Chapter 7

"Can you lend me some money?"

Lord Percival of Solun was taken aback by the request from Iota.

To think he would receive a request for a loan from Iota, his sworn enemy...

"That is correct."

"I see. It seems Iota is in quite a difficult situation. For you to ask Solun for a loan..."

"The situation is indeed dire."

"Hmm."

"I humbly request that you show mercy and lend us the money."

Percival was delighted by Iota's request.

'Hehe! Otto de Scuderi! This fool! To come to me for a loan, having nowhere else to turn. He must be in a real bind. Well, fine. I'll lend him the money.'

In Percival's judgment, Otto had no means to repay the loan.

What would happen then?

He could legally demand repayment, and if Iota went bankrupt, he could use the debt as a pretext to take over the territory without a fight.

He could swallow Iota whole without shedding a drop of blood, without even starting a war.

"Alright, I'll lend you the money."

"Is that really true?"

"We cannot turn a blind eye to a neighboring territory in need."

"Thank you so much!"

"But there is a condition."

"What is it?"

"In exchange for the loan, if you fail to repay the principal and interest by the agreed date, you must surrender the governance of Iota. If you accept this condition, I will lend you the necessary amount."

"I am grateful for your consideration, my lord."

The bureaucrat from Iota readily accepted Percival's terms.

'Accept any conditions, just get the money. As long as the deadline is more than two weeks away.'

Before leaving Iota, Otto had given this instruction, which is why the bureaucrat could accept Percival's harsh terms.

Of course, the bureaucrat didn't trust Otto at all.

'If you're going to ruin your own territory, what can I do about it? I just want to get my overdue salary. Whether Iota falls to Solun or not, it's none of my business.'

He simply followed Otto's orders.

From the bureaucrat's perspective, the best ruler was the one who paid well and didn't cause trouble, whether it was Otto or Percival.

"The deadline is 100 days. On the 100th day, you must repay the loan and the interest."

"That is not a problem."

"Let's draw up the contract."

"Yes, my lord. I have also brought the seal of Iota."

"You are very well-prepared. Hahaha!"

Percival burst into hearty laughter and immediately handed over the amount of gold Otto had requested.

'After all, it will soon be my territory. The people of Iota will become my subjects or serfs. This is an investment. I will accomplish what my ancestors couldn't in the past 200 years.'

Percival was already delighted at the thought of swallowing Iota whole.

* * *

Two days later.

Chests filled with gold ingots were sent from Solun.

"Wow, they're dazzling."

Otto marveled at the gold ingots filling the chests.

When had Otto, a regular gamer from South Korea, ever seen so much gold?

[Iota Territory]

Public Sentiment: 31 / 100 Caution

Food Supply: 9 / 100 Very Dangerous

Finances: 37 / 100 Caution

Law and Order: 37 / 100 Caution