Chapter 734: Confrontation

“······.”

“······.”

“······.”

At Oliver’s question, silence descended once again.

However, it was unreasonable to blame the City Councilors.

After all, they were politicians, meaning they dealt with real-world problems.

Even if they could handle the unprecedented scandal of the Puppet’s collusion with the Crown Prince, they couldn’t deal with the incomprehensible realm of the apocalypse.

Because the apocalypse was both a real event and something beyond reality.

Oliver knew this too.

Even if he lacked common sense during his early years as an orphan and miner, his time as a Contractor had taught him much about the real world.

This was not an area politicians could handle.

Still, Oliver asked the question.

How would the City Councilors respond to the approaching apocalypse?

In a way, it was an unreasonable question, but that was why he asked.

Sometimes, willingness mattered more than ability.

“Since we don’t know what exactly the apocalypse is, it’s hard to answer…”

The Councilman wearing a silk hat and frock coat finally responded after a long thought.

Oliver replied.

“But there’s always a time to make decisions. Isn’t that common in Randa?”

The City Councilors, who had been deferring answers in an attempt to gather information as usual, found themselves speechless.

Oliver was right. Living in Randa meant enduring unfair crises beyond their control.

At the same time, they realized this tactic wouldn’t work on Contractors like Dave anymore.

“Hmm… We’ll probably evacuate. We don’t know what the apocalypse exactly is, but if we can’t fight it, then running is the best option. Perhaps underground or… Paul, did you anticipate this?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Carver.

This was because, in the past three days, amidst his busy schedule of gaining control over the city, calming citizens, and maintaining diplomacy with the Royal Family and Central Council, Carver had submitted a strange report.

The report suggested building a massive underground shelter beneath Randa to evacuate the entire city if need be.

Of course, the councilors who read the report thought him mad.

They were swamped with work, yet he submitted such a ludicrous proposal.

If Carver hadn’t been leading the city’s recovery, he might have been removed from his post.

It was foolish to pursue such nonsense in the midst of a crisis. But now, it made sense.

Carver wasn’t doing something pointless—he was preparing for what was coming.

“Sigh… I should have realized it when I saw the report; it wasn’t written overnight.”

The City Councilors, now facing a more troubling situation than three days ago, all held their heads in frustration.

Seeing this, Carver spoke in his defense.

“It was just a consideration, not a certainty. Please understand that.”

“Of course.”

The City Councilors were still skeptical.

While Carver exchanged a few words with the City Councilors, Oliver interjected.

“So, will you evacuate to the underground? I want a clear answer.”

“Well… it seems the only option for now.”

After hesitating, the City Councilors carefully responded, instinctively feeling they shouldn’t answer too easily. But Oliver persistently pressed on.

“Will you evacuate everyone in Randa? Or just a select few?”

“What do you mean by a select few?”

“The fat, lecherous rich. I get it would be easier to evacuate a select few than everyone, and decisions tend to favor the easier option.”

“······.”

“I’m not accusing you. I’m genuinely curious. Whatever answer you give, I’ll accept it.”

“That’s… not something easy to answer.”

“Take your time. Whether easy or hard, I just want an answer now.”

“You’re really putting us in a tight spot.”

“I’m on a tight schedule too.”

The City Councilors tried their best to avoid answering, but Oliver pushed them like a predator cornering its prey. Soon, they found themselves nervously lighting cigarettes.

Their smoking seemed to mirror their inner frustration.

“Phew… We’re not sure there’s enough space to evacuate the entire city’s populace.”

“There is.”

Oliver answered simply, resolving their doubt. He had seen it with his own eyes.

“…The supplies would be a problem. We don’t know how long the apocalypse will last, and evacuating everyone blindly isn’t feasible. The daily consumption of Randa’s population would be enormous-”

“-But we’ll figure something out.”

Paul Carver interrupted the councilor mid-sentence, answering firmly.

This action drew everyone’s eyes back to Carver, as he had never acted so bluntly before.

“Paul?”

One of the startled councilors called him, but Carver didn’t respond. His eyes were fixed only on Oliver. Oliver was the important one now.

The councilors couldn’t press any further since Carver had been given full authority over the matter.

“Why?”

“Why, what?”

“Why did you say we’ll figure it out? Don’t you, too, believe it will be impossible to evacuate everyone?”

“Of course. I’m a realist.”

“And yet?”

“Even as a realist, I believe this is the most practical choice right now. I can’t explain it fully, but I think it leads to the safest outcome.”

Carver laid out his honest thoughts.

Just as he said, he believed that evacuating only a select few—those who contributed to the city—was the more realistic approach.

Saving everyone was impossible, and saving the most beneficial people first was the pragmatic choice.

This had been Paul Carver’s decision as Minister, based on his belief in dealing with reality as it was.

But now, his instincts said otherwise, and Carver decided to trust them.

Watching Oliver, Carver felt that saving everyone—rather than just a select few—would ultimately have a higher chance of success.

“There will be many difficulties, like food shortages. Are you sure about this?”

“If the apocalypse really comes, do we have any other choice? We must try and believe that things will work out.”

“Ha. Ha. Ha.”

At that moment, Oliver let out a laugh—or rather, pretended to.

It was awkward, perfectly fitting the term ‘pretend,’ and everyone was astonished. Even if a puppet had laughed, it would have seemed more natural.

Noticing their reactions, Oliver asked.

“Is my laughter strange?”

“…Yes, very much so.”

“Hmm, that’s disappointing. I practiced it. Judging by your reactions, I still have a long way to go.”

Oliver remarked as he looked at them, who were now both surprised and slightly horrified.

However, he didn’t seem to mind as he rose from his seat. Then, from the leather case strapped to his back, he pulled out a thick, leather bundle.

“That’s…”

The familiar leather bundle.

As Oliver placed it on the ground, it began to rise like proofed dough, sprouting limbs and multiple eyes.

It was Gluttonous Pouch, Big Mouth.

“Grurururu…”

“Long time no see, Big Mouth.”

Oliver greeted Big Mouth as it stretched out. It had indeed been a long time since Oliver had summoned it.

Big Mouth seemed to think the same as it busily rolled its several eyes around, surveying its surroundings.

Thanks to that, Big Mouth saw the astonished faces of the City Councilors and Paul Carver.

“Grurururu.”

Upon seeing Carver, Big Mouth waved a hand.

Carver, who had witnessed Big Mouth in action during its deathmatch with other pouches, recognized it and waved back reflexively.

“What’s Big Mouth here for?”

“Big Mouth is here to help… Big Mouth?”

“Grururu?”

“Can you assist Mr. Carver for a moment? Whenever he needs something, please provide it.”

“Gruu?”

“I’d greatly appreciate it.”

After a moment of contemplation, Big Mouth nodded in agreement to Oliver’s formal request.

Even so, Carver still looked puzzled. No matter how much Big Mouth could provide, it seemed impossible for the pouch to supply enough for the entire city of Randa.

Sensing Carver’s doubt, Oliver took the lead to address it.

“It’ll manage.”

“Pardon?”

“Whatever is needed—bedding, clothes, food, you name it—Big Mouth can provide it all, like a cornucopia.”

Without further explanation, Oliver declared it would work. Remarkably, everyone, including Carver, accepted his words without further skepticism.

When Oliver said something would work, they all believed it.

“Well, the biggest issue is solved then. Now, if you’ll excuse me, here, take this.”

Oliver handed Carver the leather case containing Big Mouth.

Hesitating a moment, Carver eventually accepted the case.

“I’ll come back to retrieve it later, so please take care of it.”

“Are you really okay with leaving this with me? There’s no guarantee I’ll keep my word, you know.”

“You might. But even if you don’t, it’s fine.”

“…?”

“Whether or not you keep your word is also a choice, after all.”

Carver took a moment to ponder Oliver’s words.

“Hah… That’s one of the scariest things I’ve ever heard.”

“Interesting. I feel the same way. It’s terrifying.”

With a meaningful remark, Oliver released the case.

The leather case, now fully handed over, sat firmly in Carver’s hands.

After bidding farewell to Carver and the City Councilors, Oliver exited through the door.

Oddly enough, stepping through the door led him not to the city hall’s corridor, but to the streets.

He had ended up on T-District, No. 30, where he spotted Forest’s new restaurant a few steps away.

Having grown significantly, the new restaurant was much larger and more extravagant than the previous Forest Restaurant. However, outside it, a ragged group of people queued up.

They were standing in line to receive free meals from the restaurant, a concept initiated by-

“Are you busy, Al?”

It was Al, who had taken on the role of managing the restaurant and acting as an intermediary in Forest’s place.

He and his fellow Red Ones were distributing free meals.

“M-Mr. Dave?!”

Upon spotting Oliver, Al was shocked and ran over.

It seemed the others hadn’t noticed Oliver yet.

Thanks to Oliver’s ability, only Al was aware of his presence.

“You’re doing good work.”

“Ah… It’s nothing. You have to be generous in times like these to ease things later… A lesson in survival, you could say. But more importantly, I’m glad you’re safe. Of course, I knew you would be, but…”

Al, still in shock, rambled on incoherently.

After all, it was like seeing Randa’s hero, who had liberated the city in a single day, vanish and reappear suddenly.

Meanwhile, the hero himself acted as if nothing had happened.

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”

“Ah… That’s good to hear.”

Looking at Oliver’s face, Al couldn’t help but accept his words.

Although Oliver’s expression had remained emotionless as usual, there was a depth to it now—something unfathomable.

Because of that, Al couldn’t bring himself to say more.

Suddenly, Oliver asked, his eyes on the interior of the restaurant.

“Forest and Marie are inside, right?”

“Yes, yes! They’re both inside!!”

“Could you please escort me? It wouldn’t be polite if I just barged in. I also have something to discuss with them.”

Following Oliver’s request, Al guided him, and soon, they entered the office where Forest and Marie were.