle of soldiers, not someone of her caliber. But why are you here? These lowly wretches aren’t worthy of your attention.”

“We’re on official business. Wait until we’re finished.”

“Ah, that’s rather inconvenient. We’ve traveled a great distance. Baron Gerard’s lands are a full day’s ride from here. We don’t have time to waste.”

His condescending tone irked me, but I kept my composure. Only amateurs rose to such petty provocations.

“Interesting.”

“What’s so interesting?”

I addressed Alentz instead of Satyr.

“Why borrow money from someone so far away? There are plenty of lenders closer to home.”

“Well, you see…”

He seemed to struggle for words. It was clear he wouldn’t answer freely in front of Satyr.

Experience told me there was usually a ‘hook’.

An enticing offer, perhaps a low interest rate, designed to lure in unsuspecting borrowers. And in exchange, a nasty clause hidden within the contract.

What kind of nasty clause would a villain in a world of swords and sorcery include?

‘Illegal seizure of assets. Or perhaps…human trafficking.’

I leaned towards the latter.

Would Satyr have bothered bringing his men all this way if Alentz didn’t have something valuable? Something more than just material possessions?

‘Unlikely.’

Human trafficking was a reality in this world. Age and gender played a significant role in determining a person’s worth.

Most kingdoms officially outlawed the practice, but with slavery still in effect, it continued to thrive in the shadows.

A commotion erupted outside. The sound of rummaging and shuffling.

“Boss! There’s nothing here! This place is bare!”

“Watch your tongue! We have an Inspector present.”

“An Inspector, sir?”

A pockmarked man poked his head inside. He seemed startled to see me, then quickly gestured for his men to cease their activities.

“My apologies, Inspector. Please forgive the intrusion.”

“What’s your name?”

“Jackson, sir.”

He clasped his hands together and bowed his head obsequiously. I had met countless men like him, both in this life and the last.

Bullies who preyed on the weak and cowered before strength.

Satyr produced a crumpled document and tossed it onto the table.

“See for yourself, Inspector. I’m simply collecting on a debt, following proper legal procedures. Even you can’t interfere with the law.”

“If breaking down doors and terrorizing citizens is the law of the land, then I want no part in it.”

“…”

Satyr’s lips twitched. He wasn’t amused, but he had taken the bait.

“Before we proceed with the collection, I have a few questions. You claim to be acting on behalf of Baron Roman. Is this how he conducts his business?”

“Of course not. This is my own personal venture. Baron Roman is a benevolent soul who cares deeply for his people.”

A murky darkness flickered in Satyr’s eyes.

‘Mind’s Eye’ confirmed his words were a lie.

It was as I expected, but I needed to be certain.

“If you’re so confident, I’d like to see the contract.”

“See the contract? Ha! You can’t. This is a matter for House Gerard, not for the likes of you.”

“Is House Gerard above the law of the Kalisto Dukedom?”

“What…?”

I stood up and walked towards Satyr.

He flinched, taking a step back.

At that moment, I sensed multiple presences, hidden from view but not from my senses. Hostile intent.

“The Lucius Inspection Unit operates with the full authority of Duke Kalisto himself. It seems you haven’t grasped the extent of our jurisdiction.”

“…”

“The Baron seems to have quite the lending operation. Sending five thugs to collect on a single debt.”

Satyr’s eyes widened at the specific number.

Excluding the one-armed Jackson, there were indeed five men present.

It was one of the perks of my enhanced senses. I could detect the presence of others nearby. It wasn’t perfect, but it had never steered me wrong.

Satyr’s face hardened.

This was no longer a child’s game.

*Clang!*

Selendis drew her sword and positioned herself in front of the doorway, her blade singing a song of warning.

One step closer, and she would unleash her fury.

“Let’s not do anything rash. Lady Selendis has a reputation for being…thorough.”

“…”

Satyr finally relented, handing over the document.

I scanned the contract.

“Twelve percent interest. Quite generous, actually. I can see why someone would borrow from so far away for such a low rate.”

But there it was, the trap.

In the event of default, the borrower agreed to surrender something of “equal value.”

‘Equal value, you say? How intriguing.’

A decent person might assume it referred to material possessions. But in the minds of the wicked, it often conjured images of something far more desirable.

And the men before me were most definitely wicked.

“The debtor is Alentz… Do you have the funds to repay the debt? Including interest, it seems to be around two hundred gold.”

Alentz remained silent, his face pale.

Of course, he didn’t have the money. That’s why they were here.

“It seems repayment is unlikely. How do you intend to proceed, Satyr?”

“I’ll be taking something of equal value, as per the contract.”

Two hundred gold was more than a commoner could earn in a year. It was an impossible sum, unless he had a hidden stash of jewels.

“You mentioned Alentz has a daughter, correct? It just so happens that House Gerard is in need of a maid. Five years of unpaid service should cover the debt.”

“But taking my daughter…”

“Do you have a better solution? I’m all ears.”

At least he had the sense to negotiate.

Some brutes would have resorted to violence, but Satyr was different.

“You’re suggesting you’ll take his daughter as collateral?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Inspector. It’s simply an arrangement to work off the debt through honest labor.”

“Why not just garnish his wages? It’s much cleaner that way.”

There were no laws regarding cosigners or family obligations. Taking his daughter was absurd.

But now I was certain. They weren’t after the money they were after Lilith.

And the stench of something far more sinister lingered in the air.

It was time to introduce a new variable.

“The debt is settled.”

I placed two heavy pouches on the table, each containing one hundred gold coins.

“Count it.”

“…Why would the Inspection Unit defend these people?”

“What a curious thing to say. Do you believe there’s a reason for us to defend them? You’re the one who called them ‘wretches,’ remember?”

I smiled, my resolve solidifying with every word.

“Until recently, I served as an assistant in the main castle. I owe Miss Lilith a debt of gratitude for her assistance during my time there. This is merely a personal favor, completely unrelated to my duties as an Inspector.”

“…”

“If you have nothing further to add, then burn the contract. Now.”

I gestured towards Alentz, who brought over a candle. With a grimace, Satyr set the contract ablaze. It crumbled to ash within seconds.

But I knew this wasn’t over.

It was just the beginning.

“The debt is settled. You and your men are free to go. We still have work to do.”

“…Very well.”

Satyr and his men departed. Only then did Alentz and his wife breathe a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, kind sir. We are eternally in your debt.”

“Don’t celebrate just yet.”

“Sir?”

“They weren’t after the money. They were after Lilith. And I suspect they won’t give up so easily.”

The couple exchanged a worried look.

“What should we do, sir? Our daughter is our pride and joy, our everything.”

“She’ll be safe at the castle, for now. Send word and tell her to stay put.”

“Yes, sir! Right away!”

“Now, where were we?”

I sat back down at the table.

“Let’s talk about Baron Roman. Tell me everything you know about him, even rumors.”

We spent the next few hours listening to their stories. Despite their poverty, they insisted on preparing a simple meal for us.

Unfortunately, their information proved to be of little use.

They knew very little about Baron Roman himself. Most of what they knew revolved around his men. It was a textbook example of plausible deniability.

By the time we finished, the sun was beginning to set.

“Thank you for your cooperation.”

“We were happy to help, sir. Safe travels.”

Selendis and I made our way back through the forest. We had a long walk ahead of us before we reached the horses.

“What are your thoughts?”

“On what, Master?”

“On the story we just heard. Did you notice anything significant?”

There were no smoking guns. I already knew about Baron Roman’s less than savory reputation.

It seemed a more…proactive approach was necessary.

A trap, perhaps.

And I had already laid the bait with those two hundred gold coins. It was only a matter of time before they bit.

“I do not make judgments, Master. I simply follow your orders.”

“You’ll need to start making judgments if you intend to stay by my side.”

“Is that an order, Master?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

We stopped in our tracks.

The horses, full of energy just a few hours ago, lay dead on the ground, their blood staining the earth crimson.

*Clang!*

Selendis drew her sword.

As if on cue, figures emerged from the shadows, their faces hidden behind black masks, their hands gripping an assortment of deadly weapons.