Chapter 763: Oliver

“Kyaahahahaha! Why am I even doing this!!”

Child-Third, inside the Zombie Puppet-Seamus, roared towards the sky.

That scream resembled the cries of a laborer who had only received the base wages, yet had worked three days and nights straight on the capital’s reconstruction.

“Aaaah!! Labor law!! We need the Red Labor Law─!!!”

A desperate cry. Even so, a complaint is just a complaint, work is still work.

Third clenched its fist, just as Oliver had ‘requested,’ and slammed it into the ground.

Boom─!

When the iron fist struck the ground, the earth trembled, and a massive wooden pillar, harder than steel, sprung up.

“Ohhh-! The pillar is already up······!”

Nearby workers from the Redevelopment Union collectively marveled in unison.

However, Third didn’t take any joy from their admiration, instead he shook his head.

He knew that their admiration wasn’t genuine, but a malicious tactic to exploit more labor.

“Scram.”

“Could you set up the pillar over there now?”

“I said, scram.”

“Ah, yes, we love you too.”

A conversation so out of sync you’d wonder if they were even speaking the same language.

The workers, worn out by fatigue, coaxed and pulled Third to the next worksite.

An odd scene, even with a little thought.

How could they treat a Druid-Zombie Puppet, capable of crushing them like ants, that way?

They had worked together for several days, but it was still puzzling.

Yet, it wasn’t incomprehensible given that it was Oliver who had entrusted Third to them.

The one who had saved humanity from the apocalypse and granted them a second chance······.

And so, they had no doubts that Third was safe.

“Kyaahahahaha!!”

Faithfully honoring their trust, Third, though wailing, diligently carried out his tasks.

Third wasn’t the only one.

Likewise, Zombie Puppet-Bathory, the Flesh Cook, Child inside Durance, First, and Force, even Second were working.

Utilizing their specialties like Blood Magic, disease-based Dark Magic, and Life Alchemy, they were assigned to the medical unit, treating the wounded and preventing outbreaks.

Their performance was beyond comparison, not needing rest, making them far more efficient than the others.

(Though the Children argued that they did need rest, it was concluded in a meeting that it was just their shy way of lying.)

Thanks to them, the capital’s reconstruction picked up incredible speed.

“Kururu······!”

Still, that said, there was someone surpassing even them in contribution.

“Kurururuk······!!”

None other than Big Mouth.

Oliver’s Gluttonous Pouch.

It had been tasked with the heavy duty of providing food for 5,000 people each day.

And perhaps due to such a heavy burden, it had come to the point of striking at one corner of the field command post.

“I’m tired.”

Big Mouth enunciated each word, clearly exhausted.

The staff of Angel’s House, attending to Big Mouth, tried to console it.

“It’s okay. You’re doing great.”

“Well done, you’re doing so well.”

“No, I’m really not okay! I can’t take it!”

“We love you too.”

“Wow, you’re amazing! You’re incredible! As expected of the Pouch of Plenty! Dave’s Treasure!”

One of the staff members from Angel’s House praised Big Mouth as the Pouch of Plenty.

A recent nickname Big Mouth had earned in Randa, responsible for feeding the citizens who had taken refuge underground during the apocalypse.

‘Do not worry, citizens. Our friend, Dave the Woodsman, has entrusted us with an item that produces endless food. We will never run out of food, water, or supplies.’

‘That’s impossible. How could that be?’

‘Is single-handedly wiping out an entire army possible? Now shut it.’

There had been some arguments, but Big Mouth proved itself through results, thereby gaining the title: the Endless Pouch of Plenty, Dave’s Treasure.

Big Mouth was proud of this nickname, and currently, it was dragged to the capital to once again vomit up supplies.

‘Big Mouth. We have a new job for you.’

‘Kuruk?’

‘Go to the capital and nonstop, day in and day out, take out food.’

‘Kuruk?’

Recalling its meeting with Oliver, Big Mouth shook its body from side to side.

“Kuruk. Kururu······ kururuk······.”

“You’re saying, ‘Fine! I’ll do it······!’?”

“No, I’m saying I really can’t do this anymore!”

Big Mouth clearly stated again, discontent with such an overly optimistic interpretation.

Then, Big Mouth turned its head abruptly towards Marie, who was processing paperwork.

It was seeking help.

Marie pondered how to refuse Big Mouth’s plea but fortunately, she didn’t have to.

For Jane, with her pink hair tied up and wearing work clothes, had entered.

“It seems we’re running low on food, is there a problem?”

The moment Jane entered, everyone’s eyes were drawn to her, especially the staff from Angel’s House.

Not surprising since they were volunteering in the capital because of Jane, who had become the new head of the Sisterhood.

Big Mouth and Jane locked eyes.

Jane smiled, understanding the situation.

“Big Mouth. You seem awfully tired.”

“Kururu- Ah, who cares, I’m not doing this anymore.”

Now aware that ‘Kururuk’ would be misinterpreted, Big Mouth emphasized each word.

It meant to say it wouldn’t be exploited anymore.

Of course, it had said the same to Oliver, but once Oliver wielded the baton, Big Mouth quickly changed its mind.

“But, Oliver isn’t here right now, is he?”

“Kururuk!”

Big Mouth croaked like a toad, shaking its body up and down.

Jane turned around and pulled something out. A baton to motivate? Or perhaps a machine gun to (permanently) eliminate grievances?

Big Mouth, indifferent, stood up and started stepping forward.

Big Mouth, who had even devoured its own kind for functionality upgrades, didn’t discriminate whether it was man, woman, child, or elder with its punches. There was only equality.

But unlike expectations, Big Mouth didn’t throw the punch of equality.

What Jane pulled out wasn’t a motivation stick or a grievance-abolishing machine gun.

Instead of a baton or machine gun, what appeared was a treasure chest full of cash, jewels, ornaments, and priceless paintings.

“What’s that?”

One of the Angel’s House staff, smelling money, asked in surprise.

“A donation.”

Jane answered, though she was looking at Marie, not the staff who asked.

Marie responded to her words.

“A donation?”

“Yes… they say the rich remain wealthy for three generations, don’t they? Even amidst the apocalypse, there were more people than expected with valuables.”

“Could it be······?”

“Oh no, don’t misunderstand. It’s not a bribe. They just gave it to help us buy more food.”

Jane looked at Big Mouth.

‘They gave it to us out of gratitude for distributing food. It’s not much, but they wanted us to use it to supplement supplies.’

Jane showed Big Mouth the cash, jewels, and paintings inside the chest.

“So, what were you saying earlier?”

“Kururuk······. Kurukkuruk.”

“Are you saying you’re eager to work hard and reward us with gifts?”

“I said I’m working! I’m just working!”

Big Mouth glared as it swallowed the entire donation, not leaving a single bill behind.

The staff of Angel’s House gasped in disappointment, but Jane consoled them.

“I’ll make sure to get you all some bonuses.”

Upon hearing this, they immediately smiled, all traces of irritation gone, and went back to work.

Their job: fetching the food Big Mouth vomited and cooking it for distribution.

After Big Mouth and the staff left, only Marie and Jane were left inside.

“You’re going through a lot.”

Marie started the conversation.

Jane nodded, stretching as she sat down.

“Nnngh······! Honestly, it’s a bit tiring. I may not look it, but I was raised quite delicately, so I’m not used to physical labor. But it’s not so bad.”

“Really?”

“Yes, even though I grew up delicately, my heart wasn’t raised gently. The Sisterhood was that kind of place.”

Marie, knowing what kind of place the Sisterhood was, responded with silence.

It was originally an organization created for the survival of women at the bottom of society, but like most organizations, it twisted over time and became one that exploited women instead.

“I think physically struggling is better than being at mental unrest… Plus, I actually like that I’m leading the Sisterhood now because most of the higher-ups are gone.”

All the key figures, including Ms. Miranda, who had held the Sisterhood’s reigns through money, had been reduced to ashes at the succession ceremony.

Marie nodded in agreement.

“That’s certainly good to hear.”

“Speaking of which, how are you holding up, Marie? You look quite tired.”

An unexpected question. Marie should have answered that she was fine, but she couldn’t even bring herself to lie.

Although she was handling desk work rather than physical labor like Jane, she was just as fatigued, if not more.

“Swarming with flies makes me tired.”

“Did the remnants of the Black Hand send more people than expected?”

“Yes.”

Just like word without legs travels a thousand miles, the near-collapse of the capital spread across both colonies and foreign nations.

Among those rumors was the re-emergence of Dark Sorcerers, running rampant without Holy Power to hold them in check, and remnants of the Black Hand seeking a new leader.

Some of them even sought to steal Oliver’s fame.

“······Frankly speaking, they’re not that big of an issue.”

“Really? That’s a bit unexpected.”

“The Children are taking care of them well, and since the Witch at the center of the Continent is consolidating Dark Sorcerers, it’s not as bad as you’d think. The real issue is within our own ranks.”

“The Selectors?”

“Yes······. The foolish ideology I recklessly spread is making a return.”

Marie answered tiredly.

The foolish ideology she spoke of was the belief that they alone were chosen by God.

After seeing Oliver fully embrace his mission, some had once again fallen into that belief.

They believed that the true God was Oliver, and only those who served him were the chosen humans.

Of course, no one overtly admitted it thanks to the existing doctrines, but they couldn’t ignore the emerging undercurrent.

If they let their guard down, it would spread like poisonous mushrooms.

“You must be angry.”

Jane offered genuine sympathy, as someone who also led an organization and could understand the burden.

“I wonder. I am angry, but at the same time, do I even have the right to be? After all, I’m the one who gave birth to those thoughts. Technically, it’s my sin.”

Marie made a complex expression. This wasn’t just idle talk.

“On top of that, you’re managing the Anti-Development Committee. That must be really hard.”

“Ah······. You knew?”

“Haha. I’m acquainted with Mr. Forest too. So, I heard he’s retiring?”

Indeed, not too long ago, Forest had announced his intent to retire.

Right after calming the turmoil in the capital with a massive deal—offering the rights to the Lost Island and helping in the capital’s reconstruction—he had unilaterally declared his retirement to Marie.

“Even now, I find it unbelievable.”

“What was his reason for retiring again?”

“He said that after going to prison, he realized he had become too old for this rough business.”

“Well, he is at the age for retirement. And he’s made plenty of money.”

“He said he plans to spend his remaining years leisurely, working on small things- Oh.”

Marie paused, as if something had dawned on her.

Forest’s idea of a ‘small thing’ was becoming the director of the Poor Brothers Orphanage, which had lost its previous leader.

“After Forest was rescued, he apparently said this to Oliver: ‘I should’ve listened to those elders, who told me to live a good life.’ Afterwards, he asked Oliver if it was too late.”

Jane’s tone softened a little, then she asked Marie,

“······What did he say?”

“Oliver said he wasn’t sure at the time······ I wonder what he would say now?”

Marie deliberated briefly and then let out a small laugh.

The answer was obvious.

“We should just quietly get back to work.”

“Right? It wouldn’t be fair for me to be tired and for Marie to be comfortable.”

“Have you always been this way?”

“Yes, I’ve always been like this. It feels so liberating not to wear a mask.”

Jane chuckled heartily, then stood up.

She was about to leave to get back to work. Marie sent Jane off with a smile and returned to her own tasks. However, just as Jane was leaving, she popped her head back in and asked:

“Can I ask you something?”

“You’re already asking, but go ahead.”

“Do you happen to know where Oliver is······? I’m just curious.”

Marie thought for just a moment before answering.

“He went to meet someone who had been waiting for him for a very long time. Someone who had waited alone for hundreds of years. He also mentioned there were other matters to handle.”

“Ah······.”

“But don’t worry.”

“······?”

“He promised he would definitely come back.”

Marie responded with a peaceful smile, one she had never worn before in her entire life.

Jane gave a quiet nod.