Rosweld picked up the books and tucked the contract papers between the cover and first page of the book titled Noble Laws."This way, they won't fall out and get lost," he said.
As he exited the library, the muscular woman said, "It's still early in the evening. If you want, find yourself a place to stay."Rosweld clutched the books to his chest with his right hand and patted his pockets with his left."I don't have any money."
The muscular woman grinned widely."I'm aware of that," she said. "If you want a loan with interest, I'm here.""You're really losing sight of your duties. Isn't usury a dishonorable act?"
The woman frowned."You're the last person who should be talking about honor. Surely you don't expect me to help you unconditionally."
Rosweld sighed."For now, let me just finalize this contract, then I'll figure the rest out.""Alright. Suit yourself."
When they returned to Olivia's place, they found her at the door, talking to a man in a suit with a lizard head.While Rosweld's attention was on the lizard man's tail sticking out from his suit, the muscular woman was focused on his mouth.At the same time, both muttered a question:"What are they talking about?""Does the tail grow back?"
They glanced at each other out of the corners of their eyes.Rosweld asked, "Weren't you curious too?"The muscular woman sighed, "Forget it."
The young man, clutching his books, walked over to Olivia and the lizard man, who were still conversing.As soon as Olivia caught a glimpse of Rosweld, she ended the conversation, and the only thing Rosweld heard from her lips was, "See you."
"Hello, Miss Olivia. I came about the contract.""I noticed. Go to the same room you visited last time with your lady friend. I'll join you in a moment."
Rosweld did as told, and when he entered the room that had once been filled with tobacco smoke, he found some fashion magazines and a newspaper on the table.Though it still smelled like tobacco inside, he didn't mind because the newspaper headline caught his attention.It read: "Rising Earthquakes."He picked it up and started reading.
Mines on the northern border of our city are at risk of collapse due to the increasing frequency of violent earthquakes. In order to prevent residents of mining towns from abandoning their homes, President Heinrich has approved a decision to donate supplies purchased with our taxes. Due to the rising tax burden...
The door opened, leaving Rosweld standing still with the newspaper in hand.Olivia paid no mind and sat in her seat."Sit down," she said. "Let's talk about your contracts already."
"Where's Miss Kathia?" Rosweld asked. "It'd be better if there's another witness from your side as well."Olivia smiled without parting her lips."I'm not so careless as to not know who you're with. Having a member of an elite unit trained to protect the royal family standing here is more than enough. Another witness would just be an insult to the royals. One is sufficient."
"Alright," Rosweld replied, handing over the official signature statement first.
Olivia took the paper and raised her eyebrows suspiciously."What is this?""An official signature declaration. I prepared it so you can't deny signing. I've signed mine as well." He showed the copy in his hand. "I'll deliver these to the court in advance, acknowledging that the signatures are ours. Then I'll give you the actual contract."
Olivia muttered, "Unnecessary work," but signed it anyway.Rosweld took the signed document and passed her the contract paper he had placed in front of him."Read it."
Olivia read it and signed without saying a word. Meanwhile, Rosweld signed his own copy, and the two exchanged papers and signed again.
"I guess I'll keep this one," Olivia said."Exactly. Now I'll deliver the documents and head straight home."
Rosweld tucked the contract pages back into the book and stood up with it in his hands.
"Wait, kid.""Yes?""This place is pretty far from the mansion," Olivia said. "I'm not cruel. Stay in one of the guest rooms tonight. You can head out tomorrow."
"You're not just saying this to make it easier to kill me, right?"
Olivia rolled her eyes."I'm just a boss who wants what she's owed. Not a bandit. I know what it's like to be broke, kid. Just stay here tonight."
Rosweld clutched the books tightly to his chest with both arms and lowered his head to waist level."Thank you very much! I won't forget your kindness."
"Alright, alright," Olivia said, looking away from the bowing young man. "I don't like sentimental men. Raise your head."
Rosweld lifted his head and left the room.Once outside, the young man said to the muscular woman following him, "I'll deliver the contracts. But where to?"
"Are you sure you're from a noble family? You sound more like a country boy new to the city.""I don't deal with this stuff every day," Rosweld said. "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"You don't actually need to deliver them anywhere. Everything written on those papers is already stored in the Treaty Commission Data Network. That network is made up of mana stones connected by mana networks. It's used for storing and processing data. It's all very complicated, so I don't really know the details."
Though Rosweld had no clue either, his past self, Araki Yuma, was able to make a deduction."That's a computer. Sure, maybe in a much more primitive and basic form, but... Did these people actually invent computers? How did a civilization that hasn't even discovered electricity manage a leap like this? There's so much I need to learn..."