Published at 3rd of April 2024 7:38 am

Chapter 416

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Its been a while.

With sunken cheeks, hair resembling straw, a scruffy beard, and dressed in tattered rags, it was not a beggar who responded, but rather Puppet.

His appearance differed significantly from their previous encounters in the contaminated area or District A Park.

Oliver extended a polite bow, extending his greetings.

Yes, its nice to meet you after a long time, Mr. Puppet. How have you been?

Olivers salutation was offered with genuine sincerity, perhaps seemingly inappropriate, but he couldnt help it considering their prior engaging discussions.

After all, wasnt it Puppet who initially educated Oliver about the theory of the apocalypse?

Its nice to hear youre glad. It doesnt seem like it though.

Puppet remarked while astutely discerning Olivers subtle gestures, the ebb and flow of magical energy within his being, and the nuances of his emotional aura.

And, to some extent, his words proved accurate.

Ah, I apologize, Mr. Puppet. I am genuinely pleased to meet you Its just that, given the situation, I might have been overly cautious.

What situation?

Puppet inquired as he perched on a jutting section of the grimy sewer floor.

Despite appearing as though he could collapse at any moment, he emitted an unexpected combination of a gentle yet weighty aura of authority.

Lucians associates exchanged hushed comments behind Oliver.

Isnt that old man a rat whos been hiding in the sewers for ages?

Right He even begged from us

Whats really going on?

While overhearing their murmurs, Oliver posed a question.

Have you been living in these sewers for a long time?

I am everywhere. From the highest places to the lowest.

Oh, thats quite poetic Is there a reason?

To observe.

Puppets response appeared to leave out a crucial detail.

Oliver inquired again.

May I ask what you have been observing?

How greedy.

Excuse me?

I asked you first and even gave you an answer, but you keep asking without responding. Thats greed.

Oh, I apologize. I was just curious To be honest, the situation doesnt seem good. The state of this city.

Oliver recollected the scenes he had witnessed en route.

Giants trampling the city, werewolves jumping between buildings, griffins and harpies flying in the sky, and even zombies armed with guns and people under black magic attacking others And Ive seen three members of the Black Hand myself.

At his final words, the people behind Oliver were taken aback.

Three of the infamous villains were present in the city.

It was difficult to fathom how calmly Oliver discussed it.

Mr. Human-meat Chef, Mr. Eternal Child Pan, and Mr. Immortal Puppet all three are here. Thats why I was on guard, unintentionally. If you were offended, I apologize. By any chance, has the Mr. Pied Piper also come to this city?

He might visit this city someday, but not today.

Puppet shook his head.

Oliver felt relieved yet somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped to encounter Pied Piper.

No, this is better. According to Mr. Ewan, hes someone with a very long memory.

Assuaging himself with these thoughts, Oliver continued.

I met Mr. Pan earlier. He attacked me but then suddenly changed his mind and stopped. It was the same with the people behind me.

Thats typical of Pan. Impulsive and whimsical.

Did you, by any chance, help me, Mr. Puppet?

Why do you ask that?

If you did help, Id like to thank you. Its only polite.

Upon hearing Olivers words, Puppet chuckled.

Quite an amusing conversation. It would be perfect with some ice cream.

Ill buy you some next time you come.

Jane, Murphy, Lucian, and the others who were eavesdropping on the conversation once again found themselves utterly perplexed.

It was tantamount to extending an invitation to one of the Fingers, Puppet himself.

What was even more astonishing was that for those who had some familiarity with Oliver, like Murphy and Jane, this bizarre behavior somehow seemed perfectly in character. Because, well, it was Oliver. Nothing he did ever came across as odd.

Ha! Puppet burst into laughter.

Its been a long time since someone who knows my identity invited me Sorry, but I havent helped anyone today, nor do I intend to. I just came to watch. To see the ritual that Human-meat Chef will initiate.

Is that ritual related to the massive flow of emotions running beneath us?

Oliver pointed downward.

Puppet appeared slightly taken aback by the unexpected inquiry.

Oh Did you notice?

More than noticing, I just saw it.

Oliver recollected the moment he had emerged from Rokuri University to aid Jane.

The commercial district in front of the university had been partially devastated and set ablaze by the giants footsteps, with individuals under black magic and others embroiled in chaotic combat.

Chaos and violence had indiscriminately spread in all directions, and their byproductsfear, dread, anger, hostilityhad flooded the entire city.

And those emotions slowly but surely settled beneath this city.

Remarkable. To think you saw that. Impressive.

Puppet expressed admiration. It appeared sincere judging by his emotional state, but Oliver couldnt help but be puzzled. It had been quite evident to the naked eye, so what was so remarkable about it?

When Oliver raised this question, Puppet responded.

No, normally one wouldnt be able to perceive something of that scale.

Is that so?

Yes, its like how fish in water cant see the water. People fail to notice even the most obvious things when they exceed a certain scale. They cant handle it.

Puppet tapped his temple contemplatively.

Perhaps that did make sense.

Back in the mines, betraying other children who were trying to escape or scheming to gain extra food had been an obvious tactic in hindsight. Yet, at that time, no one had realized it.

Even if they had, there would have been little they could have done.

Interesting Then, I suppose I should repay you? Probably, Human-meat Chef intends to open the gates of hell.

Puppet mentioned this chilling possibility matter-of-factly.

Even Oliver, who rarely found himself surprised, was taken aback.

The gates of hell?

Yes, I came to watch that.

What can I say? Theres a lot I want to ask, but is that even possible?

Its difficult by normal means. Even after consuming countless lives over hundreds of years to accumulate power, its not something a mere human can do. Thats why hes using a workaround.

A workaround. The moment Oliver heard that term, he instinctively grasped its meaning.

Not inserting a key, but knocking on the door.

Are you saying he plans to summon a demon to open the door?

Ding ding ding. You know quite a lot. Have you studied demons?

No, I havent. I never had the chance.

That was true. Despite his considerable reputation and experience in Landa, he couldnt obtain books on demons in the black market.

Someone always beat him to it. Yet, Oliver guessed it right because of a feeling.

A feeling?

Yes Just a hunch. And it seemed like Mr. Human-meat Chef is proficient in spatial magic.

An interesting speculation. You do have a knack for noticing odd details.

Thank you for the compliment.

Puppet responded to Olivers words with a smile that held many layers of meaning.

But is it alright for you to tell me this? I appreciate it, of course, but isnt Mr. Human-meat Chef a member of the Black Hand like you, and didnt you come here to watch the gates of hell open?

Puppet raised a finger.

Firstly, as I said earlier, I dont intend to help anyone, Human-meat Chef included. Secondly, while I did come to see the gates of hell open, it doesnt necessarily have to be that. If theres something more interesting to see, then thats what I want.

Something more interesting?

Something more beneficial to me. Honestly, Im not that interested in hell, demons, or the apocalypse. Im more curious if theres any knowledge to learn or things to consider.

Genuine curiosity. Oliver nodded.

Now that you mention it, Mr. Puppet, youre interested in creating souls and resurrecting people, right?

Well, thats one way to put it. Theyre in similar realms. But Id prefer if you dont make too much of a fuss about it. I get embarrassed easily.

Puppet cast a sharp glance from beneath his disheveled hair at the individuals behind Oliver.

Upon witnessing this, Oliver kept his silence. It appeared that this was Puppets personal domain.

However, as soon as he pondered that, he couldnt help but wonder why Puppet was fixated on souls and resurrection.

Come to think of it, Mr. Ewan said Puppet is full of complexes. Could there be a connection?

Now, should I ask my question? Its only fair.

Puppet addressed the contemplative Oliver.

The statement was unexpected, but Oliver didnt object. Puppets reasoning was sound.

If one had posed a question, it was only fair to provide an answer in return.

If its something I can answer.

You probably can. Now that you know everything thats happening in this city, are you going to stop Human-meat Chef?

Yes. Its my duty.

Oliver recalled the reason he had undertaken this mission for the Magic Tower and responded earnestly. However, those listening interpreted it differently.

It wasnt entirely without reason.

When they heard about the widespread turmoil in Galos Capital and the Human-meat Chefs absurd yet perilous plan to exploit it, describing Olivers actions as duty felt somewhat out of place.

It wasnt inaccurate, but it seemed somewhat incongruous.

This sense of incongruity was not limited to Jane, Murphy, and Lucian; even Puppet, a member of the Black Hand, shared this peculiar feeling.

Interesting. Especially the part that you wouldnt care if it werent your duty.

Oh Thats a misunderstanding.

Is it not?

Puppet inquired once more, and Oliver hesitated. It was a complex matter that couldnt be easily defined in a few words.

Honestly, it was a bit intricate.

There was a part of him that personally wanted to witness the gate to hell created by the Human-meat Chef. Perhaps it presented an opportunity for Oliver to acquire knowledge about demons that he had missed out on.

However, on the other hand, he also felt a compelling urge to prevent it.

Firstly, the fact that the Human-meat Chef was using people around him for blackmail troubled him. Secondly, it simply felt like the right thing to do.

Causing massive chaos throughout the entire city was rather problematic, wasnt it?

Impressive To stop Human-meat Chef just because it seems a bit off. Thats one of the bravest reasons Ive heard.

Thank you?

That wasnt a compliment. It implies youd have left it alone if it didnt seem a bit off.'

Oh Is that how it is?

Oliver responded to Puppets interpretation of his decision.

Upon reflection, it seemed accurate.

How would he have reacted if he didnt find it a bit off?

In other words, what would Oliver have done if there were a convincing rationale behind the Human-meat Chefs actions?

Dont get me wrong. Thats not a bad thing. Theres no need for a noble mission or a plausible reason.

I agree with that.

Unexpectedly, Jane joined the conversation.

Startled by her input, Oliver turned to see Jane, who possessed the etiquette and composure refined in the Sisterhood, along with her own bravery and determination.

She greeted Puppet politely, suppressing her fear.

I apologize for intruding, Mr. Puppet I am Jane, making a modest living through investments in Landa.

Well For a lady who receives backing from one of the leading tycoons of England and is trying to speculate land in a foreign land, youre quite modest. Or should I say, cautious?

I think its both. One needs to be cautious to be modest.

You have quite the way with words What did you want to say?

I just wanted to agree with Mr. Puppet. Theres no need for a noble mission or a plausible reason to save people because ordinary people usually dont think that far. They just do it.

Jane spoke calmly, managing to quell the turmoil and tension within her.

Oliver could discern the immense courage and composure required to maintain such a demeanor. It was admirable and heartening, though he couldnt quite pinpoint why.

Ordinary people, huh Not a wrong statement. I envy you for having good people around you.

I also consider myself lucky.

Puppet chuckled once more and then rose, appearing ready to depart. Oliver called out to detain him.

What is it?

Theres one more thing Id like to inquire ask.

I dont have any more questions, though?

For some reason, Puppet fibbed. But Oliver refrained from challenging him on it. Answering questions was a matter of personal choice.

Hence, Oliver extended an offer.

Then I will answer Mr. Puppets question later. You might have more questions later.

What might that be?

Do you know anything about Mr. Human-meat Chef?

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