Chapter 63
I was struck right where it hurt, so I had no words to counter.
The Titus I’d read about in the history books didn’t leave such a sharp impression. I guess history books can only go so far in capturing what a person is really like.
I pressed my lips tightly together to keep a straight face.
“No.”
“What’s your name?”
The boy suddenly asked.
“Isn’t it proper manners to reveal your own name first before asking mine?”
“…Tellus.”
Of course. He gave me the obvious family name.
Normally, when someone asks your name, you say your given name or maybe the third name. Titus’s answer was basically the same as saying he had no intention of letting me know his personal details.
“Ignicia.”
I responded in kind.
“I already know that! All the women of that house have that name. Say your first name.”
“Why should I? No thanks. If you want to know my name, show some manners.”
“You’re so uptight.”
I wondered what kind of reaction he’d have if he realized I already knew his real name.
Titus scowled, as if something didn’t sit right with him, while tossing a coin repeatedly into the air.
“Well, whatever. With this money, your house will be thrown into chaos anyway. Looks like you got it as a reward from the Elders. If they find out a brat ran off with it, they’ll go berserk.”
He snickered.
It took me a few repeats of his words before I understood what he was implying.
So basically… he was threatening to snitch about me taking the gold coins?
“Well, if you just do what I say, I might overlook it. What do you think?”
His strange-colored eyes sparkled as he said it.
It was no different from a threat.
Why did he always have to approach things like this?
I quickly worked through his motives in my head. Then an idea struck me. I strode over toward the Forum kids who were standing around us like guards.
“W-what are you doing!”
“If you touch us, the boss won’t forgive you!”
“Calm down.”
They were all about ten years old and each wore an armband with writing on it.
“…Oh no.”
[Debt – 2 dena S, 1 year]
[Debt – 1 dena 60 ses S, 2 years]
[Debt – 3 dena 10 ses S, 1 year]
It wasn’t just writing. They were numbers—records of debt!
Titus wasn’t just a gang leader.
He’d been lending these kids money and then using that debt to control them.
‘But what’s with the S after the numbers? The figure afterward looks like a time period…’
I thought carefully and a word came to mind.
S. Semis. Half.
‘One year and an S… don’t tell me…’
Interest rates?!
That had to be it.
He’d made them debt-slaves?
‘This kid… what a rotten seed!’
I steadied my breath and spoke to Io.
“Go on ahead to where we tied the colt. I’ll finish here and follow.”
“But, my lady…”
“A steward shouldn’t distrust their employer. If things get dangerous, I’ll send a rescue signal with my authority. Don’t worry!”
Io finally nodded.
“Understood.”
Even as she broke through the circle and ran, the kids didn’t chase her. They were clearly focused only on me.
Once Io was gone, I felt lighter and more ready to counter.
‘Threats should be met with threats.’
“Say whatever you want, it doesn’t matter. Believe it or not, it’s my money. You’re the one who should be worried, not me.”
I gestured at the kids.
“Enslaving commoner children to work off debts? I’m truly disappointed. I heard Tellus was generous, but I didn’t realize they tormented people over pocket change.”
“So what? If you borrow money, you should pay it back. If you can’t, you should work to repay it.”
“Well, I wonder if your family elders would agree? That goes against the spirit of Tellus, doesn’t it? If I were them, I’d be so angry I’d give everything meant for you to someone else instead.”
Titus’s face twisted.
‘I know how much you hate Tertia.’
〔 The two heirs of Tellus always visited separately. They believed it was better to settle things decisively than tolerate insufficiency together. That was the one belief they shared. 〕
Even if history books didn’t fully capture their personalities, they wouldn’t have gotten their relationship wrong.
“This isn’t over yet.”
As Titus stomped toward me in anger, I raised my palm, signaling him to stop.
“What if someone who doesn’t like you finds out about this? You might never get that important position. Every time you try something, they’ll step onto the podium and shout, ‘That brat defied the will of his family as a child!’”
“Shut up. I’ll just make sure they can’t say that—!”
“And how will you stop them? I already told you—I’m Ignicia.”
I smiled brightly, while Titus trembled, fists clenched.
‘As expected. He’s just a kid—the best he can do is shallow tricks.’
The surrounding children started murmuring—it must have been their first time seeing him cornered like this.
“B-boss…”
“I’ve never seen him lose an argument before.”
“But boss, is what she said true?”
“…Ha.”
Titus let out a sigh as he stared into the air.
Then he pulled some coins from his pocket and flung them out of the alley.
“Take them and scram.”
“M-money!!”
“Woo-hoo!!”
Once the kids were completely gone, I figured I’d broken Titus’s spirit. I stretched out my hand.
“The gold coins.”
Time to settle accounts properly.
Titus, trembling, handed me the coins.
Should’ve just done this from the start.
“Hey.”
But right before the coins touched my hand, he suddenly froze.
“What now—”
I looked up and stiffened in shock.
‘He’s smiling?’
Not a forced grin, but a wide, gleeful smile—the kind you wear when you’ve just thought of a devious scheme.
“Instead of this, why don’t we negotiate? Wouldn’t it be cleaner if we just pretended not to know each other’s secrets?”
“There’s no ‘each other.’ I didn’t do anything wrong. You’re the only one hiding something.”
“Then I’ll give you something good in exchange for this negotiation. How’s that? Let’s sit down and talk it over properly.”
Thud.
The ground suddenly split open, and massive tree roots surged up, wrapping around me.
At Titus’s gesture, they moved gently, carrying the two of us somewhere else.
“What are you doing! Stop this right now!”
“Just hold on. We’ll be there in a moment.”
And indeed, within minutes, the roots lowered me onto a hill in the middle of the city before sinking back underground.
The hill had been landscaped with a neat garden and a table, as if prepared beforehand.
“Go on, sit comfortably! Hey, we’ve got a guest. Don’t just stand there—bring us something to eat.”
Titus barked an order at a family of raccoons nearby.
Startled, they scattered in a panic and rushed about to obey.
I had no idea where I was, and escaping was impossible.
‘Io must be worried…’
Realizing I’d been completely caught in his trap, I reluctantly sat down on a wooden chair.
Still, I was curious what he planned to say.
“Listen, Ignicia. If you keep this secret for now, you’ll enjoy immense glory. Honestly, I don’t even have to go this far. But I like you.”
“I’ll hear you out. But don’t smile like that—I haven’t agreed to anything yet.”
I replied primly.
Titus suddenly stood and placed his right hand firmly over his chest.
“I’ll make you my friend!”
“…Huh.”
I was utterly speechless.
