Chapter 45: The Power of Money

Elan City

Lucia and Fratina couldn’t linger in the restaurant.

Even the staff sensed trouble outside, hurrying their service.

Lucia, her appetite ruined by the sudden appearance of the thugs, had the pastries packed and left with Fratina.

As they stepped out, several burly men closed in.

Lucia recognized one—the “servant” from the morning’s ambush.

He glared at Fratina. “Hey, lady, where are you taking our young miss?”

Fratina eyed him coldly. “Lucia, do you know this guy?”

“Nope.”

Lucia shook her head, clutching Fratina’s hem and hiding behind her.

Her actions stirred Fratina’s protective instincts.

She demanded, “Lucia says she doesn’t know you.”

“Hah, our young miss is trying to run away. Of course she’d deny it when someone offers help. Mind your own business, or we won’t be polite.”

“That’s my line.”

Fratina’s hand rested on her sword hilt. “I was going to let you off since you ran fast, but it seems you don’t appreciate it.”

She gently pried Lucia’s hand from her hem.

Turning back, she gave Lucia a confident look. “Don’t worry. These guys are no match for me.”

She might not beat a dragon, but street thugs? Easy.

“Um… go easy on them…”

Lucia’s eyes showed worry, as if fearing Fratina might get hurt.

At least, that’s what the thugs thought.

“Don’t kill them.”

Her words stunned the thugs.

They’d heard from Ernst that Fratina was strong, but with a dozen of their gang here, were they supposed to fear a lone woman?

Her comment ignited their anger, urging them to take Fratina down and snatch Lucia.

Fratina found Lucia’s words amusing.

Lucia knew her strength, so she wasn’t worried about defeat—just that Fratina might cause a fatality.

That thought freed her restraints.

With a swift move, Fratina swung her sheathed sword, striking the thugs’ arms.

The hard scabbard felt like it shattered their bones, leaving them limp and screaming in pain.

Ernst and the others rushed in, but their dozen-strong group couldn’t last a few moves against Fratina.

Soon, the street was littered with groaning thugs.

A commotion erupted from the other end.

Soldiers, led by citizens, hurried toward them.

*

“So, this morning, these guys tried to kidnap the lady with you, and you stepped in to teach them a lesson?”

In the guardhouse, Elan City’s officer frowned at Fratina.

“Yes! Fratina’s amazing! She took down those bad guys in no time!”

Lucia played up her charm, acting pitiful while vouching for Fratina.

The officer glanced at his colleague, who coughed and gave a subtle nod, slipping a gold coin under the table.

The officer froze, glancing down. A gold coin nearly made him faint.

His colleague spoke up. “Ahem, we understand the situation. Those guys are known troublemakers from the lower district, usually doing grunt work like unloading caravans. Their group showing up in the upper district was clearly planned.”

“We checked the street and got witness statements. Miss Lucia’s story checks out, and the Hero acted justly. I say we close the case as is.”

The officer caught on, nodding quickly. “Right, right. Let’s settle it like that. Those punks have been causing trouble in the lower district forever, and now they dare stir things up here? They’re getting locked up for years.”

The officers stood, clearing a path for Fratina and Lucia.

Outside the guardhouse, Fratina exhaled in relief.

When the guards took them in, she’d been worried.

Though she acted in self-defense, she was unscathed while the thugs were battered. If they split blame, she might’ve been detained.

But the officers’ questioning was light, releasing them after a few words.

Curious, she turned to Lucia. “What happened back there?”

“Hehe~”

Lucia grinned, pulling a gold coin from her pouch.

Fratina understood—money’s power.

“But… when did you…?”

“When we were brought in, I saw a guard outside. I slipped him two gold coins as I passed. He probably shared one with the interrogator.”

Recalling the officer’s shift in attitude, it clicked for Fratina.

“But… isn’t that wrong?”

“Huh? Why? Those guys are criminals. We got the guards to punish them, so they deserve a reward. Plus, Fratina, you’re a Hero. Getting tied up in this too long would be a hassle, right?”

“True.”

Fratina nodded. She still had a commission to handle.

Lucia glanced at the sky, noticing it was getting late, and waved to Fratina. “Fratina, it’s late. I need to head back.”

“Don’t need me to walk you?”

“Nope, I live nearby, and this is the busy district. I won’t get lost. But you—you spent so much time with me today, didn’t you put off your own stuff?”

Lucia stepped closer, pulling a few gold coins from her pouch and pressing them into Fratina’s hand. “This is for saving me twice and for keeping me company today~”

Before Fratina could react, Lucia slipped past, heading into the bustling district.

A faint fragrance lingered, and Fratina felt a spark of recognition.

But when she turned, Lucia had vanished into the crowd.