Chapter 51 – Acting (Start)
Bidding farewell to the frigid days of snow, the time of the rainy season was arriving again. Although it wouldn’t be heavy torrential rains, the whole sky would linger with threads of rain, simultaneously caressing the passer-byers, bringing about an inexhaustible annoyance for everyone.
It was already half past nine in the morning. Situated on the fringes of the town of Ricca, in an area behind a store and within a room, it was as before, quiet and silent. Within this room, the curtains were shut tight, obstructing the merest specks of light rays outside. Dusky and silent. The space of the room wasn’t large, there wasn’t much furnishing and decorations either. White walls, a white ceiling, with a simple tiled floor.
The main furnishings, were only a table, a single sized bed and a simple clothes rack by the bed, nothing more.
At this very moment, the exact single bed that was up against the wall, had a youth inside, huhu1 deeply asleep. He seemed to be sleeping sweetly, muttering to himself from time to time.
On the covering over his body, was an impressive amount of small animals; perhaps indignant or laughing, but utterly cute. In the middle, was impressively the protagonist from Crayon Shin-chan and his small dog, Shiro. It had a hilarious impact being draped over the youth.
This was Rumont’s sole covering he could find within the spatial region. Due to the sudden few days that was hot and stuffy, and after being drenched in the rain during sword practice yesterday, he fell sick.
Thus, he was strictly monitored by Nick and the others, that until his condition had fully recovered, he was forbidden to keep on training.
The healing spells of a Druid could treat wounds, yet it was useless towards this kind of common cold. As for this type of ailment, there also existed a spell that treated it, however, it was a prerogative of a Priest. Rumont didn’t wish to go to the Shrine, and could merely drink simple medicines, waiting for his health to recover.
And because winter had just recently past, hence, the quilt Rumont was able to find, was comparatively thicker. He who had finished his medications, had started to sweat all over, and having no other alternatives, found this cover from within his spatial region.
At the time on the other world, because he was in a rush to a distant remote area in Tibet, he had hastily asked another person to purchase some cold-resisting beddings. The end result was the other person had a mischievous mind, giving him a randomly bought furnishing that was rather childish.
And when he learnt of it afterwards, he could only force a smile. He never thought that coming over from that world, such a humorous of a quilt would have surprisingly, accompanied him over. As for the satirical friend of his, although he was still alive, he could no longer see him again.
Just when he had taken the quilt out, it had also attracted the curiosity of Nick and them. But fortunately, the people of this world did not recognize what Shin-chan and Shiro were. They only felt that the quilt’s appearance was bright and pretty, with loveable patterns; extremely matching with his young status.
If it was exchanged for his past friend, knowing that he had surprisingly and really used this quilt to cover himself, he would have definitely died of laughter. It’s too bad, never to see him again……
After the sentiments, he had slept in the pitch darkness.
Since the afternoon of yesterday, he had slept until presently. Rumont was at this moment, relishing his sleep. Unfortunately at this moment, an alarming cry sounded over from next door.
The person amidst of deep sleep, wrinkled his brows, turned his body over and pulled the quilt high up, continuing to sleep.
A peal of mutterings sounded again. Because the speaker was next door, and the wall that was built wasn’t too thick, as a result, the sounds had totally bore through Rumont’s ears.
“Those two rascals!” seeing that the others didn’t want to relent until we was woken by the noises, Rumont in the end reluctantly opened his eyes, let out a sigh, before jumping off the bed.
While he was folding up his quilt, when he saw the quilt’s patterns, the corner of Rumont’s mouth jerked, he laughed bitterly while shaking his head. Afterwards, he sincerely folded it up and placed it away neatly.
When he was fully dressed and walked out of his room, he had been in a half-asleep, half-awake state.
“Morning, Rumont.” the two people that were just talking, greeted in his direction.
“Morning as well, Nick, Fafnir.” Rumont also greeted.
The place he visited was even smaller than the room he was just in. It only had an area of approximately 7 or 8 square metres. The furnishings in the room were also quite simple, apart from a set of table and chairs and a small cabinet of a firm quality, there was nothing else.
The room had a total of 2 doors, a front and a back. One door linked to the main hall outside, the other linked to the backyard, which was also the place he slept.
The walls of the room was a snow-white hue. A flower vase was placed on top of the table. A bunch of flowers, was giving off an enchanting fragrance.
At this moment, because of the rain outside, there were no customers dropping by. Therefore, Nick, the store manager did not stay outside, instead he stayed in a room that was amiably named by Rumont as the store manager’s office.
On top of the table was an accounting book.
The account book at this time was opened exactly on the final page. On it, was a type of puerile font, which was used to write an astonishing figure.
But the existence of a pile of silver coins, seemingly confirmed the authenticity of the figure. It was placed by others into a large chest, glittering and tempting with its radiance.
Silver coins. A pile of silver coins. A large pile of silver coins.
In front of the chest was at this moment standing 3 youths. One’s stature was tall and sturdy, one’s stature was tall and upright, and the other’s facial colour was faintly paler; a white of sickness.
The trio fondly gazed at the pile of silver coins within the chest. For a moment, nobody said anything.
“Nick, calculate it again. There’s really this much silver coins this month?” Fafnir was listless for a while, before suddenly saying. This was already the tenth time he had asked the question, after this precise figure was obtained.
Nick gave him a look as if he was looking at an idiot, saying: “fool, does this is still need to be calculated, one thousand two hundred silver coins are right in front of you. Can’t you see it for yourself, huh?”
“Only, I don’t believe in my own eyes, ah!” a foolish hehe laughter and Fafnir scratched his head. Afterwards, he faced Rumont and said: “Rumont, this money, is it alright if I take it?”
Recently, Fafnir had always occupied himself with learning martial skills, therefore, the number of times that he frequented the drugstore wasn’t much. Although the pile of silver coins had practically dazzled his eyes, he was still an honest man, he still felt that he shouldn’t take so much money.
Rumont at this time had also roughly understood the situation. He honestly wasn’t a competent owner, he had surprisingly forgotten that today was the end of the month summary. The cry that sound just then, was issued by Fafnir; because Nick had reported an astonishing figure, thus, it had shocked him.
Merrily hehe laughing, Rumont patted Fafnir’s shoulder and said: “last month, and the month before that, didn’t I already explain it to you huh? You also paid a portion in opening this store, therefore, you would naturally have earnings from the store. You don’t need to nag so much, you’re an adult, stop acting like such a young girl, stop mincing your words okay.”
The part Fafnir had paid was referring to the matters of the Thieves Guild. At that time, the duo had cooperated to earn the spoils of war. Even though Rumont had also given Fafnir some money afterwards, the vast majority of it was still held by Rumont.
Rumont had once mentioned to Fafnir that there was still a portion of money from the spoils, that when he opened a store, it would be regarded as the pair’s former savings. Fafnir at the time had only laughed, not taking it seriously.
As for presently, Rumont had opened a drugstore, and sure enough, had given Fafnir a twenty percent share in profits; also considering it as fulfilling the promise at the time.
As for Fafnir, he had always felt that what he had obtained at the time was neither lacking. Therefore, he always felt guilty in taking the twenty percent share of profits. The pair had already discussed the matter many times over. The previous two times that was split, Fafnir had taken it.
However, because the revenue of the drugstore wasn’t considered too high at the time, as a result, Fafnir had felt indifferent in accepting. Only this month, Rumont’s drugstore was making money fast. A share of twenty percent of the profits would be two-hundred and forty bright glittering silver coins!
This was equivalent to a year’s income of a middle class town resident. Therefore, Fafnir simultaneously sighed in amazement of the drugstore’s high revenue, while also feeling the money that he had obtained, his hand was scalding.
Only, Rumont’s mocking berate had made his face red. That’s right, as one that experienced through life or death, worrying unduly over the minor matters of money was honestly pussy-footed. Thus, nodding his head, no longer hesitating.
Using three pouches, the silver coins were well separated and packed. Afterwards, two of the bags were given respectively to Nick and Fafnir. Rumont’s face was full of confidence: “let us work well together, afterwards, our income would only be more and more.”
“Yeah! Let’s work together!” the hands of the three good friends, were momentarily together.
Today was pay-day. After splitting it well, Rumont took a small bag of silver coins and handed it over to the outside working Rolak. Rolak accepted the bag of money silently. Afterwards, without saying anything, carried on with his work.
Rumont inwardly sighed. This youth was actually quite intelligent, only, because of his family, would he end up like this. It really did make him feel pity.
Shaking his head, Rumont turned around, returning back to his own room.
And it was at this time, Rolak that was momentarily working with his head down, suddenly lifted his head, he watched Rumont’s rear image, his face showed a complex expression.
“Rumont, you were just sick, practice less for now ah.” within the forest, Fafnir was incessantly persuading.
However, Rumont who had already gone two days without practicing, had in the afternoon and after the rains, once more bloomed with vitality, he had employed the sword within his hand against the peals of cold winds.
Hearing Fafnir’s words, he wiped the sweat of his head, and flourished his sword back, before sitting by Fafnir’s side.
“Did Nick follow up with you? That Tax Officer came again this morning to nitpick. I’ve heard, that this time it’s on suspicion that our store is evading tax. They want to search through our financial accounts.” Fafnir said.
“Nick told me.” Rumont was angry once he thought about the matter.
“Strange, recently he seems to be quite smug, seems like he has proof.” Rumont did not know about the matters of the Baron. Therefore, towards the Tax Officer’s recent repeated provocations, he was utterly angry, and also thought it was quite strange.
He would pay a fifth of the revenue in taxes each month, which was also a large sum of money. Furthermore, he was already a Rank 2 Druid. In the foreseeable future, he would still become more powerful, something the Tax Officer wouldn’t have. Even if he relied on an aristocratic household background, he was still a governmental employee, he still shouldn’t be so smug like this right?
“Only, even if he really is smug, I’m still not afraid of him.”
Rumont’s current information gathering was extremely limited, he basically didn’t know the movements of the Tax Officer. However, with the store making money fast, and his influence within the Adventurers expanding, Rumont had already plotted well a plan; which was to get rid of the Tax Officer within the next few days.
In fact, last time when they ended the Thieves Guild, he had already obtained a few evidences, pertaining the crimes the Tax Officer and Priest committed.
However, the evidences weren’t comprehensive. In addition, using these evidences to convict, the offending people would at most be fined, that’s all. Anymore serious would also merely be a stripping of the current governmental position. However in this world, even the fiefs were privately owned. Relying on the relationships with the Feudal Lord, even if they were momentarily deprived, after a few days, they would again resume their office. This naturally wasn’t what Rumont desired as an objective.
Needing to act, it was then necessary to cause the opponent to go beyond redemption.
1. [呼呼 – zzzzzzz]↩
Bo~ 