The settlement representative said, asking if they had come looking for that too.
This wasn't something someone could casually ask without prior knowledge.
"Based on your reaction, it seems you know something?"
"Because the entire district is in chaos because of it right now."
"Beyond just saying that, you seem to know more details."
The representative flinched at being hit right on point, then promptly nodded.
"Yes, that's right."
Osian narrowed his eyes at this unexpected response.
The representative's behavior didn't quite make sense to him.
"You're quite forthcoming. Didn't you say you rejected outsiders?""Yes. That's right. Actually, outsiders are partly responsible for this mess."
"Then why are you being honest with me?"
"Because you protected us."
Though unintentional, thanks to Osian and David, the residents here had survived the Heavy Industry Gang.
Without those two, all the other residents would have been captured.
Considering the Heavy Industry Gang's cruelty, they probably would have reduced the numbers on the spot rather than taking everyone.
And because the residents knew how horrific that would have been, they felt deeply grateful for surviving thanks to those two.
However, they also felt fear, which stemmed from several complex reasons.
First was Osian and David's combat prowess.
Just two people had annihilated the Heavy Industry Gang unit. This meant that if they wanted to, they could kill everyone gathered here.
And another fear was the Heavy Industry Gang itself.
Already merciless, they would send more troops the moment they heard what happened to their comrades.
This was why the settlement residents chose to flee rather than resist.
Normally, the Heavy Industry Gang wouldn't move due to checks from other gangs, but the timing was bad now.
There was a treasure somewhere in District 49 that outside corporations were desperately seeking and a death race had begun because of it.
The other gangs that should be keeping things in check had their eyes fixed on the treasure in District 49.
In such a situation, no one would care if a few settlements disappeared.
During a race period, such things were natural.
So the settlement residents feared retaliation for what Osian and David had done.
Those two could just leave whenever, but what about the people left in the settlement?
They had to remain in District 49 and bear the full brunt of the Heavy Industry Gang's anger.
But they couldn't blame Osian and David either.
"What's done is done. But from here, we'd like to have a more productive discussion."
"A productive discussion. You're bolder than expected."
"I'll give you information about what you're looking for. In exchange, I hope you'll help us."
The settlement representative boldly requested a deal.
I'll give you the information you want, so give us what we want too.
‘We saved your lives, what more do you want?’
As David was about to step forward angrily, Osian held him back with his hand.
"Your confidence is admirable, but what will you do if I reject your proposal here?"
"......"
"As you just saw, the two of us are enough to kill all of you. If you have information, I could torture you to make you talk. So why should I accept such conditions?"
"That's......"
"You should think carefully before answering."
The settlement representative started to act tough saying they wouldn't yield to such threats, but gave up.
If they were going to act tough like that, they wouldn't have fled from the Heavy Industry Gang in the first place.
Instead, he calmly thought it through.
As Osian said, if he wanted to, killing everyone in the settlement would be nothing.
Yet he asked why he should do that.
'He asked...for a reason?'
The settlement representative felt something suddenly click.
Yes. Even though it wouldn't have been strange to swing his sword immediately when offended, Osian didn't.
The representative stared into Osian's eyes.
Because of his wide-brimmed hat and mask covering his lower face, only his clear eyes were visible.
Yes. Those eyes.
The reason he had stepped forward without discussion and made a proposal to Osian.
"Because you're not someone who would do such a thing."
"Why do you think that?"
"Someone who would commit such evil acts couldn't have eyes like yours."
The settlement residents who had been tense behind him stared at their representative in bewilderment at those words.
They thought he would try to persuade rationally or make some excuse, but he was appealing to unreliable emotions instead.
"Is that all?"
"Yes, that's all. If my judgment of character is wrong, then so be it."
The representative had no intention of taking back his words.
All the residents closed their eyes tight, thinking this was the end.
-Swoosh. Clack.
Osian sheathed his sword at his waist. David also sheathed his weapon with discipline.
"Fine. Let's hear this proposal of yours."
The representative had chosen the right answer.
*
The settlement's central village hall.
While most surrounding buildings looked shabby, made of old scrap metal, the village hall was notably well-maintained.
Inside was even better than it appeared from the outside.
Osian sat facing the village chief.
"First, let me introduce myself. I'm Simon, the representative of this settlement. You can call me representative or village chief."
"I'm Osian. A fixer from outside. This is my apprentice David."
Osian and David didn't remove their masks and hoods. There was no need to show their faces even while having this conversation.
Simon didn't bother pointing this out either.
"First, let me thank you again for helping us."
"That wasn't our intention when fighting. We acted in self-defense because they tried to capture us."
"The result worked out well regardless. Well, though the settlement residents are still anxious."
Simon got straight to the point.
"The thing you're looking for, it's in Old Town right now."
"You know what we're looking for?"
"The automaton that speaks and moves, isn't it?"
Indeed.
Simon knew exactly why Osian had come here.
"Interesting. How do you know something even the major gangs don't?"
"I understand your skepticism that a mere village chief would have such detailed information. It does seem strange."
Simon clearly understood his position.
That's why he could calmly continue explaining despite Osian's suspicious gaze.
"Because I saw it directly."
"You saw it?"
"Yes. Before becoming the representative here, I was one of the scavengers digging through the garbage, though that was in the past."
"You have a more colorful background than expected."
A scrap metal scavenger becoming village chief.
It wasn't incomprehensible. Just looking at how calmly he dealt with people showed he was performing his role excellently.
This was probably why he became the representative of an area.
"I still remember. When I was searching for valuable items, I slipped and fell under a pile of scrap metal. It was truly dangerous."
Though he survived, the problem was his leg injury.
Simon had fallen into a gap between debris and couldn't escape because his leg was broken.
He couldn't call for help either.
He preferred to work alone, and there was no one trustworthy nearby.
Rather, people were the most dangerous.
So Simon had to wait for death in despair at his situation.
That's when it appeared - that AI automaton.
"It was truly a stroke of luck. It provided emergency treatment for my injury and even gave me water when I was thirsty."
"Did it really speak like a person?"
"Yes. I was absolutely startled when I first saw it. Well of course, because I thought it was just a person before seeing its true form. Since it hid its identity under a blanket, I could only guess from its words and actions. Actually, even after seeing its true form, I thought someone was just pretending to be an automaton."
Simon laughed, saying it seemed ridiculous even to him now thinking back on it.
"But when I realized it truly was an automaton and not human, I decided to accept that fact. Actually, being on the receiving end of help, I couldn't really question such things. Being quick to accept things like this is one of my strengths."
"So what happened after that?"
"When my injury was treated and I could walk on my own, I was able to return. After saying goodbye to it."
There was no lie in Simon's voice.
The AI automaton really existed in District 49.
"You managed to keep that fact hidden until now."
"There was no opportunity to tell anyone. Also, it's true that it helped me. I couldn't repay kindness with betrayal, so I kept my mouth shut."
"But you're telling me everything."
"Because I received an even greater kindness."
‘Can't argue with that.’
Osian shook his head.
"Haha. Of course I do feel guilty. I can't be certain how you'll treat it, after all. But still, I think it's better than letting other gangs find it."
The gangs had already noticed the automaton's existence.
Until now it might have been different when it was just circulating rumors, but now that they've started searching in earnest, discovery was just a matter of time.
If that's the case, Simon judged it would be better for someone even slightly more benevolent to take it.
"So you're using me to repay your debt to that automaton."
"We're using each other. You get information from me, and I provide information."
"Right. That's why I'm listening to this story. So what do you want in exchange for the information?"
"Obviously protecting this settlement...is what I'd like to say, but that would be an unreasonable request."
"You understand well."
Protecting the settlement means fighting against the Heavy Industry Gang.
Even if Osian accepted the deal, he wouldn't go so far as to fight an entire major gang.
He could fight if needed, but they didn't have that much time either.
"So I'd appreciate it if you could protect us for just a few days."
"Considering I'm looking for the automaton, you must know I need to leave here immediately."
"Yes. That's right. The protection I'm talking about isn't about staying here and acting as sheriff."
Simon handed something to Osian.
It was a hexagram brooch made of gold.
"What's this?"
"It's the sheriff's badge. I'd like you to wear this at least until you achieve your goal."
Osian stared at the badge and said:
"I see. So you want me to be conspicuous about it instead."
Simon's eyes widened at how Osian immediately understood without explanation.
He nodded sheepishly.
"Yes, that's right. You don't need to stay here. Instead, I'd like you to always wear this brooch. Because you'll surely get involved in countless fights after leaving this settlement."
It's not that they want this. They can say this because the environment makes it inevitable.
"The more I show my abilities, the stronger the effect of this brooch becomes."
The brooch is a symbol representing this settlement's sheriff.
What would happen if Osian wore it while sweeping away all sorts of gangs?
Would they attack the settlement for revenge?
No. Rather, they would think twice about touching the settlement.
"If you act half-heartedly, you become a target for retaliation, but if you cause enough chaos to make everyone bite their tongues, then you become someone to respect."
This was exactly what Simon was aiming for.
A fight fire with fire strategy.
He boldly planned to overcome the current danger with an even bigger gamble.
Though it was dangerous enough that they could be consumed by the flames if it failed, it was also the only way out of this danger.
"Interesting."
Both Mary and Simon, the people of District 49 had a tenacious side to survive in this environment.
Osian thought it was good to see because human resilience shined through in this tenacity.
The desire for survival, though a one-dimensional goal, was pure because of that.
"I accept."
Osian took the brooch and fixed it to the chest of his poncho.
It really felt like becoming a sheriff. Even though he just put on a light brooch with no practical use.
"So, the exact location of that automaton?"
"Inside Old Town, there's a place where countless pieces of scrap metal are piled up. It’s where I used to search for valuable items in the past."
Instead of Simon explaining, David, who had been quietly listening until now, answered.
"The scrap metal graveyard."
"Yes. That's right. The one you're looking for is now in the scrap metal graveyard. Deep inside it."