Chapter 574: Bin City (3)
“…It’s only natural since he’s the one who created the Bean Tree infused with spatial magic.”
“Here’s the drink you ordered.”
No sooner had Oliver spoken than a boy, likely a pub employee, huffed over, struggling to carry an absurdly large tankard. As the massive tankard hit the table with a solid thud, Ewan used only his mouth to take large gulps of the drink.
“Ahh… It’s got no flavor, but I do like the potency. Don’t you agree?”
“I actually think it’s pretty tasty in its own way.”
“Well, they say anything tastes good when you’re starving... That aside, your eyesight is sharp. How did you recognize that as a Bean Tree?”
Ewan gestured with his chin toward the Bean Tree stump outside, visible through the pub window.
“It’s shriveled and hardened like a rock now, you know?”
“Aren’t you able to recognize it too, Ewan?”
“That’s only because it’s my work. What kind of artisan wouldn’t recognize his own creation?”
“There’s a faint difference in the energy around it.”
As he looked at the Bean Tree stump with his warlock’s eyes, Oliver noticed a very subtle trace of the unique aura from a dark magic item.
“Those are blessed eyes you’ve got. So, you guessed it had spatial magic capabilities from that?”
“No, I just took a guess on the spatial magic part.”
“A guess?”
“Yes, didn’t you mention it once, Ewan? About having visited the sky kingdom where the giants live. I figured the giant who laid the foundation of Bin City might just be one of those very giants.”
“You don’t think I actually traveled to a sky kingdom?”
“I considered that, but it just didn’t feel quite right. We’re in an era where airships fly across the skies, yet I’ve never heard of giants living above the clouds in the newspapers.”
“Well, that could just be because airships can’t fly very high, right?”
“…Oh, you’re right.”
Oliver paused, then nodded in admiration.
Humans may boast about conquering the skies, but there was still a limit to how high they could go, so it wasn’t a completely unreasonable thought.
“Still, I think there’s a higher chance it’s a world of giants reached through spatial magic, rather than an actual sky kingdom. And judging by the aura, it does seem like spatial magic is involved.”
Oliver reached this conclusion by discerning Ewan’s emotions.
“Huh, were you always this sharp?”
“No, I’ve just decided to start using my head a bit more… But how did you create that Bean Tree to reach a world of giants?”
“You just reverse-apply summoning magic, one of the spatial magic types.”
Simple, yet straightforward. Oliver quietly admired the answer.
It certainly seemed plausible, yet he still couldn’t quite shake off some lingering doubts.
“…Why haven’t other magicians thought of such a thing?”
“Because it’s impossible.”
“What?”
“Maybe one or two people might try it, but they soon realize it’s not feasible and give up. So, you’re going to ask me now how I succeeded?”
Oliver nodded, and Ewan answered.
“It’s very simple—I got damn lucky.”
“…Is that something you could attribute to luck?”
Oliver pondered for a moment, as it seemed unlikely to be an area attainable purely through luck.
But Ewan was firm.
“Of course. The world’s full of things like throwing a stone and accidentally hitting a passing pigeon, or a monkey randomly pounding on a typewriter and ending up with Hamlet. Don’t get stuck in rigid thinking.”
That left Oliver speechless. True, it wasn’t like there was a zero percent chance.
‘Not sure what Hamlet is, though…’
With that thought, Oliver looked at Ewan and wanted to ask him something.
Like whether it was also by chance that he saved Kent at a critical moment and showed up whenever help was needed.
“Don’t overthink it. I’m just a pigeon that got hit by a flying stone. Do you know what that means?”
“…Not really?”
“I’m a one-in-19-billion kind of guy. It means I just have damn good timing. So don’t take it seriously. It’ll just wear you out. I’m only sticking around to milk you for whatever I can... though I’m starting to regret it. I thought you’d be the best sap since that Jack.”
Ewan clinked his chains, grumbling.
To this, Oliver asked.
“…Who exactly is Jack?”
“Why?”
“I figured it might be good to know who he is before meeting him.”
The reasoning seemed sound enough, and Ewan, still bound in chains, made a thoughtful sound.
“Hmm… Let’s see? A blockhead who traded his cow for three beans? Actually, his nickname in the village was ‘Blockhead.’”
“And you, Ewan, traded three beans for a cow and then introduced yourself as a brilliant negotiator?”
“Saying it like that makes me sound like some villain, doesn’t it? Actually, that Jack guy—”
“-Hmm?”
Just then, Oliver turned his head outside.
“It seems Mr. Lysandro has kept his word.”
As if to confirm his words, unsettling footsteps echoed from outside the pub.
Step. Step. Step. Step.
A group of people was rapidly surrounding the pub.
Soon, those inside the pub sensed the atmosphere and began glancing around in uneasy murmurs.
A moment later, before anyone could grasp the situation, an elderly man in his seventies entered, flanked by warlocks and magic users armed with firearms on both sides.
On his chest was a solid gold badge engraved with the title [Mayor].
“Good evening... citizens.”
…
“Mayor?”
“Did he say mayor? Is that Jack?”
“Seems like it.”
“Oh my, it’s my first time seeing him.”
Some patrons in the pub who were frozen in the unexpected situation began whispering among themselves.
From the way they spoke, it seemed even the locals didn’t know Jack’s face well.
This struck Oliver, who had lived in Landa, as rather peculiar.
Even though Landa’s city council members ruled for long terms, most citizens still recognized them, since they were publicly elected.
‘Is the concept of mayor different here in Bin City than in Landa?’
While mulling this over, the pub owner nervously approached Jack.
“M-Mayor? What brings you here?”
It seemed even the owner wasn’t familiar with the mayor’s face, judging instead by the entourage of guards and the solid gold badge on his chest.
By the way he rubbed his hands together, it was clear the mayor commanded a great deal of respect.
Jack, too, seemed to understand the impact he had, scanning the pub with an air of detachment despite his courteous tone.
“Among the customers here…”
Jack paused, noticing Oliver, who had raised his hand.
Leaving his subordinates behind, Jack walked over to Oliver alone.
“Hello, strangers. Welcome to Bin City. I’m Jack, also known as the ‘Blockhead’ Mayor.”
Jack introduced himself, even mentioning his ridiculous nickname.
It was a humble attitude for the city’s leader. To show his respect, Oliver removed his gifted gray cloak and greeted him.
“Good evening, Mayor Jack. Nice to meet you. I’m Dave.”
Upon hearing the name Dave, Jack quickly scanned Oliver.
“Black hair with a few gray strands, a bandaged right arm, a gaunt face and frame, and most notably, a quarterstaff… Are you Dave, the fixer from Landa known as the Lumberjack?”
Muttering to himself, Jack instantly identified Oliver’s true identity.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Oliver confirmed, and a few patrons started murmuring.
“The fixer from Landa, Dave?”
“The one who killed hundreds of druids and skinned them as trophies?”
“The cunning strategist of the underworld?”
“The one who’s in the red-light district every night?”
“Haha…”
At the outlandish rumors, Ewan chuckled softly.
Of course, some of those whispers weren’t entirely baseless.
“They say he even fought Puppet one-on-one to become a new ‘Finger’…”
“And also fought one of the White Swan Sect’s prince candidates…”
Who would have thought Oliver’s reputation had reached this distant place away from Landa?
However, he didn’t feel offended; rather, the timing of these rumors could actually work to his advantage.
Oliver waited for Jack’s response, and Jack stood silently until the murmuring within the pub settled.
In the now-silent room, Jack glanced at the man seated opposite Oliver and lifted his hood, revealing his face.
“Wait… isn’t that…”
The pub owner, recognizing the face from the wanted poster pinned to his wall, exclaimed softly.
It was indeed Ewan’s likeness.
The pub patrons shared the same realization, stunned to see in person a man with a bounty of 2 to 4 billion.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it, Bean Seller?”
“It’s been nearly 60 years, Jack. How’ve you been?”
Despite Jack appearing to be in his seventies, he spoke to Ewan, who looked about forty, with respectful politeness.
It seemed unusual, but before anyone could dwell on it, Jack took out a pouch from his coat and called the pub owner over.
“Owner.”
“Yes, Mayor?”
“I’d like to rent out the pub for tonight. Here.”
Jack placed the pouch on the table and loosened the strings, revealing a cascade of gleaming gold coins that spilled out under the dim light.
Gold coins. It was an impressive display.
“This should more than cover renting the place and the customers’ meals. Is that alright?”
The pub owner eagerly nodded, then asked the other patrons to step outside.
The customers, with little resistance, packed up their food and drinks and exited the pub.
Meanwhile, Ewan also casually rose to leave, but Jack held him back, nudging him back into his seat.
“So close.”
With the pub emptied in an instant thanks to Jack’s wealth, he then turned to Oliver.
“May I join you?”
“Of course, Mayor Jack. And just call me Dave; no need for honorifics.”
“Then please just call me Jack as well. I’m rather wary of ‘Sir’ myself, considering the stories about you.”
Jack proposed, matching Oliver’s flow of conversation, and they each took a step back in mutual understanding.
“…It seems like you’re well informed about Landa, Jack.”
“My diligent citizens are good about keeping me in the loop… Plus, your reputation extends beyond Landa.”
Oliver got the sense of what he was alluding to.
“…There might be some exaggerations in the tales.”
“Well, the details may have been embellished, but the story itself isn’t false, is it?”
Jack’s insight and astute judgment were so sharp that Oliver wondered why he’d been given the nickname “Blockhead.” Clearly, he was as capable as any of Landa’s top businessmen.
‘Of course, that makes sense. Someone running Bin City couldn’t possibly be a fool, could they?’
As that thought struck him, Jack opened his mouth.
“That said, this situation is quite the quandary.”
“Excuse me?”
“Lysandro said the person who captured Ewan would be here, so I came to check, and here you are in the flesh.”
“Well, we didn’t exactly capture him, but isn’t that a good thing?”
“Oh, it’s wonderful. I’ve raised the bounty on this guy every year just to catch him. But now that I see him here in person, paying a reward and taking him away isn’t going to cut it.”
Jack had already grasped the entire situation precisely.
“…Why do you say that?”
“Well, to most people, two or four billion is a fortune, but to someone who has inherited the legacy of the Flesh Chef, it might not seem like such a large amount. Not enough to travel to the ends of the earth, that’s for sure. Which leaves the question of what brings you here?”
Jack’s sharp perception impressed Oliver internally and made him feel grateful, as it sped up the conversation.
Seizing the moment, Oliver held up two fingers.
“There are two things I’m looking for.”
“Contrary to the stories, you don’t beat around the bush. Alright.”
“First, I’d like you to summon Captain Hook.”
“From the start, you’ve surprised me. Why Hook?”
“I’d like to ask him to guide me. To Neverland.”
“To Neverland, where the ‘Eternal Child’ resides?”
“Yes, precisely. My friend has been taken there.”
“So?”
“…I’m going to bring him back.”
“…Are you serious? Just for the sake of one friend, you’re planning to go to Neverland, where one of the Black Hand resides?”
“Yes. Because he’s my friend.”
At those words, the guards who accompanied Jack furrowed their brows and squinted in disbelief.
It was understandable, as it was an absurd request by any standard.
But Jack seemed to grasp the weight behind Oliver’s words.
“…Honestly, this wasn’t what I was expecting. And the second?”
“I’d like for you to reconcile with Mr. Ewan.”
Without hesitation, Oliver replied, and Jack turned to look at Ewan.
“You must not know what he did to me.”
“I’ve heard. He deceived you into trading your cow for three worthless beans, your entire fortune at the time.”
“You know it well. And yet, you’re asking me to forgive him?”
“Yes. Because I don’t think you’re trying to capture him purely out of vengeance, are you?”
Oliver seemed to read Jack’s mind. While it’s challenging to read emotions even for a warlock, Jack didn’t deny it.
Instead, he brought up another issue.
“…I’m not the only one who has grievances against Ewan. Take the disciples of the Artisan’s Guild, for instance. He betrayed them after taking ten years’ worth of wages.”
“I’ll try to persuade them as well. I’m simply asking you to give me the opportunity.”
There was a quiet yet resolute confidence in Oliver’s voice, an assurance that he would make it happen.
With that calm determination came a strong sense of conviction, and Jack asked in response.
“How?”
“Well, I’d compensate them financially, and if that’s not enough, I’d offer a bit of aid. For example, I heard that this city is struggling with a food shortage. I believe I can help with that.”
Oliver made this offer based on his observations of Bin City’s six districts.
He had noticed people in the slums who complained of hunger, conflicts between customers and merchants over rising fish prices in the seafood market, and similar situations at the central square’s bakery, vegetable stalls, and butcher shops.
While the entire city wasn’t on the brink of starvation, it was close.
And in spite of that, Oliver claimed he could lend his support.
Jack responded with a hint of incredulity.
“You’re quite different from the rumors.”
“I think the rumors have it wrong.”
“Then could you explain how you plan to help? It’s hard to believe when you’re offering solutions so easily.”
Oliver’s statement bordered on boastful. Just then, Jack’s guards subtly surrounded the table.
“Hmm… How about I take Ewan with me, and as for you, Mr. Dave, I’ll figure things out on my own?”
The unexpected proposal left Oliver staring at Jack.
“I’m aware Landa is infamous for its roughness, but I’d like to think this city rivals Landa in that regard. It bothers me slightly that you’re said to be able to fight Puppet on equal terms, but... you know, some have killed Puppets in every generation.”
Jack’s expression held neither disdain, carelessness, nor arrogance.
Only rationality, suspicion, and the desire to put Oliver to the test.
Oliver responded in kind.
“Then, I’ll have to do my best to persuade you as well.”
“Hmm?”
At that very moment, a small yet distinct rumble echoed from high above, causing the pub to tremble faintly.
At first, it was hardly noticeable, but the drink in the tankard began to ripple, and plates on the table subtly vibrated.
The faint tremors grew steadily stronger, reaching a point where they could no longer be ignored. Then, one of the city guards surrounding the pub pointed at the sky and shouted in horror.
“What’s that? A tree? Is that a tree? A tree is falling!!”