Chapter 471: Special Ingredients

After the terrorist attack by the Red Ones Black Magician, police, military forces, Holy Knights, and Servants eventually arrived at the devastated city of First Step.

The police sealed off the area, the military scouted the surroundings, and the Holy Knight investigated the traces of the Black Magician.

Thanks to this, hundreds of people were busy moving around.

Of course, not everyone.

“Why did you do that?”

One of the ones who didn’t was a middle-aged gentleman… no, it was Jim Roer. A high-ranking executive of the Pinkman and a cousin of Philip Roer.

In response to his serious tone, Philip replied casually.

“Why do you ask, cousin?”

“Are you asking because you really don’t know?”

Jim, unable to contain his emotions, asked somewhat challengingly.

Even though Jim was a high-ranking executive in the Pinkman, Philip was the head of the Roer Family, a key figure in the Kingdom’s military. It was outrageously rude, but also showed how hard it was for Jim to accept.

“Didn’t you just let Eve go?!”

Jim pointed accusingly in one direction—the direction Oliver and Pandora had left.

“Capturing Eve was a Beta Code order.”

“I know. I’ve been following the situation there as well.”

“Then why…?!”

In the end, Jim couldn’t hold his anger back and shouted. Luckily, they were in a tent; otherwise, they would have attracted everyone’s attention.

“Sorry, Jim. But the Gamma Code’s safety takes precedence over the Beta Code’s orders… you know that, right?”

“I admit that’s true, but I can’t accept letting her go because of that.”

Jim kept pressing, and from his perspective, it was understandable.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to capture Eve, the first ever to appear in history, someone whose value couldn’t be measured. And they missed it because of some Black Magician.

Jim’s anger was understandable, but that didn’t change Philip’s stance.

“Why can’t you accept it? We lost 60 percent of the forces sent to escort Gamma Code and the VIPs because of the explosion and then were suddenly ambushed by Black Magicians resistant to Holy Power.”

“Even so, it could have ended better than this.”

Philip sighed.

“Ha… Jim, have you lost your touch since you signed that exclusive contract with the Royal Family? No matter how much you want Eve she’s not worth gambling Gamma Code’s safety over… right?”

“Are you saying we wouldn’t have stood a chance against just one Black Magician?”

“Jim, Jim. You’ve really lost your touch. Didn’t you see the power just now?”

Philip recalled Dave, the one who had helped him.

Just as a shadow shaped like teeth nearly engulfed them, he appeared from the sky and used a light orb to create his own shadow, completely crushing the Red Ones Black Magician’s shadow.

Though it was just one strike, it was truly impressive.

Perfect choice of positioning,

Expertise in creating shadows with a light orb,

And the power to crush the shadow that had shattered all others.

Flawless.

But most impressive was the sheer pressure he exuded.

Even the two groups that were fighting to the death stopped fighting the moment Dave appeared and focused solely on him. Only someone real can pull that off.

“We had Holy Power items and plenty of forces… and more importantly, you were there, sir.”

“Eve is your concern, not mine.”

“Sir!”

“More importantly, I won’t betray the one who helped me.”

“He’s just—”

“—No, that’s not what I mean. Back at Lake Village, he helped me.”

“You got help… sir?”

“Yes, I drank the liquor he offered. If you’d read the Pinkman’s regular reports properly, you would have known.”

Philip said in a regretful tone, and Jim clamped his mouth shut, seemingly caught off guard.

Philip looked at Jim with a bitter gaze.

How had this cousin, who left to prove himself without relying on the family, become so dull?

“Anyway, let’s not talk about it anymore. Considering the situation back then, you also know that trying anything regarding Eve wasn’t appropriate.”

In the end, Jim didn’t bring it up again. He knew that pushing it further would only make him look foolish.

Swallowing his bitterness, he left the tent, and Philip, now alone, finally began to think seriously.

Could he really have captured Eve if he had acted at that moment?

“Hmm… Guess not.”

Philip came to a conclusion after some thought. And that was because he had seen Dave in action at Lake Village.

Even though Dave had just entered his twenties, he had not only taken control of a large-scale fog barrier, but also subdued a War Master-level magician on his own while dealing with numerous others without faltering.

He even fought Theodore head-on and managed to drag him away to another location.

Though it was Merlin who ultimately defeated him.

‘It’s fascinating.’

Philip thought. Isn’t it?

When Dave fought Theodore, Merlin suddenly appeared and defeated him.

And when Dave went to stop the Flesh Cook alone in the center of Ravely, Merlin also defeated Flesh Cook.

Two coincidences. Could it really be just coincidence?

Because in this world, one coincidence is enough. Two coincidences are inevitable.

“Lieutenant General, may I come in?”

While Philip was deep in thought, he heard a female voice from beyond the tent.

It was Julia, a distant member of the family that Philip had personally recruited and an active military magician.

“Come in.”

Julia, with her firm build, entered and reported.

“I’ve completed the mission you assigned. Gamma Code has been successfully relocated. The Royal Family’s secretaries seem unsatisfied, though.”

“You can’t satisfy everyone… are they proceeding with the shareholders’ meeting?”

“Yes… I’m sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing? Actually, I’m glad.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve become curious myself. At first, I thought it was just the Prince’s pocket money, but apparently not… I’ve got some soldiers stationed there. Meet with them and find out what’s really happening. Why are they pushing so hard for the shareholders meeting, and why are the Red Ones Black Magician going crazy?”

***

Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.

Leaving the noisy ruins behind, Oliver walked with Pandora in the direction of the World Tree.

“Are you very hungry?”

Pandora asked, watching Oliver eat the Calorie Bar.

“Ah, yes. I’m very hungry. No matter how much I eat I can’t shake the hunger. I’ve never been full, but I’ve never been this hungry before either… Sorry.”

“Sorry?”

“I don’t think this is something I should be talking to you about. You can’t eat anything, Pandora.”

Oliver recalled Pandora in the hotel restaurant, where she had been unable to eat anything.

Not being able to eat. It sounded like such a sad thing.

“Don’t worry about it. For me, eating is just a conceptual thing. I don’t even feel hunger.”

“So, does that mean, you don’t actually want to try eating?”

Oliver abruptly asked.

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Pandora nodded and then shook her head after taking a good look at Oliver.

“I… would like to try it one day. Eating, just for the experience.”

“I see.”

Oliver nodded, as though he had expected that answer.

Pandora then changed the topic.

“But I’m more interested in what Father did earlier.”

“Earlier?”

“Yes… you managed to persuade Philip and the Pinkman not to pursue me? Are you okay with that?”

“What do you mean?”

“Because of that, you had to fight the Red Ones Black Magicians.”

“Ah, that’s no problem. Actually, I’ve become curious about them too.”

It was true. When they used the Zombie Puppets in the harbor terrorist act, he hadn’t been particularly interested. But seeing those special ingredients one Black Magician used, he became as intrigued as he did with Prometheus Corp.

He almost wanted to talk to them.

“Ah… So you expected it to happen and headed that way?”

“No, not at all. I’m not good at thinking or anticipating. Honestly, I just wanted to check what was happening quickly, and since Lieutenant General Philip was there, I helped him and then asked for the favor… Well, thanks to that I got some time to talk to you, Pandora. It wasn’t bad.”

“…”

“Ah, Pandora.”

“Yes?”

“Sorry for introducing you as just someone I knew earlier.”

Another sudden statement. Pandora tilted her head in confusion.

“I thought things would get complicated if I said you were my daughter… So I just dodged it. If it upset you, I apologize.”

Pandora, who had been walking side by side with Oliver, suddenly stopped.

Oliver took a few more steps before he too stopped and looked back at her in confusion.

Her emotions were swirling with unexpected joy, deep gratitude, and guilt.

“Thank you. Father… Oliver. What you said makes me happy.”

“So, you know my real name.”

Oliver said calmly as if he wasn’t surprised. It didn’t seem strange at all that Pandora knew.

“I looked up most of your past records.”

“Oh… Really?”

“Yes. I was curious about how I was born, and that’s when I found you in the records. I wanted to know who made me, so I searched for you in the World Tree’s records. From the orphanage to the mines, to the time you spent with the Black Magician family. Sorry for being so presumptuous.”

Pandora bowed deeply in apology.

She had always been polite, but this time she was being overly respectful as if she were a servant addressing her lord.

“I don’t mind… But could I ask why you went from calling me Father to Oliver? I’m not offended; I’m just curious.”

Eve smiled bitterly with a mixture of happiness, satisfaction, sadness, and compliance all interwoven.

Emotions had always been fascinating.

“It’s nothing special. Because you’re not really my father, Oliver.”

“But didn’t I create you?”

“No, no… Technically, yes… but you’re more of a creator than a father. Father is too presumptuous a title.”

“Ah… Then why did you call me Father at first?”

Oliver dug deeper with another question, and Pandora awkwardly smiled.

She had seen him like this before. Back at the orphanage where Oliver grew up.

“That’s… I’m sorry. I just wanted to act like a spoiled child… I apologize for being a bother.”

Pandora stopped talking when she suddenly realized Oliver was standing right in front of her.

“Pandora.”

“Yes?”

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I give you a hug?”

“Hug… me?”

Pandora, who had been so composed, noticeably wavered.

“At the House of Angels, they taught us that when a woman is scared, tired, or sad, you’re supposed to give them a hug. That’s what a gentleman would do… I’m a Randa man, so I’m not a gentleman, but… Anyway, may I hug you once?”

“…”

“If you don’t want—”

“—No, that’s okay.”

Pandora replied, not out of courtesy but with genuine sincerity.

Just as he had learned at the Angels’ House, Oliver opened his arms, gently hugged Pandora, and wrapped his arms around her back.

“Pat, pat, pat.”

Oliver said as he softly patted Pandora’s back.

“Did you just say ‘pat, pat, pat’ out loud?”

“Yes… Is there a problem?”

“Hmm… No.”

Oliver held her for another ten seconds before letting her go.

It was the scientifically recommended amount of time to make the other person feel most reassured, according to the books.

“What book?”

“It’s called ‘99 Smart Ways to Impress a Woman.’ I read it at the Angels’ House.”

“Hehe… It sounds sexist, but it’s also quite funny.”

“I’m glad you found it amusing. It’s not a joke, though… By the way, Pandora, may I confess something else?”

“Please do.”

“Earlier, I lied. I wasn’t really sorry for breaking Pandora into three pieces. To be honest, I still can’t believe I created you.”

Oliver confessed honestly. He wasn’t sorry at all. And if the scenario repeated itself, he’d probably break her apart again.

However, Pandora didn’t seem surprised or uncomfortable, likely because she had already expected it. She simply accepted it.

“That’s fine.”

“But Pandora, it’s not like you’re a nuisance or that you’re bothersome. I wasn’t displeased when you called me Father, nor am I offended when you call me by my name. My point is, you’re Pandora, so I hope you can treat me however you’re most comfortable.”

Pandora remained silent in response to Oliver’s words. Just as Oliver was about to add something, thinking he might have said something wrong, Pandora smiled again.

It was the same smile she had when Oliver first realized she was Eve—a pure smile of joy.

“As expected, you are truly amazing.”

“Thank you for the compliment. Though, I’m really not that amazing.”

Hearing this, Pandora shook her head and took Oliver’s hand.

Pandora’s hand seemed cold and stiff, but Oliver didn’t mind at all. He treated her the same way he treated Jane, Marie, Yareli, Celine, and the employees at the Angels’ House.

“No, you truly are. And as proof, I feel incredibly proud and happy right now. Father… If it’s alright with you, may I share something about the Red Ones Black Magicians? It might be a bit uncomfortable to hear.”

“Oh, please, feel free.”

***

“Does it look like I’ve become too easy for you? Hmm?”

Somewhere in a massive underground cavity in First Step,

Fen, with her horde of shadow creatures and other creatures, overpowered a Red Ones Black Magician and asked.

Even though the Black Magician had defeated three Holy Knights and had a decent fight against the Roer Family head, he was now completely subdued, lying on the ground like a worm.

Fen, clearly irritated, looked down at him and asked.

“What? You thought just because you could handle a few souls, you could take me on? How? Really?!”