Seeing the slight twitch in Roswaal's face, Green knew this guy probably couldn't afford it.
"It's fine if you're broke, but why are you yelling so loudly..."
Green muttered this right to his face, then looked around east and west as if browsing for goods.
"How about this? I see your Mansion is quite nicely decorated. Why not just transfer the deed to me!"
"Pfft!"
Emilia, who was drinking black tea, couldn't hold it in and spat it out in one go.
"Ahem, Puck... if Green-kun takes the Mansion, where will we move to live?"
"Haha, to think this guy Green could actually make Roswaal this angry. This is truly unprecedented."
Ram took a deep breath. Since this white mouse entered the Mansion, she had accumulated almost a year's worth of anger in a single day.
Ram took the verdict document from her pocket and handed it to the clownish Count.
"Lord Roswaal, Ram thinks it's better to send this guy off to labor. The fences defending against magical beasts in Aram Village need maintenance, after all. If he gets eaten by a magical beast while repairing them, it would also save a lot of food."
Roswaal took the verdict and fell into deep thought. After a moment, he finally regained his usual bizarre demeanor.
"I'm truly sorry, Green-kun~ Even with the financial resources of the Mejereis Household, producing a whole cartload of holy gold coins is too much of a stretch~ I do, however, have a compromise here~"
Green scratched his head and asked, "A compromise... does that mean half a cart?"
A vein pulsed faintly on Roswaal's brow, but he still restrained himself and maintained a smile, saying:
"Think carefully. Your verdict likely has a copy on file in the royal capital. Even if you got the money, you probably couldn't spend it freely.
If you are willing, I can find a way to restore your status as a free citizen. In exchange, Green-kun~ I would like to hire you as a guard for the Mejereis Household.
The monthly salary would be paid at the highest market rate, about 60 gold coins. How about it? As you can see, our side is currently in a state of thirsting for talent~"
The clown's words weren't false. A convict sentenced to labor in the borderlands couldn't suddenly appear in any formal city, or he'd quickly be wanted again.
"Sixty coins!"
Otto exclaimed in surprise. This was no small amount; it was more than he earned in a year.
Sixty standard gold coins, converted to copper coins, would be a full six hundred thousand pieces.
The holy gold coins Green demanded were not common currency. They were generally only used for special occasions, like the Royal Selection, noble transactions, or the underground market.
Even if you were given a cartload, it would be very difficult to spend.
Therefore, the salary received is usually distributed in the form of gold coins.
"Can I get an advance?"
Green stood up, leaned over the dining table, and looked seriously at Roswaal.
"Of course you can."
Seeing Green was interested, Roswaal immediately gave an affirmative answer.
Green slapped the table and declared firmly, "Deal. Advance me three months' worth."
As long as he remained within Lugnica's borders, he couldn't escape the damn kingdom's laws.
If he tried to sneak away, he'd probably end up in jail again. The status of a free citizen was too important; he absolutely had to get it.
Roswaal gave Ram a look with his eyes. The pink-haired maid understood and retreated to fetch Green's money.
Then, he stood up and gave a slight bow to Emilia.
"Please enjoy your meal, Emilia and everyone. I have some matters to attend to and will take my leave now. Green-kun~ From this moment on, the safety of this lady and the Mansion is entrusted to you~"
*Clap!*
Green snapped to attention on the spot and saluted Roswaal.
"Yes, sir! Sworn to protect the property owner, little Dan."
Emilia tilted her head in confusion. "Little Dan... who is that?"
Puck, imitating Green's gesture, said cutely, "Haha, it must be some kind of term of endearment, Lia."
As he spoke, Puck was suddenly picked up from the dining table by the instigator, Betty, who had finished her meal.
"Alright, elder brother, we should also leave this gathering place for idiots. Come help Betty tidy up the Forbidden Library!"
"No, no, Betty! If I leave, Lia's situation would become dangerous."
Puck struggled in Betty's arms, looking fluffy and very adorable.
Hearing this, Betty shot a disdainful glare at Green.
"Don't worry, elder brother. If that child is threatened, Betty will appear immediately and blast the bad person to pieces."
"Why are you looking at me? What can a mere security guard do?"
Green pointed at himself helplessly, defending himself.
"Hmph!" Betty looked sulky and walked out of the dining room, her twin tails swaying.
With Puck gone, Emilia fell into a brief state of awkwardness. It seemed she wasn't much different from a socially anxious person from some century.
"Um... Green-kun, I really am very grateful you retrieved the insignia for me. It's a truly important thing to me."
"Alright, Emilia. That guy Roswaal has already repaid me. Look, here comes my gold."
Green gestured with his chin towards the door, where Ram was approaching carrying a tray.
On the tray were stacks of shiny Lugnica standard gold coins, a full 180 pieces.
*Thud.* Ram dropped the tray onto the dining table. The tower of coins collapsed with a pleasing, crisp clatter.
"Take it, you greedy white mouse."
"Excellent! This luster, this temperature, this scent... subarashii~"
Green buried his face in the pile of coins. When he was hanging out with Old Man Rom and the others, getting a few silver coins a month was considered good. This was the first time he had seen so much money.
Seeing this, Otto couldn't help but comment, "Scary, scary. Green-kun's eyes are like a greedy dragon's."
Emilia looked somewhat worried and said with a tone of reproach, "Green-kun, Puck said money can corrupt a person's heart. And things like stealing women's clothing... these are not actions a good child should take!"
Green lifted his face with a plaintive look. The coins stuck to his face fell off with a *pat-a-pat* sound, finally landing back in the pile with a *ding*.
"That matter really wasn't me... sigh, alright. I'm truly sorry, Emilia, for causing you trouble. I apologize to you here."
After all, it was his own magic mirror. He might as well honestly shoulder this blame.
Seeing Green's action, Emilia quickly waved her hands.
"It's not that serious, Green-kun. As long as you know your mistake and can correct it, you're still a good child."
A certain Half-Elf once again placed her 114-year-old self in the position of an elder.
Unbeknownst to her, excluding the 100 years she was frozen, her psychological age of 14 made her essentially a middle schooler.
Otto quickly finished the remaining food in his hand, wiped his mouth haphazardly, and said in amazement:
"Steal... stealing clothes? As expected of Green-kun. I feel I shouldn't listen any further. Thanks for the meal!"
With that, Otto got up to leave. When he reached the door, he took two steps back, waved at Green, and said:
"Green-kun, I'm going to bid farewell to the Count now. Being able to sell all my goods smoothly makes me really happy. I need to return to the royal capital quickly to repay my debts, otherwise I'll lose another day's interest."
Green looked at the gold coins before him and fell into thought. It was time for him to make some investments for his own future, too.