How to Live as a Knight After the Ending

Chapter 142: The Rain Clouds Are Coming (2)

“Congratulations, Director!”

“Congratulations!”

Balud looked at the men in front of him, all Northerners, and members of the North Blinders mafia.

They were dressed in immaculately tailored suits, but they couldn’t hide the crudeness that radiated from them.

It was inevitable.

They were born and raised in a harsh environment where fighting was the only thing they knew for half their lives.

If they don’t find food, they starve, and even then, it’s hard.

Taking from others is the norm, and if you don’t kill, you die.

Even if they come to a civilized city and wear a mask, it’s hard to get used to it.

So Balud treated his subordinate family harshly.

It was his way of making himself look better in this city as a fellow northerner.

But on a day like today, he couldn’t help but let loose a little.

“It’s no big deal,” he says, ”we’re finally on track.”

At last, he has one intact business.

It had taken him a long time to get to this point.

The idea had been in the works for a long time. It just took a long time to get it ready.

It was hard work.

He wasn’t allowed to overlap with other family businesses, and whenever he did, his boss, Mr. Islow, would call him in and admonish him.

Family should not covet what belongs to the family.

Balud always took that to heart, even though he knew Islow had gotten where he was by stealing from his peers.

Getting his business approved by the city was also a struggle.

Being labeled a mafioso and a northerner made the process many times more difficult and lengthy than others.

In fact, in Tirna, it was easy to bribe your way through with money.

There was a kind of lobbying that was possible, and Balud took advantage of it but it wasn’t easy, because there was sabotage by someone who had more money than Balud.

Balud knew it was someone else in the organization, another director, but he couldn’t prove it because he didn’t have the evidence, or Islow would criticize him so he endured and persevered.

He and his family have been in and out of the labor office, doing odd jobs.

He’s been in bed with the unions, or encouraging them, or collecting sit-down taxes.

The title of director is a sham.

Without a formal business entity, he’s been forced to take on the crudest, roughest, dirtiest jobs in the North Blinders but he’s had enough.

“It’s all because of your hard work, especially with the success of the ruins.”

Balud adjusted his glasses at the words of Legor, his right-hand man and loyal subordinate.

Unlike the polished Balud, Legor was a ragged, rough-bearded beggar but he was also a northerner with a sharp mind that belied his appearance.

“You’re right.”

This was an expedition to ancient ruins with the Archaeological League.

Its success, and the artifacts it brought back, meant that Balud had more money in circulation than ever before.

By handing over the relics to the Tower and lobbying more aggressively with the funds received from the disposal of the treasure, he was able to obtain the rights to proceed with the food business he had envisioned.

“But it’s too early to get excited. We’re just getting started.”

Balud muttered to himself.

Yes. It’s not over yet.

“We’ve been preparing for this for a long time, laying the groundwork and the distribution network, and now we just need to push and run.”

While Balud’s concerns about complacency are valid, Legor is also right to say that it’s okay to relax.

It’s a project that’s been years in the making, and there’s no reason to let it slip through the cracks.

“With this, you’ll be able to convince the boss that you’re good enough.”

Legor says with conviction.

‘Approval.’ Balud repeated the word to himself.

That’s what he’d been trying to do, to create a viable business that he could present to the outside world.

To be recognized by his boss, to be officially allowed to associate with her.

‘This business is a springboard for that.’

I called it a food business, but it’s not just about selling food.

The important thing is to move a variety of large quantities of food ingredients based on a distribution network that has been established in advance.

The main thing is distribution.

Things that are difficult to transport or store, such as milk, oil, and liquor, are thoroughly stored and distributed to keep them fresh.

That alone is what gives customers confidence.

‘It’s been a long time.’

When was it?

When I first joined the organization, I was driven solely by the ambition to succeed as a northerner.

I was not like the other savages.

I’ll show you how successful I can become, you scoffers.

That’s how I’ve lived my life.

-Is your name Balud? You look like you’re going to be a good student!

He was a cold northern glacier, and she was a warm spring.

-Why don’t you slick your hair back, it looks better this way! Hehe.

How long had it been since he’d known a woman who was pleased to see him rather than frightened by him?

At some point, his goal shifted to wanting to make her happy.

-Beep, beep, beep.

The call came. It was Mr. Islow, the boss of the North Blinders.

When he checked it, his subordinates’ faces lit up with excitement.

“Wahaha, our director is finally getting married!”

“Shouldn’t the congratulations be paid in olive oil?”

“Whoo-hoo! I’m glad I trusted you and followed you!”

The henchmen laughed heartily, free from their stuffy suits for the first time in a long time.

Balud glared at them, then relaxed and smirked.

He could let them off the hook for today.

“This is just the beginning, if you want to catch up to the other Directors and families who have gotten ahead of you, you’re going to have to run harder than you ever have before.”

“Of course, we’re ready!”

“We can’t pass up an opportunity to kick those cocky bastards in the nuts!”

Balud nodded and gave instructions.

“Let’s go see the boss first, everyone, let’s get moving.”

*

Osian checked his account at the bank.

The settlement from the Archaeological League had arrived. The original settlement was very large, but the actual money was less.

Did the Archaeological League take the money halfway through?

No, they didn’t.

It was because of taxes.

I thought to myself, “It’s nice to have money, but I didn’t really care if I didn’t have enough, however it’s a different feeling to have taxes taken away.”

Besides, he’d been feeling the need for money lately.

He can’t keep training the knight aspirants in a ramshackle vacant lot like that forever.

I’d rather not have any money at all.

The sight of so much money coming in and being wasted in front of my eyes made my mouth water, even if I tried not to think about it.

Even Einstein, a genius in his previous life, said that taxes are difficult and that he should call a philosopher.

The way taxes are collected is complicated, but what’s even more troubling is that there is a huge outflow of flesh and blood money.

‘Taxes are taken out of money that hasn’t even come in yet.’

I can’t help but roll my eyes.

What’s even funnier is that this isn’t all that’s taken away.

Later, they re-measure your overall income and take another tax from it.

The more money you make, the higher your tax rate will be.

Tirna is the city of gold.

Where does the city get the money it needs to be golden?

Taxes, of course.

It was said that there was no worse tax hell than this place.

‘It wasn’t something to be happy about, even if you made a lot of money.’

The amount of money taken is enough to feed a family for years but this was just a taste. Osian was seriously creeped out by this world.

Even the greatest knights in the world are helpless when it comes to taxes.

Standing in front of the bank’s teller window, Osian’s expression naturally turned serious.

A large being walked up beside him.

“If you don’t mind, do you need any help?”

Polite and soft-spoken. But the voice was thick and gruff.

Osian smirked and looked back at the one who spoke, an orc in a suit.

“Sebastian. Your eyes have become brighter.”

Sebastian the Orc smirked at Osian’s use of his name.

“Yep. I’m much improved after a long vacation. How have you been doing, Mr. Osian?”

“You’ve been hearing reports about me, haven’t you?”

“My, you’re sharp, you’re right. The Master was adamant that if Mr. Osian ever got into any trouble, I should come to his aid.”

“Is that why you’re here?”

“Taxes, don’t you want to reduce them?”

Osian’s eyebrows twitched.

Sebastian’s words were impressive.

Even a man of fortitude who wouldn’t make a deal with the devil would have gone down flat like a dog if he heard Sebastian’s words now.

Taxes were a serious matter in Tirna.

“I told you, we can help.”

“Ho-ho. How?”

“We have specialists for that.”

Sebastian gestured behind him, and five men in suits approached.

“They are tax accountants of the highest caliber. They’ll be helping Mr. Osian with his taxes.”

Not one, but five. They went straight to work, chatting away with the banker.

“What do I need to do?”

“Nothing. They’ll take care of all the tax stuff. They’re the best people we know who handle the Goldiron family’s money, so you can trust them.”

“I see.”

Osian spoke calmly, but if others were to see it, they would be dripping with envy.

If this reached Lorraine’s ears, she would make a devilish face and curse him every time she saw him.

“Thank you. That’s a relief.”

“Haha. Even for the ever-proud Mr. Osian, it seems taxes are not easy for you.”

“It would’ve been easier if they pulled a knife on me.”

“I’m glad I could be of assistance. Is there anything else you need?”

“Shouldn’t you go back to your master?”

“Master is busy with the succession of the family, so there’s nothing I can do for him. It would be far better if I took the time now to help Mr. Osian, who has not only protected him, but has also saved his life.”

It was an overwhelmingly undeserved favor but Osian decided to let it go.

“Then, by any chance, are you familiar with tailors?”

“You mean tailors?”

Osian gestured to his coat.

“I think I need to get a new one, a very good one.”

“Ah. I see.”

Sebastian, being the good butler that he is, immediately sees what Osian is trying to say.

“A coat of excellent quality is essential for a fixer.”

In the city, some of the most famous people wear expensive clothes.

They’re not just expensive because they’re well-designed and luxurious.

Tirna’s clothes are expensive because of what they do.

Self-repairing and self-cleaning, like the one Balud wore, are the new product’s best features.

For someone who values his life, a coat that’s also bulletproof means he’s not going to get shot somewhere.

“But you don’t want to be so focused on performance that you compromise on design. You want something that looks good, but doesn’t compromise on performance.”

“I see.”

“Then I know just the place for you. It’s not exactly a household name, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased, Mr. Osian.”

“I expect so.”

After leaving the bank, Osian followed Sebastian’s lead to his favorite tailor shop.

The sign on the upscale tailor shop read BT.

It stood for Brass & Tweed.

Once inside, I was greeted with a wide variety of garments, fitting mannequins, and tailoring tools.

The shop has a cozy, boutique atmosphere with high-quality hardwoods.

An employee greeted Osian and Sebastian.

“Welcome, gentlemen. What are our customers looking for?”

It was a middle-aged man with a nice mustache like a gentleman.

He showed no sign of surprise or disgust at the sight of Sebastian, an orc.

Osian liked the man’s sense of duty.

“I would like to customize a special garment for him.”

“Did you make an appointment?”

“Here it is.”

Sebastian held out the Goldiron signet ring.

Upon seeing it, the clerk immediately bowed, excused himself, and walked away.

“So I take it this is a place where only people with reservations can come.”

“Yes. And even then, it’s so backlogged that even if you applied now, it would take six months. But with the power of the Goldiron family, you don’t have to.”

“I thought you said they weren’t famous?”

“Yeah. It’s not famous, so it’s an in-the-know kind of place.”

Sebastian’s pride was not unwarranted.

Soon, a figure walked with graceful steps up from the second floor of the store.

“Pleased to meet you.”

It was a woman in her mid-30s, immaculately dressed.

“I’m Quintana Arnoux, the tailor here.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Osian.”

Quintana’s eyes widened at the sight of Osian.

Her eyes quickly scanned Osian from head to toe, and a strange heat rose in them.

Realizing her mistake in hindsight, she bowed her head sharply.

“My, my, I apologize. I didn’t expect to have such a wonderful visitor.”

It couldn’t be helped. If it was a woman he saw for the first time, Osian couldn’t help but be amazed by her beauty.

In Quintana’s case, she was in very good shape.

She’d seen a lot of rich people and celebrities at her job.

In other words, Osian’s beauty was something that even she, who was used to this kind of thing, could admire.

“What kind of clothing do you want?”

“I need something sturdy, something that won’t tear or get dirty from rough work.”

Rough work.

With that little phrase, Quintana realized what Osian wanted.

“So you’re more of a wild man than I thought, then. What do you need?”

“I want the best of everything, with the idea of creating something that has never existed before.”

“But if that’s the case, how much is…….”

“The price.”

Sebastian stepped forward and answered.

“We, the Goldiron family, will pay, whatever it is.”

Quintana’s face broke into a smile.

She had a feeling they were in good hands.

“Yes. Then get ready…….”

Quintana was about to say something when the door to the shop burst open, and in walked a wealthy master, his assistant, and what appeared to be an escort.

The wealthy man frowned when he saw Sebastian, the orc.

“Welcome, sir. What may my guests find?”

Just in time to hear the soft voice of the staff member who had spotted them.

-Bam.

The customer slapped the middle-aged employee on the cheek.