Chapter 435: Reformists

Oliver asked if he could be removed from the CEO position.

It was an unreasonable request.

The reaction from Forest, Joe, and Marie showed their surprise. But at the same time, they all understood. This was a typical Oliver thing to do.

Forest leaned back in his chair, appearing tired.

“Can I ask why you want to refuse the CEO position?”

“Hmm… I’m not sure if I should take on that responsibility.”

“What’s unclear?”

Forest questioned him, making it clear he wouldn’t just accept a vague answer.

“Whether I am suitable for such a heavy position.”

“By a strange coincidence, precisely because it’s such a heavy position, you should take it. You’re the key to this entire business. Do I need to explain further?”

Oliver nodded. Regardless of the reason, it was Oliver who got the Anti-Development Committee to allow the redevelopment of X-District.

“Isn’t there another way I could participate? Perhaps as a board member? Anyways, aren’t you also taking one of the representative positions, Forest?”

“That’s because I have work to do. If I’m the only representative, it would be even riskier. Whether it’s an organization or a business, the leader is extremely important. Especially for this matter… The difference between you being the CEO and not is like night and day.”

Oliver didn’t agree with the reasoning but understood that Forest was sincere. He could see Forest’s emotions using ‘Warlock’s Eye.’

Oliver thought for a moment before responding.

“…To be honest, I feel a bit guilty.”

“Guilty?”

“Yes… I have read the Business Plan.”

Oliver pointed to Forest’s Business Plan lying next to some books and papers.

“I can tell how much effort you’ve put into this project. Even though I don’t know much about business, I can see that you’ve prepared thoroughly.”

“Thank you.”

“Also, I can see that Joe and Marie are incredibly dedicated to this project, even risking their lives, not just for money but for the organization they belong to.”

Joe was silent, and Marie modestly denied it, trying to ease the burden Oliver felt.

But Oliver knew better. He could see their emotions through his eyes—more clearly than before.

“But compared to that, I don’t feel as strongly. I do understand it’s a huge project and important to you all, but… I just can’t seem to feel it as deeply.”

“Feel it?”

“Yes. No matter how I think about it, I can’t seem to view this as more than the Fixer jobs Forest introduced to me… even though it’s important to you all.”

Oliver’s voice was usual, but there was a hint of bitterness. A bitterness from not being able to sympathize.

Even though he was dealing with Forest, Joe, and Marie—people he had grown quite close to—Oliver couldn’t feel the importance of this project.

To him, it just felt like one of the tasks meant to distract him from the unsettling feelings caused by the Flesh Cook.

Oliver understood this better than anyone, which is why he felt guilty.

At that moment, Forest spoke up with a very satisfied expression.

“That’s perfect.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s perfect that you’re treating it like a Fixer job.”

Oliver tilted his head, unsure of what Forest meant. Forest explained.

“You have never failed a Fixer job. Whether it was capturing Chimeras, retrieving VIPs, cleaning contaminated areas, or even complex out-of-town missions… Keeping that same mindset is ideal. Loving the work doesn’t make you better at it.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Of course. I was an excellent employee at a restaurant in my youth, but that doesn’t mean I loved the job. If I had loved it, I wouldn’t have switched to becoming an agent.”

“Ah…”

“And don’t get the wrong idea. I am asking for your help in this business, but that’s about business cooperation, not about saving a drowning man… If you don’t want to take this on, you don’t have to.”

“Can I really decline?”

“Don’t rush it… My main point is to treat it just like a Fixer job. Don’t consider your relationship with me, Joe, or Miss Marie… Do you remember the conversation we had when you were first attacked by the Anti-Development Committee?”

“I remember.”

“My thoughts haven’t changed since then. Cooperation is good, but relying on someone is bad for both parties. Especially in Randa, where the only person you can truly trust is yourself.”

“…”

“I handle business matters externally and internally, Miss Marie and Joe manage forces and labor, and you provide overwhelming strength and reputation. We all pull our weight. Don’t think of anyone helping anyone else. If someone can’t do their job, they’ll be replaced. That goes for you too.”

Oliver saw Forest’s genuine feelings. Even though it wasn’t likely, Forest was saying this to be considerate towards Oliver.

“Make your decision based solely on the likelihood of success and the reward. Just like when you take on Fixer work.”

Forest neatly laid out the situation. Because of that, Oliver felt like his tangled thoughts were finally clearing up. It was refreshing.

“…I want to take this on.”

Oliver replied. The financial reward wasn’t bad. Of course, he already had considerable money, but since his childcare costs and experiments kept eating into his funds, having more income would be good. Especially stable, fixed income.

After hearing Oliver’s response, Forest let out an exaggerated sigh of relief.

“Phew, I was worried you’d say no.”

“But being the CEO still feels a little burdensome, though.”

“Damn it.”

Forest muttered under his breath at Oliver’s consistent attitude, even after being convinced.

For someone with talent and experience, working with him was easy, but in moments like this, it made him wonder if being more demanding might have been better.

“But it doesn’t matter. Since you’ve accepted the job, you have to be the CEO.”

Forest, who had briefly felt his blood pressure rise because of Oliver, calmly yet firmly stated. Judging by his emotional state, there seemed to be a solid reason for it.

“Why is that?”

“I’ve already submitted the Business Registration Application. You’re co-representative with me.”

Total honesty.

Extremely shocked, Oliver widened his eyes and looked at Forest silently. Marie and Joe also looked astonished.

But Forest shamelessly shrugged it off.

“Don’t look at me like that. This happened because I started working with you… If you don’t mind, I’d like to move on to the business matters. You did read the Business Plan, right?”

Forest, now more relaxed, asked Oliver.

“Yes… I read about redeveloping the area where Fighter Crew lives and where Marie resides. But doesn’t it seem more like reconstruction than redevelopment?”

“You really did read it… Yes, it would be more accurate to call it reconstruction. We aren’t touching the infrastructure like roads and sewers; we’re just finishing the incomplete buildings.”

“Then why call it redevelopment?”

“First, redevelopment sounds fancier. A fancy name attracts money. Second, we will indeed be redeveloping, although not directly.”

“Excuse me?”

“Could you summarize the Business Plan?”

Forest made a sudden request. Oliver was willing to comply.

“The primary goal is to redevelop the area around the Fighter Crew residence and the area around Marie’s multi-family housing. Also, to attract a factory.”

“We made a deal with the city through Mr. Carver.”

“A deal?”

“Yes, a deal. If we develop this area and keep it peaceful for a certain period of time, the city will acknowledge that X-District is safe, allocate a budget for redevelopment at the municipal level, provide aggressive support for development, and attract private investment.”

“How long is the specified period?”

Joe asked with reluctance. From Joe’s perspective, it seemed like the city was just testing the waters… and technically they were.

“Typically, it’s six months to a year… I understand it’s frustrating, but also, try to understand the city’s position. Although it happened a long time ago, the city was severely burned by the Anti-Development Committee. So if the city approaches this rushed and gets embarrassed, they will be in a tough spot.”

“Is that why Mr. Carver visited the restaurant?”

Oliver inquired.

“Something like that. Originally, the CEOs of small construction companies wanted to call in backup. Anyway, Mr. Carver supports redevelopment. Even if he can’t help directly, he is willing to provide financial support through city-run business grants and bank investments.”

“But how do you plan to attract factories? You can’t just build them on a whim.”

Oliver expressed his doubts, and Forest answered.

“Crime Firm will help us with that.”

“Crime Firm?”

“Each director in Crime Firm owns a factory. In exchange, we agreed to give them a cut of the profits once the development becomes certain.”

It seemed like a reasonable deal. Even though rumors of the X-District redevelopment had excited everyone, taking risks was another matter entirely.

Oliver felt he pretty much understood it now.

What Forest was trying to do, this redevelopment—or rather reconstruction—was just the vanguard for a full-scale development of X-District.

Despite this, a considerable amount of profit and risk had to be shouldered.

Given that X-District is comparable in size to an average city within Randa, it’s no surprise.

Oliver asked a question.

“What do we need to do, then?”

“First, we need to acquire the land we’ve developed and the core areas where future development will occur. Once we own the land, we can start doing something. It will also make it easier to make a profit when the city steps in.”

“We’re probably in for some tough work.”

Joe, a native of X-District, spoke up a bit wearily.

“Since the rumors of redevelopment hit, a lot of people have gotten greedy. Landowners, building owners, the communities living there, and unaffiliated gangs. Most of the people living near us are acquaintances, so they might be persuaded with fitting compensation, but others might just plan on squeezing money out of us.”

“I know, I had similar experiences in my younger days.”

Forest, who was involved in redevelopment in his youth, said.

“Our Fighter Crew will help, but we can’t move too many people. Many of them are already tied up with Crime Firm’s work.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Marie, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke.

“We have plenty of kids on our side to use as manpower too.”

“Luckily, I’m in a similar situation. Many Fixers and mercenaries I deal with are starting to look for stable, long-term jobs. They’re not lacking in skill, so they’ll do their part.”

As the conversation smoothly progressed, a question arose.

“So, what should I do?”

Forest, Joe, and Marie all looked at Oliver simultaneously.

“Um… nothing?”

“Pardon?”

“Don’t be surprised. I just think it’s best for you to maintain your daily routine until we call for help. Right now, there’s nothing for you to do, and the wise thing is to keep key forces in reserve.”

Oliver was somewhat surprised by this unexpected answer. He wondered if the CEO with such a high salary had nothing to do at all.

‘Does it really matter? After all, I need to make more Corpse Dolls and read the books given to me by the Elder.’

As Oliver was offering these positive thoughts, there was a knock on the door.

Everyone’s gaze shifted toward the door, and then, a young girl peeked her face in.

It was a girl Oliver had never seen before, but Joe seemed shocked when he saw her.

“Nora. I told you not to come here!”

“Sorry… But some strange people are outside…”

“Strange people?”

“Yes… They say they’re Druids and won’t leave until they meet Mr. Dave.”