Chapter 171
Chapter 171
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 171
Chapter Title: Greetings (2)
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Eggshell Real Estate Rental Management Company.
Oliver had come to visit this place.
It was the company sandwiched between Landa's landlords and tenants, one he'd learned about through the newspaper.
They boasted strengths like customer confidentiality and fast, easy service—elements that all satisfied Oliver perfectly.
"Welcome, sir. How may I help you today?"
When he visited one of their branches in several districts of Landa, a man who appeared to be a staff member approached him.
He had a plump face with a perpetual goofy smile, but unlike his appearance, he harbored quite calculating emotions.
In particular, through the slits of his narrowed eyes from smiling, he quickly scanned Oliver's attire.
"I'm here to look for a house."
"Ah...... What kind of place are you after? Any budget in mind?"
Oliver began reciting exactly what he'd planned in advance.
"The location I want is between K District and O District, preferably somewhere with good security. I'd prefer a standalone house over a multi-family dwelling—somewhere I can live alone. Minimum two- or three-year long-term lease. Deposit, lump-sum payment, whatever works, but it absolutely needs a large warehouse attached. I've got as much money as needed."
The specific details and calm demeanor made the staff member's eyes and emotions light up.
"Ah...... My apologies for not recognizing a valued customer like you right away. Please, follow me for a moment?"
The staff member rubbed his hands together as he guided Oliver.
He led him to an office.
The staff member pulled out several pre-prepared file folders from a neatly organized cabinet and laid them out in front of Oliver.
"Oh, don't stand there—have a seat right here, make yourself comfortable."
Oliver sat as instructed.
The staff member opened the file folders, urging Oliver to take a look.
"Coming to us was a wise choice. As you know, Landa's real estate market is cutthroat. Some folks jack up prices based on who they're dealing with, and there are scammers out there too. Compared to them, we're solid. We're even publicly listed."
Oliver nodded.
He didn't know the full details, but he'd heard enough.
Landa, the city that prided itself as the most advanced in the world, boasted equally sky-high real estate prices—prices that surpassed even the bounty on Kell Free Independence Army leader's head.
So, as the staff said, scams were rampant. That was probably why Oliver had chosen this place. Being publicly listed made it seem safe.
"Hmm...... These five look good."
Oliver flipped through the files and selected five.
All were lump-sum payments and met his conditions. They seemed a bit pricey, but it didn't matter. Thanks to his hard work, he could afford it.
Noting Oliver's attitude, the staff member adopted an even softer tone.
"Oh dear, oh dear...... I haven't even offered you any refreshments yet. My apologies. If you could wait just a moment, I'll prepare some, but since you're so decisive, how about we go take a look right now? I can drive you there myself."
Oliver didn't refuse. It wasn't urgent, but the sooner he could move and settle in, the better.
Just as Oliver and the staff member stood up, the sound of someone approaching from outside reached them.
"Branch manager."
A female employee entered with a troubled expression and cautiously asked.
"What is it? I'm in the middle of talking with a customer."
"Sorry. Um...... Someone claiming to be the customer's girlfriend came looking for him."
".....???"
Oliver froze for a moment. Girlfriend?
"Ah, did you have plans to meet here?"
As the staff member asked, Oliver was about to say no, but he paused to think.
"......Where is she now?"
"Out front...... I told her I'd confirm first."
Oliver went outside to meet his supposed girlfriend.
Following the hallway to the waiting room, he spotted a woman wearing a crocheted shawl over a modest but neat dress.
If Oliver had judged solely by appearances, it might have taken him a while to recognize her, but fortunately, he read emotions over looks, so he identified her instantly.
It was Coco. The informant and Sisterhood member. It had been quite a while.
"Co-"
"-Shh."
Coco, in her unusual attire, placed a slender finger to her lightly pink lipstick-coated lips—the same shade as her outfit—and made a soft sound.
It meant to be quiet. Oliver complied for now.
"......Shall we step out for a bit?"
A cafe quite a distance from Eggshell.
Coco had brought Oliver there.
He didn't know the reason, but he'd followed along as instructed.
In the process, he'd had to apologize to the displeased Eggshell staff.
"I'll have black tea and scones. What about you, Dave?"
"Me?"
"Yes. If you're in a shop, you have to order something."
Fair enough.
"Then black tea for me too. And...... do you have pie?"
"Yes, of course. I recommend the tart pie."
"That, then. Please."
The server retreated with the friendly smile typical of service staff.
"Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
"Am I paying?"
Oliver asked, surprised.
"Of course the man pays. That's the rule."
"......For real?"
"For real. Never been on a date?"
"What's a date?"
"You're joking?"
"......"
"You really don't know? My god. You've never hung out alone with a girl, wandering around? ......If it's work-related, don't tell me."
One person flashed through Oliver's mind at that moment.
"I've done it once."
"Phew, good. I was shocked thinking you'd never done it."
"Would that be bad?"
"Yes, it shouldn't be that way. Too sad. Anyway, was she pretty?"
The questions came flooding suddenly. Oliver thought it over calmly before answering.
"......She was beautiful, but I don't know now."
"Oh my, beautiful? Who?"
"Hmm...... It feels wrong to talk about someone without their consent."
"Oh, boring."
"Did you come here just to ask that?"
"Of course not."
Coco suddenly stopped talking and thought.
"Hmm...... First, let's make this clear."
"You have to pay for the tea here, Dave. For my pride as a woman."
It was utterly incomprehensible, but Coco meant it sincerely.
So Oliver just nodded. It wasn't expensive anyway.
"In exchange, I'll give you some good info. I'm an informant, after all."
"What?"
"Don't rent from that place earlier. Eggshell."
Sincere.
"Why?"
"It's a failing company."
"Is it?"
"Yes. Normally, they take a lump sum from tenants and pay monthly rent to landlords, pocketing the difference. But the prison raid messed up their already shaky cash flow."
"Serious?"
"Imagine all the blood vessels in your body twisting up."
"Ah...... How do you know?"
"That's—"
"—Your ordered tea and desserts."
The server brought the tea and desserts, placing them in front of each.
Coco took a sip of her tea and said,
"......That's our specialty."
"Sisterhood?"
"Yes. Details are trade secrets, though. You understand?"
"Did you find my location with those trade secrets too?"
"Sort of similar, though different methods. We may lack power, but we've got skills."
"Then, can I ask why you're doing this? If it's a commission, shouldn't I go to Forest?"
"Two reasons."
Coco said, taking a bite of scone.
"First, I tried commissioning, but he's on break and not taking jobs."
"Yes, that's right."
"You're messing with me? You tell me to go there."
"Sorry. Circumstances."
"Sigh...... Second, the terms make it hard to compete. My client's not flush enough yet. Can't afford Dave's rising rates."
"Client?"
"Just trying it professionally. More like passing on a message from an acquaintance."
"Either way, not a Sisterhood commission."
"Right. If it were, I wouldn't have come in such plain clothes."
"Sorry, Miss Coco. I—"
"—Can't you at least hear me out? I'm just the messenger, but I'm not here to throw a tantrum."
"......"
"Don't be like that...... please? Just hear me out. You lose nothing, I'm grateful. I can even recommend a good realtor instead of Eggshell."
Oliver thought for a moment. He sensed no malice from Coco. Rather, a bit of worry and care for someone.
It piqued his interest slightly.
"......Alright. Tell me."
"You're accepting?"
"No. Just hearing the details. You saved me from potentially losing money with Eggshell."
"Good you know. If you'd refused, I'd have brought it up for some change."
Coco giggled, back to her usual self.
"But before the details, who's the client?"
"Jane."
"Haha."
In a corner of Forest's restaurant, the broker Forest let out a hearty laugh.
Oliver asked worriedly.
"Are you alright?"
"Don't worry. Just incredulous laughter. I sometimes forget how scary women can be. Never thought she'd commission like this...... But you accepting it so casually is even more absurd. Thought you had no interest in that sort of thing, being so dense. My mistake?"
"?? Sorry, what do you mean?"
"Why'd you take this commission?"
Forest held up Jane's request form.
The content was the same as her father Edith's: bodyguard duty.
Four days during the auction period.
Pay: 40 million Landa upfront, 40 million on success.
For Oliver's current career, it felt light, but money wasn't the point.
"The bonus appealed to me."
"Helping buy black magic books during the job."
"Yes."
Indeed. Despite it not being enough to drag him out of break, Oliver was interested because of the chance to acquire black magic books.
Jane's auction was a fairly large one involving the Crime Firm, with legal items plus underworld contraband flooding out.
A year-end blowout sale of sorts.
To clear out warehouse stockpiles.
Of course, the auction house tacitly approved it as more profitable overall.
Very much in this city's style.
"Only ticket holders can attend, so I figured I'd buy while guarding the lady."
"Guarding means sticking close—when would you shop?"
"She'll buy for me instead, so no issue."
"Those ladies know exactly how to persuade you......"
"Any problem?"
"Can't say there isn't. I just turned away a rush of orders saying you're resting, and accepting this suddenly will upset other clients. This field's special, but it's service—complaints incoming."
"Ah...... Didn't think of that."
"Figured. Still want to accept?"
Forest wanted to say refuse—it was low value compared to others, not worth the money—but knowing Oliver, he asked.
Oliver's answer was as expected.
"Yes."
"Sigh...... Can't be helped. It's officially accepted. I'll talk to the lady."
"Thank you."
"By the way, unexpected."
"Pardon?"
"Lady Jane. With the fortune from her father, thought she'd live quietly comfy. Yet heading there."
"Just an auction, no?"
"On the surface. Deeper, it's a social hub for building Landa connections."
"Connections?"
"Yeah, flaunting wealth and eye. Or hunting good husbands, but doesn't feel like it."
Come to think of it, Oliver recalled Jane attending a hotel social a few days ago.
"Then why go?"
"Who knows? Maybe doesn't want to quietly leech off inherited wealth."