Chapter 252
Chapter 252
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 252
Chapter Title: Fixer Dave (3)
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Jane.
She was the illegitimate daughter of Edith Locke that Oliver had been searching for, and a member of the Sisterhood.
The last time he'd seen her was when she was providing security at the Subrepto Grand Museum.
"That name feels like it's been ages since I last heard it."
"It has been a while. Well, both you and I have been swamped lately..."
That much was true.
After wrapping things up with Jane, it had been one thing after another: recovering auction items, dealing with the disciple of the cannibal chef, reconciling Fighter Crew and Crime Firm, contracts, training, and more.
In the midst of it all, Oliver had been bouncing between the Magic Tower and District X, barely catching his breath day after day.
Not that he minded, since it had all been enjoyable.
"But why Jane all of a sudden...? Since she's your daughter, can you help me meet Edith?"
Oliver asked, puzzled.
He had witnessed firsthand how things had ended between Jane and Edith.
Edith had summoned Jane—who had barely survived Duncan's betrayal—only to mock her to her face and insult her mother as a whore.
He'd thought maybe they'd reconciled, but Oliver shook his head.
Something told him that wasn't the case.
Edith had inflicted far too deep a wound on Jane back then.
He couldn't say for sure since it wasn't his area of expertise, but it wasn't the kind of injury that healed easily.
"I can help, but not because she's my daughter, so don't get the wrong idea. I know all about how that father-daughter relationship fell apart."
"Pardon? Then...?"
"Exactly what I said. Jane can help, but it's not because she's Edith's daughter."
Oliver tilted his head at the cryptic words. He couldn't make sense of it.
"Sorry, Mr. Forest, but I'm having a bit of trouble understanding."
"Hmm, I suppose I need to start with some background... Earlier, I mentioned how you and I have been busy?"
"Yes."
"But it's not just us. Everyone in Landa's been busy. Jane's no exception."
"How so?"
"While you and I were reconciling Crime Firm and Fighter Crew, Jane joined the Sisterhood's asset holders' group."
Ah, right. He remembered now. Jane's goal after inheriting Edith's fortune and becoming wealthy had been exactly that.
"That's great... Wasn't that the whole reason she went to the auction house in the first place?"
"She got lucky, you could say. The auction got raided and fizzled out on the first day, but Jane managed to snag something decent amid the chaos... Madam Miranda seems to have taken note of that."
"Madam Miranda?"
"A rare female heavyweight in Landa. You might not know her... She's an asset holder with immense wealth, a professional investor, and the queen of high society with vast connections."
'Hmm... Miranda. Feels like I've heard that name before? Or maybe seen her?'
"Is she the leader of the group?"
"Honestly, she's more like the owner than a leader."
"Pardon?"
"The Sisterhood's asset holders' group did come together to pool their strength, but it was centered around Madam Miranda. In practice, the members follow her orders."
"I see."
"She's incredibly capable. Rumor has it she's even extending her reach into the capital's noble social circles. Not confirmed, but possible."
"Impressive... But how does that relate to Jane helping me meet Edith?"
"The point is, Jane's no longer just the illegitimate daughter who inherited a fortune. With Madam Miranda's help, she's made her debut as a full-fledged investor in Landa's social scene."
"An investor?"
"Yes, an investor. The group she's in is all about investments, so they're highly active in public dealings. She's playing a role scripted by Madam Miranda, but still... She's become a noblewoman with real influence in Landa. That's why she can help you."
Ah... Now Oliver got it, and he was genuinely impressed.
She'd burned with determination and worked so hard, and she'd finally achieved her goal. Truly remarkable.
But that also highlighted a problem.
"But doesn't that make things harder for me?"
"How so?"
"If Jane's done so well, wouldn't it be tough for me to meet her?"
"Why do you think that?"
"Because of the status difference?"
"Hmm... I don't see it that way."
"Why not?"
"Because you've succeeded just as much as she has?"
Oliver couldn't make sense of it, but Forest soon explained.
An explanation that made no sense at all.
Oliver pressed him on it, unable to accept it, but Forest advised him to just take it as rumor for now—though it was becoming reality.
Oliver agreed, then stood to leave the restaurant.
The sudden conversation had left him mentally drained... and he had work to do.
Forest looked regretful but didn't try to stop him.
'Well, probably for the best. I wanted to at least treat you to a meal here, but the other guests might bother you... Let's eat together another time. Don't worry too much about the meeting with Jane. I'll set it up as soon as possible.'
Oliver acknowledged it and headed to the Black Market before going home.
The unexpected news had fatigued him properly, but he didn't waste time. He dove straight into making and testing the corpse puppets.
He'd gone to Mountain Face and handled more than expected, but work piled up unpredictably—better to knock it out early.
Oliver first cleanly severed the necks of the female black magicians to remove the messy cross-sections, then fitted iron lids over them to serve as catalysts, making them easier to control with manipulation black magic. Thus, corpse puppets.
Since the materials were top quality, he focused on enhancing their innate abilities rather than tacking on ragtag devices.
'And the experiments... I hope they go as planned.'
After finishing with the female black magicians, Oliver practiced inserting tubes into the blood vessels of a C-grade corpse.
Blood vessels were more delicate and complex than expected; it'd take quite a bit of practice.
"Hmm, I think I'm getting the hang of it..."
Oliver muttered as he referenced a medical book and reinserted the tubes into the corpse.
It demanded more focus and strength than anticipated; sweat beaded not just on his forehead but the tip of his nose.
As he went to wipe it away, a familiar signal sounded.
Beep- Beep- Beep-
Forest's personal communicator.
Oliver paused his work, removed his gloves, and answered immediately.
"Yes, Mr. Forest. It's me... You set up the meeting? Yes, thank you... Yes, yes. A request? What's it about? ...Ah, got it. What's the address?"
Oliver jotted down the address Forest gave, ended the call, and muttered while tearing off the paper to pocket it.
"What could Jane possibly need from me?"
Oliver prepared to head out first.
He had no idea what Jane wanted, but he decided not to worry about it.
He'd hear her out; if he could help, he would, and if not, he'd decline.
With that, Oliver paused his work, showered, and pulled a neatly stored suit from his closet.
Tie, shoes, watch too.
It was his way of showing respect, since Jane had worked so hard to succeed.
After a spritz of cologne, he took a taxi to District R.
Where Jane lived.
"We're here, sir."
The driver said, taking a swig from his silver hip flask.
Oliver paid the fare, including a tip.
"Ahh, thank you."
"Thank you."
Oliver got out after the exchange and walked toward the address Forest had given.
"Is this it?"
Oliver eyed the house, which stood out from the typical cramped District R homes.
Jane's place exuded space, security, and abundance.
'The fence and garden, maybe...? ...But how do I get in?'
As Oliver puzzled over the mansion—he'd never visited one alone—someone appeared from inside the fence.
"Who is it?"
An elderly man with a beard, his pocket embroidered with "Safety Guard" in yellow thread.
Seemed to be from Landa's highly reliable mercenary group, Safety Guard.
"Are you here by appointment?"
The man asked politely while quickly scanning Oliver's face and attire. Very seasoned.
"Yes, I'm Dave. Here to see Miss Jane. We should have an appointment."
As soon as Oliver identified himself, the old man opened the iron gate.
"Please come in. She's waiting inside."
Oliver entered the mansion as directed, where a woman with pink hair greeted him.
"Long time no see, Dave. First time since the auction house, right?"
"Yes. You look a bit different, Miss."
Jane smiled shyly, roughly sweeping her long hair to one side, revealing an ear studded with black piercings, dressed in a suit that accentuated her feminine curves while emphasizing a masculine edge.
"Didn't expect you'd notice... Thanks. Come on in."
Oliver followed Jane's lead into the mansion's reception room.
The interior decor seemed to have changed to match her new look.
A bit modern, trendy vibe?
"Want anything to drink? Coffee, black tea, or maybe something stronger?"
Jane asked energetically from the bar in one corner of the reception room.
The bar was stocked with magic liquor, various spirits, coffee, tea, and cigarettes, all neatly categorized.
"Coffee sounds good for me... Need any help?"
"No, just sit tight if you want to help. I don't want the stigma of borrowing a guest's hands to serve."
Jane replied with a joke as she prepared the coffee.
In a suit instead of her usual dress, her movements looked smoother and more at ease.
"Here you go."
She served it quickly, but the coffee still looked perfect.
Oliver took a sip.
Jane smiled and asked,
"How's the taste?"
"Good."
"Glad to hear it. I'd have been hurt if you said it wasn't."
"It's really good... Have you been practicing?"
"At the Sisterhood. Had to learn all sorts of things."
Oliver nodded.
If Jane hadn't inherited Edith's fortune, she'd have spent her life as a Sisterhood worker.
Jane sipped her coffee and spoke up.
"So, no questions for me?"
The abrupt question gave Oliver pause. He thought for a moment and nodded.
"Does a reception room usually have a bar?"
Caught off guard, Jane laughed good-naturedly, a mix of exasperation and amusement.
"Heh... No, not usually. But lately, among upstart asset holders—especially the young ones—it's trendy to put a bar in the reception room. They say serving guests yourself is classy."
Oliver sensed something off.
"Is that your reason too, Miss?"
"No. I installed it to look like one of those upstarts. Something like this."
She pointed to one ear, packed with black piercings.
He couldn't pinpoint it exactly, but Oliver vaguely understood.
"Does it have to do with your activities in Landa's social circles?"
"Ding ding ding. Getting sharper, huh?"
"Actually, Mr. Forest told me ahead of time. That you'd successfully joined the Sisterhood's asset holders' group... Impressive. Congratulations."
Jane's lips twitched.
"You're embarrassing me saying that. But you've succeeded too, Oliver. I heard the rumors."
"Ah, those rumors aren't true. Not at all."
Oliver denied it immediately.
He'd already heard from Forest what rumors she meant.
He still couldn't wrap his head around it.
While he'd been at Mountain Face, some utterly absurd rumor had spread in Landa.
The rumor was that Oliver had brutally murdered Fighter Crew's leader, subdued the members by force, claimed the leader position himself, and negotiated an alliance with Crime Firm.
Utter nonsense.
"It's not true?"
"No... I don't know why it started, but I'm not Fighter Crew's leader. Never was part of them. And the alliance with Crime Firm? News to me."
"Really? Hard to believe... So you're saying you didn't improve relations between Fighter Crew and Crime Firm or seal the contract?"
"No, that was me."
"Pardon? ...Then you didn't kill their leader?"
"No, I did kill him."
"......???"
"Subduing the members?"
"That's nonsense. I persuaded them all, didn't force them."
Oliver spoke earnestly, but Jane's expression soured, filled with suspicion and disdain like she'd spotted a con artist.
"Heh... They say Fighter Crew's skills have skyrocketed lately, but that has nothing to do with you, right?"
"Well, I did train them, but whether it relates... who knows."
"......One last question. How can you brazenly claim not to be their leader after killing the old one, persuading the members, and hashing things out with Crime Firm?"
"I just helped out briefly."
Oliver stated it confidently.
To anyone else, it'd sound like utter bullshit, and even to Jane, who knew him somewhat, it rang hollow.
She leaned forward, propping her chin, and glanced up at him slightly.
"I want to take your side, Dave, but that lacks any persuasiveness."
"I'm telling the truth. I just promised to help, that's all... Proof: I didn't take a single penny."
"It's like walking into a bank with a gun and blowing the vault—whether you take the money or not, you're still a bank robber."
"......I don't walk into banks with guns."
"It's just an example!!"
Jane snapped, annoyed.
"Sigh... Anyway, I think clearing up this misunderstanding will be pretty tough. If it even is a misunderstanding."
"That's a big problem."
Oliver said worriedly. He'd wanted no affiliations, yet here he was saddled with an unwanted leader rumor.
He pondered ways to dispel it. Maybe it was a sign to move elsewhere.
As Oliver mulled it over, Jane called to him.
"Dave?"
"Yes? Miss?"
"Whatever, I'm just glad we met. It was ridiculous, but I laughed a lot."
"Wasn't trying to be funny, but if you're happy, so am I."
Jane's lips curved up again, but only briefly.
She composed her expression and emotions, shifting to the sharp-eyed businesswoman look Forest had.
She really was active as an investor in Landa's social scene.
"But we're not here just to chat... If it's okay, shall we get to the main point? I have a favor to ask too."
Oliver nodded, feeling an odd satisfaction at Jane's straightforward demeanor.
"Ah, yes... If it's alright, can I go first?"
"Of course. What do you need from me?"
"Could you help me meet Edith?"