Chapter 129: 129

“Well, would you like some coffee?” asked the old man.

Oliver, sitting at the table in front of the store, politely refused.

“No, thank you.”

“I’m not okay.”

The old man brought a kettle and poured black coffee into the old cup. Then he poured some whisky over it.

“So… Why did you ask that question all of a sudden?”

The old man sat across from Oliver and asked.

“I’m asking why now? You didn’t ask me until now.”

“There was no reason to ask so far, but now I have something I want to ask. I’m sorry all of a sudden.”

“Ho… You have something to ask… Interesting. I really wonder what a Warlock would be curious about this aging Wizard.”

“…!”

“What are you so surprised about? The only thing that grows with age is wrinkles and wits.”

The old man slurped his coffee as if it was nothing.

Despite the situation, he remained calm.

“Ha.…. So, what are you curious about? I’m a nobody, but I’ve lived for a long time and I know a little bit of knowledge. I’ll answer as far as I know.”

I’m nobody. The words raised a small question in Oliver.

Although it was an instant, the magic felt from the old man was impressive.

It cannot be compared to that of the Lightning wizard, the students from the Magic Tower, and Duncan with mana hypertrophy.

His mana was greater than anyone else, pure and calm. At the same time, he controlled the mana so well that he couldn’t see anything now.

Oliver couldn’t believe that such a person was a nobody. 

Due to the inability to read his emotions, it was hard to tell whether he was telling the truth or lying.

Normally, he would have been curious, but this time, Oliver passed this part because he had more urgent matters.

“….Do you happen to know about Mattel Lab?”

“Mattel?… It’s been a while since I heard that name. What’s wrong with them?”

“Someone I know is currently there.”

“Who?”

“Do you remember when I bought a book to teach letters and numbers?”

“I remember… the boy at the inn. It was an impressive memory. It was interesting that a Warlock helped someone. What kind of experiment was it?”

“…nothing. I really just helped him.”

“I see. What’s his name?”

“It’s Rosbane. And now he is at Mattel. I was told that he was sponsored as a student… Do they really have such sponsorship at Mattel?”

The old man took another sip of coffee instead of answering.

“Well, let me ask you. What do you want to hear? A comfortable lie or an uncomfortable truth. What do you want to hear?”

“? ….I want to hear the truth.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s unexpected. Most people want a comfortable lie.”

Oliver frowned because he did not understand the meaning of those words. 

He wondered who would be wanting to hear a lie instead of the truth. 

“Do people prefer lies over truth?”

“Yes, mate. The truth is uncomfortable and cruel, and most people can’t handle it. People yearn for a great empire, but they hate the aggressor who tries to create one. It’s contradictory, right? That’s why they find the truth uncomfortable. Like a thorn in their throat.”

“…I don’t quite understand what you’re saying.”

“I thought so….. I’ll ask you one last time. Do you really want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then I’ll tell you. Probably, he was taken as a test subject.”

“Test subject?”

“Yes, for the human experiment… Do you happen to know about Mattel?”

“I heard roughly. It’s a research lab with influence in the medical and military sectors.”

“It’s not wrong, but it’s just the surface. Their main purpose is doing research on eternal life.”

“Eternal life?”

“Yes, eternal life. Literally living forever.”

For a moment, Puppet’s words came to Oliver’s mind.

-The wizards here also study and even trade with demons.

“Why are they researching eternal life?”

“?… Because it’s a field that attracts the attention of those with power and money.”

“Is that so?”

“Very much so. Eternal life and youth are what anyone who has achieved everything in the human world wants… a bit surprising. No one has ever asked that question before.”

“I see… But what does studying eternal life have to do with taking Rosbane?”

The old man tapped his temple.

“To exchange this.”

“…Head?”

“To be exact, the brain. More precisely, changing the information in the brain.”

“Information in the brain?”

“Yes, for example…”

The old man took Oliver’s hand.

“I transfer the information in my head to your head. As you can see, my body is old, but you are young. If my memory and knowledge get transferred to you and if I took over the ownership of the body, I could enjoy the blessings of youth and life.”

“Is it possible?”

“It’s not possible yet. The brain is a more complex and delicate object than the magic and civilization that humans have built for thousands of years. However, they have reached the experimental stage.”

The old man continued, letting go of Oliver’s hand.

“It’s currently the most intensive field of study in the School of Life magic. They tried to strengthen the human body itself, but it turned out to be impossible. That’s why they chose to change their body by convenience. I also think it’s more likely.”

Oliver was in agony for a moment.

“…do the kids who are being tested die?”

“Well, I don’t know because I’m nobody. But, wouldn’t it be worse than dying? Death means back to the arms of God, but this….. It’s neither death nor being alive.”

That was true. 

Transferring the wizard’s brain information to children did not kill the original owner’s mind.

It was a state where you don’t die. 

Oliver wondered what on earth would that be like.

And even more questionable was how these experiments were carried out in the middle of the city.

…..No, honestly, it wasn’t a question.

Oliver had already heard from many places that wizards do human experiments.

It was an open secret.

It was just that… It felt a little strange when he heard that Rosbane went to such a place.

It was hard to explain, but he felt a little different when he heard about it while having an acquaintance there.

In the midst of Oliver’s confusion as to why Rosbane was dragged into such a situation, the old man asked.

“…what are you going to do?”

“Pardon?”

“I asked you what you were going to do….. If you came all the way here just to ask me, I mean, it bothers you, right? Are you going to save him? The friend named Rosbane.”

Oliver agonized over the sudden question.

“Um, I don’t know. Isn’t that a bit difficult? And there’s no reason why I should go save him.”

“Well, that’s true. It’s safe to say that the power of Magic Tower is above the city’s power. There’s no way you can do something that neither the police nor the city’s defense force can do. You have no obligation to save him in the first place, right?”

Oliver nodded. 

That was true.

It was not possible to know exactly what the Magic Tower was capable of, but Oliver could vaguely guess from its size and power.

A series of human experiments conducted in the middle of a city meant they had a great deal of influence in the city and may also have been supported by many powerful people.

In the Magic Tower, even a strong man like Duncan was eventually pushed out due to fierce competition.

This was not an area that Oliver could handle. 

With such thoughts in mind, Oliver said to the old man.

“Thank you for answering my question. I didn’t buy anything, but I’ll repay you later. Then, shall I take my leave?”

“Of course. Are you going back home?”

“No, I’m thinking of stopping by one more place before that.”

“Where?”

“The Cathedral.”

Inside the dark cathedral, Oliver rubbed his sleepy eyes and yawned.

Having been sleepless for a few days, he desperately wanted to sleep.

In no time, fatigue hit him.

It has been a long time since he had been so tired.

Maybe it was the first time since he left the mine.

In the past, he did not understand fatigue, so whenever he felt exhausted, he thought it was normal.

It was only a year ago, but now it felt so far away.

SQUEAK

There was the sound of the cathedral door opening. 

When Oliver turned his head, a priest with a candle and a woman who covered her whole body entered.

The priest stepped back as if he was leaving, while the woman approached Oliver.

She looked a little angry.

“I’m shocked.”

Oliver bowed his head and apologized as soon as he heard the woman’s words.

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“I’m sorry, Ms. Joanna.”

“I told you because you said you would only come when it was urgent. But look at this, you used it in a few hours. Did you think it’ll be easy for me to come out like this? What do you think of me?”

Oliver apologized again.

“I’m sorry to suddenly call you this late, Ms. Joanna, and I didn’t take your kindness for granted. Of course, I didn’t come here for my personal curiosity. Would you please listen to me for a moment?”

At Oliver’s request, Joanna pondered for a moment and sat in the front seat.

“…what brings you here?”

“I called Ms. Joanna because I had something to ask for help with. To be exact, I’m reporting.”

“Help? …Report?”

“Yes. A research lab took one person for experimental purposes. Human experiment.”

“…….”

“Ms. Joanna?”

“Yes?”

“Oh, you’re listening. The wizards took a person for an experimental purpose. A boy about fifteen years old… I need your help.”

“…where?”

“It’s Mattel Lab under the School of Life magic.”

“…are you sure?”

“? ….Yes, I asked a wizard just in case. And I think it’s certain.”

“What do you mean it’s certain… Do you have any evidence?”

“Um…… there is no evidence. It’s beyond my ability. But it’s almost certain.”

“Just words are not enough to investigate.”

“? I don’t really understand. Why can’t you investigate? Isn’t it okay to just find it out?”

“…it’s not that simple.”

“…Why? You did it in Wineham, why not here?”

No sarcasm was intended by Oliver when he asked. He was just really curious.

He really didn’t understand.

What Oliver asked for was just an investigation like she did in Wineham, but Joanna showed a defensive attitude as if it was something that should not be done.

It was as if saying selling Pilgaret was a bigger crime than doing experiments on humans.

Oliver was someone who was often said he lacks common sense, but even he himself felt illegal human experiments were bigger than selling Pilgarets, ethically or whatever.

In that case, shouldn’t it be the Paladin’s job to prevent such a thing from happening?

Aren’t they shields for humanity and the weak?

The elusive answer of Joanna added fuel to Oliver’s curiosity.

“Ms. Joanna?”

“…Landa has rules that must be followed by each other according to the city agreement.”

“Ms. Joanna, I’m talking about saving a kid from being used as a test subject. What does this have to do with the city agreement?”

“Listen, it’s not that simple.”

“…….”

“It’s a Paladin’s job to prevent Wizards from exploiting the innocent, but it can’t be done in Landa. According to the agreement between the Church and Landa, our Holy Church can only crack down on Warlocks who deal with demons; we have no authority to investigate Wizards.”

Oliver scratched his cheek.

“Why?”

“…it’s a complicated political issue. It’s not something I can explain.”

“Wasn’t the Church a religious group? Why is it involved in politics?”

A fit of rage flashed in Joanna’s eyes.

It was a natural reaction since intentionally or unintentionally Oliver just insulted the Parter Church.

But Joanna froze the moment she saw Oliver’s face.

It was because he had a calm expression as usual, but somehow he had an atmosphere that overwhelmed people.

It was enough to make even the faithful Joanna shrink.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

The cathedral was filled with a heavy silence.

Oliver, who was staring at Joanna silently, spoke.

“Um… Ms. Joanna.”

“…Yes.”

“I’m asking just in case, if I can’t get the help of the church, can you do it alone?”

“What do you mean alone?”

“Literally alone. Using the status and the power of a Paladin to help the kid. If it can’t be done alone….. I’ll help you, too.”

Keeping her eyes closed, Joanna pondered for a moment.

“….It’s impossible.”

“It’s not impossible. All you have to do is make up your mind.”

“No.”

“Why?”

“…If I do that, I will be questioned by the church, and if something goes wrong, I may lose my position as a Paladin.”

“I don’t understand. In the first place, isn’t Paladins a shield to protect humanity and the weak? How can you be punished for doing your job? Even if you’re punished, what’s the point of not being able to do your job and keeping your position? I don’t understand….”

“SHUT UP!”

Joanna jumped up and shouted.

Her voice echoed through the empty cathedral.

“If I don’t work as a Paladin, my brothers and sisters will live the same miserable life as in the past again! Or they will be moved to different places! .…Don’t make a fuss when you don’t know anything!”

She was so flustered that the mask of faith she had always worn came off.

She breathed heavily, her face reddened, and her eyes were slightly teary.

A figure that most men would sympathize with, but not Oliver. 

It was the other way around.

He had the same calm expression as usual, but he was much duller.

“So, you can receive support for your orphanage only if you remain a Paladin, right?”

“…Yes.”

“If you do your job, there is a chance that your brothers and sisters will go hungry, they would be dressed in shabby clothes, or maybe they would be sold to a mine. But they won’t die….. But the kid in the Mattel Lab might.”

Joanna shut her mouth and remained silent.

“…I read the scriptures.”

“…….”

“I don’t understand, but there was an interesting story. Have you read the story of the shepherd and the sheep?”

“…stop.”

“The shepherd prayed to God and received a flock of sheep.”

“…stop.”

“Then one day, he lost a sheep– a small, skinny, ugly one.”

“…….”

“One day, when God asked him where the sheep was, he replied that he had lost it, and if he went to find the useless sheep, he might lose the other normal sheep… Do you know what God said?”

A feeling of guilt filled Joanna’s eyes as she tightly closed them. 

She was very distressed, but she remained silent.

Silence filled the huge Cathedral.

“He…Hehehe.”

The sound of laughter slowly resonated inside the church, which had only two people.

A very low, dreary laugh

Joanna looked at Oliver unconsciously at the sound of laughter– a laughter that was normal but far from normal.

A laugh that seemed to mock morality, ethics, law, beliefs, courage, and…. Humanity.

It was normal on the surface, but Joanna who was in front of Oliver could see that it was far from a normal laugh.

The mere sight of it gave her goosebumps, and she was terrified to the point that she had a cold sweat.

To the point where she forgot to breathe.

Oliver stood up and said.

“Still find it.”

“What?”

“That’s what God said. Dear Shepherd, please find it, even if it’s useless to you… it’s still my child… I didn’t understand it, but I thought it was beautiful.”

“…….”

“I thought of God as someone amazing. It may sound strange, but I mean it. Gangsters, Merchants, Priests, Paladins, Rich, Poor, Children, Adults, Women, and Men all looked for him in difficult times….. God seemed like someone who saw everyone equally…. But I guess he wasn’t.”

Oliver took a book out of his pocket. 

It was a scripture given by Joanna as a gift.

“I’ll give it back to you. I don’t think I need it anymore.”

Joanna couldn’t resist and received the scripture that Oliver held out.

Soon, Oliver turned back and walked toward the door of the cathedral.

He said nothing, but Joanna somehow had a hunch that she would never see Oliver again.

Joanna called Oliver one last time.

“Oliver, where are you going now?”

“Um… I’m very tired today. I’m thinking of going home and sleeping. “

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