The corpse may have been a substitute.

Because of it, I was able to raise the ransom money.

We use latent criminals, who can never return to society, in our place.

The company wasn't as big as its current size, and I couldn't collect the ransom.

You see, he sends his mother to make excuses.

You went into the Utsurobune in my place of your own accord, and were taken to the Dragon’s Triangle.

So we're stand-ins?!

You're sending me in your place?!

Our doubles fulfilled their duty, and all went according to plan.

Scapegoating, if you will.

Gulp...

My replacement, Mr. Cursey #3!

They must have taken a replacement.

Maybe Igneel's scarf took the brunt of it to protect Natsu...

After it got dark all of a sudden, I figured I'd leave a double and see how things turned out, but...

Is that a ransom for the Sorcerer's Stone?

Radovid'll use you. Make you history's villain, the scapegoat. But if that's what you want…

The bungdiddlers kidnapped me - in hopes of collecting a ransom, I'm sure. But with Master Liam's troubles, he never could have paid them.

The port warehouse where the wine was delivered - we identified it, then learned who had hired it out. This proved to be a beggar, a stand-in.

Unless you've come to pay a ransom, turn around and walk away.