Chapter 91

<91. A Familiar Face (2)>

The arrival of the holy knights Elton and Joanna visibly irritated the city official.

Though the reason was unclear, he seemed to dislike the existence of holy knights, yet he formally stood up from his seat.

"......Pleased to meet you. I am Paul Caber of the Randa Ministry of Internal Affairs. I am truly honored to meet the guardians of humanity, the holy knights."

The city official, or rather, Paul Caber, naturally lied. In response, the holy knight Elton also lied.

"We are also pleased."

"Out of curiosity, the city defense force is guarding outside, so how did you get in?"

Upon hearing the question, Elton reached under his iron coat and pulled out a piece of paper.

The paper was as white as snow, almost as if it were emitting light.

"We entered legitimately according to the terms of the city agreement. Thank you for your hard work so far. From now on, we will interrogate this black mage. You may leave now."

Elton, a man with a stern appearance, spoke in a rigid and authoritative tone.

However, Paul did not back down.

"It seems like there's been a misunderstanding. We are not conducting an interrogation. We were merely investigating. This... person is not a criminal but a city worker affiliated with the Solver Guild."

Surprised by this unexpected statement, Oliver looked at Paul.

He didn't particularly care about Oliver, but his main sentiment was a resistance against the holy knights.

Holy Knight Elton replied.

"I know. However, that's unofficial. A puppet has appeared, and since the subject is a black mage, whether it's an investigation or an interrogation is our decision. I'm sorry, but please step aside."

"While we do need to cooperate according to the city agreement, we are currently investigating, so please wait a moment."

"I'm sorry, but I can't do that."

"It's not a request. There's no clause in the city agreement that requires us to hand over an ongoing investigation. I'm sorry, Sir Knight. This is Randa."

"Are you obstructing the work of the holy knights?"

"I'm just doing my job, like you are."

The atmosphere became tense.

For some reason, the city official and the holy knight despised each other, creating a palpable tension that seemed about to snap.

Oliver watched this with interest. Why were they acting like this?

As the tension gradually escalated to its limit, a woman entered the room.

She was dressed in a suit, with her hair cut neatly like a knife, and Oliver instinctively recognized her as another city official, similar to Paul.

Her demeanor was very similar.

She approached Paul and whispered in his ear.

Though the conversation was unclear, Paul's expression briefly showed irritation before he seemed to accept it and relaxed.

"......I seem to have made a mistake. The incident in the contaminated area made me too emotional. I apologize, Sir Knights."

"......No, being dedicated to your job is a good thing. I consider it a virtue given by the Father above."

"Yes...... Then, I will step aside, Sir Knight...... Mr. Dave?"

"Yes?"

"Please cooperate fully with the knights' investigation."

"Ah, yes. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Paul."

Oliver replied calmly.

***

After the city official Paul left, the two holy knights remained in the room.

The tension rapidly dissipated, but it was replaced by a strong hostility and aversion towards the black mage.

It was obvious even without focusing on it.

"Name."

The holy knight called Elton asked as he sat down.

He appeared to be middle-aged, with a full head of hair and a beard, and his features were chiseled like marble.

His emotions were as rigid and stiff as his appearance.

Oliver observed him calmly and replied.

"My name is Dave. I am a solver in Zone T."

Flipping through the file, Elton asked.

"Who is your assigned mediator?"

"Mr. Forest on 27th Street."

The file pages flipped again.

"How did you end up contracting with him?"

"......"

Oliver did not answer but observed Elton.

With his full head of hair and beard, he looked like a lion, staring at Oliver as if he were prey, ready to pounce and tear into any weakness.

Ah, perhaps it was natural? Holy knights were supposed to capture black mages.

'Or were they supposed to capture demons?'

In any case, it was disappointing.

To automatically be hostile towards black mages just because they were holy knights seemed unfair.

Even if they couldn't become friends, it would be nice to have a conversation without hostility.

Then, he could also have a chat with Joanna, who was sitting next to Elton.

Oliver unconsciously looked at Joanna, who was sitting next to Elton.

"Hey, you're not going to answer?"

Elton's voice, tinged with anger, prompted Oliver to ask cautiously.

"Sorry, but do I have to answer? It's a bit personal to talk about."

Elton clasped his hands and leaned forward slightly.

"It's fine if you don't want to talk. However, if you don't, I can arrest you according to the city agreement."

"......Can you do that?"

"Of course, you're a black mage. You're vermin that eat away at society. A potential threat to the human world...... If it weren't for the agreement, we would have-"

Elton stopped speaking and muttered lowly, as if aggrieved.

Regardless, his words were sincere, so Oliver explained as instructed. Being captured was indeed scary.

"......I see. Then, I will answer. I came through an introduction."

"An introduction? By whom?"

"From a solver who used to work with Mr. Forest. He introduced me, and thanks to him, I was able to contract with Mr. Forest easily."

"Who was that solver? How did you meet?"

Oliver hesitated, unsure whether to answer.

He didn't want to put Cant in an awkward position...... However, regardless of that, he felt he should answer.

Elton was more interested in confirmation than genuine curiosity. Somehow, he already knew everything, and if Oliver lied, he would seize on it.

"Are you not going to answer?"

"It's Mr. Cant."

"Cant?"

"Yes, he was the first person I met when I came to the surface."

Oliver lied.

It wasn't a hastily made-up lie but one that matched what he had agreed with Cant. Oliver set himself up as a black mage who had been sold to a master and trained in a basement, never seeing sunlight.

Cant had suggested this setup, and Oliver agreed, thinking it was appropriate.

Fortunately, the holy knight didn't seem to suspect anything.

'Do they have many like this?'

"Where were you before you were sold?"

"I was in a mine."

"Mine? Where?"

"I don't know. It was just a mine."

"Any distinctive features?"

Distinctive features......

"It was dark, deep, and there were many children. The supervisor often beat us. Why are you asking this?"

"I ask the questions. Black mage...... So, you met the puppet alone?"

"Yes."

"What were you thinking? As a black mage, you should know about the puppet's reputation, right?"

Elton's emotions were strongly tinged with suspicion.

Oliver answered as he had with Paul.

"It was the only way I could survive."

"So, you went to face the infamous puppet alone?"

"I didn't go alone. I went with other colleagues."

"I know. One retired soldier solver, two black mages hired by the Goodman Mercenary Group. We've already investigated. Thanks to that, we know you were the only one to actually meet the puppet...... What did you do when you met the puppet?"

"We talked, fought, and he let me go after I lost."

"Let you go?"

"Yes, he said it was enough and found me interesting."

"Interesting? Why?"

"I don't know. We exchanged a few words during the conversation, and maybe something caught his interest?"

"......What did you talk about?"

"Various things. He talked about his research."

"What kind of research?"

"Creating...... or rather, resurrecting people."

"Resurrecting people?"

"Yes, at least that's what he said."

Elton, though skeptical, pulled out a notebook from his coat and began to write.

The sound of his pen writing quietly filled the room, and then Elton asked.

"However, I have a question. Why did the puppet tell you this?"

"I don't know. He answered when I asked."

"He answered when you asked?"

"Yes, he was very kind."

Kind. At this word, Elton's expression hardened severely.

He showed a look of disgust as if dealing with someone he didn't want to associate with.

"Did I make a mistake?"

"I don't know...... Learning black magic itself might be a mistake. Do you know about the puppet's reputation?"

"To some extent...... I've heard rumors that he has lived for hundreds of years without dying, and that he is involved in drugs, mercenaries, illegal medical practices, and demon worship."

"That's right. In addition, he has conducted countless human experiments around the world. I've seen those terrible experiments and their victims. Once, he occupied a small rural village and used dozens of families there as cruel guinea pigs, like animals."

"I see."

Oliver's calm response made Elton's expression even more sinister.

He didn't understand. What was he upset about?

In the F-zone laboratory, it was openly said that numerous human experiments were secretly conducted.

Do the holy knights not know this? Or is it okay if magicians conduct human experiments?

Oliver still couldn't understand human emotions.

In the same situation, they could be sensitive at times and insensitive at others.

What can I say? They were too capricious, inconsistent, and unpredictable.

Well, that's what made them interesting.

"We, the holy knights, chase the puppet because of this. His mere existence endangers good people. We've taken him down several times, but he always reappears, mocking us...... One of my goals is to eliminate him and make the world safer."

"I see."

"In that sense, it's truly strange...... For a monster like the puppet to show mercy."

"That was-"

"-I can't believe that. Even telling you about his goals is very suspicious."

Elton's eyes flashed as he spoke.

If he could, he would have beaten Oliver right then and there.

"Can you prove that you have no connection to the puppet?"

"Prove?"

"Yes, prove that you have no connection to him."

Oliver tried to think logically.

"......Can I prove that I have no connection?"

"If you can't, I'll have to interrogate you more thoroughly."

It was a bluff. Though his heart was sincere, he couldn't torture Oliver at the moment.

So, he was trying to pressure Oliver into making a sudden move.

"I can only say that I have no connection."

"Is that so? Then, answer this. Black mages will do anything to become stronger, right? Didn't the puppet make you an offer?"

"No, he didn't. However, I once received a similar offer from another black mage."

"Oh? What kind of offer?"

"To join the Black Hand by handing over beggar children and women. He said it would greatly improve my skills."

"What did you say?"

"I regretfully declined. While joining the Black Hand might make it easier to learn black magic, it didn't feel right."

"......What didn't feel right?"

"Having to sacrifice children and women."

"......You refused the opportunity to join the Black Hand because you didn't want to sacrifice beggars?"

"Yes, even beggars...... Do you, Sir Knight, see a difference between beggars and non-beggars?"

Bang———!

Elton slammed his fist on the table.

Despite not being reinforced by the holy law, the table split in two. With no emotions to draw on, Oliver realized he would be beaten to death if this man attacked.

He didn't want to be in pain.

Fortunately, such a tragedy did not occur.

Joanna calmed Elton down with a whisper, and he quickly regained his composure.

What did she say?

It was truly regrettable. Given his current status, he couldn't rashly ask or inquire.

It was very disappointing.

'Thank you for the advice. Because of it, I've been able to enjoy the world so much...... It's really a shame.'

Elton sat back down and asked again.

"In short, you have no connection to the puppet?"

"Yes, that's right."

Elton glared at Oliver for a moment before standing up and leaving.

He also seemed very disappointed.

***

After a few hours, Oliver was able to leave the room.

The city officials and holy knights had been quite serious, so he had expected something to happen, but it was fortunate.

He wanted to have more diverse experiences, but he didn't want to get involved in this kind of trouble yet.

If necessary, he could abandon his identity, but he had built up a lot, so he preferred not to use that option.

For example, he had met Joanna today but couldn't even exchange greetings.

It was truly regrettable.

"Here is the item you left with us."

A woman on the other side of the reinforced glass counter handed over a pile of belongings.

Oliver's belongings were not particularly impressive.

They consisted of empty test tubes, a glutton's pouch the size of a wallet, and a leather case containing another glutton's pouch.

The woman said,

"Carry illegal items like the glutton's pouch discreetly. We'll let it slide this time because of the circumstances, but if you're caught another time, we'll have to show that we did our job, and it will be troublesome for both of us."

"Ah, yes. I'll keep that in mind. Thank you for the kind explanation."

The woman looked at Oliver with a slightly surprised expression.

Oliver asked,

"By the way, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"Do you know where the quarterstaff is?"

"Quarterstaff?"

"Yes, the wooden staff with a bandage wrapped around the middle."

"Is it important?"

A voice from behind.

Oliver answered,

"Yes, it's important. It's a gift...... Sir Knight Joanna?"

Oliver recognized Joanna, who was holding Cant's quarterstaff.

"You know my name?"

"......Didn't I see you earlier? In the room."

"I didn't reveal my name."

"Ah...... I didn't reveal it, did I?"

"No, I didn't."

Joanna answered firmly.

Ah...... It was quite awkward. To blurt out her name out of surprise.

He thought about saying, "You look like Joanna," but decided against it as it would seem even more suspicious.

In the end, Oliver decided to change the subject.

"However, that's my item, Sir Knight."

"I know. I borrowed it for a moment to check if any evil spells were cast on it."

"Is that so...... Did you find anything?"

"No, it was clean...... Can we talk for a moment? Oliver."