Chapter 93

< 93. Promise (2) >

Tap, tap, tap.

Oliver walked a long distance to visit P District.

Although P District was a factory and laborer residential area like T District, it seemed relatively safer compared to other laborer residential areas, perhaps because it was adjacent to a middle-to-upper-class residential area.

However, that was only true for the central part of the district.

When he approached the small church on the outskirts, the area was desolate.

It was as if it had been abandoned, with only a few beggars visible.

Oliver handed a few small bills to the beggars and looked around.

Fortunately, there was nothing particularly suspicious.

It was a relief, as it meant Joanna really intended to talk to him.

Oliver entered the church, where an old cross was erected.

The rectangular interior of the church was filled with long, uncomfortable-looking benches, making Oliver wonder if that was why there were no people inside.

Of course, it wasn't something Oliver needed to worry about.

He took a few bills from his pocket and placed them in the donation plate before entering.

He then sat behind a woman with long blonde hair who was sitting alone inside the church.

Oliver followed her lead, clasping his hands and spoke quietly.

"Sir Knight?"

"Shh. Just a moment."

Oliver remained silent as instructed.

Then he listened, and he could hear Joanna's prayer.

"Father, grant us strength, courage, and wisdom in our weakness, and please look upon us with favor as we fulfill the glorious mission You have bestowed upon us. May I become a source of pride to You, Father. I pray as a child of the Father... Mahala."

After the prayer, a solemn silence enveloped the surroundings. After a moment, Joanna slowly spoke, her voice calmer than before.

"Is it Oliver?"

"Yes."

"Thank you for coming."

"I should be the one to thank you. I've learned how honorable it is to converse with a Holy Knight. I'm truly grateful... Can I ask a question?"

"What is it?"

"How did you know it was me? As you can see, my face has changed."

Oliver stroked his face, which was covered by a leather mask, as he asked.

Is there something only a Holy Knight can recognize?

Joanna maintained her characteristic silence before speaking.

"I just knew."

"Really?"

"Your attitude and tone of voice are unmistakable."

"......"

Oliver was shocked into silence.

He had tried to be a normal, common person... It felt disheartening to have his efforts dismissed.

"Maybe... I should have tried harder?"

"How so?"

"Well, I tried to look like a normal person, but it seems my efforts were insufficient."

"No, that's not what I meant... What are you doing here?"

"Huh? Of course, you called me here... Oh, you mean why I'm working as a fixer?"

Feeling her patience wearing thin, Joanna turned to face him and answered.

"Yes, that's right. Why are you working as a fixer? You were... the leader of a black magic organization, weren't you?"

Her expression showed no hostility, but rather confusion, doubt, and perhaps a hint of hope.

Oliver rubbed between his eyes, looking tired, as he answered.

"I just followed your advice."

"Advice?"

"Yes, you told me to go out into the world and mingle with people, didn't you? So, I did... Of course, that's not the only reason, but it was a significant one. Thank you. I wanted to say that, and now I have."

Joanna looked stunned, as if she couldn't believe it.

It was a common expression. The look of someone who had seen something incomprehensible. People who had conversed with Oliver often had this expression at some point.

"......"

"......"

An awkward silence fell, but then Oliver broke it.

Since he wanted to meet her, it would be a waste to spend time in silence.

"Have you been well?"

"Me?"

"Yes... The apothecary said you were doing well, but I was a bit worried. Are you doing well?"

Joanna's pale face turned slightly red.

Along with the blush, a sense of shame, embarrassment, and guilt was visible. It seemed she felt ashamed and guilty about what had happened.

"Did I make a mistake?"

A moment of silence. Then Joanna answered.

"Embarrassingly, I've been well."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, despite failing my mission and not eradicating the evil drug, I received the title of Holy Knight and was officially assigned here... It's truly shameful and guilty."

Her words were sincere.

"Then, why didn't you tell the truth?"

Oliver asked without much thought, genuinely curious. However, she flinched.

"Many people who helped me advised me to remain silent. They said it would be better for the world and everyone to use this opportunity to advance."

Oh... Oliver was impressed by the apothecary.

It was as he had said. Due to the complex interests within the Paternus Church, Joanna's failure would not be known, and thanks to that, Wayneham would be safer.

He was indeed a clever person.

"However, you still don't think it's right, do you?"

Joanna answered with silence.

Her emotions were complex, and it seemed to be more than just the advice of those around her. There seemed to be another reason for her choice, something very precious.

Just as he was about to ask about it, Joanna spoke a half-beat faster.

"Then it's my turn now."

"Huh?"

"What happened after you left the black magic organization?"

Oliver's jaw dropped at the unexpected question.

Should I tell her?

Well... It should be fine. After all, she was the one who gave him the advice, so she deserved to hear the answer.

Besides, there was no malice or ill intent in her.

"Well, I can tell you, but the story might be a bit long."

"Don't worry, we still have time."

Oliver nodded and began to speak.

The content itself was not much.

He talked about secretly leaving the Joseph Family and visiting X District, where he met Kent.

He described Kent's actions and the beggar gang he led in detail, though not excessively. Perhaps Oliver had hoped for something.

He might have hoped that Joanna would describe the indescribable feeling he had when he met Kent.

However, contrary to his expectations, Joanna only nodded without saying anything.

After that, Oliver talked about how he left Kent and became a fixer.

He omitted the parts that could harm others but told the interesting story of a retired soldier and the brave boy who asked him to teach him to read. As he spoke, Oliver realized how many people he had met.

It was hard to describe, but he felt quite satisfied.

Noticing his expression, Joanna said,

"You seem to be enjoying it."

"Well... Yes, I am. The world... is quite interesting."

"That's good to hear... But is there a special reason you became a fixer?"

"Well, I was offered the job, and it's one of the better-paying things I can do."

Oliver answered casually. He didn't want to tell her that he needed the money to buy books on black magic and demons.

"So, you make money by swinging your fists?"

"Yes, no matter how hard I work at the restaurant, it's barely enough to buy one book... But I choose jobs that don't harm ordinary people, so it should be fine, right? Fixers also clean up contaminated areas, so we are helpful."

Joanna fell silent again, seemingly at a loss for words.

She looked at Oliver with a very complex expression.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"Did nothing happen between you and Puppet?"

"Yes... What exactly are you asking?"

"Black mages are said to serve a master stronger than themselves."

Oliver recalled his time with the Joseph Family.

"Yes, that seems to be the case."

"Did you perhaps save your life by becoming a slave to Puppet?"

"Hmm, no, that's not the case... But I'm curious, what would happen if that were true?"

"You wouldn't be left alone."

Joanna spoke firmly with a strong gaze. She was sincere.

"Oh, really?"

"Yes, Puppet... has lived for hundreds of years and committed countless crimes. Not only that, he has trained many black mages and created numerous criminal organizations, causing chaos worldwide. Moreover, he is a high-ranking member of the Black Hand, which plots the destruction of the human world. He is an existence that cannot be tolerated."

"...The Black Hand is trying to destroy the human world?"

"Yes... Why do you ask?"

"Ah... I only knew the Black Hand as a criminal organization of black mages. A powerful and large organization, but I didn't know they were trying to destroy the human world."

"...They periodically try to make deals with demons, according to the Church's investigations."

"Then, does the Church know a lot about the Black Hand?"

"To some extent."

"Can you tell me more about the organization?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious. As I mentioned before, I had a chance to join once. I declined because the conditions were not right, but I'm curious about what kind of place it is."

Joanna stared at Oliver again.

Deep suspicion and faint trust. Two conflicting emotions mixed together, making it a truly peculiar situation.

In a way, this might be a good aspect of emotions.

Something unconventional, conflicting, and contradictory. Therefore, beautiful and enjoyable.

"The Black Hand is a loose alliance of powerful black mages."

Oliver perked up his ears.

Since it was a group shrouded in rumors, even Kent couldn't provide detailed information about the Black Hand. It was unexpected to receive such valuable information.

"According to the Church's investigations, it's not a single organization led by one leader, but rather a structure where each 'finger' leads its own part, making it hard to call it an organization."

"Fingers?"

"Yes, it refers to the high-ranking members of the Black Hand, like Puppet."

Oliver had a basic question.

"Why? Why is it called the Black Hand?"

He didn't really expect an answer, but surprisingly, Joanna provided one.

"The Black Hand symbolizes death. It exists everywhere, like a shadow."

A hand of death that exists everywhere...

"Is that really the case?"

"...Sadly, yes. Puppet and many other fingers have spread their influence like a spider's web across the world, even connecting to the corrupt upper echelons of various countries. We monitor and investigate them."

It was interesting. He had expected the Black Hand to be a dangerous and powerful organization, as Kent had said, but Joanna's explanation made it more concrete.

He felt more regret.

He wished he had accepted the puppeteer Glyp's offer.

Perhaps he could have met Puppet in a non-hostile state and had a conversation.

But when he recalled the conditions, he felt a bit hesitant.

If he hadn't met Kent, he might have been willing to follow.

It was a bit complicated.

As Oliver was lost in these thoughts, a small beeping sound echoed.

He looked ahead, and saw that Joanna had stopped talking and was looking at some device, which seemed to be a communication device.

She checked the device, pressed a button to turn it off, and stood up.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go... Something has come up."

"Ah... That's a shame. I had many questions."

"Don't worry... I'll come to monitor you occasionally."

Her tone was a mix of warning and reassurance, but Oliver was actually happy.

It meant he could meet her again and have more conversations.

"That's great. I'm truly grateful."

"Great?"

"Yes, I like you, Sir Knight. You're beautiful."

Joanna flinched at his words and her face turned red with anger.

"...Don't say such strange things."

"...But it's true. That beautiful light... It was beautiful."

"......"

Joanna frowned and searched her pocket.

Oliver watched without particular concern. After a moment, she pulled out a small book.

"This is...?"

"It's the Paternus Bible. Since you seem to