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Genius Warlock-Episode 433

433. permission (1)

Oliver's request to meet Forrest.

Al immediately came to his senses and returned to his usual self, replying that he would bring Forrest..

“We will take you to the office first. The boss is on the 3rd floor. Could you wait a moment??”

3It's a floor... Oliver saw the stairs going up to the third floor. Unlike the halls on the first and second floors, which can be considered one space, the completely separate third floor is made up of rooms for private conversations..

“3It's a floor... Forest, what are you doing??”

“······Serving guests.”

Al hesitates for a moment before answering. Oliver became curious. What kind of hospitality are they serving in the third floor room?.

“Mr. Al?”

“Yes, Mr. Dave..”

“If it's okay, can I go up to the 3rd floor??”

“yes?”

“3I've never been to the floor before. I'm curious.”

***

Thankfully, Al granted Oliver's request..

He was confused at first, but after looking at Oliver's face for a moment, he said he would guide him..

Although he felt somewhat sorry for causing trouble, Oliver still had no regrets. Thanks to this, I was able to tour the 3rd floor of Forest Restaurant and see Forest as well..

“dave?”

3Forest, who was talking with guests in the largest of the several rooms on the floor, looked at Oliver and said:.

He showed many emotions.

Surprise, embarrassment, doubt, worry, doubt.

Forrest was surprised by Oliver's sudden appearance and embarrassed by the sunken cheek, wondering why it was numb and worried at the same time..

The final puzzle was wondering why Oliver came right here..

Al is embarrassed.

Oliver stood behind the egg and looked around at the guests in the room on the third floor..

Most of them seemed to be people who had accumulated considerable wealth within Landa, but unfortunately there were no familiar faces. Just one person. Except for the city's Secretary of the Interior, Paul Carver, sitting in the corner..

Even though he was the youngest person here, he greeted Oliver unfazed..

“hello. Mr. Dave.”

“hello? Mr. Carver. Long time no see.”

“Yeah, it's been a really long time..”

Carver answered leisurely, looked at Oliver and Forrest's faces alternately, came to his own conclusion, and stood up..

“But unfortunately, the meal is over and I have to get up. Aren't you like that too??”

Carver said with a half-eaten meat pie in front of him. an obvious lie.

However, regardless of that, all the guests stood up from their seats. Even though he was twice as old as Carver, he was transfixed by Carver's words..

“The meat pies here are delicious. I'll come again next time.”

Carver greeted Oliver as he passed by, and the other guests followed him like ducklings..

Thanks to this, many of the guests in the room disappeared at once, leaving only three remaining: Forrest, the restaurant owner, Al, the waiter, and Oliver, the uninvited guest..

an awkward silence.

Al was the first to break the silence..

“······sorry. president.”

Oliver shook his head..

“No, because I forced myself to come. I don't know what it is, but it's my fault.”

Then Forrest shook his head..

“no······. Dave, it's my fault for not knowing you were coming and not waiting..”

Oliver nodded in satisfaction at the heartwarming sight that everyone said was his fault, Al, who saw the scene, quietly closed his eyes, and Forrest shook his head..

It feels like I gave up on something.

“ha······. egg. Dave, you did a great job guiding me. go out.”

Al bowed his head politely at Forrest's words, then said hello to Oliver and went outside..

As Al closed the door and left, Forrest opened his mouth, pouring a drink into a glass..

“Wasn't it in Gallos??”

“I just arrived.”

“I am hearing news from Laville in real time through information merchants there... Could it be that he came back alone??”

“Yes, I don't have anything to do, and I just happened to hear some interesting news..”

Forrest drank from his glass..

“Let me guess. Is it because of the redevelopment of Area X??”

Oliver nodded. I never thought I would get straight to the point. not bad.

“Yes, I heard it from Miss Jane. I heard I'm involved too, can I ask what it is??”

“of course. However, this story is going to be long, so please take a seat..”

Oliver happily accepted Forest's suggestion and sat down..

“Um, if you don't mind, can I have some of the food here? I'm hungry.”

Oliver pointed to the small piece of veal steak he had eaten. Forrest looked at Oliver's thin face and shook his head as the previous customer ate..

“You look hungry... I'll come up with something new.”

“No, this is okay too. Wouldn’t it be a waste to throw it away??”

When Oliver said that, Forrest agreed, and Oliver picked up a fork and knife and cut the steak and ate it..

It could be said that it was a truly strange sight. The sight of eating itself was very clean, but I still felt an intense hunger..

I felt a strange force, like a beast in a suit or something..

“I heard that a big trouble broke out in Gallos... By any chance, did something happen there??”

Forrest asked cautiously, and Oliver thought for a moment. Should I tell you about my fight with the meat cook and the conversation I had with him?.

I thought it might be okay to talk about it. Forrest was a person who knew Oliver's real name and real face..

Oliver wanted to get advice from him about the strange discomfort and frustration he felt..

However, it couldn't be done. Because Oliver couldn't pinpoint why he was doing this..

It was absurd to ask for advice from someone who did not know exactly what their condition was..

Oliver decided to go back to the beginning and focus on why he was here..

If we focus our attention elsewhere, we might be able to know or forget.?

Oliver, who made that decision, explained that when the riots broke out in Raville, he was swept away by disease-weakening black magic..

“You may feel hungry, but it's bearable, so don't worry. it's okay.”

After hearing the answer, Forrest was filled with doubts..

Now that I know Oliver’s skills. He couldn't believe it. However, Forrest did not press questions. Out of consideration for Oliver..

“Let me purchase holy law items from the Pater Church. If it's black magic, it will eventually be solved with holy magic..”

Oliver nodded. He wasn't dying, but this hunger was a bit annoying. It reminds me of a human meat chef..

“thank you······. It's kind of funny. I, a warlock, am trying to free myself from black magic with a holy magic item..”

“Officially, he is also a magician belonging to the Magic Tower... By any chance, did you come up to the third floor to say something like that??”

A signal to get back to the point. Oliver shook his head..

“No, I'm curious about what the 3rd floor looks like, and I wanted to ask about the redevelopment of Area X, which I asked about earlier... By any chance, are the guests here also related to him??”

As soon as he asked the question, Oliver put the last piece of veal steak in his mouth and chewed it up..

I put my plate aside and got some other food to eat. It was delicious.

“It would be more accurate to say I was interested rather than involved..”

“······?”

“They are the CEOs of small and medium-sized construction companies in Landa who came after hearing rumors of redevelopment. I heard a rumor that I had acquired the rights to develop Area X. It's unfair..”

“······Didn’t Forest start a redevelopment project??”

“That's just the rumor. I didn't start anything. Where do I have the right to do that in the first place??”

“then······?”

“Do you remember the multi-family house in Zone X that you purchased? Marie and her people stay.”

“yes.”

“And the fighter crew. Those rumors only spread because they were renovating the house they live in, as you requested. It's misleading. Anyway, the shovel was dug into area X.”

“ah······.”

Oliver let out an involuntary exclamation. I did it just in case, but it was like that..

“ah······. sorry. Forrest. Because of me, it's a redevelopment project I'm not interested in... It's bothering you. sorry again.”

“no, that's not it.”

“yes?”

“I'm interested in the redevelopment project itself..”

***

Boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo.!

dark night. A small boat was running on the Shem River, which runs through the huge city of Landa..

On the boat stood Oliver, holding a quarterstaff in one hand and a bag of meat pies and wine in the other..

Oliver remembered what Forrest had said..

‘There is a lot of interest in the redevelopment project itself. In other words, wouldn't it be more strange that Landa isn't interested in making money? And it's not just me. The same applies to the fighter crew and the people who choose them..’

Forrest said. Both the fighter crew and the selectors are interested in the redevelopment of Area X..

Of course, the reason was money..

‘Well, Knuckle Joe, he's got more than money.’

‘Are there any other reasons besides money??’

‘It may sound funny, but it is. Everyone who lives in Area X, including that friend, has a common dream. Getting out of Zone X, where it is difficult to live, and moving to a more livable place. It's not strange. There aren't many perverts who want to live in a place where they get shot while walking down the street. And even more so if you have a caring family..’

Oliver understood what he meant. Joe, like everyone else in District X, was part of the community and had a caring family..

‘However, in reality, migration has many difficulties. Financial issues are the biggest, but there are many other reasons. If you adapt to Area Or, anxiety about living in a foreign country. Well, I know what you're dreaming about?’

Oliver shook his head. I couldn't even imagine that because I couldn't empathize with it. Normally he would have done so, but strangely enough, Oliver felt strangely bitter..

‘Actually, they want to change where they live. Area X itself becomes a better place to live... Of course, it's an infinitely impossible story, so everyone stops at just a dream..’

Oliver nodded silently. I roughly understood what he meant..

‘Then what is it about Marie? So, people who choose. They are foreigners.’

‘They do it for money. To be exact, the operating costs of running a community. I talked to him last time, and he said that he lost a lot of his property due to the attacks of the paladins, and that he had to temporarily stop manufacturing pilgarets, which was his main business. I'm afraid it will hurt you. I think that's a good idea too. I just had to run away to Landa and take care of myself during this chaotic time. Smart... But it is also a fact that income has disappeared. You may be surviving with what you barely have, but eventually the limit will come. Stagnant spring water eventually dries up. That's why I'm interested in redevelopment. To secure legitimate funds.’

Why it all makes sense. At that time, Forrest took out a piece of paper from his pocket and held it out..

It was a business plan and business registration application..

‘Area X redevelopment project plan and business registration application. Let me take a look.’

‘·····There is an empty name in the representative field.?’

Oliver asked, looking at the representative section of the business registration application. There was Forrest's name in the representative column, and there was an empty seat next to it..

‘Because it's your place.’

‘Me?’

‘Yes, you. In order for the redevelopment of Area You were the one who negotiated with the anti-development committee and got permission. Without you, this business is just a fantasy..’

Forest showed us the business plan and explained various things, including the basic funds that could be mobilized..

Even to Oliver, who doesn't know much about business, it seemed quite plausible..

There were many investors who showed interest, and the city's business support department and banks also said they were interested. Enough to support and loan a considerable amount of money..

Well, it was about developing an undeveloped area..

In addition, the CEO's salary and various other privileges were explained..

‘Of course, this may not be that important to you... Do you want to try it??’

Oliver couldn't answer right away. Because I was just trying to find out what the redevelopment of Area X was. I couldn't think of anything more than that..

Well, maybe it’s not that bad. The pay was good, and now that my mind was busy, it didn't seem like a bad idea to divert my attention by doing something else..

However, at the same time, it wasn't very good. I already had enough money, and the work seemed to be more than I thought. I needed something to do in moderation, not too much work..

There was one more thing that bothered me the most.·····.

Oliver suddenly felt that he was truly self-indulgent..

In the end, after much deliberation, Oliver asked Forrest to end the story. He says he needs to check first before making his choice. Forrest gladly accepted this..

“The ship will arrive soon! Be careful!”

The ship's captain, Old Man Noah, shouted to Oliver, who was lost in thought..

This is an old man who took me on a boat when I went to Zone Z last time, and his tone and attitude were softer than the last time..

I wondered if it had something to do with his emotional expectations..

hairy hairy hairy hair.

As it approached Area Y, the ship shook and slowly came to a halt..

Soggy dirt floors and piles of scattered trash. The area around the river in Area Y remained the same as before. It's like time has stopped.

“I really can go alone?”

The ship's captain, Old Man Noah, was worried about Oliver with his characteristic rough attitude..

Oliver answered.

“Yes, it's okay. I came back safely last time too..”

“This place was okay yesterday, but it's not a good place today.······.”

Old Noah looked at Oliver's sobering face and spoke even more worriedly. As if I had something to say.

“I think it will be okay. Thank you for your concern... By any chance, do you have something to say??”

Old Noah hesitated and then opened his mouth with difficulty..

“Well, really... The problem solver can develop Area X.?”

Oliver saw old Noah's emotions. A strange feeling of doubt and anticipation shined through..

“I do not know······. Can I ask why??”

“Well, it's no big deal..”

Noah responded in a blunt yet harsh manner typical of old people. That's why I felt his anticipation even more. Although I doubt it, I still want to believe it..

Oliver said.

“I don't know either.”

“I do not know?”

“yes. So I'm going to ask too..”

Oliver said that and entered Area Y, and old Noah looked at Oliver as if he was possessed by a ghost, then returned to Area X..

He had lived for decades and had seen all kinds of people, but this was the first time he had seen a person like Oliver.······.

When the boat disappeared beyond the wide Shem River, Oliver stopped..

“Would you please come out??”

At Oliver's request, Bartholomew, a senior member of the anti-development committee who had been hiding in the dark, came out..

What kind of trick did he use? Even though he didn't use black magic, he completely melted into the darkness and disappeared..

As soon as he appeared, he swung a quarter staff made of flesh as if to greet him and lightly attacked Oliver, and Oliver also swung his quarter staff in response to his attack..

In the middle of the night, the sound of the wind cutting and the quarter staff hitting each other rang out, and each time the sound rang out, a deep wound appeared on the floor..

How many times have we exchanged attacks like that?.

Bartholomew and Oliver threw their quarter staff towards each other and collided..

━━━!

A roar that is difficult to describe. With that, both sides were pushed back, scraping the ground with their feet..

“Your skills have improved significantly. He is a great man······.”

“Is that so?”

Oliver, who was a bit confused about various things, answered roughly. Maybe it's because of my close combat training in Gallos and my fight with the human meat cook..

“Did you know I would come here??”

“Rather than saying I knew, I was told it would come someday..”

“oh······. Who said that??”

“The Great One spoke.”

“······.”

Oliver was silent. Because he still said something incomprehensible. Bartholomew took advantage of the silence and spoke first..

“Why did you come here??”

Oliver sighed and remembered why he came here. In fact, he still had many things he wanted to ask Basholomew, but since he had many unanswered questions, he decided to postpone asking them for now..

It was my intention to make my head more complicated..

“I have a question to ask... No, I came here to ask for permission..”

“The Great One does not ask our permission.”

“······Do you remember the last time I came?”

“I remember. He came to ask if he could fix a new home for the followers of the Great One..”

Oliver hesitated for a moment. Similar but something very different.

Oliver wanted to correct the statement, but he continued the story instead. There was no end to each correction..

“yes······. I'm not sure whether to do it or not, but would it be okay to redevelop other buildings in District X other than the one I mentioned??”

“Do whatever you want. Great man. As I said in the past, no matter what you do, we won't dare interfere..”

Bartholomew answered without hesitation. I honestly expected him to refuse, but... He accepted it so coolly that it was hard to say anything..

“ah······. Thank you for your kindness... Here, take this. It didn't seem polite to just come, so I brought it with me..”

Oliver handed me the envelope in one hand. It was a bag containing a meat pie and a bottle of wine ordered from Forest Restaurant..

In contrast to his usual solemn demeanor, Bartholomew politely and carefully received the envelope..

“thank you for the gift.”

“No, it's me... can you ask me a question?”

Oliver suddenly said. It was natural. Because the worries he had been keeping in his heart eventually came out..

Bartholomew answered willingly, and Oliver explained the conversation he had with the human meat cook..

I'm just going to summarize the conversation, leaving out anything about the human meat chef..

Bartholomew listened very seriously to the story, and after finishing the story, Oliver asked a question..

“I wonder if he is that great person... Is it related to this story too??”

A sudden, unplanned question. But Oliver felt satisfied. Like exactly scratching an itch. But Bartholomew's answer was otherwise..

“I'm sorry, but as I said in the past, that's not something we lowly people can say..”

Same answer as in the past. But unlike back then, I was a little upset. As if one-dimensional desires such as hunger, tickling, and drowsiness are not resolved..

Oliver asked.

“So when will we find out??”

“You will know when the sky is stained with darkness and the will of God, which you cannot dare to disobey, descends. whether you want it or not.”

Bartholomew gave an unknown answer again. No, it felt more like a prophecy than an answer..