Buffet Hall, Maple Palace Hotel

0805, 27 Aug 2025

Like a desert traveler who found an oasis, Osvik devoured two large portions of scrambled eggs. While in front of him, Lt. Col. Slane enjoyed a cup of coffee and two pieces of toast.

Lt. Col. Slane put down the coffee cup in his hand before saying, "You seem like a big fan of scrambled eggs."

Osvik shook his head before answering, "These scrambled eggs are extraordinarily delicious compared to what I usually enjoy. But I ate them as much as I could because I have to get my revenge tonight."

"Revenge?" A large question mark appeared on Lt. Col. Slane's forehead.

"Fufufu... Last night a group of women dared to molest me and gang-raped me. Even though I enjoyed their actions, my self-esteem would not recover if I didn't make them pay back for their actions." An ear-to-ear grin spread across Osvik's lips, as he imagined how he triumphantly made the Escort Girls lay helplessly and beg for mercy.

In an instant, Lt. Col. Slane looked at Osvik as if he were the most stupid person in the world. 'Playing with Escort Girl is a recreation based on pay and forget. Not something that should be kept as a personal matter and left to linger. Also, if you accidentally meet an Escort Girl you know in public, you should treat her like a normal woman.'

But in the end Lt. Col. Slane could only sigh silently. "Before you launch your revenge you'd better return to Walluo City first, to get as much money as possible."

Osvik nods in reflex. "I did plan to take as much money as possible from Walluo City's safe. Then place a second order at Amethyst Merchant, but I think it could wait a few more days."

"If you want to wait a few more days, I won't stop you. But for your information, you don't have time to relax."

A question mark appeared on Osvik's forehead while Lt. Col. Slane continued his explanation.

"This morning, the sun had just risen when the Northern Coalition Representative Office contacted me. They intend to increase their bank guarantee at Magwurt Central Bank from 200 thousand gold coins to 500 thousand gold coins. This value is equivalent to their monthly purchase, and still going up considering they also supplied other 18 Regions.

They also submitted an additional 200 thousand gold coins for this month's purchase order, which are paid in cash even though they have a bank guarantee. If you want, I can hold their order for 3-4 days so you can place the order first. That way, all your orders can be sent immediately without any need to wait for the restock."

Osvik pursed his lips before saying, "Big Bro Slane, you can't just pit Kandez Region and the Northern Coalition. Even though Kandez Region has only made the first purchase of insignificant value, we are financially stronger than the Northern Coalition and we also supply agricultural and livestock commodities to Amethyst Merchant."

Lt. Col. Slane let out a deep sigh and said, "I didn't pit you and the Northern Coalition. I also didn't divulge the trade deal between us. However, the Northern Coalition's Representative Office has been here for several weeks. So they have already established connections with Amethyst Merchant officers and Tuscan Region authorities.

As soon as your purchase order is sent for processing, they will sniff them out and make a rough estimate. Also, what they are worried about is not you, but Merry Gold Union. As they keep trying to confirm whether I've made contact with Lady Yuuri or any Merry Gold Union representative."

"Bastard! They dare to underestimate me!" Osvik cursed before putting three large mouthfuls of scrambled eggs into his mouth.

"Osvik, this is not the time to get carried away with emotions. You need to consolidate your budget, determine how much money you can use, make a shopping list, and submit it to me. Then, while waiting for the delivery process you can prepare the warehouse and supporting facilities. All of that won't be finished in 1-2 days so you have to hurry."

Osvik immediately took a deep breath. "All right, I'll pack up as soon as I finish breakfast."

Lt. Col. Slane casually shook his head.

"Captain Usbek has packed your things. Your carriage and horse have also been put on the truck. The convoy that will carry your purchased items and the personnel who will install the solar power plant, along with the supporting equipment has arrived at the West Gate Registration Office.

Once you've finished breakfast, we'll head straight to the West Gate Registration Office then head to Walluo City."

Osvik looked at Lt. Col. Slane with wide eyes and a hanging mouth, then turned his head towards Captain Usbek, and when the head of Count Terrek's personal bodyguard gave a small nod, he was instantly dumbfounded.

'Since when did this Captain with a head as hard as rock followed the orders of someone other than Daddy. He also never obeyed my orders even though he was fully responsible for my safety.'

The deep shock that Osvik received had not subsided, when Maester Rivak said, "I have also written a letter to Lady Yuuri, for asking her to return to Walluo City."

Welp!

Osvik swallowed hard at the mention of his mother, and for a moment panic flashed through his eyes. "I have to return to Walluo City as soon as possible then."

A moment later, with wobbling steps and while rubbing their almost broken waists, Osvik and the three Maesters walked out of Maple Palace's lobby.

With full understanding, Lt. Col. Slane opened the back door of M1152 Personnel Carrier, and after helping Osvik and the three Maesters, he got on with Kim Dong Ree.

---

Dourk Tavern

1015, 27 Aug 2025

For the past two days, Old Man Dourk had closed Dourk Tavern because he had run out of supplies, some spices, and Amur Beer. And when he contacted Osvik to place an order, he was told that Osvik had not returned from Magwurt City.

During the last two days, several nobles also visited Old Man Dourk in secret. They desperately asked Old Man Dourk to go to Magwurt City and see Lt. Col. Slane so that the scarcity of ice cubes and other Amethyst Merchant's commodities could be resolved immediately. Of course, Old Man Dourk refused because he felt it was inadequate to ask Lt. Col. Slane for help.

When Lt. Col. Slane and his entourage entered Dourk Tavern which was as quiet as a cemetery, Old Man Dourk was still sitting pensively in a corner. While at another table his wife and two daughters were silently enjoying boiled peanuts and apple cider.

Old Man Dourk instantly gasped and went straight to Lt. Col. Slane. "Ser Slane, I'm so sorry. Osvik took Amethyst Merchant equipment and I heard he broke it."

Lt. Col. Slane smiled before saying casually, "Don't worry, it's not a big deal."

While Old Man Dourk was dumbfounded, Lt. Col. Slane was already sitting and greeting Old Man Dourk's wife and daughters. At the same time, Sturk poked his head from the kitchen before disappearing again.

Old Man Dourk didn't have the instincts to run or maintain a business. Therefore it was a miracle that all this time Dourk Tavern could survive, and for some reason Lt. Col. Slane felt a strong urge to help the old man. Maybe because a long time ago, Little Slane had hoped that someone would come to help him.

Although in the end Little Slane's hopes were not fulfilled and he managed to enter the world of high society with his own efforts, Lt. Col. Slane's heart was still moved when he saw a naive person like Old Man Dourk, who sincerely helped street children or other unfortunate people.

Casually, Lt. Col. Slane said, "Please, sit down so we can talk."

Without delay, Old Man Dourk hurriedly sat in front of Lt. Col. Slane, while his wife and daughters went to the kitchen.

"The clock and equipment that Osvik took, all of them were completely damaged. But Osvik has already paid the compensation and I'm here to deliver the replacement."

"Ser Osvik paid the compensation?"

A question mark appeared on Old Man Dourk's forehead, while Lt. Col. Slane nodded and continued his explanation.

"He also apologized, but never mentioned it or told it to anyone else because it would hurt Osvik pride as an aristocrat."

"Of course." Old Man Dourk nodded firmly.

Lt. Col. Slane then handed to Old Man Dourk a money bag with Terrek Family insignia. In the money bag there are 12 gold coins, the remaining Osvik money after being used to pay his entertainment and accommodation.

"I'm sorry Ser Slane, I can't accept it. Moreover, Ser Osvik has also given me 10 gold coins in exchange for the equipment he took."

"Old Man Dourk, I know you helped a lot of street children and homeless people in this city through the Nemo Temple. So feel free and take this money along with the money that Osvik previously handed over."

After remembering there were a lot of unfortunate people that needed his help, Old Man Dourk immediately took the money bag in front of him, "Ser Slane, you are truly generous. May the gods in heaven always be with you."

"I hope they will always be with you too."

Lt. Col. Slane then gave a signal to the MCG personnel so they could start working.

At the same time, Old Man Dourk's wife and daughters served Amur Beer and the light dish Sturk made. A moment later, cheerful laughter began to be heard from Dourk Tavern.

*****