Apocalypse: Fairy System by Macronomicon (fox in socks read aloud txt) 📕

“Jeb, Mr. Grenore says you tried to extort him?” Zlesk asked.

Chapter 7: Punitive Remuneration

Jeb scanned the room.

As far as ambushes went, it was a pretty decent one. Jeb was curious how Garland had brought an imperial enforcer into the office, but the how didn’t matter a whole lot right now.

The enforcer was the major hurdle here. Zlesk was…agreeable, to an extent. The biggest problem was that Jeb had already spilled the beans about being in the Impossible Tutorial, which wasn’t something he wanted to make known to the government just yet.

And yet, there was a government fixer with the authority to execute punishment on-site without a trial or any kind of due process. In all likelihood, the story had already been spread to her.

Can’t change what’s already done, Jeb thought, gaze flicking to the smug melas bodyguard. The man didn’t seem nearly as intimidated by Jeb as he had been last time. Probably because they had a high-level bruiser here to hold their hands.

“Jeb, Mr. Grenore says you tried to extort him?” Zlesk asked.

Jeb reoriented on Zlesk.

“Extortion is defined as obtaining something through force or threat of force. There was no mention of using force, nor do I have any intention of doing so,” Jeb said, slipping Svek’s earring out of his pocket and holding it up where they could see it.

“If you like, we could use a few Truthseekers to mediate this dispute?” Jeb said. “If mine won’t do, I believe Mr. Grenore has one in his desk.”

It really didn’t matter if Garland said ‘yes’ or not. It was already clear he didn’t intend to pay Jeb. Now it was a fun little dance before Jeb got his Myst.

“An excellent suggestion. I think a healthy dose of the truth should clear things up,” Garland said, fishing through his desk and coming out with a similar earring.

Sure will.

“Use mine please, Ms. Tekalis. There’s no telling what kind of alterations that knave may have done to his.”

The enforcer glanced at the earring a moment, pursing her lips as she frowned.

“You understand that if I put this on, I will be acting in an official capacity as an imperial enforcer and will immediately arbitrate a settlement to the best of my ability, and the two of you will be required by law to abide by my decision.”

“Understood,” Jeb said.

“I understand,” Mr. Grenore said.

“Alright then, let’s get this over with,” Vresh said with a sigh, clipping the earring on and addressing the two of them.

“Unless otherwise prompted, you will answer my questions with short, ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers. First: Mr. Trapper, did you extort Mr. Grenore?”

“No.”

“Mr. Grenore. Did you agree to pay Mr. Trapper two hundred and fifty marks in exchange for the return of your daughter?”

“Yes.”

Vresh raised a brow. “Unless I’m missing something, the matter is clear. Is there anything either of you would like to add to this?”

Jeb stayed silent, allowing Garland to keep digging the hole deeper.

“This man claimed the five bulbs held in escrow for the rescue of my daughter at the Hunter’s Association,” Garland said, “only minutes before he met me to offer to return her for fifty times the original reward. He attempted to defraud me by charging again for a bounty that had already been completed and claimed.”

“Mr. Trapper, is that true?”

“Which part?” Jeb asked.

“All of it.”

“No.”

“Truth.”

“What? You said you would kill all the pirates and return her! That was already done! What else could it be other than fraud!?”

Vresh glanced at Jeb and nodded. “Make your case.”

“If you recall correctly, I said that after your daughter was returned, the pirates would no longer be drawing breath, not that I would kill them. In this way, I was not defrauding you by charging multiple times for the same rescue; I was charging you two hundred and fifty bulbs to walk her back to your office. The fact the pirates wouldn’t draw breath afterwards was simply a statement that was true.”

“Truth.”

“That’s kidnapping!” Garland shouted, earning a miffed glare from the enforcer. “He held my daughter for ransom!”

“Mr. Trapper, did you have any intention to retain Ms. Grenore, should her father refuse to pay?”

“No.”

“Truth.”

Jeb found the way the tycoon ground his teeth amusing.

“It’s not illegal for a street vendor to charge two hundred and fifty bulbs for their product, is it?” Jeb asked. “I don’t see any reason why I could not charge that for the armed escort of a young girl.”

“The disputed payment is two hundred and fifty bulbs? That’s fifty times the original reward?” Vresh asked.

“Yes.”

“Mr. Grenore. The original reward for the rescue of Ms. Grenore was five bulbs?” Vresh asked, her expression souring as she glanced at the keegan.

“Yes. What of it?” he asked, missing the frown blooming on his daughter’s face as she sat right next to him.

“Nothing actionable,” Vresh said, glancing back at Jeb. “Am I correct in assuming the agreement you had with Mr. Grenore was entirely verbal?”

“Yes. And a handshake.”

Vresh massaged her temples for a moment. “From what I have observed, Jebediah Trapper committed no actionable offenses against Mr. Grenore beyond being staggeringly misleading, which isn’t a crime.”

“But—”

“By that same token, imperial law does not enforce verbal contracts below the value of two silver. By Mr. Trapper’s admission, the service provided was a two-block escort to Mr. Garland’s place of business. The fair value of such a service falls well below small claims. Without a written contract, there is no legal impetus to enforce the outrageously inflated price.”

“Hah!” Garland said, clenching a fist.

“So, let me get this straight,” Jeb said. “You have no intention of paying me?”

“You should have gotten it in writing,” the keegan said,