Chapter 352

Paladin.

The moment the word "paladin" reached Yareli's ears, a visible shock registered across her features.

This reaction was entirely expected.

While wizards and warlocks stood at opposing ends of the spectrum, the disparity between paladins and warlocks was even more profound.

Hence, it came as quite a surprise to learn that Oliver was acquainted with a paladin and intended to pay a visit to the orphanage where this paladin had spent their formative years.

"Please don't misunderstand. I have no ill intentions for visiting."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

Sensing that her emotions had been discerned, Yareli responded awkwardly, a tinge of shame coloring her expression. For a moment, she had harbored doubts about Oliver's intentions.

Surprisingly, instead of taking offense, Oliver offered an apology. "I'm sorry for seeing your emotions. It's been a habit since my time at the orphanage, I look into it unconsciously."

This was true. Young Oliver, back when he was weaker and less socially adept than he was now, had no choice but to constantly gauge people's emotions as a means of survival, either to steer clear of perilous situations or to seek forgiveness.

"In any case," Oliver continued, "I plan to visit Ark Orphanage because it's where the Paladin grew up. I want to see the place where the Paladin was raised with my own eyes."

"Oh, I see... If it's not too rude to ask, how did you come to know the Paladin?" Yareli inquired cautiously, her curiosity apparent.

The notion of a warlock and a Paladin forming a friendship was almost inconceivable.

Oliver guided the car gently as he answered, "The story will get long if I explain, but I first met the Paladin when the Paladin came to subjugate the family I was affiliated with."

"Is this before you met Archiver?" Yareli probed.

"Yes," Oliver replied, recalling the narrative he had prepared in collaboration with Merlin.

"Anyway, the organization I was a part of fought against the Paladin and the Paladin’s team, and eventually, we subdued them."

"That's incredible... Paladins and warlocks are a terrible match."

Yareli's assessment was accurate. The matchup between Paladins and warlocks was so unfavorable that a slight difference in skill level was usually insufficient to tip the scales. Oliver knew this from personal experience.

He had only emerged victorious on that occasion because he happened to possess a Pilgaret infused with beautiful light.

"I was lucky. Really... After subduing the Paladin and the Paladin’s companions, I didn't kill them but took them prisoner. We negotiated with the Parter church England branch upon the advice of our client."

"So, the negotiations were successful."

"Yes. Our client was very skilled. While the negotiations were going on, I had a chance to talk to the Paladin."

Yareli fixed her gaze on Oliver, intrigued by the prospect of a warlock conversing with a Paladin. It was a peculiar and captivating scenario.

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

"I asked why the Paladin hates warlocks, and why the Paladin chose to become a Paladin."

Oliver spoke with an innocence reminiscent of a child questioning why the sky was blue or why the ocean was vast—a question both pure and perplexing.

Yareli's emotions took on a peculiar hue as she inquired, "What answer did you get?"

Oliver replied, "Nothing memorable, but I heard some interesting things."

"Like what?"

"The Paladin said I was broken."

"Broken?"

"Yes. The Paladin abruptly asked if I ever felt sad or angry... It was a pretty interesting question. I had never seriously considered whether I had been sad or angry."

"Have you never been sad or angry?"

"Not really. The orphanage, the mines, the family, everything was reasonably fine. I didn’t know any other world... Of course, later I mentioned a time I was sad, and the Paladin said that I was broken. And the Paladin advised me to stop what I'm doing, seek forgiveness, atone for my sins, and learn how to live as a person. The Paladin said they would help."

"What help?"

"I don't know, I refused. It was indeed an attractive offer, but I had made a prior commitment. Isn't it right to keep your first promise?"

Oliver spoke with a disarming plainness and politeness, leaving Yareli feeling an even more inscrutable sense of peculiarity.

"Oh... I guess you have a point?"

Yareli tilted her head in response to Oliver's suddenly reserved tone.

"Do you still meet each other?"

"No, we can't meet now. She's been transferred to another place."

"Transferred?"

"Yes, to First Step on the new continent."

"That's quite surprising. It's not common for Paladins to be transferred like that."

"Probably... because of me."

"Because of you? ... Did the church find out that you were meeting her?" Yareli asked, her suspicion evident.

If word had reached the Order about a personal meeting between a Paladin and a warlock, the consequences could be more severe than just a change in assignment... Oliver would also find himself in a precarious situation.

Oliver shook his head. "No. It's a bit long to explain, but that person proposed something to the higher-ups because of me, and that's why she was transferred."

At that moment, Yareli sensed something amiss. "Is it related to the conversation you had with Carl, involving boy named Colin?"

"Yes."

As Oliver responded, he proceeded to recount the story of how he had been involved in the Mattel incident, sought Joanna's assistance, and was subsequently turned down.

***

Oliver continued his narrative, recounting the events surrounding Rosbane's abduction and how he had consulted with others before seeking Joanna's assistance.

"...although I was rejected," he added.

After his plea for help had been declined, Oliver went on to describe his unsuccessful attempt to sleep, his impromptu solo mission to rescue Rosbane, and the unplanned confession he had received from a boy named Colin. His storytelling struck a balance, not too long yet not too brief.

Having absorbed the entire explanation, Yareli lapsed into silence. Her emotions were a complex blend of shock, doubt, admiration, sadness, empathy, and regret.

Oliver had sensed some of this before, but Yareli seemed to have limited knowledge about this aspect of Wizards. Maybe he had assumed that all wizards were involved in human experimentation, perhaps harboring a prejudice.

Finally, Yareli found her voice, "I... don't really know what to say."

Yareli conveyed a sense of guilt, even though she had not been directly involved. It seemed as though she was tied to the fence called Magic Tower.

"No, you don't have to feel uncomfortable. I didn't say all this to blame you or make you uncomfortable. Thanks to your intervention, things have somewhat resolved themselves."

"..."

"Anyway, I haven't met with the Paladin since that incident. I guess... I lost interest."

"Then why have you regained interest now?"

"After the incident at Mattel, I came into contact with the Church again. The partner of the Paladin told me a story about her... saying she proposed an investigation into human experimentation to the higher-ups and was reassigned to the new continent. It seems to be because of me."

Oliver recalled the moment he had met Paladin Elton and heard that story.

At that time, he had felt something indescribable.

It was after hearing about Joanna's efforts, even if belated.

The only clear thought that crossed his mind was a craving for ice cream.

"So that's why I am visiting the orphanage. Once I visit... I don't know what will happen, but I want to go and see."

Oliver rambled, and Yareli nodded silently, appearing hesitant, as if she had something to say.

Observing her emotions, Oliver inquired, "Is there something you'd like to say?"

"...May I?"

"Yes, you may speak."

"Why did you take a confession from the boy named Collin?" Yareli asked with caution, her curiosity shining through devoid of malice or hidden motives.

After a moment of contemplation, Oliver replied, "I just felt it was the right thing to do."