Atonement, About it's Cruelty - Chapter 17
“Either they come crawling in on their own or they need some training. You know that, right?”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“Do it right away.”
“Right away?”
“Why do you keep asking?”
“Usually, you’d conduct a more thorough background check. Maybe try persuasion…”
“This one’s a lost cause.”
She cut him off sharply, lighting a cigarette with a trembling hand. Feeling as though her throat was burning, she put out the cigarette and took a long drink.
She had sent a coachman and gone to find the woman to gather more information about her surroundings, such as whether she had any family to look for her if she went missing. But it turned out to be unnecessary.
She could immediately understand why the woman’s couldn’t take off her coat despite the heat. The coat’s numerous pockets were a clear sign of her desperation.
She knew the taste of misfortune well. Only those who have been cornered truly understand the habits of the desperate.
The taste of misfortune floating in the air was sweet.
“Don’t cause any harm. It’s worth five thousand.”
“Understood. Should I include anesthetics and aphrodisiacs?”
“Yes, to avoid injury. Adjust the dosage carefully. Don’t make things worse.”
Then, he asked, as if reluctantly probing into something.
“And him?”
The staff member by the door immediately responded.
“He left.”
“Did you confirm the carriage departure?”
“Yes. It was headed towards the Ritz Hotel.”
Nodding, she poured a generous amount of strong alcohol down her throat. It felt uneasy.
He wasn’t eager for s-x, nor was it a strong sense of duty to save the woman. It didn’t seem to be that either.
Although the unidentified man was troubling, if he intended to do something, he would have already done it. That’s why she was more impatient than usual. She worried about what the woman might be doing in a brothel.
“Start the training now before the girl does anything foolish. Train her in the room and then get her in the carriage before dawn and send her.”
“Yes.”
“Keep her hidden until I tell you to bring her. Remember what I said—control her well. The moment she becomes useless, the one who made her that way will be treated the same. Got it?”
“Understood.”
She took another swig of strong liquor. As the alcohol began to take effect, the anxiety that had been churning in her heart gradually settled.
Right, it’s nothing to worry about.
The night was passing without incident, and she hadn’t lost the woman.
It seemed that growing older made one more suspicious.
When her trembling hands had finally calmed, she regained the elegance of a palace maid of honor.
Meanwhile, dozens of wolves, their presence carefully concealed, were gathering near the beautiful mansion against the backdrop of the Daub River.
The grand brothel’s garden, now cloaked in darkness, hid a shadow moving leisurely among the black silhouettes of garden trees.
The unidentified guest, thought to have left the mansion, was instead strolling through the brothel’s garden. With his hands in his pockets and his posture relaxed, he resembled the beloved mother who would often fret about his demeanor.
Oscar wiped away the fleeting image of his mother, as if extinguishing the remnants of his cigarette.
Even as he did this, he wandered among the garden trees like someone enjoying an evening stroll. The thick foliage muffled his footsteps, and the rustling wind concealed his presence. A fixed gaze was obscured by the dense leaves overhead.
Approaching the woman’s room like a predator stalking its prey, Oscar stopped at a suitable spot and leaned against a tree. He had a clear view of the woman’s room, now concealed by drawn curtains. A sliver of light was visible between the curtains, and occasional movements could be seen.
“King Felpe has already been informed.”
Simon reported as he stepped closer.
Oscar clicked his tongue in mild frustration. He had tried to intercept the report about the safe from reaching King Felpe but had been too late.
Felpe.
A city-state that, in terms of land area or population, was smaller than many Duchies. Despite the turmoil of modern Norfolk, Felpe had managed to retain its kingdom status. The key to its preservation was its banking system.
The Royal Felpe Bank.
About 400 years ago, the Felpe Bank, the first bank to open on the continent, became renowned for its absolute commitment to confidentiality. Regardless of who opened a safe, the information about the safe’s owner was treated as top secret, with no history of leakage even in response to requests from foreign kings.
When depositing money, the bank did not inquire about the source of funds, and information about the money’s owner remained confidential.
It was only natural that all manner of illicit money flowed into the Felpe Bank. Recently, rumors even circulated about hidden assets of the fallen Polia royal family making their way into the bank.
Felpe had become a colossal vault for the powerful figures of the Norfolk continent. To safeguard their secret funds, these powerful individuals treated Felpe’s banking regulations with the utmost sanctity.
One notable group was the Norfolk Royal Alliance.
Just a century ago, the various royal families were locked in fierce territorial disputes, akin to a pack of wolves fighting over territory. Now, humorously, they had adopted the term ‘alliance’ to foster camaraderie, a stark example of the end of an era where status and land guaranteed power.
However, illicit money could provide a pretext for assassination. Before the establishment of banking laws, there were numerous cases of children killing their parents to seize the money in safes.
Ultimately, the powerful figures sought to protect both their wealth and their lives by influencing the Felpe Banking Law.
The Felpe Banking Law essentially had no restrictions on depositing money, but imposed stringent limitations on withdrawals. Only the person who opened the safe or their rightful heirs through legal succession could access it. Even those with the key could not open the safe if they were not the rightful owner.
However, to account for cases where the original owner died without proper succession procedures, the law stipulated that, 20 years after the safe’s opening date, the key holder would be granted access rights.
Safe number 5555 was an example of this provision.
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