episode_0006

D-debt… 1 quintillion?!

How could anyone—no, any living being—end up like this?

Even if someone desperately wanted to rack up that much debt, it’d be impossible!

What in the world could someone have done to accumulate 1 quintillion in debt?

Did their ancestors sell off the country and get caught or something?!

In a panic, I quickly looked up Miuna’s age.

…25 years old.

Ha. Haha.

Right. That explains it.

I wondered why someone so pretty, seemingly kind, and even young was at the very bottom of the algorithm.

Turns out, there was a devastating reason.

How her debt ballooned to this extent doesn’t even matter anymore.

The important thing is—right now, she owes 10 trillion Eldoris.

In other words, 1 quintillion Korean won.

Even General Derek, with his 6000-trillion-won fortune, couldn’t possibly take on that much debt.

Perhaps Miuna herself knew her life was beyond hopeless,

because she started sobbing uncontrollably in front of me.

I once heard a story like this.

Most people, if their debt is at least somewhat repayable, will try their hardest to pay it off.

But once the debt reaches astronomical levels, they just give up and slash their wrists.

I hate that story.

Because even when I won divorce cases and payment orders were issued,

if the losing party just ignored the red notices and ran off,

it was always my job to hunt them down.

……

Cosmo clutched the back of his neck, groaning at the absurdity of the debt.

Maybe he thought this matchmaking was utterly impossible.

Or perhaps he’d already concluded these two should never meet.

…No.

This matchmaking attempt has the highest chance of failure out of all the cases I’ve taken.

If I miss this chance, I might never get another opportunity to escape.

I have to seize this moment.

No matter what, I’ll make Miuna and Derek meet.

Once they do, it’ll explode on its own.

Miuna, who had lost all confidence as a living being,

sat there in despair, covering her face with both hands.

I gently cupped her chin with my interlaced fingers,

leaned in close, and asked kindly:

“Miuna, dear. What… would you like me to do for you?”

“……”

No answer.

Well then, time for the musical performance.

I got up from the couch, walked over to her with light steps, and continued:

“Miuna, dear. Have confidence.

I dare say—you are someone who deserves love.

You’ve lived your life well, as shown in your member profile.

…Even in difficult times, you’ve always helped others.

You served meals at nursing homes during the day,

and taught children at orphanages at night…

Your heart is already as beautiful as it gets.

And let me say this—you’re incredibly beautiful and young.

No matter what jealous people might say, these two truths are undeniable,

and they’re among your greatest strengths.

Your new life is just beginning.

Cheer up!

You came this far because you want to get married,

and because you love Derek, right?

This is the chance of a lifetime!”

Miuna, who had been bowing her head as if not listening,

suddenly turned to me the moment I finished and cried out:

“O-of course I love General Derek!

But… even if he knew the truth about me…

No matter what, this is just…

I’m a shady woman who hid unfavorable information about myself…”

…I never thought these words would leave my mouth,

but I had to sell this lie with everything I had.

“It’ll be a tough decision for Derek, too.

Your debt exceeds his fortune.

But still, I can’t help but feel…

If true love exists, it might just work out.

Isn’t it always ‘go big or go home’?

Even when I take on lawsuits—no, matchmaking—I always keep those two mindsets.

Miuna, dear. Don’t hesitate—go all in.

I’ll be right here with you.”

“But… the debt collectors are after me day and night…

The shadow of my sin is too heavy,

and even the purest light can’t erase that darkness.”

“Oh, Miuna, dear.

Shadows exist because there is light.

If there were no goodness in your heart, you wouldn’t have made it this far.

And Derek is strong.

He’s a general.

In the end, he’ll save you with all his heart and soul,

and serve you as a husband should his wife.”

……

After listening quietly, Miuna suddenly stood up from the couch,

ran over, and hugged me tightly!

…Gah!

The sudden, intense embrace sent shivers down my spine.

Overwhelmed, Miuna began sobbing and muttering:

“Sniff… sob… h-hic… President Rosenheit…

You’re… so kind to me…

I’ll… I’ll really live my best…

Thank you…”

Yeah… I’ll do my best too… (Total lie.)

But… I can’t breathe…

Why is this cat girl so strong?!

Cosmo, save me!

Weren’t you made by the goddess of fate for moments like this?!

But our robot cat,

sitting on the couch, just stared and said:

“o_o;”

What the hell is this little…

Once Miuna agreed to the match with General Derek,

the restaurant reservation was swiftly arranged.

Tonight. For the first time in nearly two weeks, another showdown unfolds at Eldoria’s famous stew house.

……

Finally, the appointed time.

This time, Miuna, Cosmo, and I arrived at the high-end restaurant first.

I’d prepped Miuna all afternoon.

We’d wait until they were full from the meal,

then, at the right moment, she’d casually confess her massive debt.

Honestly, I even suggested hiding the debt until after marriage,

but Miuna refused.

Of course, all my “advice” was just false hope.

Think about it—no matter how rich someone is,

if the woman they’re matched with brings debt

amounting to 167% of their entire fortune…

Who would marry that?

Even if General Derek is a kind man, this is impossible.

Sure, I feel bad for the two who’ll be hurt by this failure,

but what can I do? I desperately need a failure sample.

Even Cosmo was blunt with me earlier today:

“Master. No matter how I look at it, this is just wrong.

How are you planning to handle the fallout later?

Even if you force this match, whether they marry or not,

the moment General Derek goes into debt collection, our heads are on the chopping block?!”

But I didn’t back down.

“Cosmo, don’t be weak.

Isn’t it our duty as matchmakers to arrange meetings,

even when things seem hopeless, and do our best to connect our clients?

That is the fate given to us.

And fate is now leading us toward a better direction.”

As I dramatically quoted Don Quixote’s pre-windmill charge speech,

Cosmo, like Sancho Panza, tried to stop me:

“CEO Igo. Please snap out of it!

To me, it just looks like you’re deliberately crashing headfirst into disaster!”

……

Finally, General Derek arrived.

Unlike Miuna, who wore slightly shabby, modest clothes,

he appeared in the grand marshal’s uniform he wore while ruling Grayfell.

His presence was nearly on par with an imperialist emperor.

Yet, he greeted Miuna with utmost humility.

“Hello.”

She bowed politely in return.

“Hello…”

Though this was only my second time hosting a matchmaking dinner, I’d gotten used to it:

“This is Member Derek, and this is Member Miuna.

I’ll be joining you, so feel free to ask anything.

Enjoy your time togeth—”

But.

As Derek sat down, his gaze locked onto Miuna’s face.

Meeting her in person, he seemed unable to believe it,

staring at her intently, like a hardened warlord.

It was as if the wife he’d loved most in the world, now long gone,

had reappeared before him, years younger.

If Cosmo hadn’t subtly nudged him,

he might’ve reached out to touch her face like a craftsman mesmerized by fine porcelain.

Noticing Derek’s expression—trying to appear composed but visibly shaken—

Miuna, sounding both knowing and confused, asked her first question:

“Have we… met before…?”

The Grayfell warlord, who seemed to have briefly left this dimension,

snapped back to reality and answered:

“No…”

Miuna, without blinking, gazed at him wistfully and said—

…after a long pause.

“…I see.

……

Welcome back.”

The moment her last line landed,

a single tear—salty as the sea—

rolled down the ironclad right eye of General Derek.

……

Success.

Actually, Miuna’s last line was something I suggested during our prep.

I told her Derek had lost his beloved spouse,

and asked her to think of a single melancholic phrase that could move his heart.

The cat girl, burdened by life’s weight, had a natural talent for stirring emotions with words.

But… of course, things never go as planned.

I’d told her to comfort him gently after making him cry,

but seeing the warlord’s noble tears, Miuna started crying too.

…Well, go ahead. Cry.

Grief is contagious—once someone starts, others follow.

I handed each of them a handkerchief I’d prepared.

Then, just in time, the food arrived.

……

Ah, that was delicious.

This place’s beef stew is truly exceptional.

The broth is rich—, and the meat is plentiful.

If they did takeout, I’d eat here every day.

Derek and Miuna chatted happily.

His frozen expression had melted away like snow.

…He looks happy.

Miuna was smiling too, but… her micro-expressions still betrayed anxiety.

Perhaps sensing this, Derek cautiously asked:

“Miuna, forgive my bluntness… but may I ask what’s stealing the color from your cheeks?

As your other half, I’d gladly share that burden.”

Wow. “Other half” already?

For a soldier, his poetic phrasing is impressive.

Realizing she couldn’t hide it any longer,

Miuna hesitated briefly, steadied her breath,

and forced out her trembling voice:

“The truth is… I have debt.

I should’ve told you sooner… I’m sorry for the trouble…”

Before she could finish, Derek shot up from his seat,

declaring firmly:

“You were worried over something like that?!

How much do you owe?!

I’ll cut it down in one stroke!”

…This is the tense moment.

Beside me, Cosmo, who’d just finished a bowl of fish stew,

gulped nervously as the conversation took a dire turn.

“……

10 trillion… Eldoris…”

……

Then it happened.

I watched in real time as Derek’s expression shifted.

From confidence to bewilderment.

From joy to sorrow.

In one word: devastation.

The ironclad warlord clutched his forehead, staggered toward the exit,

and before leaving, turned to us and said:

“I’ll… be right back. Just need the restroom.”

……

Did… did we do it?