Chapter 354

"Never make a joke."

In a quaint village located near the Ark Orphanage.

During their overnight stay and en route to the orphanage, Yareli recounted a story she had already shared three times the day before.

Oliver acknowledged her, though he couldn't help but feel remorseful.

"Yes, I understand..."

"Sigh... Good."

Yareli expressed her relief with a sincere nod.

Nonetheless, Oliver couldn't shake his regret and inquired once more.

"But why can't I make jokes?"

"The fact that you're asking why means you shouldn't."

Yareli reiterated her stance with unwavering determination.

For Oliver, who dedicated 30 minutes every night to reading books on humor, the notion that he should never tell jokes was a hard pill to swallow.

"I learned that Galos jokes are racially discriminatory and unpleasant, so apart from those, shouldn't it be fine?"

"Do you remember the inn joke I heard yesterday at the inn we stayed at?"

"Yes, that was one of my best jokes."

"That's why you shouldn't."

Yareli shook her head as if there were no other options.

Oddly enough, Oliver had to concede due to Yareli's resolute stance.

After all, Yareli was his interpreter...

"I can't help it... Still, I'm grateful you're here, Miss Yareli. I didn't anticipate needing an interpreter."

"I didn't anticipate it either. The idea that someone who doesn't know Galosian would come here alone."

Yareli recalled the events of the previous day.

Oliver had planned to visit Galos but was unaware of the language requirement, as it hadn't even crossed his mind.

As a result, upon arriving in the village, he couldn't secure a room at the inn by himself and had to rely on her assistance.

"I thought everyone in the world knew the kingdom's language. Everyone I met in Lake Village did."

Oliver said unabashedly, much like right-wing politicians who insisted that lesser nations must learn the kingdom's language because the United Kingdom was the greatest country.

Yareli was taken aback.

"The people participating in Lake Village are all highly educated wizards ."

"So wizards are proficient in the kingdom's language?"

"If they've received formal education... Magic is most developed in the kingdom, specifically in Landa. All academic languages will naturally follow the most advanced nation in that field."

"Ah... Makes sense. I've learned something new."

Oliver expressed his gratitude for this newfound knowledge.

Yareli looked at Oliver and felt something she couldn't quite describe.

She had accompanied him to assess him, as per her grandmother's instructions. However, the longer she spent with him, the more enigmatic he became.

Despite showing no indications of being a warlock, he occasionally broached unsettling topics with casual ease.

His jokes consisted predominantly of dark humor tinged with discrimination and sarcasm, yet his demeanor was remarkably constructive.

Two entirely contrasting facets coexisted within him, and neither seemed like an act. Both aspects felt seamlessly integrated.

‘Maybe it's natural...'

Yareli recalled Zenon's typical comportment.

He never complained about being ignored by students or receiving unfair work assignments from other staff at the Magic Tower.

Enduring such situations required more than just patience or pretense.

‘It's really his nature. In addition, he also operated as Solver Dave, who even the wizards of the Magic Tower acknowledged as dangerous.'

Yareli recollected the enigmatic Solver known as Dave, a figure her grandmother had spoken of.

Dave had emerged seemingly from nowhere in the shadowy underworld of Landa, performing feats that were extraordinary for an individual. He wasn't just strong; he possessed the skills to negotiate with the criminal syndicate. The story of his unofficial alliance with the city was well-known, making him someone of interest to both the light and dark sides of Landa.

Zenon and Dave. They formed a combination that felt almost like a dual personality.

To be completely honest, Yareli still hadn't fully come to terms with the idea that Zenon and Dave were the same person. She only grasped it because it was right in front of her.

So, during their time here, Yareli continued to ask questions, driven by both her grandmother's wishes and her own curiosity, all in an effort to comprehend the enigma of Zenon and Dave.

‘Of course, it's only getting more confusing.'

"It seems to be over there."

Suddenly, Oliver's voice broke through Yareli's contemplation.

Snapped back to reality by Oliver's call, Yareli noticed a building perched on a hill above the village.

It may not have matched the opulent mansions of Landa's upper class, but it was a sizable structure, likely the residence of the village's notable figures.

Oliver tilted his head slightly. He detected an awkwardness in the director's words.

It seemed as though she believed Joanna was still in Landa.

Oliver and Yareli exchanged glances.

"Well......"

-Knock. Knock.

Just as Oliver was about to respond, a knock echoed at the door to the director's office.

With the director's permission, a young girl with black hair entered.

"Director."

"What is it? We have a guest."

As the two conversed, Oliver focused intently on reading their emotions.

Instead of irritation, estrangement, anger, or resentment towards the girl, the director held feelings of affection and responsibility in her heart. The black-haired girl, too, displayed respect, trust, and love for the director, rather than fear, anger, hatred, or alienation.

It was an unexpected discovery in an orphanage.

"Ah, sorry, director...... The pump in the back broke. We need to call someone."

Director Amelin sighed.

"Ahh...... More trouble. Well, it’s old, so it's about time. Send someone to the village. We have stored water for-"

"Excuse me, director."

Upon receiving Yareli's translation, Oliver cautiously interjected. All eyes turned toward him.

"If it's alright, may I take a look?"

***

"Waouh super!”

In the garden behind the Ark Orphanage,

Oliver, with his coat off, was repairing the pump.

A child who appeared to be around seven or eight years old admired him.

"What did he say?"

"He said it's amazing."

Yareli, standing beside him, translated.

"Can you tell him I appreciate the compliment?"

Yareli conveyed Oliver's gratitude as requested.

The children whispered among themselves and giggled.

Their expressions, gestures, voices, and emotional states all seemed quite different from the orphans Oliver was familiar with.

They appeared generally cheerful and full of energy.

"The repair is complete."

Oliver announced as he tidied up the tools he had borrowed from the orphanage.

Upon hearing his response, the director manually operated the pump, and soon enough, water gushed out.

"You're amazing. When did you learn to do this?"

Yareli asked in astonishment.

Oliver almost mentioned that he had learned it while installing equipment for producing blood elixirs but decided it wasn't appropriate and offered a more vague response.

"I picked it up along the way."

"Ah... I see."

Yareli responded with a skeptical look. It appeared she sensed that he was evading the question, though it wasn't clear why she felt that way.

As Oliver and Yareli exchanged silent glances, the director interjected.

"Thank you for your help. It could have been troublesome; you've been a big help."

"I'm glad I could help."

Upon hearing Oliver's response, the director gazed at him intently for a moment before inquiring,

"......Do you both plan on leaving here today?"

Oliver and Yareli turned to each other.

It was a given. Yareli had only accompanied Oliver, and Oliver hadn't thought beyond coming here.

Oliver tilted his head slightly and replied,

"Maybe?"

The director smiled gently.

"How about spending the night here then? We have things like roof repairs where we could use some help."

"Oh...... That's a good idea."