Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Edith (1)
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"Hello?"
Oliver greeted the man in the pink suit in the same polite manner.
He was responding to the man's courteous bow first, but that didn't mean he had overlooked the twenty or so people surrounding them.
They harbored no malice or killing intent, but they were ready to fight if things went south.
To confirm whether the man was friend or foe, Oliver asked,
"Um... sorry, but who might you be? You seem like a Pinkman?"
The man in the pink suit clasped his hands together politely and replied,
"That's right. I'm a Pinkman. But please don't misunderstand. I'm not with Duncan or Macman."
"...Sorry, but who's Macman?"
The man nodded as if he understood, then snapped his fingers.
In sync with the sound, one of his subordinates brought over a severed head and handed it to the man in the pink suit.
"This guy."
The man in the pink suit held up the head as he spoke.
The distance was too great, and it was too dark to see clearly, so Oliver walked over step by step.
The Pinkman's subordinates eyed Oliver warily, but the man stopped them and even held the head up higher so Oliver could get a better look.
He was being quite courteous.
"...Ah. Macman, the human butcher. I've seen him in the papers."
"Yes, that's him. The one and only Macman."
Oliver nodded.
Pinkman, who had crushed the protest in Northland Mining Village.
He had caused hundreds of casualties and posed grinning for photos atop the bodies, making him one of the main targets of the hearings.
"I gave the job to that eager beaver, but he got a bit too eager. Our line of work is closely tied to politics, so controlling the intensity is key. But this guy either didn't get it... or chose not to."
"So you cut off his head for that?"
"No, we're not gangsters... We just told him to take a break to calm public opinion, but he refused and tried to steal company secrets to defect. So we disciplined him. Our company is sensitive to these things. We have high-profile clients, you see."
Oliver turned to look at Duncan.
"Was Macman working with Duncan, by any chance?"
"He was, once. Not anymore. Mr. Dave here provided us with great assistance."
"You know me?"
"We always keep tabs on capable fixers. In this business, talent is everything, so I hope you understand."
Oliver nodded without much thought. There was no reason to be pleased or angry.
Instead, he assessed the situation.
"...So, you're not here to fight me, then? My head's not working right; I'm exhausted."
"Yes, you can tell. We have no intention of fighting."
"Ah, good. If it's alright, could you let me pick that up?"
Oliver pointed to the tonfa lying between the Pinkmen's legs.
It was Duncan's tonfa. The Pinkmen exchanged glances and stepped aside, allowing Oliver to bend down and retrieve it.
"Thanks."
Oliver said as he pocketed the tonfa.
This weapon, simple yet adjustable in rigidity and power with infused mana, seemed useful in some way.
Maybe even for research.
From what he'd seen, its mechanism was the same as magic or black magic, so it was definitely feasible.
"Bigmouth."
Returning to his spot, Oliver opened the leather case at his waist and pulled out Bigmouth.
The man-sized Bigmouth inflated like dough, sprouting arms and legs, and rolled its numerous eyes around, scanning the surroundings.
"Grrrrrr...!!"
Whether wary of the strangers or not, Bigmouth let out a low growl.
Oliver calmed it down.
"It's fine. Easy now... Anyway, could you swallow this and that corpse over there?"
Oliver pointed to Duncan's body and the intact corpse of the Pinkman who had fought alongside Duncan but hadn't turned into a zombie.
"Grrr..."
Bigmouth seemed disappointed that it wasn't money, but it dutifully did as told anyway.
Truly obedient.
"Fascinating."
The man in the pink suit remarked.
He continued in the same courteous posture as before.
"I'm no expert, but I know a bag of that size is quite dangerous."
"The creator must be skilled."
"Could you tell me where they are? We're always looking for talent."
"I'll ask them later and let you know. Wouldn't want to speak out of turn... Is that all you wanted to say?"
"No, as it happens, I have more. Truth is, we didn't come just to clean up internal dissidents."
"Were you here to take Duncan too?"
Oliver asked regretfully.
"No, not that. We have no interest in corpses. Especially ones owned by a black magician. But we are interested in the living."
"The living?"
"Yes."
At that moment, Oliver sensed a subtle shift in the emotions of the surrounding Pinkmen.
"...What's going on?"
"Hand over Miss Jane to us."
"I'm not sure I follow."
"Don't worry. We're acting on Lady Edith's request."
"Lady Edith?"
"Yes. She had a secret contact pinned at the villa, but communication suddenly cut off, so she commissioned us. To check on her daughter Miss Jane, rescue her if alive, and investigate if dead."
"Hoo..."
Not revenge, but investigation. And that wasn't all to note.
Edith's response time was incredibly fast. Less than a day since the attack. It was as if she'd been waiting.
The man in the pink suit said,
"If you don't believe me—"
"—No, I believe you."
Oliver said. The man in the pink suit was telling the truth.
"Good. Then, could you tell us where the young lady is?"
"Hmm... I left her somewhere. I'll go fetch her."
"If it's alright, may we come along?"
"? ...Why?"
"Just in case. You never know. We're just doing our job, so no misunderstandings."
"No misunderstanding. But regardless, I must politely decline."
"...Decline?"
The pink-suited man raised one eyebrow. He wasn't used to being turned down.
He looked displeased, but Oliver continued without minding.
"Yes. The place where the young lady is... it's where I got help, and they don't like strangers. So, could you wait here a moment?"
"That's awkward for us. Lady Edith wants us to secure her as soon as possible."
"Then I'll go as fast as I can."
"You misunderstand. Lady Edith—"
"—Lady Edith hired me just to protect the young lady, nothing more. I'm a fixer. I do my best on the job, but beyond that... well."
"........."
An odd silence fell.
Oliver had a rough idea of what would come next.
Usually, people resorted to force to get their way. Truly a sad state of affairs.
When dialogue could solve it.
A moment later, the man in the pink suit spoke.
"Understood... On second thought, we were being rude. We'll wait here, then. Please hurry. We have our own position to consider."
An unexpected response. Oliver nodded.
"Thank you for your understanding. I'll be quick."
With that, Oliver went to fetch Miss Jane.
"Ah... one moment."
As he turned to leave, Oliver paused to pick up Child and the corpse doll sprawled behind the Pinkman.
Fortunately, though weakened, Child was all intact.
"Now I'll really go get her."
Oliver descended underground, navigating sewers and tunnels to the underground beggar village where the poor brothers lived.
The paths were labyrinthine—one wrong turn and you could get lost—but thankfully, it didn't happen.
Upon arrival, he told Jane and Kant about the events above.
Jane and Kant were quite surprised that Oliver had taken down Duncan,
but they focused on pondering the Pinkman's new proposal.
Fair enough. Suddenly Pinkmen show up claiming her father sent them to protect her—it would raise suspicions.
Especially since she'd nearly been betrayed and killed less than a day ago.
Still, after some thought, Jane decided to go with them.
Kant agreed it was the right choice.
Men grow childish and fickle with age, quick to renege on promises if offended.
Ignoring her father's men might give him an excuse to cut her out of the inheritance.
Jane nodded without denying it, and Oliver led her back to the surface.
Walking alone together, Jane said to Oliver midway,
"Handing over my custody means they'll take full charge of my protection, right?"
"Seems like it."
"Even if they tell you to go to Dave, could you stay by my side? ...It would make me feel safer."
"Yes, if that's what you want. That's why you hired me. We still have time left on the agreement."
At Oliver's response, Jane visibly relaxed.
Genuinely, not for show.
They reached the surface and exited the alley, soon encountering the waiting Pinkmen.
The man in the pink suit bowed politely upon seeing Jane.
"Hello, Miss. I'm Jonathan, head of the Pinkman Agency's security team. I'm here on your father's request."
The pink-suited man introduced himself courteously.
Jane responded warmly, saying how glad she was they'd come.
"Thank you for the warm welcome. From now on, we'll ensure your safety. If it's alright, could you follow us? We'll take you somewhere secure."
A polite yet somehow pressuring offer.
Jane donned her smile like a mask and cautiously raised her hand.
"Yes, of course. But could I ask one favor?"
"A favor? Sure, go ahead."
"I'm so grateful you're here to protect me, but what about Dave?"
Jonathan glanced at Oliver.
"Lady Edith granted us full authority over your protection. You've done enough, but the black magician can step aside now... That said, if you wish it, he can come along. No issue."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Your wishes come first."
Hearing this, Jane let out a sigh of relief, thanked Jonathan with a smile.
Before they knew it, Jane had reverted to her villa self.
Except for the quick wink she shot Oliver.
With the negotiation—not quite a negotiation—concluded, Jonathan nodded to his men, who surrounded Oliver and Jane to form a protective detail.
They walked like that until they reached a main road and the vehicle parked there.
It looked far sturdier than a normal car, especially the armored lid covering it.
"Please, get in. We'll take you to safety."