Chapter 64

Translator: Yonnee

A few days later

It was during the cool, chilly dawn, with the atmosphere and mood subdued.

Several men were gathered along the riverbank, where the hushed mood lingered.

Five people.

No, six people in total. There was one more person here meant to retrieve something from the other five.

After being handed over a box from the other five men, the green haired man who was wearing a silver-rimmed pair of gla.s.ses cursorily checked the package. Then, he wrote something down on the piece of paper that was in his hand.

The hand that moved busily stopped for a moment.

Through the gla.s.ses, aloof grayish-green eyes scanned the men sharply.

Let me double check. This is 1000 gold, this is 520 gold correct?

The man pointed towards the two packages with his pen.

Both boxes were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with gold.

Yes, thats right. Then the agreed upon price

Yes, just as promised, Ive written down twice the amount of what you paid.

2000 gold, 1040 gold.

The other five men gaped open as the green-haired man muttered out the price.

He plucked off two checks and gave them to the five men.

Owens eyes were about to bug out of their sockets when he saw that the amount doubled in a literal instant.

This is the end of our deal. Just as promised, you can go to the Grand Bank one week later and exchange the checks for cash. Congratulations on becoming a pa.s.senger.

The green-haired man, that is, Logan, gave them a business-like smile.

He reached out for a handshake, and Owen gladly took his hand and whipped it up and down.

Well, were all on the same boat, so please take good care of us.

Logan smiled coldly at the voice full of greed.

Then, he naturally loosened his grip and replied.

Do take care.

Logans voice was exceedingly cold, but Owen and his men didnt notice at all.

Because they were already fantasizing about being rich.

1040 gold

With this kind of money, its possible to buy a three-storey townhouse in the capital.

It would have been better if they were given more money, but this was all they could get right now.

Yeah Its a shame, but where will just this take me? I can easily double my money like this.

Though Owen smacked his lips in regret, he was all twisted up in delight.

It was all thanks to the lady client who came before.

A few days ago

Upon entering the office, the veiled woman gave her request.

Two days later, please take this money to the riverbank. Give it all to the green-haired man and exchange it for checks that have double the original amount.

The request was incredibly unusual.

To give boxes full of gold coins and return with checks indicating double the amount of money.

When the woman entrusted her request, she was looking around nervously.

Its difficult to see what kind of expression she had beneath the veil, but just by observing her lips, its easy to see how nervous she was.

Owen licked his own dry lips with his tongue.

By chance, may I ask the reason for your request?

ThThe reason, why do you want to know?

Owen whispered when he asked, yet the woman answered with a question as well. She was visibly fl.u.s.tered.

Waving his hand casually as if to rea.s.sure her, Owen continued.

No, its just, to be honest Safety isnt guaranteed in this request, is it? Thats why I need to know more details so that I can give you satisfactory results. After all, were in this kind of profession. Our lips are tightly sealed. Thats why please rest a.s.sured. You can tell me everything.

He was so obviously lathering honey to his words. It looked like the woman was mulling over it for a moment.

Then she nodded and fessed up to everything as she stammered.

Honestly, this money its supposed to be to recover a s.h.i.+pwreck.

A s.h.i.+pwreck?

Yes, a s.h.i.+pwreck. Its not just any s.h.i.+pwreck. The s.h.i.+p was in the middle of transporting the treasures of a foreign countrys imperial family, but it sank while at sea.

Then she explained further.

Decades ago, a s.h.i.+p full of treasures, owned by a foreign countrys imperial family, was met with a storm. It subsequently sank into the depths of the waters.

Many people had tried to find the s.h.i.+p full of valuable treasures and expensive jewelry, but they couldnt.

And today, decades later.

The site of the s.h.i.+pwreck had finally been found.

However, it was going to take a lot of money and manpower to recover its riches.

Accordingly, news secretly began to spread amongst a small group of wealthy people.

Theyre going to invest in the recovery of the s.h.i.+pwreck, then as soon as the s.h.i.+p was raised, the funds they had originally pitched in would be doubled.

To be honest, its too good to be true, so I couldnt believe it at first.

But because the person who found the s.h.i.+pwreck was a very reliable person, and because its been secretly investigated, it was found out that the s.h.i.+p truly was full of treasures.

Thus, one by one, those wealthy people began to invest in the s.h.i.+pwrecks recovery.

Rumors inevitably spread, and the number of investors increased. The manager then made a rule.

You cannot invest unless you have been invited or personally introduced.

The last day was also in a weeks time, but by the time the woman had come to this guild, there were only two days left until the deadline.

So many wealthy people will be investing anyway, so there shouldnt be a shortage of funds, yes? I barely got an invitation this afternoon.

She said that she was lucky enough to get a chance to join the ranks of the investors.

However, she needed the help of the guild because shes going to invest her hidden slush funds. This was something she decided on behind her husbands back.

After she finished telling her story, the woman brought a handkerchief to the side of her veil, wiping away a few droplets of sweat.

Suddenly, that womans hand came into Owens sight.

A big diamond ring lined with blue sapphires.

And on her wrist, too, was a bracelet that looked like its made with pure, solid gold. At just one glance, its clear that it didnt have an ordinary design. And, at just one glance, its clear that it was not fake.

A n.o.ble?

Right. Judging by her appearance, she must really be a n.o.ble. That picturesque posture was something that couldnt be imitated either.

With a wide grin, Owen made a suggestion to the woman.

That she didnt need to pay the commission fee. Instead, just introduce him to the investment circle.

The woman thought about it long and hard, but when Owen repeatedly b.u.t.tered her up, she had no choice but to nod.

It remained a secret, just what kind of expression she was making at that moment beneath the veil.

And now, back to the present

Owen and his men walked away from the riverbank. His steps were light and gleeful.

No, well, it was supposed to be like that.

Until the end of his gaze had settled upon a familiar figure.

The delightedly humming man who had a skip to his step suddenly stopped in his tracks.

He folded up his precious check as though this itself was the treasure.

He didnt even know that it was nothing but a fake checkmerely a piece of paper.

He confirmed that the check went into his chest pocket then proceeded to b.u.t.ton his s.h.i.+rt tightly. This made him feel a bit rea.s.sured.

Pat, pat. He patted over the place where the pocket was located, then soon approached the familiar figure. No, that familiar woman.

Stomp, stomp.

His steps were heavy upon the hard floor. To the extent that the other person noticed his and his mens presence.

Owen and the womans eyes met in the air.

Gnash.

As Owen clenched his jaw and gritted his molars together, the grinding sound was audible from his teeth.

Been a while, Diana.

His voice was just as rough as his gnashed molars.

Towards his employee, Diana, who dared run away like a rat.

Dianas legs stayed in place as she looked back at Owen and his men.

Showing no signs of avoidance or surprise.

And there, in her hand, was a heavy looking pouch.

Owen scanned through her countenance as he pasted a fake smile on his lips.

Seems like youve been eating well enough someplace else, huh? You look like youre doing well. Very much.

Thinking that Diana was too scared to even open her mouth here, Owen snickered.

What, so did you enjoy playing our little game of tag? But what to do. You got caught already, hm?

Watching him act like hes scaring some child with those sarcastic remarks, Diana let out a small laugh.

Tag, you say? With what kind of bravado do you say that.

When Diana wrinkled her nose as she said that, Owens expression hardened.

To him, Diana was nothing but a slave.

She owed him money, and at the same time, hes the one supplying her with her younger sisters medicine.

It was because of this that he didnt have to waste money on her.

She was a capable, efficient and inexpensive slave.

But then she ran away.

Without paying back his money.

And then, right to his face, shes out here mocking him?

He never heard anything like this from Diana before.

Its always been like thisthat Owen would spit out curses or slap the other person across the face. Never the other way around.

Realizing just what happened, Owens face turned entirely red with anger.

Yeah, alright. We havent seen each other in a while. It seems like you forgot that I fed you and put a roof over your head, huh?!

While shouting nonsense, the man grabbed Dianas wrist roughly.

At the same time, the pouch she was holding slightly opened.

And Owens gaze lingered there for a moment.

From the pouchs opening, he glimpsed sparkling gold.

At this, greed immediately flashed over his face.

Whats with this money. Its mine, right?

The h.e.l.l you talking about.

Hearing that absurd question, Diana shook off the grip on her wrist and answered like this.

But then Owens grip wouldnt budge, as though he was a leech that wouldnt let go of Dianas wrist.

Rather, this just made his eyes have an even greedier look.

You took my money and ran away, yeah? Am I wrong?!

Ha. You check the safe every single day without fail. Youre the one who knows best if its empty or not.

Indeed, its just as Diana said.

The Black Lion Guilds safe was managed meticulously by Owen.

It was perhaps in his job description to sniff the fragrant smell of his money before actually doing work. He did this every day. Thats why Owen was the one who knew best whether the safe was empty or not.

In other words, he was saying nothing but bull.

Even so, he didnt retract his accusation.

Though Diana didnt rob the safe, the money she was holding now was his money.

Diana had yet to fully pay back the money she owed him, and her absence from the guild incurred a loss from all the requests that couldnt be fulfilled.

After all, wasnt all of Dianas debt his loss?

You ungrateful, shameless wench How dare you run away with my money?! Im gonna break your legs this time. Youre nothing but a thief

What the h.e.l.l are you all waiting for. Grab her!

Now with his eyes turned upside down, Owen shouted at his men.

And these loyal lackeys immediately obeyed their guildmasters orders.

However, these actions did not achieve the results he wanted.

First, Diana flung the pouch full of gold behind her, grabbed Owens arm and twisted it over.

Second, a man with a large physique appeared out of nowhere.

ARGH!

With his arm twisted, Owens shoulder was also grabbed. At this, he yelled out.

Diana pushed him down with no remorse, and so Owen rolled horrendously on the ground.

There, Owen wriggled and tried to get up.

However, as he looked up at Diana and the man next to her, the corner of his lips turned up into a scathing smile.

What the I was wondering why you suddenly look like youre glowing, but I guess you got yourself a husband, huh?

The moment Owen said that, both Diana and Ca.s.sions eyebrows twitched.