Chapter 644: Central Continent

After receiving the long-winded but hospitable treatment of the Chief Servant, Oliver quietly sneaked out of his lodging late at night and headed towards the forest.

The forest in the heart of the continent, untouched by the blessings of industrialization, was incredibly dense. Combined with darkness, it transformed into a maze.

A maze shaped purely by the hands of nature.

The eerie energy had the potential to enchant someone who let their guard down. But thanks to his experiences in the orphanage basement and the mine, Oliver had developed a resistance to darkness and reached his destination safely.

The ‘Warlock’s Eye’ also played a role.

Oliver greeted the person.

“It’s been a while.”

“Yes, Father.”

In the deep forest, filled with trees and darkness.

Oliver greeted Pandora, who had been waiting there.

She was one of the three ‘Eves’ that Oliver unintentionally created, and the first Eve he had met. This was their second meeting since their first encounter on the New Continent.

“Sorry I’m late. Have you been waiting long?”

“No, I should apologize for summoning you on my own whims.”

Pandora had greeted Oliver through the communication device attached inside his shirt collar as soon as he arrived in the Kingdom of Aizen, and requested a meeting.

Naturally, Oliver had no reason to refuse, so he came to this spot.

“If it had been inconvenient, I would have declined. You don’t need to apologize. Besides, I have something important to discuss with you too.”

Oliver said he had something important. Pandora tensed up at the unexpected statement.

“What matter do you wish to discuss?”

“I want to introduce you to Eve. Eve, say hello. This is Pandora. Pandora, say hello. This is Eve.”

Oliver took out the communication device attached to his shirt collar and extended it towards Pandora.

“······.”

Pandora, completely caught off guard, couldn’t say anything.

After an awkward silence, Pandora finally responded.

“I’m sorry, Father······. Is introducing me to Eve the important matter?”

“This isn’t everything, but it’s the most important part. After all, you’re sisters.”

Oliver responded somewhat awkwardly, like a broken doll.

It was understandable. Oliver had first met Pandora in First Step, the colonial city on the New Continent, and only later realized that he had created Eve. It was an unintended but highly irresponsible action.

Of course, he couldn’t deny feeling a bit unfair about it.

After all, who would have guessed that the large eye he encountered while helping Rosburn was actually Eve?

In the urgency of the moment, Oliver had struck the eye without considering its identity, leading to the birth of Eve, Pandora, and Lilith—essentially, artificial spirits and consciousness emerging from the World Tree.

The problem was that Oliver had no idea, leaving them entirely neglected.

“So, I thought introducing the two of you would be the least I could do as a courtesy… I mean, you’re sisters, right?”

Oliver waved his hands in the air as he explained with difficulty.

He still didn’t really understand how to treat the Eves and Pandora, who he had unintentionally created.

Eve giggled lightly at Oliver’s words.

“Hehe······. That’s just like you, Father.”

“Is that a compliment?”

“Most likely.”

Pandora joked.

Oliver, who read a book of jokes every night before bed, not only noticed Pandora’s subtle humor but also sensed that she was trying to lighten the mood for his sake.

Logically, that was all it was. Nothing could ease the awkward air better than humor.

Pandora, who handled humor with ease, spoke to Oliver.

“Don’t worry. While you were dealing with the Archbishop and the Chief Servant, Eve and I exchanged greetings. You don’t need to introduce us separately.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Father.”

[Yes, Dave.]

The communication device attached to his shirt collar and Pandora’s lips spoke simultaneously.

“We can talk to each other through the World Tree whenever we want.”

[So, no need to worry.]

Pandora and Eve took turns explaining how they had already greeted each other.

Indeed, the World Tree was vast yet connected as one entity. It wasn’t all that strange for Pandora and Eve, born from the World Tree, to have already exchanged greetings.

In hindsight, it seemed a completely obvious fact.

Then, a different question suddenly occurred to Oliver.

“So, have you exchanged greetings with Lilith as well?”

Lilith, along with Eve and Pandora, was one of the artificial spirits born from the World Tree. As far as Oliver knew, she was currently with Puppet.

At Oliver’s question, Pandora and Eve were silent for a few seconds, and Oliver took that as an answer.

In any case, the question itself was foolish.

Trying to inquire about Lilith, whom he had neglected, from the very same Pandora and Eve who he had also left abandoned.

Oliver quickly changed the subject.

“Pandora, may I ask why you summoned me?”

“Ah····. I came to ask if you really plan to exterminate the Dark Sorcerers.”

This time, Oliver tilted his head.

“Could it be that Heimdal is around here?”

Heimdal.

A group of magic hackers who harnessed the World Tree, also the organization that Pandora belonged to.

“No, I’m here purely for personal matters. Heimdal isn’t here.”

“Are you receiving help from the Dark Sorcerers?”

“Yes, it’s necessary for what I must do. I heard you were coming as well.”

Instead of answering Pandora’s question immediately, Oliver took a moment to gather his thoughts.

After organizing his thoughts, he began to address things clearly, piece by piece.

“To answer you first, I haven’t fully decided how to deal with the Dark Sorcerers yet. I’d prefer to handle it as I did in Gallos.”

“Do you mean dealing with the dangerous Dark Sorcerers and putting the rest under the authority of The Selectors?”

“Exactly. It may sound strange, but I’d rather not see too much bloodshed.”

“It doesn’t sound strange at all.”

Pandora responded. Thankfully, she was being sincere.

“······Thank you for saying that. However, as I mentioned earlier, I haven’t made a firm decision yet. The Archbishop and the Chief Servant both strongly advocate for the extermination of the Dark Sorcerers.”

That was the case.

To come here, Oliver had to deal with Archbishop Roderick and the Chief Servant, who politely but firmly insisted on the extermination of the Dark Sorcerers.

They claimed that the Dark Sorcerers were worshiping demons and idols, had already caused harm to multiple small kingdoms, and even armed refugees, thus exacerbating the danger.

Surprisingly, they were sincere for the most part.

“Given my position, it’s difficult to completely disregard their concerns.”

“I see.”

“Yes, there are rumors that some Dark Sorcerers worship a figure called the ‘New Finger.’ As far as I know, I’m the only one called that… Speaking of which, can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Is it true there are people worshipping me? I find it hard to understand.”

Oliver looked puzzled.

Even though Roderick had explained the circumstances to him, including his ‘New Finger’ reputation and the chaotic state of affairs, Oliver couldn’t believe that Dark Sorcerers from across the sea were worshipping him.

Is worshipping something that easy?

Pandora responded.

“Yes, there are, at least to some extent.”

“But how is that even possible?”

“I’m not sure, either.”

“Hmm······. Would it be possible for you to investigate? You mentioned your specialty lies in inspecting the past, so you might be able to figure out how this happened.”

“Sorry. I’ve already looked into it, but I wasn’t able to discover anything.”

“Wait a moment······. You’ve already looked into it?”

“This is something I would be naturally curious about.”

Pandora’s answer made sense to Oliver.

After all, Oliver had created Pandora, Eve, and Lilith.

Of course, they would be interested if people started worshipping Oliver, whether it was good or bad.

And when they’re curious, it’s natural they would investigate through the World Tree.

But what didn’t make sense was—

“—Is that even possible?”

Oliver expressed his doubt.

“I’m not trying to nitpick, but doesn’t the World Tree record everything it sees? How is it possible that nothing was discovered?”

“······It surprises me too, but it’s the truth.”

She was sincere.

“We checked the past records when we discovered that some Dark Sorcerers had begun worshipping you, but there was nothing in the World Tree’s records. It’s as if someone erased it.”

Oliver, who knew that the records kept by the World Tree couldn’t be deleted, was quietly shocked.

Erased, as if by someone. He was both curious and reluctant to know who might have done it.

“Personally, I suspect that a certain faction has intentionally spread this. To make people worship you. Based on the timing and process, that’s what I think.”

“So, according to Pandora, someone deliberately incited people to worship me, and also concealed this from you?”

“Yes.”

Pandora answered without hesitation.

Oliver wanted to ask who, why, and how.

After all, in such a harsh central continent, who could do that so easily?

However, Pandora’s firm answers left Oliver without words.

“May I ask just one more thing?”

“Go ahead.”

“They say the Dark Sorcerers also worship demons, but are these truly demons? From my investigation, they seem more like some indigenous beliefs that exist nearby. People say they worship a woman loved by angels.”

“I believe the latter is correct.”

“You’re quick to answer this time?”

“I was investigating that very matter.”

***

“You damn brats······!”

Late at night at Ark Orphanage, a red-haired young man yelled.

The children laughed and ran off as the young man’s voice echoed. He chased after them and caught a few, shaking them wildly in the air.

“Kyaaah!”

The kids screamed as their heads were tossed side to side, but their laughter didn’t bother anyone.

Because amidst the screams, genuine laughter was intermixed.

“Ugh, you brats···. You’ve got way too much energy.”

“Kids, it’s time to go to bed. Our guest is exhausted.”

As the out-of-breath Derek slumped down, Director Amelin clapped her hands and addressed the children.

The kids groaned in disappointment, realizing the fun game of tag was over.

“Awww······.”

But the Director stood firm.

“No means no. You know you should have been in bed ages ago, but Joanna let you stay up. If you keep being stubborn, you won’t get to play with Joanna tomorrow.”

Only when she mentioned Joanna, the hero and pride of Ark Orphanage, did the kids reluctantly head back to bed.

Once they were gone, the exhausted Derek collapsed onto a chair like a wet rag, and Director Amelin brought him a glass of water.

“You must be very tired.”

“······Yes, very tired.”

Derek took the water that Director Amelin handed him and gulped it down.

“I suppose I had no choice since I came here with a request.”

After finishing the water, Derek remarked, having come to Ark Orphanage to leave Rosburn there.

At his words, Amelin smiled.

“Oh, don’t say that. We’ve already received a donation and gifts from you. And even if that hadn’t been the case, I know you would’ve still played with the kids.”

“I think there’s a misunderstanding. That’s not my character. I’m from the Tower of Magic.”

“Two magicians from the Tower of Magic visited us before. They were kind as well.”

“One of them was Yareli, right?”

Derek, who had already figured out most of the situation, subtly pointed out where Yareli was.

She was currently having a private conversation with a Templar named Joanna.

Derek had played with the kids mainly to prevent them from disturbing that conversation.

He didn’t know the details, but after a brief exchange, the two had asked Derek to let them talk in private.

As a result, Derek had no choice but to entertain the kids.

“By the way, are you close with Xenon?”

“Huh? Are you saying that because I’m running errands?”

“That’s part of it, but it also seems like you genuinely like him.”

“What makes you think that?”

“It’s hard to explain. You see, by this age, you tend to develop some insight.”

“Then I guess I need to improve my insight. We’re not that close. Just acquaintances. If we were close, would I have been so surprised to learn that Xenon knows Joanna, the Templar?”

Derek recalled their arrival at Ark Orphanage with Yareli and Rosburn.

There, Derek had seen Templar Joanna, and from Yareli’s explanation, learned that she knew Xenon.

He was shocked. A Templar and a Dark Sorcerer had known each other for a very long time. Naturally, he was curious.

He wondered what kind of conversation Yareli and Templar Joanna were having now. Given the context, it was probably about Xenon.

“······Director, what did Xenon do when he was here?”

“He fixed the pump. He also repaired the roof. His work was so good that everything is still in good shape. Normally, things break down quickly… He seems to have quite the skills.”

Derek wasn’t particularly moved by the Director’s words.

For a man who was trying to establish a whole new school of thought on his own, nothing was surprising.

“He also talked late one night.”

“Talked?”

“I just offered some advice. Despite his calm exterior, Xenon seemed to be suffering a lot.”

Xenon suffering… Derek couldn’t quite picture that and tilted his head in confusion.

No matter how much he thought about it, it was hard to imagine that guy suffering from anything.

Xenon had a poker face that would never crumble before anyone and could solve any problem. Naturally, Derek became intrigued.

“What did you two talk about?”

“It wasn’t anything special. Everyone has their concerns—”

– Ding, ding.

Before Director Amelin could finish, a bell rang.

Someone had rung the bell at the wall, despite the late hour.

The conversation between Derek and Director Amelin naturally stopped as Derek discreetly pulled a shrunken longsword from his coat.

Given Ark Orphanage’s secluded location and the late hour, his reaction was entirely natural.

Director Amelin, also somewhat cautious, quietly grabbed the shotgun hidden behind the wall and went outside.

“Who’s there?”

Director Amelin saw a man standing on the other side of the wall’s main gate.

The man was dressed like a traveler, holding a flute in one hand, and behind him stood dozens of children who looked as if they were in a trance.

An ominous silence blanketed the orphanage.