Chapter 75

< 75. Rest (1) >

Clank, clank.

The warehouse, damaged by the mage's attack, began repairs the next morning.

Thanks to the skilled repairmen, the project was now in its final stages. Thanks to the involvement of the crowd, the magic potion workshop was also nearing completion.

"Wow... Damn, you really dropped lightning?!"

"Yes... You don't have to believe it."

"No, I believe it! The other uncles also said lightning struck! Seven times? Here, boom! There, boom!... Tell me again! How did you subdue the mage?!"

To avoid hindering the warehouse repairs, a boy stood a distance away from Oliver and spoke excitedly.

The boy's name was Milo Kimbell, the youngest brother of Murphy Kimbell.

Before the mage's attack, he had gone home with his aunt Maggie. After a few days, when he and his aunt came back, he heard about Oliver's heroic deeds.

Since then, he had been constantly hovering around Oliver, asking all sorts of questions.

"So, you dodged the lightning, went forward, blocked the magic missiles, disrupted the lightning, and then got close."

Oliver described what he had done in a matter-of-fact way.

It was so dry and factual that it almost put one to sleep, but Milo's eyes shone brighter than ever.

"Ah, damn... That's amazing... I wish I had seen it."

The boy exuded pure awe, admiration, envy, and excitement. In a way, he was even innocent.

He believed everything Oliver said without question. If Oliver had said potatoes grew on trees, he would have believed it without a second thought.

Well, perhaps it was natural.

He had seen the mages from the Magic Tower fall into a deep sleep.

By the way, they were currently being transferred to a higher family that was looking after the Kimbell family.

To discuss the matter with the mages' affiliated families and the Magic Tower and demand compensation for the damage, the help of the upper echelons of Crime Firm was indispensable.

Some Kimbell family officials showed a reluctant look, as if it was a pity to hand over the big catch to the higher-ups, but Oliver, who had actually caught them, wasn't particularly disappointed.

Of course, it was a bit disappointing that the opportunity to talk to the mages was lost, but given their emotional state, the probability of them attacking again was higher. He decided not to dwell on it. There would be another chance next time.

"Black Mage Sir!"

Oliver turned his head at the loud voice.

Milo, unable to contain his excitement, whined.

"Tell me a story! What was it like fighting the mages?!"

"Ah... Well, it was a bit scary and nerve-wracking."

"Eh? Really?"

"Yes."

"But you took down four of them alone?"

"It was mostly due to luck. They were all complacent and didn't pay attention to me. If they had worked together to attack me from the beginning, I wouldn't know what would have happened."

Oliver spoke honestly about his feelings.

He had won, but if the mages had attacked with determination from the beginning, the outcome might have been different.

The lightning shock from the lightning mage, for example.

There was almost no way to resist it once hit. If the luck hadn't been on his side, Oliver would have lost.

As he said this, Oliver looked at Milo, wondering if he would be disappointed, but the boy's eyes shone even brighter with admiration.

"Damn... That's so cool. Is this what a strong person's attitude is? Acknowledging the opponent?"

"....Yes?"

Milo patted Oliver's arm affectionately, like a child throwing a tantrum for a toy.

"Black Mage Sir! Can I learn that too? Black magic! My brothers would give you money if you taught me!"

The boy's emotions were a bright mix of pure curiosity and enthusiasm.

Just as Oliver was about to answer, a hand appeared and pulled on Milo's ear.

A familiar figure. It was Maggie.

"Ah! Ow! Aunt! Aunt! Ear! Ear!"

"Black Mage Sir, stop bothering him and go away."

Maggie, holding a tray in one hand, spoke to her nephew.

On the tray were hot dogs with chopped onions and pickles, French fries, and a glass of juice.

When Maggie let go of his ear, Milo rubbed his sore ear and backed away. However, true to his lively nature, he didn't just leave.

"Hey, Black Mage Sir. I'll come back later!"

As Milo said this, Maggie tried to pull his ear again, and he ran away.

The area became quiet instantly. Only then did she place the tray on a small table and offer Oliver a meal.

"Here, have some food."

"Thank you."

Oliver immediately started eating. The workers and Kimbell family employees were also having their meals.

When he had eaten about half of the hot dog, Maggie spoke cautiously.

"I'm sorry the boy was bothering you, Black Mage Sir. If you were uncomfortable, I apologize."

"Ah, Milo... It's fine. It's normal to be curious, right?"

"You're kind."

"Am I?"

"Yes... They say black mages are all scary, but you seem different."

Scary... Oliver thought of his teacher Joseph and other black mages.

Marie, Peter, Dominic, Anthony, and so on.

"Hmm... I don't really know. In any case, you don't need to scold Milo. I'm not doing anything anyway."

That was true.

After defeating the mage, other gangs and fixers who occasionally attacked had stopped coming.

When he asked Murphy about it, he said it was because the news of defeating the mages had spread.

Of course, many didn't believe it, thinking it was just a rumor, but the mere shadow of a gun was enough to make many cautious, so there were no more intruders.

Thanks to this, Oliver was currently sitting still, eating the food provided and making money.

"May I ask you a question?"

"A question?"

"Yes. Murphy said he would hand over the mages to a higher organization for negotiation. What exactly does that mean? He mentioned the Magic Tower and the mage families, but I don't understand."

"Oh, it's just as it sounds. We will talk to the Magic Tower's faculty and the affiliated families about this incident and negotiate."

"Negotiate? Are you talking about ransom?"

"Yes, that's included. There's also the cost of silence and compensation for the damage."

"Cost of silence?"

"Simply put, it's a matter of saving face. Can I be a bit more honest?"

"...? Yes."

"Mages were once highly respected, but now they are at the peak of their social status and reputation. In the early days of Randa, they were in a position to receive help from capitalists, but now they are in a position to fight for dominance with them. The Magic Tower, in particular, holds a unique position among mages. Therefore, most of the people there are from prestigious families. If it were to become known that they lost to a street fixer, what would happen?"

"Ah... It's a matter of pride?"

"Beyond simple pride, there are practical issues. If this were to come to light, it wouldn't just be a matter of embarrassment; it would also damage their reputation and credibility. For example, the affiliated faculty would see a decrease in funding and sponsorships, and the competitive mage families might lose in internal competition. Honestly, the attack on the warehouse wasn't a big issue. The loss is the big problem."

Oliver nodded.

While he didn't particularly empathize, he understood the gist of it.

"That's why we handed the mages over to the upper echelons of Crime Firm, who can negotiate with the Magic Tower and the relevant families. They will cover the cost of covering up the incident and the compensation for the damage on our behalf. Most of it will go to them as fees, but we will still benefit greatly. Enough to improve our strained financial situation. In that sense, I sincerely thank you, Black Mage Sir. I'll tell Murphy to express additional gratitude to you."

"No, it's fine. I just did my job."

Oliver waved his hand. While he intended to make as much money as possible while he could, he planned to earn it based on his work.

Cant said that there was nothing as dangerous as free money... But perhaps it would be fine if it was something else?

"Instead, is there something else I can ask for?"

"What do you mean?"

Oliver's request made Maggie smile. Of course, it was more calculated than genuine.

"I think the workshop will be completed safely. Then, Murphy said he would give an additional 30 million Randa by next fall."

"Yes, it seems like a fair price."

"However, is there a way to receive it in a different form?"

"In a different form? What exactly do you mean?"

"Something like an ID."

Oliver said. While he didn't have a specific use for an ID yet, he thought it would be good to prepare it in advance.

Forest said that even a cheap fake ID wasn't cheap, and a proper one was quite expensive.

On average, 30 to 50 million Randa.

So, Oliver decided to bring it up now, given his recent achievements.

Fortunately, it seemed to work, as Maggie smiled and replied.

"An ID? Yes, I think that can be arranged. I'll talk to Murphy and get back to you as soon as possible."

"Thank you."

A brief silence. Maggie spoke again.

"Black Mage Sir?"

"Yes?"

"....I hope you have a good time for the rest of your stay."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

***

When the contract period with the black mage ended, the warehouse repairs and the magic potion factory were completed.

With Hubert, bound in chains, leading the way, the factory's production facilities finally started. Red steam from the production process rose through the giant pipes into the sky.

Maggie asked her nephew Murphy.

"Will we be exposed because of that smoke?"

"Don't worry, Aunt. We've installed a steam filtration system on the ceiling, so no one will notice. It's expensive, but it will do its job."

Maggie nodded at her nephew's words and looked at the pile of alcohol, potatoes, and corn in one corner of the workshop.

But what caught her eye the most was the box in the corner of the warehouse.

The box contained potions supplied directly from the Magic Tower.

A miraculous drug that could instantly heal even severe injuries. The problem was that it was as expensive as it was miraculous.

"Even if we just sell this on the black market, it would be quite profitable."

"Selling it as a magic potion would be more than just profitable; it would bring in a huge amount of money. There are only a few companies that can produce proper magic potions..."

"Would this amount last for a few months?"

"Yes, even for magic potions, the potions are highly diluted. They promised to supply us regularly. Well, it's just the leftovers, but..."

That was true. In the process of safely returning the captured mages, Crime Firm had struck a huge deal.

They received a massive ransom and cost of silence for the captured mages, and they also secured the right to secretly purchase potions managed by the Magic Tower on a regular basis.

The Magic