168. Farewell (1)
City official Paul Carver.
What he said seemed to be true.
There is a system in the world, and the world rolls according to that system.
From a small cafe to a gigantic world, the basic principles were in line with it.
At first, Oliver vaguely understood the words, but as time passed, the meaning of the words came to light.
After going to the small town of Beauertong near Landa, meeting and negotiating with Wallace, in the process, he heard that the heir of the royal family was making a deal with the devil, but nothing had changed in the world.
As usual, the sun was rising and setting, and the city was just rolling.
like a machine.
And it was the same with Oliver, who lives in the city.
After completing his out-of-town mission, Oliver began his job of catching prison breakers who escaped from prison.
It was a bit of a letdown, but there were so many prisoners who escaped in the process of breaking down the prison, so it was still an emergency system.
Oliver, who did the big deal, could rest if he wanted to, but decided to just make money.
It was because there was nothing to do because the gray market and the black market were closed while the police and the city defense force were all over the city trying to catch jailbreakers.
Fortunately, it was relatively easy to catch a jailbreak.
The administration of Landa Prison was well managed, and Oliver had only to receive and track down the hair and blood of the prisoners held there.
If you give a minion a sensitive nose, you can easily find it most of the time, so you can catch at least one or two a day, sometimes five to seven.
Most of them were miscellaneous criminals, so the amount wasn’t very high, but it was quite salty because there were a lot of numbers.
To the extent that I thought it wouldn’t be bad if the prison was raided on a regular basis.
Of course, there were times when we encountered dangerous heinous criminals.
Insanity mercenary wielding double axes,
A manipulation-type warlock who established a foundation in the sewers,
Turn eight banks, enjoyment druid and so on.
They received a bounty five to ten times higher than that of other escapees, and Oliver caught any clans he encountered.
smart-
“Can I come in?”
Forest restaurant basement office. Oliver asked.
When permission was granted to come in, Oliver opened the door and went inside.
Inside the office, I could see Forrest wrestling with the ledger.
“Are you here?”
“Yes, you look very busy.”
“Are you busy these days?”
Oliver nodded.
All the solvers were busy catching the jailbreak, and the brokers who deal with the solvers were naturally busy.
In particular, it was not a big one, but a lot of small ones, so it took a lot of work.
“Well, I have no intention of complaining about that. Whatever it is, I can keep getting commissions. Better than no work.”
Forrest spoke like a floor pro.
In fact, even though he looked tired, his working hands didn’t move.
“I’ve felt it before, but you must be very busy with the restaurant work as well.”
“There is no big problem since the employees are taking care of the small things. I only need to see and listen to the part where money goes in the middle and make a decision. Wait a minute.”
Forrest finished writing the book he was writing, got up and took a briefcase from the back of the desk.
“This is the payoff here. Because we caught 20 people at once, the amount is a bit high this time.”
“Thanks to Mr. Murphy.”
“Murphy?”
“Yeah, I asked for help because I was worried about jail breakers set up near the site I looked at. All the bounties told me to go.”
“It’s like free cleaning. A friend who makes a lot of money.”
That was true. While Oliver was doing one or the other, everyone else was living their own life.
Arthur moved from the solver to the city (city) in effect,
In the case of Murphy, it succeeded in merging with the Hoffman Transportation Company and successfully verticalized its business, which resulted in tremendous growth.
Did you say that you have moved to the next level in the T area?
Anyway, everyone was really excited.
“We supported the manpower and provided information about the surrounding area, so that’s enough.”
Forrest sighed slightly at Oliver’s words.
It was not a very good attitude for a solver who worked with his life as collateral.
Well, I didn’t even mean to ask.
I already knew Oliver’s personality, so I knew that giving advice was useless, and above all, I didn’t hate that bizarre attitude.
That loose attitude, which is hard to find on this floor, ironically gave me strange trust.
In fact, some customers in the front section of Alphabet, which are famous for being picky, send a request.
Of course, there are people who want to eat at a cheap price, but that was what Forrest had to filter…
“Forrest?”
“Well?”
said Oliver with the cash in his gluttonous bag.
“If it’s okay, can I just get up and take a look?”
“ah···. Wait a minute. Can I ask you a few questions if that’s okay with you?”
“yes.”
“I think the emergency will end soon. After the prison raid, everyone worked hard day and night until now, so it’s no wonder… I missed the humans who splattered out of the city or into the X and Y areas. It turns out to be unavoidable.”
“Yes.”
“Then, things will come again. Most of the orders were not available due to an emergency. It’s kind of peak season. Are you planning to go to work right away?”
Hmm·····. Oliver thought for a moment.
“I do not know. I have a personal business, so I want to take a little break.”
“Good luck.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yeah, originally, you would have thought of rolling your own as much as possible and taking the commission, but these days, the situation is changing, so you have to buy yourself.”
“Isn’t it a city state?”
“They say that a major crackdown on the Parterans is going to start soon.”
Oh, I remembered. A strange power was sensed in the icy land, and there was an uproar in the Pater Church.
I thought it was just a word, but I guess it wasn’t.
“So I think it would be better to take a break for a while. Of course, the city will protect you, so it’s not a big deal, but you don’t have to go out when it rains.”
“Yes.”
“Then why don’t we get things started again when the crackdown is over? In the meantime, you can rest well, and I’ll find a decent job.”
“Yes, I understand. We will follow the word.”
“Good. Well then, let’s go It was a lot of work.”
***
After collecting the reward, Oliver came out of the restaurant.
Right away, I went home, and on the way I stopped by a general store and bought a copy of each newspaper.
“It’s a good choice. There were a lot of interesting articles about the city. Thanks to this, it sells two or three times better than usual. Are you happy?”
I don’t know if it’s fortunate or not, but what the general store owner said wasn’t a lie.
When I returned home and read the newspaper, I saw many interesting articles.
Reports of damage in the city caused by jail breakers, brave police working hard to solve it.
Thousands of people have talked about it and even published editorials.
Some luxuries and city councilors analyzed this problem and came up with solutions, arguing that the police department should be strengthened, saying that the prisoners were treated too well, and that a contaminated area should be developed and a prison should be built there.
It was really fun.
All of this is a kind of groundwork for the completion of the city’s project.
It was even admirable to use the prison gun in this way.
“What’s so fun?”
“What can I say? It’s fun to see sketches that other people can’t see. old man.”
A third voice suddenly interrupted. Oliver calmly turned his head and answered, not panicking.
Merlin was standing there.
“I’m not surprised.”
“I have not forgotten that the person who sent me here using the portal was an elderly person. I thought it wouldn’t be strange when you showed up.”
“Have you not heard that you are not funny?”
“How did you know?”
“Let’s call it an old man’s insight. Excuse me for a second.”
With those words, Merlin took Oliver’s newspaper and read it.
“Well····. What are you trying to do in the city? I saw you peeling the ground rice here and there… Are you planning on setting up an armed force to keep the wizards in check?”
“·····!”
“Oh, looking at the reaction, it looks like you know something. After all, a competent solver naturally encounters such a thing.”
“May I ask how did you know?”
“Let’s call it an old man’s insight. You can see the whole picture just by looking at the puzzle.”
“Five····. You are amazing.”
“No, that’s a lie. do you believe that When it comes to me, a lot of information comes in from here and there. You can hear it and predict it.”
“········.”
“Don’t look at me like that. Trying to get hurt It is the basis of magic.”
“Are you lying?”
“no····. That’s right, but no. It’s directing.”
“Directing?”
“Yeah, pretending to be wise, pretending to be great. This is the basis of magic. Most people admire this, and they don’t even dare to fight it.”
Well·····. It didn’t sound so wrong. It’s directing.
“Are you here to teach me?”
“Do I look so lazy? I’m here for something else.”
“Something else?”
“Yeah, we’ve got a place for Rothburn and the kids.”
***
Rothver and the other children, who escaped from Mattel, are staying in a branch owned by the Elemental School.
Being in Landa could be rather dangerous, so we decided to send him to a remote area where there are few people, and the children all agreed.
“Well, there are some that don’t have a choice. They are children, but they all know their plight.”
Merlin said as he walked down the hall of the mansion.
“okay.”
“You are cool. Aren’t you pitiful?”
“I’m sorry, but there’s nothing wrong with that.”
At Oliver’s reply, Merlin grinned. It was a pity that I couldn’t read his feelings.
“There the children will be trained in magic.”
“Magic?”
“Yeah, Mattel’s body was remodeled into a body that could contain and operate magic. I don’t know how far it will go, but I’m thinking of training it first. That would be better than standing still.”
“okay. But why do I…?”
“Before I left, I politely asked that I want to meet you. He said he wanted to say thank you.”
“·················ogue.”
Oliver didn’t say anything. Because I had nothing to say.
It wasn’t something I wanted to say thank you in the first place.
Merlin gave advice in a serious voice, as if he had noticed that thought.
“These kids are going to be tough. really.”
“yes?”
“I am old. Usually, the average kids get their basic education around the age of seven. Considering that, it’s pretty late. Specifically, Rothburn was 15, twice as late. It was my ability to put it in there, but it is up to the kids to survive there.”
“········.”
“So, give me some advice. Those children are Janelle… You seem to admire it.”
“Are you?”
“Yes, it is you.”
Oliver frowned. I knew the word longing, but I didn’t think it was related to me.
“It’s strange.”
“i think so too. But, still hang out. In a hard life, sometimes a lie is necessary.”
It was incomprehensible, but Merlin’s voice was so serious that Oliver had no choice but to nod his head. I need a lie…
Then he entered a room.
It was presumed that children were in the room.
There were five beds, and the children sat in front of them with their luggage.
“ah·····!”
All the children saw Oliver.
All the bright lights of joy, longing, gratitude, worship, and favor shone.
Oliver couldn’t say anything because of the light, and the children stood up and wiggled their fingers impatiently, too, unable to say anything.
awkward silence.
Then Rothburn, desperately courageous, approached Oliver.
It was similar to when I first asked him to teach me letters.
“I, that teacher.”
“Yes, Rothburn.”
“Go, thank you. Thanks to you, I got a place to stay. He said you can learn magic too.”
In line with those words, the other children cautiously approached and greeted me.
“thank you.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you very much.”
“thank···. do.”
Oliver was silent, not knowing what to say. this kind of thing… It was difficult.
Once again, I realized that I was stupid. I don’t know what to say in this situation.
Oliver desperately shook his head.
“·····Well, hey, can I speak comfortably? Because I don’t know this.”
Rothburn, who was standing nervously, answered.
“····Yes.”
“Everyone seems to be afraid of something right now. Can you tell me what’s scary?”
The children did not deny it. While everyone was hesitating, Rothburn spoke as the representative.
“Hey, can we fit in there? that, so Can we really become wizards?”
“I do not know? I don’t know that either… But I can tell you one thing.”
“·····.”
“I also entered the Warlock’s apprenticeship when I was Rothburn. Master, so. That’s when I met my master.”
“I, really?”
“yes. So Rothburn and others can become wizards as they do.”
It wasn’t a very logical statement, but luckily it seemed to work. The fear that had dominated the children’s mind was lifted a little.
Except for Rossburn. He looked for hope, and then again fell into despair.
“However·····.”
“Please speak at ease. I want to hear from you.”
“Ha, but. Are you a great teacher? On the other hand, I am nothing.”
“Is it nothing?”
“Literally. I saw it in a book here. Magic requires talent. I don’t have the talent.”
“If you don’t check it, you won’t know, right?”
“…But, compared to my former teacher, I will definitely be lacking. Not only talent, but courage and wisdom. But can I do it?”
“What are you talking about? Don’t you have the courage?”
“····??”
“Rossburn, do you remember when Rothburn came up to me and asked me to teach you to write?”
“····Yes.”
“Then you were brave. than me This is sincere.”
“·················ogue.”
“I couldn’t. I was able to become a disciple of the Warlock, not because I was brave, but because I was lucky.”
Oliver said sincerely. At the time when Joseph was chosen, if at least one person with a talent for black magic appeared, Oliver would not have been chosen and would still be in the mines.
Rothburn asked in a shaky voice.
“····really?”
“Yeah, again, I was just lucky. By comparison, you are braver than me. I didn’t have the courage to speak first.”
Oliver took his eyes off Rothburn and looked at the other children.
“So are you. As soon as you came out, you took care of each other. I don’t try to run away alone or cry… At least I think that’s courage.”
The children were silent and listened to Oliver.
said Oliver, looking at Rothburn 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. Rothburn. But, I think you are braver than me. The speed of learning to write was also fast. You are smart.”
“… is it really me?”
“Yes. So, I believe that if you do what you are doing, you will be able to adapt well enough.”
Rothburn shut her mouth at those words and bowed her head.
“Can I ask you one more question?”
“Please speak. I have come to listen.”
“I am angry. to Mattel. I want revenge. But, revenge is bad, right? What should I do?”
He brought out the anger and hatred he had hidden so deeply in Rothburn’s emotions. He revealed the emotions he had been forcing himself to survive in front of Oliver.
“I want to give it back. I want to return the horror of that time to all of them… I always try to forget, but it doesn’t work. What should I do?”
Rothburn longs for an answer. Oliver thought for a moment before answering.
“Do whatever you want. If you really can’t forgive me.”
“…is that okay?”
“Yes, Rothburn . . . I don’t know about that. Anger, forgiveness, something like that. That’s why I can’t give you a good answer to sympathize with Rothburn.”
“·················ogue.”
“And now you know, my job is to be a solver. They also kill people if necessary. How dare I tell you to forgive me? that···. Not quite.”
Rothburn’s feelings gradually turned to anger and hatred.
“But Rothburn.”
“…?”
“As far as I know, it will be very difficult for Rothburn to build up his strength and take revenge. The world is a huge machine, and we don’t tolerate anyone trying to break it.”
“····does not matter.”
“Then it’s fine. But you will have to dedicate your hard-earned knowledge and strength to fighting for the rest of your life. Did you learn to write to me to fight?”
“·················ogue.”
“It is not forced. However, I want to know. When you told me you wanted to learn to write, what did you think and what was your goal? At least I don’t think it was because of the fight.”
“················ogue.”
“Say it again. I have no intention of stopping you even if you get revenge. That’s your right. But if you give up on revenge and pursue the goal you originally dreamed of, um… We will help you again when you need it.”