It seemed that Meline-san's store hadn't even opened yet, and there were no customers other than some unscrupulous people.
In a seat at the very back of the store, there was a man so fat that I thought he was an Orc wearing clothes, reclining in his seat.
He must have been in his forties, his cheeks sagging with an unhealthy complexion, and a sly grin on his face.
He looked like he had been beaten quite a bit and his face was starting to change shape, but kneeling at the fat man's feet was Meline-san's brother Nikola.
Nikola was being grabbed by the hair from behind by a man who looked like a template for a thug.
Meline-san stood facing Nikola, her face pale and trembling.
Motomiya-san, who said she sometimes helped out at the store, was anxiously watching the proceedings from the kitchen.
"Three million Helts is a lot of money, what on earth did you spend it on?"
"I should have gotten it back right away ... Please, Volent-san, lend me just 500,000 Helts more, and then ... Gafu!"
The fat man called Volent kicked Nikola in the face as he begged him.
"Don't be ridiculous! I consolidated all the debts you had unscrupulously created here and there to make them easier to repay, but you won't even pay back the interest properly. On top of that, you want me to lend you more money? Don't treat me like a fool!"
"That's wrong, once the A-rank adventurer party I'm a member of resumes its activities, I can earn a lot of money as a member. So, until then ..."
"One of the members of that party has fallen ill with a serious illness, and there is no prospect of resuming activities, right? So, when will you be able to pay it back. There's no way I could lend even one more Helt to a bastard who has no way of paying me back."
I understood that Nikola had racked up a large amount of debt, but he had connections with an A-rank adventurer party.
[ Kent-sama, aren't these guys some of those troublesome people. ]
"As I thought? Reinhardt thinks so too, right."
[ I think it would be better to look into what's behind this instead of cleaning them up here. ]
"Yup, I think so too."
Nikola, who was refused additional debt by Volent, began asking Meline-san for money.
"Nee-san, please. Just 500,000 Helts more ... No, 300,000 Helts is fine, so please accommodate."
"Nikola ... Ever since you told me you were going to become an adventurer, you've already taken out a lot of our family's money. Besides, I can't afford that kind of money."
"Don't say that. Even this store, half of it is mine. I'll give all the rights to Nee-san, so please lend me the money accordingly."
"Don't speak the impossible, I only have enough money left to buy things for the store."
"Right, Volent-san. If I put this shop as collateral, you can lend me about a million Helts ... Gufuu."
"Please stop being violent!"
Volent kicked Nikola, who had gleefully sidled up to him, away again.
"Nikola, are you empty-headed? We're here to collect 3 million Helts. There's no way this shoddy shop in a back alley will make 2 million. Even if you take the whole thing, it won't suffice."
"That's ... I'm pretty sure the contract doesn't have the shop as collateral."
"Yeah, that's right. So, if you can't pay it back by the deadline, you'll have no choice but to pay with your body."
Ehh? Nikola will pay with his body, he said, ahh, perhaps! Will he be sold to that sort of establishment?
Meline-san also asked Volent, with a worried expression on her face.
"What will happen to my brother if he can't come up with the money by the deadline?"
"Well, in that case, I'll just have you go to Resenburg to work."
"That's a lie! They're probably going to sell me as a slave."
Volent answered in a calm tone to Nikola who was shouting.
"I heard that Lastock in Resenburg is looking for help to clear new farmland. Isn't it a good story that someone like you, who has no merits, can continue to get work that pays a higher daily wage than building the walls of Volzard?"
"That's a lie. Once you go to Resenburg, you can never come back."
"How much do you think your debt is? It's three million Helts. And with interest, there's no way you can pay it back easily. The people who went to Resenburg were all people who, like you, had huge debts. Saying you can never come back, they can't come back because they haven't finished repaying their debt."
Slavery had been abolished in the Republic of Landshelt, including Volzard, but slavery still remained in Resenburg.
I heard that Lastock, which was under direct control, was given over to Count Gleisner, and that he was cultivating the forest between it and his original Count territory.
They may start developing the Devil's Forest someday, and it was true that labor was needed, but I didn't think they would be paid much better than working on the walls of Volzard.
As Nikola said, it seemed more likely that they would be sold as slaves and forced to work.
"What should I do to have you give me back my brother?"
"On the next rest day, a carriage will leave for Resenburg. If you can prepare three million Helts by star day, I will return your brother. If not, then he will go to Resenburg."
"I can't prepare such a large amount of money all of a sudden. I need a little more time ..."
"That's right. If you become mine, I can free Nikola in exchange for this store."
Volent stood up slowly and reached out his hand to Meline-san, but just before he could touch her enchanting bust, his hand was knocked away with a 'Bishi' sound.
Motomiya-san barged in front of Meline-san and stood ready for battle, pointing at him with the long chopsticks she had used to knock away Volent's hand.(TN:Long chopsticks are for cooking.)
"You bitch, what are you doing!"
"That's my mine. If you make a move on Meline-san, be prepared to make the Monster User your enemy."
"What do you mean, the Monster User ..."
No way, I never thought my name would come up at this timing.
"Right. Meline-san trained at Amanda-san's shop where the Monster User Kent Kokubu is boarding. If you harm Meline-san, who he considers like family, you will definitely be recognized as an enemy."
"Damn ... Nikola, you bastard, why didn't you tell me!"
"Nee-san, is what was just said the truth?"
When Meline-san nodded silently, Nikola grinned and sat cross-legged on the floor.
"Ah~ah, you've done it now, Volent-san. Being so violent to me, with just a few words from Nee-san, won't all the gambling houses and brothels be destroyed?"
"This bastard, getting carried away ..."
Volent's face was so red that I was worried that a blood vessel in his head might burst, and he was clenching his fists and trembling.
Rather, I totally agree with him.
I didn't mind if he wanted to use my name as much as he liked in order to save Meline-san from a crisis, but I didn't want it to be used to make Nikola feel better.
"Volent-san, what are you going to do? Maa, as for me, if you write off the debt, I don't mind if you just give me a consolation fee of about 2 million Helts."
"Fuuuuuu ..."
Volent closed his eyes and took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
"Hey, Morales. Put this guy in the basement of the gambling house."
"Yes, Danna-sama."
"Wait, Volent-san, do you even know what you're talking about?"
"Of course. In the first place, a bastard who stands out as much as the Monster User, do you think I haven't investigated him?"
"Nee-san, about me, to the Monster User ..."
"It's no use, Nikola. It's been decided that the Monster User will marry Beatriche, the second daughter of Lord Klaus, and he is already acting as Klaus' right-hand man. Do you know what that means?"
"That's how it is, he has tremendous power in Volzard ..."
"You idiot. No matter how skilled the Monster User is, he or she is bound by the laws of Volzard. Even if I can't take your sister away by force, as long as I have proof of the debt, it's legal for me to detain you because you don't have the ability to repay. It means that the Monster User can't touch me."
I wasn't familiar with Volzard's laws, so I didn't know how much was allowed, but if there was a legitimate loan, it seemed difficult to get involved.
"Damnit, let go, let me go ... Gufuu."
"Shut up and walk!"
Nikola received a body blow from the thug called Morales, was grabbed by the scruff, and was dragged out of the store.
The ones that remained were Volent, who was looking at at Meline-san, and Motomiya-san who was in between.
"I'll come again on star day. By then, decide whether to prepare the money, become my woman, or abandon Nikola."
"Wait, if you put your hands on Meline-san ..."
"If you voluntarily become my woman, the Monster User won't be able to complain. Maa, I guess you should think about it carefully."
When Volent left the store, Meline-san fell to her knees and sat down.
"Reinhardt, follow Volent. Mart and Mirt also go and follow."
[ Roger that. ]
"Wafuu, leave it to me, Goshujin-sama."
I asked Reinhardt and the others to follow them, and I used the shield of darkness to enter Meline-san's shop.
"Are you okay? Meline-san."
"Kent, Nikola is ..."
"Kokubu-kun, if you were watching, why didn't you help."
"If I show my face even though I don't know the situation, it will only make people wary of me and make it harder for me to counterattack. My genus followed them, so I'll be checking on the situation from now on. Meline-san, I know you're worried, but could you leave it to me?"
"Kent ... Thank you. Please, help Nikola."
"It's okay, I won't let him go to Resenburg, so don't worry. Motomiya-san, can I leave this place to you?"
"Of course, leave it to me!"
I left Meline-san to Motomiya-san and chased after Reinhardt and the others.
Morales and another thug were dragging Nikola behind Volent, who was walking while watching the surroundings.
When people passing by noticed Volent, they lowered their gaze and moved out of the way.
Even the adventurer-looking men gave way, with bitter expressions on their faces.
Apparently, this man named Volent was a well-known person in Volzard.
Volent headed towards the eastern part of the old city, behind the Guild's training grounds.
There were shops near the Guild that sold weapons and armor, as well as shops that bought materials separately from the Guild.
Going further behind was what was called an entertainment district.
Volent was ignored by passersby on the main street, but in the entertainment district, most people greeted him with friendly smiles.
It seemed that he was the boss of the entertainment district.
They split into two groups along the way, so I left the pursuit of Nikola and the others to Mart and Mirt, and continued following Volent with Reinhardt.
Volent stepped into a flashy store, and a man who was preparing to open the store greeted him with his head bowed so hard it almost hit his knees.
Volent entered the store with a placid nod, and gave an order to the man at the counter.
"Hey, tell those Flamehound guys to show their faces."
"As you wish."
Volent passed through the passage behind the counter and headed to the separate building.
Rather, as I thought, it seemed the Flamehound guys were involved.
As Volent passed through a door guarded by a strong man, four women in sensational costumes appeared before him.
They were beautiful women who weren't inferior to each other, and their voluptuous breasts were spilling out of their costumes ... Or rather, various parts were transparent.
I completely recognized Volent as an enemy, considering that he was trying to put his hands on Meline-san while having four such beautiful women as his attendants.
"Nushi-sama, I'll kill him."
"Uwah, no good, no good. We haven't uncovered the hidden side of the conspiracy yet, so killing him is no good!"
"I see, that's a shame."
I inadvertently recognized him as an enemy, so Sahel looked like she would jump out.
"Huh? Sahel, you didn't come to ask about it when it was Yagi."
"Yes, that is annoying, but I shouldn't kill it, right?"
"Right, right, that's right, Sahel. Well done, great."
"I'm grateful."
As I stroked her head, Sahel squinted her eyes at me and purred with a 'Kuu kuu' sound.
While I was enjoying the smooth texture of Sahel, Volent started drinking fruit wine even though it was daytime.
Judging from the aroma, it seemed like a young Livre wine.
About 20 minutes after Volent began drinking with a sullen face, I heard footsteps and voices coming from outside the room.
The people who showed up were the A-rank adventurer party, the three Flamehounds, Bartolo, Jarma, and Orest.
This, let's record it just in case.
"Do you need something, Volent-san. Do you think you'll be able to get Nikola's sister?"
"Fuun, you guys, did you know?"
In response to the question of Jarma, the most personable of the three, Volent snorted.
"Did we know, you say, what are you talking about."
"Nikola's sister is said to be on good terms with the Monster User."
"What did you say, is that true?"
"If it wasn't true, I wouldn't call you guys. If things continue like this, it's doubtful that I will be able to sell Nikola in Resenburg, and I doubt that I'll be able to make my money back."
"Damnit, that brat is truly an eyesore. I can't believe how much time and effort it took to prepare ..."
Jarma, while complaining to Volent, told the story behind the conspiracy.
He took notice of Nikola, who had not shown any signs of becoming an adventurer, and invited him to the party.
They tricked him into thinking that if he was going to join an A-rank party, he would need the appropriate equipment, and after starting with making him buy needlessly expensive weapons and armor, they made him learn the tastes of drinking, gambling, and women, and it seemed that his debts piled up.
At first, he borrowed money from Bartolo, but when the amount of money increased, in order to pay for treatment for a seizure Jarma suffered due to a curse he received in the past, apparently, he introduced him to a moneylender and helped him refinance the loan.
It seemed that Nikola took out additional debt from another moneylender every time the repayment deadline came, and increased his debt by gambling in hopes of making a one-shot reversal.
What's more, everything from the first weapon shop to the bar, gambling parlor, brothel, and moneylender was inspired by Volent, and everything was a conspiracy by these four people.
Come to think of it, Takayama was previously recruited by the Flamehounds, but if he had stayed with them, he might have ended up like Nikola.
The target of the four was, of course, Meline-san.
If you become my mistress ... They planned on tricking her into working at Volent's brothel.
"Nikola is in our custody as long as we have the contract, but even if we sell him to a slave trader in Resenburg, he won't fetch a price of 3 million. What are we going to do."
The three Flamehounds frowned as Volent approached them, but Orest seemed to have come up with something.
"Wait a minute. Volent-san, show me Nikola's contract."
"What about the contract?"
"What's going on with the interest rate? If the high interest rate remains, it might give the Monster User brat an opening to counterattack."
"I know. I'll act like I'm doing him a favor and tell Nikola that I'll lower the interest rate, and I'll rewrite the contract with an interest rate that doesn't violate the law, so don't worry."
"The Monster User is a shrewd brat, but he has a lot of money. If we appeal to him that it's a debt that doesn't violate the law, we might be able to squeeze the money out of him."
"I see, considering the risks, maybe we should give up on Meline and focus on the money."
After that, the three Flamehounds moved to a separate room, and Nikola was brought in and was easily roped in, where he willingly signed a new contract.
Of course, I took photos so that I could compare the texts between the old and new versions.
[ Now, Kent-sama. How should we end this? ]
"It would be easy to take over the debt, but then it looks like Nikola will try to do something similar again. Volent isn't going to be easy either, so I'll talk to Klaus-san for a bit."
[ That's right. That would be good. ]
It was up to me alone to figure out how to reform Nikola and punish Volent and the Flamehounds.
This place was where I should seek advice from a trusted adult.
After Nikola was taken away, I stopped filming when Volent and the Flamehounds finished talking.
I moved to Klaus-san's office in the Guild using shadow movement.
It seemed that Meline-san's store hadn't even opened yet, and there were no customers other than some unscrupulous people.
In a seat at the very back of the store, there was a man so fat that I thought he was an Orc wearing clothes, reclining in his seat.
He must have been in his forties, his cheeks sagging with an unhealthy complexion, and a sly grin on his face.
He looked like he had been beaten quite a bit and his face was starting to change shape, but kneeling at the fat man's feet was Meline-san's brother Nikola.
Nikola was being grabbed by the hair from behind by a man who looked like a template for a thug.
Meline-san stood facing Nikola, her face pale and trembling.
Motomiya-san, who said she sometimes helped out at the store, was anxiously watching the proceedings from the kitchen.
"Three million Helts is a lot of money, what on earth did you spend it on?"
"I should have gotten it back right away ... Please, Volent-san, lend me just 500,000 Helts more, and then ... Gafu!"
The fat man called Volent kicked Nikola in the face as he begged him.
"Don't be ridiculous! I consolidated all the debts you had unscrupulously created here and there to make them easier to repay, but you won't even pay back the interest properly. On top of that, you want me to lend you more money? Don't treat me like a fool!"
"That's wrong, once the A-rank adventurer party I'm a member of resumes its activities, I can earn a lot of money as a member. So, until then ..."
"One of the members of that party has fallen ill with a serious illness, and there is no prospect of resuming activities, right? So, when will you be able to pay it back. There's no way I could lend even one more Helt to a bastard who has no way of paying me back."
I understood that Nikola had racked up a large amount of debt, but he had connections with an A-rank adventurer party.
[ Kent-sama, aren't these guys some of those troublesome people. ]
"As I thought? Reinhardt thinks so too, right."
[ I think it would be better to look into what's behind this instead of cleaning them up here. ]
"Yup, I think so too."
Nikola, who was refused additional debt by Volent, began asking Meline-san for money.
"Nee-san, please. Just 500,000 Helts more ... No, 300,000 Helts is fine, so please accommodate."
"Nikola ... Ever since you told me you were going to become an adventurer, you've already taken out a lot of our family's money. Besides, I can't afford that kind of money."
"Don't say that. Even this store, half of it is mine. I'll give all the rights to Nee-san, so please lend me the money accordingly."
"Don't speak the impossible, I only have enough money left to buy things for the store."
"Right, Volent-san. If I put this shop as collateral, you can lend me about a million Helts ... Gufuu."
"Please stop being violent!"
Volent kicked Nikola, who had gleefully sidled up to him, away again.
"Nikola, are you empty-headed? We're here to collect 3 million Helts. There's no way this shoddy shop in a back alley will make 2 million. Even if you take the whole thing, it won't suffice."
"That's ... I'm pretty sure the contract doesn't have the shop as collateral."
"Yeah, that's right. So, if you can't pay it back by the deadline, you'll have no choice but to pay with your body."
Ehh? Nikola will pay with his body, he said, ahh, perhaps! Will he be sold to that sort of establishment?
Meline-san also asked Volent, with a worried expression on her face.
"What will happen to my brother if he can't come up with the money by the deadline?"
"Well, in that case, I'll just have you go to Resenburg to work."
"That's a lie! They're probably going to sell me as a slave."
Volent answered in a calm tone to Nikola who was shouting.
"I heard that Lastock in Resenburg is looking for help to clear new farmland. Isn't it a good story that someone like you, who has no merits, can continue to get work that pays a higher daily wage than building the walls of Volzard?"
"That's a lie. Once you go to Resenburg, you can never come back."
"How much do you think your debt is? It's three million Helts. And with interest, there's no way you can pay it back easily. The people who went to Resenburg were all people who, like you, had huge debts. Saying you can never come back, they can't come back because they haven't finished repaying their debt."
Slavery had been abolished in the Republic of Landshelt, including Volzard, but slavery still remained in Resenburg.
I heard that Lastock, which was under direct control, was given over to Count Gleisner, and that he was cultivating the forest between it and his original Count territory.
They may start developing the Devil's Forest someday, and it was true that labor was needed, but I didn't think they would be paid much better than working on the walls of Volzard.
As Nikola said, it seemed more likely that they would be sold as slaves and forced to work.
"What should I do to have you give me back my brother?"
"On the next rest day, a carriage will leave for Resenburg. If you can prepare three million Helts by star day, I will return your brother. If not, then he will go to Resenburg."
"I can't prepare such a large amount of money all of a sudden. I need a little more time ..."
"That's right. If you become mine, I can free Nikola in exchange for this store."
Volent stood up slowly and reached out his hand to Meline-san, but just before he could touch her enchanting bust, his hand was knocked away with a 'Bishi' sound.
Motomiya-san barged in front of Meline-san and stood ready for battle, pointing at him with the long chopsticks she had used to knock away Volent's hand.(TN:Long chopsticks are for cooking.)
"You bitch, what are you doing!"
"That's my mine. If you make a move on Meline-san, be prepared to make the Monster User your enemy."
"What do you mean, the Monster User ..."
No way, I never thought my name would come up at this timing.
"Right. Meline-san trained at Amanda-san's shop where the Monster User Kent Kokubu is boarding. If you harm Meline-san, who he considers like family, you will definitely be recognized as an enemy."
"Damn ... Nikola, you bastard, why didn't you tell me!"
"Nee-san, is what was just said the truth?"
When Meline-san nodded silently, Nikola grinned and sat cross-legged on the floor.
"Ah~ah, you've done it now, Volent-san. Being so violent to me, with just a few words from Nee-san, won't all the gambling houses and brothels be destroyed?"
"This bastard, getting carried away ..."
Volent's face was so red that I was worried that a blood vessel in his head might burst, and he was clenching his fists and trembling.
Rather, I totally agree with him.
I didn't mind if he wanted to use my name as much as he liked in order to save Meline-san from a crisis, but I didn't want it to be used to make Nikola feel better.
"Volent-san, what are you going to do? Maa, as for me, if you write off the debt, I don't mind if you just give me a consolation fee of about 2 million Helts."
"Fuuuuuu ..."
Volent closed his eyes and took a deep breath, regaining his composure.
"Hey, Morales. Put this guy in the basement of the gambling house."
"Yes, Danna-sama."
"Wait, Volent-san, do you even know what you're talking about?"
"Of course. In the first place, a bastard who stands out as much as the Monster User, do you think I haven't investigated him?"
"Nee-san, about me, to the Monster User ..."
"It's no use, Nikola. It's been decided that the Monster User will marry Beatriche, the second daughter of Lord Klaus, and he is already acting as Klaus' right-hand man. Do you know what that means?"
"That's how it is, he has tremendous power in Volzard ..."
"You idiot. No matter how skilled the Monster User is, he or she is bound by the laws of Volzard. Even if I can't take your sister away by force, as long as I have proof of the debt, it's legal for me to detain you because you don't have the ability to repay. It means that the Monster User can't touch me."
I wasn't familiar with Volzard's laws, so I didn't know how much was allowed, but if there was a legitimate loan, it seemed difficult to get involved.
"Damnit, let go, let me go ... Gufuu."
"Shut up and walk!"
Nikola received a body blow from the thug called Morales, was grabbed by the scruff, and was dragged out of the store.
The ones that remained were Volent, who was looking at at Meline-san, and Motomiya-san who was in between.
"I'll come again on star day. By then, decide whether to prepare the money, become my woman, or abandon Nikola."
"Wait, if you put your hands on Meline-san ..."
"If you voluntarily become my woman, the Monster User won't be able to complain. Maa, I guess you should think about it carefully."
When Volent left the store, Meline-san fell to her knees and sat down.
"Reinhardt, follow Volent. Mart and Mirt also go and follow."
[ Roger that. ]
"Wafuu, leave it to me, Goshujin-sama."
I asked Reinhardt and the others to follow them, and I used the shield of darkness to enter Meline-san's shop.
"Are you okay? Meline-san."
"Kent, Nikola is ..."
"Kokubu-kun, if you were watching, why didn't you help."
"If I show my face even though I don't know the situation, it will only make people wary of me and make it harder for me to counterattack. My genus followed them, so I'll be checking on the situation from now on. Meline-san, I know you're worried, but could you leave it to me?"
"Kent ... Thank you. Please, help Nikola."
"It's okay, I won't let him go to Resenburg, so don't worry. Motomiya-san, can I leave this place to you?"
"Of course, leave it to me!"
I left Meline-san to Motomiya-san and chased after Reinhardt and the others.
Morales and another thug were dragging Nikola behind Volent, who was walking while watching the surroundings.
When people passing by noticed Volent, they lowered their gaze and moved out of the way.
Even the adventurer-looking men gave way, with bitter expressions on their faces.
Apparently, this man named Volent was a well-known person in Volzard.
Volent headed towards the eastern part of the old city, behind the Guild's training grounds.
There were shops near the Guild that sold weapons and armor, as well as shops that bought materials separately from the Guild.
Going further behind was what was called an entertainment district.
Volent was ignored by passersby on the main street, but in the entertainment district, most people greeted him with friendly smiles.
It seemed that he was the boss of the entertainment district.
They split into two groups along the way, so I left the pursuit of Nikola and the others to Mart and Mirt, and continued following Volent with Reinhardt.
Volent stepped into a flashy store, and a man who was preparing to open the store greeted him with his head bowed so hard it almost hit his knees.
Volent entered the store with a placid nod, and gave an order to the man at the counter.
"Hey, tell those Flamehound guys to show their faces."
"As you wish."
Volent passed through the passage behind the counter and headed to the separate building.
Rather, as I thought, it seemed the Flamehound guys were involved.
As Volent passed through a door guarded by a strong man, four women in sensational costumes appeared before him.
They were beautiful women who weren't inferior to each other, and their voluptuous breasts were spilling out of their costumes ... Or rather, various parts were transparent.
I completely recognized Volent as an enemy, considering that he was trying to put his hands on Meline-san while having four such beautiful women as his attendants.
"Nushi-sama, I'll kill him."
"Uwah, no good, no good. We haven't uncovered the hidden side of the conspiracy yet, so killing him is no good!"
"I see, that's a shame."
I inadvertently recognized him as an enemy, so Sahel looked like she would jump out.
"Huh? Sahel, you didn't come to ask about it when it was Yagi."
"Yes, that is annoying, but I shouldn't kill it, right?"
"Right, right, that's right, Sahel. Well done, great."
"I'm grateful."
As I stroked her head, Sahel squinted her eyes at me and purred with a 'Kuu kuu' sound.
While I was enjoying the smooth texture of Sahel, Volent started drinking fruit wine even though it was daytime.
Judging from the aroma, it seemed like a young Livre wine.
About 20 minutes after Volent began drinking with a sullen face, I heard footsteps and voices coming from outside the room.
The people who showed up were the A-rank adventurer party, the three Flamehounds, Bartolo, Jarma, and Orest.
This, let's record it just in case.
"Do you need something, Volent-san. Do you think you'll be able to get Nikola's sister?"
"Fuun, you guys, did you know?"
In response to the question of Jarma, the most personable of the three, Volent snorted.
"Did we know, you say, what are you talking about."
"Nikola's sister is said to be on good terms with the Monster User."
"What did you say, is that true?"
"If it wasn't true, I wouldn't call you guys. If things continue like this, it's doubtful that I will be able to sell Nikola in Resenburg, and I doubt that I'll be able to make my money back."
"Damnit, that brat is truly an eyesore. I can't believe how much time and effort it took to prepare ..."
Jarma, while complaining to Volent, told the story behind the conspiracy.
He took notice of Nikola, who had not shown any signs of becoming an adventurer, and invited him to the party.
They tricked him into thinking that if he was going to join an A-rank party, he would need the appropriate equipment, and after starting with making him buy needlessly expensive weapons and armor, they made him learn the tastes of drinking, gambling, and women, and it seemed that his debts piled up.
At first, he borrowed money from Bartolo, but when the amount of money increased, in order to pay for treatment for a seizure Jarma suffered due to a curse he received in the past, apparently, he introduced him to a moneylender and helped him refinance the loan.
It seemed that Nikola took out additional debt from another moneylender every time the repayment deadline came, and increased his debt by gambling in hopes of making a one-shot reversal.
What's more, everything from the first weapon shop to the bar, gambling parlor, brothel, and moneylender was inspired by Volent, and everything was a conspiracy by these four people.
Come to think of it, Takayama was previously recruited by the Flamehounds, but if he had stayed with them, he might have ended up like Nikola.
The target of the four was, of course, Meline-san.
If you become my mistress ... They planned on tricking her into working at Volent's brothel.
"Nikola is in our custody as long as we have the contract, but even if we sell him to a slave trader in Resenburg, he won't fetch a price of 3 million. What are we going to do."
The three Flamehounds frowned as Volent approached them, but Orest seemed to have come up with something.
"Wait a minute. Volent-san, show me Nikola's contract."
"What about the contract?"
"What's going on with the interest rate? If the high interest rate remains, it might give the Monster User brat an opening to counterattack."
"I know. I'll act like I'm doing him a favor and tell Nikola that I'll lower the interest rate, and I'll rewrite the contract with an interest rate that doesn't violate the law, so don't worry."
"The Monster User is a shrewd brat, but he has a lot of money. If we appeal to him that it's a debt that doesn't violate the law, we might be able to squeeze the money out of him."
"I see, considering the risks, maybe we should give up on Meline and focus on the money."
After that, the three Flamehounds moved to a separate room, and Nikola was brought in and was easily roped in, where he willingly signed a new contract.
Of course, I took photos so that I could compare the texts between the old and new versions.
[ Now, Kent-sama. How should we end this? ]
"It would be easy to take over the debt, but then it looks like Nikola will try to do something similar again. Volent isn't going to be easy either, so I'll talk to Klaus-san for a bit."
[ That's right. That would be good. ]
It was up to me alone to figure out how to reform Nikola and punish Volent and the Flamehounds.
This place was where I should seek advice from a trusted adult.
After Nikola was taken away, I stopped filming when Volent and the Flamehounds finished talking.
I moved to Klaus-san's office in the Guild using shadow movement.
