"That's two thousand gold coins."
The bakery manager gives Sasaki the money.
"One thousand for the five bakers. They're paid one hundred gold coins a day. Five hundred for the delivery workers, and another five hundred for security."
Sasaki frowned.
"Why are you giving us the delivery workers' and security's shares? We didn't do their jobs. We only worked as bakers."
"Well… just think of it as extra money. I don't really know how else to explain it."
The manager's voice trembled slightly.
"Just take it and leave."
"Whatever."
Sasaki shrugged as they walked outside and changed back into their usual clothes.
"I thought you were going to reject free money again, Mr. Reaper."
Alfie walked with both hands behind his head.
"Shut it," Sasaki replied immediately.
"I'm starving. Can we please get some food? I don't want to die of hunger. I'm still too young to go out like this!"
"You won't die, Jack. It only makes you stronger."
Alfie chuckled.
"That doesn't make any sense, you empty-brained idiot."
Jackson sighed lazily.
As they passed the bakery, one of the security guards watched them suspiciously.
Ahead of them was the chariot garage.
Several riders were returning from their deliveries, looking completely exhausted.
Four chariots rolled in one after another.
The riders climbed down from their seats.
"I'm so tired. My head feels like it's going to fall off my neck."
"I think mine already fell off somewhere on the road."
"You two are so lazy. You need to be more manly like me."
"You're not human. I think your body is made of iron instead of bones."
"Iron is too soft. I think he's made of rocks. You know, those rocks with Renshi inside them?"
The riders burst into laughter.
"Well, you guys can keep talking. I'm going to see my wife after we get paid. I need a full-body massage."
"You guys can't relate to that."
"Don't get too full of yourself. We're still going to get married someday. We're not going to die like this."
More laughter filled the garage.
Sasaki, Alfie, and Jackson approached them.
"Hey…"
Sasaki raised a hand.
The riders turned toward them, looking them up and down.
"What do you want?"
The third rider stepped forward.
"Calm down. I just wanted to give you guys something back."
Sasaki pulled out five hundred gold coins from his storage ring, walked toward them, and placed the money beside one of the chariots.
"What's this supposed to be?"
The rider frowned.
"Do we look like beggars to you?"
"No, no! That's not it."
Sasaki quickly raised both hands.
"It's complicated, but I'll keep it short. We worked at that bakery."
He pointed behind them.
"The manager somehow gave us your share of the payment. I don't know why, but it doesn't feel right keeping money that belongs to you. Luckily, we found you before leaving."
The rider stared at him.
"That doesn't make sense. How did you even 'work' at that bakery? You don't look like people who need money."
"Don't judge people by their appearance."
Sasaki scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"We're broke."
"No, you made us broke."
Alfie whispered.
Sasaki's eye twitched.
"Did you say something, Alfie?"
"Nothing."
Alfie immediately looked away.
"Can we please finish this? My stomach can't hold on much longer."
"We don't have all night."
Sasaki sighed.
"Have a good night."
The three of them turned toward their horses.
But before leaving, Sasaki stopped beside the security guard.
He took the remaining five hundred gold coins from his storage ring and tossed it toward him.
"That's for you and the other security workers. Consider it payment for two days of work."
The guard caught the bag in surprise.
Sasaki mounted his horse.
"Let's go."
The three of them slowly rode away.
---
Not long afterward, they stopped at a nearby restaurant.
"Food… food… food!"
Jackson practically looked ready to cry.
"Finally! What are we eating, Mr. Sasaki?"
"I don't know. Buy whatever you want."
Sasaki pointed toward the signboard.
"It says baked rice and soup. Why are you asking me such a stupid question?"
"I'm down here. You're up there. There's no way I could read that sign from here."
Jackson folded his arms.
Sasaki sighed.
"You're hopeless."
They ordered their meals and found a table.
Before long, the three were happily eating.
Once they had finished, Alfie leaned back.
"Alright. Now that we're full… where are we sleeping?"
He let out a loud burp.
"Excuse me."
He covered his mouth.
"There's a motel behind the restaurant."
Jackson pointed outside.
"Let's check it out."
"I need to pay for the food first."
Sasaki reached for his storage ring.
"Oh, right."
Jackson tilted his head.
"The system here is kind of strange, though. Why do they let you eat first and pay afterward?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's just their way of doing things."
Alfie shrugged.
Sasaki touched his storage ring and attempted to retrieve some of the money they had earned.
Suddenly....
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Gold coins began pouring out of the storage ring.
Sasaki's eyes widened.
"What the—?!"
He immediately stopped the flow.
But it was already too late.
Everyone in the restaurant was staring at them.
Jackson's mouth hung open.
"That's definitely more than one thousand gold coins."
Sasaki stared at the pile.
"That damn Special Darkside Knight…"
He rubbed his forehead.
"He left all that money inside the storage ring."
Silence.
Alfie slowly dropped to his knees.
"So…"
His eyes trembled.
"We were rich this whole time?"
He looked toward Sasaki.
"And we worked our asses off in that bakery?!"
Jackson collapsed onto the floor beside him.
"I feel like passing out…"
"Don't you dare."
Alfie pointed at him lazily.
"If you pass out, I'll punch you back awake."
"You're too violent, Alfie…"
Jackson groaned.
Sasaki sighed as he stored the remaining coins back inside the ring.
"It's been a long time since I used the storage ring."
He looked at the two idiots lying on the floor.
"Can you both get yourselves together?"
Sasaki stood up.
"Let's find somewhere to sleep."
Alfie and Jackson reluctantly got back on their feet.
The three of them left the restaurant,their work at the bakery was pointless.