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“Yes, if it’s not a problem, may I return to Landa first?”
In response to Oliver’s inquiry, Kevin set aside the documents he had been holding on the desk.
“What’s the reason? Did something urgent cup?” Kevin inquired, and Oliver contemplated briefly before shaking his head.
“No… It’s not urgent.”
“So, something did cup. Can I hear what it is?”
Oliver nodded and promptly provided an explanation. It pertained to the redevelopment project in District X by Forrest that he had been informed of by Jane.
After attentively listening to the explanation, Kevin appeared puzzled.
“That’s strange. Even though sthas passed since we left Landa, does this make sense? Redevelopment in District X?”
It was a valid question. District X was renowned in Landa as an area resistant to redevelopment due to the formidable Anti-Development committee, an entity even the city had conceded defeat to.
With caution, Oliver shared his perspective on this matter.
“It seems to be related to me.”
“You?”
“Yes, somehow I ended up asking the Anti-Development committee for permission. To allow sconstruction work… Just one or two buildings.”
Listening silently to the narrative, Kevin massaged his temples, seemingly afflicted by a headache.
While it might have seemed like an exaggerated reaction, it was actually quite fitting. What Oliver was suggesting now was a direct violation of one of Landa’s long-standing regulations.
“I’d like to ask for more details, but let’s leave it for now. The story seems like it will get lengthy.”
“Thank you. I’ll explain later.”
“Please do… So, you’re planning to return to Landa to oversee this redevelopment project?”
“No, I just want to see what it’s about.”
“To confirm?”
“Yes… Out of curiosity, and I thought focusing on something else might helpfeel less frustrated… I’m sorry, but may I have your permission?”
Oliver, evidently driven by personal curiosity and emotions, was prepared to momentarily set aside his official responsibilities and depart.
However, Kevin did not treat Oliver’s words lightly, giving each one careful consideration.
This was a natural response, given Kevin’s familiarity with Oliver’s approach to his duties. Unbeknownst to him, this situation might be more serious than it appeared.
With this thought, the decision becclear.
“Go ahead.”
“You’re givingpermission?”
“There’s nothing urgent for you to do right now.”
“Thank you.”
After the recent disruption caused by Human-meat Chef, Oliver, who had been feeling somewhat disheartened, displayed a glimmer of happiness.
In that instant, Kevin was confident in his choice.
“Just curious, how are you planning to go back?”
“I was thinking of using portal magic. I’ve installed portal magic in my residence for retreats or quick returns.”
“Instead of using portal magic, take a boat, even if it takes time.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtOliver let out a disappointed sigh. It wasn’t a complex task, but he had been hoping for a swift return.
“May I ask why?”
“You’re officially recorded as having traveled overseas by ship. How did we get here?”
“By ship.”
“Right. But if you’re seen in Landa without any record of entering the country, what would happen?”
“Is it serious?”
“It could be… At the very least, it could get annoying. You’re a Magic tower employee and a warlock. So, it’s better to follow the rules, no matter how urgent.”
Oliver nodded, recognizing the wisdom in this advice. He had a duty to abide by the rules.
“Yes, I understand. Then, I’ll take a ship. Can I move right now?”
“Right now? …Well, as you wish. But Yareli might be disappointed.”
“Yareli?”
“Yes, she said she’d cto see you after finishing her hero duties. She was asking about your whereabouts… She’s free this evening, how about meeting her before you go? She seemed to have something to say?”
Yareli’s desire to meet him prompted Oliver to contemplate for a brief moment, approximately 0.9 seconds.
“Can’t she just meetwhen she returns to Landa?” Oliver responded with a direct attitude, akin to his departure from Jane and the unfinished steak at the hotel.
***
“Phew…”
Late in the evening, Yareli entered a guest room provided by Rokuri University, closed the door, and leaned against it, exhaling deeply.
Her sigh conveyed the extent of her fatigue, both physically and mentally.
Being hailed as a hero for essentially doing nothing was a unique ordeal.
All she had done was follow orders during the disturbance, caught off guard by Dejiehe Durans’ ambush.
If it weren’t for Zenon’s timely intervention, the situation could have bechighly perilous.
Yet, she was celebrated as a hero, credited with defeating numerous warlocks and uncovering Human-meat Chef’s plot, thereby saving the citizens.
It felt incredibly awkward.
It was Zenon who had exposed the plan and alerted everyone. Although unintended, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had usurped his credit.
“Just wait a little longer…”
Yareli murmured to herself, thinking about Zenon, who had already returned to Landa.
Kevin had mentioned that Zenon had urgent matters to attend to, which was regrettable. They had missed each other by a mere few hours.
What could possibly be so urgent that he couldn’t wait a little longer?
After a moment of contemplation, Yareli internally muttered to herself. She had numerous questions and things she wanted to discuss with Zenon.
She wanted to inquire about his connection with Puppet and why he had informed Zenon about Human-meat Chef’s plan. What did he know about Puppet, and was it truly Archiver who had dealt with Human-meat Chef, with Zenon having played no part?
She also wanted to express her gratitude.
She hadn’t had the chance to thank him for rescuing her from Dejiehe and other adversaries. And she wanted to apologize for her belated expression of gratitude.
“And for saying something presumptuous about having nowhere to lean on…”
In any case, she had so much she wished to convey to him. It might be best to organize her thoughts now.
It was indeed peculiar.
Having been born into the Issai family and assuming the role of successor instead of her father, she was accustomed to calculating her interactions with people. Yet now, the feeling was somewhat different. How should she describe it? Not as draining? On the contrary—
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sudden ringing of her communicator interrupted her thoughts. Yareli retrieved the communication device discreetly hidden between her breasts.
It was a secret direct line to her grandmother, custom-made by the Hermes Company at a significant cost.
As she answered the call, she was greeted by her grandmother’s crystal-clear voice, a tone befitting the considerable expense.
[Are you doing well?]
“Yes, Grandmother… As you instructed, I am fulfilling the schedule properly.”
Indeed, Yareli, despite her reservations, had assumed the role of a hero, all at the behest of the Magic Tower and her own grandmother, to elevate the reputation of both the Magic Tower and the Issai family.
[Yes, I heard. You’re doing well.]
Yareli’s grandmother, Tilda Issai, the original master of the Skadi School, praised her in her usual composed, concise manner.
A praise reserved only for when she exceeded expectations.
[Thanks to your efforts, our family and school are gaining attention in the Mage Tower again.]
Yareli mechanically nodded and responded.
While her grandmother might have appeared distant, she was singularly dedicated to a single objective.
The restoration of the family’s and school’s former glory.
The Issai family, after relocating to Landa and establishing a reputation over the years, had achieved a distinguished standing. However, that was a bygone era.
Their status had significantly dwindled when they were compelled to join the Elemental School under Merlin’s authority before his ascension as the Archiver. They had becjust one among numerous averagely prestigious families.
Despite her outward appearance of composure, thanks to her exceptional patience and calculated logic, Grandmother Tilda Issai had made it her life’s mission to extricate the family from this predicament and regain their former prestige.
That’s why she had gone to the extent of disowning her own son when he failed to meet her expectations.
Contemplating the current situation, Yareli inquired with a coolly collected demeanor.
“But Grandmother, why did you callhere? If you had something to say, you could have contactedthrough the university.”
Indeed, the secret communicator was reserved for essential communication, as per its intended use. The longer the trail, the greater the risk of exposure.
[I contacted you here to check on something. About a special mission I entrusted to you.]
“What…?”
[You really don’t know? It’s about Dave.]
Yareli was caught off guard. In addition to establishing her reputation as the Magic Tower’s vanguard at Rokuri University, Yareli had another task.
Her mission was to surveil and observe Zenon, Merlin’s disciple, and report any unusual findings.
There was much to report, from Zenon’s clash with the Son of an Angel to insights about Puppet. Yet, the most crucial piece of information she needed to report was—
“—There’s nothing to report at the moment.”
[Really?]
“Yes.”
Yareli’s resolute response dissuaded her grandmother on the other end of the communicator from further inquiries.
After all, Yareli was fulfilling her duties admirably.
In due course, Tilda Issai, the original master of the Skadi School, acknowledged Yareli’s efforts, concluded the call, and Yareli switched off the device before returning it to its concealed location.
Yareli pondered her actions. Why had she concealed the report from her grandmother?
As if offering a response to her own query, Yareli walked over to the vanity in the room, removed her glasses, and gazed into the mirror.
Her eyes, emanating an icy chill.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmOrdinarily, this should have been impossible. Gazing into the mirror with her uncontrolled mystic eyes had the potential to freeze her own eyes.
Surprisingly, however, Yareli could now look into her own eyes with her naked eye for the first tsince her powers had awakened.
Her eyes had achieved stability.
This had been the case ever since Zenon had placed his hand on her head.
***
Ding-—
Located on 30th Street in District T, the Forrest Restaurant.
As the door of the restaurant swung open, a familiar yet long-missed bell chimed.
It was a rather pleasant sound. Despite the passage of time, the unwavering consistency of that bell brought comfort.
However, there were noticeable changes. For instance, the restaurant was unusually bustling.
While it had always been a thriving establishment, the current situation was quite different.
In the past, it had thrived within the confines of District T, a workers’ residential area. But now, its success had transcended District boundaries.
This was evident from the crowded tables that filled both the first and second-floor dining areas. The staff, who typically welcomed customers as they entered, were now unable to navigate through the throng.
It was that busy.
Therefore, Oliver ventured into the restaurant on his own, without waiting for Al or any other staff member to assist him.
“Is that… Dave?”
“Wait, hold on… Yeah, it looks like him.”
“What’s with his appearance?”
“Did he catch sdisease?”
A few customers seated in the first-floor dining area whispered upon catching sight of Oliver’s face.
All of them were solvers, mercenaries, information dealers, brokers, and the like, all involved in dealings with Forrest. They were quite taken aback by Oliver’s presence, as he had returned here after a prolonged absence following his departure for Galos.
Their reactions were not entirely unexpected. Oliver’s face had suffered significant deterioration due to the starvation caused by Human-meat Chef. Fortunately, he had managed to avoid resembling a corpse thanks to srest during his journey back.
Upon hearing the mention of “Dave,” other customers also turned their heads toward Oliver, and soon enough, the businesspeople and capitalists in the second-floor dining area also expressed surprise at his arrival.
However, Oliver, seemingly unfazed by their stares, continued his search for Forrest.
He had already faced similar attention multiple times during his return from Rokuri University and aboard the ship… Nevertheless, there were a few whose scrutiny felt particularly unsettling.
Sregarded Oliver’s emaciated condition as an opportunity, their eyes gleaming with the anticipation of encountering a weakened adversary or sensing a potential advantage.
“Mr. Dave?”
As he was about to ascend to the second-floor dining area, someone approached Oliver to greet him.
It was Al, the ace waiter of the Forrest Restaurant, who had always extended a warm welcto Oliver.
Normally unemotional and maintaining a professional demeanor, Al appeared unusually disconcerted at the sight of Oliver’s gaunt features.
Trying to downplay the concern, Oliver spoke in his customary manner.
“Hello, Al… Could I meet with Mr. Forrest?”
(To be Continued)
CH 424-433 (Vs Human-meat Chef Part4) $3CH 434-443 (Dave Vs 100 Druids) $3CH 444-453 (Adventure in New Continent) $3CH 454-463 (Meeting with Joanna) $3464~ $1/chapterOR
$5/month11 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$15/month17 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$30/month23 chap ahead + 5 chap/week$45/month60 chap ahead + 6 chap/weekPrev I TOC I Next
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