Chapter 461: The Golden Shaman

The Golden Shaman, who turns people into gold.

One of the many common myths in the New Continent. Edith figured it out the moment he heard it.

It was just a hunch, but that was enough.

‘Damn it…’

Oliver noticed Edith cursing quietly.

‘Is there something troubling you?’

Oliver asked Edith calmly, who was visibly displeased.

Edith didn’t answer immediately and instead stared intently at Oliver. He felt irritable for some reason.

‘…Why ask when you can already see my emotions?’

Edith didn’t hide his unpleasant feelings.

Though there was some irritation, Edith wasn’t wrong. Oliver had detected his shift in emotions.

‘I asked because it’s the polite thing to do.’

‘Politeness, huh? That’s why people hate Warlocks. Who would like someone who looks right through them?’

The sudden accusation caught Oliver off guard, yet he found it refreshing.

He thought people hated Warlocks because they used people as materials and could connect with demons, but Edith had a point.

‘Annoying… Even while cursing me, you still act like you learned something.’

‘I did learn something. Thank you for teaching me.’

Oliver expressed honest gratitude towards Edith for dropping a small but interesting fact. The sincerity only fueled Edith’s anger.

‘Is your annoyance related to the myth of the Golden Shaman?’

The Golden Shaman.

A mythical figure in the New Continent, along with the Sackman, the Fish Man, Siren, Bisque Doll, Boogieman, and Nutcracker.

According to Edith, the Golden Shaman kidnapped lazy people and turned them into gold. At first, Edith thought it was a tale made to scare laborers into working, but something didn’t sit right.

There was a mix of slight shock, confusion, and unease.

Oliver was curious about what was causing Edith’s reaction.

After a long silence, Edith spoke.

‘…I do have a hunch.’

‘What is it?’

‘But I can’t say for sure. It’s just a hunch.’

Oliver wanted to insist but couldn’t because Edith’s emotions were firmer than expected.

Instead of pressing further, Oliver chose a more productive route.

‘Do you plan to return to Randa?’

‘What kind of nonsense is that?’

‘Oh, sorry. I just thought that would be the best course of action.’

Oliver wasn’t wrong.

With Claude, a major stockholder who could shake things up, siding with the noble group, there wasn’t much the Traditional and Nouveau Riche capitalist groups could do.

The shareholders’ meeting would be a clear numbers game, where miracles are rare. On top of that, what if the Red Ones Warlock really summoned a demon?

Whether the summon succeeded or not, returning to Randa seemed like the wisest choice given there was nothing to gain at the moment.

‘Do you think I would go back?’

‘Hmm… It seems you’re not planning to return.’

Oliver, reading Edith’s emotions, replied. Edith had no intention of retreating. He displayed greed for money and a strong belief beyond just profit.

‘That’s right. I won’t go back. My pride won’t let me run away empty-handed, especially not from people who have achieved nothing beyond being born. What about you? Planning to run away?’

‘Do you mean that?’

‘Yes, you. You suggested I run away like a dog with its tail between its legs, but what about you? Are you running because you’re scared of the demon as a Warlock?’

A seemingly simple but thought-provoking question.

Oliver pondered a little before answering.

‘Hmm… Honestly, I am scared.’

‘What?’

‘The demon, I mean. I encountered one before, it was terrifying.’

Oliver recalled the demon he saw at Joseph’s secret altar and in Gallos’s Mechanical Tower.

‘…You’ve met a demon?’

‘Yes, though just their shadow in a roundabout way.’

Oliver remembered the old man on horseback made of corpses and the ambiguous demon he saw appearing as fog. He couldn’t tell whether it was male or female.

Though unsure about the details, Oliver instinctively knew that what he saw wasn’t a direct manifestation, but merely a shadow of its true self.

But even that was enough to make him realize he couldn’t withstand such a being no matter how hard he tried.

Even though both demons greeted him politely, Oliver couldn’t deny his fear.

‘It’s shocking… Seeing a demon, even if it’s just a shadow… Or perhaps, it’s not surprising at all, since it’s you.’

Edith found it hard to accept the idea of someone encountering a demon, but he believed Oliver. Yet, it didn’t change his determination not to leave.

‘Anyway, as I said, I’m a Warlock, and demons do frighten me. I just don’t think I can resist them no matter how hard I try.’

‘Are you telling me you’ll run away?’

‘No, that’s not it. I have a promise with you, plus I’m curious about what would happen if the demon was actually summoned.’

‘You’re completely insane.’

Edith said, putting his whole heart into it. It was insane that despite his genuine fear, Oliver still wanted to see it. Only a madman would do that.

Oliver, unfazed, added.

‘Also, I have some personal business here.’

‘Ah, that’s right, you mentioned that before. I didn’t ask since I wasn’t interested, but what is it?’

‘I wanted to meet someone here.’

‘Hah… Who could be worth coming all the way here for?’

Oliver responded.

‘A Holy Knight named Joanna.’

‘…A Holy Knight? Joanna?’

Edith frowned, showing skepticism. It was the same reaction Oliver had seen from others.

‘Yes… Do you know her?’

‘Of course, she’s quite famous around here. A brave and compassionate lady. The real question is how you know her?’

‘We got acquainted by chance. I want to consult her about something, but don’t worry. I won’t act on my own until your business is done.’

Oliver reassured Edith.

Bound by their current contract, he knew that if anything happened while meeting Joanna, it could trouble Edith, so he planned to wait until things were settled.

But for some reason, Edith didn’t seem worried; rather, he looked intrigued.

‘What do you want to consult about?’

‘Excuse me?’

‘What’s your consultation about? A Warlock seeking advice from a Holy Knight is no trivial matter.’

‘It’s not hard to explain, but it might be boring for you.’

‘I’ll decide whether it’s boring or not. Tell me. Depending on your story, your issue might get resolved sooner.’

Edith said, and after reading his emotions, Oliver opened his mouth.

‘It’s a long story starting from the X-District redevelopment project.’

***

Oliver explained everything from the X-District redevelopment project, including the involvement of Nora and her brother.

He also spoke about the lack of emotions and selfish sorrow he felt during that ordeal.

After hearing Oliver’s explanation, Edith spoke.

‘What kind of bullshit is this?’

Edith’s words were sincere. It was clear he didn’t understand.

‘So, you feel no remorse for killing the brother of the woman who tried to poison you, and now you want to consult a Holy Knight about your lack of emotions? And also, see how she’s doing?’

‘That sums it up.’

‘You’re a real lunatic….’

Edith downed some strong liquor straight from the bottle to cope with his feelings.

Oliver silently watched him, and eventually, Edith exploded.

‘Everything you’re saying is nonsense!’

‘Is it?’

‘Yes, it is! Nora’s brother was killed during the job. Why should you feel guilty about that? A fixer’s work is to kill or be killed, so it’s their fault for failing! If they didn’t like it, they shouldn’t have taken the job!’

Oliver agreed. Killing Nora’s brother, Nico, was purely professional, without any personal feelings.

Even if the outcome had been different, he wouldn’t have felt bitter toward him.

‘And she still tried to kill you? Without even thinking about the man her brother killed. This is why I hate women! They’re empty-headed! And now you’re feeling guilty because of that? What kind of pervert are you?’

Edith was furious, though something was off. It felt like he was angry on Oliver’s behalf.

Oliver sensed a misunderstanding and corrected him.

‘Ah, I think you’ve misunderstood, Edith. I’m not doing this for Nora. I do want to apologize to her, but it’s for my own selfish desire.’

‘Selfish desire?’

‘Yes, I prepared a way to ask her to wait for my apology and also help her a bit. But fundamentally, my actions are rooted in selfishness. I… want to empathize more.’

Struggling to find the right words, Oliver waved his hand in the air, like a child trying to explain something difficult.

But one thing was clear. His actions stemmed from the selfish desire to feel empathy and emotions.

It wasn’t different from the selfish sorrow he felt when he realized he couldn’t empathize with Nora’s grief.

Edith asked, this time not to mock but in all seriousness.

‘Why do you want to empathize with someone like that?’

‘Excuse me?’

‘Why do you want to empathize? You have power. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve seen. Considering your age and potential, you could be the very best. With such power, why are you interested in something trivial? Just ignore it and use your strength.’

Edith was being honest. Because he himself didn’t have such power.

During his youth, his kindness was trampled upon, and to prove his kindness wasn’t weakness, he had to commit terrible acts.

If only he had the strength that the Warlock in front of him had, or even a fraction of it, things wouldn’t have been the same.

Oliver answered.

‘I’m not sure? I can’t give a concrete answer. I just want it because I want it. But there’s something I look forward to. If I can empathize, maybe I can understand the beautiful light here.’

Oliver tapped his left chest.

‘Beautiful light?’

‘Yes. It’s why I began my journey out into the world.’

Edith had heard about Oliver’s quest for the beautiful light before, so he didn’t ask what it was.

Instead, he asked a different question.

‘What will you do if you understand the beautiful light? Hmm?’

‘Not sure? Maybe I’ll be able to sincerely apologize to Nora.’

‘…You’re just talking nonsense at this point.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Yes, it’s total nonsense. And you’re wasting the blessing of your talent to boot. Which in turn also wastes my time.’

Edith spoke in his usual sarcastic tone, but curiously, he wasn’t entirely being serious.

‘Let’s stop wasting time here, anything more, and I’ll lose my cool… I’m going to meet Kenny.’

‘Kenny, the founder of Prometheus Corp, who is stepping down as CEO?’

‘Yes, I have something to confirm with him. In the meantime, you go do some investigation at the place I mentioned.’

‘What would you like me to investigate?’

‘Prometheus Corp. There’s a rumor they’re dealing with demons and turning Red Ones into magic stone ore.’

‘…What?’

‘That’s the origin of the Golden Shaman myth. Although it’s not confirmed, try to find any evidence.’