Chapter 555: The Tongue

After receiving contact from Lucian, Oliver decided to attend the party dressed in warlock-style formal wear, just as requested.

There was no particular reason to refuse.

It wasn’t difficult and he didn’t feel personally insulted.

After all, Oliver was genuinely a warlock.

However, he was curious about the reasons behind such a request.

‘I’m not sure… Honestly, I can’t quite figure it out either.’

After arriving at the meeting point and receiving the clothes, Oliver asked about the matter, and Lucian responded thoughtfully.

Lucian felt somewhat responsible for making such an awkward request.

‘To be honest, I don’t think the intentions are good. While it’s not uncommon for our Millieu to attend parties with nobles, it’s unprecedented for a warlock to attend such events.’

Lucian’s words were true.

In the hundreds of years since the study of dark magic began, this kind of situation had never occurred.

While warlocks had made secret agreements with kings, nobles, or wealthy individuals, they had never shown their faces at official events.

This is because the very nature of warlocks, who use human emotions, life forces, and even flesh as ingredients, made them illegal and shadowy figures.

So, being asked to attend a party dressed in warlock-style attire? Naturally, the intention behind this request was questionable.

So much so that even Lucian felt sorry for Oliver.

However, instead of blaming Lucian, Oliver asked a question.

‘So, Holy Knight. Have you found out who that person is? You seem to know, given that you’re fulfilling their request.’

Lucian shook his head. He was sincere.

‘No. I tried to find out but failed. However, I suspect they hold a high position. Initially, I thought they were a lower-ranked knight, sent alone, but possessing such a Holy Item indicates they hold a significant position within the Pater Church.’

Oliver understood. Someone with such an item could not be of average skill or position.

‘Will that person be attending the party too?’

Lucian nodded.

‘Yes, they mentioned they would attend.’

Satisfied with the answer, Oliver changed into the warlock-style formal wear that Lucian provided.

The suit was black with a blue undertone, consisting of an ordinary shirt, pants, vest, and shoes, but the jacket was closer in form to a cape.

The design was sleek, suggesting it wasn’t intended to humiliate. It fit perfectly, making it comfortable too.

‘How did they get this so well-fitted?’

With this minor curiosity in mind, after changing clothes, Oliver moved to the party venue along with Lucian, Millieu bosses Pierre, Leo, Valai, Natung, and Aron.

The party venue was a massive mansion located 10 kilometers away from Ravely, a building constructed during the height of the nobility’s influence. Seeing it in person explained why it was built during their prime.

The gravel-paved roads and large main gate around the mansion boasted a grandeur different from Randa’s skyscrapers. Numerous cars and carriages entered through the enormous gates.

Inside the main gate were people adorned in embroidered suits, tailcoats, low-cut dresses, and jewelry.

The crowd gathered inside the vast mansion was even more extravagant.

‘The representatives of Lequvely Company have arrived,’

announced a man, who appeared to be a mansion staff member, with a calm but wide-reaching voice as Oliver entered with the Millieu bosses.

The announcement caught the attention of the crowd, and Oliver scanned those gazing at them.

‘These are the nobles?’

Oliver did not avoid their stares and instead, met them confidently, observing them.

One of the reasons he attended the party was to observe the nobles.

His reason for wanting to observe them wasn’t particularly profound. It’s just that, given Randa’s nature as a free city, seeing a noble was rare, and he simply wanted to take a look.

There’s also the idea that noble or royal blood is ideal for summoning demons, so he was curious if there was something truly special about them.

However, Oliver’s expectations—or perhaps assumptions—were quickly and utterly disappointed.

To Oliver’s eyes, there didn’t seem to be anyone particularly special among those at the party. They appeared just like ordinary people.

Just like Prince Albert from the Union Kingdom he met on the New Continent.

Albert had better clothes, hygiene, hair, and skin than most boys his age, but that was about it.

There was no extraordinary quality like what the demon grimoire talked about.

And it was the same with these nobles.

‘These are all supposed to be nobles?’

Oliver whispered to Lucian in doubt, asking if all of these people were really nobility. Lucian responded.

‘Not all of them, but most are. The ones with gold embroidery on their sleeves are certainly nobles.’

Thus, most were indeed nobles. About seven out of ten people wore gold embroidery.

However, that was it. The gold thread wasn’t particularly special.

It wasn’t particularly disappointing.

Oliver had somewhat expected this after meeting Prince Albert on the New Continent. However, it did raise a question.

Why did the demon grimoire say that nobles or royals make the best sacrificial offerings?

Given the way the book from Edith was consumed, it did seem like a genuine demon’s book.

‘Could there be something I’ve missed?’

Oliver doubted his own judgment and observed the people at the party again.

‘That must be how he looks.’

‘’Doesn’t look too different from the rumors, but it’s not quite what I imagined.’

‘So that’s a warlock?’

‘Brave of him to show up here.’

But he still didn’t find anything particularly different. Most of the reactions were just like those of ordinary people.

Curiosity, calculation, prejudice, caution, arrogance—they each formed their first impressions of Oliver based on their individual perspectives.

This wasn’t necessarily bad. These were the typical reactions when people saw a warlock.

Because of this, they found it hard to keep their eyes off Oliver, yet none dared to approach him either. They just observed from a distance.

‘They say he’s a magician from the Tower of Magic, but he turned out to be a warlock.’

‘And not just any warlock, but supposedly a formidable one. Just look at him.’

‘How terrifying…

The fact that a warlock was present at the party made the noblewomen in their dresses, along with their children, whisper in concern, while the Holy Knights throughout the venue kept a close eye on Oliver—not with hostility, but prepared to act if necessary.

With nothing particularly interesting to gain, Oliver began to wonder if he had come in vain. At that moment, a woman with pink hair approached him and spoke first.

‘Hello, Dave.’

It was Jane.

***

‘Long time no see, Miss Jane.’

Oliver hesitated for a moment upon unexpectedly encountering Jane, but soon greeted her.

In fact, it wasn’t really surprising. Lucian had mentioned that while most participants in this party were nobles, wealthy people were also attending.

Thus, Jane being at the party was actually quite natural.

After all, she made the most prominent investment and profit among the foreigners during Ravely’s reconstruction.

Jane’s bold approach noticeably changed the attitudes of those around them.

What was it? The wariness and fear seemed to fade, replaced by curiosity and interest.

This likely indicated how much weight Jane carried in this party.

Jane seemed stronger and more confident than before as she spoke brightly and proudly.

‘You’ve changed a lot since we last met.’

Her words were true.

The last time she met Jane was during the Flesh Cook’s raid.

Though he had been as thin then as he was now, this was the first time she’d seen him with streaks of gray hair and bandages wrapped around one arm.

Perhaps because of that, despite her bright and strong exterior, Jane was genuinely worried about Oliver. Thankfully.

‘I’ve been busy. Please don’t worry about me.’

‘Hmm…’

‘Hmm…’

‘Oh…’

As Oliver casually conversed with Jane, those around them reacted in their own ways.

People were curious about how the notorious warlock from the underworld was so familiar and friendly with a woman they recognized.

It wasn’t a bad development. Sensing this, Jane took the momentum and greeted each Millieu boss politely.

‘Ah, sorry for the late greeting, gentlemen from Lequvely Company. Please excuse me, I was just so happy to see an old friend.’

Lucian replied to Jane, who spoke fluently in Gallosian.

‘You don’t have to apologize, Miss Investor. By the way, are you really friends with Mr. Dave?’

Lucian smoothly lied. He knew better than anyone else in Gallos that Oliver and Jane were indeed friends. After all, he nearly died when he found out.

The reason for his lie was to adjust to his surroundings, and as expected, it worked exactly as intended, sparking even greater interest from everyone.

After all, it concerned one of the most notable foreign investors and a warlock.

Jane quickly picked up on Lucian’s intention and played along.

‘Yes, we’re both from Randa, and he’s helped me out before.’

‘Oh! Is that so?’

Jane nodded at Lucian’s exaggerated tone.

‘Randa is a big place, but it’s also a small world. I’d love to tell you more, but could we save it for later? Right now, there are people here who want to meet the heroes who recovered the Flesh Cook’s funds more than hearing about my boring stories.’

Jane deftly changed the topic, praising the Millieu members, which was a brilliant move.

The official purpose of this party was to raise funds for Ravely’s reconstruction, but in reality, it was to celebrate Millieu’s success in retrieving the Flesh Cook’s legacy and to introduce them to everyone.

As a reward for successfully closing a deal with the Royal Family.

By reminding everyone of this, Jane naturally reduced the wariness surrounding Oliver.

‘If it’s alright with you, may I introduce you to some people first? They’ve been eager to meet you all.’

Lucian immediately picked up on Jane’s intention and responded accordingly.

‘Of course. We’d like that too.’

The coordination between Lucian and Jane, who were of different genders and ages, was so natural that everyone in the party, including Oliver, was swept along with the flow.

Jane led the Millieu members to meet a baron and an old gentleman.

‘Please allow me to introduce you. This is Madam Laurent and Baron Boarney. They’ve been kind enough to help me.’

Jane praised them, explaining that it’s thanks to Madam Laurent’s connections and the baron’s administrative help that, as a foreigner, she was able to invest safely.

Apparently pleased, they smiled, and Lucian, seemingly familiar with them, greeted them warmly and naturally introduced his colleagues.

With so many people to greet, a considerable amount of time was spent on introductions.

Finally, it was Oliver’s turn to be introduced. At that moment, Jane naturally took over.

‘Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Dave, a fellow Randan like myself. He’s an employee of the Tower of Magic.’

Jane deliberately didn’t introduce Oliver as a fixer but rather as an employee of the Tower of Magic.

The baron tilted his head at this introduction.

‘An employee of the Tower of Magic?’

‘Yes… He works as an ordinary employee in the Magic Elements Department of the Tower. Isn’t that right?’

Jane asked Oliver, who nodded.

Since he still held the status of a Tower of Magic employee, it wasn’t a lie.

However, given that he was already known as a warlock and a fixer, most people didn’t react much.

Despite the lukewarm reaction, Jane continued to emphasize that Oliver was a magician from the Tower of Magic. Watching her, Oliver gathered the mana stored within himself into his hand and created a small spark.

Sizzle!

The sudden action surprised the people. However, when the spark stabilized and transformed into the shape of a bird, their surprise turned into admiration.

It wasn’t anything special.

It was just a simple show, one that poor magicians or Tower of Magic students often perform to win the favor of the wealthy.

‘Though he uses the name Xenon Bright in the Tower of Magic,’

Oliver said as he sent the bird-shaped spark into the sky, causing it to explode like fireworks.

Fortunately, the Holy Knights didn’t mind at all.

In fact, people who had been standing back half a step gradually gathered closer and began talking to Jane.

‘Could you do anything else? Like a firework, or a foal?’

‘A foal made of flames is possible too.’

Oliver immediately crafted a small flame in his hand, shaping it into a foal.

The small but strong flame took the form of a foal, and women of Jane’s age repeatedly exclaimed how beautiful it was.

In the improved atmosphere, Baron Boarney, whom Jane had first introduced, opened his mouth.

‘Ah… Now I remember.’

Everyone silently turned toward the baron at his sudden remark.

‘Isn’t this the person who came along with the Tower of Magic’s magicians during the conflict in Gallos? Xenon Bright. I saw him in the documents.’

The words of the baron, who worked as an administrative noble for Gallos, caused the crowd to stir. Even if the same fact is stated, the effect can differ depending on who says it.

When a noble of Gallos like the baron mentioned it, it felt more impactful.

‘I kept thinking I’d seen him somewhere before… I must be getting old.’

‘Please don’t say that. Although I did come along with others, I didn’t do anything worth remembering. It’s not strange at all that you wouldn’t recall me.’

Though it was indeed true that the Tower of Magic officially achieved great feats during the Flesh Cook’s raid, the real heroes were Merlin from the Archive who killed the Flesh Cook, and Terence, Yareli, and Kevin, who focused on saving lives.

‘Even if that’s the case, it goes against my pride to forget someone who came to help. I apologize for not recognizing you… But how is it that a magician of the Tower of Magic knows dark spells?’”

The baron prompted the question, giving Oliver a chance to explain. Reading his intent with his Warlock’s Eye, Oliver decided to take advantage of the chance.

He had just the right excuse prepared.

‘I can’t go into details as it concerns Tower of Magic matters, but part of my studies included learning dark magic… for research at the Tower’s level.’

Oliver reused an old explanation, and fortunately, it worked.

Apparently, people here were aware that magicians often do strange things for research purposes, and once he added ‘for research’ to his statement, they accepted it. Furthermore, they even created their own reasons that made sense.

‘So, working as a fixer…?’

‘It’s similar.’

Satisfied with Oliver’s vague answer, people nodded.

After all, it wasn’t unusual for some magicians to take on underworld jobs for monetary reasons or personal indulgence.

Just like that, Oliver managed to change his status from warlock to magician of the Tower of Magic in one swift move.

Oliver was impressed with Jane. She had accurately read the situation and tackled it skillfully, even more so than Oliver himself realized.

This demonstrated just how much Jane had learned through her experiences in Gallos.

Just as her outward appearance had changed to the Gallos style, Jane had grown as an investor. Oliver felt that her success here wasn’t a one-time thing but something she would continue to achieve in the future.

Not by luck, but by sheer ability.

Jane spoke to Oliver.

‘Dave.’

‘Yes, Miss Jane?’

‘Could you perhaps make a lion too?’

‘Certainly.’

***

After that, at the request of the attendees, Oliver showcased a few minor tricks and answered their questions casually.

For example, when asked if he knew anything about the rumored large-scale project between the Tower of Magic and Randa City.

Each time, with Jane’s help, Oliver skillfully dodged the questions. Through this series of interactions, Oliver and the Millieu bosses naturally blended into the party.

The fact that everyone became more accustomed was evident in how they stopped waiting for Jane’s introduction and began interacting with different people on their own terms.

Everyone except Oliver. He stayed close to Jane and dealt with people appropriately, unsure of how to handle things on his own.

‘Thank you for your help, Miss Jane.’

‘No need to thank me. You know, I was surprised when I heard you were coming here?’

‘And I was surprised when I saw you in the newspaper, Miss Jane.’

Oliver recalled the newspaper article he had read at the restaurant. Jane replied, showing a hint of embarrassment.

‘Foreigners carrying out investments can be risky, so sometimes, we have to put on a nice front.’

‘That’s not true.’

Oliver saw through Jane’s lie and remarked. She claimed she did it solely for her own benefit, but she hadn’t.

Even if that were one of the reasons, it was just one of many.

Jane, her thoughts seen through, gave a wry smile.

‘Didn’t I tell you it’s rude to read a woman’s mind like that?’

‘I’m sorry. It’s hard not to when it’s so clear to see.’

Oliver apologized as if he were making an excuse, but it was also true.

After meeting Sleeping Beauty, Oliver’s sight became sharper. Even when he didn’t intend to, he could not only read people’s emotions but also their intentions.

It was probably because of the shadow puppet show Sleeping Beauty showed him.

Fortunately, Jane seemed to trust him.

While Oliver and Jane were deep in conversation, a young man approached. He was around Jane’s age and quite handsome.

“You two seem to be getting along well.”

“Ah, yes.”

“I’m jealous. How did you two meet?”

The man skipped over introducing himself and went straight to asking questions. The flow of the conversation felt natural, so Jane almost answered him, but the man cut her off.

“Could it be, at the Angel’s House brothel?”

…

Jane fell silent at the mention of the Angel’s House and brothel, and nearby people turned their heads in this direction.

After all, those were words that stood out in this kind of setting.

“Oh, I know someone in Randa. I hear news from there occasionally. That a Mage Tower employee and a problem solver visits the Angel’s House, a disreputable place, almost every day? Or that he has a wealthy bastard as a lover? From what I’ve heard—”

“—Sir.”

In the middle of the man’s speech, Oliver called out to him.

Although his voice was neither loud nor aggressive, it was calm but clear, making it impossible to ignore.

“Yes?”

The man smirked as if he expected this reaction. However, his expression soon turned into a frown at Oliver’s next words.

“Are you perhaps afraid of Ms. Jane?”