Chapter 713: Wooden Block

“Are you alright?”

In a room that was neither too lavish nor too humble—no, correction.

It would be more accurate to call it a prison, not a room.

While comfortable, the lack of freedom made ‘prison’ a much more fitting description.

Regardless, in such a prison, a pale man asked, ‘Are you alright?’

For reference, the man wore a shabby long coat and a beanie, both quite out of place in such an expensive room. A knife was lodged in his side, but, surprisingly, there was no blood.

It looked like some kind of costume. However, despite his unusual appearance, the man had once been a quite capable contractor in his youth and then, later on, a very capable beggar.

Capable and beggar. Two words that didn’t seem to fit together, yet they suited this man perfectly.

Though he had started with a bit of capital by sheer luck, consolidating the city’s beggars, establishing an information network across all of Randa, and creating a welfare center through dealings with the City was no small feat.

During his younger years, he hadn’t just casually made a fortune by fighting real estate brokers with a quarterstaff either.

Well, in any case, now he was nothing but a prisoner, though a very, very valuable one.

“Heh, are you worried about me?”

The man sitting in front of the pale fellow opened his eyes and asked back, as if he found it amusing.

Which made sense, since the very person who had imprisoned the pale man in this place was none other than him. It was like a hostage caring about their captor.

What made it even stranger was the fact that the captor in question was none other than the Puppet Immortal, the last remaining finger.

Toward such a being, the pale man spoke,

“Is that not allowed?”

The sincerity in the response made the Puppet chuckle.

“Kent. You are a strange person. A hostage worrying about their captor?”

“Are you just a captor though? You’re also a blackmailer, a terrorist, and a murderer responsible for countless deaths. I’m sure you’ve committed more crimes I don’t even know about.”

Kent hadn’t forgotten the events that had occurred when the Puppet had abducted him.

Such as the time the Puppet had invaded W-District, where he had demolished the welfare center and harmed the residents and staff living there. What’s more ridiculous is the fact that he had launched that invasion with an army of zombies to ravage Randa.

“You’re amusing. Aren’t you a criminal yourself?”

“That’s why I’m worried. We are both foolish, weak criminals.”

“…Hmph.”

“By the way, is it true? Has the child returned?”

The child. The Puppet repeated the phrase. Who on this earth could truthfully call Oliver ‘the child’?

No matter how much he thought about it, the only person who could call him that, standing right here before him, was Kent. It was truly peculiar.

How could a run-down old man from society’s dregs refer to the Prince who would open the gate to apocalypse in such a way?

“Indeed. How do you feel about it? He asked to have you released.”

“Well… How is he?”

“That depends on how you define ‘doing well’. He’s become someone no one can dare to challenge, but whether or not that means he’s truly well, I can’t say.”

It was a puzzling response, but Kent understood its meaning better than anyone.

During his imprisonment here, the Puppet had taught him many things, and above all else, Kent was well-versed when it came to Oliver.

That’s why Kent’s concerns surfaced.

Even though he had a knife in his side, was neither dead nor alive, and was a prisoner of the Puppet, Kent was not worried for himself but for Oliver.

“Can you not release me?”

“Why? If I release you, will you go to meet him?”

“That’s right.”

“I thought I explained things well enough, but apparently, I didn’t.”

“You explained it well, and I understood. The end of the world is near, and the boy is the Prince of Hell. I also understand that he now sees through the sins of humanity.”

Despite how calm his manner was, it was hard to tell if he truly understood. However, judging by his clear emotions, it wasn’t a lie.

Kent believed everything the Puppet had told him and had accepted it without much resistance.

“And despite all that, you still want to meet him? That’s quite brave… for a criminal who has committed so many sins—blackmail, intimidation, violence, extortion, murder.”

“That’s exactly why I have to meet him. Since if I were to run away, it would only add to my sins.”

“…”

For the second time today, the Puppet found himself at a loss for words while speaking to this man. Had there ever been such an occasion? Almost never. The Puppet had been pursued and outmatched by stronger foes but rarely found himself outreasoned like this.

The people the Puppet usually faced—Paladins, magic-users, soldiers, vigilantes, Druids—all of them were fooled by their sense of righteousness.

They were figures molded by the hands of the gods, relying on shallow values such as justice, truth, and morality, as flimsy as castles made of sand; those weak principles were their downfall.

Just like the wooden block that the Puppet himself was made of.

And so, while the Puppet was often outgunned, he had never failed to outwit his foes.

Yet, ironically, today he found himself at a loss, not against some great opponent, but a frail old man. The memory reminded him of someone very dear to him from long ago.

Overlapping with those long-lost memories, Kent spoke once again.

“Can you grant me just this one request? After all, my life is already in your hands.”

“…Sorry, but I can’t do that. Even though I’ve ensured several layers of safety, it’s possible that he could break through them. For the sake of what I’m working on, I can’t release you. I want to prevent any unfortunate incidents.”

“Couldn’t you just stop whatever it is you’re doing then?”

For the third time today, Kent had said something astounding. At the same time, it was also incredibly foolish.

His words casually dismissed all the work the Puppet had endured for hundreds of years. It was a careless and simplistic remark, something only a child who knew nothing would dare say.

“I’m not even sure I can laugh anymore. You don’t even know what I’m trying to do, and you dare speak like that.”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to achieve, or what you want, but I’m certain it can’t be done this way.”

At that moment, the Puppet’s eyes widened and he glared at Kent. How dare someone who knows nothing speak with such confidence? If the hostage were of any lower value, he might have killed him right then and there.

It was quite an emotional reaction for the Puppet, evidence that Kent’s words had gotten under his skin.

Yet, even as the Puppet stared at him with eyes burning with murderous intent, Kent gazed back with his usual calm and resolute eyes.

It wasn’t the confidence of someone certain that he couldn’t be killed. There was no hostility, no desire to win in Kent’s gaze.

There was only pity and sympathy. And that made Kent’s stare all the more infuriating.

Eventually, the Puppet stood up. Spending more time with this man was making him uncomfortable. Killing him wasn’t an option, so this was the wisest choice.

“I’ll confirm whether or not what I’m trying to achieve can be done. This isn’t a trivial matter that I’d give up on just because the words of a beggar swayed me. Besides, I’ve suddenly become very interested in seeing it through.”

In a flash, fire seemed to light up in the Puppet’s eyes. Not the somber gaze of a centuries-old ruin, but the fiery spark of a young, reckless child.

“I’ve received your ‘encouragement,’ so it’s only proper of me to try and show you the difference between someone born at the highest place in the world and something like a wooden block, right?”

***

Whirrrrr—!!

The sound of wings fluttering echoed through the room as a violet portal opened in the middle of a building.

Dark-clad figures poured out of the newly opened portal.

“Aaaaah—!”

At the same time, a scream pierced the air from somewhere nearby.

“What’s happening?!”

“Just another day, I guess!”

“Sister, I’m coming!!”

As soon as they heard the scream, the group inside the building dashed through, their footsteps thudding urgently.

Click! Those running into the room were none other than workers at the House of Angels and some vaguely familiar boys.

While it made sense for employees to be there, it was odd to see these children. And they seemed oddly familiar… Oh! That’s right.

Nibs, the Twins, and Tootles. The Lost Boys Jane had cared for in Neverland. Children who had been forced into role-playing games by Peter Pan.

Without their usual animal-themed cloaks—rabbit, racoon, skunk—they were dressed in regular clothes, which is why they hadn’t been recognized right away.

Once the mystery was solved, however, a new question immediately appeared.

For instance, why were Nibs, the Twins, and Tootles in the House of Angels?

Kent had heard that the children had followed Jane to Randa, but it still felt odd for them to be here. Had Jane left them here? She was nowhere to be seen.

But it wasn’t just Kent who was confused. The residents of the House of Angels had plenty of their own questions too. In fact, they should have had more questions than anyone else.

After all, while Oliver, Forest, Joe, and Captain Hook were intruders here, these women and children belonged in the House of Angels.

So, while it made sense for the people in the House of Angels to be surprised to see intruders like Oliver’s party, it didn’t make sense for Oliver’s group to look shocked at seeing them.

It’s as if a homeowner called the police after catching burglars inside their home, only for the burglars to call the police on the homeowner instead!

Yet Oliver shamelessly ignored that logic and casually asked,

“Why are all of you here?”

Oliver directed his question to Nibs, the Twins, and Tootles, the children who had escaped to Randa through Jane after living in Neverland.

The once vibrant and brave children were now cowering in fear at Oliver’s question, hiding behind the legs of the female workers.

The workers were stunned by the sight. These weren’t just any kids. They had proven themselves during the zombie army’s attack. Yet, they also understood why the children were scared. Oliver was exuding a strange sense of pressure that was difficult to explain.

Gulp…

The change was not just in the atmosphere—his attitude had changed as well.

It wasn’t overt, but a trace of disdain? Disappointment? Something like that could now be seen in Oliver’s expression and gaze. Almost like that of ordinary men.

It was too subtle to be definitive, but compared to the past where he showed no emotion, it was a significant change.

Faced with this minute yet dramatic shift, the residents of the House of Angels tensed up like prisoners, while Oliver stood tall and confidently asked once again as though he were the owner of the place.

“Why are you all here?”

“We’re here to protect this place.”

An elderly woman entered and answered on their behalf. It was none other than Mama Elizabeth, the master of the House of Angels.

She carefully examined Oliver’s group of uninvited guests and then, with grace, greeted them politely.

“Please come in. You’re all welcome here.”

***

Elizabeth.

One of the senior members of the Sisterhood and the matron of the House of Angels, often referred to as ‘Mama.’

Despite her age, she retained the beauty of her youth. She welcomed Oliver’s group politely and with the calm demeanor befitting her years, even though they had arrived unannounced.

She also quickly explained why Nibs, the Twins, and Tootles were at the House of Angels, why the business wasn’t running, and where Jane was—all things that Oliver might have wondered about anyway.

“When Jane returned to Randa, she introduced us to the children, and when the zombie army invaded, we owed them a great deal. If it hadn’t been for them, we would have all been left out on the street. Staying here is just a precaution in case something happens.”

“The business is temporarily closed due to the royal army’s strict control. Please don’t worry too much. A few days of closure won’t be a big deal.”

“Jane has gone to the capital. She had some personal business. Coffey and Slightly went with her as escorts.”

“I see.”

However, contrary to expectations, Oliver’s reaction wasn’t as good as one might have anticipated.

No, rather, there wasn’t much of a reaction at all. He seemed almost indifferent, even to the news about Jane.

In fact, this wasn’t uncommon. A man’s emotions were often like a roaring flame—one moment it could grow out of control, but the next it would die down just as suddenly.

Elizabeth, along with the other women working at the House of Angels, understood this better than anyone, given their profession.

Each year, they would see men, even those willing to take their own lives if they couldn’t have them, suddenly turn cold overnight.

Seeing Dave react this way was a bit surprising though. After all, Dave was Dave.

He was a madman, who had come here claiming he wanted to learn how to disguise himself, joke, and improve his art of conversation, and had somehow ended up actually learning all of those things.

He treated every worker at the House equally, with kindness and respect, but he never reached out to them with anything more than friendship.

The only exception, of course, was Jane. He had claimed to save her for the dubious reason of ‘friendship,’ and he actually did go and rescue her.

And so, seeing him react like this now left even the most jaded women at the House quite baffled.

Fortunately, Elizabeth was experienced and never let her feelings show—at least not on the surface.

Yet even Elizabeth couldn’t help but hesitate toward the next topic.

“If you don’t mind, may I ask you something as well?”

“Go ahead.”

“As far as I know, Mr. Forest, Mr. Joe, and that man are all currently imprisoned under investigation. How did you get out? Were you released?”

“No, we escaped.”

“What?”

“We escaped. The Security Bureau and the Defense Force had surrounded the prison, so we ran.”

“What?”

“I slipped a piece of paper in here that held a hidden spatial formation.”

“What?”