Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: ABC (2)
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"...That's just the surface reason. The real issue is the sheer scale of the fraud. If we let something this massive continue unchecked, Landa's very existence will be in jeopardy."
Carver spoke with unwavering sincerity.
But regardless, Oliver couldn't wrap his head around it.
How could one individual's scam threaten Landa's survival?
"Landa's freedom isn't something that's maintained effortlessly. As I mentioned during that assignment outside the city walls, there are always those gunning for Landa."
"Ah... You mean the Central Council and the royal family?"
"Yes, exactly. They use any prison break as an excuse to feign concern for safety and meddle in our freedoms. In truth, they're just after our wealth. And if, amid all that, a single businessman causes massive damage not just to Landa but to the entire nation of Selland—what do you think would happen?"
"Ah..."
Oliver let out a gasp.
He wasn't great with these kinds of issues, but he could easily imagine it providing the perfect pretext.
No matter their true intentions, the actual damages would be real.
"Precisely. They'd start questioning Landa's status as a free city. Reckless management causing enormous harm to the nation..."
"...And if it actually happens, wouldn't that be somewhat true?"
Oliver asked without much thought.
Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Carver looked flustered and fell silent.
Forrest, who had been watching the exchange, chimed in.
"That's not entirely wrong."
"...Hearing that from you, Mr. Forrest, is disconcerting."
"I admit it. I'm a broker. No one benefits more from Landa's freedoms than I do. But if I can't even voice my thoughts because of that, wouldn't that contradict Landa's freedoms?"
Carver let out a wry chuckle at Forrest's response. He didn't seem too displeased.
"...Fair enough. We made a grave mistake this time. Landa's city hall is corrupt, yes, but it's also a capable organization. A few fools made poor choices. But doesn't it feel unjust for all our past efforts to go down the drain over that? Bluntly put, the royal family and Central Council aren't exactly squeaky clean compared to us."
"That's true enough."
Forrest said, glancing at Oliver. He meant it.
Having heard the response, Oliver clarified to Carver to dispel any misunderstanding.
"I wasn't trying to pick a fight or anything."
"Good, then... Looks like we've gone a bit off track. The point is, for Landa's safety and survival, we'd like Mr. Dave's help."
As Oliver opened his mouth to reply, Forrest politely raised a hand, asking if he could speak first.
Oliver happily agreed.
"Mr. Carver, may I ask a few questions?"
"Ask away. Given the circumstances, I'll answer as fully and honestly as I can within the limits of what I can disclose."
"You mentioned city councilors and officials taking bribes from Shamus. So, this operation isn't an official decision from Landa's city hall, then."
"Spot on. It's funded by councilors opposing those bribed by Shamus, and I've taken the lead."
"You personally? Not the Ministry of Interior?"
"Yes. The minister said we couldn't risk the entire ministry. If we were going to proceed, he told me to take point and handle it solo."
"That sounds incredibly risky."
"It is. If it fails, my career won't just take a hit—it'll be shattered. I'd be out of a job, kissing goodbye to my hard-earned civil servant pension. Though, I'd probably be killed before that anyway."
Oliver, who had been listening quietly, asked.
"Killed? By whom?"
"By Shamus or the higher-ups backing her. In this city, opposing those with money and power means exactly that."
His tone was calm, but his words were dead serious. Carver was prepared to die for this.
"Why take such a risk?"
Oliver asked, genuinely puzzled.
Even if Shamus was pulling a scam that threatened Landa's existence, as Carver claimed, it might not be true.
And even if it was, staying out of it was far safer.
So why court danger like this?
Carver answered forthrightly.
"Because I love Landa. This city."
Pure sincerity. Oliver pressed.
"Why?"
"It's the most equal and free city imaginable. Well, interpretations of those words vary, but that's how it is for me. No nobles lording their birth over everyone, no need to chant 'Long live Her Majesty' while shaking tiny union flags. Here, you act on your own will and ability, and you get treated accordingly... Where else could be more right?"
This too was sincere—not just words, but conviction.
It had a pretty glow to it.
"That's why I can't stand those who try to harm this city. That's why I'm taking the risk... Of course, if it goes well, it'll help my promotion too."
All sincere. Every word from Carver rang true.
Satisfied with the answers, Oliver handed the conversation back to Forrest, who picked up seamlessly.
"Thank you for your honesty. As a Landan, it's proud and grateful to hear."
"Good. Glad to hear it."
"That said, I'm a broker. I set personal feelings aside and judge solely on success odds and compensation."
"Understood."
"Even with passive support from councilors and tacit approval from the interior minister, this is officially your solo act, as I understand it. Correct?"
"No mistakes there."
"Then your resources are limited. Can you pay compensation matching the job's scale?"
"I'll do my utmost to meet your terms. But given the job's size, I'd prefer to pay upon completion."
"Upon completion... Meaning only if we succeed. No advance."
"Can't pay upfront in cash, no."
Carver replied, and Forrest's expression hardened. Clear refusal.
It was an unreasonable demand, after all.
"Mr. Carver... You know taking a job without an advance is tricky, right? The bigger and riskier the job, the better the terms need to be."
"How risky is it?"
Oliver interjected. Despite the negotiations, Forrest answered kindly.
"Obviously. She's retired, but Shamus is a living legend in the fixer world, now a boss with hordes of underlings. Druids, wizards, black magicians... Rumors even say she's in bed with the Z District Development Opposition Committee."
"The Development Opposition Committee...?"
"The ones who attacked us. Haven't confirmed Shamus ordered it yet."
He said he didn't know, but Forrest seemed fairly certain.
Oliver couldn't make sense of it. Why would they attack him?
"Seems like a heavy discussion. Mind if I say something?"
Carver spoke calmly despite the disadvantage. His demeanor carried a subtle persuasiveness.
"First, I'll admit my offer is unreasonable. You're not the type to buy into nonsense, Mr. Forrest, and Mr. Dave isn't in a position to accept such terms."
Carver paused briefly before continuing.
"But please understand my position. Bluntly, the advance I can muster is maybe 100 or 200 million—peanuts compared to the job's scale."
"True, but we can't just waive it either."
"I'm not saying I won't pay. I want to compensate differently. To Mr. Dave."
Turning from Forrest to Oliver.
"To me?"
"Yes. The job acceptance is entirely your call, Mr. Dave."
"Hm... I do like money."
"Is that so? Last time we talked, didn't you say you do fixer work to learn about the world?"
It was true. After the out-of-city job, Oliver had met Carver at a café and shared such thoughts.
Carver continued.
"Honestly, I thought it was bullshit. Just probing, but your answer... It didn't feel like a lie."
"It wasn't."
"That's why I'm offering this. Might sound arrogant, but I'm smart with broad experience. Top university, military service, straight into Landa city hall. The elite track."
"Impressive."
"Whatever you're curious about, I'll answer for life."
"Pardon?"
"Economics, society, politics, diplomacy, military—you name it. Within my knowledge, or I'll consult others to satisfy your curiosity."
Forrest, listening beside them, widened his eyes.
It was a proposal way out of left field.
Offering such terms to a fixer living in the shadows off violence? Utterly illogical.
The problem was Oliver wasn't exactly logical either.
"Ho... That's intriguing."
What wouldn't faze another fixer hooked Oliver.
It paradoxically showed how much thought Carver had put into swaying him.
Negotiation was like stacking blocks—equal parts skill and avoiding mistakes. This was a gamble, and it paid off.
Of course, there was one more to convince, so he added terms accordingly.
"...Additionally, as long as I hold my civil servant post, I'll maintain friendly relations with you and Mr. Dave, Mr. Forrest."
"Friendly relations...?"
"Under the premise my situation allows and it doesn't harm Landa, I'll keep good ties. Offering advice, digging up info—that sort of thing."
Forrest reacted. It seemed minor, but it was solid. Connections to a Ministry of Interior official?
Forrest kept his cool and responded.
"Vague terms."
"Anything more would be a scam, no?"
Forrest didn't deny it.
It looked insignificant, but it was the max Carver could offer from his position.
However, Oliver—who wasn't sharp on such nuances—asked.
"What exactly do you mean by advice and info?"
"Just that—advice and information. City hall handles intel even brokers struggle to access. Policies, international affairs, insider rumors... Not classified stuff, of course."
Info tough even for brokers... Oliver recalled a long-buried question.
"Then, could you look into Pater Church personnel matters?"
***
Well past midnight.
City official Paul Carver left after a long talk, leaving Oliver and Forrest alone in the private room.
Late as it was, neither showed fatigue despite busy days.
The conversation had been too captivating.
After a long silence, Oliver spoke first.
"Anything you're curious about?"
Having read Forrest's mood, Oliver asked. Forrest's eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"Honestly, yeah... Didn't know you had Pater Church connections. Mind sharing whose personnel you're after?"
"Hm... Tough to answer."
"Figured... Anyway, to the job. You want it?"
Forrest cut straight.
"We sent Carver off to buy time to think, but we need to reply fast on something like this. Avoid misunderstandings."
"As a broker, what's your take, Mr. Forrest?"
"Refusing makes sense."
Sincere.
"Intriguing offer, but jumping in without advance pay is too unfair. City hall pipeline's tempting, but not for you."
"Hm... Honestly, I think it's fine."
Oliver meant it. Magic and black magic were fun, but world affairs were too—and sadly, no one to discuss them with properly. Kevin was swamped with classes and research, Merlin unseen for ages.
Carver helping would be quite useful.
"Knew you'd say that, but still—think it over. This is basically declaring war on Shamus."
War with Shamus... Well, they knew each other, so—
"No big deal, right? She already hit us once, so she'll understand. More importantly, when did you find out? That Shamus backed the Development Opposition Committee."
"Wasn't hiding it. Planned to tell once confirmed."
"How'd you learn?"
"Like I said before, paid off Z and Y District folks. 'Learned' just means spotting one of her underlings frequenting them."
"Ah... But is allying with the Development Opposition Committee easy? They didn't seem the type last time."
"You saw right. Exclusive, dangerous bunch—not easy to partner with. That's why I'm puzzled. Heard Shamus was capable, but this level? Surprising."
"Hm... What's your theory, Mr. Forrest?"
"On what?"
"Is ABC a scam?"
Forrest paused, downed his coffee in one go, then spoke.
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Same reasons as Carver, for starters. Business doesn't add up. Attracting investments means generating profits, which isn't that simple. Plus, the surrounding moves are fishy."
"Surrounding moves?"
"Yeah. For instance, Shamus split from Lady Miranda, her lovers and followers forming their own investment group."
"Why?"
"Miranda nixed the venture—too risky. So Shamus took her charmed girls and broke off... Oh, Miss Jane stayed with Miranda."
"Was gonna ask—thanks... How do you know all this?"
"Investigated personally. As we grow, we can't get swept by waves... Want more?"
"Yes."
"Splitting from Miranda basically cleaved the Sisterhood in two. It was never a tight org around a leader—just a coalition of delicate balances."
"Chaotic, huh?"
"Yep. Elizabeth, Coco, Jane, and others are run ragged. That's why Miranda and some are digging into Shamus's business."
"Anyone else investigating?"
"Of course. Professors and reporters keep questioning, investment firms hit directly or indirectly by ABC—like the Crime Firm's smuggling fund—and the Moirae School too."
"Moirae School? Why them?"
"Overheard by chance, not certain. But word is they're after Shamus's tech."
"Shamus's tech? The World Tree?"
"Yeah. Moirae researches inscribing massive data on World Trees to predict the future. Knowing the future is power itself... They might team up with Carver."
"Know something specific?"
"Just speculation. I get how they'd approach—need a skilled, reputable Net Navigator to access the World Tree."
"City hall's on bad terms with the Mage Tower, no?"
"Separate issue this time. And bad blood doesn't preclude cooperation if interests align... Bottom line: this game's bigger than it seems. Not just Landa's survival—major interest groups entangled."
Forrest neatly redefined the job.
Didn't sound wrong.
"Hm. So, what do you think I should do?"
"Hard to say. Not in a position to boss you anymore. You choose, I back you fully."
"You've never bossed me. Just advised. Same now—I'm asking for advice."
"...If you're after money, bail."
"Not doable?"
"Nah. Can't guarantee a fortune, but this scale means mid-game big scores. That aside, if money's the sole goal, skip it—safer ways exist."
"Then what goal justifies joining?"
"If you want to do something big here."
"Big?"
"Yeah. 'Big' is vague, but if you crave more than cash, join. If Carver's right, Landa owes you huge. Plus, linking with him's smart—he's influential, sharp, in Interior. No downside to the debt."
"Hm... Any way you can dig into Pater Church personnel?"
"Hate looking incompetent, but tough. No personal lines there, guild's limited. Key info like that? Hard."
"So we need city help."
"Sounds like leading the witness, but yes."
"I see..."
"Yeah. Gains uncertain, losses guaranteed. Solo city official gig? Reckless..."
Forrest advised sincerely. Moments later, Oliver replied.
"Reckless means potential gains outweigh losses, no?"