Chapter 734: Reflection (2)
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A heavy silence fell once more after Oliver's question echoed through the assembly hall.
Yet, it was hard to fault the city councilors.
They were, after all, politicians. That is, people who dealt with the practical issues of the world. While they might handle a sensational scandal involving the Crown Prince and the Finger Puppet, something as unfathomable as “The End” was beyond their grasp.
The End was a reality that existed both within and outside of the real world.
Of course, Oliver was aware of this.
As a former orphan and miner, he might have lacked common knowledge, but through his work as a Fixer after stepping into the broader world, he had gained a certain understanding of reality.
This matter was beyond the realm of politicians.
Nevertheless, Oliver asked how the city councilors planned to respond to the impending End.
It was, in a sense, an unfair question, but that was precisely why he asked it.
Sometimes, willpower mattered more than whether something was possible or not.
“We don’t know precisely what ‘The End’ entails, so it’s hard to give a clear answer...”
After a long pause, a councilor in a silk hat and frock coat finally spoke up.
Oliver responded immediately.
“Even so, there comes a time when you have to make a decision. Isn’t that a common occurrence in Landa?”
The councilors, who had tried to delay their response and probe for information, found themselves momentarily speechless.
Oliver was right. In the city of Landa, everyone experienced it at some point—the need to endure an unreasonable crisis beyond their control.
At the same time, they realized that no cheap tactics would work on Fixer Dave any longer.
“Hmm... Well, in that case, we should probably evacuate. I may not know exactly what ‘The End’ is, but if it’s something we can’t fight, then running might be the best choice. Perhaps underground... Oh, Secretary Paul. Did you predict this situation?”
All eyes turned toward Carver.
It was because, over the past three days, in the midst of securing control of the city, calming the citizens, and negotiating stability through diplomacy with the Royal Family and Central Council, Carver had submitted an out-of-the-blue report.
The report, titled “Landa Underground Bunkerization for Disaster Preparedness,” proposed utilizing Landa’s extensive underground infrastructure to create an air-raid shelter capable of accommodating the entire city in the event of a crisis.
Naturally, the councilors who read the report dismissed it as the ramblings of a madman.
To draft such an absurd report when they were already overwhelmed with work...
Had Carver not been at the forefront of these city management efforts, he might have been dismissed for it.
There’s a time and place for insanity, after all. But now, things seemed different.
Carver hadn’t been doing something pointless. He had been preparing for what was to come.
“Ha... I should have realized it wasn’t something thrown together in just a day or two,” one councilor muttered, finally grasping the complexity of the situation.
Faced with an even more troublesome scenario than they’d had three days ago, the councilors collectively fell into deep contemplation.
Seeing this, Carver offered a defense of his actions.
“I only thought it was a possibility, not a certainty. Please understand that.”
“Of course, you did.”
The councilors, however, were not entirely convinced.
While the councilors and Carver exchanged a few more words, Oliver cut in.
“Then, are you going to proceed with the evacuation underground? I would like a definitive answer.”
“...For now, it seems like that might be our only option.”
The councilors took their time, cautiously weighing their response, instinctively sensing that a simple answer wouldn’t suffice. But Oliver persisted, pressing them as if he was herding them into a corner.
“Will you evacuate all of Landa’s citizens? Or only some?”
“What do you mean by ‘only some’?”
“By some, I mean the wealthy gluttons and lechers. I know it’s much easier to evacuate just a few rich and depraved individuals rather than everyone. And typically, in such situations, the easier choice is made.”
“...”
“I’m not here to criticize. I’m genuinely curious. I’ll accept whatever answer you give.”
“This is... not a simple question to answer.”
“Feel free to answer however you’d like. Simple or complicated, I want to hear your response now.”
“You’re putting us in a difficult position.”
“I’m pressed for time as well.”
The councilors, desperate to avoid answering, found themselves cornered under Oliver’s relentless pressure. At some point, they each took out cigarettes and began smoking, as if the act symbolized their stifling frustration.
“Phew... To begin with, I doubt we’ll be able to secure enough space to evacuate all the citizens of Landa.”
“There is enough space.”
Oliver clarified their doubt. He knew, having seen it himself.
“...The supplies would be another issue. With no way of knowing how long The End will last, it’s impossible to evacuate everyone without careful planning. The number of citizens alone would consume an enormous amount of resources daily—”
“—But we’ll find a way.”
At that moment, Landa’s Secretary of the Interior, Paul Carver, interrupted the councilor’s words, providing his own firm answer.
Once more, all eyes returned to Carver. It was unlike him to act so abruptly.
“Secretary Paul?”
A surprised councilor called his name, but Carver didn’t respond, his gaze fixed solely on Oliver. Right now, Oliver was what mattered most.
The councilor didn’t press further, as full authority over the issue had already been granted to Carver.
“Why?”
“What are you referring to?”
“Your intent to find a way. Don’t you also think it’s practically impossible to evacuate everyone?”
“Of course. I am a realist.”
“Then why?”
“It’s precisely because I am a realist that I’m choosing this approach. I can’t give specifics, but I believe, in the end, this will prove to be the safer route.”
Carver spoke his mind, openly and honestly.
As a realist, he believed it was more rational to save only a portion of the population—namely, the skilled and valuable individuals who could benefit the city most.
It was impossible to save everyone, after all. If so, starting with those aligned with the public good seemed logical.
This was Paul Carver’s judgment and his conviction as Secretary. To face reality and make a plan accordingly.
But now, his instincts told him otherwise. And oddly enough, Carver decided to trust them.
Looking at Oliver, he felt that attempting to save everyone, however difficult, would ultimately lead to a higher chance of success.
“The resources... it will be hard to manage so much. Are you sure you’re prepared?”
“If The End is truly coming, what does ‘prepared’ even mean? We’ll start by knocking, in the hopes that a door opens.”
“Haha...”
Oliver laughed then. Or rather, he attempted a laugh.
It was awkward enough to feel contrived, almost like a puppet struggling to mimic the expression. The others stared at him in astonishment. Even a doll would have looked more natural.
Seeing their reactions, Oliver asked, “Is my laugh awkward?”
“...Yes, very much so.”
“Hmm, that’s disappointing. I practiced, but it seems I have a long way to go.”
Unfazed by their startled expressions, Oliver stood up. Reaching behind him, he retrieved a thick leather bundle from the case strapped to his back.
“That’s...”
A familiar bundle of leather.
As soon as Oliver placed it on the floor, it began to expand, swelling like a loaf of rising dough. Before long, two limbs and several eyes emerged.
It was Oliver’s Greedy Pouch, Big Mouth.
“Gurururuk...!”
“It’s been a while, Big Mouth.”
As Big Mouth stretched and yawned, Oliver greeted it, noting that it had indeed been a while since he’d last called upon it.
Big Mouth seemed to feel the same way, its eyes darting about as if eager to observe its surroundings, soon spotting the astonished faces of the councilors and Paul Carver.
“Guruk.”
Upon noticing Carver, Big Mouth raised a hand in greeting.
Paul Carver, who had witnessed Big Mouth’s previous deathmatch with another Greedy Pouch, recognized it immediately.
Carver instinctively raised his hand in response.
“Why did you summon Big Mouth?”
“Because Big Mouth will help us... Big Mouth?”
“Guruk?”
“Could you lend Carver a hand? If he asks for specific supplies, would you mind providing them?”
“Gururuk?”
“Please.”
Oliver formally requested Big Mouth’s assistance. After a moment’s contemplation, Big Mouth nodded.
Yet Carver remained skeptical, shaking his head. No matter how many supplies Big Mouth might carry, surely it couldn’t hold enough for all the citizens of Landa.
Oliver, reading Carver’s thoughts, addressed his concern.
“It should be enough.”
“What?”
“I mean supplies. Bedding, clothes, food—just say the word, and Big Mouth will bring them out. Like a magic cornucopia.”
Without further explanation, Oliver simply said it was possible. Surprisingly, Carver and everyone else present found themselves accepting his words as truth.
When Oliver said he could do it, they couldn’t help but believe him.
“Well, that’s the biggest issue solved. Now, if you’ll excuse me... Here, take this.”
Oliver handed Carver the leather case containing Big Mouth.
Carver hesitated for a moment, then accepted it.
“I’ll come back for it later, so please take care of it.”
“Are you really okay giving this to me? There’s no guarantee I’ll keep my word.”
“That’s true. But honestly, it doesn’t matter.”
“...”
“Whether you keep your promise or not, Mr. Carver, it’s simply another choice.”
Carver pondered Oliver’s words for a moment.
“Ha... That’s one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever heard.”
“That’s amusing. I feel the same way. It’s frightening.”
Leaving behind those words laden with meaning, Oliver released his hold on the case.
The leather case, containing Big Mouth, now fully rested in Carver’s hands.
After bidding Carver and the councilors farewell, Oliver stepped through the door he had entered from and exited.
To his surprise, he didn’t find the city hall corridor waiting outside but a bustling street instead.
It was Landa’s T-District, 30th Street, and a short distance away, he could see Forest’s new restaurant.
As Oliver had risen in rank as a Fixer, Forest’s restaurant had also grown in size and splendor compared to the original. Yet, humorously, a line of shabby-looking individuals was waiting out front.
They were waiting in line to receive the free meals the restaurant offered, an idea proposed by none other than—
"Busy, are we? Al?"
The one managing Forest’s restaurant and acting as the mediator was Al, who was distributing meals with other Red-skinned individuals.
"Mr. Dave?!!"
Upon seeing Oliver, Al’s eyes went wide with shock, and he hurried over to him.
The other people hadn’t yet noticed Oliver’s presence, thanks to his ability to remain inconspicuous to all but Al.
“You’re doing good work here,” Oliver remarked.
“N-no, sir. This is just so that things will be smoother for us down the line... A lesson I picked up along the way, you could say. But... it’s good to see you’re alright, Mr. Dave. I knew you’d be safe, of course, but…”
Al spoke in a rush, still visibly surprised.
After all, the hero who had liberated Landa had seemingly vanished and now reappeared as though nothing unusual had happened.
“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern.”
“Ah... of course, sir.”
Despite himself, Al felt a sense of reassurance as he looked at Oliver’s expressionless face.
Though Oliver appeared as impassive as ever, there was a depth to him, a sense of something vast and immeasurable that left Al at a loss for words.
Oliver broke the silence, gazing toward the interior of the restaurant.
“Forest and Mari are inside, right?”
“Oh, yes... Yes! They’re both here!!”
“Could you guide me in? I’d rather not walk in unannounced—it would feel disrespectful. I also have something to tell them.”
Following Oliver’s request, Al led the way, and soon enough, they entered the office where Forest and Mari awaited.