221. Partnership proposal (2)
Shortly after Oliver sat across from Sheamus, two plates of thick T-bone steaks were served.
A crispy steak, one from Oliver’s and the other from Seamus.
“Does the steak suit your taste?”
Oliver slowly swallowed the t-bone steak he put in his mouth and answered.
“·······Yes, it is delicious.”
“I’m glad. This is the restaurant’s signature menu. It’s delicious, so I’ve been eating it for the 20th time.”
Sheamus pointed to the plate stacked like a tower next to him. I even chewed a T-bone steak to the bone.
Oops.
The hard bones were crushed like candy, whether or not the bite force was normal.
“Are druids good at eating?”
“normally? We are both physically and mentally trained and need lots of nutrients. Plus, most of them grew up starving when they were young, so there was a limit to what they could eat.”
“You grew up starving?”
“Oh, you don’t know? Most druids were sold because they were poor. Meditation is difficult, but since you have to cut ties with the world, who would want to do it?”
“I saw it for the first time today.”
“I have a lot to learn.”
Sheamus ended his speech like that, but it seemed that he was aiming for something. It’s like asking a question… Oliver gladly agreed.
“Is this the case with Sheamus-sama?”
“me? Of course, I can’t even remember the faces of my parents, but I do remember that it was sold.”
Sheamus tapped his temple with his characteristic exaggerated manner. With him, he looked at Oliver’s complexion.
“What·····. It’s not that I don’t understand the feelings of my parents, because Greenland, despite its name, is a barren and poor neighborhood, so offering children to druids is not uncommon. Thanks to you, I have become so rich, so I have no resentment.”
“Then, will all those sold out become druids?”
“Well·····. Conversely, ask If you train, will you all become warlocks?”
“Well····. no.”
“That’s right. Being a druid is hard. You can only be a part of the talented. There are times when there aren’t even one in a year.”
“okay·····.”
“I know nothing about druids. It’s not weird, but it’s weird. If you worked as a solver, you would have met him at least once. There are a lot of guys like me these days.”
“I met him for about a minute. However, I couldn’t ask because the timing wasn’t right.”
“Oh, who are you? It would be a pleasure to be in Landa. Do you know your name?”
“Mr. Scott.”
“Well···. That’s a name I don’t know. Do you know what you are doing now? As a druid, I want to see you.”
“It’s dead.”
“Oh yeah····? to whom He’d be a single guy enough to kill a druid.”
“For me.”
“········.”
“It’s complicated to explain, but while we were working together, we didn’t get along…. Were you offended?”
“discomfort? Not at all. It is right for the weak to die. Rather, isn’t it bad to jump into this floor without such determination?”
Seamus answered falsely. He hid his emotions with a magic item, but Oliver could see.
“Thank you for your understanding. By the way, can I ask what the business story is?”
“Eh? Is this right? You say you know the joy of conversation, but you’re already trying to move on to work without fun? Or am I unattractive?”
Seamus gave a blatant disappointment.
To be honest, he wasn’t wrong.
Oliver enjoyed the conversation. Seriously.
In the process of talking with others, I learned new facts, confirmed each other’s differences of opinion, and really enjoyed the whole process of exchanging opinions.
However, in the case of Sheamus, it was different.
He seemed to be having a conversation with Oliver, but in reality it was the other way around.
He mixes lies with meaningless sincerity, trying to figure out Oliver, but he doesn’t talk.
So Oliver tried to get straight to the point. Because there will be sincerity.
“sorry. However, I’m curious as to what kind of business Seamus-sama is going to discuss with me… I know nothing about business.”
“Oh my God, spirits…. You have talent, but you don’t realize it at all. Is there anything more sad than this? Are you already doing it?”
“Yes?”
“A warlock training project.”
“Training Warlocks…? Oh, are you talking about the fighter crew?”
“Yeah, I saw the fight yesterday. Was it great? I mean seriously. Just in case, I’m not a talker about this.”
It was sincere.
“Thank you for the compliment. But, how did you see it? Nearby… Oh, you saw it through the World Tree.”
Oliver recalled a story he had heard from Gordon in the past.
According to Gordon, Sheamus can handle animism, natural communication, hand prints, and even world trees.
And it was correct.
“Five····! You’re smart in the unexpected part of a silly subject. Are you correcting what you saw as the world tree? awesome.”
“Last time I heard that you were dealing with a world tree. Thank you for the compliment.”
“It’s not a compliment. I was just stating the facts. Ordinary people don’t even know what a world tree is, and very few people even know how to solve it. Only those who can independently see the plates know about the World Tree.”
“Is that so?”
“No way. Only those who know how to think know the power of the World Tree… I’m curious, how did you find out about the world tree? Do warlocks teach the world tree these days?”
“I read it in a book by chance.”
“From the book? by chance?”
“Yes, I bought a few at a used bookstore.”
“That’s amazing. There are books about the world tree in used bookstores… But you’re not lying, so let’s just move on.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Anyway, the point is that I have verified your abilities. The Fighter Crew made those mutts into useful fighting dogs… awesome.”
“It is thanks to the hard work of the fighter crew.”
“But teaching is meaningless if you’re an asshole. First of all, I will apologize.”
“Yes? What are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you offer to come under me at the auction house last time? I apologize for that. I think I don’t know your skills and treat you so rudely.”
“No, I don’t feel bad at all.”
“Then I’m happy. I’m the kind of person who thinks talented people deserve to be treated the way they should, especially you.”
“Me?”
“okay. It may sound strange, but you look like me.”
“is that so?”
“You came to Landaro alone and made your reputation as a solver after a year, didn’t you? He had a rich lover like me.”
“?? I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you mean?”
“Jane…you have that old-fashioned daughter. was it Jane? Aren’t you a lover?”
“Not at all.”
“ah····. Or not, you look like me anyway. He’s a warlock, but he’s as capable as I am. Also, being a warlock, he must have had an unhappy childhood as much as me. Objectively and emotionally, you are very attractive… So I want to propose a partnership.”
“What kind of partnership is it?”
“It’s like a mercenary business. You train a warlock and sell it.”
Oliver pondered for a moment.
“…is that possible?”
“If only I could… There are plenty of third-rate warlocks who want education and jobs, and there are plenty of people who want force. Not to mention this city, and outside of this city as well… I don’t think that the mercenaries and superhumans overflowing with Landa are the only ones working here.”
“Honestly, I just found out about it today.”
“I really have a lot to learn… but it’s ok I will teach you while working with me. How the world works, how to gather money and power, and how to live with that money and power… It’s a promising business, so in a year or two, you’ll be able to buy a building in an upper-class residence?”
Seamus said with sincerity. To some extent that is.
“Well····. Can I be honest?”
“of course. But, I guess that line is the line you say when you say no?”
“Thank you for appreciating me and for making this suggestion… I honestly want to say no.”
“Hmmm…. I want to ask you why.”
“I don’t really like being part of an organization.”
“I am not asking you to come under me. Let’s do business together.”
“But joining Sheamus-sama’s organization is the same.”
When Oliver pinpointed it, Sheamus was speechless for a moment.
It seemed fierce and sharp, and it seemed weak and determined.
“I don’t understand. Usually fixers find a stable job as soon as their name is announced.”
“I do not know. Because everyone has a different opinion, right? Even though Sheamus had better options than the crime perm, didn’t he reject them all and come to the crime perm?”
hahahaha!! Seamus laughed out loud.
“Oh, did you hear that story?”
“Yes.”
“But, it was in vain. Do you think I came to the crime perm without a second thought? I set a specific goal, made a plan, and joined the crime firm. I don’t want to end the rest of my life running errands for others.”
“Was your goal to set up a business?”
“To be precise, the goal is to gain wealth and power. Solver Work and business are means. Unless you’re a pervert, who likes to run other people’s errands for a few bucks? Are you that pervert?”
Seamus asked a question, and Oliver thought seriously. To know if he is a pervert or not.
Come to think of it, Oliver thought deeply about why he was working as a solver.
Lately, my job as a solver was to meet a lot of people and broaden my knowledge, but before that, it was to use the black market.
‘But why did you try to use the black market?’
Thinking of something that seemed old, yet not so long ago, Oliver found the underlying cause before long.
The reason why he left the Joseph family and became a solver.
“It was to learn about the beautiful light.”
“Beautiful light? what is that?”
“It’s an emotion. It’s a bit of a special feeling.”
“emotion? Ahh····. After all, warlocks use emotions as raw materials. Since you can see the special emotion in your mouth, isn’t it something you can easily see?”
“Yes. I was hoping to see it in the black market, but it wasn’t there.”
“Then, it must be an even more difficult feeling. The more you do, the stronger you need to be.”
Sheamus convinces Oliver once more. Oliver followed him for a moment.
“Should I?”
“Then, it seems that you don’t know the world yet, but the more valuable it is, the more powerful it can be. Good cars, good houses, good drinks, good girls. It’s all the same thing.”
“ah····. okay.”
“If I quit my job as a problem solver and develop my strength in earnest, it will be much easier to find, right? You’ll have money and power, and you’ll have subordinates, so you can make them work… If you want, I can help too.”
Sheamus spoke with sincerity, so that Oliver could read his heart.
For him, the business itself was not very important.
He wanted to keep Oliver under his influence rather than the business.
“Well····. It makes sense, but I politely decline nonetheless. I don’t want to rush.”
“like····. Don’t you think you’re so desperate?”
“No, I am desperate…. However, there are many more interesting things in the world. I want to take a look around.”
Sheamus clenched his chin as if he had made up his mind.
“okay·····? Then there’s nothing wrong with that. Because I can’t force it anymore. I’ve done everything I need to do, so if you want to leave, you can go.”
At Seamus’ words, Oliver stood up. On the way out, I stared at one side of the restaurant.
“The meal was delicious. Mr. Seamus. thank you for the invitation.”
“Thank you for coming this way. It didn’t make sense, but I hope you’re doing well in the future. I hope you can help me with my work later.”
“I will tell Forrest.”
“Forrest? Ahh····. Hey, can I give you a piece of advice in the sense of being friendly?”
“Advice?”
“Yeah, don’t trust the middleman too much. They say that they are the solver’s friends, business partners, and even if they share a profit, they are pumpkin seeds behind the scenes. Especially with Forrest.”
***
After the warlock Dave left, Sheamus was left alone on the second floor of the restaurant ＜Cornucopia＞.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
No, strictly speaking, it seemed that Sheamus was the only one left.“president. Are you okay?”
Something shook in the corner of the store, and then a person appeared.
A druid who hid himself with a protective magic, he was a subordinate of Sheamus.
Ajajak! Ajajak!
Seamus answered, chewing on a T-bone steak.
He was originally a good eater, but when he was annoyed or deep in thought, he ate more than usual.
“Honestly, it’s not very good… I don’t know how many times I’ve been kicked.”
Sheamus giggled when he said that, but his subordinates could see how angry Sheamus was.
He always smiled like an idiot, but in fact, it wasn’t much different from a predator lowering his body before hunting.
Otherwise, how could you have gotten to this point?
“Are you going to chase after me now?”
A subordinate asked Sheamus. In fact, many of Sheamus’ men were lined up in the store to pick up the collar.
All of them made a name for themselves in Landa, and they were those who succumbed to the wealth or power of Sheamus.
“Well······. no. done. He’s not the kind of guy to be taken lightly.”
“Is that so?”
“uh. That cute little bastard, I thought you were there. My eyes stopped for a moment.”
“Maybe? The protective shading was perfect. Plus, I wore magic items that hide my emotions.”
“But, I noticed. I don’t know what kind of talent he had. Of course, it’s not impossible to catch it, but you can’t be so blatant about it while you’re on a crime perm mission. Isn’t that manners?”
Sheamus said it as a joke, but in fact, it was a conclusion made by combining the numbers of many cases.
His relationship with the crime pump went beyond estrangement and came to a stage where he secretly checked it, but that still couldn’t stop him from doing anything.
The influence of the crime perm was still needed.
Until enjoyment takes root in the world.
“How was that? What about the fighter crew idiots on the first floor?”
“I tried to argue with the boss, but there was no response.”
“really?”
“Yeah, I thought I would be easily provoked because they were down alleys with no genealogy. They just quietly ate and left. The military is pretty well captured.”
“under·····. Really, I hate it.”
Sheamus said it with the most sincerity of what he said today.
When I first saw Dave, I thought he was just one of the many dark horses in Randa, but it wasn’t at all.
It was much more complicated than that.
It’s not enough to negotiate with the crime firm on your own, to raise a fighter crew that was only at the level of a neighborhood idiot that much. Even holding the military.
It wasn’t the ability to do just by counting power. I don’t need more than that. That’s right, leadership skills.
“Isn’t the boss taking it too seriously? Dave didn’t bring anything with this incident.”
“So I’m more concerned.”
“Yes?”
“Fighter Crew, Crime Firm. The guy who reconciled the two organizations and even built a relationship didn’t get anything. Doesn’t it make sense intuitively? If we had just talked about it, we would have been able to take care of it a little bit.”
“then····?”
“It’s one of the two. Either he’s a really smart guy doing some tricks behind his back, or he’s a really ignorant idiot… If possible, I wish it was the former.”
“Aren’t you stupid?”
“Uh, if you’re a smart guy, after all, it’s predictable. Because I have a purpose. But fools are unpredictable. because there is no goal It’s chaos.”
The subordinate thought for a moment, groaning, then shook his head.
“Well····. It’s a very difficult word for a jogger like me to understand. Either way, shouldn’t it be done as soon as possible? If a group of armed forces that are that hardened like that comes under the control of a crime perm, it will be difficult to hold and shake.”
Sheamus did not deny it.
He was the one who had the most fun using the organizational structure of the crime firm, which seems efficient at first glance, but is actually very vulnerable.
“Oh, no. don’t say no I still have a lot to eat… Can we still use the pipeline we obtained last time?”
“Are you talking about area Y?”
“Yeah, get in touch with the anti-development committee through them.”
“What shall I put?”
“Dare you just leave the warlock banged up in Sector Y? If you give me a little bit of money, will I get a response right away?”