VIP Early Access
Eksklusif untuk member VIP
Password Protected
Chapter ini dikunci dengan kode khusus
Chapter 17 : An Offer You Can't Refuse
‘H-how…’
Shylock couldn’t believe the scene unfolding before his eyes. It felt as if his brain had stopped thinking.
The rumor that he had killed a temple knight who had gotten into a fight with him in a single stroke, that he had toyed with William, whom no one in this area could touch.
He had thought it was groundless, but seeing it now, it wasn't. Edward clearly had that ability.
‘That guy, an Aura user…’
Е̃n u̇_m̀ а. і̆ d̊
The Edward that Shylock knew was a weakling far removed from swordsmanship. He had heard that not only was his body frail, but he also had no talent.
‘Magic?’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Although he was said to be engrossed in black magic, he was a fool who couldn't even handle mana properly due to his chronic illness.
Since he couldn't store mana in his body, the only magic he could use were practice spells using the mana that passed through his body. None of them were spells that strengthened the body.
Aura was a power that strengthened the body. An Aura user’s reaction speed was several times faster than that of an ordinary person.
The mercenary who had just died was only a 1-Star, but it didn't make sense that he couldn't even react to a sword swung by someone who couldn't use Aura.
E n̆ům̃ а̄.іd̀
‘Did he create it in the meantime?’
Shylock, a 2-Circle mage, used Mana Vision magic to look at Edward.
Using this magic allowed one to check the opponent’s mana core.
‘It’s not there?’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Neither a Magic Circle nor an Aura Star could be seen.
‘How did he do it?’
Е̄n̈ū m а
Shylock racked his brain to understand this incomprehensible situation, but he couldn't find the answer with the common sense and knowledge he possessed.
Clang! Clang!
“You son of a bitch!”
Just then, the mercenaries, enraged by their comrade’s death, belatedly drew their swords.
The domain’s soldiers, who had only been watching the situation, also drew their weapons.
“Drawing your swords without permission? In my domain?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Edward said in a cold voice.
Even with about twenty mercenaries aiming their swords at him, he didn't waver in the slightest.
Rather, the mercenaries seemed to flinch at his anger-filled gaze.
‘What happened?’
During his last visit, Edward had been so afraid of meeting Shylock that he hadn't even come out of his room.
No matter how young, he was the eldest son of the family. When the lord was absent, he should have stepped forward himself, but he had left everything to the butler and had been cooped up in a corner of his room.
W̄ е bṅоṽеl̃ Ёn̂ u m̂a
That coward was now overwhelming him and his mercenaries with just his gaze and presence.
The rumor that Edward had negotiated with an inquisitor and extorted money came to mind. He had dismissed it as a groundless rumor, but he started to think that it might not be.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“Wh-what is the meaning of this!”
Shylock forced his voice out.
Even though the situation was absolutely in his favor, he felt a sense of fear tightening around his heart.
“Are you Shylock?”
Е n̄ u m̃а. і.d́
Edward acted as if he were seeing Shylock for the first time. He hadn't met him during his last visit, but he had seen him several times before that.
Until he saw the lord groveling to Shylock because of money, Edward used to ask Shylock, who visited the castle, for news of the city.
But now he was acting like he was seeing him for the first time, so it was bound to be bewildering.
“What are you talking about?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I asked if you are Shylock, the moneylender.”
“That is correct. What on earth is the meaning of this?”
Ẇ еb́ nоv̂el Е̄ńú m̌ ӑ
“That’s what I want to say. By what right are you beating the people of Griffith?”
“Th-these people have failed to repay their debts.”
“So?”
“They have signed a waiver giving up their bodies. I have the right to do so.”
Shylock shook the contract. Arrogantly, Edward gestured with his hand.
In the past, he would have ignored it, but the situation was different now. Shylock had a nearby mercenary deliver the contract to Edward.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The mercenary, trembling so much it was unsightly, handed the contract to Edward.
“It’s due today.”
Edward, who had checked the contract, said with a blank expression.
“That is correct.”
The atmosphere seemed to be shifting back to Shylock’s favor.
“Did you know?”
Ẇ êb̂ ṅõv̀ėl E̊.n u_mа
Edward asked the villagers.
“No! That man scammed us!”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Logan, covered in blood, raised his voice.
“What nonsense are you spouting, you who even signed the contract!”
Shylock shouted. Edward raised his hand to stop Shylock.
“Logan.”
E nům̊ а̄
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Can you read?”
“…I cannot.”
“Anyone else?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I have never learned…”
“Me neither.”
Еn u mӑ . i d
The other villagers also shook their heads.
“How dare you insult my people?”
“It was a legitimate contract!”
“You must have lied about the date. That’s also why you wrote the repayment date in words instead of numbers.”
“That’s right!”
The villagers, thinking this was their chance, also raised their voices.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
“They misheard! I clearly said it was until today!”
“All these people misheard? Do you think that makes sense?”
“Whether they understood correctly or not, this is a legitimate contract. A document that has even been notarized by the city’s administrator…”
As Shylock was speaking, a fire bloomed from Edward’s hand. He had created a fire with mana and burned the contract.
“What are you doing now!”
“The national law of the kingdom does not permit slavery. Therefore, a contract that states one gives up their body if they cannot repay a debt cannot exist.”
Е̊ n.u m̈ а.їd̆
The Kingdom of Aerok traditionally did not permit slavery. Because the founders of the kingdom were former slaves from other countries.
But 1,500 years had passed, and Aerok had forgotten its roots. The national law prohibiting slavery still remained, but as the dynasty changed from Griffith to Marshall, it had become a dead letter.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“It’s just a law in name only! No one in the kingdom follows that law. Right now, in the cities near here, there are slave markets…”
“That’s your business.”
Edward cut Shylock off.
“This is Griffith, and in Griffith, my word is the law. I will follow the laws of the kingdom.”
Е_n û ṁ а́ .і̃ ď
“That doesn’t give you the right to kill my mercenary!”
“The right to punish the villagers and the right to permit the use of weapons belong only to me. I have never permitted you to use weapons.”
Edward glared at the mercenaries, emitting a thick killing intent.
“And I also have the right of summary execution.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
The mercenaries avoided Edward’s eyes. The mercenary who had just died was the strongest among them.
‘Useless bastards…’
Ẁ е̃b n ӧ v ѐl Е n um̈ á
He was a guy who had been receiving a high salary for being an Aura user, but his neck had flown off without him doing anything, which made his stomach ache.
‘Damn it.’
If Shylock and the mercenaries attacked together, they might have a chance of winning. The soldiers were few in number, and their armament was poor. They only needed to take care of Edward.
But attacking a noble in such a public place was a crazy act.
Even if the Griffiths were a fallen family that was being ostracized in this area.
Because nobles would stick together and punish any underlings who acted arrogantly, even if they were fighting among themselves.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Hey.”
As he was racking his brain, a man appeared from the corner of a nearby building.
“Where’s the tavern owner?”
It was William, the illegitimate son of Griffith.
“What brings you here?”
Edward asked.
Êṅůmа̀
“You said I’m a Griffith too, right? I come when I want to come and go when I want to go.”
“…”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Hey, tavern owner! Where are you!”
William shouted abruptly.
“H-here I am.”
One of the villagers surrounded by the mercenaries raised his hand.
Еn umа̌.і d
“Why is the tavern closed?”
“We’re not open for business today.”
“Why do you get to decide that?”
“Pardon?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“I said, why do you get to decide that, you bastard.”
“As you can see, the situation is like this…”
Eǹ u m̈а̌
The tavern owner made an excuse, pointing to the surrounding mercenaries.
Edward just watched the situation with a gentle smile.
“What are these idiots?”
William walked toward the mercenaries with a swagger.
The mercenaries stepped back, their swords aimed. There was no one in this area who made a living by the sword who didn't know of William’s notoriety.
“You call those swords? You can’t even pick a goblin’s nose on the back mountain with things like that. You idiots.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
Even with about twenty swords hovering near his neck, William just scoffed.
“Hey, liquor seller.”
“Yes?”
“Open the door when I’m asking nicely. And make some snacks too.”
“Last time, you also ran a tab…”
“William?”
W̆ ë ḃn о̊ v́е.l̈ Ě nǔ ṁ a
Edward, who had been watching the situation with his hands behind his back, scowled.
“Did you drink without paying?”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Very rarely.”
“Is that true?”
Edward asked the tavern owner.
The tavern owner just glanced back and forth between the two of them and couldn't answer.
Е̃.n̊ũ m.а.і.d
“No wonder a guy who doesn’t even farm is here…”
Shylock had also wondered about that. The people who had borrowed money from him were mostly farmers who couldn't make a living due to the drought.
The other working villagers hadn't reached out to Shylock, but only the tavern owner had borrowed a considerable amount of money.
“The old man doesn’t even give me an allowance, so what am I supposed to do. I don’t have an uncle who sends me an allowance every month like my brother.”
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
It was strange. He had heard that William had been kicked out of the Griffith family. Especially, he was on bad terms with the legitimate son, Edward.
But now, William seemed quite close to Edward. Although he was angry, he even seemed to be watching Edward’s expression.
E.n̄um ӑ
Moreover, William had also revealed information that Shylock didn't know.
Shylock knew that Edward’s maternal uncle was Count Lancer, a great lord of the east and a powerful figure in the kingdom. But he didn't know that Count Lancer cared for his nephew so much as to send him money every month.
“A guy with able arms and legs doesn’t think about working to earn money, but instead rips off the villagers!”
“You don’t work either, brother! You, who just laze around and eat in a corner of your room all day!”
The brothers pointed fingers at each other and growled.
It was humiliating. The last time he came, the people here had revered Shylock as if he were a king.
Baca cerita ini hanya di situs resmi Enuma.id!
Even if he beat the villagers who had missed their deadlines and took a few as an example, no one had dared to stand up to Shylock.
But now, those two brothers were treating Shylock’s party as if they didn't even exist. And yet, Shylock couldn't act tough.
The changed Edward was already too much to handle, and now there was William too. If a fight broke out, annihilation was certain.
“E-excuse me.”
Still, he couldn't return empty-handed, so Shylock mustered his courage.
“What, you orc-nipple-looking bastard!”
Еnú ṁа̊
Shylock staggered as William shouted. He was so surprised and scared that he even forgot his humiliation.
“I lent these people money.”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“So what?”
William glared.
“Pardon?”
“So what, you bastard!”
Ŵ е̄_b̌n̊ о v́ е̃l̃ Ӗnu m̌а
William strode toward Shylock.
The mercenaries blocked his path, but he didn't slow down. They couldn't bring themselves to attack William and awkwardly stepped back.
William grabbed Shylock by the collar with one hand.
“Y-you have to pay back borrowed money. That’s the way of the world, ugh! Kuh, kuhk!”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
As William lifted his arm, Shylock’s body floated into the air.
“There are two ways of this world. That I have to drink now, and that you look like an orc’s nipple.”
Е́ ň ũ m а̇. і̃d̀
“William, stop.”
As Edward stepped in, William also let go.
“Oof.”
Shylock landed on his butt on the muddy ground.
“Shylock, I will pay back the villagers’ debts instead.”
Edward said.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“You, Young Master?”
Not only Shylock, but the villagers were also surprised.
“This should be enough.”
Edward took out a gold ring. A plain gold ring with no decorations.
“D-does that make sense?”
“You’ll know if it makes sense or not if you appraise it.”
Ŵе̌ bñо̃v̄ е l Ěñ ūm а̄
Shylock, half-convinced, used an appraisal magic on the ring.
‘This is!’
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The hand holding the ring trembled. An artifact that dramatically enhances the user’s charm and doubles their magical power.
No artifact in this world enhances the user’s charm. There are many artifacts that increase magical power, but none that double it.
“Where did you get this?”
With an artifact of this level, one could buy a whole castle.
W̌е́b̃n o ṽе l Е̂ ń ū m̄.а_
“You don’t need to know.”
“It’s a good item, but this is not enough.”
“The deal is off.”
“W-wait!”
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
As Edward extended his hand, Shylock was startled and stepped back.
He couldn't control his craving for the ring.
Е̂ n u m̂а
Shylock was extremely ugly and had been teased since he was young. He had tried to overcome his inferiority complex by becoming a great mage, but his talent was also half-baked.
Shylock, who could only go up to 2-Circle due to his lack of innate magical power, had changed his career path and jumped into the moneylending business.
As he diligently gathered money, people’s attitudes also changed. No one made fun of his lacking appearance or talent anymore.
At least, not in front of Shylock.
‘If only I had this ring.’
They wouldn't just be hiding their disgust; they would genuinely look up to Shylock.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
“Alright. With this, the interest…”
“Including the principal.”
“What?”
“Don’t want it?”
“B-but…”
“I will pay back the family’s debt separately.”
Е́ñu m а̊. і ď
Shylock racked his brain diligently.
The Griffith family had borrowed more money than all the villagers combined. On top of that, there was an enormous amount of interest, so there was still a lot to extort.
Dilarang mengopy novel dari Enuma.id.
The villagers had no ability to repay their debts anyway. What Shylock wanted was to sell them as slaves. There was more than one way to make the villagers into slaves.
“Understood, Young Master.”
“A good thought.”
Edward said with a bright smile.
Ẁ éḃn̆ о̇ v е̄l Е̇ n̂ûm̃а
(End of Chapter)
Konten Bab Belum Tersedia
Bab ini belum memiliki konten teks atau sedang dalam proses penyuntingan.
