Chapter 165
Chapter 165
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Aftermath (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
After the battle with the army mage, Oliver stayed in the small city of Burerton for two days.
The ordeal had been rougher than expected, so he took one day to rest and spent the other exploring the city, which was in absolute chaos.
Rumors had already spread throughout the city that rebels were rampaging just outside its borders, infecting everyone with a plague-like anxiety.
But that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Following the wave of unease, people were quick to chat with anyone and everyone, spreading their fears far and wide.
Thanks to that, even Oliver—who lacked the knack for mingling—could easily eavesdrop on conversations.
'The rebels have teamed up with an evil black mage. A really, really evil one!'
'I heard he's an executive from the Black Hand. Something like a finger?'
'A kingdom patrol nearby got wiped out—dozens at least.'
'No, it was hundreds!'
All sorts of wild rumors were flying around.
To Oliver, who knew the full story, they sounded utterly absurd.
But upon closer listening, they weren't entirely off-base.
The rebels had indeed allied with a black mage, and kingdom troops had died.
It was just exaggerated in the weirdest ways.
Still, the most outlandish one was about the mountain fire.
It had clearly happened during Oliver's fight with the army mage, but somehow it had become "common knowledge" that rebels had smuggled in a dangerous weapon to cause it.
'A weapon of mass destruction smuggled from across the sea.'
'Sold by black mages, they say?'
'The ground might be contaminated now. Ugh, scary.'
'They say crushing the rebels was all about stopping that weapon.'
Before long, the rebels had been recast as terrorists thwarted by the kingdom army.
That's when Oliver caught a whiff of something artificial.
The same artificial scent as when Landa Prison was attacked.
It seemed the kingdom's people had churned out a mountain of lies in just two days, twisting the truth to suit their tastes, just like with Landa.
Not that it stirred any particular thoughts or feelings in him.
How the public perceived the rebels was irrelevant to Oliver.
That said, if he had to pick one takeaway, it was simply: People sure swallow rumors easily...
Anxiety clouded their judgment, turning their minds into sponges that absorbed every scrap of info without filter.
'Or maybe they just want to believe it.'
Anyway, after those two days, Oliver finally met up with Arthur's group.
They looked surprisingly clean for people who'd been dodging kingdom troops—must've washed up somewhere.
When he asked about it, they said they'd been hosted by collaborators from the Kell Free Independence Army.
It was surprising how chummy they'd gotten, but Arthur credited Oliver.
Oliver had tied up the army mage, so they'd returned the favor.
To Oliver, who'd just done what he could, it didn't quite click, but he let it slide.
The important part was heading back with Arthur.
Going alone without knowing if the mission had succeeded or failed would've been awkward, right?
But first, one thing to check.
"Mind if I ask something?"
"Go ahead."
"Did you get the final payment?"
"The final payment... yeah, we did."
"Could I hear the details?"
"Hmm... not here. Can it wait till we're on the road?"
***
Oliver and Arthur's group returned to Landa the same way they'd come—riding transport trucks.
Two trucks, just like before.
And the same lineup: Oliver and Arthur together in one.
With the truck's rumbling engine and wind whipping through the cargo hold behind them, Arthur made good on his promise and shared what Willes had told him about the final payment.
"Edward X."
"Pardon?"
"The devil worshiper Willes mentioned? It's Edward X."
Edward X... Oliver vaguely recalled seeing the name somewhere. When was it...? Ah!
"You mean the current crown prince, Edward X?"
"Oh, you know him."
Edward X.
Crown prince of the United Kingdom and the royal family's resident scandal machine.
Oliver knew of him from newspaper articles.
Dubbed "beloved," he seemed to attract so much love that it fueled endless controversies, keeping him in the headlines regularly.
Comments like "Northmen are too dumb for anything but mining" or "We should log the druid forests for the economy" had sparked outrage, but lately, it was his affairs with married women that dominated the papers.
"He once fled naked from his lover's husband's house after a secret rendezvous. Yeah, that Edward X."
"He's the royal tied to devil dealings?"
"According to Willes."
"I see... Any reason why?"
"Didn't hear. Willes said he doesn't know either. Hewitt just peeks around the royals via the World Tree—doesn't get the full picture."
With nothing to add, Oliver just nodded.
Arthur fell silent too, his expression a tangle of emotions.
Oliver couldn't be sure, but news of a royal—especially Edward X—involved with devils must've hit him hard.
Watching Arthur, Oliver debated asking, then went for it.
"Will that help Landa?"
"...Huh?"
"Will the info we got lower the city's tariffs?"
Arthur stared at Oliver wordlessly before speaking.
"...You're one strange guy."
"Pardon?"
"You seem incredibly sharp sometimes, but other times... like a kid. Innocent as a clueless child."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah... If Willes is right, this isn't just tariff fodder. It's a secret weapon-level secret."
"Secret weapon?"
"Something to pull out if the central council or royals threaten Landa."
Arthur's voice carried certainty, not vague worry—as if such a clash was inevitable someday.
Then he switched topics abruptly.
"Anyway, let me thank you again."
"What for?"
"Taking the job and helping out. Even with my thick skin, my conscience demands it. Truly grateful. We wrapped it up successfully thanks to you."
"No big deal. I was paid for it anyway."
"To me, it's more than that. I got something worth more than money."
"More than money? Oh, right—you mentioned joining that city project."
Oliver had heard before the mission: rumors of a new armed force separate from the police and city guard were true, and Arthur was in on it.
Forest had said it offered steady pay, gear, and some political clout in Landa—not a bad gig depending on your goals.
Though it meant losing freedom and becoming the city's errand boys.
"Thanks to you, my spot in the project is secure—enough to build my own team. So, any interest in joining? No, not under me—don't misunderstand."
Sincere.
No interest in signing on, but curiosity won out.
"Me? Why?"
"I'm wondering why you'd even ask that. You're army-mage level, yet sticking to freelance fixer gigs? Weirder than getting proper treatment for your skills. Structurally."
Arthur was dead serious.
"No joke, no bite. The mission's secrecy means the rumors won't spread wild, but your skills don't vanish. That level gets you formal contracts with orgs."
"Really?"
"Sure, plenty'll want you: Crime Firms, councilors, tycoons... Some greedy ones might pressure you. Joining an org first could be smart."
"That new city force?"
"Ha... Too obvious? No lies. Sure, I want to work with talent like you, but it's good for you too. New orgs lack entrenched politics—skill rules. That's why I'm in."
Sincere.
Surprising. Oliver had figured Arthur joined for the stable job. Apparently not the whole story.
Arthur had ambitions of his own.
"With someone like you, my position strengthens, and leveraging our ties makes grabbing control easier. Not all take, though—I'd ensure top treatment. You deserve it. Perks beyond cash. Maybe even skirting the law..."
Arthur trailed off carefully at the end.
But everything else rang true.
He planned to use Oliver, sure—but help him accordingly.
An alliance proposal.
Tempting, but Oliver politely declined.
"Appreciate the high regard and the offer, but I'll pass."
Arthur showed regret, but no anger or pushiness.
"Fair enough... Mind sharing why?"
"No special reason. Just... joining up doesn't appeal."
"Huh. Burned before or something?"
Oliver flashed to Marie, Peter, and the rest of Joseph's Family.
"No, quite the opposite—treated well. It's just..."
"Just...?"
"If I join an org, I'd have to do stuff I don't want. Not my thing."
Arthur looked amused yet understanding, nodding.
"Well, can't argue with that."
***
Back in Landa, Oliver parted ways with Arthur's group.
Arthur would handle the city debrief, so Oliver headed to Forest's, nodding along.
Entering the restaurant, Al greeted him as usual and led him straight to Forest.
Forest was bustling in the basement office, juggling multiple comms devices. But spotting Oliver, he cut the calls and welcomed him.
"Good to see you. Figured you'd be back soon."
"Thanks for waiting. If you're busy, I can come later?"
Forest glanced at a head-sized comm unit and shook his head.
"Not busy. Just checking something. One sec."
He raised a finger apologetically, then fetched two crystal glasses and a bottle of fine liquor.
"Never seen this brandy before."
"And it's expensive. Very."
"How much?"
Forest pondered, then whispered in Oliver's ear.
Whisper whisper.
"...I didn't hear that wrong, did I?"
"Doubt it."
"A bottle costs as much as a house?"
"World's full of rich folks, and makers of luxuries for 'em. Try it."
Oliver sipped the brandy Forest offered.
Delicious.
"More praise won't hurt. Most die without knowing it exists, let alone tasting it."
"This good and unknown?"
"Yup. Most don't even know it exists. Only rulers, tycoons, and folks like us who deal with them. Not sold in the light—shadow market mystery booze."
Oooh... Oliver nodded, intrigued. Made sense, really.
Murphy's magic brew was similar.
"Why share something so rare? Grateful, but it's too much."
"It's yours too. Gift from the brokers' guild. You handled the city's secret request, so taxes waived this year... And this is from me."
Forest slid over a wrapped gift box.
"What's this?"
"Cloak. Manual's inside—check later. Fine for work or big occasions. Modern design."
"Ah... Thank you."
"Pocket change compared to what you earned. Don't worry. So, mission details? Know it succeeded, but want the nitty-gritty."
Oliver nodded and reported: meeting Willes, negotiations, kingdom raid, army mage clash, final payment.
It took a while even summarized, but Forest's face grew grave. He scribbled an address on paper and handed it over.
"For now—no, starting now—don't go home. Stay at this hotel. I'll cover it. Don't leave till I say."