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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: The Foxkin Noblewoman's Plea
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'Hmm, so...
Jeon narrowed his eyes as he watched the commotion unfolding at the counter.
In fact, disputes between customers and staff in places like this were common even in his previous life.
Normally, he would have simply thought, It's just a bit rowdy, and lost interest.
But...
It's my first time seeing someone with animal ears.
A person with animal ears on their head.
The sheer novelty captured Jeon's attention.
This was different from seeing it in pictures or computer graphics.
He couldn't tear his eyes away, and the noise at that counter only grew louder.
"Customer, what seems to be the problem?"
"What? Are you the manager?"
Whether it was a call for help from the teller or someone rushing over after hearing the racket, a higher-ranking staff member arrived at the counter. He looked important.
Of course, that didn't change anything.
"Uh... well..."
No matter how high-ranking, there was nothing to be done when communication was impossible.
"Hey, what's the deal with this customer?"
"She took a number ticket and came up, but she just keeps speaking in some unintelligible language and handing over a certificate written in another tongue..."
"This is insane."
"Hey, what are you two muttering about? Are you ignoring me right now!?"
In the end, the flustered staff had simply doubled from one to two in front of the customer.
At this point, someone might wonder why they didn't just kick her out.
This was the Celleron branch of the Imperial Bank, directly operated by the Empire.
If a customer who couldn't even speak the language was causing a scene, why not eject her immediately?
VIPs are tricky.
But considering the bold sign above the counter reading 'VIP Exclusive Counter,' it was instantly clear why they were at a loss.
"Does anyone here understand this customer's language?"
"I only know Imperial and Abaddon Duchy tongues besides Imperial..."
"This is driving me crazy."
The commotion, once confined to one counter, now began spilling over to the adjacent ones.
What a mess.
For an Imperial Bank of all places to grind to a halt over one incomprehensible customer.
Was the problem the VIP wandering around without an interpreter despite not speaking Imperial, or the Imperial Bank lacking even one staff fluent in beastkin tongues?
Either way, Jeon was inwardly curious how long this farce would last, but he couldn't just sit around waiting.
I want to get out and explore quickly.
Having just arrived in Celleron, Jeon's mindset was much like that of a tourist.
He wanted to deposit his money securely and immediately head out to sightsee every corner of the city.
With some cash on hand, he was excited to try proper food from this world instead of the tasteless bread and soup he'd endured so far—his heart was full of anticipation.
However, with the disturbance at that counter unresolved, processing at Jeon's own counter was increasingly delayed.
So, he decided to lend a hand in ending the chaos.
"Excuse me, a moment."
The sudden appearance from behind drew the gazes of the two bank staff and the animal-eared woman all at once.
"Might I be able to help?"
"Eh... A customer?"
Since they were now speaking Imperial, the staff reacted first, having understood.
Even so, their expressions and tones carried doubt.
It made sense.
The staff were in the midst of chaos, calling for anyone who might help with the language barrier.
For a boy who looked barely into his mid-teens to step up offering aid, it was natural they wouldn't take him seriously.
Of course, Jeon paid no mind.
With the staff not stopping him, he immediately turned to the beastkin woman.
Up close, she's smaller than I thought.
From afar, her long hair and figure had hidden it.
But nearby, she was only slightly taller than Jeon, with a strikingly youthful appearance.
Regardless of how beastkin changed with age, she looked young enough to call a girl without issue.
"Who are you?"
However, her eyes upon facing the sudden interloper were far from friendly.
The look screamed, Who do you think you are, butting in?
"So, you want to withdraw money, right?"
"Huh? You..."
But that glare vanished the instant Jeon spoke in her exact language, replaced by shock.
Jeon ignored the shift in her eyes and began reading the certificate she held.
"Let me see... Yes, this certificate is legitimate for 3 million credits deposited at the Imperial Bank."
"Y-Yes! That's right! And it's even written in Imperial! But these guys won't give me my money!"
"You can't just come in waving this around and expect to withdraw. You need to specify if you're investing it, withdrawing it, and if withdrawing, how much—so people can understand."
"...Huh? What?"
A question mark practically floated over her head at Jeon's explanation.
She'd apparently thought showing up with just the certificate was enough.
"Also, to exercise rights on this certificate, you need the pre-set password, as noted here. Do you know it?"
"P-Password? Uh... well..."
"Alternatively, an item proving Silvermont Family affiliation can substitute."
"I-I have that!"
She rummaged in her bosom and pulled out a silver pendant shaped like a fox face.
Ah, so those ears are fox ears.
The animal ears protruding from atop her head.
They'd looked vaguely fox-like before.
"So, you'll withdraw the full 3 million credits?"
"Y-Yeah! That's right!"
With her seal confirmed and the amount specified, Jeon turned back to the staff.
"This is the Silvermont Family item required to exercise the certificate rights, and she wants the full amount listed."
"Ah, uh, yes, yes."
"Th-Thank you!"
The staff, stunned by Jeon seamlessly switching from fluent beastkin to fluent Imperial, snapped to attention and took the pendant and certificate.
With the source of the disturbance resolved...
As Jeon turned to return to his seat...
"Th-The money! I can get it, right?"
The beastkin woman grabbed Jeon's arm and asked.
Unlike her aggressive tone earlier, her voice now trembled slightly.
Her silver eyes quivered faintly too.
She seems scared, sort of.
Judging by the VIP counter and the Silvermont name on the certificate, she was likely a noble lady.
But using a bank alone for the first time, she seemed quite anxious.
Jeon had no need to concern himself with such details.
"As long as that pendant isn't fake, you'll get your money."
"I-It's not fake!"
"Then don't worry; they'll give it to you."
"R-Really?"
"Yes, really."
He roughly reassured the anxious girl and pried her hand off his arm.
"Customer 528."
"Eek."
By then, his counter had normalized, and his number was called.
Jeon left without looking back.
...
Thus, he didn't notice the beastkin girl's gaze following him for a while.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The bank business wrapped up faster than expected.
The bank system's more advanced than I thought.
Processing was quick, and with magical handling of certificates, handwritten signatures, and passwords, security was thorough.
The only flaw was lacking anyone who spoke beastkin languages.
In total, he deposited 4.2 million credits, keeping 112,400 for himself.
Not knowing exact prices, he figured it was enough for a month's living expenses at least.
If it runs short, I can always withdraw more later.
With bank matters done, Jeon stepped out in high spirits.
The Celleron scenery unfolding beyond lifted his mood just by looking.
"Wow."
Out on the streets, Jeon gawked like a true tourist.
Every sight was something unimaginable from his previous life.
The row of buildings resembled old European styles from textbooks but with differences, and the passersby were incredibly diverse.
From fox-eared beastkin like the one at the bank, to familiar Tuk Tribe folk, to those visibly non-human, the streets teemed with variety.
And more.
"Come one, come all! Not every day you get this! Celleron's biggest street magic show departing from the harbor!"
"Woooow!"
Where street magicians performed in his past life, here it was street magic shows.
Spitting fire from hands, summoning water from the ground only to freeze it—various magics in show form.
Not super high-level, but...
Still, watching magic up close was plenty fun.
The spells weren't advanced, but the showmanship was skilled.
Apprentice mages practicing under the guise of promotion, huh.
Looking closely, the mages' robes bore a blue pentagram logo and 'Pentagram Mage Guild' inscribed in Magic Language.
Likely a local guild event for publicity and apprentice training.
By the time the show ended, sunset had fallen.
Probably not safe wandering at night.
Unknown how good the city's security was, but unless it was like safe Korea from his past life, streets after dark weren't wise.
So, Jeon decided to call it a day and continue sightseeing tomorrow.
Tomorrow, a food tour maybe.
Today's was street viewing; tomorrow, start early for eats.
As a port city, seafood and spice dishes might abound.
"Ah, sounds delicious."
Jeon felt saliva gathering unwittingly.
As he walked, pondering tomorrow's plans...
"Ah! There you are! Hey, you! Stop!"
"Huh!? Gah!?"
Thud!
A shout from the side, then he failed to dodge a lunging figure and tumbled into an alley off the main street.
"Wh-What the..."
The abruptness left Jeon dazed; he looked up at his attacker to grasp the situation.
Long white hair, matching pale skin, silver eyes.
The fox beastkin from the bank was pinning him down atop.
"...What do you think you're doing?"
After helping her at the bank, this sudden assault?
Thinking she'd repaid kindness with enmity, Jeon grew irked and opened his mouth to snap—
But the attacker spoke first.
"Th-That is, you know! Y-You! You!"
"...Me what."
She didn't get straight to the point.
Jeon curtly cut her off mid-stammer.
He itched to flip her off him, but...
...She's from a VIP family.
Minding her Silvermont lineage, he held back for now.
"If you have nothing to say, get off me already?"
Irritation clear in his tone, she panicked, eyes darting, then squeezed them shut and yelled.
"Y-You! B-Be my, b-buh, buh-buddy! My comrade!"
"...What?"
...What the hell was this crazy fox beastkin saying?