Chapter 559: Jane (1)
“Where has His Grace gone?”
“Well… he mentioned he had some business to attend to and stepped out for a bit.”
“Huh… that’s unfortunate. I didn’t even get a chance to properly greet him.”
“My, my apologies.”
A quiet murmur of regret mixed with anticipation echoed softly through the party hall.
It wasn’t unusual.
The nobles who had shown their faces here at the party weren’t all here just to see Millieu. Many were here for a chance to meet Armand, the Grand Priest-Knight.
He was not only one of the highest leaders of the Pater Church, a religious institution with vast influence over the chosen nation, but he also held the title of Chancellor of Gallos—a formidable figure among figures.
In Gallos, even more than in Landa, political and economic structures heavily relied on personal networks, making it only natural for people to want to gain connections with those of higher standing.
The collapse of the populist faction and the resurgence of the noble faction only intensified this desire.
Having spent the past few months in Gallos, Jane knew this better than anyone.
“That’s why I was so cautious, but now… this is going to be troublesome.”
Feeling the eyes of several people on her, Jane muttered to herself.
Just minutes ago, most of the glances directed at her were favorable, but now, as if by magic, the atmosphere had shifted.
Instead of favor, she sensed wariness, rejection, and, for some, even contempt or hostility.
She knew more than well enough what the reason was.
It wasn’t that she couldn’t understand it. After all, she had insulted a noble, albeit a novice one, in a gathering filled with the noble class.
In Gallos, nobles were fierce rivals, but they shared a strong sense of solidarity as well. An outright insult like this would be hard for them to accept.
Naturally, Jane, as Dave’s friend, wouldn’t be viewed favorably either.
Proof of this was the way those who had gathered around her earlier had begun to treat her like she was invisible, casting only brief, dismissive glances.
Even Lady Laurent and Baron Boarne, who had offered Jane direct assistance, were no different.
Their relationship was largely business-oriented, so it wasn’t as if she couldn’t understand, but it did feel a bit hollow.
In order to build connections with the nobles, Jane had spent months learning the Gallos language, studying Gallos’ noble fashion, familiarizing herself with their pastimes and culture, and even spending a fortune on a courtesan to acquire local intelligence. But in a few minutes, all those efforts seemed to have turned to dust.
But she wasn’t angry.
She had known since childhood that these people had this kind of nature. More importantly, Dave had done it for her sake. Although it was rather uncharacteristic of him, she couldn’t be mad at him for it.
“Heh.”
Recalling the look Oliver had shown earlier, Jane chuckled softly and, feeling somewhat lighter, clicked her heels and headed outside.
Even if things became complicated, she could always make a new plan. Jane decided to take a breath of fresh air to collect her thoughts…
As she stepped out of the villa, she spotted a lone figure standing along the path by the vast lake.
It was none other than Oliver, who had left earlier with the Holy Knight. He seemed to have finished his business and was now eating a calorie bar by himself.
Upon seeing him, Jane instinctively made her way toward him.
“Will that fill you up?”
Oliver, who usually noticed people approaching right away, was so deep in thought that he only realized Jane was beside him when she spoke.
“Oh… Miss Jane.”
“You seem to be lost in thought about something.”
“Oh… yes. But, may I ask what brings you out here?”
“Just wanted to get some fresh air. It felt a bit stuffy inside.”
Jane feigned nonchalance to put Oliver at ease.
She knew that, despite his strength, wealth, knowledge, and ability, he was excessively considerate. If she were to be straightforward, he’d most certainly feel compelled to apologize.
However, even thinking this was a mistake. Oliver caught on almost immediately.
“It’s because of me, isn’t it?”
Jane closed her eyes with a wry smile.
“Please… could you not read my feelings so easily? It’s embarrassing.”
“My apologies. It’s reflexive.”
“If you’re that sorry, then could you tell me what happened?”
Jane seized the opportunity to both change the topic and satisfy her curiosity, pointing at Oliver’s discolored hair on one side and his bandaged right arm.
It was obviously an injury. She’d wanted to ask since she first noticed, but refrained due to the many eyes watching them earlier.
“It’s an injury I sustained while working… I can’t go into detail due to the nature of the job.”
Jane accepted his answer, nodding in understanding.
As a fixer, not only one’s ability to perform missions but also one’s discretion in keeping secrets was crucial.
Instead of pressing further with difficult questions, Jane decided to ask something she was more curious about.
“It looks quite painful. Are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I received help.”
“…That’s a relief.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
Oliver asked, reflexively sensing her emotions again. He seemed concerned, perhaps sensing a bit of unease or frustration from her.
“Did you… read my feelings again?”
“No, I read the mood and your expression.”
“…”
“My apologies. I seem to have read you again. It’s hard to control my gaze.”
“Sigh… Since you admitted it honestly, I’ll let it slide.”
“Thank you… But are you truly alright?”
“Yes, I… well, no, I’m a bit disappointed, I guess.”
Jane answered honestly instead of hiding her feelings.
“What’s disappointing?”
“Well… I am Dave’s second friend, after all, yet I didn’t know he was injured until now, and I wasn’t able to do anything for him.”
“But didn’t you help earlier? At the party?”
Oliver pointed out something Jane had overlooked. She paused in surprise.
“That was… well, you should’ve come to me sooner. I could’ve been of more help.”
“I hadn’t been in Laville long, and I had some personal matters to handle… Besides, you seemed busy yourself, Miss Jane.”
“Well, I was busy…”
Jane didn’t deny it.
People might think Jane’s success had come from a stroke of luck, and in part, that was true. But that didn’t mean she had been idle.
It made sense; luck might come to anyone, but the choice to seize it depended on one’s determination and efforts.
Jane’s busyness over the past few months was proof of that.
Even if Oliver had come earlier, she couldn’t be certain she would’ve been able to help him much.
This left Jane with a strange sense of emptiness, almost as if their roles had reversed.
Sensing her mixed feelings, Oliver spoke.
“Then, would you mind if I asked for some help now? There happen to be two things I’m curious about.”
“…What are they?”
While Jane welcomed his question, she was also slightly suspicious, wondering if he was merely being considerate.
Oliver pointed to his own hair. A part of it was noticeably white as if bleached.
“What do you think of my hairstyle?”
“…”
“Some people have said it looks outdated, like an old-fashioned wizard.”
“Are you seriously asking that?”
“Yes… Is something wrong?”
“Oh, I just thought it might be a joke. If it were, it would’ve been a bit funny.”
Oliver tilted his head, puzzled. How could an old-fashioned hairstyle be a joke?
“Well… personally, I think it looks fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes, it feels a bit retro, but it suits Dave.”
“Was that a compliment?”
“Hah! Of course, it was a big compliment. Now, go on, ask your second question.”
Jane chuckled brightly. This time, her smile was genuine, not the polite mask she’d worn at the party. For some reason, she felt lighter and in high spirits.
“Oh, if you’re wondering about the bandage, I think it’s pretty fitting too. It gives a mysterious air, like you’re hiding a secret. It suits Dave as well.”
“Thank you for saying that. But, that wasn’t what I wanted to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Has anything happened in Landa? Anything, really—changes or risks?”
Oliver recalled his conversation with Armand, the Grand Priest-Knight. He had initially intended to ask Eve, but she was occupied with her duties at the Tower of Magic and was unreachable.
At Oliver’s unexpected question, Jane thought for a moment before speaking.
“Hm… Landa?”
“Yes.”
“Well, that’s a bit tricky.”
“Oh, I apologize if I’ve put you on the spot. Since you’ve been in Gallos—”
“—No, no. It’s not that I have nothing to say, but rather the opposite. I have too much to say.”
“You have too much?”
“Yes. Although I’ve been in Gallos for a few months, I’m still from Landa. I always stay updated through Sisterhood’s information network.”
“Oh…”
Oliver gave a small exclamation. Sisterhood was renowned as one of the top information networks in Landa. Since Jane belonged to Sisterhood, it was unlikely that a few months in Gallos would leave her in the dark about Landa’s happenings.
As if to prove her point, Jane began listing things on her fingers.
“First, on the good news front, the Tower of Magic has launched several projects, boosting its stock value. They recently announced a complete body restoration technology—not just for prosthetics—and secured Eve, an artificial intelligence and spirit of the World Tree... Did you not know?”
“No, I knew that.”
Naturally, Oliver had to be aware of it. After all, the research paper on body restoration was authored by him, and he was the one who had brought Eve to the Tower of Magic.
“Then, are you aware of this? They’re planning to use Eve to link the entire administrative system of Landa to the World Tree.”
“A reformation?”
At the grandiose word, Oliver asked again.
“You thought that sounded excessive, didn’t you?”
“A bit.”
“Well, I get it. But once you hear it, you might change your mind. I was quite shocked myself, to the point that calling it a reformation feels like an understatement.”
“What is it?”
“They’re planning to use Eve to integrate Landa’s entire administrative system with the World Tree.”
Oliver hesitated. While using the World Tree for certain administrative tasks had been discussed for years, the idea of connecting all systems to it was unprecedented.
If what Jane said was true, calling it a reformation was indeed inadequate.
It was something that had never been attempted on this scale.
The primary reason for the hesitation was simply that they didn’t have the technology to support such an ambitious plan—until now, with the appearance of Eve, who had the power to bridge this gap.
With that power, the plan seemed feasible.
“I’m no expert in that field, but if it succeeds, Landa will become a completely different city. Much faster, more systematic… a futuristic city that’s generations ahead of any other, I’d say. Doesn’t that give you a thrill?”
Jane could barely contain her excitement, visibly enthused, and Oliver didn’t disagree.
On paper, integrating the city’s administrative systems with the World Tree seemed trivial, but it was anything but.
“Judging by your reaction, I assume you hadn’t heard this part?”
“No, I was occupied with other matters. It’s a remarkable story.”
“That’s good to hear… Of course, there are issues to consider as well.”
“Issues?”
“Yes, the sweeter the flower, the more it attracts pests. The royal family and the Central Council have been putting pressure on the project through both formal and informal channels, demanding either cooperation or for Eve to be handed over.”
“Is that even possible?”
“It’s not impossible. Landa may have self-governing rights as a free city, but it’s still part of the United Kingdom, whereas the royal family governs the entire Union... Still, this approach is unprecedented. Although they have always found Landa somewhat irksome, they’ve never been this blatant before. Word has it that the royal family is forming a new magical organization with traditional academies as allies, but nothing is certain yet.”
Oliver wondered if this was mere coincidence.
During his time on the New Continent, he’d heard from Prince Albert about the royal family’s intent to form a new magical group, and now, hearing it again through Jane made him think twice.
“Under such mounting tension, the City of Landa is maintaining a strained standoff with both the royal family and the Central Council.”
“What do you mean by a strained situation?”
“Oh… you didn’t know? There’s an increase in risks within Landa. Crime syndicates, especially those emerging from small towns losing people and capital to Landa, have organized to terrorize and threaten the city.”
Genuinely surprised, Oliver found himself at a loss for words.
Though he’d heard of unaffiliated gangs unable to keep up in Landa’s cutthroat environment being driven to smaller towns, the notion that they had organized and retaliated with terror and looting was unexpected.
“Is that even feasible?”
“It’s not easy, of course. Terror and looting aren’t as simple as they might sound.”
Indeed, Landa, true to its nature as a free city, had numerous protective systems, both in the open and in the shadows.
Attacking such a place required not only the necessary equipment and manpower but also exceptional talent—something unlikely to be found among those driven out by Landa’s competitive structure.
“There’s a lot of speculation. Some say it’s the work of certain factions seeking to curb Landa’s growth, while others suspect the royal family’s involvement… Nothing is confirmed, though. Still, because of this, Landa has been spending heavily on security, including increased military expenditures.”
“Oh… an intriguing story.”
“Heh, very much like Dave… But why do you ask?”
“Oh, the topic came up during my conversation with Grand Priest-Knight Armand. I was wondering if there might be something going on.”
Jane’s face visibly stiffened. Although she had vaguely suspected when the Holy Knight escorted Oliver away, she hadn’t actually expected him to meet the Grand Priest-Knight.
Despite her efforts, Jane felt like she was running in place, the goal getting further away.
“Miss Jane?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. I was just a bit surprised. I didn’t think you would actually meet him. It’s quite astonishing.”
“It just happened.”
Meeting the Grand Priest-Knight of the Pater Church and Chancellor of Gallos “just happened”—such a thing could only be described as quintessentially Oliver.
“What did you talk about for this subject to come up?”
Oliver fell silent, debating whether to share.
“...Don’t feel compelled to answer. I’m not that curious if it would trouble Dave.”
Jane offered her understanding, and seeing this, Oliver spoke.
“Grand Priest-Knight Armand made me an offer. He said he would legalize black magic if I agreed to help resolve the unrest in Gallos.”
...
“What do you see?”
“Quiet down; I can’t focus!”
“I want to see too!!”
“Me too!!”
“Silence! Twins! How do you think we can all see when there’s only one telescope?!”
Far from the bustling party at the grand villa, deep in the forested hills, a group of boys in animal-skin cloaks squabbled.
The chubby boy wearing a bear-hide cloak was observing the villa through a telescope made of a human eyeball and eyelid, while the slender boy in a fox cloak and the twins in raccoon cloaks noisily clamored to have their turn.
“We can take turns!”
“Yeah! We want to see too!”
“There’s nothing special! Just boring adults talking about boring things. The only good news is that there’s ice cream!”
The bear-mantled boy reported what he had seen through the dark magic artifact, the “Eye-Embedded Telescope,” causing the twins to cheer and shout, excited at the prospect of eating ice cream soon.
At that moment, the slender boy in the fox cloak intervened.
“Did you see what the boss asked for? Wendy and the fake?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, um… then, I guess one of us needs to go tell the boss.”
The fox cautiously suggested it. Since they had located the targets and it was about time, they now needed to report to the boss.
The issue was that, with the boss’s condition worsening lately, everyone was hesitant to do it.
As usual, the boys began making excuses to push the task onto one another.
“Kervy, you do it! You were the only one who got to look through the telescope!”
“Yeah! Yeah!”
“No way! Since I saw it, one of you should do the reporting!”
“From my perspective, the person who saw it would be best suited for the task.”
“No! someone who didn’t do anything should do it!”
“What do you mean, ‘didn’t do anything’? I’ve been—”
Despite having learned dark magic, the boys bickered loudly, oblivious to their surroundings, raising their voices enough to be heard from the villa if it weren’t for the soundproofing magic cast by Pan’s shadow.
As the unproductive argument continued, a rustling sound suddenly broke the silence.
The boys immediately went quiet, turning to see a figure.
A boy stood there, his pale orange hair slightly faded as if bleached, his expression serious, and his voice gravelly.
Their leader, ruler of Neverland, the Great Prince, Pan himself.
In a voice roughened over time, he issued a command.
“My soldiers, commence the operation.”