Chapter 69: Money Matters
Before Edmund or either knight could react, Roderic stepped forward.
An easygoing smile flashed across his face as he approached the angry group of merchants.
’’Good morning, sirs,’’ he casually said. ’’How much does he owe you?’’
The sudden voice caused everyone to turn.
Victor looked equally confused, his gaze immediately moving across Roderic’s expensive clothes and the two armed knights behind him.
The older merchant slowly narrowed his eyes.
’’And who might you be?’’
’’Someone asking a simple question,’’ Roderic replied. ’’How much does he owe you?’’
The man stared at him for another moment before answering.
’’Fifty gold coins.’’
Roderic raised an eyebrow.
A small merchant guild like Victor’s actually managed to make such an expensive deal?
’He really does have amazing talent, huh.’
For Roderic, however, that amount meant very little.
It was literally pocket change he’d receive from his father every month.
Not to mention, after ridding the territory of problems, he’d amassed thousands of gold coins more.
A small grin immediately grew on Roderic’s face.
’Fifty gold coins to make Victor owe me,’ he thought. ’What a fucking bargain.’
The older merchant’s irritated voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts.
’’Are you going to stand there gawking all morning, or do you actually have something to do with this?’’
Roderic turned back to him, his brows furrowing slightly.
Before he could even say something, Edmund took a step forward.
’’Watch your tongue.’’
The older merchant frowned.
’’Excuse me?’’ he said. ’’You butted into our business and now you’re going to tell me to watch my tongue?’’
Edmund’s usual cheerful expression had completely disappeared.
’’You are speaking to Roderic Whitemane, son of Baron Whitemane,’’ he said coldly. ’’If you do not wish to have your tongue removed, I’d suggest you apologize.’’
The older merchant’s face paled.
’’Whitemane...?’’ he repeated quietly.
His eyes darted between Roderic, Edmund, and the two knights standing behind them.
Only then did he actually spot the white horse sigils on their armor and clothes.
Whatever anger remained on his face disappeared as he bowed down.
’’Forgive me, Young Lord. I didn’t recognize you.’’
Roderic couldn’t help but find the sudden change rather amusing.
’’It’s fine,’’ he said casually. ’’You didn’t know.’’
’’Besides, I didn’t come here to cut anyone’s tongue out.’’
For a moment, the street fell silent.
Roderic let out a sigh and turned back towards the old merchant.
’’You said he owed you fifty gold coins, right?’’
The old man nodded as politely as possible.
A smile appeared on Roderic’s face again.
’’Good.’’
He clapped his hands together as his head turned to Edmund.
’’Pay him.’’
For the first time, Edmund’s cold expression cracked.
’’...Young master?’’
’’Fifty gold coins,’’ Roderic repeated. ’’Give it to him.’’
Before Edmund could respond, Victor suddenly stepped forward.
’’Wait!’’ he said loudly.
Roderic turned towards him, his eyebrow raising slightly.
’’Why?’’ Victor asked, cautious and confused. ’’Why are you doing this?’’
Roderic tilted his head.
’’Does it matter?’’ he asked.
’’Of course it matters,’’ Victor immediately replied. ’’No one pays fifty gold coins for a stranger without expecting something in return.’’
Roderic’s smile grew slightly.
That was more like it.
Even while standing on the verge of losing an important shipment, Victor hadn’t immediately jumped at the offer.
But Roderic wasn’t planning to hand his control over the conversation away.
’’You aren’t wrong,’’ he replied. ’’But I don’t think you have much of a choice right now.’’
Victor’s expression stiffened.
Roderic gestured toward the loaded carriages behind him.
’’Unless I’m misunderstanding something, you have two options right now.’’
’’Either find fifty gold coins right now, or lose your shipment and have these gentlemen spread the news that Wayfarer failed to honor a contract.’’
Victor’s gaze darted between Roderic and the carriages.
Randomly accepting money from a noble had its risks attached.
But for a merchant like him, losing his reputation meant being done in the merchant business.
The street remained silent for several long seconds.
Finally, Victor let out a reluctant sigh.
’’Fine.’’
Roderic’s smile widened.
’’Edmund.’’
’’Yes, young master.’’
This time, Edmund didn’t question him.
He walked toward the older merchant and began arranging the payment.
Roderic remained beside Victor as the fifty gold coins exchanged hands.
Once the merchant had counted them, he quickly nodded.
’’Everything is here, Young Lord.’’
’’Then I assume there’s no longer a problem?’’
’’Of course not.’’
The older merchant bowed again before ordering his men to continue unloading the carriages.
Victor watched them for a moment before turning toward Roderic.
’’Thank you.’’
’’Don’t thank me yet,’’ Roderic replied with a chuckle. ’’You still don’t know what I want.’’
The young man’s expression stiffened awkwardly.
Roderic gestured lightly towards the Wayfarer building.
’’How about we talk inside?’’ he asked casually.
Victor nodded once.
’’Alright.’’
The two entered Wayfarer, with Edmund and the knights following behind.
Victor quickly brought them to a familiar office on the second floor.
The moment they stepped inside, Roderic noticed several cabinets and drawers had been left open.
’’Someone searching for something?’’ he casually asked.
Victor’s expression darkened immediately.
’’It’s the reason why I’m in this situation at the moment,’’ he replied coldly. ’’Someone broke in last night.’’
Roderic stopped and put on his best act.
’’Seriously?!’’
Victor nodded once, grievingly.
’’They stole almost everything I had,’’ he said. ’’Including the money I was supposed to use for that shipment.’’
Roderic shook his head empathetically.
’’That’s some really bad luck,’’ he casually said. ’’I can’t believe there are people who would actually do that.’’
His gaze flickered across the room.
It was time. He needed to push Victor in the right direction now.
’’Did they break anything to get inside?’’
’’No,’’ Victor replied, conflicted. ’’That’s what I don’t understand. The doors were still locked this morning.’’
He paused for a moment.
’’In fact, nothing was broken, overturned, or anything. It’s like nobody was even here!’’
Roderic nodded slowly.
’I really did a good job,’ he thought. ’Maybe becoming a thief is my calling after all.’
He glanced up for a moment, finding Victor staring at him.
Roderic quickly cleared his throat.
’’Sorry. I was thinking.’’
He quickly put on his act again, slowly rubbing his chin.
’’It seems like whoever did this knew exactly what they wanted and where it was.’’
The words seemed to make Victor pause.
Roderic could clearly see that he had thought about it before, yet likely refused to believe it.
And who could blame him?
Nobody wishes to believe their family or friends have it out for them.
But Roderic knew that now was the perfect time to press him and make him come to the conclusion himself.
’’So... how many people knew about all that?’’ he asked. ’’Any employees, family, friends...’’
Victor didn’t answer right away.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the stairs leading to his office.
’’Only...’’
He swallowed hard, hesitating for a moment.
’’Only one other person.’’