77 Lesson 11: Redemption of the Colt ②

"Wow, am I the next owner of the Fermer Chamber of Commerce?

"That's right. I want Elsie to do it."

"Why, can I ask you something?

"Oh, this is... like atonement"

"Atonement?"

"... um... I'll explain."

Take a breath.

I got ready and started explaining.

"Elsie worked at a liquor store before she became a slave, right?

"Yeah, it's my father and my mother's shop."

"I've been buying booze there since I was younger. Elsie's grandfather."

"Were you..."

"That shop over there was very friendly. He offered me liquor that I might like, and he picked up any liquor he asked for."

"My parents' shop sells kindness."

Elsie's face to say so was proud.

"I really was...... just when I started being a bad person...... I started placing impossible orders with that store that was kind to me"

I did something really stupid......

Take another breath and start talking.

"I also ask for a large quantity of very difficult liquor to pick up one, or to get enough liquor to be called a phantom as soon as possible... Normally, I refuse.

But your kind father did his best. But... I knew I couldn't... "

"Did that happen..."

Elsie had an indescribable look on her face.

Are you mad at me...

"No... that's not all...

And then I stopped buying booze there. I started ordering my men to align themselves.

And I always said bad things about that store. Wherever you go...... I didn't understand... my position, my influence...

Those idiots who were trying to get in my mood started harassing that store.

Well, I was happy to receive that report, and I was an idiot too... "

"I see..."

Elsie hadn't even gotten angry yet and had not changed her expression.

"And I remembered that store a month ago when I saw Elsie's face. I've seen Elsie help a few times when she was a little girl.

I thought you'd grown up, and at the same time I saw Elsie's collar and understood that there was no more of that store. "

Until then, there was no such thing as that store in my head.

At that time, I really regretted it.

I wanted to get out of front of Elsie.

We just worked together for a few days and I felt like a message from God.

"Atonement for your sins"

That's what I felt.

So I thought of this plan to give Elsie my entire fortune.

"Were you... my father and mother are not here now. My father died of illness without seeing a doctor because he was poor. And my mother worked too hard to pay off her debts and fell... and died of illness as it was. And this is how I became a slave without paying my remaining debts"

Elsie spoke pale.

"I'm so sorry"

I can only apologize...

Right... those two are dead...

"Yeah... honestly, it's a complicated feeling... because I know Mr. Colt is a good guy in the past month... I want to be mad... but I don't even feel like being mad at Mr. Colt..."

"Oh, I killed Elsie's parents, didn't I?

"It's also... not direct..."

"But I'm the cause."

"Okay. I'm not mad at you."

"Huh?"

Aren't you angry?

"You want me to be angry and make it easier for you, don't you?

"... well, maybe..."

Sure...... maybe I want to get easier from this guilt......

"Then I won't be angry. That's the punishment for you."

"Wow, okay..."

Oh well... do I have to live my whole life regretting this...

"And... I can't take over Mr. Colt's shop. I can't move that big store on my own!

"That's okay... because I could do this too. I'll be there for you."

"Still, I'm Mr. Holland's slave."

"That's okay, too. Slaves are my husband's freedom to open up later if they are bought away. The collar can also be removed if you pay the slaver. Besides, my shop will be under my brother's umbrella from now on, so don't worry about that."

"What do you mean?

"From now on, the Fermer Chamber of Commerce will become the Holland Chamber of Commerce. The image of Fermer is very bad. I want you to be part of my brother's shop."

"But, Mr. Holland, increasing the size of the store..."

That's confirmed, too.

"I have nothing to do with my brother's management of my shop because it's just the shape. Then we know it's okay."

"Really... Still, I need to inherit?

"Oh, because if Elsie, who worked in this store, became the proprietor, she'd think the customers were really my brother's, too."

This reason was prepared in advance to convince Elsie.

Elsie reluctantly thought a lot because she thought she would say no.

"Really? I don't think many people remember me, do they?

Again, Elsie doesn't seem to agree easily......

But this is my way of talking.

"No, Elsie is famous for her empire. Kind, beautiful, brilliant clerk."

This is true.

Elsie, who stands out more than her brother, is the face of this store.

And now, this shop has become one that everyone in Teito knows about.

"Is that true?

"Oh, even if it's true. Can't you talk to him when he's out there?

"Speaking of which..."

Looks like Elsie has an idea.

"That's what I'm talking about"

"So, but! What do employees do? I can't collect them, can I?

"That's okay, too. I kept my ex-employees bowing their heads so they could come back."

This has been a rough month.

Well, it's all my fault so far.

Conversely, I was able to get you back often in a month.

"Oh really..."

Elsie looks troubled.

This is just around the corner.

"I'm fine, because my men are excellent. How dare you keep supporting the store while I don't do my job? Besides, you don't have to worry because your brother educates the craftsmen."

My men are really good.

To my brother, when I lowered my head and gave him a high drink, he took it on with pleasure.

"So, but..."

All right, one more push.

"And I'll put Leo on my advisor. Now you're safe, aren't you?

From the edge of the room: 'Huh?' I hear voices, but I don't care.

With Leo, there would be no problem developing the product in the store.

His head is packed with a lot of interesting ideas.

"Oh, I'm relieved... are you sure it's okay with me?

"Oh, I'd be in trouble if it wasn't Elsie. I don't have kids, and I don't have anybody else I can ask for."

"Really...... ok. Then I'll do it."

All right!!

"Good...... thanks. Thank you so much."

I've bowed my head many times.