Genius Warlock

Although it wasn't his intention, Oliver decided to form a cooperative relationship with Willes.

Honestly, it didn't seem like a bad idea.

Although there were some differences in the details, both Oliver and Willes ultimately aimed to solve the mysterious disappearances in Mountain Pace. So, it might be beneficial if they helped each other.

No, maybe Oliver would benefit more…

Although it was not something to be proud of, unraveling problems and deducing hidden stories was far from Oliver's forte.

The next morning, Oliver, Willes, and the truck driver ate breakfast together, consisting of potato soup and bread provided by the village, and set off right away.

It was best to resolve the problem as soon as possible.

"Also, I personally think it's better to hurry. The non-cooperative attitude of the Hall family in Holland is bothering me."

Oliver couldn't provide a specific explanation, but he felt a nagging uneasiness that he couldn't ignore and climbed onto the truck.

Thanks to refueling and oiling the parts, the truck climbed the mountain road more vigorously than when it first arrived.

As they climbed for a while, Oliver suddenly realized something and spoke up.

"Hmm… it's fascinating."

"What is?"

"That there's a road for vehicles in such a remote mountain area."

He was right.

Although it was a small road that barely allowed a single truck to pass, it was quite amazing that there was a road in such a secluded mountain area.

The construction cost must have been considerable… It was not something the nearby villages could afford.

Of course, the local government might have built it, but the chances were very slim.

Kevin and the people from the Magic Tower branch said that the Northland Kingdom's administration only spent money on infrastructure related to mining.

So, there was only one answer.

"Did the Tower build this road?"

Oliver instinctively asked the driver, who, after a brief silence, responded.

"…Yes, I heard it was built to transport food and supplies to the research lab."

Oliver nodded.

"That's interesting."

"What's interesting?"

Willes asked, and Oliver happily replied. Conversation was always enjoyable, especially when exchanging opinions.

"I find it interesting to see firsthand what I've heard about Magic Tower."

"Shall I guess what you heard about Magic Tower? That the research and experiments of wizards ultimately bring happiness to people, so they should take pride in their work and never give in to any criticism or hardship?"

That was spot on.

On less busy days, Oliver followed Merlin and Kevin's advice and attended other classes, where he learned about countless magical theories and stories like the one he just mentioned.

The wizards, being central figures in leading humanity's golden age, should believe in their path and continue to challenge themselves despite difficulties, obstacles, criticism, and mockery – that was the essence of their spiritual philosophy.

This idea had left quite an impression on Oliver. Of course, it was somewhat distorted, but it was memorable nonetheless.

"Ah, yes, that's correct. How did you know?"

"Well, there are many wizards who've come out of the Tower these days, so I heard it from them. They all seem eager to brag about themselves."

"Ah, I see?"

"It seems you don't know much about the inner workings of the Tower, even though you're an employee? These days, due to fierce competition, many are spilling out onto the streets."

"I'm sorry. I was hired by the Tower just this year."

"Aha… This year?"

Willes asked with a gleam in his eyes.

"Yes."

"Hmm, how did you get the job? Seems like there might be an interesting story there."

"I can't really go into details… I'm sorry."

"No, it's okay. Everyone has their secrets… Anyway, back to the main point, you said that life has improved here thanks to the Tower?"

"Um… I don't know if life has necessarily improved, but it seems like they've been helped in terms of transportation."

Willes's emotions showed a hint of disagreement with Oliver's statement. A signal that he didn't agree with Oliver's intention.

However, breaking the expectation, Willes didn't outright disagree with Oliver. In fact, he agreed with some of it.

"Yeah, you're not entirely wrong. The road came in thanks to the Tower's research facility, and the transportation has indeed become more convenient."

"Do you agree?"

"Only when it comes to transportation."

"What about the other aspects?"

Willes paused to think.

"Um… To be honest, I think it brought more harm than good to the people living here."

His words were sincere.

"Can I ask why?"

"Originally, there were 2 or 3 times more villages in Mountain Pace than there are now. However, because of the local herbs, wildlife, and environment, the Tower wanted to build a research facility here. By the way, most of the ideal locations for the facility had villages… What do you think the Tower did?"

"Did they offer compensation and suggest relocation?"

Oliver answered based on what he had seen in Landa. Redevelopment usually proceeded in this manner.

"That's right. They offered a pittance in compensation and asked people to leave their ancestral lands. People refused… And what do you think happened next?"

"Um… Didn't they offer more money?"

"You're missing the point. Money isn't the issue. It's true that the compensation was low, but there's a more important issue than money."

"What is it?"

"Pride, self-esteem, identity, things like that."

"Um… I'm sorry, but I don't quite understand?"

"Well, I understand. It might be hard for someone from the city to comprehend. However, for people living in places like this, it's quite important. The land they've lived on for generations is more than just a place to live. It's a kind of root, you could say. Like who I am."

At the unfamiliar words, Oliver tilted his head. It was a strange feeling, as if he could understand but also couldn't.

Willes continued speaking.

"…But the Tower neither understood nor tried to understand this and demanded they leave. They bragged about how much their research would help humanity."

"If it's alright, may I share my personal thoughts? Although it might make you feel a bit uncomfortable."

"Go ahead."

"As far as I know, many people have been able to obtain medicine at a cheaper price thanks to the potions and drugs developed here. The poor, and workers at construction sites. I've seen it in people's words and newspapers. So, isn't there some truth to that?"

"The reason the Tower built a research facility here is not for the world but for their own benefit. They sold medicine and helped people, but in the process, they gained technological and economic benefits. It's not free… Even if we concede that it's for everyone's benefit, should the rights of the minority living here be disregarded so easily?… I'm not criticizing, I'm just asking."

Although there was no absence of anger, Willes controlled it rationally and calmly asked Oliver, who instead of answering fell into thought.

It was different from Landa's way of thinking, which valued personal profit above all else, but it was still an interesting story to Oliver.

"Of course, it's not like there are no such issues here. There are places here where people fight each other with axes and knives over money several times a month. But that doesn't justify the Tower's actions."

"Um… So how did the villages get persuaded? Since there is a research facility now, doesn't that mean they ultimately agreed?"

"It wasn't an agreement. The Tower sued and took it from them."

"A lawsuit?"

"Yes. The Tower emphasized the public interest of Mountain Pace and filed a lawsuit in the kingdom's court, claiming that it was not right for the villagers to live here. They argued that the very act of people living here was illegal. The kingdom's court accepted this."

"Oh… Is that possible?"

"It turned out to be possible. And of course, the trial ended in the Tower's victory. It was a fight we couldn't win from the beginning."

"What's the reason?"

"Because the kingdom and the Tower were on the same side, while the indigenous Kell people living here were just a nuisance. Well, the fact that the villagers couldn't afford to hire a lawyer also played a part… As a result, without a proper fight, the villages that overlapped with the research facility land were forcibly demolished, and the villagers had to leave their ancestral lands and either move to other villages or go down to the lowlands, where they had to work for 12 to 16 hours a day."

Willes finished speaking and drank water from the bottle. On the surface, he was calm, but inside, he was furious.

What was impressive was that his anger was not emotional but rational, stemming from the unfairness of the situation.

After finishing the water, he asked a question.

"…Do you have any questions? You seem to be quite curious."

"Yes, why weren't the other villages, besides the one we heard about earlier, demolished?"

"They didn't overlap with the research facility land. The research facility also needed workers to take care of small tasks. For example, hunters to catch experimental animals or herb collectors… The villagers thought they could avoid trouble, so they submitted."

"Interesting."

"Really?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. I meant the phenomenon itself is interesting. The arrival of the Tower's research facility and the events that occurred during the process… It's just fascinating to me. Can I ask one more question?"

"Sure."

"So, it seems like the villagers around here wouldn't have very positive feelings towards the Tower's research facility, but there are still some friendly people. Why is that?"

"Time has passed, and they're making a living off the jobs provided by the research facility."

"…?"

"It's actually a common sight. People seem to never forget their grudges, but in reality, they often do. Especially when they're powerless. So even if everything is taken away, they'll waver when they get a part of it back… That's what's scary. Eventually, they'll forget. Who the original owner of this land was, and where their roots lie."

Willes spoke the last part with emotion, sincerely expressing fear and concern.

"…I may not understand everything, but I think I have a rough idea of what you're saying. Thank you for your kind answers."

At Oliver's gratitude, Willes was surprised, realizing he had said more than he intended.

"…This is a bit unfair."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm the only one talking. We're supposed to help each other with what we need, but it's unfair if I'm the only one talking, right? Shouldn't we have some sort of conversation?"

"Well, you're not wrong. How about a joke, then?"

"A sudden joke?"

"It's a really funny one."

"…Alright, let's hear it. Go ahead."

"Ahem, ahem… Three men were playing poker in a bar. One was from Northland, one was from the kingdom, and the last one was from Landa. These three were…"

"…We've arrived at the next village!"

The driver yelled through the gap between the front seats.

Oliver silently looked in the direction of the driver.

? ? ? ? ? ?

As soon as Oliver and Willes arrived at the second village, they got off the truck.

The second village was more reserved than the first, but as soon as Willes showed the mark, their attitude softened.

Willes immediately sought out the village elder, who, despite her pale face, urgently explained the state of the village.

This village was no different from the previous one.

In fact, the number of missing persons was even higher, and most of them were children, making the situation even more severe.

"Is there anything unusual?"

"There's a lot… We occasionally see strange beasts. It's as if they're watching the village. To be honest, they feel more like monsters than beasts. And there are stories of ghosts wandering around at night."

"Ghosts…?"

"Yes. They say it's some sort of female ghost… Anyway, once the sun sets, everyone is afraid to even go outside the village."

Although it was only a day's journey from the previous village, the severity of the situation was much worse.

The villagers who had lost their children looked at Willes as their last hope, begging for help, and Willes, in turn, reassured them and promised to solve the problem. He was sincere.

"We'll have to check the surrounding villages."

After finishing his conversation with the village elder, Willes approached Oliver.

"I'm going to check the nearby villages, you should move with me."

"Yes, but can we go?"

"There are several nearby villages. If we enhance our bodies with magic and run, it won't take long."

Enhancing the body with magic and running… At those words, Oliver thought for a moment and then pulled out a map from his pocket.

It wasn't anything spectacular, just a rough map with Mountain Pace's research facilities marked on it. Oliver checked the location of their current village and then looked for nearby research facilities.

"How about we visit a research facility instead of a village?"

"A research facility?"

"Yes, I think there might not be much information to gain from visiting other villages, so it might be better to go to a research facility instead."

Willes didn't object to the idea, thinking it wasn't a bad one.

"Where are we going?"

"There's an herbal research facility nearby. How about we start there?"

Oliver showed the map as he spoke.

(To be Continued on June 05(MON))

OR

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