Genius Warlock-Episode 397
397. Long time no see (2)
‘amazing······.’
Oliver was amazed as he walked down the hallway of the Poor Brothers Welfare Center..
Although it was extremely shabby compared to the Magic Tower, the Ministry of the Interior building, and Forrest's restaurant, in Oliver's eyes, it was as great as any other building..
Isn't that so??
It was a building that was obtained by taking a risk and digging up Sheamus's back, and eventually receiving the city's welfare budget that it was aiming for..
Although Cant lost an arm in the process, he achieved his desired goal..
On my own without anyone's help.
‘They said that excessive help is poisonous... The process may be a bit difficult, and the results may not be satisfactory, but this time we must do it on our own. That's how you can grow.’
Oliver remembered what Cant had said when he offered to help..
What wonderful words. However, he did not just say it, but took action and achieved it..
It was really amazing.
Knock. Knock.
When Oliver arrived in front of a door and knocked on it, a voice was immediately heard beyond the door..
“Are you?”
“yes. Cant. Can I come in??”
“of course. come in.”
As soon as permission was given, Oliver looked at Forrest..
Every time he walked down the hallway, his complexion darkened with feelings of burden, guilt, fear, and rejection, and he was now so agitated that cold sweat was forming on his forehead..
It was almost like I had never seen him this agitated..
Oliver put his hand on one of Forrest's shoulders..
Perhaps he was very nervous, but he was startled by even an insignificant contact..
“Forrest.”
“Oh, it's okay... I'm okay.”
“First of all, I will go in first, so Mr. Forest, can you come in a little later??”
I wondered what the point of coming all this way was, but Forrest's emotions glowed with joy and relief for a moment..
Even though I knew with my head that I had to go in, my heart was different..
“under······. Nope. are you okay.”
“I also have a conversation to share with Cant. You also need to get lucky. Could you please wait a moment??”
When Oliver said this, Forrest pretended not to win and accepted it..
Even if the pain is unavoidable, we want to put it off as long as possible. He took a deep breath to calm his mind, while Oliver went inside first..
Squeak... With the sound of stiff hinges, I saw Cant sitting in front of the desk organizing the ledger he was writing..
“······hello. Cant.”
Oliver greeted Cant as he looked at him. He looked the same as when we first met and when we last met..
Long coat, beanie, quarter staff standing on one side of the wall... The only difference was that the clothes were neater and the beard was neater..
“long time no see.”
Cant stood up using the quarter staff he had placed on the wall as a walking stick, and approached Oliver. One limping leg caught my eye..
“······Are you feeling okay??”
“Of course it's okay. look. I also adapted to the prosthetic hand..”
Cant raised one hand. It was an arm equipped with a golem prosthetic arm that Oliver gave as a gift..
Arm made of stone and magic.
“thank god. Do you have any inconvenience in using it??”
“No, it's rather convenient. Look.”
Cant stretched out his hand toward the liquor bottle on the desk, and the golem's prosthetic hand stretched out according to the wearer's will and grabbed the liquor bottle..
“It was more convenient than I thought. I almost regret not wearing it sooner..”
Cant joked about his severed arm. To reassure Oliver.
“······The building was nice.”
“I'm glad you said that. I can't believe I heard those words from the Magic Tower wizard... I'm not being sarcastic, so don't misunderstand. I'm truly proud of you..”
“Did you know?”
“Even after all this, I am a person who makes a living from information. I don't know the details, but I know almost everything that can be found by listening... It seemed like there was some complicated story behind it..”
“that is-”
When Oliver tried to explain, Cant raised his hand and shook his head..
“There's nothing wrong with you?”
“yes. That's not it.”
“Well then, there is no need to explain, because there is no one in Randa without mercy... What brought you here? You must be busy, but since you contacted me, it seems like you have something to do..”
Cant through the inside. Oliver wondered what to do with his luck..
I've already practiced with Childs about 20 times, but when I actually tried to talk about it, it didn't seem like a good way..
Oliver thought about it, and then he opened his mouth..
“······Forest has arrived. Come with me.”
“······.”
“Because I was stubborn... I'm sorry for everything, but could you please meet me??”
In response to Oliver's question, Cant looked at Oliver in silence..
This was done in anticipation of Cant's anger, but contrary to expectations, Cant was not angry..
Just hesitating, feeling sad, and lost in thought..
A painful silence followed. Even Oliver's silence was a bit painful. Still, it wasn't much compared to Cant in the room and Forest outside the room..
After a silence that seemed like an eternity, Cant opened his mouth..
“I want to meet you.”
‘'Of course', Cant replied, not 'yes' but 'I want to meet'. Oliver looked at Forrest beyond the door, looking agitated..
He wanted to run away from his sins right away, but with the patience of a broker, the courage to scrape up to the bottom, and determination, he opened the door and came in..
Squeak. Step by step. Step by step. The sound of stiff hinges and shoes. Cant and Forrest met each other after a long time..
“······.”
“······.”
“······.”
Silence continues again. But the emotional state was just the opposite.
Forrest wanted to apologize right away, but ironically, the guilt was so strong that he couldn't say anything, and Cant was also deep in thought..
Oliver wanted to be the first to open his mouth and break this silence, but he couldn't. He said this was not his place..
Either it ends well or it ends badly. That was Cant and Forrest's job..
“dave······.”
“Yes, cant..”
“Could you please leave for a moment? I want to talk alone... Is it possible??”
Cant asked, and Forrest silently agreed. both parties.
Oliver nodded without hesitation and walked out of the room..
Squeak. The sound of stiff hinges rang quietly..
***
Oliver went out, leaving Cant and Forrest alone, and looked around the Poor Brothers Welfare Center..
Outside the building, in addition to a soup kitchen distributing fried bread, there was also a workhouse where people could stay overnight for a penny..
Considering that the average price is two pennies, the price is quite cheap. They even provided a coffin bed made of wooden planks instead of a clothesline bed where you sleep hanging on a rope..
‘So there were a lot of people.’
Oliver thought as he watched the crowds flock for free bread and cheap places to sleep..
In addition, Oliver looked around the welfare center and its surroundings for about an hour. Forrest came out..
“Forrest. The story is... Are you finished??”
“Okay, it's over..”
Forrest answered. Oliver wanted to ask if the story ended well, but after seeing Forrest's improved face and emotions, he decided to swallow the question..
“okay. Well then, let's go back..”
“No, go to Cant. He asked me to call you..”
“me?”
“Okay, I'll be waiting in the car, so take your time... Thank you.”
Oliver was puzzled by Forrest's words, but headed to Cant's office..
When I opened the door with its stiff hinges and went inside, a much refreshed Cant greeted Oliver with a drink..
“Thank you.”
“yes?”
“For bringing Forrest to me... It was embarrassing, but it felt like an old stain had been washed away. Thank you so much.”
“I'm glad it helped. I was worried you might be offended, but I'm glad you did..”
Cant smiled softly after hearing Oliver's words..
“······It's a pleasure talking to you.”
“Is that so?”
“Even though it's frustrating sometimes, I feel like I'm respected. So I'm happy.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But at the same time, I'm worried. Although you have a good personality, I thought it would be difficult to run an organization. It's messier than you think..”
“What do you mean by that??”
“You created an organization in Area X... is not it?”
Oliver tilted his head, but then realized what that meant..
‘people who choose.’
“I think I know what you're talking about, but I think you're doing something wrong..”
“is it?”
“Yes, I bought buildings for people I knew and helped them settle in Area X, but I didn't create an organization. I don't know how that rumor came about..”
“well······. Because they don’t buy you a building just because you know each other?”
“Wouldn’t it be okay since housing prices are cheap in Zone X? Forrest even negotiated for me and gave me a discount..”
It was an answer that didn't explain anything at all, but Cant didn't argue. Oliver had this kind of personality to begin with. He himself had received that help. He didn't care as long as it wasn't a problem for him..
“Well then, I'm glad... Oh, then, by any chance, is the story about him having an affair with a businesswoman a lie? I'm so curious.”
“yes??”
“No, one of the gang members works at the hotel and he told me that he caught you cheating..”
“If it's a hotel... Miss Jane??”
Oliver said to Jane. That was the only time I went to a hotel recently..
“Yes, that girl. These days, his reputation as an outstanding investor is growing. Actually, I was suspicious because it wasn't like you.······.”
“uh······. As far as I know, cheating is only possible if you have a lover. Is that correct??”
“Usually it is.”
“Then I have never cheated. First of all, I’m not dating anyone..”
Cant's eyes widened..
“······Aren't you dating Miss Jane??”
“Can I start by asking why you think that way??”
“No, I heard that rumor, and that young lady... No, that's enough. I guess I heard another rumor. Half of the information I get is nonsense..”
“ah······. I'm glad the misunderstanding has been resolved..”
“I feel sorry for you.”
“yes?”
“No, nothing... Anyway, I called you to let me know if you need any help. It may not be a big help, but it may be of some help..”
“It's already helped me a lot.”
I thought about the time when Oliver first came to Landa, met Cant, and later received help while running away with Jane. He received countless other help.
As if satisfied with the answer, Cant smiled and held out his hand to Oliver. offering to shake hands.
Oliver held his hand together..
slap.
As soon as they joined hands, Cant pulled Oliver with his heavy arm strength. And then I whispered.
“Lake Village, I heard about the attack last night..”
“······.”
“This may be presumptuous, but do you really need to go to Gallos??”
“······.”
“It's not that I don't trust your abilities. You are the strongest person I have ever seen. Either by force or by heart... But is it really necessary for him to volunteer to go into the fire??”
Cant be sincere. She was truly worried about Oliver..
As if responding to those feelings, Oliver lowered the quarter staff he was holding and placed his hand on Cant's hand..
“Thank you for your concern. But, I have to go. 'Cause I got a reason.”
“Can I ask what it is??”
“······I want to hit you.”
Oliver answered, remembering the formal invitation from the human meat chef..
This answer wasn't the right answer either, but Cant just smiled helplessly..
He realized that he couldn't stop it..
“That's right... Well then, I hope you're safe..”
“thank you······. Oh, may I ask you something? It's not a big deal, but if you could make a real new arm, do you have any thoughts??”
“new arm?”
“Yes, a real arm made of flesh, blood, and bones... Maybe we can heal your legs too.”
“no, it's okay.”
Cant shook his head gently but firmly. Without a single hesitation.
Not at a decent level, but in denial. When Oliver asked him why, he answered with a liberated smile..
“I really appreciate the offer, but these scars are part of my life's history, so I'm just going to carry them with me. I want to.”
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