Chapter 43

43. First Footsteps (2)

"Who is Mole?"

At this innocent question, everyone fell silent and looked at Oliver.

"......"

"......"

"......"

"......"

After a long silence, someone burst out laughing.

"Hahaha...! Hahahaha...! You don't know who Mole is?"

"Um, yes. Who is it? It seems like a person?"

"It seems like a person...? Haha! Of course it's a person. The famous one around here... Hey, does this guy really look like Mole's subordinate? You don't know who Mole is?"

"No, he might be lying, right?"

"Right, he might be lying. Or he might really not know. Look at this guy's face. Does he look smart enough to lie?"

The man named Cant seemed to have no sense of personal space as he grabbed Oliver's face with his calloused hands.

Despite his rough appearance, he was surprisingly strong.

Seeing Oliver's blank face, those who had chased him seemed a bit deflated.

"No... But, he might not know, right?"

"Right, right. He might not know. But—"

"—Mr. Cant... We owe you a lot, but sending him off like this is a bit... You know, things are uneasy these days."

Oliver couldn't understand the content of their conversation, but he could tell they were all feeling anxious, restless, and afraid.

Cant seemed to agree to some extent.

Is something bad happening?

"Hmm... I understand what you're saying. I understand... How about this?"

"Huh? How about what?"

"I'll take this guy with me."

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

"I'll take this guy. If there's anything suspicious, I'll deal with it. Like this!"

Cant waved his wooden cane as he spoke.

The people who had chased Oliver were visibly taken aback.

"No, that's ridiculous..."

"Ridiculous? I thought it was a reasonable compromise. Don't you trust me?"

"No, no, why wouldn't we trust Mr. Cant?"

"Then, what's the problem? I'll keep an eye on this guy. That way, you can rest easy, right? Let me ask again. Don't you trust me? Damn, I'm starting to feel sad."

The repeated pressure.

In the end, those who had chased Oliver hesitated and then backed down.

"...Alright. We owe you a lot, so we'll trust you. But if anything happens because of him, we won't let it go easily."

"Thanks! Thank you...! I knew you guys would trust me. I feel like I might cry. Come on, this is my personal thanks. Take it. Take it."

Cant took a few bills from his pocket and forcefully stuffed them into their hands.

They said it wasn't necessary, but with Cant's repeated insistence, they eventually accepted.

"Ah... You really didn't have to. Well, we'll be going now."

"Sure, take care. If you have any trouble, come find me. It was nice seeing you."

Cant saw them off with an almost cheerful attitude.

Once they were gone, only Cant and Oliver were left on the street.

Oliver felt it. As Cant stood beside him, the emotions that had been building up inside him began to dissipate.

He really wasn't an ordinary person.

"...Hey, hey? Hey! Can't you hear me?"

Oliver snapped back to reality. In front of him, Cant was snapping his fingers.

"Do you often space out like that?"

"Ah... I'm sorry. I was scared."

"Scared? Hmm... You don't really look scared, though?"

"I... Anyway, thank you for helping me. I owe you my life."

"Oh, you know that, huh? If Mole really sent you, you would have been beaten to within an inch of your life, and even if not, you would have lost your pants. You should be grateful."

"Yes, thank you."

Oliver bowed deeply. It was a social skill he had learned in the mine and the orphanage.

Fortunately, it seemed to work, as Cant's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Speaking of which, where are you from?"

"...I came from Wainham."

"Wainham? Oh... People still live there. But why did someone from Wainham come to Randa? And to the X district, of all places?"

"Because of some circumstances..."

"Circumstances? Circumstances..."

Cant muttered to himself as he sized up Oliver.

A worn and shiny jacket, dusty shoes.

He seemed to have guessed something and nodded.

"...Where are your parents?"

"They're gone."

"Really? They're gone... So, why did you come here? I'm very curious. X... Actually, even the V district doesn't get many outsiders. I'm very curious."

Oliver didn't answer immediately and looked into Cant's eyes.

Despite his unkempt appearance and unshaven beard, Cant's eyes had the same sharp insight as the pharmacist and James.

Oliver instinctively knew he couldn't just give a vague answer. But he couldn't tell the whole truth either.

"...I heard someone I owe a lot to lives here... I came to see if I could meet them again."

"Who do you owe?"

"...Someone who helped me in the past."

"...Is that so? Did you meet them?"

"Um... No."

"...Why did you come to meet them?"

"I wanted to consult about something."

"Consult about what?"

"Um... This is my first time stepping out into the world, so I have a lot of questions. I don't know much."

"...This is your first time stepping out into the world? You look naive, but your words are quite refined."

"Thank you?"

"Ha...! No parents, and you came to Randa alone... Did something happen?"

"Um... Various things."

"Various things...? Ha ha, you're a strange and suspicious kid."

"Am I?"

"Yes, you are... I'm asking you again, very seriously. Answer seriously. For your own good."

Oliver looked into Cant's eyes and answered.

"...Yes."

"Do you really not know who Mole is?"

Sharp, piercing eyes. The same insight as the pharmacist and James.

"Yes, I don't know... Who is he?"

"There is. A very bad guy... Do you have a place to go?"

Oliver looked in the opposite direction of the X district, toward the park where he had met Joseph.

The hot dog stands, ice cream stands, the fountain, the statue of the baby angel, people filled with joy and ease.

He had decided to go there, but seeing the mysterious man in front of him, his interest waned sharply.

"Um... No, not really."

"No place to go... You don't have a place to stay for the night, either, right?"

"Um... Yes."

"That's right? Ha..."

The man named Cant rubbed his rough, bearded chin, looking perplexed. He felt a small conflict within himself.

"Hmm... Ha, am I really going crazy? You don't even look like him... Kid, if you really have nowhere to go, follow me. It's going to get cold soon."

"..."

"Well, if you don't want to, you don't have to."

"...If it's okay, can I ask a question?"

"Ask a question? You have very good manners. I like well-mannered kids. Go ahead. Why? Are you worried I might kidnap you and sell you to a farm?"

"No... I know you have no ill intentions. I know you're trying to help me purely. I'm really grateful."

"..."

"But I've never met someone who helps me purely... Can I ask why you're helping me?"

"Hmm... Why? I don't know. Let's say I'm in a good mood because I made a lot of money today. But what are you going to do? Are you coming with me or not? Just answer that."

Oliver looked in the opposite direction again. His emotions were genuine.

"......If you allow it, I'd like to follow you."

"You really know how to speak nicely. Then, follow me."

***

Oliver followed Cant.

With each step, Cant's cane hit the ground with a thud.

On the street, a few beggars and some thugs they passed either greeted him warmly or turned their heads away, pretending not to see him.

"Hello! Mr. Cant."

"Hey, nice to see you."

"Are you coming from work?"

"Work? I just collect money."

As they passed several people, Cant turned his head and asked.

"Aren't you curious where we're going?"

"Huh? Ah... I am."

"You don't seem curious... Are you usually so fearless?"

Cant's question was quite reasonable.

Even though they had left the X district and entered the relatively better W district, it was still a low-security slum. Cant was leading them to a place that was becoming increasingly deserted and eerie.

A situation where even adults would feel suspicious and afraid.

Clearly, despite this, Oliver showed no sign of hesitation.

From Cant's perspective, he was a truly strange kid.

"...I'm actually quite scared."

"Oh, really? By the way, I hate lies."

"It's not a lie. I don't like being hurt, I'm afraid of dying, and there are many other things I'm afraid of."

"Most people are afraid of being hurt or dying. There are a few with unusual sexual preferences, but they're exceptions."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, for God's sake... Do you usually talk like this? It's making me feel like I'm going crazy."

"...Someone did tell me I talk like this. They said I was broken."

"Really? They saw you clearly. Who was it?"

"Ah, that was—"

"—What, you're here?!"

Just as Oliver was about to answer, a loud voice interrupted.

Turning in the direction of the voice, they saw a man and a young boy.

The man was middle-aged, with wrinkled skin, a red nose, and a completely bald head.

The boy had bright blonde hair and was wearing a coat and shoes that were too big for him.

"Cant! Cant! Cant! Our beggar gang leader Cant!"

The man, who had been dragging the boy, threw him aside and approached Cant.

From his silly grin and red nose, it was easy to guess he was an alcoholic.

He continued to babble as he hummed.

"Finally, you're here. Finally, you're here... I'm so glad to see you safe and sound!"

"Sure, nice to see you. Nice to see you... Are you coming from work?"

"Work? Me? Ha ha! I haven't worked in 20 years! He did the work. He did! Isn't that right?!"

The red-nosed man pointed at the blonde boy.

The blonde boy smiled innocently and bowed to Cant, who acknowledged him.

"If you're back safely, it means you've collected the money, right? Come on, show me how much you got. Show me, show me."

"Looks like you're running out of alcohol."

"I'm always running out of alcohol! So, how much did you make?"

"Later. Later. We need to check it together to avoid any misunderstandings."

"Ah...! Okay, I get it! Let's do that. But can I ask another question?"

"You're always talkative, but you're even more so now. What is it?"

"Who is this kid?!"

The red-nosed man pointed at Oliver with exaggerated gestures.

Cant looked at Oliver silently for a moment before speaking.

"This kid? Um... I found him on the way."

"Like you found a stray dog... Kid, what's your name?"

The red-nosed man leaned in so close it was almost uncomfortable.

Despite his silly expression, his eyes were quite sharp, as if trying to see through any lies Oliver might tell.

Oliver looked him straight in the eye and spoke very calmly.

"My name is Oliver. I just came from Wainham."