Thinking it over, Andrew noticed a crucial detail.
The card had a total of five million Dennies, but the bonus from Public Security only accounted for two million.
So that meant Lycaon's 'support' made up the bulk of the five million?! Is being a butler that lucrative?!
His desire for money made Andrew hesitate as he looked at Lycaon, but he had a feeling that if he really went down this road, there would be no turning back.
In the end, reason and integrity won out against the desire for money in Andrew's heart.
It wasn't for any particularly noble reason, though.
The main concern was that if he suddenly returned to his old world one day, the others in his squad would ask him what he'd been doing in this new one.
He couldn't exactly tell them he'd become a butler in a new world, could he?
That would be complete social suicide. Lone Bird would laugh herself to death, and even the ever-gentle Alma would probably give him a disgusted look.
Wait, why am I getting a little excited just thinking about Alma's expression? I, Andrew, am a man of integrity! How could I possibly be into something like that?!
Shaking his head to clear the chaotic thoughts, Andrew noticed Lycaon continuing his explanation, seeing that he hadn't accepted yet.
"Please rest assured, the bonus was collected in the Mayor's name, so there will be no issues. As for my personal contribution... please don't trouble yourself over it. Consider it an investment in you. Please, accept it without worry."
With Lycaon putting it that way, Andrew no longer refused and accepted the gift.
Seeing Andrew accept, Lycaon gave a small, satisfied nod. The gentle swaying of his tail once again betrayed his pleasant mood.
But things didn't end there. Andrew, who thought he had received all of the so-called 'small gifts,' was a bit puzzled when he saw Lycaon reach into his coat again.
Addressing Andrew's confusion, Lycaon explained patiently in a calm tone:
"The previous two items were a gift for the Silver Squad and a gift from Public Security and myself, delivered on their behalf. But the Mayor, who specifically sent me to meet you, would certainly not neglect someone who has made such a contribution to New Eridu."
Lycaon pulled out a contract amendment agreement and handed it to Andrew to inspect.
"According to the information the Mayor has gathered, the shop you currently occupy was purchased with a loan. As a token of gratitude for your efforts, His Honor the Mayor has cleared one-half of your outstanding debt."
Andrew took the contract and examined it closely. It was exactly as Lycaon had described.
The forty-seven million Dennie debt had been sharply reduced by half, down to twenty-three million five hundred thousand Dennies. But there was another difference.
Previously, the creditor was the original shop owner, but now it was the municipal government. Even the original repayment deadline had been completely removed.
This gesture... Andrew couldn't help but marvel at the Mayor's 'small gift'.
This 'small gift' was worth two and a half times what Wesker had offered to save his own skin.
However, Andrew knew that this contract amendment followed the same logic as the ID card.
Although half the loan was forgiven, the person he owed money to had changed from an ordinary citizen—the shop owner—to the government, which is to say, the Mayor.
From now on, the debt also served as a form of leverage, though it was leverage Andrew didn't particularly care about.
The price the Mayor was paying this time was so good that even the most notorious haggler wouldn't dare ask for more. Besides, both the Mayor and Andrew knew one thing for certain.
And that was the fact that for someone like Andrew, this so-called debt posed no real threat whatsoever.
The removal of the original repayment deadline from the contract also showed that the Mayor was fully aware of this. It was less a form of leverage and more a way for the two of them to reach a tacit understanding.
That understanding was that if a lethal threat were to appear in this city—whether he acted for the sake of those few people close to him or for New Eridu itself—Andrew would do his part.
For Andrew, who was a hunter by nature, this was a given. But for the Mayor, it was about buying peace of mind.
With the understanding reached, the task the Mayor had entrusted to Lycaon was now complete.
"Well then, I shall take up no more of your time. If you have any needs, you can contact Victoria Housekeeping Co. at any time."
Lycaon respectfully placed a black-and-white business card on the workbench. He gave another respectful salute, placing a hand over his chest, and prepared to turn and leave.
Just then, Andrew suddenly spoke up, stopping Lycaon.
"Lycaon, does Victoria Housekeeping Co. take on any kind of request?"
Hearing this, Lycaon stopped, turned back, and bowed.
"Of course. Our guiding principle is: the master's wish is our mission."
The form of address struck Andrew as extremely odd. Having a grown man call him 'master' was, to put it mildly, hard to stomach.
However, the extreme professionalism Lycaon had just displayed prompted Andrew to say:
"I'd like to commission you to find a place suitable for many people to live in together. It needs to be large."
Hearing Andrew's request, Lycaon, to Anby's complete astonishment, pulled three documents from his pocket, each bearing the address of a different building.
"These are buildings I have selected that are suitable for modification to house all twelve members of the Silver Squad. Their location and size are ideal, and they can be leased for a full two years for only around three million Dennies."
Under Anby's shocked gaze, Lycaon placed the information on the table and continued to explain:
"As far as I know, the space at your Random Play video store is insufficient to accommodate so many people at once. Under these circumstances, finding a suitable residence is the most pressing matter. And as a temporary home, two years is more than enough time."
Lycaon spread out the information. It even noted the pros and cons corresponding to each of the three locations.
"I confirmed your exact location at 5 AM, and I then used the following three hours to scout several suitable buildings for you. As for the commission fee for this request…"
Lycaon stood up, showing no intention of collecting a fee.
"As a new master giving his first commission, the related fees will be waived. If you have further requests in the future, I will certainly not disappoint."
Andrew stared speechlessly at the three building profiles, feeling like he finally understood how Lycaon could make so much money as a butler.
The amount of Dennies Lycaon had gifted him happened to match the cost of the buildings in the profiles. As expected, he had predicted Andrew's needs well in advance.
And yet, for this almost certain need, Lycaon hadn't made the decision for him. Instead, he had quietly prepared everything in advance. Even if Andrew hadn't asked, the money would have certainly been helpful in this or some other capacity.
Is this the kind of professional competence aimed at high-end clients? It's almost too reliable.
Thinking it over, Andrew concluded that hunting was still what he did best.
Instead of worrying about solving a client's problems before they even ask, he'd rather focus on how to quickly charge his blade in a fight to land a perfect finisher.
Looking at the still expressionless and slightly dazed Anby, Andrew ruffled her hair and said:
"Looks like you guys will have a real house to live in very soon."
Just then, a sudden clatter and bang echoed from inside the shop, followed by the sound of chaotic footsteps rushing towards the second floor.
____
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