Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: Cleanup (1)
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After the negotiations with the Pater Church's Zelland branch concluded, the paladin group was released.
Contrary to fears, they obediently followed the branch's orders and left Wineham. A few days had passed since then.
The city had returned to its quiet state as if the chaos had never happened, but that didn't mean there were no lingering effects.
Two out of the three major black wizard families in Wineham had vanished, after all.
Of course, that in itself wasn't a huge issue.
The real problem was the mid- and small-sized black wizard families and their remnants who mistook this for an opportunity and were running wild.
The Pharmacist, ever cautious, didn't want to draw attention with their fierce competition.
So he decided to strike first.
"How many are inside?"
In one of Wineham's slums, James asked in a lowered voice.
Oliver glanced at the abandoned building and replied.
"Eight. They haven't noticed us yet."
"Good."
James gestured to his men, ordering them to block the escape routes.
True to form as the Pharmacist's subordinates, they moved swiftly to seal off every exit.
Confirming this, Oliver extracted a small amount of emotion to create two minions.
"Marie."
"Yes, Master."
At Oliver's call, Marie immediately extracted emotion and formed a Wrath Boom in each hand.
She held them without throwing or detonating. Oliver's minions approached, puckering their lips to suck in the Wrath Booms.
"Better than before."
"Thanks to you, Master."
Oliver's calm praise brought a blush to Marie's cheeks.
Oliver commanded the minions that had swallowed Marie's Wrath Booms to enter the building stealthily.
"Please."
The minions flew low, slipping inside unnoticed.
Moments later, explosions rocked the building—Boom!Boom!
Wrath Boom
Internal detonation successful
The black wizards inside took damage—some emotions vanished entirely, while the rest fell into chaos and fear.
A nod confirming the successful ambush. James signaled the assault.
In sync, employees armed with firearms and baseball bats stormed in simultaneously.
A cacophony erupted from the building. Then, one employee burst out urgently, shouting.
"Fuck! There's a Doping Man in here!"
Others poured out after him. Trailing them, a Dominic Family remnant—body enhanced by drugs and black magic—smashed through the wall.
"You fucking bastards...! I'll crush you all!"
Furious or over-enhanced, his skin flushed dangerously red. Indeed, he grabbed a nearby gunman and hurled him against the wall.
"Whoa! You retarded fucks! Die before you juice up!"
James shouted that, then fired with his men.
Bullets rained from all sides.
But ordinary firepower couldn't pierce the reinforced muscles for a fatal blow.
At best, it pinned him down briefly. That was enough, though.
"Marie."
"Yes, Master!"
At Oliver's call, Marie stepped forward with a test tube.
As practiced countless times, she cast Targeting on the encircled Dominic remnant.
Then fired three Hate Bullets in unison.
Hate Bullet ×3
Target locked
The Hate Bullets flew straight toward their marked target.
But the enemy wasn't stupid—he crossed his arms to block.
Steel-like forearms met the bullets with a wet crunch.
"Fuuuuck...! That shit hurts?!"
Surprisingly, one arm flew off.
Rumors of his disease magic and drugs seemed true.
In pain or rage, his muscles swelled even redder. He kicked debris to check the Pharmacist's men, then charged at Marie.
"I'll kill you, you bitch...!!"
Marie panicked.
Bad memories resurfaced; she froze in fear.
Oliver placed a hand on her shoulder from behind, extending his arm.
Hate Bullet
Piercing shot
The calmly fired Hate Bullet sped toward the charging enemy's head.
The even stronger foe smirked confidently, raising his remaining arm.
But the single bullet shattered it and pierced his skull.
"...!!!"
Head pulverized
One-shot kill
The black wizard toppled forward, head exploding like a watermelon.
Shocking after he'd terrorized everyone.
Oliver, unfazed, checked on Marie and offered advice.
"Your Targeting speed improved, and Hate Bullet too... You okay?"
Marie snapped out of it and nodded.
"Yes... I'm fine."
"Good. Let me say it again—what you did earlier was solid. Casting speed and execution were better. But firing multiple Hate Bullets lowers density. That's a bad habit. Done right, it would've pierced both arms and his body... Half-assed ones are pointless. Got it?"
Like a teacher with a student, Oliver explained patiently. Marie listened intently.
It would've been a heartwarming scene—away from the corpse.
James ordered cleanup, then approached Oliver.
"...Seeing you two so chummy lifts my spirits."
"Does it?"
"No, sarcasm. Don't do that in front of a body. Gives me chills."
James sliced off the dead wizard's head with his machete, bagging it.
The specially treated bag contained the blood. Oliver asked.
"Why take the head?"
"Can't hunt down every Dominic, Anthony remnant, and small fry. Gotta show the big ones their heads to scare the rest straight... Though this one's mangled. Anyway."
"Oh... Makes sense."
"Your reactions are always so flat. Ever been surprised in your life?"
"A few times."
James shook his head skeptically. Normal reaction.
"James. Cleanup done. Took the drug gear, contraband, and cash."
"Good. Don't touch a dime—load it in the car. Gotta split with the black wizard... Mind sending the lady to verify? Cleaner that way."
Oliver glanced at Marie; she headed to the cleanup site.
James told his man.
"Wrap up, call the cops for the rest. Can do?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Smooth as water. Oliver asked James.
"So... that's it for today?"
"Yeah. Smoke?"
James offered, cigarette half in mouth. Oliver declined.
"No thanks. Lighter workload than expected."
"Makes sense. We've been fighting nonstop lately... Personally, thanks."
"To me?"
"Yeah, you. Made it way easier, fewer deaths. Appreciate the help. Others brag nonstop—you're quiet. Nice."
"Well, I get help too."
True enough.
Oliver aided the Pharmacist, but not for free.
The Pharmacist handled organizational restructuring, stability, new hideouts, safehouses, Filterette production expansion—tedious tasks for Oliver.
Plus, books siphoned from Dominic and Anthony during church talks as payment.
Many benefited the Pharmacist too, but undeniable aid to Oliver.
Marie returned soon.
"Verified everything. Logged the gear, goods, cash. We'll take our cut later."
She showed her meticulous notebook like an accountant.
"Got it... No more today, so can we head out?"
"Hold up. We fought together—gonna bail?"
"Yes."
"Damn, too quick. Hate me? Just swing by our spot. Boss wants to see you."
Marie started to speak, but Oliver stopped her.
"The Pharmacist?"
"Yeah, something to say. Cool?"
"Uh... Sure."
Oliver, Marie, and James rode a truck to a warehouse on Wineham's outskirts.
All drugs shipped to Landa passed here—legal ones, Filterettes, dubious aphrodisiacs included.
Deceptively ramshackle outside, but well-guarded.
"Why here?"
Marie asked James.
"Dunno, miss. I'm just an employee doing orders. Don't be prickly—hurts my feelings."
Oliver calmed her; she quieted.
She seemed annoyed the Pharmacist summoned Oliver unilaterally.
Truck stopped.
James, Oliver, Marie disembarked in order. Workers unloading or guarding greeted James and Oliver.
"Where's the boss?"
"Inner warehouse office, waiting."
"Got it... Follow, I'll guide."
James led. They followed silently. Midway, Marie tugged Oliver's sleeve.
"Master?"
"Yes, Marie?"
"Look over there."
Turning, Oliver spotted Dominic and Anthony remnants gathered aside.
Subdued, but not prisoners.
"What is this?"
Marie tensed. Oliver stayed calm.
"We'll ask."
Into the stacked warehouse, up to the second-floor office.
Two burly guards at the door allowed only Oliver.
Marie bristled, but Oliver soothed her.
"It's fine."
"Thanks for cooperating. Go in, black wizard."
The guard politely opened the door.
Inside, the Pharmacist rose from his desk, closing papers, greeting warmly.
"Thanks for coming. Was waiting. Handshake first."
Middle-aged man and mid-teen boy clasped hands.
"Sit? Drink?"
"No, fine."
"Work tough?"
"Not really. Manageable."
"Manageable?"
"Yeah, training Marie."
Pharmacist glanced outside.
"Brought the girl, huh. Why I let you in alone—she flares up at every word. Scary."
"Ah... Sorry?"
"Nah, not that bad. You bring her everywhere."
"Well..."
"Haha, not important. Called to thank you. Things went smoother than expected—thanks to you."
Sincere words.
Some Dominic, Anthony remnants and small black wizards were headaches, but Oliver made them non-issues.
Now they behaved. Saved time, manpower, money.
"Glad to help."
"Yeah. So I prepared a gift."
"New books?"
"No, gave all last time."
"Ah... Then?"
"See anyone coming in?"
"...Dominic, Anthony families?"
"Remnants, precisely. Leaders dead... They came themselves, begging protection."
"Really?"
"Yeah. With our big purge in Wineham... To survive: win fights, flee, or kneel."
"Ah... Yeah."
"Giving them all to you."
"Pardon?"
"Them, to you."
Oliver showed no reaction. No interest in them.
Pharmacist explained the weight.
"Maybe nothing to you, but big for me. Accepting them lets me produce Filterettes independently."
"......"
"Still giving to you—to preserve ties with your family."
Seemed generous, but not really.
Surrendered wizards made commonplace Filterettes.
Oliver's were superior, drawing scrutiny.
The "gift" held little value; Oliver knew, reading the Pharmacist's scheming emotions.
Silent Oliver, watching Pharmacist.
Pharmacist sighed.
"Well... Their Filterettes aren't valuable anyway. It's my trust in you."
"You didn't have to... But thanks anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I know the help."
Relief in Pharmacist's emotions.
"Good you see it... So, when full Filterette production?"
"Could start now, but training others takes time."
Training: emotion synthesis. Oliver drilled Peter and high-grade disciples.
"Why? You alone's better."
"Too much work... Stable production needs this."
"Fair, but..."
"Don't worry. On schedule for delivery."
Hearing this, Pharmacist approached, hand out.
"Getting old, more worries. Confirm promise?"
"...You back our family, protect, support production fully. We deal only with you?"
"Yes. Embarrassing, but want long ties with you. Lifetime, if possible."
Oliver eyed the hand.
Silence stretched, tension built. Then clasped.
"Yes, same here."
'While I'm here.'
Oliver omitted the last deliberately.