Chapter 294
Chapter 294
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 294
Chapter Title: The City's Proposal (1)
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Click.
Paul Carver from the City's Interior Ministry manipulated the socket to bring up a screen in midair.
The screen listed the names of various banks and depositories in neat columns, with secret vault numbers and the exact amounts lost in the ABC Incident from those vaults recorded beside them.
Even though Shamus was a fixer who lived by violence, he managed his money with surprising sharpness.
'Thanks to that, even this simplified summary looks pretty complicated... At least that's a relief. With people here who can grasp it at a glance, I don't need tedious explanations.'
Carver thought as he looked at the seventeen men seated before him.
They were all middle-aged or elderly, some dressed casually, others as stuffily as nobles.
All of them were Landa's city councilors.
Perhaps because of that, despite their varied attire, they all exuded the cunning intimidation of politicians who had survived the cutthroat game.
In a city built on survival of the fittest, it was only natural for politicians to come out looking like that.
"As you can see, most of the losses from the ABC Incident were stored in Landa's banks and depositories. It might seem like a foolish choice at first glance, but it was actually quite clever. There's no better place in the world to stash that kind of dirty money. Thanks to that, we're recovering the losses with relative ease."
"......"
Even though Carver had deliberately padded his explanation, the councilors listened with calm patience that belied their age.
This was right after Landa's status as a free city had nearly been threatened.
"By our current estimates, we should recover most of the ABC losses, excluding about 100 to 200 billion."
"Why can't we recover that 100 to 200 billion from Landa?"
A muscular middle-aged man in just a jacket and shirt asked. It was the kind of outfit befitting a councilor from the labor district.
"Because Shamus fled with it and used it for bribes. But we don't see it as a major issue. 100 to 200 billion is a lot, but compared to 3 trillion, it's a drop in the bucket. In fact, resolving this massive crisis in just a few days is a net gain. A huge one, at that."
Carver declared confidently.
In truth, cracking this colossal financial scam in mere days was nothing short of miraculous.
As proof, when the news broke, the common folk—who had seemed ready to riot over their losses—shed tears of gratitude and showered praise on the City of Landa for resolving the crisis, as if nothing had happened.
"Thanks to that, the city has stabilized again, and support for you councilors has risen. Not only that, but we've proven Landa's capabilities to both domestic and foreign eyes, and validated the Security Bureau's value and necessity despite the central assembly's scrutiny. Like land hardening after rain, there was some turmoil, but ultimately, this crisis reaffirmed Landa's worth. And above all..."
For maximum impact, Carver paused briefly before continuing.
"...the biggest payoff from all this."
Carver manipulated the socket to switch to the next screen.
It showed names of countries like Galos, central continent microstates, southern coastal city-states, and more—along with organizational charts of the Enjoyments presumed active there.
"They are...?"
"Green hair, facial tattoos. Enjoyment Druids. They pulled off financial scams similar to Shamus's overseas. It's not perfect, but we've mapped their rough organization, scam methods, and fund flows. And this intel is exactly what the countries they victimized desperately need."
The councilors showed faint interest, silently urging him to continue.
"I believe we can leverage this into independent diplomatic ties with those nations."
"Independent diplomatic ties?"
"Just a figure of speech. Though Landa lacks formal diplomatic rights as a free city, surely we can engage other nations for public purposes like preventing crime and recovering losses, right? Of course, it depends on your decisions, councilors."
True to form, the sharp councilors all smiled faintly.
Like snakes spotting prey.
"Hrm... Hold on. A question unrelated to the main topic."
A councilor in a stiffly starched frock coat raised a finger.
The old man had a white mustache and deeply etched wrinkles, but his eyes gleamed with intellect.
"Please, go ahead."
"I've heard... that a single person resolved this unprecedented scam. Is that true?"
Carver was impressed. He'd planned to bring it up soon, but the old man beat him to it.
These chair-bound elders got news faster than the Brokers' Guild or Sisterhood.
"Yes, that's correct."
Carver manipulated the socket to display T District fixer Dave Wright on screen.
It showed Dave's face and basic profile info.
"Numerous organizations—including the Security Bureau, Crime Firm, Sisterhood, Pinkman, and more—collaborated on this mission, mobilizing over a thousand personnel. But the standout performance came from this fixer."
"We know the trivia like 'black magician' and debut date. Get to the point."
The other councilors nodded silently, and Carver switched screens promptly.
The new screen played footage of Dave in action against Shamus.
His black lightning had half-shattered the forest defenses that blocked a thousand troops. His zombie horde breached defensive lines, he suppressed countless Druids with marital arts, and he even bested Shamus in single combat.
Parts were clipped, but what was shown was plenty.
Even these worldly councilors were awed.
Especially the final scene, which excited even the most jaded old men like boys.
Stealing a Druid's power, blending it with unknown black magic to create an identical tree giant, then overpowering an enhanced Shamus... It was shocking on multiple levels.
Especially for councilors who knew Shamus's strength.
As the footage ended, one councilor muttered with a frown.
"Can black magic really steal nature's power like that?"
"No, not that I've heard... At best, it steals mana, but nature's power... Not in my knowledge, anyway."
"Then how...?"
"Who knows? Anyway, he's seriously strong. That level's like a grand master heading a magic school, right?"
"Even so, that's a stretch. Grand Master...?"
"Either way, the traits are intriguing. Nature's power... A new rare case? That black lightning seems like mana mixed with emotions too. Mages will be drooling."
"Leave the academic stuff to the mages. Let's focus on our business... Carver."
"Yes, councilor."
"I hear not only did he win the fight, but he also acquired World Tree intel. True?"
"Yes. Dave is a black magician, but also a Net Navigator. We cross-verified the World Tree data with his help."
"Impressive."
The old councilor summed up his feelings succinctly.
Carver wholeheartedly agreed.
His combat prowess alone was extraordinary—beyond most organizations. Add World Tree handling, and his value multiplied several times over.
"Too much power for one man."
One councilor said warily, with a few nods of agreement.
And rightly so. The World Tree was tech even the City couldn't fully grasp.
A black magician with that much power handling it too? His influence was incalculable.
Carver interjected.
"But Landa grew this much by embracing such individuals."
All eyes turned to him.
"Landa... developed because of that?"
"Yes, councilor. Once a wasteland abandoned after a great disaster. Yet risk-takers gathered, purified it, and in short order transformed it into the world's greatest city. That strength came not from rejecting danger, but embracing it. To keep enjoying freedom and prosperity, we must do the same as before—not reject, but embrace."
A few councilors chuckled at the young civil servant's earnest words.
"Naive words that don't suit Landa."
"And not wrong, either."
They stifled laughs at the bold retort.
Not mockery—respect, in their way.
"True, not wrong. But survival adapts to circumstances. Now that we've advanced so far, clinging to those reckless old ways is problematic. Especially here... He's a fixer black magician, isn't he? Scant known info."
"Yes. We've dug, but beyond debuting as a fixer black magician three years ago, there's little. His current identity's fake, Net Navigator status emerged mid-mission. But his character is clear."
"Character?"
"Yes, awkward term for a black magician, but setting prejudice aside and viewing him as a fixer—he's utterly reliable."
The councilors fell silent.
"Never failed a mission once, always exceeding payment in results. Had chances to skim from 3 trillion, but didn't touch a dime. Doubt there's another fixer in Landa who'd do that."
"So, the point? Scout him for Security Bureau?"
"No. Proposed once, got rejected. He hates affiliation. Instead, draw him into an unofficial City alliance."
The City's unofficial alliance.
With the Mage Tower, Crime Firm, Sisterhood, Brokers' Guild, etc.—a balance of Landa's peace and power via mutual non-aggression and cooperation.
Never official, but plenty of under-the-table deals.
"Is that wise? Unsure if he'll accept, and even unofficial— the City allying with a black magician? Could turn us into punching bags for every critic."
True enough. Black magicians were societal weaklings.
Political scapegoats, blamed for every crisis.
No matter Dave's skill or credit, he couldn't escape that. The City risked guilt by association.
Even devil worshipper accusations.
Carver conceded the point.
"Yes, I agree. Even pragmatic Landa hesitates on black magicians... But what if it's one civil servant's rogue initiative?"
A few councilors furrowed brows.
"You volunteering to take the heat?"
"For this great city's benefit and growth? Gladly."
Consistent in sincerity, Carver's words rang true—even to the cynical councilors. No bluster.
The frock-coated councilor stroked his mustache.
"Hrm... Doesn't add up. A stellar black magician from the footage, cozy with a mere Interior Ministry drone? Lacks credibility. For buy-in, levels need to match. Say, Interior Minister."
In that moment, Carver and the councilor exchanged glances—a wordless torrent of understanding.
"Don't you feel slighted?"
At a table in Forest Restaurant, Jane spoke to Oliver across from her.
Oliver lowered his newspaper slightly to meet her eyes.
"About what?"
Jane placed a hand on his paper, slowly lowering it to point at an article.
It covered the Security Bureau recovering Shamus's embezzled funds, with a photo below of joyful urban laborers.
"They completely omitted Dave's feats, making it sound like the Bureau did it alone? People don't even know the real hero."
Oliver glanced at the article before replying.
"Security Bureau was lead, so it's fine... And I'm no hero—just a fixer."
"Hrm... Not wrong, but still feels off? Someone else stealing your credit?"
"The City hired me, so no issue."
"Ha..."
Jane sighed at Oliver, her gaze mixing familiarity with exasperation.
So much talent, barely used. She'd never get it.
"Anyway, may I ask why you've come, miss?"
"Oh? A lady visits, and that's how you ask? Rude, no?"
"Ah, sorry. You seemed like you had something to say."
"Fair enough. Here on Sisterhood behalf to thank Dave."
"Me?"
"Yes. We heard via Pinkman about your exploits. Without you, Shamus would've slipped away."
"Not true. Others contributed too."
"Oh? Like what?"
"They encircled the forest while I advanced, pinning Shamus. Without them, I'd have lost him too."
"Fine, gloss over it... Anyway, thanks for the help. Averted Sisterhood's worst fears, and it boosted my standing too."
"Really?"
"Yeah. With many members following Shamus after Miranda and me, I kinda got promoted. Contributed to wrapping this up... So in an impossibly short time, I landed a big role."
"Oh... Congratulations. But that's your luck and skill—not my aid. No need to thank me."
Jane smiled silently at his words.
"Care for dinner sometime?"
"Dinner?"
"Yes... Miranda wants to meet you formally."
"Me? Why?"
"Not weird. This city's tycoons befriend the powerful. She'd heard your rep before, and your standout performance makes meeting natural."
"Hm... Can I think it over?"
A fixer pondering a tycoon meet—rare, but Jane just nodded, unsurprised.
She couldn't afford shock at every quirk; it'd make talking impossible.
Besides, Oliver was there now. Power to parley equally with magnates on personal merit...
Jane resolved to step up her game as she stood.
"I'll tell Miranda you're considering positively... Wanted to chat more, but duty calls—mind if I go?"
Oliver nodded.
"Of course... Though, what's the rush?"
"This and that. Vacancies above mean handling new investors. Sisterhood's reorganizing too... Shamus tore it apart."
"Ah... What about those who left with Shamus?"
"Hm... Can I confirm first?"
Confirm later? Odd, but Oliver nodded.
"Thanks. I'll tell you for sure. Dinner then."
"With Miranda?"
"No, just you and me... Friends, right?"
"Ah, yes. Sounds good."
Oliver nodded; Jane's face lit with joy and a touch of bitterness.
She left smiling; Oliver saw her off from his seat, then resumed reading.
The paper highlighted Security Bureau feats and necessity, alongside the City's prowess.
Creeeak... Thud.
As he finished, someone sat opposite.
"...Does Forest have words for me too?"
Forest nodded gravely, signs of deep thought on his face.
He spoke.
"Thinking of taking a break from fixer work for a while?"