Chapter 96

<96. Transport Company (1)>

Murphy took Oliver to a warehouse near the industrial area.

It was quite deep inside, and with many other warehouses around, it wasn't very noticeable.

It felt like hiding a tree in the forest.

Murphy added an explanation about this.

"Quite a quiet place, isn't it? Sir Black Mage."

"Yes."

"It's actually a quiet place. Some of these warehouses are owned by the gang, and a few of us, including myself, regularly pay off the police, so they rarely come here. Of course, things are different if there's a case."

"I see."

"Yes. But they don't even come around normally. Of course, if that happens, petty thieves might come, but you don't need to worry about that. The security in this area is strict, so petty thieves rarely come here."

Indeed, it made sense. Although not often seen, there were occasionally security guards and warehouse staff with fierce expressions, who didn't look like ordinary workers.

They deliberately tried to draw attention away from each other, and it felt like they instinctively tried to cut off interest in each other.

For Oliver, it was an excellent condition.

Separated from the outside world, and neighbors not paying attention to each other, it was perfect for black magic research.

"Here it is."

Murphy stopped in front of a building.

It was a shabby two-story house in a corner, not very noticeable, and the first floor had been converted into a warehouse.

Oliver went inside and looked around.

It was crude and small, but it wasn't bad.

In fact, it seemed quite decent for a first place to stay.

'This might work for experiments.'

While imagining how to turn this place into a laboratory, Murphy spoke.

"Sir Black Mage?"

"Hmm, yes?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. Did I interrupt you?"

"No, I was just thinking about how to use this space."

"Here? This is an illusion. Please come this way."

Oliver didn't understand at first, but soon he realized what Murphy meant.

As they went through a narrow passage leading to the second floor, a secret entrance leading down appeared, and below it was a spacious basement.

"Here?"

"This is the real warehouse. The entrance is narrow, so it's not very noticeable, but that makes it even better for you, Sir Black Mage."

Oliver nodded.

It was spacious, and there were three large tables suitable for experiments and shelves for storing items.

"This can still be used."

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, I really like it."

Oliver said honestly. The environment was comfortable, and the location wasn't bad.

Although he didn't know much about real estate prices, from what he had heard, it seemed very expensive.

According to retired soldiers, the real estate prices in this damn city were almost murderous.

He wanted this warehouse.

"Can I ask a few questions?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"If you have a request for me, you could go through Mr. Forest. Why are you telling me directly?"

"I hope you don't misunderstand. I'm not trying to pull any tricks. I just want to ask for your help directly."

"...?"

"We haven't known each other for long, but your reputation has already grown. Well, it's not hard to understand. After seeing your skills, your reputation naturally grows, and so do the levels of your clients. Therefore, the chances of my request being rejected are higher, so I'm asking you directly. It might sound bold, but I really hope you can help me."

"I don't understand... Strictly speaking, the transport company business is not Murphy's but another family's. Why are you asking me so earnestly?"

"Because helping with this will be much more beneficial for my business."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Currently, the magic wine I produce is sold not only in our bar but also in other places."

"I see."

"In this area, I handle the transactions directly, but for sales outside this area or in other cities, I go through Crime Firm because I don't have my own distribution network."

"......"

"Going through an intermediary reduces profits and can lead to quality issues due to tampering during distribution. It doesn't align with my business philosophy. That's why I'm trying to build my own distribution network."

"So, you want to help the transport company?"

"Yes. If I build the network alone, others will try to stop me, but with an intermediary organization like the Hoffman Family, it's much safer."

"An intermediary organization?"

"An organization just below the area manager, which is also above lower organizations like mine. In short, they have considerable influence in this area."

Murphy's voice grew stronger.

"Currently, what's distributed through Crime Firm is just 'bootleg.' I will distribute my 'products' through Hoffman. As production increases, if everything goes according to plan, I might be able to establish the Kimbell brand within a few years. To do that, I need your help to overcome this obstacle."

It might sound like a far-fetched story, but Murphy was sincere.

He was wealthier than before and his ambition was even more intense.

Well, it wasn't bad.

It was a beautiful light, similar to Marina Peter and Rossburn, the inn worker, in the early days, though a bit different.

'And it seems you have other thoughts as well.'

Murphy, looking somewhat anxious, asked.

"Sir Black Mage?"

"Sure, it's fine."

"Really?"

"The conditions seem good. Helping and getting the warehouse."

"Thank you."

"Can I set a condition?"

"Condition? ...Sure, go ahead."

"First, set a reasonable fee and have Mr. Forest formally request this job. Then, I'll accept the request... It's not a big deal, just a bit nervous."

Nervous, Murphy didn't seem to believe it, but he nodded.

"Also, I don't want to deal with ordinary people. I get scared when I meet city officials and paladins."

Murphy was about to say something but stopped. Instead, he asked.

"....Alright. But if there's violence during negotiations, can you at least protect me?"

"Yes, I can."

"Thank you. I'll tell Mr. Forest. If it's a formal request, it might take some time."

That was true. Forest would formally investigate the request he was handling.

Cant said that some intermediaries skip this step because it's troublesome, but Forest doesn't.

Thanks to this, it's less efficient but safer.

"Even if it's fast, it will take 2-3 days. Is that okay?"

"....Honestly, it's a bit of a waste of time, but it's not time I can't use."

"Then, can I ask one more favor?"

"Favor?"

"Yes, can I use this warehouse from now on? I've been wanting to try something, but the situation hasn't been favorable. It might help with the job... Please."

***

Four days after the conversation with Murphy, Oliver was sweating in the underground warehouse.

He had taken off his shirt, wearing old jeans and work gloves, and was wrestling with a puppet on the table.

On the first day, Oliver lost, but after reading books and practicing several times without sleeping, he had developed some skills.

Oliver rubbed his sleepy eyes and thought.

'Sorry, Mr. Cant. You said not to skip meals and sleep, but it was too interesting to stop. I hope you understand.'

Oliver looked at the repaired puppets: 'Black Mage' and 'Sniper,' and the half-repaired 'Ragman' and 'Knight.'

All these were puppets he had found.

There were a few more, but most of them were used as materials to repair the Black Mage, Sniper, Ragman, and Knight, so they had to be completely disassembled. However, he didn't feel particularly sad about it.

After all, he had his own puppets, albeit crude.

'And I could do some interesting experiments.'

Oliver looked at the test tube near the puppets.

Inside the test tube, a black ball-like object floated. This was a minion.

Or rather, a corrected version. Not just a minion, but a 'more' refined minion mixed with life force and emotions.

Oliver took out a flask containing life force and emotions and fed them to the minion in the test tube.

The minion greedily consumed the life force and emotions, emitting a faint sense of joy.

'Interesting. I just tried to mimic Puppet's artificial life... Anyway, I need to name this. Calling it a minion all the time makes it hard to distinguish. What should I call it? It's not disposable, so it needs a proper name... Let's call it Child.'

Oliver thought for two seconds and made a decision.

At that moment, a beeping sound came from his ear.

Oliver picked up the direct communication device on the workbench.

Was this the first time he used it?

He pressed the communication button and put it to his ear.

"Hello."

"Yeah, it's me. Can you hear me clearly?"

"Yes, I can hear you clearly... How are you?"

"Not well. Thanks to you, I suddenly have a lot of work. I would have ignored the contaminated area issue if it weren't for that."

"I'm sorry. And you don't have to say that. The contaminated area issue isn't your fault. You were just being kind and helping me. I know I'm not very perceptive, but I do understand. Thank you very much."

"......"

Forest was silent.

Although it was a conversation through a communication device, and emotions couldn't be seen, it felt like Forest was pleased. Or maybe not.

The voice came again.

"The investigation is complete. Most of what Murphy said is true."

Oliver didn't show much reaction. He already knew most of what Murphy said was sincere. Mostly.

"What's the reason for coming to me directly? If it's just about giving me a warehouse, you could have gone through Forest, and I would have accepted."

"I investigated that too. Saying he asked you directly because he was afraid you'd refuse isn't entirely false, but it's more like a showmanship."

"Showmanship?"

"Think of it this way. I know such a great Black Mage and can personally ask him to come... Murphy seems to be trying to help the Hoffman Family not just with the distribution network but also to imprint his existence on the higher organizations. Organizations with power are respected everywhere... It's a shallow trick, but it works, so it's not a bad method... Does it bother you?"

"No."

Oliver answered sincerely. He had seen and experienced worse in the orphanage and the mine. This was nothing.

Most importantly, he could use the warehouse.

He had no complaints.

Forest asked again.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, it could be possible, couldn't it?"

"Sometimes I can't tell if you're good, stupid, or scary. Anyway, it's your choice... So, will you formally accept the request? You can still refuse without any problems."

"No, I'll accept it. I've already benefited from it."

"Well, if that's the case... Then, move immediately. Murphy wants you to come now. Jimmy Hoffman's patience is running out."

"Who is Jimmy Hoffman?"

"The young boss of the Hoffman Family, which runs the transport company. Murphy said to come as soon as possible. He said there might be a fight with the employees. There are also problem solvers with the employees, so it could end in unnecessary bloodshed."

Oliver wiped the