Chapter 140
Chapter 140
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 140
Chapter Title: Contractual Relationship
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Oliver, who had been enveloped in deep darkness, slowly opened his eyes.
His mind felt hazy, as if he had slept for a long time, yet refreshingly clear. His whole body felt pleasantly warm. Where on earth was this place...
Oliver raised his arm to examine his body.
He was lying naked, without a stitch of clothing, in a large bathtub.
The water had an odd color. It seemed mixed with potions, given the flow of mana.
"Hm...?"
Oliver sat up and looked around.
It was a space he'd never seen before. It looked less like a bathhouse and more like a laboratory.
He tried to piece together what had happened, but unfortunately, nothing came to mind.
His head was too foggy from exhaustion and oversleeping, filled with noise like a broken communicator.
All he vaguely remembered was talking to someone.
In a pitch-black, alien space, sitting on a sofa across a table from someone.
'And I had warm milk and cookies... Chocolate cookies. What did we talk about?'
At that moment, dizziness hit him, and Oliver braced himself with his arm.
He wished someone—anyone—would explain the situation. Right on cue, a voice spoke.
"Ah, you're awake?"
He turned his head to see Merlin entering through the doorway.
He was holding a towel and clothes, dressed more properly than before.
It was a unique mix of suit and robe, with gold embroidery on the sleeves and hem.
But it didn't look awkward. If anything, it suited him, as if that was his true style.
"...Elder?"
"That's right. Seeing as you recognize me, your head seems fine. Anything coming back to you?"
Oliver stood there, sifting through his memories.
Fortunately, seeing Merlin helped the scattered fragments start falling into place.
"...We fought. To test my worth, you said."
"I almost spilled how I helped you first. Hearing just that makes me sound like the bad guy... Well, I am a bad guy."
Merlin chuckled teasingly and continued.
"Nothing else coming back?"
"We fought. And you toyed with me one-sidedly."
"...Well, yes."
"Then I smoked a Filterette... After that, nothing. I think I surrendered because I was exhausted. Right?"
"...Yes. But you satisfied me plenty, so don't worry. If I'd been disappointed, I'd have left you in that icy wasteland and come alone. How's your body feeling?"
Oliver checked himself over. The fatigue was completely gone, and the wounds from the fight had healed cleanly.
The scars from his orphanage and mine days lingered faintly, though.
"I'm fine."
"Good. Soak a bit longer. No need to flaunt what's dangling between your legs."
Oliver glanced between his legs and replied.
"No, I'm good now. I can get out."
"That's not what I meant. This bath costs hundreds of millions, so soak more. Make it worth it."
Hearing that, Oliver sank in up to his neck.
"Hundreds of millions?"
"Yes. Top-grade potions and herbs. It clears years of built-up fatigue, minor skin issues, whitens the skin, reduces wrinkles, removes age spots, and helps with back pain, arthritis, and constipation. Pricey, but effective."
Oliver believed him. His body felt better than it had in ages.
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me too much. It's not free."
"Do I have to pay?"
Merlin laughed heartily, as if it was the funniest thing.
"You don't look broke, but money scares you that much?"
"Yes. Hundreds of millions means months of work at least."
"Hm... Don't worry about the money. I've got plenty. Instead, I'll take repayment in something else."
"Something else? Like what?"
"Rest up first, then we'll talk. No rush."
Oliver nodded.
Merlin set the clothes and towel on the table.
"Soak another hour or two, then change into these. Your old clothes were rags, so I tossed them."
"Yes, thank you."
"Rest well. I'll be going."
"Elder."
Oliver called out to Merlin as he left.
"What?"
"Can you feel touch and taste in dreams?"
"Dreams? Not that I know of. Did you have one?"
"No, nothing."
***
As Merlin said, Oliver soaked another hour or two before getting out.
His head spun from the hot bath, but circulation returned quickly. Pricey, but effective, as advertised.
Oliver dried off, changed, and stepped out.
The place was so vast he had no idea where to go, but luckily, a wooden doll—golem—guarding the door bowed as if to guide him.
"Then, if you would."
The wooden doll-golem looked surprised, then nodded and started walking. Oliver followed.
After a long corridor, it stopped at an ornate door and gestured for him to enter.
Oliver opened the door as instructed.
Inside was a massive library, books lining the walls everywhere.
Oliver looked around in awe.
Not just a lot of books—they were incredibly varied. Not only by subject, but language and era too.
"Impressive, isn't it?"
Merlin, sorting books nearby, said. He had changed into more practical clothes.
"Yes... I've never seen so many books in my life. Is that why they call it the Archive?"
Merlin replied while shelving.
"Similar, but not quite."
"I see... If it's alright, can I help sort?"
"You're polite for a young one these days. They just stand and gawk... Care to?"
Merlin levitated a stack of books with mana and handed them to Oliver.
"Put them in Section E. Match the numbers on the books."
"Yes, got it."
Oliver headed over and started shelving, unconsciously reading titles.
"...Social Systems and Economy, Correlation with the Poor?"
"Why? Odd for a wizard's library?"
Merlin called from afar.
"No... Just curious."
"Exactly what it says. About social systems, economy, and the poor. Great for insomnia."
Oliver nodded and shelved it. Next one.
"The Necessity and Justification of Colonialism?"
"Same deal. Explains why build colonies and why it's justified. Modern authors skimp on titles... Do you know what a colony is?"
Oliver nodded. He'd learned from newspapers and Jane.
"Yes."
"Explain."
Merlin paused sorting.
"Hm... Foreign nations or lands under Alliance Kingdom rule?"
"Ho, not precise, but close... How do colonies form?"
Oliver recalled Jane's words.
"Through advanced civilization and honest diplomacy?"
"Ha. Ha. Ha... Not wrong. Advanced civ is right."
Merlin mimed shooting a gun.
It seemed far from Jane's peaceful handover of rule.
"Then what's honest diplomacy?"
"Co-opting dissenters or protecting elites' interests. Rule needs some buy-in, so treat the local minority well. Smart."
"...And the majority?"
"Exploit them. Like squeezing grapes in a press."
"I see."
"Yes. That's why you conquer."
Oliver thought and asked.
"...They say beneficial policies build trust and faith to maintain rule. Lies?"
"Not lies. Take Adin—barbaric flogging for unpaid taxes. We banned it."
"Oh, that's good."
"Then seize their land."
"...Better?"
"Don't know. Landless mostly starved or wandered off. Couldn't ask."
"You saw it?"
"Yes. I was a field wizard once. Saw and learned a lot."
"Ah... Enviable."
Oliver blurted.
"Seeing and learning so much... I knew little, but lately realized how much I don't know."
"Big lesson. Realizing your ignorance is the greatest... On that note, a proposal."
"Proposal?"
"Yes. Want to learn magic from me?"
"......?"
Oliver frowned in silence. Awkward quiet filled the library.
"Sorry, answer me? It's awkward."
"Ah... Sorry, Elder. Thought I misheard. Teach me magic?"
"Yes. That strange?"
"Honestly, yes. I heard wizards only teach those in towers or schools."
"Not wrong. Knowledge is precious. Can't teach dogs or pigs. Not teaching for free."
"Then...?"
"Let me run simple experiments on you."
"Experiments?"
"Yes. Not dissecting like a frog. Just tests. Probably."
"What kind?"
"Can't say that far. Yes or no?"
Oliver pondered long, then asked.
"So, you become my master in exchange for experimenting on me?"
"Master... Sure. Teaching makes me one."
"Sorry, but no."
Merlin's eyes widened, as if unprepared.
"I heard right?"
"Yes, Elder."
Merlin seemed more curious than angry.
Hard to read through the mana barrier, but curiosity fit.
"Huh... Surprising. Reason? You don't seem to pass up learning. Squeamish about experiments?"
"No. I'd be grateful to learn magic that way."
"Then why? Sounds boastful, but many seek my teaching. Your choice, but tell me why."
"...Can I be honest?"
"Of course. Dishonesty would annoy me."
"Then honestly: If I take you as master, I'd have to obey orders, and that bothers me a bit."
"Hate taking orders?"
"No. But some might be things I dislike. I'd refuse, breaking our promise. Better avoid that, so I decline."
Merlin looked stunned, like he'd seen a fool, then burst laughing heartily.
After a while, he spoke.
"Ah... Sorry. Never seen someone pass up opportunity for that. Honestly foolish."
"Sorry."
"Hm, how about this?"
"Yes?"
"If I need something, I'll suggest, not order. Then you don't have to. A proposal. Good?"
"Fine by me... But alright?"
"I'm interested in experimenting on you. Got plenty for chores. Just set rules for our relation. I'll help your problem too."
"Problem? What?"
"Rosburn and the kids. You saved them from the pit, but their luck didn't change. Orphans everywhere, no support."
Oliver felt a slight shock.
True. They escaped the worst, but it wasn't over. They needed a place.
Merlin checked.
"You planning to support them all?"
"No."
"Ha! Quick answer... Probably best. Still, dumping on streets is harsh, so I'll handle via my connections."
"Institutions related to wizards?"
"Yes. Handing mistreated kids to wizards is grim, but what choice? No power means few options. Issue?"
Oliver thought, then shook his head.
Best option. Orphanages would kick them out soon; no one else trustworthy. Kant crossed his mind, but unsuitable.
"...Then I accept your proposal gratefully."
"We agree at last. Casual talk from now. First, contract."
"Contract? Wizards do that?"
"No, but we set terms, so better. Words fade over time. Contract makes it solid."
"Ah, I see... One more addition? Something else I want to learn."
"Brazen. What?"
"Teach me about the world? Wider and more than I know."
Merlin's expression was odd—satisfied, maybe.
"...No need."
"...Pardon?"
"See it yourself. Best way to know the world. Learned from others is fake. Processed."