"Grab that kid! That kid!"
From a distance, as Oliver observed the Ham Sausage Factory, he heard an irate voice.
The voice emanated from the rear of the factory.
Without hesitation, Oliver retrieved a test tube emitting a green glow from his pocket, collected a small sample, and proceeded toward the source of the sound.
At the far end of a labyrinthine alley behind the factory, two burly men in lengthy overcoats confronted a young child.
The child sported a newsboy cap pulled low over his brow and was draped in a jacket that appeared several sizes too big for her.
"They say it's darkest under the lamp… I didn't expect you to hide around here. Where are the others?"
One of the men shouted. Oliver instinctively discerned him to be a Paladin's servant, thanks to prior encounters with Johanna's servants and other members of the Landa branch's staff.
"Why are you doing this to us? What did we do wrong? What did our leader do wrong, that you treat us so horribly?”
The child retorted, her anger palpable, her sense of injustice and fury radiating.
"You disrespectful…! Even if you're just a kid, do you genuinely not know what you did wrong?”
One man bellowed indignantly, but the other interjected calmly.
"Don't waste your emotions. She's a heretic. Instead of dealing with her, let's take her to the interrogation room. She must surely know where the other heretics are."
"But she's just a kid. Shouldn't we let her go?"
"A heretic is a heretic, even if it's a kid. A being that defies God's will. And you know the importance of this matter, don't you?"
"Well, yes, but…"
"Don't falter due to personal feelings. If we push her a bit, she'll talk."
"…Alright, you're right."
The two men agreed to escort the child.
Naturally, the child did not consent.
Unexpectedly, the young child, who appeared to be just over ten, produced a test tube and attempted to employ black magic, albeit unsteadily and with amateurish execution.
[Holy Light]
One of the men displayed a golden bracelet on his wrist and recited an incantation.
With the incantation, a divine light emanated from the bracelet, gently enveloping the surroundings and simultaneously dispelling the dark spell the child had been casting.
Effortlessly.
‘A divine item. Of course, he’s a servant.’ Oliver surmised as he witnessed the radiant light, having experienced it himself due to Johanna and Duncan in the past.
Divine magic counteracted black magic and weakened enchantments.
Holding the green light, the essence of nature, in his hand, Oliver contemplated.
‘The power of the druid collected in the forest by the Corpse doll-Shamus infused with the third… This is my first time using it directly. I wonder if it will work as I've read in books?’
One of the servants spoke up.
"Hey, kid. I'm letting you off because you're young. But if you use that blasphemous power again, I won't be so lenient. Be careful."
"How kind of you."
"Of course. Little…"
"Huh?"
The two servants swiftly turned their attention to the disturbance.
Standing there was Oliver, who had interrupted their exchange.
Suddenly confronted by a stranger, the servants exercised caution, drawing pistols equipped with knives and maces.
Their actions displayed remarkable swiftness, a testament to their rigorous training.
In response, Oliver harnessed the power of nature, enhancing his physical capabilities and launching himself forward.
‘It's different indeed.’ Oliver mused as he sprinted.
The physical augmentation conferred by the power of nature felt even more gratifying than magic or black magic.
While both magic and black magic imposed strain on the body, the power of nature bore no such burden. Furthermore, its enhancement effects were superior.
In just a few strides, he had already closed the gap with the servants.
"Damn!"
Startled by Oliver's surprisingly agile movements, the servants swung their weapons, armed with knives and maces.
Perhaps the power of nature had heightened his reflexes, but Oliver perceived their attacks as somewhat sluggish. He leaped into the air, surpassing their height, and effortlessly evaded their strikes.
"…"
The servants, visibly taken aback by Oliver's extraordinary agility, stared wide-eyed.
Oliver, too, found himself equally astonished.
Such physical enhancement without any strain on the body. In some respects, it felt even more remarkable than the black suit.
Thud! Thump-thump-thump!
After gracefully evading the servants, Oliver didn't look back and immediately rushed to shield the child.
The child, now seemingly startled and appearing markedly different from his enraged state earlier, muttered in surprise.
“Wha…?”
“Excuse me for a moment.”
As Oliver said this and made an attempt to flee, the servants cried out.
“Don’t let him escape! That guy is a heretic too!”
“Leave it to me! … [Holy Light]”
Thinking Oliver might employ black magic once more, one of the servants presented his golden bracelet once again and recited an incantation.
With the incantation, a divine light emanated from the bracelet, enveloping the vicinity once more.
They must have assumed Oliver had augmented his body using magic or black magic.
If that were the case, their actions were a reasonable countermeasure. Whether it was magic or black magic, the light from the golden bracelet would nullify its power.
That is, if it were black magic or conventional magic.
"Try to escape now!"
As the servants charged forward while shouting, Oliver responded.
“Yes.”
With that response, Oliver propelled himself off the ground and effortlessly scaled a dead-end wall.
What he had read in the tower was indeed accurate.
Unlike magic and black magic, the power of nature remained impervious to divine techniques.
"Indeed, books are useful."
Oliver contemplated, recalling the contents of the book.
***
“Damn it! What just happened? Isn’t he a warlock?!”
“I don’t know, but first, we need to report this! I’ll search the area. Maybe the heretics have called for reinforcements!”
After scaling the wall, Oliver discreetly entered a building, taking cover in a specific spot.
It was a hiding technique Marie had taught him in the past.
“Are you okay?”
Turning to the child, who had distanced herself and was pressed against the opposite wall, Oliver inquired. The child seemed highly wary of him.
It was not unexpected.
From Oliver's perspective, he had come to assist, but from the child's viewpoint, a stranger had seemingly just abducted her.
To make it easier for the child to respond, Oliver took a step back, creating some space, then knelt to meet the child's gaze and waited.
After a momentary pause, the child spoke.
"…Who are you?"
"Just a passerby."
“Don’t treat me like a fool. Who are you, really?”
The child exclaimed, her emotions a mix of fear, anxiety, apprehension, and suspicion.
With open palms to convey his non-threatening intent, Oliver replied.
“It's no lie. I took a train and taxi to arrive in this city today, hoping to meet someone I know. I happened to pass by here when I heard loud noises. And, if you don’t mind, could you please lower your voice a bit? There are still people outside.”
Oliver gestured discreetly toward the concealed area outside, indicating the presence of the servants.
Perhaps understanding the unspoken message, the child began to calm down, and gradually, her wariness towards Oliver diminished.
In the ensuing quietude, as he gauged the child's emotional state and the situation beyond, Oliver cautiously resumed the conversation.
“Would it be okay to ask for your name?”
“…Why do you want to know?”
“I’ve learned that it's polite to start a conversation by asking for someone's name. But if you’re not comfortable, you don’t have to share it.”
Encouraged by Oliver's gentle demeanor, the child hesitated for a moment and then tentatively replied.
"…My name is Celine."
Oliver knelt on one knee and slightly bent his waist in gratitude to Celine's answer.
"Thank you for answering. Celine… Can I ask you just one thing?"
"……"
"You mentioned earlier about the church leader, do you happen to know Marie?"
Celine's guard went up again. She appeared to be aware of Marie.
Silence once more.
Oliver simply regarded the young child with the same calm disposition.
It didn't matter if she chose not to answer truthfully.
After all, he intended to gather the detailed circumstances from the pharmacist.
‘The problem is that I don't know where that person's house is, should I start by searching his store and place of business?'
As he organized his thoughts, Celine remained silent, and Oliver was about to give up and prepare to escort her out when he noticed the absence of a servant who had been scouting the area.
"…What is your name?"
Just as Oliver was about to make a move, Celine spoke a beat quicker.
It appeared that Oliver was taken aback as he responded.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Celine. I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Oliver. Nice to meet you."
With that, Oliver courteously placed his hand over his heart and conveyed his introduction. Upon hearing his name, Celine's already wide eyes grew even larger.
"…God?"
"No, just Oliver."
***
Step by step, Oliver ventured into the sewer with Celine.
Celine took the lead, guiding him through the passages until they reached a particular point.
In one corner of the sewer, an "P" was inscribed.
"This is right below the pharmacist's house. The surroundings of the pharmacist's house are currently being surveilled by Paladins, but this part of the sewer is closed off, so it's safe."
"Thank goodness. If it wasn't for Celine, it would have taken up a lot of time. Thank you so much."
Oliver expressed his gratitude to Celine.
Observing this, Celine's emotions were tinged with both joy and embarrassment.
"Oh, it's nothing… If it's to help the leader, I should naturally help too."
"You seem to really like Marie?"
Even as Celine blushed and felt awkward in Oliver's presence, she nodded affirmatively. She held a genuine affection for Marie.
"Celine, you mentioned hiding with others, right?"
"Yes… We've been discovered now, but we can hide somewhere else."
"Will you be alright on your own?"
"Yes! I'm not a child!"
Celine declared with unwavering confidence, a display of bravery that left Oliver in awe.
He had never encountered someone of her age who possessed such fearless determination.
It was truly remarkable.
"So… please meet the pharmacist and help the leader soon… Can you save her?" Celine earnestly inquired, her wide eyes filled with hope.
Meeting her gaze directly, Oliver responded,
"To be honest, I can't promise. Whether I can save Marie or not."
In strict terms, he was extending his assistance, but given the nature of the situation, Oliver chose not to delve into specifics.
"But I promise you one thing."
"…?"
"I'll do my utmost to save Marie, even if it costs me my life."
Upon hearing Oliver's heartfelt assurance, devoid of any arrogance or pretense, Celine felt a surge of relief. However, her emotions swiftly shifted back to uncertainty.
"…I'm honestly confused."
Oliver knelt down to meet Celine at eye level and inquired,
"What's confusing you?"
"The leader said you are a god. We were told we're chosen by such a god… But now you say you're not a god… It's confusing."
Celine's confusion was genuine, her emotions tinged with fear.
It was as if the ground beneath her had crumbled, leaving her feeling adrift.
It was heart-wrenching. Just because of his identity, this courageous child was filled with fear?
"Celine?"
"Yes?"
"May I hold your hand, if you allow?" Oliver asked, following the guidance he had received from the staff at Angels House.
Taken aback, Celine nodded.
With her consent, Oliver gently took Celine's hand and spoke.
"I didn't intend to, but I'm sorry for deceiving you. I sincerely apologize for the confusion, fear, and betrayal you feel. Unfortunately, I'm just me, Oliver. Of course, you all aren't chosen either."
Celine's expression showed signs of disappointment upon hearing Oliver's gentle yet firm words. Oliver held her hand firmly.
"But Celine… You will be an even better person than someone like me."
"Even… better person?"
"Yes. I saw earlier how brave you are. Despite facing two men much larger than you, you bravely spoke your mind."
"Ah…"
"It's something I couldn't even imagine doing. Speaking confidently to adults who are bigger and stronger than me. So, Celine, you are braver than me, and you will become an even better person than me. Not a chosen one, but the one who chooses."
(To be Continued)
