Chapter Thirty-Two: The Account

“Waiting for your good news.” Virac raised his glass.

“Master Colin, Master Chris.” The waiter approached with cash. “Here is the payment after tonight’s match—164,582 gold crowns in total.”

“Keep the change as a tip,” Colin said on Chris’s behalf.

The waiter accepted it as usual. “Thank you for your generosity.”

A single tip equaled what Virac earned as a photographer in a year and a half. Watching Colin take the full amount, Virac sighed helplessly. “I won’t give you the 10,000 gold crowns here. Consider it part of your investment.”

“Whatever,” Colin replied.

“The boxer Diaz you just purchased is waiting for you in the back,” the waiter said.

“Could you arrange a room for him first? Colin and I need to talk with him,” Virac asked.

The waiter smiled and agreed. “Of course, I’ll arrange it right away.”

This deal was done secretly, without the family’s knowledge. Virac planned to settle the details with Diaz today, and then Colin would help arrange his accommodation. Virac couldn’t bring Diaz back to the Thomas family estate, so Colin had to handle it for now.

“No problem,” Colin said.

Once the waiter made the arrangements, Virac met Diaz in a room.

Diaz still wore the same tattered clothes, expressionless as he stood to the side.

They sized each other up silently for a moment.

Virac sat on the sofa. “Do you understand Bressian?”

“I studied it before.”

“Sit.”

Diaz sat down.

“I’m Chris Thomas. It’s an honor to meet you,” Virac said, looking at Diaz across from him. “The reason I bought you is because I need you to help me with something.”

“Go ahead,” Diaz replied, waiting for Virac to state his purpose.

“Before that, I want to know if there’s anything you need help with,” Virac asked instead of rushing to explain, turning the question back on Diaz.

Virac was somewhat familiar with Diaz’s background; otherwise, he wouldn’t have bought him solely for his strength. In the previous life, after all the matches, a high-ranking official noticed Diaz and bought him at a high price to serve as a bodyguard.

Later, Colin eagerly shared a rumor circulating in Laisain: someone had offered Diaz a large sum to help assassinate his employer, but Diaz refused. Shortly after, the employer was assassinated. Diaz fought desperately to protect him and escape but was shot multiple times and died on the spot.

Resisting temptation for money and sacrificing himself to protect his employer, combined with his formidable skills but no background—buying such a man for 500 gold crowns was a great bargain. That was why Virac immediately thought of Diaz when selecting people.

“Why ask that?” Diaz was puzzled.

To him, rich men who bought him were only to serve as bodyguards or carry out unsavory tasks. What help did he need? He hadn’t considered the question, and an employer shouldn’t think about it either.

“I need you to serve me wholeheartedly. So if you have any needs, I’ll help you solve them first,” Virac said.

Diaz was quite surprised. “Thank you... I might need some money.”

“For what?”

“My brother is seriously ill and needs a large sum for treatment. A week ago, I was desperate and tried to rob a wealthy merchant, so I was wanted and caught here,” Diaz slowly recounted his story.

“You were taken away, then your brother might be in danger there,” Virac interrupted with concern.

Hearing this, Diaz looked at Virac in surprise. “Before the robbery, I sent my brother to a safe place. Unfortunately, after I was wanted, I didn’t have time to give him the money before I was caught.”

“And the money?” Virac asked.

“The people who captured me swallowed it,” Diaz clenched his fists. That money meant his brother’s life.

Virac quietly took out 10,000 gold crowns from his pocket. “Is this enough?”

Diaz’s eyes widened, speechless. “This…”

This was Virac’s largest expenditure so far. If 10,000 gold crowns could win Diaz’s loyalty, it was undoubtedly a good deal. In less than two months, Virac planned to escape here and would have Diaz leave with the money first. If Diaz betrayed him and absconded with the money, then Virac’s gamble in Laisain would be for nothing.

When it came to winning people’s hearts, one must spend when needed and not let stinginess ruin the bigger picture. Especially with someone like Diaz, 10,000 gold crowns could overturn his world and make him see Virac as unfathomable.

“That’s too much—2,000 gold crowns would be enough,” Diaz said honestly, surprised that his young employer casually offered 10,000.

He was straightforward and didn’t want more than necessary.

But money given away must not be taken back—that would be humiliating. Virac said, “Keep it all. Use the rest to properly settle your brother. This money will be enough for him to live well anywhere.”

“...Thank you.” Diaz took the money. “So, what exactly do you want me to do?”

“It seems you’re ready to face death. Don’t worry, I won’t send you on a suicide mission, but there will be dangers,” Virac smiled at Diaz’s fearless demeanor. “I plan to secretly run some highly profitable illegal businesses and need you to help manage them.”

Virac repeated the plan he had discussed with Colin to Diaz.

“Understood.” Diaz braced himself for any dangers.

“Tonight, my friend Colin will settle you in. After that, I want you to investigate something for me.”

“Go ahead.”

Virac’s gentle face grew serious. “I need you to check on someone staying at a hotel in the northern district. His name is Nord, but he might be using a false identity, so the name is only a reference…”

Virac gave Diaz Nord’s appearance, check-in time, and related details.

“This must remain between us. For anyone matching my description, don’t approach them—just record their exact location. I’ll meet you again on Sunday, and I hope you’ll have results by then.”

Virac spoke each word deliberately.

He still held on to a glimmer of hope—that Nord was alive.

Dumps’s betrayal was undeniable, but for Nord, Virac only speculated he might have met with misfortune. Perhaps Fletcher still kept him as a card to threaten Virac if needed.

“Leave it to me,” Diaz noted down Virac’s instructions.

It was already late. Virac had arranged all four objectives for the night:

Earn the first pot of gold.

Meet with the rebel organization for the second time.

Establish cooperation with Colin.

Win Diaz’s loyalty.

“Let’s go. I’ll get you some clean clothes,” Virac stood and opened the door.