Lazy Sigh of the Villainess

Chapter 2.22 – An Unexpected Appeal

「The first page of the handout is a summary of interviews conducted by our ducal staff in various parts of the country over the past few years. To put it simply, when borrowing money, it will be a private agreement before two parties so the interest rate fluctuates depending on how much surplus funds are available and regional disparities have become obvious. 」

Killing, who had skimmed through the file after Eseria’s brief explanation, seemed to have some idea of what to expect and calmly expressed his thoughts.

「It’s just as this report says. In the old days, in the prosperous business district near the royal capital, merchants had enough surplus funds to lend the surrounding areas at relatively low-interest rates but in the economically depressed areas, the interest rates tended to be high. Perhaps that’s to prevent losses from bad debts.」

「Yes. The high-interest rates result in a high rate of defaulted loans making it more and more difficult for those who are really in need to borrow. So, the second and subsequent pages are our opinions on a nationwide uniform interest rate lending system.」

Killing looked over it in silence for a while. No one else spoke during those times and the only sound that could be heard in the room was the sound of paper being turned over.

「I see…the churches belonging to the state church are distributed all over the country no matter how large or small the population in that place is. When asking his majesty’s blessing, we can claim that we are doing the same across the country, right? 」

「That’s right. If we were to apply for permission for an individual or a specific group, there would, inevitably, be calls for unfairness. The nobles who are in charge of the territory are left to deal with it and I don’t think they will be able to take a unified approach. 」

「I understand what you are thinking and I think you have a very good point. However, what will be the benefits to us if we were to put this into action? 」

「Advantages? 」

When Eseria inquires back at Killing, who has been staring at her head-on, she almost laughs.

「Just now, Lady Eseria said something interesting as bishops taking bribes and lending with high-interest rates accumulating a lot of unexplained wealth. If those people really exist, once we start a lending business at low-interest rates all over the country, won’t we provoke a lot of enemies? 」

(As expected of this tanuki bishop. I have been acquiescing until now. It’s not like I can’t do anything without them. Since that’s how you want to play, so be it!)

Eseria opened her mouth smiling fearlessly.

「Of course, there are advantages for the church. 」

「Hou? What is it? 」

「You’ll have an information network in every corner of the country. 」

「…….. 」

「Information network?」

「What do you mean?」

Hearing those words, Killing, perhaps sending what Eseria truly meant, lost his expression and turned silent but the others asked suspiciously about the details to which Eseria continued her explanation.

「For example, if you whisper “If you investigate who goes in and out of your lord’s mansion, I will waive your interest for several months” to a servant who works in that mansion, or a merchant who can go at that place, do you think they’ll be willing to tell you? Getting information about nobles and telling them to the royal family is a good way to get on the good side of the royal family and even hold a certain influence on the royal family.」

「They are not intelligence personnel but ordinary citizens. Are you saying that anyone can become our intelligence personnel….」

「The church’s information network is not sufficient, isn’t it? This will also be a good reason for the royal family to let the church maintain its information network in the name of investigating the health of the lendee. 」

「….Interesting. However, I’m sure the royal family won’t approve of this under normal circumstances.」

「This is also a way to increase the church’s authority in the world. You can get all of this just by lending money at a lower interest rate than before. What do you think? Do you still need benefits?」

「………..」

When Eseria explained to the participants plainly, they all looked serious and silent and turned their gaze to Killing, the archbishop, as if asking his opinion.

「I understand why you wanted to propose a money lending service to the church. However, couldn’t you use a more conciliatory method to get in touch with us?」

As she had already expected that question, Eseria smiled and replied.

「I am fully aware of that.」

「I’ll take responsibility for causing enough commotion for this inquisition to happen. If you’re going to punish me personally, I am willing to be excommunicated and if you want to put the blame on the Wallace Company, I will fold up the store and leave this country.」

「What are you saying?」

At this point, Lamia suddenly barges into their conversation and begins to say something. Killing’s smile disappears and Eseria, who heard what she said, hastily rebutted.

「Lamia-san, what are you saying out of the blue? There’s no way your business-minded family would do that!」

「I haven’t told Eseria-sama about this but our family has discussed and decided it together.」

「Wait a minute! Why would you do that?」

(The Wallace Company has become a large merchant company these past few years. It is big enough to be one of the five biggest companies in the kingdom. If it suddenly collapses, how much speculation and chaos will it cause to the economy!)

Eseria has become impatient while Killing started at Lamia deeply.