Genius Warlock

"Hello"

The man in a pink suit was greeted by Oliver in the same manner.

In spite of greeting him politely, Oliver didn't miss out on the 20 or so people around him.

Although they did not possess any malice or murderous intent, they were prepared to fight.

To determine if the opponent was an enemy, Oliver asked.

"Um, may I ask who you are? I think you're Pink Man"

Putting his hands together politely, the man in the pink suit replied.

"That's right, I’m a Pink Man. But please don't misunderstand. I'm not on the same side as Duncan or McMahon."

"… Excuse me, but who is McMahon?"

In an attempt to express his understanding, the man lowered his head and snapped his fingers.

Following the sound, the man in the pink suit received a severed head from a subordinate.

"It’s this guy."

The man in the pink suit raised his head as he spoke these words.

Due to the distance and the darkness, Oliver couldn't see properly, so he went closer.

Despite being wary of Oliver, the man in the pink suit restrained his men and even waited in the area so Oliver could closely examine the severed head.

The gesture struck Oliver as kind.

"……oh, it's Mr. McMahon, the human butcher. I saw it in the article."

"Yes, that's right. That McMahon."

Oliver nodded.

It was the Pink Man who quashed protesters in Northland coal mine town.

In addition to hundreds of people being killed, he was also photographed smiling while placing his feet on the dead bodies, which made him the main target in the hearing.

"He's a hard worker, so I gave him the job, but he worked too hard. We work in a field that is closely associated with politics, and it's important to control the damage level, but this guy didn't get it.”

"Is that why you killed him?”

"No, we're not gangsters….. In an attempt to calm public opinion, I asked him to take a break, but he objected and went off to try and steal our company's secrets and sell them. The company pays close attention to this kind of thing because it has high-ranking customers."

Oliver turned around and looked at Duncan.

"By any chance, was Mr. McMahon cooperating with Mr. Duncan?”

"They worked together, but not anymore. Mr. Dave has been of great assistance to us."

"Do you know me?"

"We always check out competent solvers. In the end, talent is the key to success in this business."

There was a thoughtless nod from Oliver because he was neither happy nor angry about it. Instead, he attempted to understand the situation.

"Um…that means you're not here to fight me? I'm a bit tired, and I do not wish to fight anyone at this time."

"Yes, I know because I've seen it. Of course, we don't intend to fight."

"Um, that's a relief. Can I pick it up if you don't mind?”

Oliver pointed at the tonfa between the Pink Man's legs and asked.

Oliver bent down and picked up Duncan's tonfa as the man in the pink suit and his men moved away.

"Thank you."

Oliver bowed his head and thanked everyone for allowing him to retrieve the weapon, which was able to control power and strength with mana.

He thought maybe it could be used for research.

As someone who has used magic and black magic, whose mechanisms seem familiar, it seemed possible to do so.

"Big Mouth."

Oliver, who returned to where he originally was, opened a leather case around his waist and took out [Big Mouth].

As Big Mouth swelled up like bread dough, it raised its arms and legs, rolling numerous eyes and looking around.

"Gurrrrr!"

As if wary of strangers, Big Mouth cried in a low voice.

Oliver calmed down such [Big Mouth].

"It's all right, calm down….. Can you swallow this and the fallen one?”

Oliver pointed to the corpse of Duncan as well as to the unzombified corpses of the Pinkmen who had fought alongside Duncan during the fight.

"Kroooooo…"

It was a corpse, not money, and Big Mouth seemed very disappointed, but still, it worked silently as instructed.

"That's fascinating." said the man in the pink suit.

Just as in the beginning, he asked politely.

"I haven't studied formally, but I know that a glutton bag of that size is very dangerous."

"I think the person who made it is good."

"Can you tell me who he is? We’re always in need of talent.”

"I'll ask him later and tell you. It would be impolite to reveal his identity without his consent … And, would that be all you would like to say?"

"Unfortunately, I have more. In fact, I didn't come simply to clean up the impurity inside the company.”

"Did you come to take Mr. Duncan, too?"

Oliver asked regretfully.

"No. That's not it. We're not interested in corpses, even more so if they're in the possession of a warlock. And we're interested in someone alive."

"Someone alive?"

"Yes."

At that moment, Oliver was able to sense the slight change in the emotions of the pink man around him.

"…what happened?"

"Please hand over Miss Jane to us."

"I am not sure I understand what you are saying."

"Don't worry. We're moving under Mr. Edith Rock's request.”

"Mr. Edith?”

"Yes, he secretly left someone in the mansion, and when he suddenly didn't hear from them, he asked us to look into it. Check what happened to his daughter, Jane, and save her if she was alive, and if she was dead, he asked us to investigate the person involved.”

"Um…"

It was an Investigation, not a retaliation.

Edith Rock's response was extremely fast. While the attack occurred less than a day ago, his response was as if he had been anticipating it.

The man in the pink suit continued.

"If you don't believe me…"

"…No. I believe you."

Oliver knew that the man in the pink suit was telling the truth.

"That's a relief. Then, can you tell us where the lady is?"

"Um… I left her somewhere, so I will go bring her."

"If you don't mind, can we come with you?"

"? …..Why?"

"Just in case. We don't know what will happen, and we're faithful to our work, so please don't misunderstand."

"I understand. However, I would like to politely decline that."

"…decline?"

He raised an eyebrow as he looked at him. It was as if he wasn't used to rejection.

This may be the reason why he seemed upset, but Oliver did not seem to care.

"Yes, the place where she is right now is a place where I got help from, and I don't think they'll like strangers very much. So could you wait a moment?"

"I doubt we'll be able to do that. Mr. Edith Rock told us to secure her as soon as possible."

"Um, then, I'll be back as soon as possible."

“It seems like you don't get it. Mr. Edith said..”

“… I was asked by Mr. Edith to protect her and nothing more, nothing less. I'm a Solver. My goal is to fulfill the request I received, but other than that, I am not obligated to anything."

"……."

There was a strange silence.

Oliver had a rough idea of what would happen next.

At this time, people always tried to enforce their will by force, which he found very upsetting.

He wished to solve it through conversation.

After a while, the man in the pink suit opened his mouth.

"Oh, I see…I guess we were rude. Well, we'll wait here. Please come as soon as possible. We also have to save face."

At an unexpected answer, Oliver nodded.

"Thank you for your consideration. I'll be back as soon as possible."

Oliver said so and went to pick up Jane.

"Um, wait a minute," said Oliver, stopping on his way and picking [Child] and the corpse doll scattered behind Pink Man.

Fortunately, although weakened, [Child] did not disappear.

"Now, I'll go for real."

⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩

Through a series of sewer passageways and tunnels, Oliver reached the PoorBrothers’ underground beggar village.

He could have wandered because the passage was complicated, but fortunately, he didn't.

When he arrived, he told Jane and Kent what had happened.

There were quite a few surprised looks on Jane and Kent's faces when they heard that Oliver knocked Duncan down.

However, their attention was soon drawn to the newly dispatched Pink Man's proposal after hearing it.

Regardless of who it was, Jane will be suspicious of anyone at this point. It's been less than a day since someone she thought would protect her betrayed her.

Nevertheless, Jane decided to go with them after some thought.

Kent was also in agreement with that choice.

According to him, as men grow older they become childish and capricious like children, and even the slightest offense can upset them and make them overturn their promises.

Moreover, he warned that if she ignored the people her father sent, she might as well not receive the inheritance.

Jane also nodded without denying it, and Oliver took Jane to the ground.

While walking alone, Jane asked Oliver as she went up.

"If you hand me over to them, does that mean they'll be in charge of my security?"

"I think so."

"If they ask Dave to go, will you stand by my side? ……I think that'll be more reassuring for me."

"Yes, if that’s what you want. That's why I'm hired. There is still time left in the promised period."

When Oliver answered so, Jane looked remarkably relieved.

Unlike the previous time, she wasn't acting, she was relieved to her core.

Having reached the alley, they soon met the pink men waiting there.

The man in a pink suit greeted Jane politely as soon as he saw her.

"How are you, Miss, I'm Jonathan, the head of the Pinkman office's security team. I'm here at your father’s request."

Politely, the man in the pink suit introduced himself.

In response, Jane expressed how glad she was to have them here.

"Thank you, Miss. Then, from now on, we will take care of your safety. If you don't mind, can you follow us? I'll guide you to a safe place."

In addition to being polite, the proposal was somewhat pressurizing.

After wearing the smile mask she had at the mansion, Jane carefully raised her hand.

"Yes, of course. However, may I ask you a favor, Pleaseeeee?”

"Favor? Yes, go ahead."

"Thank you so much for coming to protect me, but what will happen to Dave?”

Jonathan glanced at Oliver.

"Mr. Edith handed us all the power to escort you. We’re thankful for his hard work, but I think he can leave now….. However, apart from that, I don't mind taking him with us if you want."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Your comfort is the most important thing."

Upon hearing Jonathan's answer, Jane sighed with relief and smiled.

In no time, Jane was back to the Jane who first greeted Oliver in the mansion.

The exception was when she turned and winked at Oliver.

Soon, Jonathan nodded to his men and ordered them to stand guard around Oliver and Jane.

It wasn't until they walked a little bit further that Oliver noticed a large road and a car parked on it.

In comparison to a typical car, the cover covering the car looked much more sturdy, as if it was almost like armor covering the car.

"Come on, get in. I'll guide you to a safe place."

(To be Continued)