Norm Trading Company

Norm Trading Company, President's Office.

Norm breathed a long sigh of relief upon hearing the news of Frieren's appearance.

Ever since he heard the news that Frieren had traveled north and wiped out the Demons, including Aura, he had been looking forward to meeting Frieren.

I can't believe this day has come so soon, it's wonderful.

He sent his guards to invite Frieren and her entourage to his office. After a brief self-introduction, he got straight to the point.

Please, Frieren, repay the debt owed to Himmel's squad eighty years ago, with interest.

Upon hearing this, Frieren was struck dumb, and her ears drooped listlessly.

Fern hadn't expected Frieren to be in debt. She placed her hand on Frillie's shoulder and shook her forcefully.

"Ms. Frieren, so you've borrowed money before?"

To the gentle, quiet, and virtuous Fern, this act of borrowing money and not repaying it was utterly outrageous and incomprehensible!

Frieren closed her eyes and let Fern shake her violently. Finally, she remembered something from the past, and embarrassedly circled her fingers.

"I borrowed a little, but the then-Guild Master Norm said I could return it anytime."

Norm picked up the document and pretended to examine it again.

"It's not written in the document, and verbal agreements don't count! The former president was more lenient in this regard, but I can't be like him."

Upon hearing this, Frieren nodded helplessly and agreed to repay the debt.

"Very well! Since Frieren is so agreeable, then please settle all outstanding debts, totaling five hundred gold coins."

Norm sat upright behind the wooden table, his hands folded on the surface, a polite smile on his face.

"What?! You actually owe a full five hundred gold coins! Just how much did you borrow back then?!"

Fern frowned slightly in surprise, looking completely taken aback.

"It must have taken decades of compound interest to accumulate such a sum."

Frieren explained softly.

"Five hundred gold coins! Oh my god! We're going bankrupt!"

Stark glanced at Frieren, then suddenly clutched his head with both hands, letting out a heart-wrenching wail of despair.

Frieren sighed helplessly, her expression blank and at a loss.

"If you can't repay the money, then please, Lady Frieren, try mining to pay it off! I've calculated that it would take three hundred years of mining to clear the debt."

Norm revealed his true intentions, his true intentions laid bare.

Three hundred years!

Frieren's head felt heavy, as if her wonderful adventure had come to a complete end. She was pale and weak all over.

The two guards behind Norm stepped forward and put their arms around Frieren.

Dugu Qing frowned slightly, drew his sword, and slashed out.

A surge of sword energy swept across Norm's forehead and cleaved through the wall.

Seeing Dugu Qing's immense magical power, the guard dared not move forward any further and looked to Norm for help.

Dugu Qing's eyes slightly upturned, her gentle smile like melting snow in the mountains.

"Since the former president of Norm verbally promised to return it at any time, then it can be returned at any time. The current leader, who overturned the decision of the previous president, lacks a sense of contract, is unjust, disloyal, and unfilial. Since that's the case, then let's fight! I will elect a truly benevolent leader for the Norm Trading Company."

Norm was shocked. "I was just asking for some money I owed, and you're trying to dethrone me!"

How terrifying!

Upon hearing this, Stark pondered it carefully and agreed that Dugu Qing was right.

The current chairman, who overturned the previous chairman's decision, is actually trying to kidnap the lovely Frieren and send her to mine for his own selfish gain!

How can this be allowed?

What if Frieren gets harassed by other men while mining?

Can the Norm Trading Company afford to lose money?

Stark picked up his battle axe and stood guard protectively beside Dugu Qing, guarding against any enemies that might appear at any moment.

Needless to say, Fern summoned his wand and stood protectively beside Dugu Qing, his entire body's magic power poised to be unleashed.

Frieren was surprised that Dugu Qing had turned the tide with just a few words, and felt a warmth in her heart, letting Dugu Qing handle the situation.

"Wait! Wait! My grandfather borrowed money from you! Have you forgotten, Lady Frieren?"

Frieren was world-renowned, Dugu Qing was powerful and domineering, capable of overthrowing his power with just a few words, directly addressing his vitals.

Norm, fearing the situation would spiral out of control, looked at Frieren pleadingly.

"That's true. For the sake of the former president, Dugu Qing, let's find a way to repay the money! After all, he sponsored us in the past."

Frieren softened and looked at Dugu Qing with embarrassment.

Dugu Qing sheathed his sword, a faint smile curving his thin lips upwards.

"Repayment is certainly possible, but first, one point must be clarified. The current loan was taken out by Himmel, Heiter, Eisen, and Frieren to save the world. This debt should be shared by all four of them."

Norm was confident he could outmaneuver the naive Frieren.

Seeing Dugu Qing's clear and organized division of the money, his carefully laid plans immediately fell apart, leaving him only with astonishment and embarrassment on his face.

"This won't do! Himmel and Heiter, I heard they're both dead, who am I supposed to ask for repayment from!"

Dugu Qing lowered her eyes and chuckled lightly, showing no sympathy and insisting on her own position.

"That's your problem. In short, when the borrower dies, the debt should automatically disappear or be inherited by their immediate family. Frieren and Himmel Heiter are just friends, and legally, Frilian has no obligation to assume their debts."

Dugu Qing's analysis was clear, understandable, and reasonable.

Frieren, Fern, and Stark listened quietly, nodding repeatedly in complete agreement.

"Therefore, of the five hundred gold coins, Frieren's debt is one hundred and twenty-five gold coins."

Having said that, Dugu Qing summoned magic and took out one hundred and twenty-five gold coins from Frieren's briefcase, not one more and not one less, and threw them onto the desk in front of Norm.

"It has to be you again, Dugu Qing."

Frieren looked at Dugu Qing with a relaxed expression, her eyes filled with approval.

"Dugu Qing hasn't run out of money yet, has he? I don't want to live a frugal life again."

Stark counted on his fingers, calculating how much money Dugu Qing had left. He figured there should be a few dozen coins left! Enough to feed and drink him for years... that shouldn't be a problem.

"Let's go! The atmosphere in places like this, frequented by unscrupulous merchants, is chaotic. I don't want to stay there for even a second longer."

Dugu Qing had no liking for Norm whatsoever. He grabbed Frieren's hand and left quickly.

"Hmph, what a shrewd businessman."

Fern gave Norm a cold look, then strode off to catch up.

"They actually wanted Frieren to go mining, you evil bastards, die! I never want to see you again."

Stark spat, his face full of impatience and disdain, and turned to walk away quickly.

Norm watched Dugu Qing's departing figure, his scheme thwarted, and he had only offended Frieren. His mouth was filled with bitterness, and he slammed his fist heavily on the table.

"Damn it, I wanted Frieren to help me find silver mines, but I didn't expect... that boy to be so troublesome!"

The guard looked at Norm, his eyes filled with deep, unyielding worry.

"The Demons have become increasingly rampant lately, causing our guild to suffer heavy losses. What should we do next?"