The warm suns.h.i.+ne of winter penetrates deep into the room.
In the pleasant sunny afternoon, an angry voice echoed from the headquarters of Garter Company.
[Why can't you find the source of those fake bills yet!!]
Gettan strikes the desk with his fist while chiding the Garter who can only bow his head.
[W…We followed their trail back to the Lawless City but it is quite risky to conduct an investigation in the Lawless City and we have already lost contact from many of the investigators……]
Chairman Garter continue spouting his excuses.
The true ruler of Garter Company was not Garter, it was Gettan.
To improve his standing in the cult Gettan needed money. However, he is a renown beastman. The risk of standing out is high.
That's why the Garter Company was made. Presently, the one who considered the Great Commerce a.s.sociation's Boss on the surface Garter, but in reality, it was Gettan.
[Don't you understand that the time is already running out!? The rumor of the fake bills is starting to spread through the capital!!]
[Y, Yes, that's… The people who want to convert their money back are increasing……]
[Wa., That's too fast.]
[This morning there was already a lot of people exchanging their money back, the rate at which is already accelerating…There're already those from within the a.s.sociation that starting to make their claim and suggesting that we close the bank to stop the conversion…….]
[d.a.m.n fools! shut them up right now! if we do as they suggested it will cause a rumor, all the people inside the capital will rush in to get their money back.]
[B, but if we keep this up, the money will……!]
[I know that!!]
Gettan struck his fist against the table again.
[Hiiiii——!!]
The inches-thick wooden desk broke into dust flying in all directions, a small cut appeared on Garter's face.
Gettan grinds his teeth and stared outside with his blinded eyes.
[……You said there were a lot of people converting back in the bank this morning, right?]
[Y, Yes.]
[It was too soon, there might be someone who instigating them. That someone must be involved with the fake bills. Investigate immediately……..]
[Y, Yesss!]
While Garter ran out, Gettan covered his eyes using his hands.
His eyes are throbbing with pain as if the lost eyeb.a.l.l.s were still there. For it to be like this at this time, this incident might somehow involve with his past.
[Don't tell me……No, that's impossible…]
Gettan is holding his eyes while tracing back his past memories.
Exhaling a breath with white mist, Alexia is running through the capital street.
She recently heard the rumor about a counterfeit bill.
The unprecedented economic boom that began with the dispute between Mitsugos.h.i.+ Company and The Great Commerce a.s.sociation. Also, the dark rumors lurking behind the scene.
Alexia took a break from school today to investigate the rumors of fake bills.
Then, she found out that a lot of gold coins were carried out from the bank of the a.s.sociation's bank this morning and about the rumor that the a.s.sociation will shortly collapse is rapidly spreading throughout the capital.
The rumor is spreading like wildfire and people are quickly heading to the a.s.sociation.
Something bad is happening.
Alexia thought about consulting her sister and rushed to the castle.
Her sister, Iris is in the dojo at the back of the castle. Recently, that sister of mine is holding herself in the dojo.
[Nee-sama, please hear me out.]
Alexia calling out to her sister who was taking a stance with a practice sword.
But Iris stares at her sister with her red eyes.
[Alexia, I am training right now.]
[Ne-sama, right now the capital is…..!]
[I said I am training, Alexia!]
[Nee-sama…..]
Alexia turned her eyes to her sister's sword.
[You understand right Alexia? I need to become stronger in order to not lose anymore……]
That day, at the Bus.h.i.+n Tournament, after she was defeated by Shadow, she is changing little by little.
The disappointment from her surrounding, and her first defeat…
Her sister wished for strength.
Her goal is to become stronger, and now nothing but strength is reflecting in her eyes.
The question is also raised at her [Crimson Knight Order.]
Alexia thought that everyone looking up to Ane because of her strength, but that's not all.
There should be something that is more important than strength……
[I understand Nee-sama, but, Please, please at least hear me out.]
[……..Very well, I will listen.]
Iris put her sword down while continuing to stare at Alexia.
[Right now, in the capital there's a dispute between the Great Commerce a.s.sociation and Mitsugos.h.i.+ Company. They issued paper money and —–]
Alexia carefully described the state of the capital.
However.
[———-so what?]
The reply from her sister was unsatisfying.
[I am asking why you would bring this up. It is irrelevant to me.]
[Irrelevant!? Nee-sama…..!]
[That kind of thing you should leave it to the civil officers, or would you rather have the knights break into their shop and cut down the merchants?]
[C, Certainly it is not a Knight's jobs. B, but……even so the old Nee-sama would have done something……..]
1
Alexia's voice is getting smaller and smaller.
[I have a thing I must accomplish. This time, I have to defeat Shadow and regain the people's trust. I………………..]
Iris diverted her eyes from Alexia and swing her sword.
Her technique is sharp, and the magic power inside is also immense.
But, to Alexia's eyes, that sword looked very ugly.
[Nee-sama…..]
Alexia agony whispered so and left the dojo.
