I Bought the Villains With Money - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 26.
“Of your own accord, or for some other reason?”
“Are you trying to get to know me personally?”
“I have no interest in little ladies. It’s just curiosity, that’s all.”
“Curiosity about what?”
“That a little thing like you thought to break me out. That you can talk to me so easily. That this unusual little creature wants not a doll but a bank.”
“The world is brimming with fascinating things. That’s why it’s worth living, even when it’s hard.”
“That’s rather wise.”
Rumdracks burst into a hearty laugh. He continued laughing for quite a while before suddenly stopping.
‘Just stop laughing and tell me whether you’ll work with me or not.’
As I was thinking this, Rumdracks pushed his chair back and stood up.
‘Negotiations are falling through. What a shame.’
It was underhanded, but I could appeal to his debt since I’d gotten him out of the fire jail. Or I could threaten to report him.
“Let’s go. To the bank.”
Just as I was considering how to contact the Security Force, he smoothly slipped the Dragon’s Oath Contract from beneath my hand with ghostly quickness and spoke. His hands moved with remarkable speed.
“You’re accepting?”
“Yeah, seems like it’ll be fun.”
“Then let’s draw up a contract. Put down whatever you’ve taken.”
“This one’s a consultation fee. And let’s save the other one we have—don’t use it. You can’t use it again once you do. Instead, I’ll help you twice.”
To demand trust in a con artist, to speak words that shook the very identity of fraud—and yet Rumdracks remained unbothered.
Rumdracks seemed to regret spending the Dragon’s Oath Contract. Perhaps he was thinking of an opportunity to steal all of them from me.
‘I need to hide them well.’
I opened my mouth as I placed the Dragon’s Oath Contract into my bag.
“We should draw up a contract. If you’re concerned about wasting the Dragon’s Oath Contract, we can use something else.”
I produced a contract I’d prepared separately. The Dragon’s Oath Contract had been a gambit to set up this one.
The Swamp Contract.
One of the relatively recently created Magical Contracts, it imposed bodily restrictions for a few days if one party unilaterally broke the agreement.
“Isn’t this reasonable for both of us?”
The Swamp Contract was itself one of the most powerful contracts, but having just seen the Dragon’s Oath Contract, the odds were high he’d regard it lightly.
And my prediction proved exactly right.
“Fine. I can compromise on this much.”
I carefully filled in the blank spaces of the contract with its terms and held it out to Rumdracks.
Jennis approached with a needle.
Unlike ordinary contracts, Magical Contracts required the blood of both parties.
I drove the needle deep into my own hand. Jennis winced on my behalf.
“Go ahead.”
I let a drop of blood fall onto the contract and handed the needle to Rumdracks. He showed no hesitation in using it.
As his blood droplet fell onto the spot where mine had touched, the Swamp Contract gave off a faint glow.
***
“This way, Grandfather. This is the Phoenix Bank you were looking for.”
A comical scene unfolded because Rumdracks had dressed as an old man before stepping out onto the street.
At the moment, I was delivering a convincing performance as a kind and adorable young girl showing a lost grandfather the way.
Fearing people might recognize me, I’d changed into a plain dress and pulled my bonnet down low to hide my face.
I hadn’t wanted to come to the bank, but Rumdracks insisted he needed to see the location where he’d be working to get inspired—so I had no choice but to come along.
‘He said to bring only Jennis.’
Rumdracks had forced me to come along regardless.
All the way there, I’d had to listen to his theories on fraud. He compared it to a form of art; I thought it was utter nonsense, but I didn’t show it.
After circling around in a carriage for a while, we arrived at the Phoenix Bank. We left the carriage at some distance and walked the rest of the way.
“Here we are at the Phoenix Bank, Grandfather.”
I attended to Rumdracks, who was mimicking a grandfather from the countryside, with utmost care. His nostrils flared comically.
“Such lavish treatment for the young lady Irenber. This is rather nice, I must say.”
Rumdracks whispered near my ear. I widened the distance between us and laughed awkwardly.
“Would you like me to go in with you, Grandfather?”
“What a kind heart you have, dear girl. Hehehehe.”
His voice, like the scraping of a throat, sounded identical to that of an old man. Rumdracks could modulate his voice with perfect freedom.
“But the line’s so long—do you think we can get in?”
As Rumdracks had said, the area in front of the Phoenix Bank was swarming with people. A long queue stretched to enter the bank. If we had to wait in line, it seemed impossible to enter the Phoenix Bank within business hours.
“Let us in, if you please! I’ve got money in there!”
“Please wait. There are many people inside. We’re letting everyone in order of arrival, one by one.”
“Just tell me one thing—is the bank going bankrupt?”
The faces of those standing in line were full of irritation and exhaustion.
People shouted at the bank staff blocking the entrance, their voices rising above the din.
The bank employees pushed back against the surging crowd, while the crowd pushed forward to get in.
‘This is absolute chaos.’
Even as I desperately hoped no one would be hurt in the melee, Rumdracks spoke.
“What are all these people doing here?”
“They’ve come because they heard the Phoenix Bank is going bankrupt.”
Rumdracks made a soft sound of acknowledgment and looked over the crowd.
“So you’re the one who caused this uproar?”
Rumdracks asked for confirmation. We’d already discussed once on the way to the bank how I’d shaken the Phoenix Bank.
I nodded.
Rumdracks confirmed my answer and tapped his walking stick twice on the ground. It was a signal to move forward.
It was my turn to put on another performance.
“Grandfather, you mentioned you came from far away because of business at the Phoenix Bank? You must be in a hurry. Let me explain the situation and ask the guard for a favor.”
I positioned Rumdracks and approached the security knight standing in front of the bank entrance.
“Sir.”
“Kid, this isn’t a playground.”
The security knight, worn down by the crowd, looked exhausted. His shirt, which had been crisp when he left home this morning, was now creased, and his hair, which he’d combed back neatly with pomade, stuck up in unruly tufts.
I could imagine how much he’d endured all day. Feeling sorry for the guard, I struck up a conversation.
“Sir, my grandfather here has business at the bank.”
“Sigh—do you see the line? Go stand at the very back.”
Any security knight would have said the same thing.
I’d prepared for exactly that.
“Sir, look here.”
I dug into my pocket and pulled out a Gold Coin.
“Kid, what are you—?”
“See that grandfather standing back there? He’s actually the brother of my grandmother’s grandfather’s relative. He’s a very wealthy man. He has urgent business at the Phoenix Bank, but he needs to get back to his territory quickly.”
The security knight’s eyes fixed on the Gold Coin as he nodded.
“So, in other words, your grandmother’s grandfather’s brother’s… well, anyway, this gentleman is in quite a rush.”
The security knight smoothly pocketed the Gold Coin.
“But as you can see, there are a lot of people waiting. I’ll slip you in around the middle.”
I’d known one or two Gold Coins wouldn’t be enough. Still, I was grateful he didn’t get angry at me for trying to play him for a fool.
‘There’s nothing easier than solving problems with money.’
I produced two more Gold Coins.
“I said it was urgent.”
The security knight quickly grabbed the two Gold Coins and glanced around. Once he realized no one was particularly watching him, he leaned in and whispered.
“Bring him quickly.”
Oh, that was faster than I expected.
I put the two Gold Coins I’d been holding in reserve back into my pocket and bowed respectfully.
“Thank you so much, sir.”
There’s not a kingdom without rot somewhere. It’s bitter, but thanks to it, I can carry out my revenge smoothly—though I’m not sure whether to call that fortunate or tragic.
I turned quickly and gestured to Rumdracks.
“You’re quite resourceful for such a young lady.”
Rumdracks whispered to me, then nodded toward the security knight who’d opened the door.
As we stepped through the entrance, the crowd outside erupted in protest.
“We were here first!”
My back tingled with angry stares, but I ignored them. Calming an enraged mob was the security knight’s job—he’d probably wish he could throw back every Gold Coin I’d given him.
Inside the Phoenix Bank was entirely different from outside.
“It’s spacious, isn’t it? And quite pleasant.”
“Indeed, very pleasant.”
Rumdracks and I moved toward one corner.
Unlike what we’d heard outside, the bank’s interior had so few people that it felt genuinely comfortable.
Rumdracks found a spot along one wall and stood. Since entering the bank, he’d gone silent, seeming to concentrate—whether drawing on intuition or something else, I couldn’t tell.
I wandered aimlessly through the bank interior, observing tellers idly manning their windows and customers waiting for their turn.
Nothing remarkable caught my eye, and boredom began to set in.
I was just wondering how much longer we’d have to stand around, or whether I should head home first, when—
“I said leave, so go!”
A loud voice came from the most secluded counter in the bank.
***
Fiona couldn’t see what was in front of her. Having lived blind for more than sixty years, she faced little inconvenience in her daily life—by her own standards.
The Kingdom was a place where people with physical disabilities like Fiona could live comfortably compared to other countries. Fundamentally, the Kingdom’s citizens possessed a high level of understanding toward disability.
“Having trouble with your vision? Please come this way—we have a window counter right here.”
A bank employee with a kind voice helped Fiona along. Fiona smiled warmly and followed her. As they walked toward the counter, the two of them chatted.
“You can handle things from here. I’ll be on my way now.”
The guide handed Fiona over to the counter clerk and departed. Fiona explained to the counter clerk why she had come to the bank.
“That’s right. This year, His Majesty issued a special grant in celebration of his birthday. You’ve come to apply for the Disability Allowance, correct?”
Fiona nodded.
The Kingdom’s system for people with disabilities was excellent. Violeta had designed most of the foundational programs, and Karman occasionally added charitable measures to distribute.
Fiona was satisfied with whatever form it took. The thought of doing a generous shopping haul for the first time in ages made her hum contentedly.
“You seem to be in good spirits, Grandmother.”
Fiona had been cheerful up until she arrived at the counter. Even as she listened to a few explanations, she felt buoyed. But then—
“Listen here, Grandmother. These are the regulations. You need to sign the documents, as I said.”
The moment the counter clerk finished explaining and produced the forms for her to complete, the atmosphere shifted.
The counter clerk spoke harshly to Fiona. Though her vision impaired her daily life, Fiona had lived without burdening others, and the sharp, aggressive tone of this young man’s voice cowed her spirit.
“I… I have poor eyesight. And I never learned to write…”
“That’s your problem! Here are the documents, and I’ve put a pen in your hand.”
The counter clerk spread the paper in front of Fiona and forced a pen into her hand.
“Sign your name.”
The counter clerk spoke apathetically and sat back in his chair. Fiona, unsure what to do, nervously chewed at her lip.
“Couldn’t you write my name for me instead?”
Fiona asked the counter clerk carefully.
“Now see here, Grandmother. Are you trying to make me a criminal? You need to write it yourself. Are your ears broken too?”
I Bought the Villains with Money (Serialized)
Author | Lee In-hye
Publisher | Kim Ju-hyung
Published by | J Plus Media Co., Ltd. – Tiramisu
Marketing | Han Jae-hyuk
Address | Room 1101, 11 Digital-ro 33-gil, Guro-gu, Seoul (Guro-dong, Ace Techno Tower 8th Building, 11th Floor)
Email | [email protected]
Homepage | http://blog.naver.com/jayplemedia1
© Lee In-hye 2021
※ This work is published by J Plus Media Co., Ltd. under contract with the copyright holder,
and no part of its content may be used in any form or manner without permission from the company and author.
Violation of this clause may result in criminal and civil legal liability.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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