Chapter 253
Chapter 253
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 253
Chapter Title: Party Invitation (1)
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Edith.
The moment she heard that name, a flash of negative emotions—anger, hatred, betrayal, contempt, disgust—crossed Jane's face.
It was very brief, but unmistakable proof that the emotional chasm between her and Edith had yet to heal.
"Heh... That's a bit unexpected?"
Jane swiftly composed her expression and emotions.
Thanks to her Sisterhood training, her face looked fine enough, but the turmoil inside her seemed harder to rein in, churning wildly like a serpent thrashing about.
Oliver had clearly prodded a raw nerve.
Still, there was no helping it. Time was short, and he needed an answer.
"Didn't Forest tell you?"
"Yes... He said to meet you and ask directly."
"I think I know why he did that."
Oliver replied while eyeing the displeasure and anger staining Jane's emotions. But it felt like a misstep.
"What reason do you think it is?"
"It's because Miss Jane is so very... Is now the time for me to shut up?"
Jane nodded, a furious smile playing on her lips.
"Yes."
"...Sorry."
Oliver bowed his head in apology, then truly clamped his mouth shut and slurped his coffee.
It was quite awkward. At least the coffee was good?
They sipped in uneasy silence for a long while until Jane, having gathered herself, let out a weary sigh and rose from her seat.
"...Want another cup of coffee?"
"......."
"I've calmed down. You can talk now."
"Then, one more, please."
Oliver answered cautiously. Jane sighed again at the sight, then headed to the bar and poured another cup.
"...Sorry. I let my emotions get ahead of me and snapped at a customer."
She said as she set the coffee before Oliver. He shook his head.
"No, if anyone's sorry... it's me, for the sudden request."
"...Can I ask why?"
Jane sat back down, brushing her hair aside as she asked.
Her emotions tangled in hesitation, anger, and curiosity.
"So... why do you want to meet Edith? Business? A commission?"
"Neither. Just... personal curiosity."
"Curiosity? About what...?"
Oliver nearly answered on reflex, but the words caught in his throat.
It wasn't time yet.
"Hmm... I can't say just yet."
"Not yet?"
"Yes."
Her calm but firm reply made Jane drop the matter at once.
She knew Oliver might seem soft, but his resolve could be unyieldingly firm when it mattered.
"So conversely, you'll tell me later?"
"Probably."
"Hmm... Fine. I'll wait. But please tell me when the time comes."
"If I can, I definitely will."
Not fully satisfied but accepting the compromise, Jane nodded.
"Thanks. But will she cooperate just like that?"
It was a pointed question. Edith had one of the most ornery personalities of anyone Oliver had met.
The odds of her giving a straight answer simply because he asked were slim to none.
Proof lay in their past chat at the multiplex cultural center , where he hadn't gotten what he wanted.
'Of course, things are different now...'
"It won't be easy, but I have something to bargain with."
"Something to bargain with?"
"Yes."
"That confident attitude is quite charming. But that's hard to answer too, right?"
"Yes, nothing's set in stone yet."
"Sigh... But why come to me? I don't want to get tangled up with her."
Mental strain at its limit, perhaps—Jane couldn't hold back, bowing her head and rubbing her face dryly.
Fatigue, irritation, and a touch of resentment toward Oliver shone through. All he could do was apologize.
"Sorry. You're the only one I can ask."
"As Dave now, you could've found help elsewhere besides me?"
Not entirely wrong.
If Oliver had wanted to approach someone else, Forest likely would've paved the way.
It would've taken more time and effort, sure.
That was fixer's Dave's position these days.
Oliver vaguely knew it. But he hadn't because Jane was an option—and simply because he didn't want to incur needless favors from others.
A selfish, arbitrary reason, really. Oliver knew it.
"Sorry. I was selfish. Still, I want to ask you, Miss Jane."
Her expression shifted subtly, cheeks tinting red.
"What a cowardly, wicked thing to say."
"Did I offend?"
"That's the point. Really..."
Jane bowed her head again. But as always, she swiftly regained her cool. Truly admirable.
"Whatever. Honestly, I need Dave's help too. Can't keep whining."
"I don't mind."
"...Don't say that so lightly."
"Ah... Sorry if it upset you. I'll watch it."
"Sigh, what a pair of fools we are... My favor is for Dave to attend a party with me and show his face. As my official invitee."
"P...arty?"
"Yes. End of the month, Randa's tycoons are gathering. Our group—all of us, including me—will be there. I'd like Dave to grace it too. As my guest."
"Well, no issue on my end, but is it okay for me to go?"
"Of course. Plenty will want to see Dave, actually. Oh, and Edith'll be there... Feels odd saying it. Like some oracle meant for us to help each other. What do you say? Come, and I'll set up the meeting."
Jane asked Oliver with her signature charming smile.
[So, what did you tell her?]
"I'd go."
Oliver replied to Forest's voice over the communicator. Forest had expected as much, yet sounded incredulous anyway.
[You accepted that so readily?]
"Yes... Since I'm the one asking a favor, being picky seemed rude... Was it a mistake?"
[...Not really a mistake. You're due to show your face at such events anyway. Just wish you'd decided more carefully.]
Even through the device, Oliver caught the worry in Forest's tone.
"Sorry. It was sudden for me too... Could I ask about the party? Jane explained, but I don't quite get it."
[A sort of investment gathering.]
Surprisingly, Forest answered right away.
Either he'd foreseen the question, or he had the lowdown on every major event.
The former seemed unlikely; the latter, staggering.
Randa was city-state huge, teeming with people, events, parties.
Knowing just the big ones was jaw-dropping.
"Investment gathering?"
[Yeah. Randa's money swims in excess—folks with spare cash all eye investments. Bonds, forex, stocks... Know 'em?]
"Bonds are IOUs governments or firms issue to raise funds. Forex for foreign trade bills. Stocks prove ownership proportional to investment?"
[Close enough. Impressive.]
"Read it in a book. 'Don't put all eggs in one basket' too. Sounds wrong now."
[Stocks have no one true answer. Seem rational, but greed and madness lurk beneath. No real method.]
"You invested?"
[Don't ask—hurts... Anyway, that party's for sharing or soliciting investment info. This city's mad for it. If I'm right, not just rich folk—mages, nobles too.]
"Mages and nobles?"
Oliver echoed in genuine surprise.
Mages and capitalists checked each other; nobles were hearsay in Randa, unseen.
Yet attending this? Unbelievable.
[Not odd. Mages and nobles need money too. Cash ties people equally, in a way.]
Oliver nodded. Persuasive.
"Why invite me, though?"
[As I said, you're Fighter Crew chief and Crime Firm ally. Here, force is allure and edge... Not weird.]
"Fighter Crew or Crime Firm say nothing? Must irk them."
[Hmm... Not necessarily.]
"Pardon?"
Oliver sensed unease, like something hidden.
[Finish the thought first... Point is, attending's fine, not bad. Even those who shun fixers watch the good ones. Never know when.]
"Ah, yes..."
[Jane invited to flaunt ties with you... Rumors say Sisterhood took her due to your connection. Mingle lightly at the party, then leave. No specifics on relations.]
"Specifics?"
[Shared secrets, lovers—stuff like that. Half the place is bluff and illusion; showing details hurts... You're not dating her, right?]
"No. Why does everyone ask?"
[Good. Ignore rumors—they fly here.]
"Got it... You attending, Forest?"
[No. Not my scene.]
"Shame."
[Hearing that from a guy stings... Jokes aside, prep well—you've time. Meeting faces there builds assets. As your value rises, see the whole board beyond jobs.]
"To avoid exploitation, protect yourself."
[Glad you remember. Signing off. Swing by pre-party. Owe you a meal.]
"Yes. Soon as I can."
Oliver bowed out and cut the comm.
Silence swiftly blanketed the L-District house basement.
Proof of solid soundproofing.
Oliver returned to work, gazing down at the corpse puppet—Batori.
"Child. How's it? Usable?"
"Kyaaaaa... Yes!"
Child wobbled upright on shaky legs, adapting to the new corpse puppet—Batori.
"Good thing. Feared a female one might be tricky, first time. Adaptation training now? Lots to test."