Chapter 135 – Bank Loan
The distance between Zion Forest and the great city of Rines is generally about 13 days.
If one changes horses without much rest, it takes 7 days, and if one flies without stopping, about 3 to 4 days.
Even if someone does not sleep at all and moves as fast as possible, it still takes 6 to 8 days for a round trip.
And then, the Cave without Light.
This place itself is a forbidden land where life is in danger, so it is impossible to predict the period recklessly. Instead, if there is no word for even a month, it would not be wrong to say that one has died.
Because in that suffocating darkness, to survive for longer, moreover alone, is exceedingly difficult.
But then.
'Only 13 days?'
Did the Orb of the Undead luckily hang right at the cave entrance? Or did he get frightened beforehand and run away?
If not, the time simply cannot be explained.
Verden and Calia sat facing each other.
After briefly gathering her thoughts, she opened her mouth.
"First, I'm glad you came back safely. It seems what I worried about did not happen, and I'm relieved. But the difference from our expected time is great."
Though she put it roundabout, the meaning was the same.
It was to ask whether he really brought the Orb of the Undead. Indeed, even Verden thought he had returned far too quickly.
But there was not the slightest reason to waste time worrying about such things.
Verden took the Orb of the Undead out of his spatial bag.
A faint violet light reflected in Calia's and Vespa's eyes.
"That is…."
"The Orb of the Undead."
When Verden stimulated the orb with magic power, drawing out the suppressed aura, the energy of death spread out in an instant.
Though it had been greatly weakened since the Elder Lich used it, it was more than enough to prove it was genuine.
Once he withdrew the magic power, the aura vanished.
A silence settled.
The gazes of Calia and Verden crossed.
"How was the commission?"
"It was not easy."
"Not easy, huh."
Calia twisted the corner of her lips.
'So my thought was wrong.'
The mage before her had not been merely lucky.
He had simply broken through the Cave without Light and retrieved the Orb of the Undead.
Now that she looked, his robe bore thick traces of fierce battle.
The robe's hem was corroded, along with remnants of magic.
"Seems you were interfered with. Was it the Glory of the Dead?"
"I encountered them in the Cave without Light."
"To think they would pursue even into a forbidden land… that must mean this orb is of that much importance. By your appearance, the dark mage must have been quite strong."
He had been strong indeed.
Of course, it was not a dark mage but an Elder Lich.
Verden did not go into detail about the process.
Even if he polished up the hardship, the payment would not increase.
He could pretend it had been harder to demand additional payment, but Verden was not of such a character.
And the reward of this commission, Calia's credit.
Considering he had faced an Elder Lich, it was by no means insufficient.
At least, not for Verden.
"You went through a great ordeal. Thanks to you, one burden has been lifted. We even succeeded in subjugating their hideout."
"Is that so?"
"Well, seeing as the old man and the girl that Warrens spoke of were missing, it seems once a traitor appeared, they relocated their hideout. Still, we saved the people who were to be used as sacrifices for dark magic. That alone is an achievement incomparable to doing nothing."
And then.
"We are secretly tracing the associates to follow the trail of the Glory of the Dead. And since we succeeded in seizing the Orb of the Undead that they so desperately sought, we may well find a clue."
Calia served the kingdom, but she was not loyal to the royal family.
Whether the 3rd prince was involved or not, if something threatened the kingdom, she had no intention of stopping.
"Of course, before that, we should discuss your reward."
Calia handed over a crimson pouch.
"Open it."
Within was revealed a blood-red seal pendant engraved with the emblem of Esperanza.
"This is the credit you desired from me. With this, you will be treated anywhere in the Estiria Kingdom on par with a noble."
Especially in matters requiring credit.
But precisely for that reason, one must be careful.
If one disgraced the noble's credit, especially the prestige of Esperanza, the house would reclaim it.
The price, naturally, would be death.
"Of course, I don't think you would ever do such a thing. Like leeching off the weak with power, or borrowing money from a bank and leaving the debt to me."
"I would never."
As a mage, he had not the slightest thought of doing something shameful. Calia's credit was nothing more than a means to his purpose.
When Verden declared it, Calia nodded.
"In that case, use it as you wish. And you said you would raise the necessary funds at the underworld auction? With that seal, you can borrow up to 2.5 billion Elk."
Nobles received many privileges in society.
That was no different at the banks.
Since he borrowed under Calia's name, for as much as half a year the interest would be exempt.
Afterward, the rate was fixed at 1.8% annually. Conditions an ordinary person could never even imagine.
"This is the first time I've given my credit as payment for a commission. It's because you risked your life in the forbidden land to recover the Orb of the Undead. Still, from concern I'll say this once more."
Calia's crimson eyes flashed.
"Use the pendant freely, so long as you do not disgrace my honor. But if you borrow money and flee…"
Such an amount was staggering even for Calia, daughter of a marquis.
Of course, it would not collapse her household, but her image would be utterly ruined. A noble left holding the bag after acting as guarantor.
For Calia, called White Steel, that would be unbearable shame and insult.
"So you must repay it."
"I understand."
"And don't die either."
"I understand."
"Absolutely."
I understand.
Verden answered inwardly.
***
Having accomplished his original purpose, Verden did not immediately leave Rines.
There were two reasons.
One was cash for the auction.
Since it was not a publicly legitimate event, there was no possibility of something like account transfer.
'But preparing cash amounting to billions is no easy matter.'
Whether Magnus Bank or Dyna Bank.
No branch would hold 2.5 billion Elk in cash.
Half that would be fortunate.
So the branches must cooperate.
'And those with authority for that are usually branch managers in the great cities.'
Here in Rines.
The seal pendant Verden held from Calia.
Moreover, since Rines was directly governed by the Marquisate of Esperanza, the branch manager would have no choice but to assist, without Verden needing to struggle to persuade him.
This was exactly what noble credit meant.
Therefore, there was a need to visit the Rines branch of Dyna Bank.
And the other reason was magic.
'Now that I have reached the 5th tier, I must learn magic befitting it.'
The Bohemirn Magic Tower of the Elemental School.
Verden, about ten years ago, as a researcher of the magic tower, devoured countless tomes that he had been permitted to access.
Not only that, but he had also lived as an unofficial test subject of the magic tower.
It was a past so detestable, but that did not mean the knowledge faded away.
Because of that Verden, the 5th-tier elemental magic was already engraved in his mind.
Enough that he could use it in real combat right away.
'But my knowledge of 5th-tier imbue magic is lacking.'
Therefore, he needed to visit the great library located in the capital, or in cities of similar standing.
Inside were many magical tomes published by various magic towers.
The state paid each magic tower a set amount every year to attract them, simply for the sake of fostering friendship.
Then as now, money was among the best means of improving or maintaining relations.
It had no real practical value otherwise.
Unless one was a noble, few could easily seek such things, and without deep knowledge, one could not even properly read a single sentence of a magical tome.
For the masses, they were nothing but expensive ornamental art pieces.
'Of course, not for me.'
In any case, for that reason, he intended to search for 5th-tier imbue magic tomes.
If the loan succeeded, then he would have all the funds he needed prepared, leaving him with plenty of time to invest.
'First, the Dyna Bank.'
That came first.
Setting his priorities, Verden set foot on the streets of Rines.
***
Dyna Bank.
The branch in the great city of Rines.
"Another fine morning, everyone."
"Good morning, Branch Manager!"
Drelf, who served as branch manager of the bank, greeted his subordinates with a smiling face.
The start of the same daily routine.
With his kind impression, Drelf entered his office and sank into the soft chair.
Swish, rustle.
Then he read through the investment reports submitted by the employees yesterday. There was nothing to nitpick. The investment projects Drelf had led showed a clear upward curve.
"Wahahahaha. My eye for business is truly superb. Mmm!"
For a long time, Drelf had invested in neutral merchant guilds.
Acquaintances had urged him to invest in the Union, and though he sometimes suffered losses because of it, still he did not put in money.
Because he faintly knew of the Union's darkness.
He did not know the details, but in these circles, every noble with a bad reputation was close to the Union.
Having lived in Rines, the most peaceful place in the kingdom, Drelf could not help but avoid associating with the Union.
The influence of the Marquisate of Esperanza, which ruled Rines, may also have been great.
Drelf thought carefully and again refused.
Even if the profits were right before his eyes, investing in an uneasy, filthy venture was no different from a gamble certain to lose.
'But then, look at this!'
As the Union's corruption was exposed, other merchant guilds began to rise.
And so did Drelf's profits.
Though the new year had only just begun, it was already obvious that among all branch managers in the kingdom, his results would be the best.
'If I do well, I might even make it to the bank headquarters.'
Drelf smirked in delight at the thought.
And then it happened.
"Br-Branch Manager, sir. You need to see this."
"What is it?"
The employee cautiously opened his hands.
In Drelf's sight gleamed a crimson seal pendant, the emblem of the marquis' only daughter, White Steel Calia.
Drelf's eyes widened as he shot to his feet.
"H-hurry and escort him here… no, bring him straight in! And tea, and snacks too! The finest we have!"
"Y-yes, sir!"
The employee hurriedly moved.
And thus, Verden entered the office.
"I am Drelf Curlien, branch manager here. I sincerely welcome the visit of such an honored guest to the Dyna Bank, Rines branch. Please, please, have a seat."
With utmost politeness, Drelf guided him and offered him a chair.
Soon, refreshments were prepared.
After completing a grand welcome befitting a noble, Drelf asked very carefully.
"What business brings you to our Dyna Bank today?"
"I've come to take a loan. In cash."
"Ah, I see! You've come to the right place. Our branch holds more cash reserves than others, so there will be no inconvenience for you. Might I ask the amount you require?"
Seven hundred million? Eight hundred million?
From experience, Drelf guessed so.
"2.5 billion Elk."
"…Pardon?"
Drelf blinked blankly.
'Did I mishear?'
2.5 billion Elk?
He waited a moment, but there was no correction.
'For real?'
With Calia's seal pendant, he knew the maximum loan limit was 2.5 billion Elk.
Of course, there were high nobles who borrowed even more, but… it was by no means common.
Nobles hated letting others know about their financial circumstances. Unless they needed urgent funds, loans were rare.
'And cash, even more so.'
In any case, this branch alone did not have enough cash.
Dyna Bank usually used more than half of deposits for investments.
To forcibly raise cash, they would have to recall investments.
It was impossible for Drelf alone.
At least four branches would need to cooperate to prepare such an amount amply.
But if it came to that, many things would become troublesome. Not an exaggeration—troublesome enough to give him a splitting headache.
'First, I need to change the client's mind…!'
As branch manager of Dyna Bank.
With brilliant rhetoric, Drelf spoke round and round, trying desperately to change Verden's mind.
So much that the muscles of his face, especially his jaw, ached.
But of course, it was useless.
"2.5 billion Elk. In cash, please."
"..."
Not a shred of leeway in his voice.
For Verden, who had already made up his mind, negotiation was meaningless.