Chapter 117: Edith (2)
Jane, Oliver, and Jonathan were heading somewhere in a vehicle that resembled an armored car.
The car, which seemed capable of withstanding most gunfire and explosions, was correspondingly slow. But that wasn’t a complaint.
Thanks to that, they could leisurely take in the outside scenery.
"...Is this your first time here?"
Jane, who was sitting next to Oliver, asked.
Oliver tore his gaze away from the blue-tinted night view and responded.
"Yes. This is my first time in a place like this... Do you know where we are?"
"Hard to say. Judging by the high-rise buildings and the number of airships, I’d guess we’re in J District or D District, but I’m not sure. I haven’t seen the whole city myself."
With that, Jane turned her eyes to Jonathan. He answered, picking up on the hint.
"It’s J District. It’s usually packed with cultural and entertainment facilities for the local residents. That’s why it’s so bright, even at night."
Outside, the streets were indeed well-lit, and beneath the lights, countless people and vehicles moved about.
There were also more airships visible here compared to other areas, and a few of them seemed to be landing on buildings tall enough to almost touch the sky.
It was the largest cityscape Oliver had ever seen. Despite being part of the same city, the stark differences between districts were both fascinating and puzzling.
Who could he ask to explain this?
"J District... I’ve been here a few times in the past, for training... It’s a flashy, lively place where large sums of money change hands, but I didn’t think it was ideal for security. Why are we coming here?"
Jane’s question was directed at Jonathan, who replied.
"Not necessarily. It’s true that it’s a bustling place, but the security is excellent. At least in the V.I.P. rooms, it’s safe enough that even the Central Assembly members or foreign royalty stay there."
"The V.I.P. rooms cost a few million randas per night at the very least... Is your father staying there by any chance?"
Jane’s question carried a knowing tone, but Jonathan shook his head.
"I’m sorry. That’s beyond what I can answer. I’m just a messenger carrying out my duty... All I can say is that you’re safe now, Miss, so there’s no need to worry too much."
Though Jonathan’s words were sincere, Jane didn’t seem to agree, and her tension visibly increased.
Not only that, but a mix of small anger, disgust, and anxiety also began to bubble up within her. Taking a deep breath, she barely managed to regain her composure.
Oliver didn’t fully understand the situation, but her reaction to meeting the father who was passing down a vast inheritance seemed somewhat awkward.
Were they not on good terms?
"Oh, we’re almost there."
Jonathan redirected their attention.
At the end of his gaze stood an enormous skyscraper, softly illuminated with a faint blue light.
It resembled a gem.
In fact, on top of the building was a structure labeled Sapphire.
It reminded Oliver of a hotel he had once visited with Joseph.
"...Is this a hotel?"
"It’s a hotel, but also a complex cultural facility with bars, casinos, theaters, and department stores. It was built relatively recently."
As Jonathan explained, the car passed the front of the building and turned right, descending into an underground road.
The underground parking lot was filled with expensive cars, more than Oliver had ever seen in one place. It was an awe-inspiring sight for him, but Jonathan moved calmly, as if it were familiar to him.
"If it’s alright with you, could you step out?"
"Where are we going?"
"I’ll guide you to a safe V.I.P. room. But before that, let’s stop by the clothing store. There’s a dress code in the V.I.P. rooms."
Only then did Jane seem to realize her attire and chuckled softly.
"...It’s been a long day."
"I understand. Please follow me. There’s a clothing store in the basement, and I’ll guide you there."
It was true.
In addition to the parking lot, Sapphire’s basement housed several shops that were both lavish and neat, selling items like perfumes, brooches, and ribbons.
Naturally, there were also clothing stores displaying a wide array of garments.
Jonathan politely addressed Jane.
"Please feel free to choose any clothes you like."
"This might take some time."
Jane remarked while browsing the numerous outfits.
"I understand. Take your time, Miss. And Mr. Dave, please choose as well."
Jonathan spoke to Oliver, who had been standing idly behind them.
"Pardon? Me as well?"
"Yes. As I mentioned earlier, there’s a dress code. You’ll need to change too, Mr. Dave. Don’t worry about the cost. It’s covered."
Though Jonathan spoke as if it were no big deal, Oliver found it somewhat troubling.
Having always dressed haphazardly, he had no idea what kind of clothes would meet the dress code.
Would something like Forest’s suit work? Just as he was thinking this, Jane chimed in.
"If you don’t mind, could I choose for you?"
"Pardon?"
"Consider it a small thank-you for protecting me. I’d like to pick something for you. I’ve studied a bit of fashion, you see. Would that be alright?"
"Of course. I’d actually appreciate it."
Oliver responded sincerely.
The only thing he knew about clothes was that shirts go on the torso and pants on the legs, so he was more than happy to have her help.
Jane smiled slightly and began holding various outfits in front of Oliver, as if pleased by his response.
"Hmm... This one looks too old, and this one seems a bit too young. How about this?"
She suggested a simple white and black suit.
"Nowadays, people tend to go for flashy styles, but I think a simple look would suit you well. Especially you, Mr. Dave. What do you think?"
"It’s great."
Oliver answered without a second of hesitation.
Jane smiled awkwardly.
"Wouldn’t it be better to think about it for at least a moment?"
"Since you chose it, Miss, it must be good. You know much more about clothes than I do."
At his words, Jane’s lips curled into a smile. He was merely stating the truth.
"...You’ve done this before, haven’t you? You’re not doing this on purpose, are you?"
"What do you mean?"
"No... never mind."
With that, Jane began to undress, and Oliver turned around to change as well.
That’s when Jonathan, flustered for the first time, intervened.
"Wait, hold on. Both of you... You should change in the fitting rooms."
...
"I was just too exhausted today. I barely got any sleep. The villa burned down, we had to run away, and I almost died. So please don’t misunderstand."
Inside the elevator.
Jane explained what had happened in the clothing store.
Jonathan answered with, "Yes," and "I see," but it was clear he didn’t believe her. Oliver, on the other hand, remained silent.
After all, he didn’t even know what the misunderstanding was about.
Jane, frustrated by Oliver’s lack of response, started to say something, but after a brief pause, shook her head instead.
She had decided that Oliver wouldn’t be much help.
Ding.
The elevator reached its destination.
The golden needle pointed to the 66th floor, and when the doors opened, a luxurious space with a red carpet stretched out before them.
People dressed in expensive tailcoats, young men in casual clothes, and foreigners with bronze skin and headscarves were all present.
The place was crowded and spacious. Some people were gambling in one corner, while others were sharing drinks or tea. In another section, individuals were listening to the radio while reviewing documents.
Despite the variety of activities, none of the noise seemed to disturb anyone, possibly thanks to some kind of soundproofing magic.
It was an unfamiliar scene for Oliver. However, Jonathan, who was clearly used to it, courteously gestured for them to follow.
"Please, this way."
Jane and Oliver followed the direction Jonathan indicated.
They exited the large hall and entered a hallway lined with ornate doors.
Each door appeared to be imbued with magic, likely to control entry and exit. Out of curiosity, Oliver focused his gaze on one, sensing various emotions from within.
Excitement mixed with intense pleasure, shame, humiliation, and rage... What could be happening inside?
Hmm...
"This is the place."
Jonathan stopped in front of one of the doors and announced.
He picked up a telephone-like device, similar to what Oliver had seen at the House of Angels, and spoke into it.
Moments later, a woman wearing a rabbit mask appeared and, without acknowledging Jonathan or Jane, disappeared naturally.
"Come in."
A familiar voice—it was Edith.
He was dressed in only his underwear and a tank top, just like when they first met. However, this time, he seemed to be in a better mood.
"Father..."
Jane stepped into the room and greeted him.
"Yes, it’s me."
"I thought you were leaving Landa for a while?"
"I changed my mind and came back. Do you have a problem with that?"
"N-No... I’m just happy to see you again..."
"Hah!"
Edith’s loud laughter cut off Jane’s words.
Oliver had thought Edith would be pleased about passing down his inheritance, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
It was more than simple feelings of like or dislike. It was complicated.
As if hatred and guilt were intertwined...
Feelings so contradictory they shouldn’t even be possible were swirling violently within Edith, radiating a powerful light.
"The decision has already been made. You’ll receive the inheritance, so stop pretending to be a good daughter. Cut the act—it makes me sick. You remind me of your whore of a mother."
At Edith’s sudden harsh words, Jane’s expression turned cold.
Despair, as if the last glimmer of hope had been extinguished, along with anger... No, it wasn’t anger. It was more like futility.
A feeling Oliver personally didn’t like very much.
"...I see. So, I no longer have to act like your sweet daughter."
"Exactly. You’ve spent years pretending and fawning over me, and I’ve had a good laugh thanks to it. But you don’t have to anymore... I’ll give you your severance, so get lost."
And with that, their conversation ended.
In less than a few minutes, the relationship between father and daughter was completely shattered. Jane, guided by Jonathan, disappeared somewhere.
Oliver was about to follow when Edith stopped him.
"Where do you think you’re going?"
"Me?"
"Yeah, you bastard. Who else would I be talking to? From the first time we met, I thought your ears were sealed shut."
His attitude was the same as when they first met, but Oliver didn’t particularly dislike it.
"I was going to follow the lady. I was hired for that purpose."
"Forget that for a moment. I have another job for you."
"Another job? Sorry, but I’d need to go through Mr. Forest for that—"
"—Shut the hell up. If I say I’m giving you a job, you’re taking it. I’ll pay... How about two hundred million randas?"
"...That’s a lot. The same amount for protecting the lady."
"It is. To protect that bastard child, it cost me two hundred million. Not a bad deal, though, since I got to tighten the leash on her."
"Tighten the leash?"
"You think I didn’t know that bastard Duncan was scheming with my family behind my back?"
"You knew?"
"Not exactly the extent of it, but I knew he was up to something behind the scenes. He’s an ambitious guy. He hid it well, though. But people don’t change easily."
Oliver pondered for a moment.
"...I don’t quite understand."
"What’s there not to get?"
"If you knew he might betray you, couldn’t you have stopped it earlier?"
"I didn’t know he’d go this far. Besides, do you think I’d have caught evidence of my family’s betrayal if I’d stopped him earlier? Use your damn brain."
Edith took a drink, looking genuinely frustrated. It was a magical liquor, but it didn’t seem like one of Murphy’s products.
"Damn... It’s slightly worse than what they serve at the House of Angels. I’ll have to talk to the manager."
"So, are you giving Jane the inheritance just to have something to hold over your family’s head?"
"Ah... That wasn’t my original plan, but it’s pretty much turned out that way. They thought I was already dead, so they started making moves. Do you know what real respect is?"
"I’m not sure."
"It’s showing that you can ruin someone’s life if you want to. That way, even a pig like me gets treated kindly. Because if they don’t, they’re screwed."
Though Edith’s words seemed simple, Oliver could sense a deep conviction behind them. It was similar to Joanna’s faith in God.
It piqued his curiosity.
"May I ask what the job is?"
"Oh, now you’re sounding more reasonable. It’s nothing special. I just want to have a chat."
"A chat?"
"Yeah. But it has to be an honest one. Brutally honest. If you do that, I’ll give you the two hundred million, like I said. It’s easier than smiling, isn’t it?"
Hmm... Two hundred million randas.
"Could I perhaps request something else as payment?"
"Something else? What, you want double?"
Oliver shook his head.
"No. I’d like you to answer my questions, Edith. Honestly, too. There are a lot of things I’m curious about."
Edith’s face lit up with surprise, and then he laughed. As if he’d just found something amusing.
"Hah! This’ll be fun. Alright."