Claude shouted, his voice filled with fury.
"Don't mock me! Are you toying with people like this? Do you really have time to waste?"
But Ghislain remained calm and unwavering.
"I'm offering it, so why are you upset? I'm just surprised the amount was less than I expected."
He was certain of it—Claude had mentioned the amount many times in his past life. Back then, it had definitely been 5,000 gold.
'Of course, it was some time later, so the price could have changed.'
"Less than expected? You really are…"
Claude gritted his teeth, glaring at Ghislain.
What kind of twisted motivation did he have for pulling this stunt?
"Fine, you're so confident. Then give it to me right now."
Claude sneered, but Ghislain nodded lightly without a hint of offense.
"That's not hard. Will that do?"
'This guy never stops. Persistent as hell.'
Claude let out a bitter laugh, humoring Ghislain's game.
"Not enough? Then add another 500 gold. That's cheap for the privilege of my service."
Belinda, increasingly disgusted by Claude's brazen demands, stepped forward with a scowl.
"He's got no respect, no conscience. Even cutting off his wrist wouldn't be enough."
She looked ready to drive a dagger into Claude's throat. Ghislain raised a hand to stop her.
"Enough, Belinda. He's someone we'll need in our estate."
"But young master! Are you really going to let him off like that?"
Belinda snapped as if she couldn't believe her ears.
"Enough."
Ghislain's firm tone made Belinda clamp her mouth shut, though she continued to glare at Claude.
With Belinda that upset, sending her on errands would be impossible.
Ghislain gave a wry smile and called for Gillian.
"Gillian, go to the largest merchant guild in Auston and bring someone back. Tell them I need a letter of credit issued."
"Are you sure about this?"
Gillian asked cautiously, his eyes asking if Ghislain was really giving such a large amount to someone like this.
Until now, he had followed Ghislain's orders without question, but this time, even he was concerned.
But Ghislain just smiled as if nothing were amiss.
"Gillian, do you remember how you were when we first met? Were you any different from this friend here?"
At that, neither Gillian nor Belinda could say anything.
In some ways, Gillian had been even worse.
Unlike Claude, who at least went out to the gambling dens, Gillian had barely even left his room.
But look at him now. He had become Ghislain's greatest asset, an indispensable aide.
Understanding what Ghislain meant, Gillian immediately bowed and went outside.
Having watched Ghislain closely, he knew his master never acted carelessly.
Surely, Ghislain had seen something in this gambler that they hadn't.
Belinda, though still displeased, withdrew with a sour expression.
'At least that man had a decent build. What on earth does the young master see in this guy?'
Claude folded his arms, glancing around the room in exasperation.
He was no longer just angry—he was completely incredulous.
Now that things had come to this, the only way to feel satisfied was to see Ghislain thoroughly humiliated.
Soon after, Gillian returned with someone in tow.
Claude's eyes widened as he recognized the man entering the tavern.
'Wait, that man is…?'
The man was the vice president of the largest merchant guild in Auston.
Since the amount was substantial, it had drawn out a figure as high-ranking as the vice president.
'What kind of prank are these guys pulling…?'
For a mere joke, this was on a grand scale—bringing in someone of that stature.
'How do they plan to handle this later?'
If Ghislain had been a noble of the Seiron Kingdom, he could likely secure a letter of credit without any collateral.
Out of pride, the guild wouldn't fear losing their money.
But a noble from a foreign country was different.
The guild would never issue a letter of credit without collateral.
'What collateral will they offer? Even decent jewels aren't worth 2,500 gold.'
To Claude's eye, Ghislain didn't seem wealthy.
His clothes were neat but not made of luxurious fabric, and he wore no expensive jewelry.
If that was the noble's standard, there was no need to even consider his subordinates.
Most likely, the vice president would refuse the credit, then leave.
Claude smirked to himself, imagining Ghislain's embarrassment.
But then—
'What?'
One of the mercenaries rummaged through a bag and placed a stone on the table.
The stone emitted a soft blue glow.
Claude couldn't help but gape at the radiant light of the stone.
The vice president picked up the rune stone, examining it closely, then bent over in a deferential bow with an eager smile.
"Oh, this is indeed a high-quality rune stone. By any chance, do you have more? I'd be willing to pay above market price. Our guild isn't just the best in Auston, but in the entire surrounding region."
'What?'
Claude felt disoriented; things were not going as he expected.
The vice president's eyes were filled with desire.
If even someone as seasoned as him was that eager, it meant the quality of the rune stone was exceptional.
'Is this… real?'
Ghislain waved his hand dismissively, as if bored.
"I'm not interested in selling any more. Just finish the transaction quickly."
"Oh, please reconsider. I'll make it worth your while. No other guild will offer a better price. What price did you have in mind?"
The vice president pleaded persistently, only stopping when the mercenaries started drawing their weapons. With a disappointed sigh, he finally opened his bag and began writing the letter of credit, unable to hide his frustration.
Watching him, Claude suddenly shouted.
"Wait!"
Everyone turned to him in confusion.
Swallowing nervously, Claude spoke in a shaky voice.
"Make it two separate letters of credit—one for 2,000 gold and one for 500. Is that possible?"
Belinda scoffed, and the vice president looked at Ghislain.
He was asking if that was acceptable.
Ghislain nodded.
"Make it that way."
"This paper has magic security features, so normally we don't split amounts… But since it's a large transaction, I'll do it at no extra charge."
The vice president, hopeful he might still strike a deal with Ghislain in the future, agreed to Claude's request without hesitation, taking the opportunity to show his generosity.
"Please come to our guild again in the future. We will serve you with the utmost dedication."
Bowing deeply, he continued to fawn over Ghislain until the mercenaries glared at him, finally forcing him to leave.
But he left behind two letters of credit totaling 2,500 gold.
"Take it."
Ghislain gestured toward the letters on the table.
Claude stared, wide-eyed, shifting his gaze from Ghislain to the letters.
He'd asked for the money, but he hadn't actually believed he would get it.
And Ghislain hadn't even asked what he needed it for or how he'd repay it.
Claude's hands trembled.
'Is this really happening? The thing I've dreamed of for years… just like that?'
He couldn't believe it.
It seemed impossible, and yet, if the vice president had been involved, it couldn't be a joke.
Two thousand gold was enough for an ordinary person to live in luxury for a lifetime.
Even for a wealthy noble, it was an enormous sum.
Yet the young noble before him had handed it over as if it were nothing to a mere gambler.
Claude had spent years in the gambling dens, doing everything he could to scrape together this money.
Was something so difficult for him really this easy for someone else?
As the shock slowly faded, a sense of emptiness crept in.
He stood there in a daze until he snapped back to his senses, shaking his head to clear his thoughts.
Pride didn't matter.
He'd finally obtained the money he'd been willing to sacrifice his life for—pride could be damned.
"Wait here for a moment."
Claude snatched up the letters of credit, stuffed them into his jacket, and quickly headed for the door.
He glanced back at Ghislain once, then rushed out of the tavern as if fleeing.
Seeing this, the mercenaries jumped to their feet.
"Stop him! He's a thief!"
Belinda prepared to chase after him, but Ghislain caught her arm.
"Why stop him? He's just running off with the money!"
"It's fine. I know where he's going."
Ghislain's confident tone made Belinda and the mercenaries halt in confusion.
"You know where he went? Is it the gambling den?"
"No, this time he's headed somewhere else."
Ghislain stood up leisurely.
"But he won't be able to handle it alone, so let's follow."
With his mind fixated on his goal, Claude wouldn't be thinking clearly.
Holding that much money would be dangerous for someone without power.
Ghislain led the mercenaries out of the tavern.
By then, Claude had already disappeared into the crowd.
But Ghislain didn't hesitate and walked at a steady pace.
Before long, the group arrived at the Auston baron's castle.
"Young master, this is…"
"Yes, it's the manor of Baron Auston."
Just as Ghislain expected, Claude was there, arguing with the guard.
"I brought the money as promised! Let me see the lord!"
"Is the baron your friend? You think you can just walk in?"
"The baron made this promise! Go tell him I'm here!"
"Alright, alright, wait here."
Barons aren't people you can just demand to see.
But Claude looked resolute, screaming with all the confidence of someone with an arranged meeting.
Even after one of the guards went inside to relay the message, Claude paced anxiously, glancing around.
When he spotted Ghislain, he flinched and shouted.
"Why are you here! I told you to wait a moment!"
"I was curious."
"It's my business! I'll come back once it's done. Why did you follow me?"
Belinda snapped back, her tone dripping with annoyance.
"Who'd trust a gambling addict like you! If you don't explain yourself, we'll take that money back!"
"Who said I was running? Just wait here!"
A guard, watching the bickering, turned to Ghislain and asked.
"And who might you be?"
Ghislain smiled, throwing an arm around Claude's shoulders.
"Oh, I'm his friend. Here to see the lord with him."
"Friend? What a joke…"
Before Claude could argue, Ghislain whispered in his ear.
"Are you not thinking straight? You plan to go in alone with all that money? Baron Auston is known for his greed."
Suddenly, Claude felt as if he'd been doused with cold water.
The thrill of finally achieving his life's goal had clouded his mind.
It seemed his brain had completely dulled during those years of drinking and gambling.
Considering that he'd managed to get this far with all that money was a miracle in itself.
He'd been under surveillance, after all.
Trying to regain composure, Claude bit his lip.
'I've lived as a wreck for too long. Still, going in with a noble might help a bit.'
Claude forced his expression back to normal and said.
"Yes, we're friends. We'll go in together."
The guard looked at him suspiciously but reported to his superior that Claude had company.
Soon after, they were allowed inside.
Of course, the mercenaries had to wait in the lobby after surrendering their weapons.
Only Claude and Ghislain were permitted to meet the baron.
The Baron of Auston had a face that matched his greedy nature.
His eyes were dull, and his cheeks sagged with fat.
As soon as the two entered the audience hall, he spoke in a dry voice.
"So, you've really brought the money?"
The Claude who had acted boldly in front of Ghislain, now dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the floor as he pleaded.
"I truly have the money. Please, give it back to me now!"
[T/L: Please support me and read extra chapters here: https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]