His complex about his ultra-talented little sister and the fact that he inherited the lordship without any kind of preparation didn’t help either, contributing to his breakdown. However, according to Rosalia, not even half a year had gone by since he became the lord; there was still time for him to correct course.
No, I was Weiss now. I was the one who would change things.
I had a lot on my plate—I needed to build up my strength, raise my populace’s loyalty points, and improve the territory on the whole. I also needed to improve Weiss’s singular special skill: his magic. If I ended up on any kind of battlefield like I was now, I would be killed instantly. There was a lot that needed doing, and any normal person would grip their head over the stress of it all. However, I was willing to suffer anything if it meant saving my fave!
Just as I was thinking over how to move forward, the door to the office violently burst open, and a large, broad-shouldered man entered with what looked to be his bodyguard. Who in the hell were these guys? They were being pretty rude, considering I was a lord.
“Sir Gustaf, Lord Weiss has only just recovered from his wounds. I thought I told you he was not seeing anyone currently,” Rosalia said.
“Humph, I am well aware, but there is something I must discuss with him posthaste. In fact, he should be grateful, as I am here out of the kindness of my own heart.”
“Grateful, huh? So, what brings you here, then?” I asked.
I cast a suspicious look at the man called Gustaf. He smiled unpleasantly at me and signaled to his bodyguard, who then placed a single piece of paper on my desk.
What it contained had me at a loss for words.
“You used your territory as collateral to take out a loan with my business, and I would like that money back,” Gustaf said. “Of course, you are free to pay with goods if need be, but can you pay by the end of the day tomorrow?”
“Rosalia, how much do I have in savings?” I asked her quietly.
“Um…the region was hit by famine, among other things, so you have close to nothing.”
“What? Then how did you get all this food?”
“I wanted to make you feel better, so…I paid for it myself.”
Her answer came as an enormous surprise.
What the hell am I going to do? That’s way too much money, and there’s no way I’ll be able to pay by the end of tomorrow. Have I already hit a wall? Also, how is Rosalia such an angel? Dammit, Weiss. How did you go wrong with such a kindhearted girl by your side?
“Um, I apologize, but could you give me a little more time?” I asked. “I promise I will pay you in short order.”
“Unfortunately, I run a business. I even have the contract right here.”
“Is there nothing you can do?”
“Hrm, let me see.”
I was deferring humbly to the man, which prompted him to grin and ogle Rosalia. From the look in his eyes, I had a bad feeling about this.
“If you were to let me borrow that maid of yours for a night, I would gladly extend your deadline. I think that’s a good deal, don’t you?”
“Wha—”
This was exactly what I expected from him, and yet I felt a profound revulsion toward the man in front of me. Rosalia was a human being, not an object. An intense rage began to build inside of my chest.
I suspected this rage wasn’t just my own. Rosalia was an important person to Weiss as well. Her feelings weren’t completely one-sided. Weiss trusted her and thought dearly of her, just as she did him.
“I understand,” Rosalia said. “If it is for Lord Weiss, I would gladly use my body.”
“Heh, I’m glad you have such a wise maid.”
Gustaf attempted to put his hands on Rosalia, but I stepped between the two in order to stop him. I could see the anger in his eyes at being interrupted.
“Lord Weiss?” she said uncertainly.
“Sorry, but that isn’t happening. I will never force her to do something so outrageous.”
“Oh, is that so? Then, I suppose I have no choice. I expect you to pay in full come the end of the day tomorrow. Let’s go!”
Gustaf made no attempt to hide his displeasure as he left the room, followed by his slightly panicked bodyguard.
I watched him leave and let out the air in my lungs before taking a deep breath.
That was so nerve-racking! And terrifying! That pervert was seriously pissed!
I’m sure plenty of people would raise their eyebrow at a lord letting a merchant talk down to him, but if I made the wrong move, I ran the risk of lowering my loyalty points and getting a game over. I had to play it safe.
“Lord Weiss, why did you do that? If I gave myself to him, then—”
I cut her off before she could continue. “Rosalia, no more of that. I want you to take better care of yourself going forward.” Nobody wanted to see her do such a thing—neither myself nor Weiss.
“But Lord Weiss, what are you going to do?”
“My position as the lord is important, sure, but keeping you by my side is even more important.”
“What?”
Rosalia widened her eyes in disbelief at my words. Weiss himself cared deeply for her but had been too embarrassed to ever express his feelings. Because of that, Rosalia never truly understood how much Weiss cared about her, and she ended up sacrificing herself to save him. I couldn’t let that happen.
Honesty is the best policy!
“Um, I genuinely appreciate that, but where are you going to find all of that money? And by tomorrow, too… This is impossible unless there is some family treasure or secret fortune we don’t know about. You have already used up most of your funds.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be okay. I have a plan.”
Rosalia shot me a worried gaze, and I responded with a big smile. I didn’t know for sure why I became Weiss, but I felt like it was for this exact reason.
There was no way in hell I was going to sell Rosalia off to buy some time. If I did that, it would only sadden both Rosalia and Weiss. I wanted my fave to find true happiness.
“I’m gonna go look into something,” I told her.
I had my knowledge of the game. I knew secrets about this mansion that even Weiss didn’t, but my first move had to be making sure that this information was accurate. If everything was the same as in the game, I’d be able to get my hands on more than enough money to pay back the loan.