The fairy maid cheers for her deceased master today.

The matter has finally come to an end.

After several busy days, the truth behind assisting the fairy Elena in solving the case has finally been partially uncovered.

Elena was, after all, a former member of the Holy Order fairy.

Next, she was to inform the Church of the progress of the theft case.

As for what happened next... that should have been handled by the Holy Way Society. We'll wait for the Holy Way Society's results regarding the follow-up investigation.

This was also X's advice to Elena.

If the target is that nobleman, then the investigation should be conducted in a subtle manner rather than revealing one's presence too much.

Ex didn't want to be targeted by a bunch of assassins at the same time. Life was already hard enough.

Perhaps I'm just too weak?

Elena, oh Elena... I really should have found out Elena's target sooner so that she could fulfill her promise to be her bodyguard.

No, or perhaps we should hurry up and upgrade Angel. Our own maids are always the best.

Or, buy some emergency supplies first...

With that in mind, X decided to first take stock of his total assets and see if he could buy some weapons and items for emergency use.

But when Ax saw the ledger on the table, he couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Although Angel had already reminded him that "he" still owed a lot of money... she didn't say it was this much!

The ledger lay open on the wooden table, the dark numbers glaringly bright under the gaslight.

Ex, the owner of a small mechanical workshop, is currently experiencing an unprecedented financial crisis.

Equipment loan, owed Hamilton Bank £450, interest rate 12%...

Raw materials were purchased on credit; £280 was owed to Wilson Steelworks at an 8% interest rate…

Rent arrears, £120, interest rate 5%...

The repayment dates for most of the loans are still quite far off, until next year. However, the accounts receivable for raw materials are due soon.

Looking at these alarming numbers, X seriously suspected that the original owner of this body had been gambling.

It feels like even if you sold the entire workshop and all the equipment inside, it wouldn't be worth this much money.

"This is practically a vampire's rate of interest!"

Ex slammed his fist on the ledger. He was furious at its incompetence; had the original owner even passed math? How did it accumulate such debts!

Angel poked her head in from the outer room: "Huh, what kind of alien species is a vampire?"

"...It's nothing."

Could there really be vampires in this world? Wow, it's actually quite possible!

Since the book already features Swamp Species, Rust Species, and Mist Species, adding a Vampire Species wouldn't be unacceptable.

Angel received no answer and returned to the outer room of the workshop.

But soon she came running back, her face full of anxiety: "Master, master, the people from Wilson Steel are here again. They say they'll cut off our supply if we don't pay. We still rely on them for some of our raw materials."

Ex rubbed his temples.

Before his time travel, he had already heard that the operating costs of mechanical workshops in the Victorian era were incredibly high. The maintenance of steam engines, the wages of skilled craftsmen, and the ever-increasing rent were all heavy burdens.

Worse still, mass production in large factories is constantly squeezing the survival space of small workshops.

Therefore, without real skills, a small mechanical workshop like ours will eventually be eliminated.

Therefore, Ax had no interest in going out to deal with the debt collectors.

"Tell them to wait three more days. I will definitely pay them in three days." Ax waved his hand.

"Oh!" Angel obediently went out to inform them of this.

But Angel quickly ran back and said cautiously, "They don't want to leave."

"have to."

X took out his money pouch, keeping only a few gold coins for himself, and then tossed the large money pouches he had received from the Holy Order over.

"Let's pay back these first."

Angel, feeling both distressed and exhausted, carried the money bag and hurried out, finally managing to scare the person away.

Then she ran back and looked at Ex with longing eyes.

"Owner……"

"Um?"

"Master...Master..."

"What?"

"We're out of money again..."

"Could you tell me something I don't know?"

X sighed and then waved his hand.

"Don't worry, at worst we can go back to our old ways."

"Isn't our old job repairing machines?" Angel tilted her head.

"No, our original profession was—unauthorized goods circulation agent, spatial infiltration and temporary goods dispatcher, and manager of the free circulation of valuable items."

In short, he was a thief.

However, Angel was completely bewildered; they were all strange phrases.

What did Master say...? Really... amazing! As expected of Master!

Ax leaned back in his chair.

We need to think of a solution...

"It seems I've arrived just in time; you appear to be in trouble."

At that moment, Elena's voice pierced the workshop's silence like a bolt of lightning.

Ex looked up and saw the fairy girl standing in front of him with one hand on her hip, her emerald green eyes gleaming with an undeniable light.

Today, Elena changed into a business suit.

She was never the type to follow the rules, after all, she had previously torn half of her skirt. Today was even more so—she was wearing a men's shirt and riding breeches, her hair tied back in a neat ponytail, completely disregarding the dress code expected of a lady.

"I think you need a shop assistant," Elena said with a smile.

"You? A shop assistant?" Alex shook his head instinctively. "Being a shop assistant isn't easy. Elegant speech, proper manners, compliments to customers..."

"I'm better at flattering people than you think. I used to be a 'holy descent of demons,' so I've seen plenty."

Elena came in and sat down in the chair opposite X, closed one eye and raised a finger, "Besides, I'm a fairy, my observation skills are better than humans', and I can see better what customers really want."

Although Irene didn't say it.

But Axe did sense that the other person was in a good mood today.

"Has the matter been reported to the Holy Church?"

"That's right. Deacon Samuel promised me he would let me know as soon as there were any results," Elena said with a smile.

"So, you've come here today to...?"

"I told you, I'm here to help with the business." Irene subconsciously tucked her hair behind her ear. "You've helped me so much, it's time for me to do my part."

Even Axe had to admit that Irene had a touch more of a heroic air about her today, but that only made her more charming. The men's clothing couldn't hide her great figure; in fact, it accentuated it even more.

As a gamer, X immediately thought of the term "mascot girl".

Yes, Elena, perhaps she could be used as a brand name for her workshop to boost sales.

"Furthermore, I can help decorate products and improve designs. Some foreign tourists who crave exoticism are quite willing to pay a high price for a little trinket made by a fairy."

Irene has so many great ideas.

"So how will your wages be calculated?" Ax asked tentatively, subconsciously calculating the workshop's budget.

"A base salary of three pounds a week, plus ten percent of sales," Elena said, holding up five fingers. "However, if we manage to find the real culprit, I won't take the money."

Such a high price!

Fortunately—

"I understand. I'm sure I can find the culprit, so I don't need to pay."

Irene immediately rolled her eyes at X. "You're unwilling to suffer even the slightest loss!"

Angel suddenly snapped out of her daze: "Huh? I've been laid off?"

"No, your position is secure."

You are my lifeline... It's right to protect you well.

After saying that, Ex held out his hand to Irene. "Deal. But remember, this is my workshop. Your behavior must be...appropriate."

"Appropriate?" Elena smiled slyly, revealing her little fangs. "Sir, you'll soon find that 'appropriate' is what I'm best at. I'll use your little maid for now."

"Hmph, I belong to my master—" "Fine, use me as you please."

Before Angel could finish speaking, X readily agreed.

"Why!!!!"

"But what do you want?" Ex asked immediately afterward.

"This dilapidated workshop needs to be renovated first."