Chapter 763: Oliver (4)
“Kya-ha-ha-ha-haaa…! Why am I even doing this?!”
The Child-Third, now inhabiting the corpse puppet Seamus, let out a deafening roar toward the sky.
It was a cry that echoed the sentiments of a laborer who had worked three days and nights in the capital’s reconstruction project, only receiving base pay for his efforts.
“Argh! Labor laws! We need a new red labor law—now!”
A cry laced with ghostly malice. Though he complained, the work continued.
Third clenched his fist as Oliver had ‘requested’ and slammed it into the ground.
Boom—!
As his iron fist hit the earth, it trembled, and an enormous wooden pillar harder than steel rose from it.
“Oooh—! He’s already got another pillar up...”
Laborers from the Redevelopment Coalition nearby gazed in awe and admiration.
However, Third, far from feeling pleased, shook his head.
He knew that such admiration wasn’t genuine but a vile ploy to exploit laborers.
“Get lost.”
“If you could place the next pillar over here, please.”
“I said get lost.”
“Yes, yes, we love you too.”
A conversation so out of sync, one might question if they were even speaking the same language.
The laborers coaxed the weary Third to the next work site, cheering him along.
It was a curious sight if one thought about it.
To take such an attitude with a druid corpse puppet—a being who could crush ordinary men like ants—seemed strange, no matter how many days they’d been working together.
But knowing that Oliver was the one who had left Third with them, it wasn’t entirely beyond comprehension.
After all, Oliver had saved humankind from disaster and granted them a second chance...
Thus, there was no doubt in their minds that Third would be safe.
“Kya-ha-ha-ha-haaa!”
Faithful to that trust, Third continued his work, howling as he went about his assigned tasks.
And it wasn’t only Third.
The corpse puppet Bathory and the Flesh Chef Durance, along with the Childs First, Fourth, and Second, were also hard at work.
Utilizing their expertise in blood magic, disease-related black magic, and life alchemy, they had been assigned to the medical corps, treating the injured directly and preventing any outbreaks of disease.
With exceptional skills and no need for rest, their results were unmatched.
(The Childs had argued that they required rest, but it was concluded in a meeting that this was just a case of bashful dishonesty.)
Thanks to their efforts, the capital’s reconstruction progressed at an astounding pace.
“Gurrur...!”
But aside from their contributions, there was another who played an even greater role.
“Gurrururuk...!”
It was none other than Big Mouth.
Oliver’s Greedy Pouch.
Big Mouth had been tasked with the immense duty of producing food for five thousand people daily.
Perhaps due to the sheer scale of this responsibility, he had gone on strike, settling in a corner of the on-site command center.
“I’m exhausted.”
Clearly drained, Big Mouth spoke each word deliberately.
The employees from House of Angels, stationed nearby, comforted him.
“It’s all right. You’re doing great.”
“We’re proud of you.”
“No, I’m telling you, I’m not fine! I’m the one who isn’t fine!”
“We love you, too.”
“Wow, great job! Impressive! As expected, the Cornucopia! Dave’s treasure!!”
One of the House of Angels workers praised Big Mouth as the Cornucopia.
Recently, Big Mouth had gained this nickname in Landa, after providing sustenance to the citizens who had taken refuge underground during the apocalypse.
‘Citizens, do not worry. Our friend from Landa, the woodcutter Dave, has entrusted us with an item that produces endless food. You’ll never lack food, water, or essentials.’
‘Impossible! How could that even be?’
‘Is it possible to take down an army single-handedly? Now, keep quiet.’
There had been a bit of debate, but Big Mouth eventually proved himself through his results, earning the titles “Endless Cornucopia” and “Dave’s Treasure.”
Big Mouth took great pride in these titles, and it was due to them that he had been dragged to the capital to continue producing food.
‘Big Mouth. We have a new task for you.’
‘Gurrr?’
‘Head to the capital and provide food non-stop without rest.’
‘Gurrr?’
As Big Mouth remembered meeting Oliver, who had returned, he shook his body from side to side.
“Gurr. Gurruru... Gurrururuk...”
“‘Great! I’ll do it…whatever it takes...!’ you say?”
“No, I’m saying I really can’t do it anymore.”
With Big Mouth’s words once again misinterpreted in an overly positive way, he repeated his exhaustion slowly and carefully.
Then, he turned his head sharply to look at Marie, who was immersed in paperwork, hoping she might offer him assistance.
Marie pondered how to turn down Big Mouth’s plea but was spared the need when Jane entered, dressed in work clothes with her pink hair pulled up.
“We’re running low on food here—are we having issues?”
Jane’s appearance drew the attention of everyone present, especially the employees from House of Angels.
Their presence in the capital as volunteers was largely due to Jane, the new leader of the Sisterhood.
Big Mouth and Jane locked eyes.
Sensing the situation, Jane smiled gently.
“Big Mouth, you look quite exhausted, don’t you?”
“Gurru—Forget it, I’m done.”
Realizing that any ‘gurr’ sound would lead to further misinterpretation, Big Mouth spoke his words clearly this time.
He was done with being exploited.
Of course, he had said as much to Oliver, but when Oliver had reached for his suppression baton, Big Mouth had quickly changed his mind.
“But Oliver’s not here now, is he?”
“Gurr!”
Big Mouth let out a sound like a bullfrog’s croak and shook his body up and down.
Jane reached into her bag. Would it be a motivational baton? Or perhaps a machine gun to (permanently) silence dissent?
Unbothered, Big Mouth stood up, ready to leave.
Yet, rather than the expected motivational baton or silencing machine gun, Jane pulled out a chest filled with bundles of cash, jewelry, accessories, and priceless paintings.
“What’s that?” one of the House of Angels employees, drawn by the scent of money, asked in surprise.
“It’s a donation,” Jane replied, looking at Marie rather than the one who had asked.
Marie responded, “A donation?”
“Yes... They say that even if a rich family goes bankrupt, it takes three generations to lose everything. Turns out there were more people than expected, even in the midst of the apocalypse, who had valuables.”
“Wait... are you serious?”
“Oh, don’t misunderstand. This isn’t a bribe or anything. They just wanted to contribute to buying food. They asked if we could use it to help feed everyone. And since Big Mouth is the one providing the food, it’s only fitting that he be shown gratitude.”
With that, Jane showed Big Mouth the bundles of cash, jewels, and famous artworks in the chest.
“So, what were you saying just a moment ago?”
“Gurr... Gurr gurr...”
“You’re saying you want to give this to the diligent House of Angels employees as a gift?”
“I was saying I’m here to work.”
When the House of Angels workers cheerfully misinterpreted Big Mouth’s words once again, he looked at them deadpan before consuming the entire box of donated items—down to the last bill.
The House of Angels employees let out sounds of disappointment, but Jane comforted them.
“You’ll get bonuses.”
They instantly brightened, dropping any hint of dismay, and returned to work with renewed spirits, preparing and distributing meals from the food Big Mouth continued to produce.
As Big Mouth and the employees left the room, Marie and Jane remained alone.
“You’ve been working hard,” Marie remarked, breaking the silence.
Jane nodded in agreement and casually stretched as she sat down.
“Ugh... It’s tiring, honestly. I may look tough, but I’m not used to physical labor. Still, it’s not so bad.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. My body may have been raised delicately, but my mind wasn’t. That’s what the Sisterhood was like.”
Knowing the reality of the Sisterhood, Marie answered with a quiet nod.
Originally founded for the survival of women from the lowest rungs of society, the organization had eventually lost its way, twisting into something that even exploited its members.
“It feels better, actually, to be physically exhausted but at peace mentally... And I can’t deny I like being the one to lead the Sisterhood, especially now that most of its former leaders are gone.”
Most of the Sisterhood’s top figures, including Madam Miranda and other financial backers who had wielded power over the group, had attended the royal succession ceremony and perished.
Marie nodded in response. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“In that sense, I must ask—are you doing all right? You look rather worn out.”
Marie was taken aback by the sudden question. She felt she ought to say she was fine, but couldn’t manage even the most polite lie.
Though she’d been doing desk work rather than physical labor like Jane, the weight of responsibility made her feel even more fatigued.
“All the flies buzzing around have been exhausting.”
“Have the remnants of Black Hand sent more people than you anticipated?”
“Yes.”
Word of the apocalyptic crisis nearly unleashed upon the United Kingdom’s capital had spread far and wide, reaching colonies and foreign lands alike.
Among those who arrived were rogue black magicians who had gone unchecked since the sacred laws collapsed, as well as remnants of Black Hand searching for a new leader.
Some merely came to assess the situation, while others aimed to steal the renown Oliver had earned.
“They’re not the real problem, though.”
“Oh? That’s surprising to hear.”
“The Childs have been doing an excellent job handling them. Also, thanks to the central continent’s witch bringing black magicians under her control, the problem hasn’t been as severe as we expected. No, the real issue lies within.”
“The Chosen Ones?”
“Yes... That foolish ideology I carelessly spread is cropping up again.”
Marie answered, her voice weak.
The “foolish ideology” she referred to was the belief that they alone were the chosen ones of God.
Having seen Oliver fully embrace his mission, some had become deeply obsessed with this idea.
They considered Oliver the true God, and themselves as his chosen followers.
Though no one openly expressed such sentiments, thanks to the existing teachings, Marie could sense this undercurrent.
If left unchecked, it would undoubtedly spread like a deadly mushroom infestation.
“That must make you furious,” Jane offered genuine sympathy, understanding the difficulty as a leader herself.
“I suppose... But at the same time, I’m unsure if I have the right to be angry. After all, I’m the one who planted these seeds of thought. If I’m to be precise, it’s my sin.”
Marie’s expression grew complicated, revealing that this was more than just a simple grievance.
“And on top of all this, you’re handling the Development Opposition Committee’s work too. You must be truly worn out.”
“Oh... you knew about that?”
“Of course. I’m friends with Forest, after all. I heard he’s retiring.”
Indeed, Forest had recently announced his retirement.
After helping manage the capital’s reconstruction and claiming the lost island’s ownership, he had unceremoniously informed Marie of his intention to retire.
“Even now, it’s hard to believe.”
“What did he say was the reason for his retirement?”
“After being in prison, he realized how old he’s become and decided he’s no longer fit for such demanding work.”
“Well, he’s certainly at the age to retire. He’s made quite a fortune, too.”
“Apparently, he wants to spend his remaining years leisurely on small pursuits... Ah.”
Marie gasped as she suddenly realized something.
Forest’s “small pursuit” was none other than overseeing the Poor Brothers’ Welfare House, which had lost its former leader.
“After he was rescued, Forest told Oliver something to this effect—he regretted not following the advice of the elders to live virtuously. Then, he asked Oliver if it was too late to change.”
“...And what did Oliver say?”
“I heard he answered that he wasn’t sure at the time... I wonder what he’d say now?”
Marie thought for a moment before she gave a small smile.
The answer seemed obvious.
“We’d better get back to work quietly, I suppose.”
“Right? I’m struggling, so it wouldn’t be fair for you to take it easy.”
“Were you always this way?”
“Yes, I’ve always been like this. It feels good to drop the pretense.”
Jane chuckled before standing up, ready to return to her tasks. Marie watched her go, then turned back to her own work. Just before Jane left the room, she peeked her head back in to ask one last question.
“Mind if I ask something?”
“You’re already asking, so go ahead.”
“Oliver… Do you know where he is right now? I’m just curious.”
Marie thought for a brief moment before replying.
“He said he was going to meet someone who’s waited a long time for him. Someone who’s been waiting alone for hundreds of years. He also has other matters to attend to.”
“Oh...”
“But don’t worry.”
“…?”
“He promised he would return.”
Marie replied with a serene smile that she had never worn before in her life.
Jane nodded quietly in response.