Chapter 234
Chapter 234
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 234
Chapter Title: Cooperation (2)
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Though it wasn't his original intention, Oliver decided to form a cooperative relationship with Welles.
Honestly, it didn't seem like a bad proposal.
There were some differences in the details, but both Oliver and Welles ultimately shared the same goal: resolving the disappearances happening in Mountain Face. Helping each other out could prove beneficial.
Or perhaps... it might benefit Oliver even more.
He wasn't one to brag, but digging into problems, making deductions, and uncovering hidden truths weren't exactly his strong suits.
The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, Oliver had breakfast with Welles and the truck driver—potato soup and bread provided by the village—before setting off right away.
It was best to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
'Plus, personally speaking, I should hurry. The Holland family's lack of cooperation is bothering me.'
Oliver couldn't explain it in detail, but he climbed aboard the truck with a nagging unease he couldn't simply ignore.
Thanks to refueling and lubricating the parts between them, the truck climbed the mountain road with more vigor than when they'd first arrived.
In the midst of their long ascent, Oliver suddenly realized something and spoke up.
"Hmm... That's interesting."
"What is?"
"For such a remote mountain hollow, it's surprising that there's a road cars can navigate, even if it's rough."
He had a point.
It was barely wide enough for a single small truck to squeeze through, but the existence of a road in such a sparsely populated deep valley was quite remarkable.
Construction costs like that would be substantial... far beyond what the local villages could afford.
Of course, the regional administration might have built it, but that seemed highly unlikely.
Kevin and the Magic Tower branch folks had said the Northland Kingdom administration only invested in infrastructure related to mines.
So, there was only one answer.
"Did the Magic Tower build it, by any chance?"
Oliver instinctively asked toward the driver's seat. The driver, who kept his eye sockets wide open, fell silent for a moment before responding.
"...Yes. I heard it was for transporting food and supplies needed for the research institute."
Oliver nodded.
"This is pretty intriguing."
"What's intriguing?"
Welles, who had been listening, asked. Oliver replied gladly. Conversation was always enjoyable for him. Especially when exchanging opinions—it doubled the pleasure.
"I meant it's fun to see firsthand the stories I heard from the Magic Tower."
"Want me to guess what they told you? Something like how wizards' research and experiments ultimately bring happiness to people, so hold your head high with pride and don't yield to criticism or hardship?"
Oh... spot on.
On days with lighter workloads, Oliver had audited other classes on Merlin and Kevin's recommendation, and he'd heard exactly that kind of talk amid the endless magical theories.
Wizards, as the central figures leading humanity's golden age, should stand firm against difficulties, obstacles, blame, and mockery—believe in their path and keep challenging themselves. That kind of spiritual pep talk.
It had stuck with Oliver, somewhat profoundly. Even if it was a bit twisted.
"Yes, exactly. How did you know?"
"These days, you see wizards spilling out onto the streets everywhere. Heard it from them. Bunch of self-aggrandizing types dying to boast."
"Ah, I see."
"You work for them and don't know the Magic Tower's situation? Things are so competitive there now, they're leaking onto the streets nonstop."
"Sorry. I was just hired by the Magic Tower this year."
"Ah... this year?"
Welles's eyes gleamed as he asked.
"Yes."
"Hmm. How'd you land the job? Sounds like there's an interesting story there."
"I'd rather not get into details... Sorry."
"No worries. Everyone has their secrets... Anyway, back to the point—didn't you say earlier that the Magic Tower made life better for folks here?"
"Well... I'm not sure about better overall, but transportation-wise, yeah, they've helped."
A hint of denial crept into Welles's emotions. A signal that he didn't agree with Oliver.
But contrary to expectations, Welles didn't outright reject it. In fact, he conceded part of it.
"True enough. Not entirely wrong. The road came because of the Magic Tower's research institute, and traffic got easier—that's a fact."
"You agree?"
"Just on the transportation part."
"What about the rest?"
Welles thought for a moment.
"Hmm... Honestly, I think they've brought more harm than good to the people living here."
Sincere.
"...May I ask why?"
"Mountain Face used to have two or three times more villages than now. But the Magic Tower wanted to build a research institute here because of the herbs and beasts in the environment. Most good spots for institutes already had villages... What do you think they did?"
"Offered compensation and suggested relocation?"
Oliver answered based on what he'd seen in Landa. Redevelopment usually went that way.
"Right. They offered peanuts as compensation and demanded we leave land our ancestors had lived on for generations. People refused... and then, what do you think happened next?"
"Hmm... Offered more money?"
"You're missing the point. It wasn't about the money. The payout was insultingly low, sure, but there was a bigger issue."
"What was it?"
"Pride, dignity, identity."
"Hmm... Sorry, I don't quite get it."
"Figure you wouldn't. City folk have a hard time understanding. But for people here, it's huge. Land your family has lived on for generations isn't just land. It's your roots. Defines who you are."
Oliver tilted his head at the unfamiliar words. He could almost grasp it, yet it slipped away.
Welles continued.
"...But the Magic Tower didn't understand—or even try to. They just demanded we leave, bragging about how their research here would benefit humanity."
"If it's all right, may I share my personal thoughts? It might upset you a bit."
"Go ahead."
"From what I know, the potions and medicines developed here have made drugs cheaper and more accessible for many—especially the poor and laborers on construction sites. I've read about it in people's stories and newspapers. So, isn't there some truth to it?"
"The Magic Tower built the institute here for their own gain, not the world's. Sure, selling potions helped people, but they pocketed tech and profits in the process. Nothing free about it... Even if we concede a hundred times that it's for everyone's benefit, does that justify trampling the rights of the few who lived here? ...Not accusing—just asking."
There was anger, but Welles kept it in check with reason, calmly questioning Oliver. Oliver fell into thought instead of answering.
It clashed with Landa's mindset of prioritizing personal profit as a virtue, but it intrigued him nonetheless.
"Of course, it's not like there's no greed here. Folks fight with axes and knives over money issues every month. Doesn't justify the Magic Tower, though."
"Hmm... So how did they convince the village? There's an institute now, so they must've reached some agreement."
"Not agreement. The Magic Tower sued and took it."
"Sued?"
"Yeah. They petitioned the kingdom court, emphasizing Mountain Face's public value and claiming it was wrong for villages to occupy it. Said living here was illegal. The court accepted it."
"Oh... Is that even possible?"
"It happened. And naturally, the Magic Tower won. It was unwinnable from the start."
"Why?"
"The kingdom and Magic Tower are always on the same side. The indigenous Kel tribe here? Just an eyesore. Plus, villagers couldn't afford lawyers... So no real fightback. Villages overlapping the institute's site were forcibly demolished. Had to flee to other villages or down to Holland—working 12 to 16 hours a day."
Welles finished, taking a swig from his canteen. He seemed composed outwardly, but rage simmered inside.
Notably, it was rational anger born from injustice, not mere emotion.
After draining the water, he asked,
"...Any questions? You seem pretty curious."
"Yes. Why weren't the village we passed earlier and others demolished?"
"They didn't overlap the institute site. Even institutes need laborers for odd jobs—like hunters for test beasts or gatherers for herbs... Villagers figured they'd escape the wrath and submitted."
"Hmm, interesting."
"Yeah?"
"Ah, sorry. I just meant the phenomenon itself is fascinating. What happened with the Magic Tower institute and all... It's intriguing to me. One more question?"
"Shoot."
"Villagers around here probably don't think highly of the Magic Tower institute, yet some seem friendly. Why's that?"
"Time passed, and they live off the jobs the institute provides now."
"...?"
"More common than you'd think. People seem to hold grudges forever, but they forget quick. Especially without power. Hand back a sliver of what you took, and they grin... That's the scary part. Eventually, they forget. Who the original owners were. Where their roots lie."
Welles infused the end with emotion—genuine fear and concern shining through.
"...I'm not sure, but I think I get the gist. Thanks for the thoughtful answers."
At Oliver's thanks, Welles realized he'd said more than intended and chuckled awkwardly.
Looks like he'd opened up more than planned.
"...This feels a bit unfair."
"Unfair how?"
"I'm the only one talking. We're cooperating because we need each other—shouldn't be one-sided. Don't I deserve some story in return?"
"Hmm, fair point. How about a joke, then?"
"A joke out of nowhere?"
"A really funny one."
"...Fine, let's hear it."
"Ahem... Three guys playing poker in a tavern. One Kel tribesman, one kingdom native, and one Landa man. These three—"
"—We've arrived at the next village!"
The driver shouted from the front seat, eyes peering through the sockets.
Oliver silently stared toward the driver.
Oliver and Welles disembarked from the truck upon arriving at the second village.
This one was even more insular than the first, but as soon as Welles pulled out his token, their wariness peeled away a layer.
Welles immediately sought out the village elder, an old woman, who—despite her weary face—hurriedly explained the village's plight.
This village was no different from the previous one.
If anything, more people had vanished, mostly children, making it even graver.
"Anything strange?"
"Plenty... Odd beasts show up now and then, watching the village like sentinels. Feels more like monsters than animals. And ghost stories at night—some woman's specter wandering."
"Ghost...?"
"Yeah. Anyway, no one dares leave the village after dark."
Just a day's journey from the last village, yet the severity had escalated.
Parents who'd lost children looked to Welles like their last hope, pleading for help. He calmed them, promising sincerely to resolve it.
"We need to check the surrounding villages."
After speaking with the elder, Welles approached Oliver.
"Planning to scout nearby villages too. Come with?"
"Sure, but can we?"
"A few close ones nearby. Reinforce your body with mana and run—it won't take long."
Reinforce the body with mana and sprint... Oliver pondered, then pulled a map from his pocket.
Nothing fancy—just a rough sketch marking Mountain Face's research institutes. He checked their village's position and nearby institutes.
"If it's okay, how about visiting an institute instead?"
"Institute?"
"Yeah. Doubt we'll learn much from other villages. Might as well head to one."
Not a bad idea—Welles didn't object.
"Which one?"
"Herb research institute nearby. Start there?"
Oliver said, showing the map.