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Genius Warlock-Episode 281

fluttering. fluttering. fluttering.

An old woman with fairy wings flew forward holding a fairytale-like wand..

The old woman was quite old and had a large body, but funny enough, the way she flew was so soft that it reminded me of a butterfly..

“here……."

The old woman pointed to a door..

It is an old and huge gate. Although it has faded with time, you can feel the craftsman's hand..

“It's truly amazing. Why haven't I been able to find this huge castle for a week??”

It wasn't really out of ignorance, but rather out of admiration..

To some extent, Merlin knew why the castle couldn't be found..

Merlin is the one who inherited the research and knowledge of the previous archives..

“Because this is the princess’s forest. Even a small needle can be found in an instant if he wants it, and if he wants a huge castle, he can never find it. The old woman explained in her own way. That's not to say there isn't anything to refute, but Merlin didn't argue in order to protect the courtesy of his guests..

This time, I visited to ask questions, not to have an academic discussion..

Meeeee profit 一

As soon as Merlin stepped forward, the heavy castle gate opened of its own accord..

The inside of the castle was equally strange..

When the castle door opened, of course, the lobby should have appeared, but for some reason, the bedroom appeared..

A bedroom with nothing but a very large bed..

“You came……."

On a bed with curtains covering all sides. I heard a girl's voice.

It was a young voice, someone in their mid to late teens at most..

Merlin trots. Step by step. Step by step. She went into the bedroom. The castle gate was closed..

“You knew I would come.?”

“yes… … . I saw it in my dream.”

"You're amazing. Then you should have called me earlier.?”

“sorry. I was sleepy.”

Sleeping beauty. With an answer worthy of its name, the curtain surrounding the bed was gently rolled back..

A girl with him appeared.

A girl with pure white skin and rich honey-colored hair. She was as green and beautiful as a newly formed fruit..

Just looking at his appearance, it was hard to believe that he was a warlock comparable to Fingers..

‘……Also, I don't think he was a person who lived for hundreds of years..’

“Something… … . I think you're being rude.?”

The princess said, penetrating Merlin's thoughts..

Merlin acknowledged that..

“I didn't think it was that rude. I was just amazed by your youth that you maintained for so many years..”

“Are you jealous of this blessing??”

“You think of it as a blessing?”

“hmm… … . no. I think it's a curse.”

“I think the same thing. There is actually a difference between a blessing and a curse... … . When I feel sore, I want to look younger, but overall, I want to decline..”

The princess let out a girl's characteristic laughter. Was it attractive in itself, like other girls' laughter, or was there a subtle sadness in it?.

"ah… … . Also, archive. You are wise. Humans are beautiful and valuable only when they grow old and die..”

“In particular, it is not the wisdom I wanted..”

“But I chose that wisdom, and I carry that weight… … . I really respect you all. You know everything, but you can't do anything, and yet you accept it without going crazy... … . It's hard for me to imagine..”

At the princess's words, Merlin walked trotting and stood in front of her..

There was a strange tension, but neither of them had any hostile feelings towards each other..

“I think the princess is mistaken..”

“It's me?”

“exactly. The archive doesn't know everything. I just know a little more than others. And although he is helpless, it doesn't mean he can't do anything. You can struggle. That's why I came here.”

The corners of the princess's mouth gently rose..

“I apologize. I just woke up and made a mistake... … . It's a shame to be a substitute, but I'll answer your questions. What do you want to ask me??”

The princess allowed questions. Merlin could feel her old heart beating..

“……The end has begun?”

“well? Don't you know that best??”

Merlin haha! And she laughed. Because there was no clearer answer than this.

“[The moment a huge hole opens at the end of the world, the needle moves]... … I never dreamed that I would be the first step in prophecy..”

“I also never dreamed that I would live for hundreds of years. That's why life is both painful and enjoyable..”

Merlin frowned at the princess's remarks, which did not match her appearance..

But at the same time, I couldn't laugh at all inside..

It was natural. How many of the humans facing the inevitable end will be able to laugh??

Even though the end started because of none other than humans themselves..

Moreover, the archives had been predicting this day for hundreds of years..

‘But I couldn't do anything.’

"Don't blame yourself. Archive. In the first place, the predecessor archives were also a problem that could not be addressed..”

“Thanks for the top. princess… … . Then, as prophesied, the prince of hell and the son of an angel have descended on earth.?”

“well? As you know, I can't give a direct answer... … . However, one thing can be said for sure. If the prince of hell exists, the son of an angel also exists, and if the son of an angel exists, the prince of hell also exists. These two cannot be separated. Like two sides of a coin.”

“Well then, I can't even ask where the son of an angel and the prince of hell are..”

“Yes, but I can tell you that the Archive met the Son of an Angel and also the Prince of Hell..”

The moment he heard the answer, several people flashed through Merlin's mind, but only two remained..

One was clear, but the other was a little vague..

It also felt special, but compared to the former, it felt lacking. Like a candle and the sun.

“……Let me ask you one more question. The end is truly determined by human hands.?”

“Why are you asking what you clearly know??”

“I'm asking because I think if I act proactively, I might be able to prevent the end in advance. princess.”

Merlin asked in a callous voice..

I knew that this was not a problem that could be solved like this, but the foolish human emotions that remained in Merlin's heart asked themselves if this was also a solution... and he felt really foolish..

“That could also be one way..”

A completely unexpected answer came out of the princess' mouth..

“I'm serious?”

“Yes, I don't know the answer, so this is the only way I can answer. People are mistaken, but prophets do not know everything. In fact, it's the one we don't know the most about. It's just a being that says what the dream shows. but……”

The princess paused for a moment, then opened her mouth again..

"……Whatever the Archive does, it is only one step toward prophecy. Talking to him and offering him a book, giving him advice, helping him become a disciple, giving him a letter and helping him deal with an unexpected crisis... … . You just reap what you sow..”

“Hahahahahahaha!!!”

Merlin burst into laughter. Even with the abstract word “him,” I pictured who he was in my head..

It seemed really nasty. To the great one above the sky. What on earth do you want to do? doll play?

“Excuse me... … . I saw in a dream my new disciple, no, my temporary disciple.?”

“yes."

“If you ask me about that child, I can answer you.?”

“No, I'm not authorized to answer about him... … . However, I can answer one thing..”

“What is it?”

“It was a very good decision to give him the letter in advance just in case he was worried. Very, very good choice..”

The princess smiled sincerely..

***

“Thank you for coming here.”

A table in the corner of the hall on the first floor of Forest Restaurant.

Oliver greeted Albert, who was sitting across from him..

He was a wizard from the Moirai school who was in charge of this ABC mission..

“I am truly grateful for meeting you like this. This is Dave's business.?”

Albert asked, looking around..

“yes.”

“I was wondering if I would come sometime, but here I am..”

Sincerity. Oliver asked.

“Has the news that the fish dishes here are delicious spread to Magic Tower??”

“uh… … . I didn't mean to, but I'll give it a try. I like fish too.”

“That's a good thing. It's pretty delicious.”

Oliver answered, calling the waiter and ordering two plates of fish. The waiter nodded with a friendly smile and walked away..

"Do you usually go to this restaurant??”

“No, I'm not usually here. I have some things to do. However, these days, I have some free time so I read books and newspapers here.."

“Hmm... . do you like books?”

“I wish I could learn something fun.”

“So you requested this too.?

Albert held out the briefcase he had brought..

It looked heavy at first glance, but when I opened it, I was able to open a large pile of documents..

“This is the success reward that Mr. Arthur of the Security Department requested from us..”

The success reward Albert mentioned was none other than internal information obtained from the McCluskey security company World Tree..

As a reward for his success in protecting Albert alone and helping him hack the World Tree, Oliver asked Arthur to share all the data with him..

Arthur replied that he would try and asked Albert for help through Carver..

The reason was none other than the contract between the Moirai school and Carver, a city official..

Data on the mission was shared, but the condition was that the Moirai School had the data on the World Tree..

In other words, the right to the information belonged to the Moirai School, not city officials..

In some ways, it might not be that strange..

The reason the Moirai School participated in this mission was because they wanted the Druid's World Tree technology..

But, why would a warlock ask to share that? It wasn't strange if he refused. I'm sure it was, but Albert brought it himself..

“Of course, not all materials. There are no key materials related to the Druid World Tree. I tried to persuade him, but the higher-ups wouldn't listen. I hope you understand.”

Sincerity. Even though Albert didn't ask, Albert volunteered to explain the situation honestly..

Looking at Oliver's skills and attitude, he knew that persuasion through facts was more effective than clumsy lies..

And the calculation was exactly right.

“All right. In fact, thank you for sharing this.”

As his persuasion worked easily, Albert relaxed and his attitude became somewhat relaxed..

As my attitude relaxed, curiosity arose. A curiosity that is both private and public..

“But may I ask why you requested data on the World Tree? I don't mean to disparage solvers, but I know they prefer money... … Are you interested in the World Tree??”

“Yes, I was curious because it was a strange creature..”

“Well, well, Mr. Dave is rare- ah, excuse me. Since Dave can use magical powers, it wouldn't be strange for him to be interested in the World Tree. How much do you know about the World Tree??”

Oliver was lost in thought for a moment and only gave basic information..

I honestly wanted to tell you everything I knew and have an honest conversation with Albert about the subject, but I refrained because there was a hidden meaning in Albert's feelings..

But still, Albert looked surprised..

“like… … . You seem to know quite a bit about the World Tree. It's not something that's easy to figure out..”

“I found a book and read it..”

“Ah, black market and gray market.?”

In fact, it was Merlin's used bookstore, but Oliver didn't bother to modify it..

“Well, these days you can get good books there too… … . If you don't mind, before the food comes, would you like me to tell you a little about the World Tree??”

It shone with a mixture of calculated emotions and personal favor..

As soon as Oliver nodded, Albert used the information Oliver said as a foundation to explain various information about the world tree like building blocks..

Most people knew this, but Albert's explanation was very good..

Even though it was a somewhat ambiguous concept, the currently contested hypothesis was easily explained..

After a while, the fish dish came, and it was time to chat again..

“I heard the story well. I understand..”

“Although I explained it in an easy way, understanding still depends on the listener's ability. You're better than I thought..”

Sincerity. Oliver expressed his gratitude..

“Thank you for your words. You are kind..”

Albert, who continued to worry about Oliver's attitude, beamed with confidence and took out a business card from his pocket..

“what is this?”

“You told me earlier that you were kind.?”

“yes? Ah, yes.”

“It may seem a little presumptuous to say this, but in Landa, nothing is free. Even favors. In fact, we at the Moirai School would like to maintain a good relationship with Mr. Dave in the future..”

“Me?”

“Yes, Dave. As you may know, Landa is the site of a huge power struggle. From small street vendors to large city councils. Wherever they are, they criticize each other to gain power. It's no different from the Magic Tower.”

“I've heard the story at least..”

“Our Moirai School is known as a powerful new school that is emerging within the Tower of Magic along with the Life School and the Space School. It's not wrong, but there are actually some differences..”

“Give an example?”

"You can use force. It's simple and childish, but it's more powerful than anything else..”

“ah……."

Oliver shouted. But maybe it wasn't that strange..

As I said before, the Moirai school was a school that valued information rather than power..

It was natural that the force was lacking compared to other schools..

“There is some reason why I participated in this mission, which can be said to be reckless..”

“Wasn't it because of the Druid's World Tree skill??”

“That's the biggest thing, but it's also to create friendly forces in the city. On a small scale, ABC is just a company, but on a larger scale, it is a big deal that can reorganize the power structure of Landa City. Do you know?”

Oliver nodded. I heard this story from Forrest..

Currently, some members of the Landa City Council were competing, divided into those who took money from Sheamus and those who did not..

I don't know if I expected this to happen from the beginning, but depending on how the ABC mission was completed, the fate of several city council members and city officials might have changed..

"If Mr. Carver gets the job done well, the city council members who supported him and the Moirai School may be able to build a good relationship..”

“hmm… … . understand. This is an advantage in the competition for the magic tower through the city council. But I don't know what that has to do with me. I'm a warlock, aren't I??”

“There seems to be a misunderstanding, but we, the Moirai School, are a school that accesses a lot of information through the World Tree. In other words, it is a bit more open-headed than other schools... … . We are not so stubborn as to ignore a talented person like Dave just because he is a warlock..”

“Thank you just for your words.”

“I'm serious. We know that some warlocks are just as good as wizards. Dave is one of them. We want to build good relationships with those people..”

“Is that so?”

“yes. Even though we are the same wizards, different schools tend to think of us as one sub-organization..”

Oliver was convinced. When I actually worked at the Magic Tower, I saw something like that..

“Of course, I'm not asking you to do anything right away. It's just a greeting in advance. If you maintain a good relationship with us, we will repay you..

"hmm… … . Can you also teach me knowledge about the world tree??”

“Knowledge is tricky, but I will try my best to convince you..”

“okay. All right. Well then, I'll talk to Forrest, the broker..”

“I'm satisfied with that.”

“But, that's only when things go well..”

“yes?”

“I said we'd talk about it after things went well... … . Even though quite a bit of time has passed since the attack on the McCluskey Security Company, there hasn't been much to talk about.?”

That was true. Although the McCluskey Security Company and its front company were all shut down by the city police, ABC still survived despite the passage of time..

Investment profits were always paid on time, and thanks to this, the investment in ABC increased even more, exceeding 2 trillion won..

“You don't have to worry too much.”

“You don't have to worry?”

"Yes, there might be an interesting article coming out soon..”

Albert said with a strange expression. Considering his emotional state, it didn't seem like he was just saying it..

And actually, a few days later, a newspaper published an article on the front page..

The article title was like this.

[Anonymous report. Investment company ABC. Have a secret affair with a rare fraudster!!!]