Chapter 87

“Oh, how troublesome. Of all the things to wake up to…,” Samurialie muttered. The elf had grimaced upon mention of the Sword of Tasuki and Credit King Marde, and Karan was now convinced that safeguarding her was the right decision. “We don’t know why they’re after you,” Karan said. “I take that to mean you have no idea who I am. Is that correct?” Samurialie asked. “Yeah. We don’t know who Marde is, either. All we know is that you have multiple titles—dining consultant, owner, mistress, and chef. I’m shocked by how different you are from the mistress,” Karan said. “Hmm-hmm. The mistress is a good girl, isn’t she? She could stand to be a little more flexible, though,” Samurialie said. “Her food was delicious… You’re talking about the mistress like she’s a different person,” Karan said. “She both is me and is not me. It is difficult to explain. We share memories, but… Now that I think about it, your speech has changed, too,” Samurialie pointed out. “I cheated. I’m not too used to etiquette, so I left the speaking to her,” Karan said, gesturing toward the Sword of Resonance. “I spoke for her. Oh, but my comments on the food were based on Karan’s feelings,” Diamond said. “You did not need to trouble yourself so. The reason I only accept customers with referrals is because my staff is limited and I do not wish for anyone to learn of my identity. I do not believe in pretentious food,” Samurialie said. “I agree. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, so it made me happy to be able to eat something so good. I was full before I realized how much I’d eaten. Did you pace the course that way intentionally by starting with the plums?” Karan asked. “Well observed. My goal is typically to encourage customers to be liberal with their money and enjoy some tea…” Samurialie trailed off, realizing how far off topic they had gotten. “Yet I highly doubt you brought me here to make small talk. Shall we return to the main topic?” “Aww, but talking about food is more fun,” Karan complained. “…Are you truly a government official? Labyrinth City has indeed changed,” Samurialie said, eyeing Karan with a hint of disapproval. Karan smiled, unoffended. “Anyway…the demon-god worshippers are likely after me simply because they want to find Marde, who is in hiding. The demon-god worshippers think I might know something of their whereabouts.” The others tensed. “…So Marde actually exists?” Karan asked. “Of course,” Samurialie responded, astonished by the question. “I helped Marde hide once when the Sword of Tasuki was after their life. That must have been two hundred years ago. And ever since, he has been after me, too! Much to my annoyance.” Samurialie began to tell her story, her temper flaring. Elves differed from other races such as dragonians, humans, and beastmen in many respects. It wasn’t just their long lifespan that set them apart, but that many of them had passed down their unique culture from ancient times. Unfortunately, those traits made it difficult for them to form villages or towns. Rulers feared elves’ knowledge and the transcendental power they supposedly held, which led to persecution. That was why most elves hid deep in the mountains or forests, or traveled from town to town without settling down. “I hail from the Ume Blossom Clan. It is our calling to pass down the culture and tradition of ume plums,” Samurialie said. “The ones I ate were delicious,” Karan said. Samurialie was a typical elf in that way. When she was young, she had spent her time traveling to barren mountains to plant trees, and to regions with wild ume plums to teach people how to preserve and cook them. “Those were likely planted by me or my father… No, do not distract me. Getting back to my story, elves decided to stay away from rulers and political administrations and devote their lives to protecting their culture. I am often asked about the past Demon God War, but I know nothing of it. Memories about world events tend to fade when you live as long as I. It is not so different from the haze around your childhood memories.” “I’ve done my fair share of research,” Diamond said. “Magic items like holy swords collect data for fun. We elves do not spend time analyzing things with the goal of serving today’s people. It is imperative that we avoid excessively adapting to modern society,” Samurialie said. “I’m sure. Elves are conservative… I guess you have to be when conservation is your life’s mission. But that’s why I still have doubts.” “About what?” “I don’t mean to offend, but the culture you’re passing down would hardly have a major impact on society.” “…You are not wrong. Most elves with knowledge that would have such an impact were dragged into the fighting, where they perished along with their clans’ traditions. My heart weeps for them.” “Why would an elf like you form a connection with Marde? It seems risky, considering your life’s mission.” “I had an account at the credit union, where Marde was the president.” “There’s more to it, isn’t there?” Diamond’s eyes shone bewitchingly, but Samurialie smiled and ignored her. “I can say no more. I have a duty to keep that information confidential. Find Marde. Then I will tell you,” she said. “We don’t know where Marde is. That’s our problem. He has a bounty on his head, too, so it could be bad if the enemy finds him first,” Karan said. “If this is the Marde I know, then I am sure they would still be lending money to people,” Samurialie replied. “Well, I guess that makes the Combat Masters ledger our best lead,” Hector said, speaking up for the first time in a while. Karan nodded. “Argus should know Marde. Nick might have met him, too, without knowing it.” “…So not only is Marde real, but the person in the ledger is actually him. That only gives us more questions, though,” Diamond said. “Yeah. I thought for sure the person lending Argus money was a demon-god worshipper. You would think Dead Man’s Balloon would know where to find him,” chimed in Karan. “That is impossible. Show me these documents,” Samurialie requested. The Sword of Resonance projected the ledger and loan receipts. “…There is no doubt about it. That is Marde’s seal.” “You said the demon-god worshippers are after him, right? Why would he lend money under his real name?” Diamond asked. “Marde is a debt collector through and through. Being on the run will not stop them from badgering their debtors with requests for repayment,” Samurialie said. “…Sounds like a nasty person,” Karan commented. “You are not wrong. However, if you are to fight the Sword of Tasuki, you must find Marde,” Samurialie told them. “How do we do that?” Karan asked. “I do not know,” said Samurialie. “What race is he? How old is he? What does he look like? What about his voice and his way of speaking? Anything you could tell us would help,” Karan said. “I cannot help you there, either,” Samurialie said stubbornly. They all gave her suspicious looks, and she rushed to explain herself. “D-do not scowl at me so. I know the form Marde used to take, but that would be useless to you now. Marde can easily change their appearance, even down to their gender. I do not wish to send you down the wrong path.” “They can change what they look like…?” Karan asked, not quite believing. “Marde is a magic item developed by the ancient civilization, which was originally called the Magic Mirror of Marde. Marde can choose users much more easily than holy swords. They can switch from one person to the next regardless of their aptitude or talent,” Samurialie explained to the group. “Oh, I see. They’ve been able to stay hidden by passing themselves from user to user,” the Sword of Resonance said, sounding impressed. “So Marde’s a real person with a real paper trail. Not a ghost or monster like those bogus articles say,” Karan said. Samurialie nodded her agreement. “Indeed. They are clearly in this city and leaving hints as to their whereabouts, such as that ledger and those loan receipts. They will not refuse anyone who does their research and finds them. Marde has made moneylending their life’s mission and would never stop looking for new investment opportunities.” “…I can’t believe anyone would commit their life to moneylending,” Karan said. “Many do. Moneylending is just as difficult a world as adventuring, for totally different reasons,” Hector said, as if it were obvious. “We can’t just offer Marde money, can we?” Karan asked. “They will not be so easily enticed. Marde has a large wealth of dina, madoka, Mars dollars, real estate, magic items, credit, banned magic crystals, and more,” Samurialie said. Hector put his hand to his chin and thought. “That means they would only approach people who can take a major loan and give them a significant return. That’s what makes Marde the ‘Credit King.’” “Precisely,” Samurialie agreed. “Marde does not see money as something to be saved or guarded. They are an eccentric individual who derives such immense joy from lending and receiving the eventual return on those investments that they have become an urban legend. Understanding that will help you find them.” “…An urban legend?” Karan repeated, uncertainty on her face. She gave Hector a questioning look, and he picked up on her meaning. “What, do you think we’ll find something in Lemuria Monthly? I’ve been through those nonsensical articles countless times and haven’t seen Marde’s name mentioned once. I’m sure I’d remember,” Hector said. “That doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t there be articles about such a suspicious moneylender? Marde’s been famous in Labyrinth City for a long time, right?” asked Karan. Hector groaned, realizing he couldn’t argue. “…Fair point. The legend of Marde goes back way further than White Mask, and there are even rumors that they’re still alive. You’d think their name would’ve come up in those gossip articles. Which raises the question… Did Olivia leave out Marde on purpose?” “Are there any articles that might be related to Marde?” Karan asked. “I am not familiar with that magazine, but Marde operates by investing in people’s ambitions and dreams and then demanding repayment after they achieve success. In other words, they grant wishes for a price. Bankers are not so different from certain types of spirits and devils,” Samurialie said. Comprehension dawned on Hector’s face. “You said you didn’t have a search term before, Hector. You found Diamond in Lemuria Monthly by searching her name. What if you do the same with Marde, or someone who borrowed money from them?” Karan asked. “That probably won’t lead us to Marde,” said Hector, “but it might lead us to one of their debtors. Then if we question them, that should lead us to the Credit King himself.”