Judith asked, not falling asleep as usual.
She wondered whether Erne, who had achieved his goal, would leave or not. She was curious, but she couldn't bring herself to ask. She thought it would be a bit disappointing if the answer was obvious.
But Judith has no intention of catching Erne as he leaves.
“...But why aren’t you sleeping today?”
What if everything Roam said is true?
Erne avoided answering that question. If he knew the answer, he would have told her, but he couldn't do it since he didn't know.
He covered Judith's eyes with his palm for no reason and told her to go to sleep quickly.
“Do you think I’m a chicken? If you cover my eyes, I’ll sleep?”
After saying that, she quickly fell asleep again.
Even though she hadn't been drinking, she must have been tired from the carriage ride that followed. Erne laid her head on the pillow, listening to Judith's even breathing.
So, if everything Roam said is true, what should I do?
Emptiness. Yes, if you were to name the feeling Erne was feeling right now, it would be emptiness. He was emptied.
He held the handle of a pot with the hand that used to hold a sword, and he even made incense with his own hands, and all the money he earned was spent on interest. There was a reason Smith was called a villain.
“Why are you charging me so much interest!”
“Of course, it is a loan, isn’t it? Well, still, the Countess is paying it back faster than anyone else.”
Even if he deducts this 3,000 gold, Judith's speed of repaying her debts is much faster than others.
This was the highest compliment Smith could give, but it did not please the debtor who heard it.
“He didn’t even have a knife, he's a real robber.”
Erne's brow furrowed as he came out of Smith's office.
“It’s worse than robbery.”
Judith intervened. A robber only takes the money you have, but Smith helps you earn money and takes away all the money you will receive in the future.
As they were leaving the building where Smith's office was, a familiar voice pretended to recognize her.
“Are you Miss Harrington?”
Judith and Erne turned toward the voice.
“Mr. Big Luhmann?”
Close-cropped hair, sharp eyes, and a livestock knife at his waist. He was the eldest of the Luhmann brothers. Of course, the Luhmann brothers also had names.
But Smith and everyone else called him Big Luhmann and Little Luhmann, so Judith was also called Big Luhmann and Little Luhmann.
“Oh my goodness, Mr. Luhmann, you have a lover? I can’t recognize you from afar.”
Of course, that was a lie. But it wasn't a complete lie either. Well, the Big Luhmann looked much better than when she saw him before.
The deep wrinkles on her forehead have smoothed out a bit, her smooth skin has a soft glow, and the rippling belly fat has gone down a lot.
“Haha, I’ve been losing some weight lately. My little brother is losing weight too.”
For some reason, even his speech became much more gentle.
Erne couldn't take his eyes off him either, as he was amazed by his change. The last time Judith saw Brother Luhmann was 20 days ago, on the day of her regular repayment.
There wasn't much change back then, but how can a person become this tall in just 20 days?
“It looks good.”
Even Erne, who was sensitive to praise, couldn't help but say something.
“Haha, I’m going to take care of each one and try to get married.”
“If you keep doing this, I’ll go.”
Judith nodded vigorously at Erne's words.
“How on earth do you manage to change like that in just 20 days?”
On the way back from parting with Big Luhmann, Judith was still in a state of surprise.
She was so surprised that she completely forgot about the regret she had for spending 3,000 gold to pay off her debt.
“If you can do that in 20 days, you’ll be a completely different person in 40 days.”
Erne was amazed at the secrets of the great Luhmann's management.
They naturally headed to the incense shop.
Today was Ryan's first day at work. If Ryan took charge of the store, Henry would be relieved even if he later returned to the police force.
“Oh, Erne.”
When they entered the store, an unexpected customer was waiting for them.
Cain sniffed the incense, found Erne, and waved.
“Your wife came with you too.”
Cain held out his hand politely. Judith lightly placed her fingers on his hand. Then he made a gesture of kissing the back of her hand.
It was a basic greeting to a lady, but Judith felt awkward, and for some reason, Erne hated the sight of it.
“Have you come to buy incense, Marquis?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Then why are you here? Don’t bother my business and get out.”
Erne tried to chase Cain away. Henry, who was watching from afar, felt a sense of empathy for Cain.
“I came because I have something to say.”
“What do you want to say?”
“His Majesty would like to see you. And your wife too.”
This time, while capturing the Roam gang, news of Erne's survival reached the Emperor's ears.
The Emperor was not particularly surprised to hear that Erne had died, come back to life, and was pretending to be dead on paper.
He just responded by saying that he had to do that much to be able to hear the mad dog of the empire.
But the Emperor was quite surprised to hear that Erne was married.
Of course, he told the other person that she must be a woman with very unique tastes, but Cain did not tell Erne that story.
In any case, the Emperor praised Erne for his great contribution to capturing the Roam gang and summoned him to the palace.
Of course, Erne grumbled that they would just hand him some gifts and call him all the way to the palace.
He used to go out of the palace every now and then to slack off, so what was so annoying about that?
“Erne, I’m not telling you to smile. So, could you please lighten your expression?”
But now that the imperial edict had been issued, it was impossible for him to not go as he pleased.
So, in the end, Erne ended up riding in the carriage that was taking him to the palace. He had a frown on his face the whole time the carriage passed the main gate of the palace.
When Erne's expression after getting off the carriage showed no sign of improving, Cain finally made a suggestion that was almost like a plea to him to lighten his expression.
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
“You’re going to hit His Majesty, how rude.”
“That is even more rude.”
She wondered whether Erne, who had achieved his goal, would leave or not. She was curious, but she couldn't bring herself to ask. She thought it would be a bit disappointing if the answer was obvious.
But Judith has no intention of catching Erne as he leaves.
“...But why aren’t you sleeping today?”
What if everything Roam said is true?
Erne avoided answering that question. If he knew the answer, he would have told her, but he couldn't do it since he didn't know.
He covered Judith's eyes with his palm for no reason and told her to go to sleep quickly.
“Do you think I’m a chicken? If you cover my eyes, I’ll sleep?”
After saying that, she quickly fell asleep again.
Even though she hadn't been drinking, she must have been tired from the carriage ride that followed. Erne laid her head on the pillow, listening to Judith's even breathing.
So, if everything Roam said is true, what should I do?
Either find the main character in his head and finish him off, or leave this place as he originally planned.
'No matter which way you choose, I'll have to leave here.'
The main unit will be outside the capital. If he becomes a mercenary and wanders around like he originally planned, he will naturally leave the capital. Whichever path he takes, he will not be returning to the Rhineland Mansion for a while.
If it had been Erne when he had just been revived, he would have chosen one of the two. Or he would have become a mercenary and wandered around, and when he found out the location of the main unit, he would have gone to satisfy his curiosity, without any regrets or hesitation.
"...Why."
But why am I worrying about this now?
Judith's faint breathing echoed dizzily in his head. Erne could not sleep for a while. After staying up all night, when dawn came, Erne came to one conclusion.
He felt lost, completely.
As soon as Judith opened her eyes, she went to Smith with the deposit certificate.
“Three thousand gold, pay it back now.”
She placed a three thousand gold deposit certificate on Smith's desk.
“Oh, three thousand gold all at once?”
Smith reached for the deposit certificate, his eyes shining.
“...?”
“...”
Smith pulled at the deposit certificate pressed under her palm with two fingers, but Judith did not relax her grip.
“...Madam, please let this go.”
"Ah."
Although she had originally brought the certificate of deposit to give to Smith, she didn’t know why she felt so sorry about giving it to him. Judith sighed in regret and relaxed her grip.
“I feel like something is being taken away from me for some reason.”
“That’s how it feels when you pay off a loan.”
Is this comforting, Mr. Smith? It is indeed comforting.
'No matter which way you choose, I'll have to leave here.'
The main unit will be outside the capital. If he becomes a mercenary and wanders around like he originally planned, he will naturally leave the capital. Whichever path he takes, he will not be returning to the Rhineland Mansion for a while.
If it had been Erne when he had just been revived, he would have chosen one of the two. Or he would have become a mercenary and wandered around, and when he found out the location of the main unit, he would have gone to satisfy his curiosity, without any regrets or hesitation.
"...Why."
But why am I worrying about this now?
Judith's faint breathing echoed dizzily in his head. Erne could not sleep for a while. After staying up all night, when dawn came, Erne came to one conclusion.
He felt lost, completely.
***
As soon as Judith opened her eyes, she went to Smith with the deposit certificate.
“Three thousand gold, pay it back now.”
She placed a three thousand gold deposit certificate on Smith's desk.
“Oh, three thousand gold all at once?”
Smith reached for the deposit certificate, his eyes shining.
“...?”
“...”
Smith pulled at the deposit certificate pressed under her palm with two fingers, but Judith did not relax her grip.
“...Madam, please let this go.”
"Ah."
Although she had originally brought the certificate of deposit to give to Smith, she didn’t know why she felt so sorry about giving it to him. Judith sighed in regret and relaxed her grip.
“I feel like something is being taken away from me for some reason.”
“That’s how it feels when you pay off a loan.”
Is this comforting, Mr. Smith? It is indeed comforting.
Whether she raised her eyes or not, Smith held up the deposit certificate to the candlelight.
“What do you see when you look at it that way?”
“No, it just doesn’t look like it.”
There is something. It looks like there is nothing. Her face turned pale.
“Now, this leaves Countess Rhineland with 162,500 gold pieces left.”
Smith opened his ledger and wrote down the amount she had paid today under Judith's name.
“What, that’s all you could pay back?”
Erne, who had been leaning against the wall and quietly listening to Smith and my conversation which was almost like a joke, sat up.
You've been cutting back on sleep to make candles, deliver them, and even eat leftover food from others, and you still have a debt of over 160 million gold?
“The loan shark is scamming me.”
Erne's mood became fierce.
“A fraud? In this way, trust is everything when it comes to money games.”
Smith's face crumpled as if he was being wronged. Judith whispered to Erne, who was coming towards her as if he was going to grab Smith by the collar.
“That’s because we pay off the interest and principal together.”
“...So most of the money I worked hard to give to that guy was interest?”
“What do you see when you look at it that way?”
“No, it just doesn’t look like it.”
There is something. It looks like there is nothing. Her face turned pale.
“Now, this leaves Countess Rhineland with 162,500 gold pieces left.”
Smith opened his ledger and wrote down the amount she had paid today under Judith's name.
“What, that’s all you could pay back?”
Erne, who had been leaning against the wall and quietly listening to Smith and my conversation which was almost like a joke, sat up.
You've been cutting back on sleep to make candles, deliver them, and even eat leftover food from others, and you still have a debt of over 160 million gold?
“The loan shark is scamming me.”
Erne's mood became fierce.
“A fraud? In this way, trust is everything when it comes to money games.”
Smith's face crumpled as if he was being wronged. Judith whispered to Erne, who was coming towards her as if he was going to grab Smith by the collar.
“That’s because we pay off the interest and principal together.”
“...So most of the money I worked hard to give to that guy was interest?”
Emptiness. Yes, if you were to name the feeling Erne was feeling right now, it would be emptiness. He was emptied.
He held the handle of a pot with the hand that used to hold a sword, and he even made incense with his own hands, and all the money he earned was spent on interest. There was a reason Smith was called a villain.
“Why are you charging me so much interest!”
“Of course, it is a loan, isn’t it? Well, still, the Countess is paying it back faster than anyone else.”
Even if he deducts this 3,000 gold, Judith's speed of repaying her debts is much faster than others.
This was the highest compliment Smith could give, but it did not please the debtor who heard it.
“He didn’t even have a knife, he's a real robber.”
Erne's brow furrowed as he came out of Smith's office.
“It’s worse than robbery.”
Judith intervened. A robber only takes the money you have, but Smith helps you earn money and takes away all the money you will receive in the future.
As they were leaving the building where Smith's office was, a familiar voice pretended to recognize her.
“Are you Miss Harrington?”
Judith and Erne turned toward the voice.
“Mr. Big Luhmann?”
Close-cropped hair, sharp eyes, and a livestock knife at his waist. He was the eldest of the Luhmann brothers. Of course, the Luhmann brothers also had names.
But Smith and everyone else called him Big Luhmann and Little Luhmann, so Judith was also called Big Luhmann and Little Luhmann.
“Oh my goodness, Mr. Luhmann, you have a lover? I can’t recognize you from afar.”
Of course, that was a lie. But it wasn't a complete lie either. Well, the Big Luhmann looked much better than when she saw him before.
The deep wrinkles on her forehead have smoothed out a bit, her smooth skin has a soft glow, and the rippling belly fat has gone down a lot.
“Haha, I’ve been losing some weight lately. My little brother is losing weight too.”
For some reason, even his speech became much more gentle.
Erne couldn't take his eyes off him either, as he was amazed by his change. The last time Judith saw Brother Luhmann was 20 days ago, on the day of her regular repayment.
There wasn't much change back then, but how can a person become this tall in just 20 days?
“It looks good.”
Even Erne, who was sensitive to praise, couldn't help but say something.
“Haha, I’m going to take care of each one and try to get married.”
“If you keep doing this, I’ll go.”
Judith nodded vigorously at Erne's words.
“How on earth do you manage to change like that in just 20 days?”
On the way back from parting with Big Luhmann, Judith was still in a state of surprise.
She was so surprised that she completely forgot about the regret she had for spending 3,000 gold to pay off her debt.
“If you can do that in 20 days, you’ll be a completely different person in 40 days.”
Erne was amazed at the secrets of the great Luhmann's management.
They naturally headed to the incense shop.
Today was Ryan's first day at work. If Ryan took charge of the store, Henry would be relieved even if he later returned to the police force.
***
“Oh, Erne.”
When they entered the store, an unexpected customer was waiting for them.
Cain sniffed the incense, found Erne, and waved.
“Your wife came with you too.”
Cain held out his hand politely. Judith lightly placed her fingers on his hand. Then he made a gesture of kissing the back of her hand.
It was a basic greeting to a lady, but Judith felt awkward, and for some reason, Erne hated the sight of it.
“Have you come to buy incense, Marquis?”
“Unfortunately, no.”
“Then why are you here? Don’t bother my business and get out.”
Erne tried to chase Cain away. Henry, who was watching from afar, felt a sense of empathy for Cain.
“I came because I have something to say.”
“What do you want to say?”
“His Majesty would like to see you. And your wife too.”
***
This time, while capturing the Roam gang, news of Erne's survival reached the Emperor's ears.
The Emperor was not particularly surprised to hear that Erne had died, come back to life, and was pretending to be dead on paper.
He just responded by saying that he had to do that much to be able to hear the mad dog of the empire.
But the Emperor was quite surprised to hear that Erne was married.
Of course, he told the other person that she must be a woman with very unique tastes, but Cain did not tell Erne that story.
In any case, the Emperor praised Erne for his great contribution to capturing the Roam gang and summoned him to the palace.
Of course, Erne grumbled that they would just hand him some gifts and call him all the way to the palace.
Erne has had enough of the imperial palace. If Roam, still in prison, could hear him, he'd be proud.
“Erne, I’m not telling you to smile. So, could you please lighten your expression?”
But now that the imperial edict had been issued, it was impossible for him to not go as he pleased.
So, in the end, Erne ended up riding in the carriage that was taking him to the palace. He had a frown on his face the whole time the carriage passed the main gate of the palace.
When Erne's expression after getting off the carriage showed no sign of improving, Cain finally made a suggestion that was almost like a plea to him to lighten his expression.
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
“You’re going to hit His Majesty, how rude.”
“That is even more rude.”
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So is it 200 million gold or 200,000 gold? Anw, they should tell the emperor to pay back all of their debt since they are the ones actively helping him capture the rebels.
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