My Past Life is Riddled With Many Sins - Chapter 55
– Anyway, since you said no, we’ll accept your request. Do you have a specific deadline?
“I’ll give you two months. Bring me as much information as you can within that time. If I’m satisfied, I’ll place another order.”
– Understood. Shall we receive the payment then?
Clearly, they didn’t need an advance payment. It implied they were confident in finding out the client’s identity and collecting the payment one way or another, as expected from an underworld information guild.
“Fine by me.”
She didn’t have the money for an advance payment anyway.
– If, in two months, you find yourself unable to pay…
“I suppose you’ll have me borrow from your loan sharks or work off the debt.”
She had heard that threat before and responded nonchalantly.
It was the first time anyone had suggested to the Empress that she work off a debt. Though they had no idea of her true identity, it was still laughable. When she told Lennon about it, he had joked, “Why not work it off, Your Majesty?”.
– You seem well-informed.
“I’ll be back in two months. Have some worthwhile information ready. If I can’t pay, I’ll work it off.”
– We’ll strive to meet your expectations.
With the sly reply from the master, the conversation ended. Blindfolded again, Regina was guided back by the woman who had brought her.
On the way out, she pondered how to come up with the payment.
Even if she became a mercenary immediately after dropping out, the timeline would be tight… What if she worked on weekends without classes starting now?
‘Ordinary labor won’t cover the cost.’
The underworld information guild was renowned for its reliability, but also for its high fees. She had just placed a two-month order, which meant, even with simple calculations, she’d need to pay at least one person’s two-month labor cost. However, it wouldn’t be just one person working on this, it could involve dozens or even hundreds of operatives.
‘This is starting to feel daunting.’
If it turns out to be a significant matter requiring the full mobilization of the underworld’s operatives… she might end up indebted to them for life.
‘I need to make sure my body can handle the mana blade reliably within two months.”
As a swordmaster, her value would be high enough to pay off her debt quickly, though it would involve hard and dangerous work.
“We’ve arrived. I’ll remove the blindfold now. Take care.”
Lost in these thoughts, she found herself back at the fruit shop. After returning the mask, she pulled her hood down and left the shop, heading back to the academy.
* * *
At the same time, a peculiar tension filled the underworld’s information guild. The reason was clear: the head of the underworld was there. The guild master had been waiting outside his own office, unable to enter, while the operatives were on edge.
The cause of all this turmoil, the head of the underworld, sat in the office that wasn’t even his, reflecting on the recent conversation.
“Borrow money from loan sharks or work off the debt, you said.”
Her nonchalant tone, indicating she had heard it all before. Clearly, she remembered everything from her past life, just as they did.
A smile spread across his face.
“No money, then work it off with your body, huh?”
She certainly wasn’t lacking in courage.
“What does she think I’d make her do?”
The thought made his lower abdomen tingle. She had always had a talent for stimulating a person’s imagination. He recalled the many nights he spent restless because of her in their past lives.
Already, his mind was racing with all sorts of inappropriate thoughts.
“Like a beast.”
Feeling like a scoundrel, he let out a quiet laugh. Anyone observing might think he was ready to devour a young girl.
“…Not entirely wrong, I suppose.”
Considering the age difference, it did make things seem a bit odd. But that was entirely the Empress’s fault.
Dying so early only to be reborn much later as a soft, fluffy child. Leaving so abruptly without even a glance back, no matter how desperately called. Rushing away as if there was something urgent, ignoring him completely…
Recalling these bitter memories naturally cooled his excitement. In a way, it was a relief, he wouldn’t end up doing anything foolish in someone else’s office.
He got up from his chair and glanced at the mirror hanging on the wall. He had avoided a face-to-face meeting today to keep his identity hidden, using the crystal ball instead.
But eventually, they would meet. He couldn’t afford to neglect his appearance if he wanted to look his best when that time came.
“She said she’d return in two months.”
A long wait. Even though he was used to waiting, it felt like an excruciatingly long time. He would have to find solace in gradually extracting information to ease the longing.
“Time to stop making them wait.”
Thinking of the real guild master waiting outside, he put on his mask and stepped out.
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No, sir.”
The guild master responded respectfully.
“I lost track of time while thinking. I’ll compensate you soon for the wait.”
The guild master beamed. The leader was known for being fair with rewards and punishments and never made empty promises.
“Thank you.”
“Get in touch when she returns in two months.”
“Of course.”
* * *
Regina deliberately took a convoluted route back to the academy, in case the guild had someone tailing her.
“Out of money, more debts, and entangled with shady characters.”
She couldn’t help but lament her unfortunate circumstances.
To think she would be dealing with the underworld again in this life. It was a place to be avoided if one wished to live an ordinary life. It felt as though her life was becoming more tangled with each passing day.
‘But I can’t ignore a monster’s appearance.’
If only she hadn’t known.