77. Cleaning Season (1)
Areas D, E, and F where Landa’s financial institutions, corporate headquarters, and Matop Research Center are concentrated.
Even in Landa, there were many particularly gorgeous buildings, and Forest was staying at a hotel in Area E among them.
It is an expensive hotel, mainly served by wealthy business people, as well as as a meeting place for business meetings, negotiation for politicians, and regular meetings of large interest groups. ·······For example, as a broker’s union.
Forrest was drinking coffee and reading a book in the lounge at the hotel, but Al, who had followed him as an attendant, quietly approached him and whispered in his ear.
“president. In an hour, the meeting will start in the hall on the 6th floor.”
Forrest nodded.
It looked calm on the outside, but a number of thoughts were running through my mind.
It was obviously a regular meeting of members, but the feeling was slightly different.
Usually, if there were no special issues, it was an atmosphere where they came to rest for the union’s operating expenses, but this meeting felt a little awkward.
Most brokers were resting as usual, but some brokers were secretly busy.
It was as if something was happening.
“egg····. Have you ever heard anything?”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t be specific. People in areas A, B, C, and D seem to know something, but they don’t deal with me… sorry.”
Al apologized, but Forrest shook his head.
Al was competent enough. Especially considering that he was a slave brought from a colony in the New World.
Perhaps the wizard’s words that humans’ superior genes were determined from the beginning were false.
Anyway, it wasn’t his fault that Al didn’t figure out what was going on. Rather, it was because of the location of Forrest.
It wasn’t an absolute rule, but brokers had a secret rank.
Of course, most of them maintained a horizontal relationship, but there was definitely a subtle power superiority, like a leader can be created even when three people gather.
Brokers in the front-seat quarters, usually close to the powerful and capitalists, were strong and weaker thereafter, mainly because of the different customers they were dealing with.
The closer you got to Zone A, the more you dealt with powerful politicians and wealthy capitalists.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Naturally, the influence and capital available to intermediaries were also different.The difference also divided the ranks of intermediaries.
In that sense, Forrest was bearish. It was an intermediary located in District T, a worker’s residence.
Well, I had a chance to settle down in the area ahead, but that was already in the past-
“-Forrest!”
A man appeared in front of the thoughtful Forrest.
It was N (N), the broker who was in charge of Area N.
For reference, the name N was renamed after becoming the representative broker of District N.
“It’s been a long time. n.”
“Yeah, it’s been a long time. Forrest.”
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
N, who had a large body and a cut on her face, said with a smirk.It was the same motive for starting a brokerage job, but unlike Forrest, he did not become a broker straight away, but worked as a solver and then switched over to a broker.
Perhaps for that reason, unlike Forrest, his agency had a stronger sense of one mercenary group.
Yen approached him as rudely as he appeared, sat down and started talking.
“By the way, tell me. I heard some interesting rumors these days.”
“A funny rumor?”
“Child····. Come on? It’s noisy these days, but I found a pretty good warlock… Rumor has it that even the wizard won, but that too?”
Contrary to his ugly appearance and tone of voice, his behavior was subtly sarcasm.
It was like a bear-like raccoon, but Forrest did not express it.
The rumors about this floor spread so fast that Forrest knew about it, but it wasn’t officially reported.
However, when I heard the battle near the warehouse where the magic wine factory was being built, the probability that it was a wizard was very high.
“Nothing is certain yet.”
“Is there anything certain about this floor? How the hell did you get it?”
how did you get it Forrest asked himself. With him, I remembered the letter of introduction that Cant had given me. What a joke of fate…
“Wow·····. Does this friend mean that you won’t open your mouth with this kong? Well, okay. Then I’ll give you some interesting information. It’s really useless right now, but it’s better to know how to sell, right?”
“Mary. What are you talking about?”
“Have you ever seen such a shy friend?! If you come up with a story that’s good for you, you’re replying… what’s good I think ‘cleaning season’ is coming.”
“When it comes to cleaning season…”
“Yes, the contaminated area cleaning paper.”
“I don’t understand. How many more months are left for cleaning season?”
“Suddenly, zombies and polluting creatures have increased dramatically and they are running rampant. So we moved up the schedule, but that’s not the problem.”
“If not?”
“Unlike usual, the city does not receive manpower, but the city directly hires manpower for mobilization. Is it our turn this season?”
***
“Eh, ah…”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“rain···.”
“Yeah, that’s right again.”
“Poetry, Mr. . . .”
“Yeah, that’s great. What next?”
Oliver was studying the alphabet with Rothburn in the corner of the restaurant.
Contrary to my expectations, Rothburn didn’t learn as quickly as I thought.
Originally, I was going to study vocabulary and move on to grammar…
Well, it wasn’t bad though. Although Rothburn’s study speed was not fast, the boy’s will to learn grew stronger rather than weakened.
As if I would never miss this opportunity.
At that moment, the innkeeper, who was filling out the books at the checkout counter, shouted.
“Rosburn! Five minutes left.”
Rothburn was startled by the sound of the clock ticking.
With Oliver’s persuasion, I was able to study during the break during business hours, but it was a natural reaction because the innkeeper warned that if I broke the appointment time, I would take the break.
Still, I couldn’t complain, because she made a lot of concessions from her point of view.
Desperate, Rothburn began reciting the next alphabet.
“D, E, F, G . . .”
As his heart grew more urgent, his fear diminished, and the hesitation disappeared from Rothburn’s voice. Thanks to that, I started to memorize the alphabet one after another.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Not only was the speed increased, but the pronunciation was also cleaner.He proved that he had mastered the alphabet in less than five minutes.
“········.”
“Well, how did you do? Teacher?”
“Yeah, that was great. With a little confidence, you will learn faster.”
At those words, Rothburn’s gloomy face brightened a little.
I was just stating the facts as they were, and I couldn’t figure out why they were so happy.
At that moment, the innkeeper’s voice was heard again.
“Rosburn! The time is up!”
With that said, Rothburn took out the books and writing implements that Oliver had given him.
Oliver got up and went to his room, because he had done all the work for the day, and at that time, the innkeeper called him.
“Wait. Dave.”
“Did you call me?”
“Yes····. First of all, thank you for the chocolate and flowers.”
said a chubby middle-aged woman.
The old man at the bookstore said that in order for the child to work, he had to ask the innkeeper’s permission, and he advised him to take the above gift and persuade him.
To convince women that it is the most effective.
“No, I just thank Rothburn for the opportunity to study.”
The innkeeper looked at Oliver with suspicion and incomprehension, with a suspicious look.
“I’m not the kind of person who asks questions to customers.”
“Yes, I know.”
“But now I have to ask. Why are you spending money as well as time teaching your child to read?”
The question the old man at the bookstore asked. Oliver answered more skillfully than then.
“I can teach, and Rothburn wants to learn.”
“Is that just that?”
“…perhaps?”
The innkeeper looked at even an incomprehensible geek.
Taken from n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Nevertheless, he did not show any emotions such as hostility or hatred. I’m just surprised.After an awkward silence, Oliver said.
“If it’s okay with you, can I come over here?”
“Oh, yes…. Sorry for taking your time.”
“no. Then have a nice day.”
Oliver went up to his room and immediately got ready to go out. To prepare for going out, it was enough to wear a jacket.
Today is Forrest’s return day.
According to the staff, they said they would be back at lunchtime, but it was already past lunchtime.
Oliver left the inn and headed straight for the restaurant.
Slowly, I got used to this street, and the people selling apples and hot dogs looked at Oliver and pretended to know him.
Among them was a beggar, whose brim had been torn off, and as usual, he held out his hat and said hello.
“Hello. Teacher. You look great today. Can you give me just one penny for this poor friend?”
“Yes, nice to meet you.”
Oliver, as usual, took a small bill from his pocket and put it in his hat.
“Oh, thank you! You will be blessed. Teacher.”
The beggar greeted Oliver, and Oliver bowed his head.
So we got to the restaurant.
“yes?”
Oliver saw a restaurant with a sign that said ＜close＞. The windows were also curtained.
It was the first time I saw it. Forest restaurant opens early in the morning and doesn’t close until late at night.
Of course, I didn’t see any closings.
Oliver wondered what was going on, but he tried to go back, wondering what was going to happen.
That was then. The restaurant door opened with a rattle.
“Mr. Dave.”
It was a calm tone, but Al took a deep breath as if he had come out in a hurry. Emotions were also in a state of shock.
“Hello, Mr. Al. You were inside. How did you know I was here?”
“I heard footsteps…. Would you like to visit?”
“Yes····. But I think it’s closed. Can I come in?”
“of course. In fact, we were waiting for you to come.”
“okay?”
“Yes····. Would you please come in?”
“Yes, I’ll excuse you then.”
Oliver politely responded to Al’s words and entered the restaurant.
Because the door was closed, there were no customers who were always there, but people who seemed to be the troublemakers took their place instead.
about ten people. Some of them were familiar faces. Miss Coco.
“Hey, Dave. long time no see?”
Miss Coco looked at Oliver and talked to him.
Oliver bowed his head to greet him politely, but she looked at him and said jokingly.
“It’s polite, but it’s too stiff for dealing with women. It’s not very popular.”
“is that so?”
“Yes, I will let you know when you come to our store.”
Half lies, half truth. She said in the light of complex emotions.
“By the way, did you come here on a call?”
“Call? no. I just came.”
“Oh, yes…. egg? Didn’t you give this warlock a pager?”
“As a rule, it is not yet time to give. We were going to give it to you soon.”
“Forrest…. That old man is not very flexible. Well, thanks to that, you are maintaining your reputation now. Still, it is. What if the Dark Horse is stolen by another broker?”
“It’s the boss’s job, so it’s not something I’m going to tell you as an employee.”
Oliver was very small, but he could feel a little bit of irritation and anger in Al.
His loyalty to Forrest was unusual, and Coco apologized as if he had noticed this.
“Oh···. I’m sorry, I was a bit exaggerated. But please understand, Al. Are people human?”
Miss Coco said so and looked at Oliver.
As I was about to ask Ms. Coco what she was talking about, an employee called Ms. Coco.
With a feathered hat on, she entered the president’s office with a graceful smile.
Looking at it, it seemed that he came not just to play, but to work.
By the way, did I mention that I am an information merchant?
Al asked Oliver.
“If it’s okay with you, would you mind waiting for a moment?”
“Oh, yes…”
Oliver looked around and answered.
A significant number of solvers were sitting here with uneasy feelings. Everyone seemed to have a problem.
“Al, may I ask what’s going on? …Ah, if it’s hard to say, that’s fine.”
“no. I will tell you.”
“uh? Really?”
“Yes···. It would be better for me to explain in advance.”
“…? What happened?”
“Cleaning season is here.”