Chapter 568: Request for Help

“Thank you for agreeing so readily.”

Oliver unlocked Ewan’s shackles and extended a hand.

Ewan grasped it gladly.

“My teeth are valuable, so you have to protect me as promised and reconcile me with the people of Bean City.”

Ewan reiterated the terms he had set for guiding Oliver.

It was none other than to somehow persuade his enemies in Bean City to reconcile with him.

Apparently, Ewan regretted that he couldn’t go to Bean City, the city of black magicians.

So, assisting Oliver was a way to get what he wanted.

“Of course. But I need to ask for a favor too.”

“Damn it, that wasn’t in the deal. I don’t like you.”

“I’m sorry.”

Oliver apologized but didn’t hesitate to pull something from behind his back.

It was a Tonfa, crafted from blood-stained bones and crimson flesh.

“Oh… It’s the item I made for you.”

“I’d like to request a rework on it.”

“Why, damn it?”

Ewan cursed, but it wasn’t just a random outburst.

“I put a lot of effort into making this. Why do you want to rework it?”

Ewan was sincere, and Oliver agreed to some extent.

The Tonfa that Ewan had crafted was incredibly durable and had the ability to store and release black magic.

Although simple, it was a powerful item.

So, asking for a rework might have offended a black magic craftsman like Ewan.

But Oliver wasn’t asking for a change without a reason.

“I’m sorry. Please don’t misunderstand. It’s not because I dislike your work… It’s just that this form is no longer appropriate.”

“Can you explain that in a way I can understand?”

“The Zombie Puppet that used the weapon has been seriously damaged.”

Yes, while blocking the giant reptilian arm that emerged from the lake made by the Fish People, the Zombie Puppet–Duncan was severely damaged, almost beyond repair.

Unlike Durance, Duncan had enlarged his arm to block the attack up close with Oliver, so it was inevitable.

Duncan’s arm had grown to the size of a giant’s fist, but the reptilian arm was even bigger, smashing Duncan into pieces except for his head, left shoulder, and arm.

Even Oliver, who had significantly improved his skills in Zombie Puppets, couldn’t imagine repairing him.

The only relief was that the Child Zombie Puppets, Second and Fourth, sustained only minor injuries.

“That’s unfortunate… The Zombie Puppet–Duncan must have been valuable, especially after it killed hundreds in Enjoyment. It even took down a wooden giant with one hit, right? Such a waste.”

Ewan seemed to have heard about Duncan’s feats in Enjoyment. Oliver corrected him.

“It only killed 82 people.”

“That specificity is even creepier… Well, I understand. It’s regrettable, but you have to adapt your equipment to your needs. What do you want to change it to? I assume you’ve already decided?”

“…I would like to request two French Knives.”

Oliver spoke cautiously.

“French Knives… you mean the ones used in kitchens?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, Ewan gave a strange smile. Equipment often represents a person’s identity.

Yet, you’re asking for kitchen knives instead of weapons? Ewan seemed to grasp what kind of Zombie Puppet Oliver intended to create to replace Duncan.

As proof, he didn’t argue or try to negotiate pointlessly.

He just listened to Oliver’s request.

“Alright, I’ll make them. But there’s a problem. Even for me, reworking a flesh-weapon takes considerable time. Will that be okay?”

“It’s fine. I need to return to Randa briefly as well.”

“Now that’s surprising. I thought you’d rush straight to Bean City and burst through the gates screaming, ‘Uwaaah!!’”

Oliver hesitated. He did want to rescue Jane immediately, but the time wasn’t right.

“I have preparations to make.”

“Preparations? Are you sure? That rich, pretty lady might die tomorrow. Fen is not only delusional; he’s dangerously insane.”

Lucian raised an eyebrow at Ewan’s informed comment, but Oliver maintained his stance.

“Yes, I’m sure. I have faith that Jane will be safe. She’s brave and intelligent.”

“Is that so… Very well.”

Ewan, uncharacteristically, didn’t press further. In fact, he appeared to support Oliver.

“Do as you wish. After all, it’s your decision. I’ll work on the rework at my own pace. How about we meet here when we’re done?”

“That sounds perfect. Thank you for accommodating my request.”

Oliver expressed gratitude and pulled out a piece of paper imbued with spatial magic from his pocket.

“I’m returning to Randa right away. Would you like to come with me? Don’t you need to go to Z-District to rework the flesh-weapon?”

“Ah, no thanks. What’s the fun in traveling with a man? I’ll take care of it on my own, so you go ahead.”

“Understood. Thank you once again.”

After hearing Ewan’s response, Oliver politely bowed to Lucian and left the basement without hesitation.

Now, only Lucian and Ewan were left in the basement. Lucian looked at Ewan with surprise.

Because Ewan had agreed to Oliver’s request more easily than expected.

Even though Oliver had used the leverage of pulling out teeth to convince Ewan, Lucian knew that wasn’t enough.

If Ewan cared about debts and feared the threat of having his teeth pulled, he wouldn’t have debts and grudges with the major underground organizations like Bean City and Millieu in the first place.

So, Lucian predicted that there was another reason Ewan was helping Oliver.

“Are you curious?”

Ewan asked as he cracked his neck and back.

“Are you wondering why I’m helping so easily? Is that what you’re guessing?”

Lucian remained silent.

Although Ewan was an irresponsible spendthrift who had accumulated massive debts many times, Lucian knew Ewan also had impressive skill in black magic craft and an inexplicable mystique.

If Ewan was really just a worthless person, he wouldn’t still be alive after earning resentment from Bean City and Millieu.

“Is it because of Dave?”

Lucian could no longer hold back his curiosity and asked. He was right.

“Yes, it is because of Dave. He finally changed.”

“Changed… how?”

“He became a participant instead of an observer. Whether it’s a good change or a bad one remains to be seen, but I don’t care. It’s inevitable, and it’ll be interesting either way.”

Though he didn’t fully understand, Lucian felt a subtle fear. A kind of fear that couldn’t be overcome by any means.

Ironically, Lucian found himself feeling both curious and unwilling to know such contradictory emotions.

***

The Tower of Magic in Randa, where many different schools were gathered.

That tower had numerous massive structures tailored to each school’s unique traits and personalities.

For example, the Elemental School had five towers in its complex structure named Agni, Skadi, Enlil, Gaia, and Mjolnir.

The Pure Magic Faction, on the other hand, had a simple, cylindrical tower that looked almost boring.

The Moirai School, which specialized in the World Tree, integrated its tower with the World Tree itself.

In this way, each school’s tower thoroughly reflected its unique expertise and philosophy.

The Life School was no exception. It had a bizarre conical tower that narrowed toward the top.

Oliver visited that tower and headed for the topmost floor.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

As Oliver walked down the hallway, tapping the floor with his Quarterstaff, the wizards and students in the tower decided to step aside with hesitant, even fearful, looks.

Thanks to that, Oliver reached the Grandmaster’s chamber of the Life School without much difficulty.

That is, until the secretary at the door stopped him.

“H-hold on a moment, please!”

The secretary, a well-built man, suddenly appeared and blocked Oliver’s path.

Unlike before, the secretary seemed burdened, pressured, and uneasy in Oliver’s presence.

Considering how widely the reputation of Dave the Fixer had spread within the Tower of Magic, it was natural.

Oliver resisted the urge to ignore the secretary and push through the door.

“Yes.”

Seeing Oliver comply, the secretary, who didn’t quite fit his large frame, breathed a sigh of relief and started doing his job.

“Did you… make an appointment? You need an appointment to see the Grandmaster.”

“Ah… I apologize. It was urgent, so I didn’t make one. When would be a good time?”

“You should make an appointment at least a day ahead—”

—Beep.

As the secretary awkwardly explained, his communication device suddenly rang.

The secretary quickly approached his desk and pressed a button. Shortly after, Merlin’s voice came through.

[Let him in.]

“Ah… Yes, understood.”

The secretary, sounding nervous, respectfully opened the door, and Oliver, thanking him, stepped inside.

“Sorry for the sudden intrusion.”

“….”

The secretary replied with silence, unsure of what to say.

Oliver walked past the quiet secretary and entered the Life School’s Grandmaster’s chamber, which was simpler than before.

Inside, Merlin was sitting, wrestling with fewer paperwork piles than usual.

“Welcome.”

“It’s been a while, sir.”

Oliver greeted Merlin respectfully.

***

Ssshh.

When Oliver entered, Merlin poured coffee into two cups.

Very leisurely. But Oliver didn’t rush him. He knew it wouldn’t solve anything.

What mattered now was calmness and preparation.

‘And yet, I still feel a bit impatient.’

Oliver waited for Merlin to speak, feeling an interesting mix of mind and heart moving separately.

Fortunately, the wait wasn’t long.

“You arrived rather quickly. From the tower entrance to the Grandmaster’s chamber.”

“How did you know?… Ah, did you spread magic throughout the building to monitor?”

“No, I used a more convenient method than that.”

Merlin answered and pressed a button under his work desk.

With a clicking sound, magic spread, displaying dozens of screens around the desk, monitoring various points of the Life School’s tower.

“…So you have a hobby like this?”

“No, this has been around since Theodore’s time, so don’t get the wrong idea… Though it is quite convenient.”

Merlin manipulated the magic to rewind the scenes.

The video showed Oliver walking directly down the hallway, not glancing to either side, heading straight to the chamber.

The Life School wizards with their high pride hesitated and moved aside for Oliver.

Seeing it in the video, it was clear how intimidated the Life School wizards were by Oliver.

“I seem to have caused more trouble than I thought.”

“What does it matter? They moved aside on their own. Though it’s rare to see Life School wizards stepping aside for an outsider… Life School wizards still think they’re superior to all other schools.”

Oliver nodded. Considering they studied life itself, researching immortality and accumulation of limitless power, it made sense.

“It might be because I gained recognition as a Fixer and established a business in X-District.”

“You underestimate the arrogance of the Tower. Their confidence and arrogance don’t waver that easily. They still see you as just another backstreet thug who deals in money. Even if they temporarily play along, they won’t truly acknowledge you.”

“Isn’t it thanks to you, sir? You’re my teacher, even if only temporarily.”

“Some see you as a mere experimental subject too. Besides, having powerful allies doesn’t evoke fear and respect indefinitely.”

Oliver recalled the emotions on people’s faces as he walked by and understood. Indeed, the Life School wizards feared Oliver himself, not just his connection to Merlin.

“…I still don’t fully understand.”

“It’s because of the rumors. Though they’re still unconfirmed.”

Oliver felt a slight unease.

“What do you mean?”

“The rumor that you fought against Puppet, the Finger… It seems it’s true.”

Merlin observed Oliver closely as he spoke, as if expecting this.

“Yes… Well, it just kind of happened.”

Merlin was surprised by Oliver’s indifferent response, especially since he had expected Oliver to be more troubled and ask for advice.

Unlike usual, Oliver was unusually dry, as if it didn’t matter.

Merlin read through this change in him.

“You’ve gone through quite a bit, haven’t you?”

“A little… So I have a request.”

“Huh, what is it?”

“Could you please help me deal with a sea monster?”