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Human-meat Chef expressed interest in Oliver.
Oliver inquired, “What do you think, now that you see me in person?”
The human-meat chef assessed Oliver, as if evaluating an object, and responded, “Well…? I’m not sure yet. It hasn’t even been a minute since I saw you.”
“Ah…”
“However, I can tell you’re not a coward. You came to meet me after all… I’ll give you that compliment.”
“Thank you for your words. I’m not sure if I deserve them, though. You asked me to come, didn’t you?”
“Right, I did. But there are very few who actually come when invited. Even fewer who come after receiving an invitation.”
Invitation. At the mention of that word, Oliver was reminded of a massive explosion.
It harkened back to the significant explosion that occurred in the O-district, a middle-class area in Landa, leaving behind a profound scar.
The explosion had been so devastating that it had flattened everything in its vicinity, effectively paralyzing the administration of the O-district and leading to a decline in property values, leaving many in tears.
This grim reality was further underscored by the daily reports of suicides in the newspapers.
“It’s nothing special.” Human-meat Chef casually commented upon learning about the incident triggered by his invitation. Despite the overwhelming and tumultuous emotions surrounding the tragedy, his statement held a certain truth.
“Nothing special… you say?” Yareli reacted with a mix of anger and astonishment, catching the Human-meat Chef off guard.
“Ah, that’s your personality? Don’t get me wrong. I’m just trying to look at the positive side of things.”
“…”
“Many people died, buildings collapsed, and there was significant economic damage due to my invitation. Many would want to put a gun to their temple… But there would still be those who smile, right? Speculators, construction companies, subcontractors. With the redevelopment, many will find jobs, and a few will become wealthy. So, my point is, there’s always hope in tragedy, like Pandora’s box.”
Human-meat Chef spoke with audacious candor.
Naturally, Yareli was appalled and radiated a cold fury, fully aware of how many had perished or been harmed in the terrorist attack in her city.
Even though she was not directly responsible, she couldn’t shake the sense of guilt and responsibility for the current situation, where civilians had become entangled in the tower’s affairs.
Oliver, who had actually been caught in the explosion, did not share these sentiments.
At most, Oliver felt a tinge of regret, perhaps.
In fact, he found himself somewhat in agreement with the Human-meat Chef’s words.
He had learned through Forrest how some viewed the tragedy in the O-district as an opportunity.
Speculators, construction companies, various subcontractors, solvers, and more—some had already begun discussing a “second redevelopment boom.”
For Oliver, it was more of an intriguing social phenomenon than a tragedy.
He recognized in his mind that it was a sorrowful event, but his heart couldn’t truly grasp it.
“The conversation has drifted… Anyway, what I want to say is that you’re not a coward. Or perhaps, you’re a fool who moves as told despite being scared.”
Human-meat Chef pointed at Oliver, who was lost in thought.
“Answer me. What kind of courage brought you to meet me after being caught in that explosion? Did my threat work?”
Oliver recalled what Human-meat Chef had said about threatening to harm those around him if he didn’t comply.
“Well, there’s that. And I also wanted to meet you.”
“That’s unexpected. I’ve seen people who want to avoid me but none who wanted to see me. What’s the reason?”
“I want to hit you.”
Oliver replied without hesitation. Upon hearing this, Human-meat Chef briefly displayed a surprised expression before bursting into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
Human-meat Chef laughed heartily. Each laugh seemed to release his inherent energy, like molten lava, exerting immense pressure on the surroundings.
It was a force that went beyond mere psychological impact.
Yareli channeled her internal mana to counteract the external pressure, while Oliver simply sat there, unaffected by the pressure, as if it were inconsequential. Observing this, Human-meat Chef leaned forward provocatively.
“Do you want to hit me now?”
“Um… No, thank you for the offer, but I’d like to talk now.”
“That’s a shame. I would have responded if you had hit me.”
It was an odd statement. Human-meat Chef had summoned him to engage in combat now that he was without Puppet’s protection. However, his current demeanor showed a lack of interest in fighting.
When questioned about this, he responded in a deflated manner, a far cry from his initial bravado.
“The situation has changed. An annoying guy showed up.”
“Annoying… guy?”
“Yeah, a crazy old child with a prince complex.”
“Old child?” Oliver tilted his head, puzzled by the unfamiliar term. Human-meat Chef elaborated.
“I made up that term. It’s the opposite of an ‘old baby’… Well, the important thing is that this old child came here because of you.”
“I don’t quite understand?”
“He heard about you. That you fought with the son of an angel. He’s very interested in such matters, so it seems he naturally became interested in you.”
Oliver felt a sense of surprise within.
It appeared they were discussing his confrontation with Bonifa, the angel’s son. Even the followers of Parter Church had shown no reaction, so it was perplexing how not only the Human-meat Chef but also this unknown ‘old child’ were aware of it.
“Don’t be too surprised. There’s really no such thing as a secret. The point is, some annoying guy came because of you, and I’m quite displeased. It could interfere with the plan I’m preparing.”
Through the eyes of a warlock, Oliver could sense the Human-meat Chef’s emotions, a blend of anger, greed, cunning, and sincerity. While he couldn’t discern everything, he believed Chef’s sincerity.
“What is this plan you’re talking about?”
“If I were dumb enough to answer that easily, things would be simpler for me… But don’t worry, Landa and the Magic Tower won’t be harmed.”
His words were sincere.
Yareli, who had been quietly listening, interjected.
“That means, conversely, Galos and Rokuri University could be harmed.”
“That’s why I like people from prestigious families. You understand things quickly, don’t you? Yes, I’ll spare you, so now, just quietly leave.”
As Human-meat Chef spoke, he clapped his hands, exuding confidence even amid his tumultuous emotions.
It wasn’t merely a bluff; he genuinely meant to spare them.
“So you declare war and then tell us to just back off?”
“I’m a bit fickle. My heart is as fragile as reeds.”
“Even for a Black Hand, you’re quite arrogant.”
“Do you really think so?” Human-meat Chef grew serious.
“I think you’re the arrogant ones. Whether it’s the Magic Tower or Rokuri University, compared to the life I’ve lived, their history is just a handful. How can such entities be so confident?”
It wasn’t mere nonsense.
While it was true that warlocks were generally undervalued compared to wizards, this perspective was limited to the ordinary and the mundane.
Treating someone like him, who had lived for centuries, on the same level as the rest was a flawed assessment.
In his earlier, more naive days, Oliver might have shared a similar view. However, having encountered various individuals and even Puppet during his travels, he realized that these entities couldn’t be judged by common standards.
They possessed something beyond mere power.
Puppet was a prime example.
This led Oliver to ponder which was stronger and possessed a deeper essence, the Archiver or the fingers of Black hand.
Of course, the world was far too complex for such matters to have simple answers.
Proving this point, Yareli stood up to the pressure exerted by Human-meat Chef with courage and determination.
“Even if you have the power to bring down the Magic Tower and Rokuri University, it doesn’t matter. Just because you’re stronger doesn’t mean we’ll break our promise and run away.”
Her words weren’t just bravado; they reflected her genuine determination. Oliver admired her resolute stance.
Yareli was a capable individual herself, and though she could somewhat gauge the strength of Human-meat Chef, she was willing to risk her life for her mission, driven by a unique sense of responsibility and pride.
However, Human-meat Chef responded to her determination and courage with a sense of misunderstanding and ridicule.
“Hmm… Impressive. You’re like a hero. A hero trying to save the world from evil. I don’t understand why you have such feelings towards me.”
Surprisingly, his words were genuine. Amongst the many things he had said, this statement seemed to come from the heart.
It was evident even amidst his tumultuous and intense emotions.
“Do you think Rokuri University and your Magic Tower represent justice? Or are you the victims? Do you think I’m the evil, the aggressor?”
Yareli refrained from voicing a response, but her emotions spoke volumes on her behalf.
Oliver, who could read her emotions, must have seen it, and Human-meat Chef chose to interpret Yareli’s emotions and respond himself.
“I don’t understand. Why do you think that way? On what basis? I’m just living more actively adapted to the world.”
“Eating people… That’s adapting?”
“Yes. What’s so strange about that? Isn’t everyone living like that?”
His words were imbued with sarcasm and mockery, yet they held no falsehood.
Regardless of the objective truth, Human-meat Chef genuinely believed in the veracity of his words.
Confronted with this unexpected perspective, Oliver asked with genuine curiosity, “Could you please elaborate?”
“Do I need to explain? Aren’t such scenes evident everywhere in this era? Colonial wars across the sea, class conflicts, the wealth gap, terrible working conditions. People are devouring each other.”
“Stop with the sophistry. Are you trying to cover up your horrendous crimes by bringing in minor social issues?”
Yareli couldn’t conceal her revulsion, a natural reaction.
Even though the current era was not without its flaws, it was a period of prosperity for humanity under the guidance of wizards.
The fact that a warlock could rationalize his gruesome act of cannibalism was profoundly repugnant.
Ironically, Human-meat Chef also harbored a sense of disgust toward Yareli.
“Minor social issues? Ha… Do you know how long children toil in labor?”
“12 to 16 hours,” Oliver promptly replied, drawing upon his firsthand experience with such labor. Although it was a distant memory, he had not forgotten it.
“Correct. Typically, they work 12 to 16 hours. Factory owners love children – easy to manage and cost less than half an adult’s wage. Oh, you might not know, having never worked or starved.”
Human-meat Chef locked eyes with Yareli, applying pressure with his gaze.
“The children working 12 to 16 hours daily soon break down. Due to accidents, side effects of chemicals, or simply exhaustion. Do you know what happens when a child with the face of an old person gets fired?”
“What happens?”
“They’re thrown out onto the streets. Oh, don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying it’s bad.”
Genuine sincerity.
“I just don’t understand. Countless people are doing the same thing as me. The difference is, they devour lives, while I literally eat people. But why am I the only one criticized? Why? Do you really think I’m worse?”
Yareli remained silent. The denizens of the Magic Tower were indirectly aware of the deplorable working conditions in Landa.
“Wizards are no different. When warlocks routinely conducted human experiments, you did it just as much. The Magic Tower’s human experiments are infamous, aren’t they?”
“…”
“And that’s not all. Wizards devour each other too. The specimen here is proof of that, acquired through associates of Rokuri University. Bought directly or through information… Ah, no need to explain. The Issai family was once hunted themselves.”
“…”
“Have you never doubted? Really thought Rokuri University only had traitors in the life alchemy department? There could be more.”
Once again, Yareli responded with silence.
Satisfied with her reaction, Human-meat Chef rose from his seat.
“If you think you’re doing something noble, you’d better give up. Humans are all the same. They all devour each other. Take this specimen to Rokuri University, and you’ll see. Consider it a gift.”
As Human-meat Chef finished speaking, a fissure manifested in the air, and with a brief whirlwind, he vanished into the rift. It was an expert display of spatial magic.
Oliver glanced at Yareli, who appeared troubled in both mind and heart, then stood up.
“First, I’ll take care of these specimens. Over there, there are cases we can use to transport them-“
“-Zenon.”
“Yes, Ms. Yareli.”
“I was observing you and reporting to the Grand Master of the Skadi Sub-school, my grandmother… She wanted that.”
“I see.”
“Did you know?”
“Not exactly, but I felt like I was being watched and observed, so it’s not particularly surprising. However, I am curious about why you’re telling me this now.”
“…I want to know what it means that you fought with the son of an angel. Can you tell me?”
(To be Continued)
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