When Linkin rushed over to ecstatically accept William's offer with an expression of greed on his face, at that moment, the same word entered the minds of virtually everyone present—Fool.
"Is he really gonna go through with such an absurd offer?" Tonne frowned.
"I agree the deal itself is obviously a scam, but still... I guess I can understand. Gaining the yearly pay of a city guard in an instant is hard to turn down. Who knows? If his luck continues, maybe he can turn his entire life around?" Neverland remarked.
"Hah, serves that bastard right. Even if that guy's luck took a sudden turn, it's impossible. Just to pay back what he borrows, he'd have to win at least 5 tousai. All that work just to walk away from where he started—what an idiot. I would've just taken my profits and left if I were him." Marsh, who overheard Tonne and Neverland's conversation, commented.
Marsh was still upset at Linkin for his double-down play that cost him 4 daisai. As far as he was concerned, Linkin was getting exactly what was coming to him. Besides, wasn't it his own fault for giving in to his greed so easily?
William was taken aback by Linkin's abrupt change in behavior. Just a moment ago, he was like a meek and apologetic sheep. Now, he was behaving in an overly enthusiastic manner at the mere mention of a tousai.
"Tch... This is why poor fools will stay poor fools until their deaths." William thought to himself as he looked at Linkin with disgust.
In truth, William did not expect Linkin to readily accept his offer. After all, as a merchant, he knew just how ridiculous his offer was.
William simply wanted Linkin to get down on his knees and beg for forgiveness in front of Augustus. The tousai was just a means of intimidating him and letting him know just how far the gap in wealth was between them. But how could William have ever guessed that Linkin would rush over to him without wasting a second?
"You—how can I just hand over 1 tousai to some stranger? Just get the hell out of my sight while I'm still in a good mood! You're lucky that Sir Augustus is a person of great character; otherwise, I would have made you eat your words! Now, scram!" William scowled as he shooed Linkin away.
"This damned maniac...! He really came over here to receive it! I can't just casually hand over 1 tousai to some nobody. That's equivalent to 10% of my Emerald Elephant Merchant Group's annual profits. This guy—it's obvious that he's just going to gamble it all away. Pay me back? For a gambling addict like him, that'll be impossible!" William mulled over in his mind.
Linkin inwardly grinned as he kept a big smile plastered on his face while rubbing his hands together.
'Eh? What's this? Bastard—no, I mean, benefactor; I can see it all over your face. You're looking down on me, aren't you? You don't want to part with the tousai, huh? Haven't you ever heard of pride and no takebacks? You want to back out now? I won't let you. Since you wanted to give me your money so badly, I'll be sure to gladly accept it with open hands.'
"Ah... Could it be that this esteemed one is lacking in funds? Well, it's not much, but I have a couple of reisai here I'd be willing to loan to this esteemed one. As a great merchant, I'm sure you'll be able to put it to great use and pay me back one day." Linkin said with a smile as he held out two reisai in the palm of his hand.
When Linkin held out the two reisai towards him, William almost fainted from anger.
Lacking in funds? Pay him back one day? Did this person think that he was some random street vendor?!
Bang!
"Who says I'm lacking in funds?!" William shouted as he slammed a single coin onto the floor next to him at the outer edge of the tatami mat.
However, by the time William realized what he'd just done in his momentary fit of rage, he instantly regretted it. But it was too late. William knew that if took it back now, the others at the mat would start to think he was so poor that he couldn't part with 1 tousai.
The coin William took out was not like the others Linkin had seen before. It had much more extravagant patterns engraved onto its surface. And although it was his first time seeing one, Linkin immediately knew what kind of coin it was with a single glance.
"I gave you a way out, but you rejected my kindness! Pick it up if you da-" William started; however...
Woosh!
Before William could even finish his sentence, Linkin picked up the coin with lightning speed.
'See? I knew I was wrong about you. You're a man of your word.'
[Total Currency: 1 tousai & 3 reisai]