Chapter 13

13. Role Distribution (1)

"Supplements?"

Oliver, carrying a briefcase and trudging along, asked.

Rasso nodded.

"Yeah, all this vitality will be processed into supplements. It's not that we can only make supplements, but these days, it's more efficient to do so."

Oliver, who was a complete novice in business, didn't quite understand. Rasso explained more kindly and in detail.

"Do you know who the main customers for supplements are?"

"No."

"Exactly, the wealthy class of Randa. You know where Randa is, right?"

Oliver tried to recall. Hmm... Ah, he had heard of it before.

When he and Joseph first arrived in Wineham, Joseph mentioned Randa. He said that all the factories in Wineham would be relocated to Randa.

"I've heard of it."

"Really? Then you must also know that Randa is rapidly developing, swallowing up this place and the surrounding cities?"

Oliver nodded again.

"Rapidly developing cities also produce a lot of rich people. Although, they also produce a lot of poor people. Anyway, a significant portion of Randa's wealthy class are older and overweight. They have a lot of money but poor health. So they buy the vitality-based supplements for a lot of money. To them, life is more important than money."

Oliver nodded as if he understood.

"So, this vitality, like the Filgret, is one of our family's main products. The demand is continuously increasing, so the market prospects are bright."

Rasso, brimming with confidence like a businessman. Then, Peter cautiously interjected, flattering him.

"Haha, that's really impressive. If the market prospects are bright, it means the demand is increasing. The family will flourish even more."

It was just flattery to look good, but Rasso took it more seriously than expected.

"Right. But, it's not enough for just the demand to increase. We need to increase the supply to match the demand."

"Supply?"

"Exactly. We can charge a huge amount for a bottle of supplements, but that's only when the product is reliable. If we lower the quality to increase the quantity, they'll cut off the deal immediately. So we have to be careful."

"Ah, that's a big problem."

"Actually, it's not that big of a problem."

"Huh?"

"The key is whether we can secure the materials properly. Given the situation in this city, it's quite hopeful."

It was an ironic statement. The streets of the city he had seen on the way were filled with closed stores and factories, and houses that exuded poverty, yet he called it hopeful.

Rasso continued as if he could read his thoughts.

"I know what you're thinking. The word 'hopeful' doesn't seem to fit a poor city like this. But, that's because you're still inexperienced. Poverty is actually a boon for black mages. Tell me, what will happen to this city if all the factories move to Randa?"

Peter answered seriously, like a student in class.

"Um... It will become poorer?"

"Right. Will everyone leave for Randa to find jobs? No, they won't. A significant number will leave, but many will stay here. Moving to another place isn't that easy. So, we can pay a bit of money to such people and extract their vitality. Soon, the entire city will become our raw material."

Peter's eyes lit up.

"That's a really impressive story. As expected, Intermediate Disciple is different from us lower-levels."

"Actually, I just heard it from Mr. Andrew. I just wanted to brag a bit. Now that I've said it, I feel a bit embarrassed."

"No, you're really impressive."

"Anyway, this is something I'm telling you specially. It's not exactly a secret, but knowing too much isn't always good."

'Specially for you'

Peter smiled slightly at those words. For someone who had been a permanent squad leader, hearing such words from Rasso, who was outstanding among the intermediate disciples, was very pleasing, even if it was just a casual remark.

"Alright, we're almost there. Fortunately, we'll arrive before dinner. But, what's going on over there?"

Rasso looked at the crowd bustling in front of the factory in the distance. They seemed agitated, and everyone looked scared and flustered.

"Hey, what's happening?"

Rasso approached and grabbed a temporary disciple who was busy and asked.

Upon closer inspection, the temporary disciple's work clothes were slightly stained with blood.

"It's... an attack. I don't know who, but someone attacked the official disciples."

***

In the meeting room set up in the basement of the sausage factory.

Joseph, the boss of the family, and his five senior disciples were gathered there.

The atmosphere was serious, and Joseph spoke first.

"Report."

Andrew, the top among the senior disciples, replied.

"Yes, Master. Today, unknown assailants attacked our family while we were securing materials. Three out of ten teams were attacked, and two of them were hit. In total, one lower disciple was injured and two died, but fortunately, no intermediate disciples were harmed."

Andrew's voice was relatively bright. In a way, it was understandable.

Lower disciples could only use black magic and were not very useful, whereas intermediate disciples were actual combat forces.

Moreover, lower disciples could be easily replaced from the pool of temporary disciples.

Joseph thought for a moment before speaking.

"How were they attacked?"

"They were attacked in the same way. When they passed through a deserted area, the assailants suddenly appeared, shot, and fled."

"Didn't they catch any of them?"

"No, they said that when they chased after them, they were already gone. They seem to know the area well. Could it be that another family is causing trouble again?"

The other families referred to the two other black magic organizations in Wineham.

The Anthony Family, specializing in manipulation, and the Dominic Family, specializing in diseases.

In the past, Joseph had conflicts with these two families, but after the intervention of a pharmacist, they reconciled and now operate quietly in their respective territories.

"Is it because our family is growing that they are attacking us?"

Joseph shook his head.

"No, this kind of pointless attack isn't their style. They're annoying, but they didn't cause much damage, right? If it were them, they would have launched a more serious attack."

"Then...?"

"I don't know yet. With Randa being so active, all sorts of pests are running around... It's a dilemma. Should we deal with these annoying pests or ignore them?"

If it were a more relaxed time, he would have dealt with these reckless pests to maintain the family's reputation, but the current situation wasn't good.

The product delivery date was approaching. Considering the business, they needed to focus on production.

"Let's focus on production for now. We can deal with the pests later, but not with the business."

One of the senior disciples raised his hand.

"The attacks don't seem to be over. Can we really focus on production? Moreover, we haven't secured enough materials yet, and if an intermediate disciple gets hurt, we'll be short-handed."

"That's true, but..."

Joseph, at a loss, was interrupted by Andrew, who raised his hand. His eyes sparkled with a good idea.

"Then, how about we let the lower disciples handle the material collection and have the intermediate disciples focus on production with us?"

Everyone's attention turned to Andrew.

For the past few years, material collection had been led by intermediate disciples with the assistance of lower disciples. Andrew's suggestion was a break from tradition.

"Why?"

"If we immediately assign intermediate disciples to production instead of material collection, we can meet the delivery date faster and be better prepared for any unexpected situations."

Joseph remained silent, and Andrew continued to persuade.

"Some intermediate disciples say they can extract materials to some extent. I think it's not bad to expand their roles. Besides... if a few lower disciples die, it's not a big loss, right?"

It was a harsh statement, but no one objected.

Lower disciples were only slightly better than temporary disciples. Their positions could be easily filled.

At that moment, another senior disciple raised his hand.

"I think it's fine, but there's one thing that bothers me."

"What is it?"

"Lower disciples can extract emotions, but they can't extract vitality yet, can they?"

At that moment, Andrew smiled brightly, as if he had been waiting for this question.

"Don't worry about that. I heard an interesting story from Rasso."

***

After dinner, everyone had personal maintenance time.

Usually, this was a time for rest or casual chatter with friends, but today the atmosphere was somewhat gloomy due to the day's events.

It wasn't strange. Someone was targeting the family.

If they were unlucky, they could be the next victims, a very human concern.

Except for Oliver.

"So... a lot of people were hurt?"

"Yes, I've seen people shot in my hometown a few times, but it's been a while here."

"Oh, I see. But, your web looks a bit messy."

Oliver looked at the web Marie had made. Marie, realizing her mistake, refocused.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's better than before."

The conversation reflected their different focuses.

Marie was focused on the day's attack, while Oliver was consistently focused on black magic, like a moth drawn to light.

"By the way... you're really consistent."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing... How about this? Is it good enough?"

Marie showed the completed web.

It was noticeably better than before, not just a rough imitation but a real web. It was a significant improvement.

"Um... it's good."

Oliver's response made Marie smile. Her efforts were finally paying off... well, not entirely her efforts.

Marie wasn't stupid; she knew Oliver's help was as important as her own efforts.

He continuously helped her feel the sensations, corrected her mistakes, and improved her, leading to this level of success.

Truly, it was amazing. The past few days of his help had achieved more than her six years of solo effort. He was really impressive.

"But, this part could be better."

Oliver pointed to one of Marie's hands with his finger.

The central axis of the web split into five, forming a more complex and sturdy structure.

"This is better. Understand?"

"Ah, yes... thank you."

"No, it's okay. If it's okay, can I borrow it for a moment?"

With those words, Oliver took back the emotion. The web Marie had barely created stabilized in Oliver's hands.

In the past, she would have felt envious and jealous, but now, after seeing it so many times, those feelings were gone.

Jealousy only exists when there's a significant gap.

Watching Oliver make the web, Marie spoke again.

"Um... really, thank you."

"No, it's okay. I've also received a lot of help."

"But, you've already learned all the letters and numbers, haven't you?"

That was true. Oliver had learned writing, reading, and number calculations from Marie at an astonishing speed. Yet, he continued to teach her.

"Oh... I meant this kind of help."

Oliver showed the emotion.

"Marie's help in extracting emotions has allowed me to practice a bit."

Oliver destroyed the web model and formed a spherical shape.

"That's really nothing. A small amount is no problem."

"I can't even extract a small amount."

"...... What?"

"I can gather it at my fingertips to make a model, but I can't extract it. My teacher said my emotions are weaker than others, so that might be why."

"Ah... I see."

It was a new story for Marie, but she accepted it. What did a temporary disciple like her know?

"So, I need to extract others' emotions, and Marie's help has been a lifesaver. Otherwise, I would have been stuck."

"...... Speak more casually. You're higher than me now."

"No, I prefer formal speech."

Oliver spoke sincerely.

Anyone could avoid trouble by using formal speech. However, Marie seemed a bit disappointed.

"Then, please tell me when you need something."

"Sure... thank you."

A short, emotionless response. Oliver then focused entirely on the emotion in his hand.

"......"

"......"

Marie also looked at the emotion, but saw nothing special. The sphere only twitched slightly.

Unable to bear the silence, Marie spoke.

"How was your day? You went out to collect materials, right?"

Oliver answered matter-of-factly. He had followed Rasso, extracted maternal love from unwed mothers, and extracted the vitality of a debt collector from a pharmacist.

"...... Wait. You extracted vitality? You, Oliver?"

Oliver nodded.

"How? Extracting vitality is something intermediate disciples learn, right?"

"...... I saw it being done?"

Oliver answered after a long pause, as if explaining how to breathe.

It was so obvious he couldn't explain, but Marie was both amazed and worried.

"Oliver, can I talk to you?"

"Yes."

"Be a bit more careful."

"What do you mean?"

"Your current actions... I know you're a genius, but revealing your talent too early is dangerous."

Oliver finally met Marie's eyes.

"Dangerous?"

"Yes... "

Marie looked around.

"...... No one knows if the lower disciple who was supposed to be in your position really died of food poisoning."

Oliver didn't understand, so Marie frowned.

"Maybe-"

――――――Beep!!!!!

Suddenly, the factory's intercom signal sounded.

[Oh! Oh! Oliver. Oliver. Come to the boss's office immediately. I'll repeat. Come to the boss's office immediately.]

Oliver stood up. He looked at Marie and said,

"I'll go now."

"...... Ah, yes, come back safely."