194 Dekan’s Professional Expertise
Tarta, though skeptical that the card was genuine, still clutched it tightly in her hand.
“Whether it’s real or not, you’ll find out at the bank. The password is 0101.”
“……”
After a moment of silence, Tarta asked:
“What do you want me to do?”
She knew that this sum of money was not likely to come without a cost.
“Since the counterfeit cards you’ve made haven’t caused much harm nor significant financial loss to us, we can give you just a verbal warning.”
Dekan explained nonchalantly.
He paused, then smiled and added:
“After all, we wouldn’t want to waste our time suing our own people, would we?”
“……”
Tarta understood Dekan’s meaning.
“I get it. I’ll go with you.”
It seemed she had made up her mind; as long as it resolved her current predicament, she was willing to deal with a wolf.
“Then hurry up and get it done.”
Dekan waved his hand, indicating that Tarta could leave at any time.
“Aren’t you coming with me?”
As Tarta reached the door, seeing Dekan and Chloix showed no intention of following her, she couldn’t help but ask.
“Do you want to freeload two bodyguards?”
Dekan scoffed and retorted.
“…… I understand. Once I’m done, where do I find you?”
She knew she couldn’t escape from under this person’s watch.
So he had absolute confidence in handing her this 1,000 gold coins without worrying that she would bolt.
“Exit through the northern entrance of the black market, and about two hundred meters down the street, there will be a carriage escorted by the Capital City’s knight order. Just show the knight this savings card and say, ‘I’m here to find my brother.’ They’ll take care of you, and then just wait for us.”
Upon hearing this, Tarta nodded.
She didn’t say much more and quickly ran out.
After Tarta had left, Chloix asked:
“Dekan, what are we going to do next?”
“Of course, we’re going to follow her secretly.”
“Ah?”
Chloix seemed puzzled why Dekan wouldn’t openly protect her but instead chose to follow her in the shadows.
“It’s hard to explain now, but you’ll understand soon enough.”
Dekan then increased the dosage of anesthetic for the unconscious counterfeit card dealer in the shop before leaving.
After they finished their business today and removed their disguises, they would notify the knights to take the boss away for a few days of detention.
With Mia helping them with their disguises, even when getting out of the carriage, Dekan and Chloix wore masks.
Thus, the knights did not see their faces in disguise.
Soon, Chloix used wind magic to carry Dekan up into the sky above the city.
They wandered atop the tall buildings, overlooking Tarta’s actions on the ground.
Tarta first went to the bank to withdraw some gold coins.
Then she rushed home, seemingly handing some gold coins to her family.
Next, she headed to a building called the “Inote Chamber of Commerce.”
After coming out of the Inote Chamber, it appeared she had just about run out of the money she took out.
Then, she proceeded as promised towards the carriage Dekan had agreed upon.
The two followed Tarta, ensuring she safely reached near the carriage before they returned to the black market to find an information dealer for intelligence.
Due to Dekan’s generous payment, the information dealer was very cooperative, stating he would answer any questions.
“Tell me about the Inote Chamber of Commerce.”
Dekan straightforwardly made his request.
He felt that there was something off about the Inote Chamber.
Tarta must owe them several hundred gold coins.
Normally, a family like Tarta’s shouldn’t owe that much.
“The essence of the Inote Chamber is a gang that primarily engages in selling illegal goods, loan sharking, gambling, and so on.”
The information dealer replied.
“…… What are the interest rates like?”
“The annual interest is around 45%, compounded.”
“Does the Randir Kingdom do anything about them?”
Dekan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.
That number was akin to highway robbery!
Even Morion would find it hard to pull off such despicable acts.
“They have already deeply rooted themselves in this kingdom, and there’s a powerful duke backing them. Plus, the traditional regulatory power of the Randir Kingdom is not very strong… The biggest problem is that there are eighth-tier experts within their clan; the kingdom does not want, nor needs, to trouble them.”
The information dealer explained helplessly.
He really didn’t want to discuss the Inote Chamber.
If it weren’t for the fact that this information wasn’t a secret and these clients were well-off, he wouldn’t want to engage in a business that could bring trouble.
“Gangs also have eighth-tier experts? They really are quite large and strong.”
Dekan remarked.
Thinking for a moment, he then asked the information dealer:
“So how does the eighth-tier of this gang compare to the bishops of the Rebirth Church in terms of trouble?”
“That’s entirely a different concept!! How can you compare a gang to terrorists?!”
The information dealer exclaimed; he seemed to think Dekan was joking.
The eighth-tier in a gang is just a local strongman; if the gang really crosses the line, the Randir Kingdom could eliminate them at the cost of their own resources any day.
As for the bishops of the Rebirth Church, unless one was certain of seizing the opportunity to eliminate them, no kingdom would foolishly seek to provoke these bishops!
“If you plan to continue asking about Inote Gang’s information, this business can continue. But if you want to inquire about the Rebirth Church, I’m sorry; we can’t do that! I’ll refund you your money!”
The information dealer said firmly.
He didn’t dare to provoke the Rebirth Church!
Making money without a life to spend it!
“Uh, don’t worry, I’m only asking about the Inote Gang.”
Dekan rubbed his head in confusion.
He couldn’t help but wonder.
Is the Rebirth Church really that terrifying?
……
After a brief investigation, Dekan had roughly pieced together the situation.
Tarta must be facing a severe crisis at home, so she reluctantly turned to the Inote Chamber for a loan.
Originally, Tarta’s family should have been able to afford repayment.
But something must have happened later that made repayment very difficult.
Once a loan like that couldn’t be repaid, their family would be utterly finished as the interest rose too quickly.
Thus, at such a young age, Tarta began to take risks to produce counterfeit cards to make money.
Indeed, as long as she could continue producing the “Captain De’Erkan,” due to the high market demand, she would have a stable avenue for sales.
Perhaps she could repay the debt before it spiraled completely out of control.
Moreover, this might also be her only chance to settle her debts and save her family.
“It seems Tarta has been tricked out of quite a bit of money by the Inote Chamber. Since the money is still in my hands to repay her, it shouldn’t be too much to take a bit back, right?”
After leaving the black market, Dekan felt that his sense of justice could no longer be contained.
