Chapter 497: The Busy Return

At Oliver’s request to speak freely, Unner bravely asked if he would take them in.

She must have meant herself along with Sister Orshore, Sister Katalyn, Sister Andrashy, and Sister Pal.

Oliver was silent for a few seconds, entirely surprised by the request, causing the emotions of Unner, who had been maintaining a poker face, to gradually shift towards nervousness and anxiety.

Right before her emotions could be fully consumed by anxiety and unease, Oliver spoke.

“…I’m sorry. Your request was so unexpected that I don’t quite know what to say.”

“I understand,” Unner replied. Though it wasn’t common for a dark mage to surrender to a stronger one, in this case, it seemed fitting.

After all, that’s why she had chosen to surrender to such a person.

“May I ask you a question?”

“Ask as many as you like. I’ll answer whatever I can.”

Sincerely. Oliver asked while eating a sweet dessert. It was delicious.

“My first question is why you’re asking me this. Aren’t you already affiliated with the Tower of Magic?”

“We can’t be sure. The Tower accepted us, but who knows how long they’ll protect us?”

Oliver remained silent. It was an issue he hadn’t considered before, but now that he heard it, it seemed quite valid.

Though they had joined the Tower under considerable conditions, whether that arrangement would last forever was uncertain. After all, agreements were oddly flexible with some people.

“The Grand Master is taking good care of us, but regrettably, that alone doesn’t offer peace of mind. He’s getting old, and more importantly, we’re just women from the streets. We know how quickly a man’s favor can vanish. Please understand.”

“I understand. Everyone has their own perspective. But I’m also a man. You’re okay with that?”

“Sir Dave isn’t just offering protection; we believe he will teach us. We’ve heard about the Fighter Crew. They say Sir Dave taught them without asking for anything in return.”

“How did you find out?”

“There are rumors all across the Tower.”

“Why is that?”

Oliver asked, feeling a bit aggrieved. He had thought it was a secret.

“Well… when the top-solving fixer in the underworld who also runs a district is working as just an ordinary staff member in the Tower, it’s only natural for rumors to spread, isn’t it?”

“…Ah.”

Oliver responded with realization. That made sense, actually.

“A uniquely prominent figure always attracts attention, and attention brings countless rumors… That’s how we heard how excellently you taught those dark horses from the back alleys. It didn’t seem like an ordinary skill set.”

“It’s thanks to the Fighter Crew members who were dedicated and followed well.”

“My sisters and I are confident that we can follow just as well. Moreover, we’re prepared to serve Sir Dave… No, we’re willing to serve you to repay that kindness.”

Unner’s active attitude. Considering the dominating and exploitative nature typical of dark mages, she could have been just saying that, but her emotional state indicated otherwise.

Unner seemed to have a specific card to negotiate with.

As if to prove it, she spoke confidently.

“There will come a time when you’ll need us. When that time comes, we’ll prove our usefulness. If you’re not satisfied, we’ll accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”

Just like before, Unner was still being sincere.

Could that be why? Despite the hunger from Flesh Cook and the burns from The Burned One, despite the lingering fatigue from New Continent, Oliver felt a growing interest in their conversation.

“What specific help do you think I’ll need from you, Unner?”

“The dark mage society is in turmoil.”

Unner abruptly opened with saying that the dark mage society was in chaos.

“One of the Four Fingers is dead, and another is injured, so it’s only natural.”

“The Four Fingers…?”

“Yes, they represent the Black Hand: Puppet Immortal, the Pied Piper, Eternal Child Fen, and Flesh Cook. These were monsters who ruled the dark mage society for centuries or decades.”

Monsters. Oliver nodded at the term.

Puppet Immortal had lived for centuries, commanding an army of zombies alone,

Flesh Cook was feared enough by the Crime Firm, the largest organization in Seland, to avoid fighting him,

Fen played with the Holy Knights, who were considered the nemeses of dark mages, by controlling innumerable creatures.

‘I don’t know much about the Pied Piper other than his enormous bounty…’

Anyway, among them, Flesh Cook had been officially killed by Merlin, and Fen was also injured.

“Each Finger of the Black Hand was a powerful and malevolent dark mage, but because of them, things were somewhat balanced. Petty conflicts never ceased, but there were no large-scale disputes. The monsters held their ground, making that possible.”

“But not anymore?”

“No, because now there’s a large power vacuum. Many ambitious dark mages, who’ve been suppressed under the reputation of the Fingers, will rise, and some of them may target Sir Dave.”

“…Me?”

Oliver responded in disbelief, even rudely so.

“When Flesh Cook fell, Sir Dave was there, and you also fought against Fen.”

“It was the old man who brought down Flesh Cook, and strictly speaking, I only assisted the Holy Knights against Fen.”

“For ambitious dark mages, those are trivial details… The important thing is that Sir Dave was there and that you were injured. Are your injuries serious?”

“They hurt a bit.”

Oliver considered the possibility that he might actually be attacked, glancing at his right arm.

Puppet had once given him a similar warning in the past—saying that as both a wizard and a dark mage, more and more people would target him.

To elevate their reputation or gather experimental data.

Indeed, Mather even kidnapped Rosbourne to lure Oliver in.

‘Dark mages haven’t particularly attacked me, but… oh right, Flesh Cook did say Puppet protected me. Not anymore, though.’

That must mean the likelihood of being attacked by dark mages had increased significantly. More trouble, for sure.

Seeing a hint of something on Oliver’s face, Unner emphasized her point.

“If you take us in, we’ll bring you a lot of information regarding that. Despite losing some influence, we still know much about the dark mage society and how to gather information. We can also help you within the Tower, Sir Dave.”

“In the Tower as well?”

“Yes. Even though you may not realize it, there are many in the Tower who don’t look upon you kindly.”

“Oh, really?”

Oliver reacted as if hearing about someone else’s problem, because that’s how it felt to him.

“Despite the mystery surrounding your past, being favored by the Archive, your deep knowledge of dark magic, and displaying remarkable talents through various incidents and papers… it’s not surprising some in the Tower are wary of you.”

Unner seemed to be flattering Oliver; however, it wasn’t flattery. It was simply the most objective way to describe his current position within the Tower.

He may have debuted as a fixer in Randa, but the unknowns surrounding his past, his deep understanding of dark magic, and his demonstrated exceptional skills in both theory and practice through his papers and various incidents have raised his reputation.

That’s why rumors about Oliver spread through the Tower, not just because he started a fixer business but also due to the reasons just mentioned. A mysterious background coupled with unparalleled skill.

“By the way, some mages are planning to use your paper for their own research.”

“[The Reconstruction and Transplantation of Organs and Body Parts by Fusing Blood Magic and Life Magic]?”

“Yes, although it seems they’re taking a slightly different approach, away from medical applications.”

“Nice.”

Oliver responded kindly because he really didn’t care what they did with it. In fact, he hoped they would do something so he could learn more from it.

From that reaction, Unner felt an indescribable, overwhelming presence from Oliver. It was more than just being stronger; it was something more advanced.

A dark mage who regarded knowledge so lightly?

Unner pondered and then soon shook her head. No, this wasn’t someone who thought little of knowledge. In fact, it was the scariest kind of greed.

The kind to share 10 yet take the remaining 1 along with the original amount, an endless, bottomless greed.

“…When Sir Dave was away from the Tower, some Life School mages left, either because their issues came to light during the Life School Reformation or they had grievances against the current Grand Master. Also, some among the Tower’s members are showing interest in the forest you own in the X-District.”

After offering this bit of praise, Unner shared various stories about the Tower. Some of it Oliver knew, but some of it was new information.

“This is the kind of skill we have. Though we are still under surveillance, we manage to gather information somehow. If you have any other needs, we will do our best to serve you. Please, take us in.”

Unner requested once again, speaking sincerely for the sake of herself and her sisters.

It seemed the death of Flesh Cook had prompted her to consider leaving her former mother figure behind and start building a future with her sisters. It wasn’t a bad plan.

“Hmm… Taking you in would be a bit much, but what about cooperation?”

“Excuse me?”

Oliver finished the dessert on his plate as he answered.

“It’s just that I’m not someone important enough to take others in like that. So how about we cooperate instead? You help me with what you can, and I’ll help you with what I can.”

After finishing his words, Oliver naturally extended his left hand. After hesitating, Unner took it and shook hands with him.

“Yes, let’s work together well.”

***

After setting up a cooperation agreement with Unner, Oliver returned home immediately.

Driving back himself in the custom-made vehicle from B Company given by Philip, every car on the road politely made way for him, making his trip both easy and fast.

Thud.

Oliver opened the front door and stepped into the mansion.

It felt like he hadn’t been here in a while. Or rather, judging by the dust in the house, it wasn’t just a feeling; he really hadn’t been home for a long time.

‘Well… I did spend more time in the New Continent than I originally planned.’

Oliver started to undress his outerwear like usual, changing into something more comfortable before preparing to clean the house.

Although he did want to rest right away, it seemed better to clean up first for a more peaceful rest later.

He propped his Quarterstaff against a wall and started cleaning with just one arm. After a few minutes, a curious voice spoke up.

“Wouldn’t it be faster to use magic for cleaning? Why use your hands, and just one arm at that?”

“Well, it feels more refreshing to do it by hand rather than with magic. I’m using only my left arm because my right arm is injured.”

“I see… Then how about hiring a maid or a cleaning service? I gave you enough money for that.”

“That’s hard because of the underground workshop in the house. I dismantle it when I leave for long periods, but just in case. Besides, I don’t really like having others inside my house.”

“Am I an exception?”

“Well, sir, you’re my master.”

After quickly finishing cleaning, Oliver glanced in the direction of where Merlin sat.

Merlin, who suddenly appeared during the cleaning, was sitting on a chair as if it were his own room. But Oliver had no complaints.

As mentioned earlier, Merlin was his master, and Oliver himself had visited Merlin’s mansion without permission in the past, so there was no reason to be upset.

It did make him feel a little busy, though. After all, immediately after returning to Randa, he had met Forest, formally set up a cooperative relationship with Unner, cleaned his house, and now he was with Merlin.

“Am I being a nuisance by being so clueless?”

“No, that’s not it. Actually, I did want to see you, sir. Would you like some coffee?”

Oliver put away the cleaning tools and stared at Merlin.

Hoping he could read his emotions, but Merlin’s thick magical barrier was even thicker than before, making it impossible to see. It was as if he had prepared for it.

“Are you going to drink?”

“No, I already had some at a cafe. Besides, I think I should cut down on coffee. I’ve been having trouble sleeping lately.”

“…I see.”

Merlin looked at Oliver’s right arm and immediately understood. The severe burn must have made it hard for him to sleep.

In fact, Oliver was having a hard time sleeping because of the burns, causing him considerable frustration.

“I would like some coffee, so please get me a cup… I’ve heard you went through a lot in New Continent; I suppose it’s true.”

Oliver brewed the coffee with one hand and politely set it down in front of Merlin.

“A little… Did you hear that from Lieutenant General Philip?”

“It could’ve been Philip, or maybe not. My eyes and ears are everywhere…The coffee is good.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you like it.”

Merlin took another sip of the coffee.

“Now then, I should repay you for this nice coffee. Why did you want to meet with this old man who came to bother you right after your return?”

Oliver stood thoughtfully. There were so many questions he wanted to ask.

For instance, why did Merlin come to meet him as soon as he arrived in New Continent? Or, what exactly is a Nobilis, or what is a demon?

As usual, there were so many questions he wanted to ask.

Fortunately, Oliver had learned to prioritize questions through his experience so far, allowing him to start with the most urgent matter.

“Master. Would you spar with me, if it’s alright with you?”

Out of the blue, Oliver requested a sparring match with Archive.