"-Mr. Edith?"
Oliver called out to Edith, speculating that it might be him, and his speculation turned out to be absolutely accurate.
Edith's voice resonated from the other end of the phone.
[Yes, it's me.]
"Hello? What brings you to call?"
[Why do you think? Maybe because the guy who went abroad on my dime didn't even bother to bring back a souvenir, let alone show his face?]
"There's such a person?"
Oliver inquired earnestly, and Edith responded with equal seriousness.
[It's you, you damn guy.]
"Me? Ah… I'm sorry, Mr. Edith. But I didn't go abroad, I was at a conference—"
[-Don't make such lame excuses. Conferences are basically just wizards flattering each other's intelligence and drinking, aren't they?]
Oliver reminisced about the conference he had attended in Lake Village, contemplating Edith's characteristically harsh words.
"Um… It seems somewhat similar."
[See? I knew it. Taking my money to go to such a good place and not even saying thank you afterward irritates me. Ultimately, it's all about my money.]
"I apologize once again. I've been preoccupied and made a mistake."
[Do you now understand how hurt I've been?]
Oliver conceded. Upon reflection, he recognized the gravity of his blunder.
While Oliver had used funds from the Magic Tower to attend the conference, Edith had generously sponsored Magic Tower students to participate, all at his request. Failing to express his gratitude afterward was unquestionably impolite.
"I apologize once again, Mr. Edith. Is there any way I can make it up to you?"
Edith seemed to have been waiting for this moment and replied.
[Well, let's meet up right now.]
"Now?"
[Yes. I know you're busy writing your paper, but I couldn't care less.]
"Ah, no worries. I've mostly… But how did you know that I'm writing a paper?"
Edith responded kindly without hesitation.
[What a foolish question. Do you think I got to this position for nothing? I have that level of pipeline.]
"You are remarkable."
Oliver once again commended him sincerely. To him, his resourcefulness felt like a kind of magic.
[I know I'm remarkable. Now come. I think you're done for the day… Well, even if you aren't, I want you to come.]
"Yes, I understand. I'll head out right now. May I ask why you are calling me?"
[I want to see the ungrateful face… Also, I have something to say to that ungrateful person.]
"Something to say?"
[Yes. But it's not something to discuss over the phone, so just come to Angels House.]
***
"Whoa-! What a car!"
A young man on District O 66th Street, also known as the Street of Joy, whistled in admiration.
The car he was looking at was a special order from Dapsa, a gift from Philip to Oliver. Unlike typical Landa cars, it wasn't ostentatious but exuded an authoritative presence that captured attention.
People on the street immediately speculated that the owner must be a wealthy individual with unique tastes. Some women soliciting customers from building terraces or the streets subtly directed their attention toward Oliver's vehicle.
Of course, the car, like its owner, paid no heed and continued on its way.
Instead, the person behind the wheel was more concerned about something else, such as the traffic conditions.
"Was driving in Landa always this easy?"
Oliver muttered as he maneuvered the car effortlessly.
He hadn't driven in Landa for long, but somehow it felt more welcoming than he remembered.
‘Surely, when I took taxis, the drivers all seemed impatient.'
Oliver reminisced about the times he had taken taxis in the city.
In reality, navigating the roads in Landa was quite a challenge due to chronic congestion and tensions. Even seasoned truck drivers and taxi drivers found it difficult to endure the traffic without resorting to alcohol.
Strangely, everyone seemed to make way for Oliver.
"How strange."
While he couldn't quite fathom the reason, Oliver expressed gratitude for their courtesy and swiftly reached his destination: Angels House, arriving more swiftly than expected.
The establishment was a classic rectangular building with a vibrant red roof.
Upon entering, Oliver noted that the interior had undergone some changes since his last visit, yet it retained a familiar ambiance. Plush foreign carpets adorned the floor, a bar stocked with colorful magic wine gleamed, and quiet lounging areas beckoned.
However, some constants remained, notably the core staff.
"Dave! Long time no see!"
A female staff member, dressed as if she were sensitive to heat and sporting faux wings on her back, greeted Oliver as soon as she spotted him.
Other staff members joined in, drawing the attention of the bar's patrons.
Upon seeing Oliver, the patrons displayed a range of emotions – surprise, curiosity, and astonishment – and engaged in hushed conversations.
"Is that Dave?"
"Yes."
"And he comes to a place like this?"
"I don't know. I've heard he's an unpredictable guy, you never know."
"So the rumor that he's a regular here is true."
"He supposedly even has a wealthy lover like Shamus, with pink hair."
"Pink hair? Could it be…"
"Yes, that woman from the Sisterhood."
Conversations grew increasingly enigmatic. Just as Oliver contemplated clearing up the misconceptions, a female staff member intervened.
"Have you been well?"
"Yes, I have been well. How have you all been?"
As Oliver politely inquired, following the etiquette he had learned here, the staff members chuckled and assured him they were doing fine.
"It seems like you remember what we've taught you very well, Dave. We're pleased."
Their instruction encompassed makeup techniques, etiquette, manners, and decorum.
"Um… I'm not so sure."
"Oh? What happened?"
"I complimented a woman as you all suggested, but the reaction was not particularly good."
As he recounted this, Oliver thought of Yareli. Despite complimenting her on her appearance as instructed, the reaction had fallen short of expectations.
The staff at Angel's House looked skeptical.
"Really?"
"Yes. You said whether a woman is actually beautiful or not, you should compliment her. But the reaction wasn't good."
"Did you also say, ‘whether you're actually beautiful or not'?"
"Yes."
Upon hearing his reply, the staff members smiled.
"I want to slap you."
They remarked with sincerity, reminiscent of their earlier lessons in etiquette and decorum.
"What are you all doing here?"
"Mama?"
A calm and graceful voice echoed from a distance. It belonged to none other than Elizabeth, the proprietor of Angels House.
Despite her advanced years, she exuded both dignity and timeless beauty. Upon spotting Oliver, she, like the other staff, extended a warm welcome and approached him with a polite greeting.
"Mr. Dave, it's been a while. Have you been well?"
"I've been well. How have you been, Miss Elizabeth?"
"I've been doing well… You're here to see Mr. Edith, aren't you?"
Elizabeth seemed to have already grasped the situation and inquired. Upon Oliver's affirmative response, Elizabeth smiled gently and gestured gracefully to one side, saying, "Then, let me guide you."
"Thank you. Where is Mr. Edith?"
"He's in the VIP room… where he first met Dave."
"Is that so?"
"Yes, he specifically requested that room."
As Elizabeth had mentioned, she led Oliver to the fourth floor, the top floor. At the entrance, a muscular woman and a man with a striking presence stood guard.
There was undeniably an air of tension.
"How fascinating," Elizabeth, guiding him to the VIP room, suddenly remarked.
"What do you mean?"
"When you first came here, Dave was a dark horse who had just gained fame, but in just a few years, you've become a big shot in this city. Surviving in this city for years is challenging."
"I was just lucky."
"If you survived by luck, that's also a skill. Even luck has its limits… If it's okay, may I make an inappropriate request?"
"What is it?"
"Could you contact Jane later? She seems to want to meet Dave."
"Me?"
"Yes, but Dave has been busy lately, so she's been holding back. It's a bit pitiful to watch from the side."
Elizabeth spoke with meaning. It appeared that she had deduced Oliver's connection to Magic Tower.
That wasn't entirely unexpected. She, too, had dealt with influential figures in the same city as Edith.
Oliver replied, "Yes, I will contact Miss Jane as soon as my urgent business is finished. Thank you for letting me know."
Satisfied with his response, Elizabeth halted in front of the most opulent-looking door, wearing her characteristic warm smile.
Elizabeth communicated with the device at the door, saying, "Rock, Dave has arrived… Yes, understood. Dave, you may enter."
***
As soon as he received permission, Oliver opened the door and stepped inside.
Seated at the dining table was a portly elderly man, appearing healthier than before, dressed only in underwear and a tracksuit.
"You arrived sooner than expected," Edith remarked upon seeing Oliver.
"Yes, the cars on the road gave way well."
"Yielded? That's unusual. It's a rare virtue in Landa. Well, anyway, does it matter? Thanks to that, I didn't have to wait unnecessarily… Sit down."
Edith gestured to the chair opposite him with his distinctive blend of gruffness and kindness.
Oliver obediently settled into the seat across from Edith.
Before them lay a table laden with roast piglet, turkey, steak, a fruit assortment, assorted pies, and lobster.
"Did you wait for me by any chance?" Oliver inquired, eyeing the untouched spread.
"I might lack manners and a conscience, but I'm not completely unaware."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not so foolish as to ignore courtesies, even to someone as high-standing as you."
Edith replied, but Oliver merely tilted his head, not comprehending the situation at all.
‘Is it because of entering the tower? …Strange? He already knew, so why is he acting like this all of a sudden?"
Oliver pondered Edith's inexplicable conduct but found no immediate answers.
"Mr. Edith… may I ask why you called me here?"
"Um… let's eat first. I'm starving."
Edith playfully drummed his bulging belly.
Without hesitation, he dug into a turkey leg.
Unsure if it was appropriate to dive straight into business after being invited, Oliver also began to eat.
His thesis had kept him from eating properly.
This marked their second meal together.
Oliver sampled a bit of the various delicacies piled high on the table and savored them methodically but consistently.
The cuisine was exquisite.
"You not only drink well, but you also eat well." Edith remarked when about half the food had vanished from the table. Indeed, Oliver had quite the appetite.
While Edith had initially devoured his meal but eventually set aside his fork and knife as his stomach filled, Oliver continued to eat.
"It's delicious."
"It's unfair. You eat more than me, but why doesn't your belly protrude?"
"I exercise daily, morning and evening."
Edith, seemingly no fan of exercise, frowned and shifted the conversation.
"Is your thesis coming along?"
Oliver continued to eat as he replied.
"It's going so-so. I've chosen a topic and am smoothly gathering data."
"Yet you say ‘so-so'… Why does it sound to my ears like it's not going well?"
Faced with the pointed question, Oliver admitted, "…Actually, I am struggling a bit."
"Really? Unexpected. I thought you'd handle it easily."
"I've been distracted by various things recently… How did you know I'm writing a thesis?"
"I told you earlier, I have a pipeline."
"I'm curious how you built that pipeline."
"It's one of the secrets of my business. And you want me to just tell you? Seems there's a bigger thief here than me."
"Ah, I apologize."
As Oliver backed down gracefully, Edith wore a peculiar expression and continued.
"You just need to buy people."
"Buy them?"
"Yes, even the most formidable organizations have people who are short on money or have embarrassing tastes. You curry favor with these people, and sometimes they bring you useful information. I've had some fun with that too."
"I see… When did you establish this? Have you been interacting with the Tower originally?"
"No. When I went to sponsor the last conference, I also talked about investment with other places. At that time, I made it. Did you really think I went all that way just to help you? With this heavy body of mine?"
Edith playfully drummed his belly once more.
Although his manner appeared nonchalant, it was nonetheless impressive.
To have networked with other wizards and established a pipeline in the process was quite an accomplishment.
"But this pipeline is not all-powerful, it's weak in the details. No one knows what kind of paper you're writing… What are you writing now?"
"I am writing a paper on the production and fusion of artificial bodies and organs based on blood magic and life magic."
"Sorry, I lost you at blood magic. Explain it to me in a way I can understand."
Edith made a bold request, and Oliver continued to explain his ongoing research calmly while eating.
After he had finished his explanation, Edith remarked, "So, basically you're using corpses like clay to make new arms and organs,"
"Yes, that's right."
Edith, who had initially claimed not to understand, now pondered the matter seriously and posed an intriguing question.
"Can it be utilized in other ways?"
"What do you mean?"
"Like treating spinal injuries or arthritis."
"Well, I'll need to research that in detail, but theoretically, it seems possible. Although there could be side effects from using blood magic."
"Hmm… It smells like money."
Edith said earnestly.
"Well, I question its economic viability given the high costs involved."
"What did you say?"
"I said I'm uncertain about its economic viability. Just the cost of the materials is in the billions, and the required level of expertise is also quite high, so I'm not sure if it's commercially feasible."
Edith widened his eyes, clearly taken aback.
"…My God. I didn't mishear you. Talking about economic and commercial feasibility."
"Did I make a mistake?"
"No, it's just surprising to hear such words from someone who chose questions over two hundred million just a few years ago. Economic viability, commercial feasibility, you say."
"Value is relative, isn't it? Even if I could go back, I would choose questions."
"Well, it wasn't bad for me either. Thanks to that, I also got to know your real name… OLIVER."
Edith emphasized the last word.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, indeed. Names may not seem important but can reveal a lot more than you think."
"What do you mean?"
"Like the fact that you're the god of a cult religion formed in Wineham, for instance?"
Oliver, who had been eating steadily, paused.
Instinctively, Oliver glanced at Edith, and Edith also met his gaze, their eyes locking.
"That's the reason I called you."
