We went to the Imperial Bank with Obern.
The Imperial Bank had scenery befitting the intimidation its name carried.
Twelve massive wooden pillars built hundreds of years ago. A roof covered in ancient blue-green tiles.
Among the many visitors, not a single one looked poor.
Obern confidently climbed the stairs.
And naturally took a number ticket while standing in line at the reception.
"Oh this frustrating fellow."
Pelerian grumbled.
"I set up a centuries-old rental vault with a five-digit number, and he’s taking a number ticket to wait."
’Well, he couldn’t have known.’Pelerian completely fails to understand common people’s sensibilities like us.
When I told this to Obern, he sheepishly crumpled the number ticket and put it in his pocket.
"Go straight to the VIP room."
’Is, is that okay?’
The only VIP experience I’ve had was a membership at the Cyberia PC room near my house.
Obern confidently looked for the VIP room.
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Whether because his appearance suited the VIP room well, or thanks to the professional mindset of service workers.
The reception was friendly.
"What brings you here today?"
"I’ve come to retrieve items from a rental vault."
"Ah, your name is..."
"Obern Grimoire."
"Please wait a moment."
The Imperial Bank’s rental vaults are famous for their high fees matching their high credibility.
Naturally, only VIP-level people use them.
"Um... I apologize but there are no vaults registered under the name Grimoire. Perhaps you’re here on behalf of someone?"
"That’s right."
"The vault owner’s name would be..."
We shouldn’t answer with Pelerian Ugly Something.
Pelerian thought for a moment, then:
"Pendragon. Say Pendragon Aradin."
’Wow that’s a handsome name.’
"..."
’It really doesn’t suit you at all.’
Pelerian had fake identities for different cities and countries.
Jenkins in the kingdom and Pendragon here, huh.
These names sound more suited for a handsome blonde male magician than the wrinkled Pelerian.
"Ah, Mr. Pendragon Aradin."
And then, the expected procedure followed.
"I’ll need the vault password, a copy of the owner’s identification token, and the vault access authorization form."
"..."
Of course we had none of those.
We might be able to forge them given time.
Obern paused for a moment before speaking.
"Can’t we just open it..."
"...Pardon?"
Crisis situation.
As I turned to look at Pelerian wondering how to overcome this awkward situation:
"Act like a difficult customer."
’What?’
"Tell them to call their superior!"
And Obern executed it splendidly.
"This isn’t working."
"...Pardon?"
"Call your superior."
"Ah... yes."
The superior came, and that superior also looked troubled, while Obern continued being difficult.
He repeated this act three times.
I was getting anxious just watching.
But Pelerian remained completely composed as if there was no problem.
This must be the true face of Heaven Defier that frightened the world.
And when a middle-aged man in a black suit entered.
He glared at his subordinate as soon as he heard the vault number.
"Excuse me. How long have you worked in the VIP lounge?"
"4 years... sir."
"I see. Seems it’s time for you to return to the counter."
"What?"
"Everyone out."
He instantly cleared everyone out.
Only we remained in the VIP room.
"My apologies for not recognizing Mr. Pendragon’s representative."
"...Hmm."
When you don’t know what’s going on, just going ’Hmm’ like that is best.
"Vault 41048’s rental period had actually ended, and its contents were awaiting disposal..."
The banker spoke in an extremely polite and businesslike tone.
Then after examining some documents.
He seemed startled.
It’s clear.
"Ah, there are some documents I need to retrieve... Would you mind waiting a moment?"
The banker’s expression was perfect.
He seemed extremely polite and problem-free.
However, something felt off.
I don’t have eyes that can see through lies like the Emperor but...
’Hey Obern?’
’Yes.’
’Doesn’t this banker seem a bit strange?’
’Indeed.’
As expected, the master actor Obern had an eye for these things.
’He’s hiding something.’
Amateur acting doesn’t work on a con artist.
The banker didn’t return even after waiting a long time.
Just as we were about to go look for him, he came back.
"Sorry for the wait. I’ll guide you now."
"...The documents?"
"Pardon?"
"Didn’t you say you were going to get documents?"
The banker was a bit flustered at Obern’s words.
"Ah, I checked the vault contract. The contract conditions don’t require any additional documents. It was my mistake."
"...I see."
Something is definitely suspicious.
The banker guided us underground.
Like the Royal Bank of Solion, there was an underground space here too.
The difference would be in the level of security and scale.
"The security is impressive."
"...Yes. Haha."
In Solion, the banker would have boasted ’Our security is the best, haha.’
Here, he just gave a modest smile.
Finally we arrived at a vault with the number 41048.
The banker used a key to open the vault door himself.
"As the representative of Mr. Pendragon, are you aware of the vault’s contents?"
That’s when the banker asked.
Though he asked casually, his ears were perked waiting for our answer.
"That’s an unnecessary question."
But Obern just responded like that.
"Ah... Then. I’ll wait here."
The banker stood by the vault door.
We entered the opened vault.
The identity of what Pelerian had left for the archmage called Caspian was...
’A drawer cabinet?’
In the middle of the empty vault was an intricate drawer cabinet.
’Why did you gift a drawer cabinet? Is it a housewarming gift or something?’
"...Just have him open it quickly, you fool."
Obern walked steadily to the cabinet.
And yanked open the first drawer.
Clunk-
Surprisingly, what was inside was...
’Nothing.’
"...Open the next drawer."
Even Pelerian doesn’t remember what he left.
Clunk!
In the next drawer was right there!
Nothing.
Clunk! Clunk clunk!
And the third and fourth drawers were also completely empty.
’Ah, I get it!’
I figured out Pelerian’s terrifying plan.
’Instead of empty food boxes, it’s empty drawers!’
"What..."
He clearly meant to assassinate Caspian by making him feel utterly defeated.
I could imagine Caspian taking his own life saying ’If Heaven Defier says I’m useless, what’s the point of living!’
However, that apparently wasn’t the intention.
The trembling Pelerian was clearly filled with anger.
"It’s been robbed."
Looking closely at the third drawer, there were some fragments that looked like gold pieces remaining.
Pelerian seemed certain.
"My vault, my belongings have been stolen!"
The Imperial Bank’s rental vault.
My belongings were stolen!
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