Genius Warlock-Episode 168
City Official Paul Carver.
What he said seemed to be true..
There is a system in the world, and the world runs according to that system..
From a small cafe to a huge world, the basic principles were in touch..
At first, Oliver understood the words vaguely, but as time went by, he understood their meaning..
He went to Burotong, a small town near Landa, and met with Willes to negotiate. In the process, he heard that the heir of the royal family was making a deal with the devil, but nothing in particular changed in the world..
The sun rose and set as usual, and the city just rolled on..
like a machine.
And it was the same for Oliver in the city..
After completing his out-of-town mission, Oliver began catching prison escapees..
Although it was a relief, there were too many prisoners who escaped while the prison was being destroyed, so it was still an emergency system..
Oliver, who had made a big deal, could have rested if he wanted, but decided to just make money..
The police and city defense force were searching every corner of the city to catch escapees, and the gray and black markets were closed, so there was nothing to do..
Fortunately, catching the escaped convict was relatively easy..
The administration of Landa Prison was well organized, and the hair and blood of imprisoned prisoners were stored, so all Oliver had to do was receive them and track them down..
If you give a sensitive nose to a minion, you can find most of them easily, so you can catch at least one or two minions a day, and sometimes up to five or seven..
Most of them were miscellaneous criminals, so the amount for each one wasn't that high, but it was still a lot of money because there were a lot of them..
So much so that I thought it wouldn't be so bad if the prison was raided on a regular basis..
Of course, there were times when I encountered dangerous criminals..
An insane mercenary wielding a double axe.,
A manipulative warlock based in the sewers.,
Enjoyment Druid turns eight banks, etc..
They had a bounty five to ten times higher than that of other prison escapees, and Oliver caught as many as he came across..
smart-
"Can I come in??”
Forest Restaurant basement office. Oliver asked.
When permission was given to come in, Oliver opened the door and went inside..
Forrest could be seen wrestling with the ledgers in the office..
"Did you come??”
"Yes, you look very busy..”
"There's a lot going on these days, right??”
nodded Oliver..
All of the solvers were busy catching the escaped convict, and naturally, the brokers who dealt with the solvers also had to be busy..
In particular, there were countless small items rather than large items, so it took more work..
"Well, I have no intention of complaining. No matter what, I can continue to earn commissions. It's better than no work."
Forrest spoke like a professional on this floor..
In fact, although he looked tired, his working hands barely moved..
"I've felt it before, but you must be very busy, including the restaurant work..”
"The employees take care of the little things, so there are no major problems. All I have to do is look and listen to the parts where money is spent in the meantime and then make a decision. Just wait a moment."
Forrest finished the ledger he was writing, got up, and took the briefcase from behind the desk..
"Here's the last payoff. Maybe it's because we caught 20 people at once, but the amount this time is a bit high..”
“Thanks to Mr. Murphy..”
"murphy?”
"Yes, they asked me for help because they were worried that some escaped convicts had set up shop near the site they had left. He told me to take all the bounty..”
"I guess they ordered free cleaning. A friend who makes a lot of money.”
That was true. While Oliver was doing this and that, everyone else was living their own lives..
Arthur went from being a fixer to actually belonging to the city.,
In the case of Murphy, he successfully merged with Hoffman Transportation Company and verticalized his business, resulting in tremendous growth..
Did you say that you are next to the director in Zone T??
Anyway, everyone was really enthusiastic..
"They provided manpower support and provided surrounding information, so that's enough..”
Forrest sighed slightly at Oliver's words..
It wasn't a very good attitude for a troubleshooter who risked his life to work..
Well, I didn't even think about it..
Since I already knew Oliver's personality, I knew it would be useless to give him advice, and more than anything, I didn't really dislike that strange attitude..
That loose attitude, which is rare on this floor, ironically gave me a strange sense of trust..
In fact, several customers in the area in front of Alphabet, which is famous for being picky, sent requests..
Of course, there are people who try to take advantage of people at a low price, but that was something Forrest could filter out..….
"Mr. Forest?”
"hmm?"
said Oliver, who took the cash in his gluttonous pocket..
"If it's okay with you, can I just wake up now??”
"ah… . wait for a sec. If it's okay, can I ask you a few questions??”
"yes."
"I think the emergency order will end soon. It's only natural that everyone has been working hard day and night since the prison attack... . Although we missed the humans who flew outside the city or in the X, Noh district. It's going to be something that can't be helped."
"yes."
"Then, work will come flooding back. Because of the emergency, most requests could not be received. It's kind of a peak season. Are you planning on going to work right away??”
hmm..… . Oliver thought for a moment..
"well. I have some personal business to attend to, so I'd like to take a little break..”
"Good thing.”
"Are you glad??”
"Yes, originally, I would have thought about doing as much as I could to collect the commission, but these days, given the current situation, I have to be considerate..”
"What is the current state of affairs??”
“They say a major crackdown will soon begin on the Pater Bridge..”
Ah, I remembered. It is said that a strange power was detected in the icy land, causing an uproar at the Pater Bridge..
I thought it was just a remark, but I guess it wasn't..
"So I think it would be better to take a break for a while. Of course, the city says it will protect you, so it's not something to worry about, but there's no need to go out when it rains..”
"yes."
"Well then, how about letting things start again when the crackdown is over? In the meantime, you can rest well, and I'll look for something decent to do..”
"Yes, I understand. I will follow your words..”
"Good. Well then, let’s go. Thank you for your hard work.”
***
After collecting the reward, Oliver left the restaurant..
Immediately, I went home, and on the way, I stopped at a general store on the street and bought a copy of each newspaper..
"It's a good choice. The city was in an uproar and many interesting articles were published. Thanks to this, we are selling two to three times better than usual. That's a relief, right? I'm not sure if it's fortunate, but what the general store owner said wasn't a lie..
When I returned to my accommodation and read the newspaper, I saw many interesting articles..
Reports of damage to the city caused by prison escapees, and brave police officers working hard to solve the problem..
Many people have talked about this and even published editorials about it..
Some politicians and city council members analyzed the problem and proposed solutions. Some argued that the power of the police department should be strengthened, while others argued that prisoners were treated too well and that polluted areas should be developed and prisons built there..
It was really fun.
All of this is a kind of groundwork to make the city's project a success..
I was even impressed that they were using the prison situation in this way..
"What's so funny??”
"What should I say? It's fun to see the sketch that is invisible to others. Elderly.”
A third voice suddenly intervened. Oliver was not embarrassed and calmly turned his head and answered..
Merlin was standing there..
"I'm not surprised.”
"I didn't forget that the person who sent me here using the portal was an old man. I didn't think it would be strange no matter when you showed up.."
"Have you ever heard that you're not funny??”
"how did you know?”
"..…Let's call it the insight of an old man. Excuse me for a moment.”
With those words, Merlin took Oliver's newspaper and read it..
"hmm… .. What are you trying to do in the city? I see you are criticizing here and there... Are you planning on setting up an armed organization to keep wizards in check??"
"....!"
"Oh, judging by your reaction, I guess you know something. Well, a skilled problem solver naturally approaches such things..”
"May I ask how you knew??”
"Let's call it the insight of an old man. You can see the whole picture just by looking at one puzzle..”
"oh.… . You're amazing..”
"No, that's a lie. Do you believe that? When you're at my level, you get a lot of information from all over the place. You can hear it and predict it.”
"......"
"Don't look at me like that. She's about to get hurt. The basics of magic.”
"Are you lying??”
“no… .. That's true, but no. It's directing..”
"Directing?”
"Yes, pretending to be wise, pretending to be great. This is the foundation of magic. If this happens, most people will admire it and not even dare to think of opposing it.."
hmm..… . It didn't seem that wrong. Because it's directing.
"Are you here to teach me that??”
"Do I look that leisurely? I came here for something else."
"another sunday?”
"Yes, it has been decided where Rosburn and the kids will stay..”
***
It was said that the place where Rosber and the other children who escaped from Mattel stayed was a branch owned by the Elemental School..
It was said that it could be dangerous to stay in Landa, so it was decided to send them to a remote area with few people, and all the children agreed to this..
"Well, there are some things that are not optional. Even though they are kids, they all know their situation well..”
Merlin said as he walked down the hallway of the mansion..
"okay.”
"That's cool. Isn't it pitiful??”
"Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do..”
Merlin chuckled at Oliver's answer. It was a shame she couldn't read his emotions..
"There the children will receive magical training..”
"Magic?”
"Yes, Mattel remodeled the body to create a body that can contain and operate magical power. I don't know how far it will go, but I'm thinking of training it once. That's better than staying still.”
"okay. But why do I..…?”
"I politely asked you to meet me before I left. He said he wanted to say thank you..”
"......."
Oliver said nothing. Because he had nothing to say in particular.
It wasn't something I wanted to hear thank you from in the first place..
Merlin must have sensed that feeling and gave advice in a serious voice..
"Those kids will have a hard time. really.”
"yes?”
"I'm old. Usually, children in the Magic Tower receive basic education at around the age of seven. Considering that, it's quite late. In particular, Rosburn was 15 years old, twice as old. It was my ability to put it there, but it's up to the kids to endure life there..”
"......."
"So please give me some advice. Those kids seem to admire you....”
"Absolutely?”
"yes, you.”
Oliver frowned. He knew the word admiration, but he didn't think it connected to him..
"That's strange.”
"i think so too. But, still hang out. In this difficult life, sometimes you need to lie.”
The words were incomprehensible, but Merlin's voice was so serious that Oliver had no choice but to nod. Even if it's a lie, it's necessary….
Eventually, I entered a room..
It was assumed that children were staying in the room..
There were five beds, and children were sitting in front of them with their luggage..
“ah..…!"
All the kids saw Oliver..
All the bright lights of joy, admiration, gratitude, adoration, and goodwill shone..
Oliver was unable to say anything because the light was burdensome, and the children also stood up and wiggled their fingers nervously, unable to say anything..
awkward silence.
Meanwhile, Rosburn desperately gathered his courage and approached Oliver..
It was similar to when I first asked him to teach me the letters..
"Me, my teacher.”
"Yes, Rossburn..”
"Okay, thank you. Thanks to you, I got a place to stay. Hey, I said you can learn magic too..”
In line with those words, the other children also cautiously approached and greeted him..
"thank you.”
"thank you.”
"thank you.”
"thanks… . do.”
Oliver was silent, not knowing what to say. Something like this... ..it was difficult.
I realized once again that I was foolish. He doesn't know what to say in this situation..
Oliver desperately racked his brain..
“..…Um, hey, can I just say that? Because I don't know much about this.”
Rosburn, who was standing nervously, answered..
“….yes.”
"It seems like everyone is scared of something right now. Can you tell me what's scary??”
The children did not deny it. While everyone was hesitating, Rosburn spoke as the representative..
"Well, will we be able to adapt well there? Well, that is. Can we really become wizards??”
"well? I don't know about that... .. But I can tell you one thing..”
"......."
"I also became a warlock's disciple when I was Rosburn's age. Master, that is. That's when I met my teacher..”
"Me, really.?”
"yes. So, Rosburn and others will also be able to become wizards by doing the same..”
It wasn't a very logical statement, but fortunately it seemed to work. The fear that dominated the children's hearts was lifted just a little..
Except Rossburn. He looked at hope and then was caught up in despair again..
"but..…."
"Please feel free to speak. i want to hear from you.”
"Ha, but. The teacher is a great person, right? On the other hand, I am nothing..”
"It's nothing?”
"Literally. I saw it in a book here. Magic requires talent. I probably have no talent.”
"If you don't check, you won't know.?”
“….However, I will definitely fall short of my previous teacher. Not only talent, but also courage and wisdom. But can I do well??”
"What do you mean? I don't have courage?”
"...??"
"Rossburn, do you remember when he approached me and asked me to teach him how to write??”
"….yes."
"You were brave then. Even more than me. I'm serious about this.”
"......."
"I couldn't do that. I was able to become a warlock's disciple not because I was brave, but because I was lucky..”
Oliver said sincerely. If even one person with a talent for black magic had appeared at the time of Joseph's selection, Oliver would not have been selected and would still be in the mine..
Rosburn asked with a shaky voice..
“....really?”
"Yes, again, I just got lucky. Compared to that, you can be said to be braver than me. I didn't have the courage to speak first..”
Oliver looked away from Rosburn and looked at the other children..
"The same goes for you. You all took care of each other as soon as you came out. Instead of trying to run away alone or cry… . At least I think that's courage.”
The children were silent and listened to Oliver..
Oliver said, looking at Rosburn again..
"I don't know what the future holds, and I can't make any promises. That's a lie, and I don't want to lie to you. Rossburn. But, I think you are braver than me. The speed at which I learned to read was fast. you are smart.”
".…Is it really true??”
"yes. So, if you just keep doing what you're doing, I believe you'll be able to adapt well..”
Rosburn pursed his lips at those words and lowered his head..
"Can I ask you one more question??”
"Please speak. I'm here to listen.”
"I'm angry. To Mattel. I want revenge. But, revenge is bad, right? What should I do??”
Rossburn's emotions brought out the anger and hatred that had been hidden deep inside. The emotions that had been suppressed for survival were revealed to Oliver..
"I want to give it back. I want to return the pain and fear of that time to all of them. . I always try to forget, but it doesn't work. What should I do??”
Rossburn longs for answers. Oliver thought for a moment and then answered..
"Do whatever you want. What if I really can't forgive you?.”
“..…Is that okay??”
"Yes, Rossburn… . I don't know much about that. Anger, forgiveness, things like that. So I sympathize with Rossburn's feelings, and I can't give you a good answer..”
"......."
"And now you know, my job is to be a problem solver. If necessary, they kill people. How dare I ask you to forgive me? that… . Not really."
Rossburn's emotions gradually turned to anger and hatred..
"But Rossburn.”
"As far as I know, even if Rosburn gains strength and takes revenge, it will be very difficult. The world is a huge machine, and it won't tolerate anyone trying to break it..”
“….does not matter.’’
"If so, it's okay. However, you will have to dedicate your hard-earned knowledge and strength to fighting for the rest of your life. Did you learn to read from me in order to fight??”
"......."
"I'm not forcing it. However, I want to know. What were you thinking and what was your goal when you told me you wanted to learn writing? At least I don't think it was because of the fight..”
"......."
"I say it again. Even if you seek revenge, I have no intention of stopping you. It's your right. But if you give up revenge and pursue the goal you originally dreamed of, well... … We'll help you one more time when you need it.”
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