Chapter 493: The Burned City

“Phew…”

On the road where the fire at First Step had finally been extinguished, Oliver drove while taking a deep breath.

There were two reasons for this.

The first was because his burned right arm continued to hurt,

and the second was because driving with Ptah’s Assistant as a prosthetic was more difficult than he had thought.

It was magic meant for precision work, but using it this way was a first for him. It seemed like it would take some time to get used to it.

“Ah, I’m getting used to it.”

As Oliver said that, he drove the special custom car Philip had given him smoother than before.

It was an upgraded version of the one he received in Lake Village, with bulletproofing, two machine guns, a mortar, a flashbang, and even giant blades that popped out of the tires.

It was, literally, a lethal weapon on the road. It consumed three times more fuel but that was a minor issue.

‘How kind of him. When I asked for another car, he gifted one on the spot.’

Philip had asked Oliver if there was anything he needed since he had been injured, and Oliver requested a car. Preferably, something similar to the one he had before. Philip asked,

‘What happened to the one I gave you last time?’

‘It got damaged and lost.’

‘I can understand losing it, but getting it damaged? That thing’s nearly indestructible.’

‘I shot the machine guns while riding it through the sky, then crashed to the ground.’

It was the truth, but for some reason, Philip didn’t believe him and ended the conversation. But it was true.

‘Quite the amazing feat.’

As he reached his destination, Oliver slowed down, looking around.

Just as Philip had said, the streets were full of people who had lost their homes and become homeless.

The fires had mostly occurred in residential and industrial areas, and it was evident.

The streets were crowded with those who had lost everything overnight, including homes to sleep in, and as a result, the City was in chaos.

If the Colonial Army and military magicians hadn’t been mobilized, Oliver would have had a much harder time driving through.

“What’s that?”

A man, still covered in soot, stared at the vehicle Oliver was driving.

His voice wasn’t loud, but the emotion in it made it clear.

Understandably… while he had become homeless in an instant due to the fire, he was now seeing someone driving around in a vehicle armed with machine guns and mortars.

Oliver didn’t feel much else, though. Perhaps it was because of the other side of the City the demon had shown him? He wasn’t sure.

In the meantime, Oliver finally arrived at his destination.

The prison on the outskirts of First Step. Oliver had come here at Philip’s request to meet a man imprisoned there.

His name was Kenny Midas. He was the founder and former CEO of Prometheus Corp, and the man accused of being behind the great fire.

***

Clomp. Clomp.

Click. Click.

Oliver followed the guard’s lead as they walked down a dimly lit corridor.

The corridor was underground, hence the damp air.

“Mr. Dave,”

“Yes.”

“I can’t give you much time for visitation. Technically, personal visits like this are not allowed, so please understand.”

Oliver nodded and responded that he understood the guard’s concern.

Kenny was known to the public as a subversive element who conspired with the Red Ones black magician to cause large-scale fires in the City in an attempt to reclaim his CEO position. If it weren’t for Philip’s influence, meeting him would have been impossible.

Knowing this, Oliver decided to comply with the guard’s request.

Creak. The heavy door to the visitation room opened.

Inside the damp and musty room made of rough bricks, sat a man who appeared utterly defeated.

His hair had receded to the crown of his head, his beard was unkempt, and his body and face bore signs of torture.

It was a far cry from the figure Oliver had seen in the newspapers.

He looked like he had aged twenty years. It wasn’t just his appearance; his emotions and vitality had also dramatically faded and weathered.

There wasn’t a sign of the bold gambler Edith had described.

Or perhaps Oliver just couldn’t sense it. Regardless, Oliver greeted him politely. It was the proper thing to do.

“Hello, Mr. Kenny.”

Drenched in despair, Kenny didn’t react. He looked like a broken doll, a shadow of his former self.

Oliver took out some food and a bottle of wine from the sling bag on his shoulder.

He had brought them along after hearing that Kenny wasn’t eating properly in prison, but Kenny didn’t seem to react. His nutritional state suggested he would be desperate for food.

Regardless, Oliver placed the food and wine bottle in front of Kenny.

The gifts were intended to open up a conversation. It would ultimately be up to Kenny whether he would accept them or not.

Despite the urgency of time, Oliver sat quietly, and eventually, Kenny spoke.

“…Who are you?”

“Thank you for speaking. My name is Dave. I’m a troubleshooter who participated in the recent extermination of the Red Ones black magicians at the abandoned mine.”

“You…!”

Kenny reacted. He moved his frail arms as if to grab Oliver.

But all that could be heard was the clank of chains holding his hands together.

“You…!! You framed me, didn’t you?! You accused me of colluding with the Red Ones black magicians!! You said I caused the terror attacks with black magic!!”

With his voice full of hatred and madness, Kenny erupted. The outburst almost caused the guard to burst in.

Oliver politely gestured to the guard that it was okay, and the guard closed the door again.

Seeing the guard calmed Kenny down, though he continued breathing heavily, unable to contain his emotions.

It was understandable.

He was a victim of the great fire, but the Pater Church had claimed that he conspired with the Red Ones black magicians to cause the disaster, leading to his arrest.

‘Smart. By cleverly linking the redness of the water and the frog infestations, they pinned the great fire on Kenny and the Red Ones black magicians.’

It was a somewhat forced method, but everyone believed it.

Ordinary people didn’t know that much about presages, so it was plausible to connect them to black magic. Especially people who had lost everything in the fire and needed something to blame.

Although Oliver didn’t know much about such matters, it seemed like quite a clever scheme.

To handle an unexpected situation with such impromptu solutions…

As a side note, Kenny’s entire wealth was seized and allocated for the reconstruction of the City and to support the victims.

As expected from the founder of Prometheus Corp, his wealth was so astronomical that it covered almost everything.

In stark contrast to the agitated Kenny, Oliver opened his mouth calmly.

“I don’t know much about that.”

“What?”

“I was unconscious for three days.”

“Say that again—”

“—However, I do know that you made a deal with a demon, Mr. Kenny.”

Oliver leaned forward a bit and whispered low. The pain from his burned arm flared up again.

Kenny, who had been raging like fire, suddenly froze, and a drop of cold sweat ran down his temple.

“…What?”

“Red Ones, crusher, wine.”

Oliver refrained from using the word ‘demon’ directly, instead opting for indirect terms that only those in the know would understand.

Unfortunately for Kenny, he understood very well. Too well, in fact. He had hoped it wasn’t true, but it was.

Pale-faced, Kenny’s legs wobbled like his eyes, and he eventually collapsed, mumbling.

“H-How did you…?”

“I can’t answer that. I just came to confirm. I guess I was right.”

Oliver, now having half of his questions resolved, replied in an indifferent voice.

Kenny, who continued sweating profusely, sought for something to drink and finally opened the wine bottle that Oliver had brought. It contained red wine.

“Kuh…”

It was proper wine, but the taste of the red wine caused Kenny to choke and spit it out onto the floor.

It wasn’t a matter of taste; it was about what was in his heart.

Thinking the world was over, Kenny had fallen into a new kind of fear—one beyond mere death.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Kenny asked,

“W-What do you want from me…?”

Oliver shrugged.

“Not sure. Just wanted to confirm if it was true and ask why you did it.”

Despite the horrific truth, Oliver answered calmly, too calmly, to the point where he seemed more like an inanimate object than a person.

Even to Kenny, who had succeeded at the cost of sacrificing so many Red Ones, Oliver gave off an unsettling feeling, enough to douse the despair, rage, hatred, and resentment in Kenny’s heart…

This allowed Kenny to see Dave, the dark magician in front of him, more objectively. Perhaps… just perhaps…

“I know your name…”

“Yes?”

“…You’re the troubleshooter from Randa’s T-District, the one who made a name for yourself overnight in that City of wealth and violence.”

Oliver showed no particular reaction. He didn’t know what kind of reaction to show, or more accurately, he didn’t care.

Kenny continued.

“Edith once told me about you.”

“…”

“…Aren’t you surprised?”

“I know you and Edith are on familiar terms, Mr. Kenny… The reason I came to this City was actually to help her out.”

Oliver gave an evasive answer. That was the official reason after all.

Kenny seemed unaware of this and showed a somewhat surprised reaction.

“Well, whether or not, I know that you’re a skilled dark magician, and I happen to know you’re also interested in… their books. Most competent dark magicians are.

He spoke as if it were from his own experience. It was understandable.

Considering that he was just an ordinary man who conducted rituals involving deals with demons, it was clear how much effort he had put in.

Even as the pressure from his current situation weighed heavily on him, Kenny frantically racked his brain and opened his mouth.

“I’d like to make a deal with you.”

“Pardon?”

“I said I want to do business with you. Formally, as a troubleshooter.”

Kenny said as he sipped the red wine he had spat out earlier. Judging by his emotional state, he was sincerely pleading.

“I—”

“—I’ll give you all the demonic knowledge I have. I’ll also provide secrets related to Prometheus Corp! I swear… You’ll never regret it.”

This plea was also genuine. Kenny wasn’t just bluffing; he truly had something he believed in.

Yet, strangely enough, Oliver felt no particular interest. Though the knowledge about demons was tempting, he didn’t feel strongly drawn to it.

Instead, what intrigued him was why Kenny, who had already lost everything, seemed so desperate. After all, his fortune had been completely confiscated, and he was likely to be publicly executed soon.

Could it be that he wanted to be rescued?

“No! Despite my current plight, I’m not that stupid! Don’t insult me…”

Kenny shouted in anger, as if trying to protect his last shred of dignity.

“Huff… Huff… I’m not foolish enough to make such a ridiculous request.”

“Then what?”

“…I want you to save my daughter.”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes, my daughter… She’s currently studying in the Capital. Her photo—”

Kenny reflexively touched his neck, as if looking for a necklace, but there was none. It had been taken when he was arrested.

Realizing this, Kenny despaired and grew angry again. Nevertheless, he quickly regained his composure, determined to hold onto his last lifeline.

“My daughter’s name is Sarah! Sarah Midas!! She’s currently at a university in the Capital—”

“—Interesting,”

Oliver said as he watched the fatherly emotion in Kenny. It was a beautiful sentiment, but that only made it even more intriguing to him.

“What is…?”

“It’s just… It’s fascinating to see someone who offered his wife for a Magic Stone care so much about his daughter.”

Kenny’s previously hardened expression began to crack. It was a natural reaction since Oliver had exposed something he desperately wanted to keep hidden.

“Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not mocking you; I’m honestly intrigued. I find it fascinating that you love your daughter so much. You exchanged your wife for a Magic Stone… Why?”

Oliver asked as if he was genuinely curious, like someone observing a crow using tools.

Perhaps sensing Oliver’s attitude, Kenny trembled, raising his hands as if to slam them down on the table.

It was a reaction caused by a clash between his anger, his sense of injustice, and his fear of missing his last chance.

“What…?! What right do you have to speak like that?!”

Kenny spoke out in a low but intense voice, as if suppressing an explosion.

“Do you even know what poverty is? What hunger and cold are…?”

Oliver didn’t say anything. He hadn’t expected such a question. Though he considered correcting the man, he decided to keep listening for now.

“I’ve heard about you! The one who came to Randa alone, becoming successful in no time! People line up to give you money for work! You bought a house in Randa within a few months and even got yourself a wealthy lover!”

“Actually—”

“—It’s all because of your talent!”

Kenny spoke in a voice that seemed ready to burst. Betraying a deep sense of injustice and regret, his reddened eyes were glistening.

“You easily succeeded just because of that talent you didn’t even have to work for!”

“…”

“But I wasn’t like that! No, I was born to useless parents, and I had to live as a miner I never wanted to be, damn it!!”

“…”

“Do you know what it’s like to be a poor and incompetent husband and father? It’s not human… You’re just a bug that looks like one!”

Kenny’s emotions were raw and intense. It was a striking display, but Oliver felt little of it, possibly because of the painkillers.

It seemed like it was time to stop taking the painkillers. They did nothing for the pain in his right arm and only made his head feel foggy.

“So this is why you sacrificed your wife?”

“If I hadn’t, I would have lost my daughter too!!”

Eventually, Kenny exploded with a shout. But Oliver quickly cast a soundproofing spell, preventing his voice from escaping the room.

“…If I hadn’t succeeded, I would have lost everything, including my only child!”

Kenny spoke with eyes full of venom.

“But then, the Royal Family found my weak spot and made a move on my daughter too! They said that if I didn’t cooperate, she wouldn’t be safe either…! So I handed over everything I had spent my life accumulating…”

Kenny tore at his own receding hair as he sobbed. It seemed he truly loved his daughter.

“But now, look at me… If I die, who knows what will happen to her. She might not even get the most basic protection… Please. I beg you. Save my daughter. And pass on my hidden assets, my inheritance to her—”

“—Ah, I’m sorry.”

Oliver raised his hand, interrupting him.

“I only came because I was curious about why you did what you did and why you sacrificed your wife… Now that my curiosity is satisfied, I don’t think I can accept your request. Besides…”

“…?”

“I only take jobs through my broker, with very few special exceptions. I’m sorry.”

Proving his words, Oliver stood up without a hint of hesitation.

Kenny, shocked, yelled,

“Are you seriously not interested in my knowledge?! Or the secrets of Prometheus Corp?!”

“I’m curious, yes. But not that curious. Also…”

Oliver trailed off and shrugged.

“…Frankly, I just don’t feel like taking your job.”

With those words, Oliver left. Left alone in the visitation room, Kenny howled like a beast.

***

“They gagged him?”

Oliver asked as he changed clothes in the hotel dressing room. His stiff tailcoat made him feel like he was putting on armor.

“He started having fits after you visited. I told them to do it.”

“Impressive… But do you really have the authority to do something like that, Colonel?”

Oliver asked curiously. He knew that the man had a high rank and status, but it was still surprising that he had the power to issue orders to a colonial prison.

“Not through normal channels, but in the end, all systems are run by people. Some people, like myself, are essentially command structures in and of themselves… Anyway, are you ready? Time is getting short.”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Oliver pulled back the curtain from the dressing room.

Not only had Oliver dressed impeccably in the clothes Philip had provided, but he had also groomed his hair neatly, resembling a young nobleman in an advertisement.

Philip whistled.

“I had someone prepare to style your hair, but no need it seems. How did you manage it?”

“I had some good teachers. May I ask you a question?”

“What is it?”

“Who exactly is it that wants to see me?”

“You’ll find out if you follow me.”

Philip spoke as he led Oliver up to the upper levels of the hotel. Soon, Oliver understood what he meant.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

The second prince of the United Kingdom, Albert, said.