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The battle at McClusky Security Company ended uneventfully.
There were no less than five druids in the vicinity of the forest, but they failed to play a significant role.
However, it was somewhat unfair to blame them.
No matter how strong one is, depending on the opponent or the situation, one could die like a rookie.
For instance, Conor, who was outside the building, had to face seven security agents alone,
And the four druids inside the building had to confront a warlock in an enclosed space full of corpses.
It was the worst condition to face a warlock who specialized in manipulation.
Well, Oliver wasn't exactly a warlock specialized in manipulation...
Anyway, the raid on the McClusky Security Company, despite unexpected situations, ended without major issues.
"Maybe that's why I feel a bit bored even after the job is over," Oliver said at the Forrest Restaurant.
Oliver was sitting at a table with a white tablecloth, and Forrest was sitting opposite him.
"Is that so?"
"Yes."
Oliver put down the newspaper he had been reading and looked at Forrest.
Forrest was also reading a newspaper, and there were several other newspapers stacked on the table.
"This seems somewhat noisy to me," Forrest placed the newspaper he had been reading on the table.
The page had the headline, "Giant Crime Connection! Revealed by the Security Bureau!!" written in bold.
Other newspapers on the table also had this article on their front pages.
"It's not easy to fill the front page with one story in Landa. It needs to draw universal interest, regardless of social status."
"Does cleaning up the crime organization draws that much attention?" asked Oliver.
He had no intention of belittling Landa, but this developed, affluent city was infested with numerous crime organizations, just like cockroaches.
There were so many that most citizens thought they could coexist.
Hence, eliminating a criminal organization was not such a big deal in Landa. After all, another organization would fill the vacuum.
"Well, you're not wrong. Cleaning up a crime organization isn't such a big deal. However, at this scale, it can be a topic of conversation. Above all, the most important thing is that the Security Bureau did it."
Forrest pointed to the picture of Arthur printed in the newspaper.
He was giving an interview to reporters in front of the devastated McClusky Security Company. His unique strong impression along with his intellectual look was highlighted.
"The picture seems well taken, but I don't quite understand. Why is it important that the Security Bureau did it?"
"Um... Well, I guess you could be confused. It's a bit tricky to explain. It's a matter of pride."
"Pride?"
"Yes, the pride of being a Landa citizen. Everyone living in this city has that pride. They think they belong to the kingdom, yet they don't, they're special... The toilet cleaner and the factory owner would think the same."
"Um... I understand."
"So, people in Landa want something special that distinguishes them from the kingdom's people. For example, an organization between the army and the police created to deal with superhumans."
"Is that the Security Bureau?"
"Right, if an organization that doesn't exist in the kingdom is protecting this city, they feel somewhat happy about it. It's not rational, but it's not something you can't understand either."
Oliver pondered for a moment and then slowly nodded.
He couldn't empathize, but he had a vague understanding.Updated chapters at novelhall.com
"That's why so many newspapers run this story on their first page. It sells well."
"Yes, I see... However, when I say I'm bored, I don't mean that. I'm asking why they didn't cover ABC or Mr. Shamus in the articles."
Just as Oliver had said, all the newspapers thoroughly covered McClusky Security Company and the criminal companies they were effectively running, but they didn't write a single line about Shamus, the actual owner.
Not even the newspaper <Cassandra>, which was hostile to Shamus.
In other words, either Arthur... or rather, Carver did not disclose it.
"I don't know about that because I haven't heard anything. However, I can guess."
"Guess?"
"Yes, it's an old man's speculation, but would you like to hear it?"
"Of course. I would appreciate it if you could."
At Oliver's polite request, Forrest smiled faintly, sipped his coffee, and opened his mouth.
"I guess it's because it's of no use to reveal it now."
"No use...?”
"Yes, besides McClusky Security Company, there's hardly anything related to Shamus."
"But-"
"After the mission is over?"
"Isn't that the order? Besides, I need time to sort out my thoughts. Is there a problem?"
"Um... No, there's none."
Oliver tried hard to shake his head. He honestly wanted to hear it right away, but Forrest's words also made sense.
"You don't seem okay?"
Forrest saw right through Oliver. Oliver, handling the letters in his pocket, responded in the negative.
He was able to distract his curiosity about the letter for a moment with another curiosity.
He also harbored doubts. He wondered what on earth Merlin was doing and where he was.
‘I need him to come quickly so I can read this letter...'
⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩ ⏩
"I can't understand why I'm doin' this ‘ere."
Merlin, wearing a thick coat and carrying a heavy backpack, reached out and lamented.
Contrary to his drawn-out tone, Merlin's hand gathered a great mana that most wizards couldn't amass in a lifetime.
The mana turned into a bright blue lightning bolt according to the will, and it branched out into five, then gathered back to one point and struck a giant skeleton about 5 meters away.
POWAAAAAAA!!!
As soon as the five thin lightning strikes hit the target, it created a powerful spark, and the shockwave caused by it shattered the surrounding trees as well as the giant skeleton.
“This never ceases to amaze me.”
Merlin muttered, watching the shattered skeleton dissolve like butter into the ground and the trees that were broken by the shockwave return to their original state with smoke.
This sleeping Forest was indeed a strange place.
"First of all, it's bloody strange that its location ain't fixed and constantly changin'... What do ya reckon?"
Swoosh – Thud!
Merlin asked, catching an arrow flying towards him with magic.
Looking in the direction from which the crude arrow came, he saw a dwarf with button eyes, a large nose, a pointed hat, and just a frock coat.
A dreamy appearance with no sense of reality. It was even a little cute.
However, one shouldn't be captivated by that appearance.
Just like the giant skeleton that Merlin had knocked down earlier, it was also merely a creature made with black magic.
The creature, sensing an unusual atmosphere, retreated towards a nearby stump.
Surprisingly, there was a door in the stump, and the creature used its small body to go inside the stump.
It was trying to escape from Merlin.
Merlin reached out towards the stump.
[Ground Eruption]
Along with the chant, the ground underneath the stump deep inside started to shake, and a large amount of soil erupted upwards like a volcano.
There were countless dwarf creatures in the soil.
[Compression]
Merlin used magic to hold the floating soil, tree roots, rocks, stones, and creatures in the air, then clenched his hand tightly.
The compressed creatures gathered into one point and turned into a lump of meat due to the pressure of magic.
“There's no end to this.”
Merlin said, looking at the ground that had perfectly returned to its original state, and all kinds of creatures that were filling the dense Forrest.
It's so hard to ask a question...
In the end, Merlin decided to slightly break the etiquette and take an easier path.
As an old man, it wouldn't be too bad to break a little etiquette, would it?
Merlin gathered mana in his hand and summoned a book from thin air.
Merlin ripped the book and threw it up into the sky.
To set this sleeping forest on fire all at once.
"Will it go back to its original state?"
At the moment he was about to activate the magic, the creatures in the forest disappeared, and an old man with fairy-like wings on his back appeared.
"The princess has awakened."
(To be Continued)
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