272. ABC (2)
“················ There is a superficial reason, and the scale of the fraud is too large. The very existence of Landa would be jeopardized if it was left alone on this scale.”
Carver said with the utmost sincerity.
But apart from that, Oliver didn’t understand.
What is the relationship between an individual’s morale and Landa’s survival?
“Landa’s freedom is not free. I think I mentioned it when I was entrusted with out-of-town missions in the past, but there are always those who are aiming for Landa.”
“ah······. Are you talking about the Central Assembly and the Royal Family?”
“Yes that’s right. They pretend they care about Landa’s safety just because the prison has been raided, and they want to interfere with the freedom of this place. The truth is, the wealth here is only coveted. In the meantime, what do you think will happen if a businessman causes enormous damage not only to Landa but also to Seland?”
“ah······.”
Oliver exclaimed.
I wasn’t very good at this kind of thing, but I could expect it to give the best excuse.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
No matter how you feel, it’s true that you’ve actually suffered damage.“That’s right. Probably to the point of questioning Landa’s status as a free city. It causes great damage to the country through negligent operation.”
“If it actually happens, isn’t it true to some extent?”
Oliver asked without thinking.
Perhaps it was an unexpected question, Carver looked perplexed and said nothing.
Forrest, who was watching the situation, intervened.
“It’s not quite wrong.”
“······················· background I am embarrassed that Mr. Forrest said such things.”
“I admit it. I am a broker. More than anyone else, I am a person who makes a living thanks to Randa’s freedom. However, if I don’t say my thoughts, wouldn’t this also be against Randa’s freedom?”
Hearing Forrest’s answer, Carver grinned. It didn’t seem too bad.
“············Yes, I admit. This time we made a big mistake. It is true that the city of Landa was corrupt, but at the same time it was a capable group, because some made foolish choices. But wouldn’t it be unfair to say that all the hard work you’ve accumulated over the years just goes to waste? To put it bluntly, the royal family or the Central Assembly are not cleaner than us.”
“That’s also true.”
said Forrest, looking at Oliver. It was sincere.
Upon hearing the answer, Oliver spoke to Carver to clear up the misunderstanding.
“Well, I didn’t mean to ask.”
“Then, I’m glad… Somehow, the story has come a long way, but the point is that we want Dave to help for Landa’s well-being and survival.”
When Oliver was about to answer, Forrest politely raised his hand and asked if he could speak first.
Oliver was willing to do so.
“Mr. Carver, may I ask you a few questions?”
“Say anything. Since the situation is the situation, I will answer it with all my heart and sincerity as long as I can answer it.”
“You said there are city councilors and civil servants who get paid by Seamus, so then, this task is not the decision of the city of Landa.”
“You got it right. With the support of other councilors who are opposed to the councilor bought by Seamus, I am carrying a gun.”
“Are you going, Carver? Not the Ministry of Home Affairs?”
“Yeah, the minister said you couldn’t put the whole Ministry of Home Affairs at risk. If you want to proceed, he told me to carry a gun and proceed alone.”
“It sounds very dangerous.”
“It’s really dangerous. If I fail, my career will go beyond blemishes and shatter. Probably, after being kicked out, you should share a goodbye kiss with the civil servant pension that you have been saving hard for. Well, it doesn’t matter that I’ll be killed before then.”
Oliver, who was listening quietly, asked.
“Are you being killed? Who are you talking to?”
“To Seamus or the high-ranking people who were filming me. That’s what it means to stand up against those who have money and power in this city.”
Contrary to his calm attitude, the words themselves were sincere. Now, Carver was willing to die and go ahead with this.
“Why are you taking such a risk?”
Oliver asked a question, not understanding.
As Carver said, Sheamus may be trying to cheat to threaten Landa’s very existence, but it may not be.
Even if you were trying to cheat, it was much safer to stay still.
Still, I couldn’t understand why it was taking risks.
Carver replied bluntly.
“I love Randa. This city.”
Sincerity. Oliver asked again.
“Why?”
“It’s a perfectly equal and free city. Oh, of course, the meaning of the words can vary, but at least for me. There are no nobles who were born with the greatest achievement, and there is no need to wave a small united flag and say something like Long live Her Majesty the Queen. Each acts according to his/her own will and ability, and is treated accordingly. What could be more right than this?”
These words were also sincere. I felt a belief rather than a simple sincerity.
It was a pretty light.
“That’s why I don’t like people who want to harm this city. That’s why I took the risk and carried the gun… Of course, if things go well, it helps me get a promotion, so I do that.”
all sincere. Everything Carver said was sincere.
After receiving enough answers, Oliver transferred the initiative of the conversation to Forrest again. He continued the conversation naturally.
“Thanks for the candid reply. As a Landa person, I am very proud and grateful.”
“Well then, I’m happy.”
“But apart from that, the former broker. I exclude personal feelings toward the client and get the job only with the possibility of success and pay.”
“I understand.”
“Even with the passive support of city councilors and the tacit consent of the Secretary of the Interior, I understood that this was ostensibly driven by Mr. Carver’s arbitrariness. Is there anything wrong with it?”
“No, you got it right.”
“Then the resources available to Mr. Carver will be limited. Can you pay us a fee commensurate with the size of the quest?”
“I am going to try to fit in as best as I can. However, since the size of the job is the size, I want to pay the compensation after the job is finished.”
“If it’s after work… You’re talking about success. No upfront fees.”
“It’s true that you can’t give money.”
Carver answered, and Forrest made a determined expression. was a doctor of refusal.
Even so, it was an absurd condition.
“Mr. Carver… Don’t you know that it’s difficult to get a job without an advance payment? The bigger the job, the bigger the risk, the more appropriate conditions should be given.”
“Is it very dangerous?”
Oliver intervened and asked. Forrest responded kindly even though they were negotiating.
“Of course. Although retired, Seamus is a living legend at the bottom of the solver, and now he is a boss with numerous subordinates. Not only druids, but also wizards and warlocks… There are even rumors of collusion with the anti-development committee in Zone Z.”
“If it’s the anti-development committee…?”
“They attacked us. I haven’t checked what Sheamus ordered yet.”
He said he didn’t know, but Forrest was certain to some extent.
I didn’t understand. Why did you attack yourself?
“You seem to be talking about something serious, can I say a word?”
Despite Carver’s unfavorable situation, he calmly opened his mouth. It was strangely persuasive and calming.
“First of all, let me admit that the conditions I put forward make no sense. Mr. Forrest is not the type of person who can handle this kind of pressure, and Mr. Dave is not in a position to accept these terms.”
Carver paused for a moment before opening his mouth again.
“But I also want you to understand my situation. To put it bluntly, the advance money I can mobilize right now is at most 120 million won, but compared to the size of the work, isn’t it as good as not receiving anything?”
“That’s true, but can’t we just not get it?”
“I’m not talking about not paying. However, they want to pay in a different way. To Dave.”
Carver looked at Forrest, then turned his head to Oliver.
“For me?”
“Yes, accepting the mission is entirely up to Mr. Dave.”
“Well······. I also like money.”
“Is that so? The last time we talked, didn’t you say that the reason you worked as a problem solver was to know the world?”
It was true. After completing an out-of-town mission, Oliver met and chatted with Carver at a cafe, and had one of these conversations.
Carver continued.
“To be honest, I thought it was bullshit. I was just asking a question to open my mind, but to hear such an answer… But somehow it doesn’t sound like a lie.”
“I am not lying.”
“So that’s why I’m offering this condition. It sounds like I’m being ostentatious, but I’m smart and I have a lot of knowledge in my own way. After graduating from a prestigious university and enlisting in the military, I immediately came to Landa and worked. I rode the so-called elite course.”
“Awesome.”
“If Dave has any questions, I will answer them for the rest of my life.”
“Yes?”
“Economics, society, politics, diplomacy, military, etc. To the best of my knowledge or even if there is something I don’t know, I will seek advice from those around me and try to satisfy Dave’s curiosity.”
Forrest, who was listening to the story next to him, widened his eyes.
Because it was a proposal that went far beyond expectations.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
No wonder it made no sense in common sense to offer such conditions to a solver who lives in the dark with violence.The problem was that Oliver was also not common sense.
“Ho-oh…. That’s interesting.”
A story that would not have worked if it had been any other solver was eaten by Oliver.
Paradoxically, it was a part of how hard Carver was trying to convince Oliver.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Negotiation is like building blocks, so there should be no mistakes as much as being good at it, but offering these conditions was a kind of gamble, and the gamble was a success.Of course, there was one more person to persuade, so I offered more suitable conditions.
“In addition to that, I will maintain friendly relations with Mr. Forrest and Mr. Dave as long as I remain in the civil service.”
“If it’s a friendly relationship…?”
“I will maintain a good relationship with you on the premise that my circumstances are good and that there is no harm to Landa. It’s kind of like giving advice or looking for information.”
Forrest responded. It didn’t seem like much, but it was a pretty good deal. It’s a connection with a civil servant belonging to the city’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
Forrest didn’t show anything and opened his mouth.
“It’s an ambiguous condition.”
“Isn’t it a scam if I said that I would do this strangely?”
Forrest did not deny that.
It seemed like a trivial condition, but it was the maximum condition that Carver could afford at the moment.
But Oliver, who was not very bright about this, asked a question.
“What specifically do you mean by advice and information?”
“I’m literally giving you advice and looking for information. The city handles information that even intermediaries cannot access. Policies and the international situation, like rumors that only circulate here… Of course, confidentiality is difficult.”
It is information that is difficult to access even for intermediaries. Oliver recalled a memory he had long buried.
“Then, could you possibly find out about the Pather religion as well?”
***
in the early morning hours past midnight.
City official Paul Carver left after a long conversation, leaving only Oliver and Forrest in the private room.
It was late, and although Oliver and Forrest had each been busy, they didn’t look particularly tired.
Because we had such an interesting story.
After a long silence, Oliver spoke first.
“Are you curious about anything?”
Oliver, who had seen Forrest’s feelings, asked. He sparked curiosity.
“Honestly, I am… I didn’t know you knew anyone in the Parteran Church. May I ask who greets you?”
“Well······. It’s a little hard to answer.”
“Well, I knew that…. So, let’s move on to work. Do you want to take on this mission?”
Forrest asked bluntly.
“First of all, we sent Carver because we needed time to think, but we need to get an answer to this question as soon as possible. To avoid any misunderstanding.”
“What do you think of Forrest as a broker?”
“It makes sense to say no.”
Sincerity.
“It’s an interesting offer, but it’s very unfair to participate in this kind of work without receiving any advance payment. Breaking the pipeline with city officials is attractive, but it’s unfair to you.”
“Well······. Honestly, I think I’m fine.”
Oliver was sincere. Magic and black magic are fun, but the story of the world was also interesting, but unfortunately, there was no one who could properly ask for an opinion about it.
Kevin is busy with classes and research, and Merlin hasn’t seen her in a while.
In the meantime, if Carver could help, it would be quite beneficial.
“I think you would say that, but you have to think about it a little more. This is effectively declaring war on Sheamus.”
It’s war with Sheamus… I’m sure he’s someone with an acquaintance…
“-Doesn’t that seem like a problem? After all, he attacked us once, so I think he will understand. When did you know that? Was it Sheamus-sama who instigated the Anti-Development Committee?”
“It wasn’t that I didn’t say it on purpose. I was going to talk to you when I was sure.”
“How did you find out?”
“Like I said last time, I found out by giving the people in Z and Y the money. All I have to say is that I saw one of Sheamus’ men come and go frequently.”
“ah······. But, is it easy to work with the anti-development committee? Last time I saw him, he didn’t seem like that.”
“I saw it right. It’s an exclusive and dangerous race, so it’s not easy to get along. So I have a question too. I heard that Sheamus was talented, but I didn’t expect it to be this good.”
“Well······. What do you think, Forrest?”
“what?”
“Do you think ABC Investments is a scam?”
Forrest paused for a moment, then drank the coffee in one sip. and opened his mouth.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“First of all, for the same reason as Mr. Carver. Because it’s a nonsensical business. Collecting investment means that you make a lot of money, can’t that be as easy as it sounds? Above all else, the behavior around them is not good.”
“Are you around Dongtae?”
“Yeah, for example Sheamus and her lovers and followers split up with Miranda to form their own investment group.”
“Well? Why?”
“Because Miranda did not allow this business. The risk is too great. Sheamus then tore out with the women possessed by him… Oh, by the way, Miss Jane stayed with Miranda.”
“Ah, I was going to ask, thank you……. But how do you know so much?”
“Because I personally did my own research. The bigger the body, the easier it is to be swept away by the waves… Would you like to hear more?”
“Yes.”
“After breaking up with Miranda, Sister Hood is now almost in two. It is not a systematic organization gathered around the head in the first place, but an association formed by a subtle balance.”
“Are you confused?”
“right. Thanks to you, Elizabeth, Coco, and Jane are having a crazy time. That’s why some members, including Miranda, say they’re investigating Sheamus’ business.”
“Are there any other people behind the scenes?”
“Of course it is. Professors and reporters continue to raise questions, and investment companies that have been directly or indirectly affected by ABC and Crime Firm’s Smagling Fund are also following. The Moirai school too.”
“Are you from the Moirai School? Why are they?”
“I didn’t know for sure because I found out about it by chance. However, there are rumors that they covet the skills of Sheamus.”
“Seamus-sama’s skill? Are you talking about the world tree?”
“Yeah, it is said that the Moirai School is also researching a technology that predicts the future based on writing a large amount of information into the world tree. Knowing the future is power in itself… Perhaps they will work with Carver.”
“Do you know anything?”
“I don’t know. I’m just guessing. I know roughly how to approach it, but then I need a Net Navigator that can access the world tree. You have to be good at it, and you have to have credibility.”
“Isn’t the relationship between the city (city) and Mt.
“This time it is different. And even if we don’t get along, we can always cooperate as long as we understand each other. Anyway, one thing is for sure. This edition is much bigger than I thought. It’s not a grand story about the existence of Landa, but a big game with numerous interest groups.”
Forrest clearly redefines this mission.
It didn’t sound wrong.
“Well then. Forrest, what do you think I should do?”
“Well, I’m not in a position to tell you this and that. The choice is yours, and I will do my best to help.”
“Forrest never said anything to me. I was just giving you advice. It is still the same today. I am just asking for advice.”
“…if you want money here, you’re right to leave.”
“Do you think it’s not worth the money?”
“That’s not right. Of course, I can’t guarantee that I’ll make a ton of money, but if the board itself is like this, there’ll be a chance to make a lot of money in the middle. However, apart from that, if your goal is simple money, it’s better to fall for this board. There is a safer way.”
“Then, for what purpose do you participate?”
“If you want to do something big here, you better get involved.”
“Is it a big deal?”
“okay. Of course, it’s not easy to define what’s a big deal, but if you want more than money, you’re welcome to participate. If it goes as Carver says, Landa owes you a great debt. Above all else, it’s not bad to establish a connection with Carver. He does a lot of work in the Ministry of the Interior. He’s influential, he’s smart, and there’s nothing wrong with being in debt.”
“Well······. Is there any way forrest-sama to find out about the Parterans?”
“I hate to show my incompetence, but it’s hard. I don’t have anything to do with it, I don’t have a personal pipeline, and the union side is limited. It’s hard to get important information like greetings.”
“Then, you need to get help from the city.”
“I’m hesitant to answer because it seems like an inducement, but it is.”
“okay······.”
“Yes. What to do, to be honest, what you gain is uncertain, while what you lose is certain. Above all else, it is reckless because it is something a city official commits alone.”
Forrest gave sincere advice, and after a while Oliver answered.
“Isn’t it possible to gain more than to lose as much as you are reckless?”