Chapter 167: Merchant Counts Gold Coins I

Chapter 167: Merchant Counts Gold Coins I

Humans are not very brave creatures. Even when they see something wrong before their own eyes, they tend to ignore it, knowing that nothing would change, even if they stepped forward. Ultimately, they understand that all it would bring would be meaningless harm to themselves. But even they would stir if something small began to appear—something trivial, yet offering a clear opportunity. Then, they would be willing to risk everything and start making their voices heard.

“Awaken the church!”

“Corrupted priests, end the blasphemy now!”

“We are followers of the Lord, not the p0pe! Let’s dismantle false doctrines and restore true faith!”

The calls for religious reformation echoed across the continent. This movement began with a few clerics opposing the sale of indulgences, but their message quickly gained momentum, rallying strong support from lords and nations opposed to the Holy Church.

As a result, a continent once united under the church’s name was now fractured, with the entire land swept up in a whirlpool of chaos.

Amid this upheaval, Schwyz remained tranquil.

There, Bahamut Fernandez of the Beden Merchant Company wore a look of displeasure as he addressed the messengers trembling before him.

“So, you want me to lend you more money now. Is that it?”

“...Yes. I have no excuses, but we humbly request your help,” one messenger replied, his face tinged with desperation.

“Yes... His Majesty himself has requested this. So, just this once...”

Bahamut let out a deep sigh, causing the messengers’ faces to fall in anxiety.

“Do you know how many times this has happened already? The funds borrowed during the last war haven’t even been repaid. You keep asking for more money. Even though you are monarchs, shouldn’t there be a limit to how shameless you can be?”

The messengers fell silent, unable to respond to Bahamut’s blunt words.

They were, in fact, still burdened by unpaid debts that Bahamut had lent at minimal interest in the last war. The recent wave of religious reform within their realms had drained their finances, forcing them once again to rely on the Beden Merchant Company and others like Uranus.

‘D*mn it... I never imagined this debt would trap me like this...’

‘I was too complacent, thinking I could repay it if I tightened my belt. But who could have foreseen such urgent turmoil across the continent right after we barely repelled the Tarkic offensive?’

The people before Bahamut were high-ranking nobles—dukes or marquises from various countries. Yet now, they were forced to grovel before a merchant they normally deemed beneath them. If they couldn’t secure the funds here, they could lose their heads, placing their lives in this merchant’s hands.

“Please! We beg you! Anything helps; just lend us the funds!”

“We will repay this debt one way or another! Please, sir!”

Bahamut sighed deeply, sensing their desperation. “I don’t want to, but I have my loyalties. Above all, if anything happens to you, I won’t recover my previous loans. So, I’ll make an exception here.”

“Oh... thank you, Mr. Bahamut!” The messengers expressed their gratitude. However, Bahamut’s response was cold.

“As expected of Mr. Bahamut. We’ll do our best to contribute.”

The merchants agreed to support this initiative, moved by Bahamut’s vision.

Beside Isolda, Yuria also smiled sincerely.

With the spice deal completed, Isolda and Yuria returned to their lodging, escorted by the Predator members who had been guarding them.

“Anything to report from the watch?” Isolda asked Echid, who had been on guard.

“I kept a close eye in case of suspicious activity, but there was none.”

Isolda nodded, satisfied, and addressed her team with a warm smile. “Thank you all for your hard work. Now that the deal is done, let’s enjoy a meal together. I’ll treat you today.”

“Oh! A meal out? That’s a treat!” Nemea exclaimed.

The others shared their excitement.

“I heard that Benessa’s dark spaghetti is excellent...”

“Yes! Made with squid ink, I believe?”

“I... I’d like to try it too.”

“Then it’s settled. Spaghetti it is!” Isolda declared with a cheerful smile.

Her warm smile, radiating genuine happiness, was a rare sight, one that her companions would not soon forget.



Sponsor Chapters at the Patreon Shop: Along with BuymeaCoffee where you can now make payments in your local currency, the Shop section on Patreon can be used as a way to make a one-time-payment. I will be creating products in the Shop section with the title of the webnovels. It will only have an image as the product, but it will count as the payment for the Sponsored Chapters.

For example: You will buy the product with the title “Flower Stealing Master” to sponsor a chapter for the novel. As far as I know, you can buy the same product multiple times, so you should be able to sponsor as many chapters you want. I hope it was easy to understand.

Introducing KN WN Bundle ($15) for those who prefer to read only KR webnovels. This bundle gives you access to all the advance chapters of the Korean Webnovels on Goblinslate immediately, and will stay ahead of the regular release for the month! Get it on Patreon!

That means, you get:

PTTV – Four Advance Chapters! ($10)

IPUAW – Two Advance Chapters! ($5)

MSAS – Two Advance Chapters! ($5)

MWD – Two Advance Chapters! ($5)