Everyone appeared bewildered.
Engaging in combat with the Life School in this particular circumstance, solely because there's an individual you're eager to hit? Was this some kind of jest?
Yet, amid the prevailing skepticism, only two individuals bore earnest countenances.
Kevin and Yareli.
Kevin's astonishment stemmed from his awareness that Oliver wasn't inclined to utter such remarks. Conversely, Yareli had gleaned tidbits of information prior to arriving here, which explained her gravity-laden demeanor.
Merely these two comprehended the magnitude of Oliver's urge to hit someone.
"Not a bad reason," remarked Philip, just as a few wizards seemed poised to express their displeasure. "Sometimes personal reasons can be better than a half-baked sense of duty. Whatever it is, the world is moved by personal desires… and not, certainly, because I'm drinking and feeling generous."
Philip once again hoisted a bottle with his hand resembling a pan, and he downed its contents.
In the interval of Philip's hesitancy, none of the other wizards interjected.
"…But what if we decide to retreat rather than fight? Zenon? Dave? I'm not sure what to call you."
Oliver replied, "Call me as you please… but if it's alright, please call me Zenon. I'm not a solver right now, but a personal staff of a professor."
His elasticity in defining himself left everyone astonished. It transcended mere audacity.
"Therefore, I plan to follow Professor Kevin's opinion," Oliver added.
A perplexing manner of thinking, yet it oddly evoked confidence.
"May I ask a question? Dave," inquired Tilda of the Skadi School, her tone frosty as she invoked Oliver's solver moniker.
"Yes, go ahead."
"I hear you broke through the interference that even Terence and Kevin couldn't, accessed the World Tree, and found out about this situation. Did you ask for external help?"
Tilda posed a question glaringly evident. If one could access the World Tree, they could also establish contact with the external realm.
Terence and Kevin both exhibited realization, uttering "Ah!" as they recognized their oversight amid the exigency of the ongoing circumstances. Contacting the outside world could yield enhanced responses, possibly even reinforcements.
However, Oliver shook his head.
"You didn't ask for help?"
"No, I tried but failed."
Oliver garnered the undivided attention of all present due to his unforeseen rejoinder.
"Was there some sort of interference?"
Oliver affirmed, affirming the presence of such an obstruction.
Though he hadn't witnessed it personally, he had obtained this information from Eve.
Subsequent to breaching the obsidian barrier impeding Terence and Kevin's ingress and summoning Eve, Oliver initially inquired about the events transpiring in Lake Village.
Eve swiftly procured a wealth of data, akin to her accomplishments during the time with Shamus and ABC Investment.
Equipped with this knowledge, Oliver subsequently broached the subject of seeking external assistance.
Given the magnitude of the incident, such a course of action seemed reasonable.
However, Eve delivered an unexpected response.
[It would be difficult.]
‘What?'
[I'm sorry, but it would be difficult, Oliver. Since coming here, something has been watching me. It seems it would interfere if I tried to take information from here and communicate with the outside.]
An unexpected response, indeed. Eve added that she could try, but the chance of success is low, and there's a risk of getting hurt.
[The Root Net here is already set up by me.]
Consequently, Oliver dissuaded her from proceeding.
‘Isn't it a bit much to put Eve at risk because we're in a tough situation?'
Instead, Oliver proffered another inquiry.
‘Who could interfere with Eve?'
It was a logical inquiry. Eve emanates from the World Tree's essence.
Oliver possessed limited knowledge, but in theory, subduing Eve wouldn't be a simple task even for a group of proficient Net Navigators.
As supporting evidence, Shamus's underlings, the druids, had excessively restrained a bewildered and newly formed Eve, resorting even to auxiliary machinery.
Another intriguing aspect revolved around Eve's choice of words.
‘Something is monitoring and interfering… those are words distant from humans, and that assumption was accurate.'
[I'm not exactly sure either, but it seems to be an entity similar to me… I'm not sure.]
That response held a captivating dimension. An entity similar to Eve? That implied the existence of another artificial intelligence originating from the World Tree.
Remarkable indeed. As per Oliver's acquired knowledge, entities akin to Eve were not easily brought into existence.
Eve's inception had been an initial case.
But the fact that there's another one… what's going on?
‘The more curious thing is that they're cooperating with the Life School… or is it life alchemy?'
Oliver recollected his discourse with Eve and reoriented himself to the present.
"It's unfortunate… If we could make external requests, we could be much more flexible."
"I'm sorry."
Oliver conveyed his regrets to Tilda, who shared his sentiment.
With Tilda's proposal ending in disappointment, discussions resumed among the participants.
However, the discourse wasn't making significant headway, prompting Oliver to quietly approach Kevin.
"Professor."
"What is it?"
"Would it be alright if I start packing up things?"
Oliver gestured toward the scattered blankets and improvised bedding in the vicinity. They comprised his personal possessions, valuable in nature.
"It seems like we'll move as soon as we decide, so I thought I should prepare in advance."
Kevin examined Oliver momentarily, considering the timing of his request, but ultimately nodded.
Perhaps it was a prudent course of action.
With authorization granted, Oliver embarked on organizing his belongings, while Philip posed a query to Kevin.
"What do you think, Kevin? To attack or to retreat? I'd like to consider your opinion; you have a good instinct for these matters."
Philip's query carried a genuine tone.
Undeniably, Kevin had consistently made astute decisions on battlefields and within magical enclaves. Given Kevin's attributes, a single misjudgment could yield irreversible repercussions.
"To be honest, I think General Phillip is right. The fact that Theodore left despite being able to harm us suggests he has more urgent matters. Therefore, we can't just let him go. It's a basic strategy."
Kevin momentarily paused before resuming his commentary.
"Of course, I'm not negating what One Master Tilda said. The chances of winning are low, and we should notify the outside world."
"So, what should we do?"
"How about we split the team into two?"
Kevin proffered a suggestion that appeared ambivalent yet daring.
Opting for a division of their resources implied embracing substantial risk.
Kevin recognized this reality but didn't waver.
"Those who agree with General Phillip can go to stop Theodore, while those who agree with One Master Tilda should make every effort to leave this place and inform the outside world. It's a win if either side succeeds."
Terence interjected.
"And the probability of both of us failing increases… Well, do you have any trust in this? Without One Master Tilda, the remaining force would be you and me, who are not in good physical condition."
"There's one more person."
Kevin gestured towards Oliver, who had just departed to attend to his belongings, in response.
Philip reacted.
"Solver Dave?"
"Yes, he's now my employ as Zenon."
Kevin corrected the nomenclature. Respecting the correction, Philip didn't delve further and promptly broached the crux of the matter.
"I've also heard that whether it's Zenon or Dave, he's a solver whose name has become newly known in Landa. I have ears in Landa too. I know that he brought down a famous Druid not long ago… But you can't fully trust such rumors. Kevin, this isn't just about our lives, but the fate of the Tower. How skilled is he?"
Philip, who had been exuberant moments earlier, swiftly adopted a grave demeanor. The situation was undeniably one of life and death.
Without wavering, Kevin met Philip's gaze head-on and responded.
"He's someone I can absolutely trust."
Kevin's words were imbued with sincerity. They rang true.
*****"
"Thank you, Bigmouth. Yes, swallow this too."
After meticulously folding the bedding and blankets, Oliver handed them to Bigmouth and requested that it consume them.
Fortuitously, Bigmouth obediently swallowed the items.
Certainly, diligence during work was always advisable.
Oliver assured Bigmouth of a reward of 4 bills once all tasks were completed.
"Gurrugugugu!"
The contented sounds from Bigmouth prompted Oliver to contemplate when he should make it duel with another Glutton bag.
Immediate necessity wasn't a factor, but proactive planning was consistently advantageous. Oliver also nurtured curiosity regarding potential changes, beyond capacity, after feeding another Glutton bag.
Upon tidying up, Oliver bestowed Bigmouth with the promised 4 bills as a gesture of gratitude.
With contemplative munching, Bigmouth acknowledged each bill. Then, Yareli approached.
"Zenon…"
Yareli cast a glance at Bigmouth through her thick glasses and spoke. Bigmouth's fascination was evident.
"Yes, Ms. Yareli."
"We've decided what to do. General Philip, Mr. Terence, Professor Kevin, and Zenon—you four will go to interfere with Theodore, and the rest will escape outside the fog."
"Yes, understood."
Oliver's response conveyed acceptance of the unilateral decision made.
Ultimately, he had sought confrontation with the Life School, yet the outcome exceeded her anticipation.
Wasn't that the case? The others would depart safely, leaving Oliver to shoulder the risk and engage in combat.
Experiencing a touch of regret, Yareli extended an apology.
"I'm sorry."
"…? What are you sorry for?"
"We're leaving you behind."
"Ah… You don't have to be. I think I understand why we are separated. Besides, you're not leaving because you want to, right?"
Oliver perceived the emotions radiating from Yareli and replied accordingly.
Despite the present circumstances instilling fear in Yareli, her demeanor didn't lack courage.
She seemed eager to contribute as best as she could to their side. Her compliance appeared to stem from a sense of obligation.
‘If there's someone who can exert authority over Miss Yareli…'
Oliver shifted his gaze to Tilda, Yareli's grandmother.
"…So warlocks really can see through emotions."
"Ah… I'm sorry."
Oliver extended an apology, yet Yareli shook her head.
"No, you saved my life, I can't be mad about that. Thank you, although it's a bit late."
Yareli's gratitude was genuine. Naturally, she lacked the capability to counter the One Master's blood magic, let alone his blade.
Sensing Yareli's melancholy, Oliver offered a response.
"No, I should be thanking you. You also helped me, didn't you defend me earlier?"
Yareli regarded Oliver with a mixture of fascination and contemplation.
"Can you tell me later?"
"Excuse me? What are you talking about?"
"The conversation you had with Carl in the basement… the boy named Colin."
Recalling the unsettling dialogue and Oliver's peculiar conduct during that time, Yareli inquired with profound concern. Her demeanor resembled that of a child on the brink of tears.
Yareli felt she might have acted out of character, momentarily swayed by emotions. Yet, Oliver's response surpassed her expectations.
"Yes… it's not really a secret. In exchange, can I ask you something I'm curious about?"
"Me?"
"Yes, I have a few questions for you too."
Oliver addressed Yareli in his customary manner.
***
"Are you back?"
As Oliver emerged from the mist barrier, Kevin queried.
Astoundingly, Oliver had expertly permeated the intricate barrier, taken command, and successfully ushered more than twenty wizards out of the mist.
"Yes, I've sent them out."
"Good, now, like it or not, we have to do our job. Do you know where Theodore is?"
"I said I know a way to get to Mr. Theodore. Um… What is that, Mr. Philip?"
While retrieving a box of blood packs from Bigmouth, Oliver directed his attention to Philip's arm and inquired. An evident amputation had occurred, yet the current state revealed an arm comprised of stone and mana.
"It's a makeshift golem prosthetic. It's crude, but it's better than fighting with one arm."
Philip clenched and then released the makeshift golem prosthetic, generating a grinding sound. Crafting such an item necessitated expertise at an advanced level.
"…It seems to consume a lot of mana."
Oliver casually commented, prompting Philip's response.
"Oh… you noticed? I have to supply mana in real-time because it's missing a core component."
"Yes, I've been studying it personally."
This assertion held true. Since Kent had lost an arm to Shamus's subordinates, Oliver had delved into the realm of golems and their prosthetic adaptations. He perused books in the library and even dissected old salvage golems.
"I've got the basics down, but I'm not an expert."
"……"
"Uh… Colonel Philip, would you mind if I do some improvements?"
Given the perilous circumstance involving Theodore, entering the fray with such a condition wasn't ideal.
Philip consented more readily than anticipated, even offering a jest.
"Curious about your skills. Going to use a corpse?"
"Yes."
Taking the jest at face value, Oliver instructed Bigmouth to retrieve five corpses and dissection tools. The sight elicited flinches from Terence and Kevin, but Philip remained composed.
"Are you going to replace important parts of the golem prosthetic with a corpse?"
"It's a little different but similar. I plan to use the bones of the corpse as a frame and the flesh as an adhesive to maintain the shape. This should reduce the mana needed to maintain the prosthetic."
Following Oliver's composed and succinct explanation, Philip stroked his beard.
"…Is it dangerous?"
"Theoretically, no."
"Theoretically?"
"Yes, it's my first time doing this in practice. You can refuse."
"What's to fear in this situation? Go ahead."
Philip readily extended his golem prosthetic.
Observing Kevin, and upon receiving a nod from him, Oliver promptly commenced the process.
Firstly, he secured materials by methodically severing the arms of five cadavers. Gaining control over Philip's golem arm for a brief moment, he disassembled the stone fragments composing the arm into individual components.
Given that he had employed scattered stones available in his vicinity, the structural intricacy was notably impressive.
"I am also the head of the Royal Magic Research Department," Philip said, as if seeing through Oliver.
"Very impressive," Oliver responded, and then used black magic on the prepared materials.
[Minced Meat]
The arm's flesh, along with its essence, was finely minced and materialized in Oliver's hand.
Naturally, he retrieved the exposed bones, combined them with the flesh using the black magic "Corpse Clay," and positioned them as if assembling a skeleton within the core of Philip's arm. Subsequently, he reassembled the previously disassembled components around the bones.
"May I make arbitrary component changes, General?"
"Go ahead. Let's see your skills."
Philip granted consent upon scrutinizing the specifics of the assembled components. The craftsmanship exhibited a professional caliber.
With permission granted, Oliver expediently finalized the golem arm, promptly applying the flesh between components like cement.
However, the process didn't conclude there.
[Reverse Parasite]
Oliver extracted a substantial volume of life force from a test tube and infused it into the flesh, accompanied by emotions.
This black magic [Parasite], capable of siphoning life force through fungi, insects, or flesh, initiated a rejuvenating effect within the flesh imbued with Life-force. Life force surged, restoring life and molding the golem arm's structure.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Philip gazed upon his pulsating golem arm with admiration.
"A quite… astonishing approach. You're injecting life force into the flesh?"
"Yes, that's correct. However, the usage time is limited. Probably around five hours. Also, depending on how you use it, there may be errors."
"It doesn't matter. Either Theodore will die or I will die within those five hours."
"Additionally, the flesh is acting as an adhesive, so you won't be able to use the golem arm's unique separation feature. However, I think durability and flexibility have improved."
"That's better for me."
"Ah, that's a relief."
"As long as there are no side effects, it's pretty good," Philip affirmed genuinely. For the leader of the Royal Magic Research Department, the technology on display was nothing short of astonishing.
"I don't think there will be."
"Your skills are incredible. Truly amazing."
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Although I want to talk more about the technology, let's postpone that… Zenon. So how are we going to get to where Theodore is?"
In response to Philip's query, Oliver produced a piece of frozen ice from his pocket—a fragment with blood frozen within.
"I'm planning to go using this."
With those words, Oliver allowed a substantial amount of blood to flow onto the floor, forming a substantial pool of blood.
