"What?! Debt?!"
Cocolia slammed both hands onto the desk and shot to her feet.
Then, seemingly realizing she had lost her composure, she quickly sat back down.
She resumed her confident posture.
However, judging from the stiffness of her expression, it was obvious that her heart was anything but calm.
"That's correct. I have all the supporting documentation here."
Topaz handed over every relevant record and archive regarding the debt.
It was precisely because the evidence was airtight that she remained completely confident.
Debts must be repaid.
That was only natural.
As an expert in non-performing asset liquidation, Topaz specialized in handling situations like this.
Even if the debtor were Madam Herta herself, she'd still show up with the contract in hand.
Cocolia carefully examined the documents.
Then she made a tragic discovery.
Everything matched perfectly.
Even the System in her mind confirmed that Belobog was indeed burdened with an enormous debt.
A debt so massive that she had absolutely no way of paying it back.
She had only been Governor for a few days.
And now she was already expected to handle something like this?
Cocolia's expression nearly broke.
She had only recently escaped despair and regained hope.
Now someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over her head.
"Please wait a moment while I contact this planet's owner."
Cocolia urgently attempted to reach Su Ran.
Unfortunately, there was no response.
After several attempts yielded nothing, her expression darkened further.
Topaz watched as Cocolia sat motionless in her chair.
Completely baffled.
Wasn't she supposed to be contacting someone?
Why was she just sitting there?
Was she communicating through telepathy?
And what was this about the planet's owner?
Wasn't the Governor supposed to be the highest authority on the planet?
After failing multiple times to reach Su Ran, Cocolia finally contacted Serval instead.
As someone who had left together with him, Serval should be nearby.
Possibly even right beside him.
Perhaps even—
Lying beside him.
The moment that possibility crossed her mind, Cocolia became furious.
She was working herself to death managing the planet.
Meanwhile Serval had skipped work and gone sightseeing with the Boss.
Clearly she was the more dedicated employee.
Watching expression after expression flash across Cocolia's face, Topaz grew even more confused.
Was she contacting someone or not?
After quite some time, Cocolia's expression finally eased.
"Our Boss says we'll repay the debt."
That answer was completely unexpected.
In Topaz's imagination, anyone seeing such a terrifying number would be rendered speechless.
Yet this planet's owner spoke of repayment so casually.
Did they really think such a colossal debt could be paid off that easily?
Were they joking?
"If I may ask, does your Boss truly have the capability?"
"After all, this debt has been overdue for centuries."
"Even if we calculate only the interest and ignore all late fees, the amount is still astronomical."
It wasn't that Topaz looked down on them.
It was simply impossible for a world that had only recently recovered to possess that kind of wealth.
The IPC had long since prepared for that reality.
Being unable to repay was normal.
Being able to repay would be the surprising outcome.
"He probably does."
"After all, someone capable of directly restoring a planet's ecosystem truly possesses heaven-defying methods."
Cocolia had no intention of hiding anything.
Su Ran's abilities represented Belobog's influence.
Leveraging the Boss's power to secure greater benefits for Belobog was part of her responsibility.
"Your Boss really sounds extraordinary."
"Could you introduce me to him?"
Topaz suddenly wanted to meet this talent.
If possible, she'd even like to recruit him into the IPC.
Someone capable of restoring an entire planet would start at least at P40.
No evaluation required.
Cocolia seemed to communicate with the void once more.
Her expression became somewhat strange.
Topaz found herself increasingly confused.
"...Not possible?"
She felt disappointed.
Had she already missed out on discovering such talent?
"It's not that."
"It's just..."
"Our Boss asked if any of you are called Miss Ranking-Buyer."
"He said he'll come see someone named Miss Ranking-Buyer later."
Topaz's expression changed instantly.
The moment she heard that title, a particular memory resurfaced.
Very few people dared call her that.
Aventurine was one.
Jade had teased her with it once.
But the person who had truly popularized that nickname...
Was Su Ran.
Genius Society Member #85.
The hottest genius in the entire universe.
The man whose actions had drawn the direct appearance of the Aeon Fuli.
"Your Boss..."
"His name wouldn't happen to be Su Ran, would it?"
Miss Ranking-Buyer suddenly panicked.
Had she accidentally found Su Ran's homeworld?
This needed to be reported to the company immediately!
Who cared about collecting debts now?
Waive them immediately!
Repaying debts was only natural?
What a joke.
Could that possibly compare to earning a genius's goodwill?
If given the opportunity, the IPC would gladly provide aid worth ten times the value of Jarilo-VI's debt free of charge.
This was very likely the home planet of Genius Society Member Su Ran.
"You... know our Boss?"
Cocolia looked surprised.
Then again, perhaps she shouldn't have been.
Given the abilities Su Ran had displayed, there was no way he should have remained unknown throughout the universe.
Being recognized was only natural.
"...I'm the Miss Ranking-Buyer your Boss was talking about."
Admitting that nickname personally made Topaz feel as though her dignity had been ground into dust.
Having to acknowledge such an embarrassing title...
Yet compared to discovering a world potentially tied to Su Ran, that embarrassment meant nothing.
"My apologies."
"Please disregard everything I said earlier."
"The IPC is willing to waive Belobog's debt entirely."
"Furthermore, we are prepared to provide assistance for the planet's reconstruction."
She didn't even need approval from her superiors before making the decision.
Compared to securing the friendship of a genius, the debt of a single planet was insignificant.
Topaz knew exactly what choice to make.
And as a P45 executive, she possessed the authority to handle the matter on her own.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer