Chapter 1405: The Power Of Money

Chapter 1405: The Power Of Money



"We swear we're not criminals, we're just debt collectors!"

"Y-Yeah! In this country those that owe debts have to pay them, you know?!"

"If they don't meet the deadline, there's a point where we're legally allowed to take them..."

"They're made into debt slaves... And have to work for the one that let them borrow money until they pay what they owe..."

I heard the explanations of these very shabby debt collectors while sitting on a slightly old wooden chair, enjoying what was left of my coffee and my cookie.

Ruby had invited us inside of her smithy after what we did, mostly to not draw more attention and end up bringing authorities to us.

Now, the people that Celeste had tied up with her black chains, her own cursed spear transformed, were answering all questions we asked them.

"S-So please let us go! We are not criminals!"

"Yeah... Please spare my life, I have a family!"

"This is just our job..."

"Hmm..." I groaned, sighing. "I guess that's fine, but why were you threatening Ruby about selling her as a "whore" or whatever? Is that legal? I am pretty sure that this debt slavery thing must be regulated by the government, right? I think that's not legal... you can't force someone to prostitution, it would lead to rape, a crime!"

"T-That's..."

"Well, uh..."

"They were indeed... ah..."

I guess I caught them red-handed. They were saying half truths and half lies. They are indeed debt collectors, but they also work a lot like criminals.

Behind the façade of "government officials" they do illegal things, taking advantage of the legal system to facilitate them.

In resume, the worst type of people.

"You know what my background is?" I asked them with a smile.

"Huh? Well, you're an elf..."

"Right?"

"What background?"

They seemed clueless, they were mostly either dwarves or humans.

Except the White Fox Swordsman, the Anima man that seemed much more experienced than them.

He immediately recognized me.

"She's a spoiled rich young lady from a very famous family, also don't you remember? She's also a Hero and the daughter of the Hero and the Saintess..." Celeste laughed. "Come on, do

the math."

"A-Ahh..." Ruby felt completely shocked. "Wow..."

"By grandfather... you mean the King of the Elves?" the white fox man muttered. "I

understand..."

Celeste quickly let them go, the group of debt collectors grabbed the gold coins and ran away

as if their life depended on it.

"Thank you!"

"We won't come annoying you again..."

"We deeply apologize, young lady!"

They kept screaming that as they ran as far as they could, they didn't even want to look at us

anymore fearing we would kill them.

"Beelzebub, Furoh, can you chase them down?" I asked my two Familiars.

The two were summoned by my side.

"Of course, leave it to me," Beelzebub nodded. "Those guys look shady as hell!"

"That they work for the government wasn't a lie but..." Furoh muttered. "If they're truly involved on other illegal activities, it's better to find proof and then report them."

"Yep, I'll leave this up to you," I said. "Once you're done I'll summon you back to my Soul

Scape."

"Very well."

Furoh quickly transformed into some sort of spectral or shadow monster, disappearing into the darkness with Beelzebub.

"That should wrap things up!" I nodded, finishing my coffee. "Anyways, now that we're finally done. Shall we reintroduce ourselves, Ruby? I hope we can get along from now on... And I'm very sorry if the first time we made you upset. It wasn't our intention. We just wanted to know you but... Maybe it was too creepy?"

"N-No! Of course not! You don't know how many times I've regretted what I did back then..." she sighed, sitting down. "I'm so sorry... please don't apologize, you didn't do anything wrong... I just... have personal problems, and they end up ruining my head, and I end up lashing it out on innocent people. I'm the worst..."

"Yeah, you sure are," Celeste nodded. "It's good you recognize your own shittiness." "Celeste! Stop it!" I said, reprimanding her. "Well, if you feel that way, then I hope we can reconcile. Let's know each other. I have no intentions of forcing you to do anything either... So please rest at ease."

"Okay... thanks for giving me another chance," sighed Ruby. "I-I'm so stupid... you're so nice,

Sylphy was your name? You're perhaps... the kindest person I've ever met in my entire life... Ugh. I feel like shit for treating you badly before... I'll try to make up for it." "Heheh, I'm not that good!" I giggled. "Anyways! Let's talk, there's a lot we have to talk, actually... Where do we even begin?"