Chapter 43: Bring your coat, please! part


    Rudd examined Ryu’s products and he made sure the butcher got it delivered to the tavern, since this time Ryu didn’t want the money but the furs and fangs. Because of this the butcher was entitled to a part of the loot or a fair price, once Rudd finished negotiating with the butcher they left the store.


    “Where are you heading now?”


    Rudd asked trying to act natural


    “To the mayor’s house, we need to sort something out”


    Ryu replied as he offered his arm to Rina, who took it without blinking since it was too cold for her revealing attire. She was wearing the tavern’s uniform out of habit, and though it did provide proper instion it left too much skin exposed, if it wasn’t for the fur coat she borrowed from Anne she would be frozen right now. The only problem was that Anne wascking where Rina had to spare, making her wish she asked Helena’s coat instead.


    But Rudd misunderstood the situation, he froze on the spot and looked pale as a ghost. There was only one person capable of marrying a couple in the whole town, and that was the mayor. All his hopes of being together with Rina were destroyed that instant.


    “Rina... you...”


    .....


    Was all he managed to say before Rina burst inughter.


    “What!? No! hahaha, geez you’re such a muscle head! We are not getting married”


    Rina exined to Rudd what was going on, making him sigh in relief.


    “In that case, let me apany you. I can help you solve this and also get the chance to say hi to father”


    He was so relieved that Rina was not getting married he could even hug Ryu.


    When they got to the mayor’s house the maid greeted them with respect and lead them to the office.


    “Hi Kaya, how are things going?”


    “Good evening young master, there’s a young boy with your father but he should be able to see you anyway”


    “Don’t let Dn hear you, he’s a bit sensitive over his age”


    Rudd chuckled as he got into the office.


    “Good evening father”


    Rudd said in a polite manner with his back and puffing his chest out. He usually looks like a thug, but seeing him like that he really does look like the son of the most important person in town.


    “Good evening Rudd, so you finally decided to honor me with your visit”


    The mayor scoffed at him.


    “You know how it is, I keep busy this days. I see you’re busy, should Ie back some other time? I came with visitors. Mister Ryu, miss Rina,e inside please.”


    “Nonsense, have a seat please”


    Everyone sat down and Kaya retreated after bowing respectfully.


    “I’m guessing you came for the same reason mister Dn here did”


    Dn was standing in front of the mayor’s desk, after he saw Ryu he couldn’t hide his embarrassment and wished only for a quick death. The others instead were sitting on the couch since they were honored guests. The mayor couldn’t deny that Ryu has provided wealth and prosperity to the town, and even in the face of danger his group managed to save many people.


    He wasn’t like the rest who thought Ryu was a mere cook, He could tell there was something special about him, but no matter how much thought he put into it he couldn’t put his finger on it.


    The only thing he was certain was that he must not underestimate him under any circumstances, which is why he decided to treat him with respect. He was even thinking on convicting Dn for his assault with the harshest punishment just to gain some of Ryu’s favor.


    “I think so”


    Ryu nodded.


    “I wish to have Dn free of all charges”


    He continued.


    “Are you sure? he confessed the assault and regrets it immensely. If you don’t let him pay for his crime, how can he atone for what he did to you?”


    “It wasn’t a crime at all, so he doesn’t need to atone for anything. Everything that happened was a ruse to lure madame Bianca into a trap”


    Everyone in the room was astonished, even Dn, and the mayor didn’t fail to notice it.


    “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but mister Dn seems as surprised as I am about your statement, leading me to think that you’re not telling the truth”


    The mayor argued.


    “On the contrary, the fact that he didn’t know doesn’t mean he didn’t aplish his role. If you allow me to exin everything will be clear”


    The mayor nodded in silence recovering his usual poker face.


    “As you surely know, madame Bianca is conspiring to enve a great number of citizens after causing a famine that will lead this town to copse”


    “Those are some serious usations you’re making! you can’t possibly believe that one of our biggest benefactors could possibly...”


    The mayor started to lose his conviction with every word that came out of his mind until he remained in silence, which Ryu took it as his queue to continue.


    “She’s been selling ves for a long time, while iming that she’s just trying to give them a better life. I understand why would someone would be desperate enough to sell themselves as ves, they may not get anypensation since ves don’t have the right to hold any wealth but at least their families are paid enough to survive, and if they are lucky enough they can buy their loved ones back.


    Everyone seems to agree on this and I’m not one to judge, but what she’s been doing behind the scene is impoverishing the town enough for people to starve and be desperate. She is, in fact, twisting their arms into very, instead of helping the ones in need as she ims.


    There’s plenty of evidence to all of her deeds, most of ites from her own ves, which she keeps working at the brothel. But, since that may not be enough for you to pass judgement we kept quiet about it”


    Everyone was so shocked to hear all this they remained inplete silence the whole time. Only the mayor nodded from time to time as if he was unraveling the mystery himself.


    “She’s been hoarding all the food and as soon as she notices that the stores are starting to get empty she just raises the prices and people fall into her trap. She doesn’t need to get her own hands dirty, as long as she ims that she has a low amount of food and is forced to raise the price because of this, no one can argue with her.


    Even if the food spoils, it doesn’t matter to her, because she’ll get plenty of coin after selling the ves at bigger cities”


    “What you’re saying does make sense mister Ryu, but what does it all have to do with what happened at your tavern?”


    After everything Ryu said, even without proof, he couldn’t deny that it was a possibility, because the town he’s been working so hard to keep afloat has been struggling more and more every passing year.


    “I made an agreement with Hiraku, all we needed was to start a fight at the tavern and leave me unconscious and madame Bianca would start backing him up to take us out of business. The only reason why Dn was surprised was because it was an agreement between me and Hiraku’s group and nobody else knew, it had to be believable. Luke was supposed to beat me, but he and Anne got into a real fight before he could do it, so if anything I need to thank Dn”


    “Let’s say you’re right, why are you telling me all this? do you know that what you did can be considered a felony?”


    “You don’t have to believe my words, but if she does, it means that she’s not interested in money but in controlling the town’s supplies.


    All I ask is that, if madame Bianca associates with Hiraku and attempt to take us over, you allow us to raid her manor and recover the food she’s been hoarding. I assure you that you won’t have to take any action whatsoever.


    Not only that, I would only raid her ce if she ims that she ran out of food and starts raising the prices. So if I raid her ce and don’t find anything it means that she’s innocent and as long as I don’t get caught there won’t be an incident”


    Time flew by as everyone threw bits of information and they all tried to fit all the pieces together. The mayor was consternated to say the least, but he decided to not take any action against Ryu because if he was right, he was the only one with enough freedom to act on his own and maybe, just maybe the hopes of Ironwoods rested on his shoulders.


    Thest straw was when the mayor heard from Ryu that Luke had informed him that madame Bianca bribed the caravan so they didn’te this year. He was so mad that he stood up and shook Ryu’s hand without saying a word, dropping the hint that he was in, but he couldn’t say it because it was against his ownw to conspire against a free person.