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Once the deal was done, Ewan stuffed the meat hammer into his cloak and stood up from his seat to leave the warehouse.
“I'm not sure when, but I'll contact you later.”
He spoke so cheerily, it was hard to believe he was the man who'd just been shackled and imprisoned.
Joe, who had been standing guard outside the warehouse, looked questioningly at Oliver, who nodded in reassurance.
Seeing this, Joe made no attempt to stop Ewan.
"It was nice meeting you too. Enjoyed the free drink.”
After giving Joe's chest a light pat, Ewan left the scene. Joe observed Ewan's departure, his face displaying a disgruntled expression.
Once Ewan was out of sight, Joe cautiously approached and asked, “……Has the conversation concluded satisfactorily?”
Forrest looked at Oliver as if deferring the answer, and Oliver tactfully responded.
"Yes, I think it ended well.”
“If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask what was discussed?”
Joe asked very politely. It was not merely a show of courtesy, but genuine.
Just when Oliver was struggling where to begin explaining, Forrest chimed in.
“Dave showed him an interesting black magic item, and he agreed to modify it."
Oliver nodded in agreement.
"Ah, I see……. So, isn’t it dangerous? He just left, didn't he?”
“He can't modify it here, He must go to District Z to do it.”
“District Z?”
Confusion etched across his face, Joe furrowed his brows, a natural response to the situation.
District X had a notorious reputation, even within Landa, but it still fell within the boundaries of common sense.
However, beyond District Y, lay unexplored territory, with District Z being treated as an ominous and treacherous frontier.
This perception was not unfounded, as mutants, criminals, and dangerous organizations found refuge there.
The Anti-development committee stood out as the most formidable among them. It was an exceedingly perilous place, one that outsiders could hardly fathom venturing into.
Upon hearing this, Forrest shook his head.
"No need to worry. Ewan said he trades with the Anti-development committee in District Z, so he won't be treated as an enemy.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I haven't seen the trading personally, but I did witness their friendly relationship.”
“Then, isn't it more problematic? He might run off with the item. We can't even send our people to watch him if it's District Z."
“……? I apologize, Joe. Even though I am the one who received help just now, why would the Fighter Crew watch Mr. Ewan? This is my business and my deal.”
At Oliver's question, Joe was left speechless.
Along with that, Joe's emotions flared with confusion, hesitation, and fear.
Oliver could not understand why he reacted this way.
"……Anyway, I appreciate your willingness to help. However, as I mentioned, to modify the item, he has to go to District Z. That's the truth. And, he won't just run off with the item.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, he was sincere about the trade. I believe he's not the type to break a promise rashly.”
"Ah, yes……. I understand.”
Joe nodded without any further objection to Oliver's words.
He seemed to have softened considerably compared to the past.
Oliver stood up from his seat and formally thanked Joe.
“Thank you for your help, Joe. Thanks to you, I was able to meet Mr. Ewan sooner than I expected. I was worried about falling behind schedule, but I am truly grateful."
“It's nothing. I just did what I should have.”
Even though Oliver was the one who received help, Joe seemed more humble.
Something was off.
“Um……. May I ask you a question?”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“You mentioned that all the suits are tailored in the same style, right?”
"Ah, yes……. We designed the style, and Crime Firm did the tailoring.”
“Hmm……. Must have cost a bit, huh?”
Oliver asked, glancing at Forrest.
"Well, we do have quite a number of people. So, it wasn't exactly pennies."
Oliver nodded.
"In that case, I'll have to change mine."
Joe looked perplexed.
"Eh? What are you…?"
"Oh, it's nothing. It's about the clothing style. If I continue wearing the same clothes, people might get confused…… so, I plan to change my clothes."
"…Why would you do that?"
"Because it's economical to change my own clothes? Compared to changing the clothes of 288 people, it's easier to just change mine."
Understanding Oliver's firm determination to avoid misunderstandings, Joe closed his eyes, reflecting a pitiful emotion.
He seemed disappointed and sad.
But that was only for a moment as Joe opened his eyes, steeling himself.
"Can I ask… no, can I request something?"
"A request?"
"Yes."
"Can I at least hear it?"
"Could you possibly become the leader of our Fighter Crew, Dave?"
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
"So I asked him why. Why he asked me to become the leader of the Fighter Crew. If there was any trouble, you know."
"……."
"Fortunately, he said there was no trouble. Instead, through training, they were gradually getting stronger, and things were going well. Both the success rate and survival rate were increasing, and the steady influx of work was generating a good income."
"……."
"So I asked again. Then why did he ask me to become the leader? And Joe answered like this. All the members of the Fighter Crew admire and like me. They realized how grateful they were for how much I've taught them without any conditions. So, they begged me to become their leader. Not only Joe but also the others who followed him."
"……."
"To be honest, I didn't feel bad about it. I felt like my efforts in teaching them had paid off…… However, aside from that, I rejected the offer to become the leader."
"……."
"Isn't it strange? Even though I taught them, they were the ones who worked hard to learn. But it was strange that I, who had done nothing up until then, would sit in the leader's seat there. Moreover, I'm not even from District X, Y, or Z…… So, I refused."
"……"
"I'm neither from around here nor a person to become a leader. My curiosity takes precedence over anything else…… And considering that they are already managing the organization well by themselves, no matter how I thought about it, it seemed odd for me to step in as a leader. Joe tried to convince me that it was okay, but still, I refused. I didn't like the idea of being by the side of those who can stand on their own."
"……."
"Even though he didn't fully understand, Joe accepted it. However, he told me that they plan to expand the Fighter Crew and asked for my help. To train them a bit. I accepted that. I wanted to help them a bit because they were working hard."
"……."
"Oh, and there's an interesting story about Marie."
"……."
"After I left, Marie took control of the Joseph family. There were some twists and turns, but they are doing fine."
"……."
"As far as I know, she renamed it ‘The Chosen Ones' and is expanding it. It's not exactly the way I thought, but it's impressive nonetheless. I don't know much beyond that. I didn't want to get too involved, so I didn't check it out…… but I think it wouldn't hurt to look into it at least once. Don't you think, master?"
With that, Oliver rose from his seat.
Opposite Oliver was Joseph, who had leaned against the altar and turned into a skeleton.
He had been dead for well over a year, nearly two years now, with only bones and a little skin remaining.
SHIRLLL.
Oliver poured alcohol into the cup he brought and placed food wrapped from Forrest Restaurant on the plate.
The smell of the improved food filled the dark space.
"Thank you for listening to the story, master. I'm not sure when I'll visit again, but I'll come again when I have time."
Oliver finished speaking, bowed respectfully, and left his seat.
He used a sphere of light made of magic to retrace the way he came and eventually came out of the abandoned hospital.
Having finished his business, Oliver immediately left the fence of the abandoned hospital and was about to return home.
"But, can I catch a taxi here? I didn't think about the transportation to go back."
"How did you usually get back?"
"I asked the taxi I came in to come back a few hours later. Today, I came in a car instead of a taxi, so I failed to reserve another for later."
"How about the car you got a ride in?"
"I can’t make someone busy wait because of my personal affairs, it's not good, so I sent it first. But, I think I made a mistake."
"That's going to be tricky. It's quite hard to catch a taxi in District X… Shall I call you one?"
"If you could, thank you. Mr. Kent."
Oliver said, looking at the beggar sitting in the corner of the alley.
He was wearing a worn-out long coat and holding a quarterstaff disguised as a cane in one hand.
Oliver looked down at him and asked.
"By any chance, were you waiting for me?"
"Would it be a lie if I said no?"
"Yes… How did you know and waited for me?"
"You heard how our poor brothers make a living, didn't you? It's not that hard to find out that you're coming here."
"Ah… That's amazing."
"Hehe. Amazing? And somehow I thought you would come here when you came here… Anyway, nice to meet you."
"I'm sincerely glad to meet you too. It's been a long time."
"It's been a long time. Actually. I came to ask you a favor."
"Ah……."
Oliver gasped a little surprised, but quickly regained his composure.
There was no case of visiting someone in this busy city without any business. Rather, this was natural.
"Please tell me. If it's something I can help with, I'd be glad to help."
Kent lifted one side of his lips and pulled out a bottle of alcohol hidden in his long coat.
"Can you have a drink with a lonely old man?"
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
That was really all.
Kent's purpose for coming was simply to enjoy a drink and have a conversation together. He expressed that it seemed to be the only opportunity to catch up with the busy Oliver.
Oliver tasted an unknown joy from his words and talked about this and that about his life as solver Dave.
Among them was a tale of attending an upper-class party, which greatly impressed Kent.
He remarked that not just anyone could attend such an event, as it required exceptional skills, reputation, and presence.
Curiosity piqued, Kent inquired about a rumor he had heard.
He asked if Oliver took the lady he brought last time as a girlfriend to show off his wallet and if he became the boss by overpowering the entire fighter crew with force.
Of course, Oliver calmly explained the situation, refuting the false rumor. Kent simply chuckled in response to the explanation.
‘Yeah… Somehow I thought you would, if it was you.'
‘How are you, Mr Kent?'
‘I'm just living as usual.'
Kent revealed that he was currently expanding the reach of the Poor Brothers, establishing a new information network.
He had been in contact with the taxi union, forging an alliance of sorts with beggars from other areas, and even expanding his network beyond the gang by connecting with factories and companies.
Without any pretense or ostentation.
It was truly a sight to behold.
As the bottle of alcohol was emptied, Oliver and Kent bid farewell to each other. Kent extended a genuine invitation for Oliver to visit him sometime, expressing sincerity in his words.
Oliver promised to visit when he had time, returned home, and spent his daily routine again– waking up early in the morning, going to work at the Magic Tower, leaving work late in the afternoon, and working as a solver at night.
Just like now.
"This monstrous guy…!"
The mercenary, whose arms and legs are Golem prosthetics, shouted. Oliver quickly stuck to his side and replied.
"I'm sorry. It's part of the job."
(To be Continued)
OR
$5/month6 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$15/month12 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$30/month19 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$45/monthAll advance chap + 6 chap/week
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