13. Role sharing (1)
“Nutrition?”
asked Oliver, who was walking around with a briefcase.
Rasso nodded.
“Yeah, all this vitality will be processed into nutrients. It’s not always possible to make it as a nutritional supplement, but it’s effective these days to make it as a nutritional supplement.”
Oliver, an outsider in business, didn’t quite understand. Rasso explained more kindly and in detail.
“Do you know who the main customers of nutritional supplements are?”
“no.”
“That’s right, Randa’s wealthy class. Do you know where Landa is?”
Oliver groaned. Well·····. Oh, I heard it once.
When I arrived here in Wineham with Joseph, he told me about Landa once. He said all of Wineham’s factories are moving to Landa.
“I heard it once.”
“okay? So, do you know that Landa is developing rapidly, eating here and the surrounding cities?”
Oliver nodded again.
“In a rapidly developing city, there are a lot of rich people. Although there are more poor people. Anyway, a lot of Landa’s wealthy people are older, fat, and they have a lot of money and little health. So I pay a lot of money to buy nutritional supplements made with vitality. Because life is more important than money.”
Oliver nodded, seemingly understanding.
“So this vitality, like the pilgaret, is one of the main products of our family. Demand continues to rise, so the prospects for this market are bright.”
Rasso is full of confidence like a businessman. Then Peter cautiously intervened and flattered him.
“hahaha, that’s great. If the market outlook is bright, it means that demand is also increasing. The family will be more prosperous.”
They were just arguing to look good, but Rasso took it more seriously than expected.
“right. However, demand cannot increase. We have to increase supply to meet demand.”
“Supply?”
“Yeah, you get a hefty amount of money for a bottle of nutritional supplements, but that’s only when the product is certain. If you lower the quality to increase the quantity, cut the deal like a knife. So you have to be careful.”
“Ah, that’s a big deal.”
“Actually, it’s not that big of a deal.”
“Yes?”
“The point is that we can get the right materials, and given the situation in this city, we are quite hopeful.”
It was ironic. The only streets in the city I’ve seen while coming here are closed shops, factories, and houses exuding poverty, but it’s hopeful.
Rasso continued, as if penetrating the thought.
“I know what you are thinking. The word hopeful would not be appropriate for such a poor city. But, that means you are so immature. Poverty is unexpectedly a boon for warlocks. Tell me. What if all the factories in this city moved to Landa?”
Like a student in a class, Peter answered with some seriousness.
“uh····. Are you going to be poor?”
“right. So, will everyone leave for Randa in search of work? That’s not right. Many will leave, but there will be just as many who remain here. It’s not that easy to go somewhere else. Then we just need to pay some money from those people through a trustworthy broker and get their vitality out. Soon this whole city will become our stuff.”
Then Peter’s eyes lit up.
“It’s a great story. After all, the middle-class disciple is different from the lower-class like us.”
“Actually, I’ve only heard from Andrew-sama. I was just talking about trying to brag. I’m a little embarrassed to say that.”
“no. You are really great.”
“Anyway, this is something that was specially made known only to you, and only you know. It’s not really a secret, but there’s nothing good about knowing a lot.”
‘Special only to you’
Peter smiled slightly at the words. Rasso, who was outstanding among intermediate students, was so happy about him, who served as the chief of the room for many years. In fact, even if it’s a word that doesn’t make any sense at all.
“Now, we are almost here. thank god. Arrived before dinner. But, what’s going on over there?”
Rasso said, looking at the bustling crowd in front of the factory in the distance. There was some clutter, and everyone looked frightened and bewildered.
“Hey, what’s going on?”
Rasso approached and grabbed one of the busy and moving makeshift disciples and asked.
Looking closely, I noticed that the temporary disciple’s overalls had some blood on them.
“Yeah, that attack. I don’t know what it is, but someone has attacked the official disciples.”
***
Meeting room in the basement of the sausage factory.
There, Joseph, the boss of the family, and five of his senior disciples were gathered.
Everyone was in a serious mood, but Joseph was the first to speak.
“report.”
Andrew, who was the best among the senior disciples, answered.
“Yes, Master. Today, while supplying materials, an unidentified man attacked our family. Three of the ten teams were attacked, and two of them were attacked. In all, one low-level student was injured and two died, but fortunately, the middle-level student has no problems.”
Andrew’s voice was relatively bright. In fact, in a way, it made sense.
Low-ranking students can only use black magic, so they are of little use, whereas intermediate-level students were practical troops that could be used in actual battles.
Moreover, the lower-ranking pupils were able to fill the void immediately by selecting them from temporary pupils.
Joseph pondered and opened his mouth.
“How were you attacked?”
“I was beaten in the same way. As I was passing through a sparsely populated street, he suddenly appeared and shot and ran away.”
“Didn’t you catch one?”
“Yeah, they said that if you chase after them, they are already gone. He seems to know the geography of this place, but maybe another family is arguing again?”
The other families were two other warlock organizations here in Weinham.
The Anthony Family of Manipulation and the Dominic Family of Diseases.
In the past, Joseph had disputes with these two families, but after reconciliation through the intervention of a pharmacist, they are now quietly operating in their respective districts.
“As our family continues to grow, isn’t it an attack?”
Joseph shook his head.
“No, this kind of nutritious raid is not their way. You’re annoyed, but you didn’t do any damage, did you? Those guys would have attacked more properly.”
“then····?”
“That I don’t know yet. It is said that all kinds of bugs are running rampant because Landa is noisy… I’m worried. Either catch this annoying bug or pass it on.”
If it was a free time, even considering the status of the family, I should have caught these fearless guys, but now things are not good.
Product delivery date soon. When I thought of a business, I had to pass it on and focus on production.
“For now, let’s focus on production. You can catch bugs later, but that’s not a business.”
A senior disciple raised his hand.
“I don’t think this raid will end with this one, will we be able to focus on production? Moreover, we have not yet received the materials, but if an intermediate student gets hit, there will be a shortage of workers.”
“It is, but…”
When Joseph couldn’t do this or that, Andrew raised his hand. His eyes gleamed as if a good idea had come to him.
“Then, how about entrusting the work of sourcing materials to the lower-level workers and putting the middle-class students into production together with us?”
Everyone’s eyes turned to Andrew.
For the past few years, the supply of materials has been conducted under the guidance of middle-level students and under the assistance of lower-level students, and Andrew’s proposal broke that tradition.
“Why?”
“If we put intermediate students into production rather than sourcing materials right away, we will be able to meet the delivery date faster, and then we will be able to prepare for unexpected situations.”
When Joseph didn’t say anything, Andrew continued to persuade him.
“After listening to some intermediate students, they said that they can extract ingredients to a certain extent. At this point, I don’t think it’s bad to increase the role. More than anything… Even if some of the lower-ranking disciples die, isn’t it a big deal?”
It was too much to say, but no one denied it.
The junior disciples were just slightly better than the temporary ones. The place could be filled at any time.
Then, a senior disciple raised his hand.
“I honestly think it’s fine. But, it takes a little while.”
“What?”
“It’s about emotions, even lower-class disciples can extract it, but they can’t extract the vitality yet, right?”
At that moment, Andrew smiled brightly. It was as if he had been asked the question he had been waiting for.
“If that’s the case, don’t worry. I heard an interesting story from Rasso.”
***
After dinner, everyone had a personal maintenance time.
Usually at this time, each of them rested or hung out with close friends, but the atmosphere was a bit dark, probably because of what happened today.
It wasn’t that strange. Someone was looking for the family.
It was a very humane worry because he did not know that he might become a victim the next day if he was unlucky.
Except for one, Oliver.
“ah····. So I got hurt a lot.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen people shot a few times in my hometown, but it’s been a while here.”
“Oh yeah? But, it is getting out of shape.”
said Oliver, looking at the web Marie had made. Marie sighed and focused again.
“Sorry, I’m sorry.”
“it’s okay. It’s better than the first time.”
The strangely contradictory conversation meant that the two had different interests.
Marie focused on today’s raid, but Oliver consistently focused on black magic. Like a moth that responds only to light.
“Oh yeah····. You are the same.”
“What?”
“no····. Now, how about this?”
Marie said, showing the finished spider web.
It’s noticeably better than before, and it looked more like a real spider’s web than just a form of imitation. It could be said that it was the development of the long family.
“What····. It’s okay.”
Marie smiled at Oliver’s answer. Your efforts have now been paid off… Well, it’s not just my own efforts.
Marie wasn’t an idiot either, so she didn’t know that Oliver’s help was as great as her own efforts.
He was able to achieve this level of achievement because he continued to help me feel the senses, and to correct and improve the wrong parts.
Indeed, it was surprising. The last few days of his help have made Marie more successful than she had worked alone in the past six years. It was really great.
“But, it would be better to do this part.”
Oliver pinched one of Marie’s webs with a finger.
The central axis of the spider’s web was split into five branches and became more complex and sturdy.
“It’s better to do it this way. Do you understand?”
“Oh, yes…. thank you.”
“no. it’s okay. If it’s okay with you, can I borrow it for a while?”
With those words, Oliver took Marie’s feelings back. The model of Marie’s web, which she had barely made, immediately regained stability as soon as it entered Oliver’s hand.
In the past, I was obviously envious and jealous, but now that I keep watching, I don’t feel that way anymore.
Jealousy is only possible with a certain level of difference.
Marie spoke again, looking at Oliver making the web.
“I····. Thank you so much.”
“No, it’s okay. I get some help too.”
“Have you already removed all the letters and numbers?”
It was. Oliver had been learning everything Marie could teach her to write, read, and count at an amazing speed. Nevertheless, he continued to teach Marie.
“ah···. Other than that, it helps too.”
Oliver said with emotion.
“It helps Marie to extract her emotions, so I can practice a little bit.”
Oliver replies by removing the cobweb model and creating a sphere.
“It really doesn’t matter. A small amount is no problem.”
“Oh, I can’t even extract that small amount.”
“·····. Yes?”
“You can make a model by collecting it at your fingertips, but you can’t extract it. When I came here, Master said that my feelings were weaker than others, and I think that’s why.”
“ah····.”
It was the first time Marie had heard of it, but I thought it was just that. What would the temporary disciple know?
“So I had to extract other people’s emotions, and I lived with Marie’s help. Otherwise, it would have been frustrating.”
“·····. speak comfortably. Now you are taller than me.”
“No, respectful words are comfortable.”
Oliver said sincerely.
If someone respectfully said something, he could avoid getting hit. But, apart from that, Marie seemed to regret something.
“Well then, if you want, please feel free to tell me.”
“Yes····.”
A short answer with no emotion. Soon, Oliver didn’t say anything, and concentrated all his attention on the emotions he held in his hands.
“········.”
“········.”
Marie followed Oliver and looked at her emotions, but there was nothing special about it. Except for the slight trembling of the mouth.
Finally, unable to overcome the silence, Marie said.
“How have you been today? You went out to procure materials.”
Oliver replied bluntly. He followed Rasso, and from there he extracted the maternal love of single mothers, and went to a pharmacist to extract the life force of the debtor.
“···. Wait. You pulled out your life force? Oliver?”
Oliver nodded.
“how? You don’t learn to extract life force until you become an intermediate student, right?”
“·····. Did you see me do it?”
Oliver thought for a while before answering. Like answering the question of how to breathe.
It was so natural that I couldn’t explain it, but Marie was worried as well as admiring.
“Hey, Oliver?”
“Yes.”
“Be a little careful.”
“What?”
“It’s the same thing now… I know Oliver is a genius, but it’s dangerous to show your talent too early.”
Oliver then met Marie’s eyes.
“Is it dangerous?”
“Yes····.”
Marie looked around without speaking.
“···. No one knows if the original Oliver’s junior disciple really died of food poisoning.”
When Oliver didn’t understand, Marie said with a frown.
“perhaps-“
――――――Beep !!!!!
Suddenly, a broadcast signal rang out from the factory.
[ah! ah! Oliver. Oliver. Come to the boss’s office right now. broadcast again. Come to the president’s office immediately.]
Oliver stood up. Then he looked at Marie and said.
“I’ll just go.”
“···. Oh yes, have a safe trip.”