Chapter 317. Facing Something New (3)
Jerey did not come alone. Behind him were about five or six people who appeared to be from the business department. Violet Fox's interior, which had been noisy, fell silent at Jerey's appearance.
Osian inwardly chuckled as he watched Jerey who had introduced himself.
'As expected of a large corporation. They came much faster than I thought.'
It hadn't even been half a day since the special team led by Alpha One was annihilated. They realized that the unit they had sent was wiped out, and they even came directly to find Osian.
Their information gathering was quick. And their actions were even quicker. The only surprising thing was that they brought business people instead of armed forces.
This meant that their statement about wanting to have a conversation wasn't a lie.
'But I can't let my guard down.'
Perhaps reading Osian's unwelcoming demeanor, the knights glared at the Battle Trench business team with hostile eyes.
Lorraine kept watch while cleaning her gun, and Diolan, who was yawning, eyed the business team with half-open eyes.Despite the tense atmosphere, business team leader Jerey maintained his smile. His posture remained straight and unwavering. It was so unnatural that one might mistake him for a mannequin rather than a living person.
"What business does Battle Trench have here?"
"Since there are many ears here, would you like to have our conversation somewhere more private?"
"Let's do that."
There was no reason to refuse. As Osian rose from his seat, Don Quixote tried to step forward.
Osian stopped him with his hand and sent him a look.
—Protect Neo.
Don Quixote understood and slowly got up, standing in front of Neo protectively. Neo peeked at the newcomers from behind Don Quixote's shoulder.
For a moment, Neo's eyes met Jerey's. Jerey's expression remained unchanged. He still wore a smile, making him look as if he were wearing a mask.
However, his eyes behind the glasses flashed with a peculiar light for an instant. Of course, it was just a brief moment, but how many people in this bar could have noticed that?
Jerey followed Osian outside the bar.
"Have you found a comfortable place?"
"Since we're both in a hurry, how about we talk right here?"
"I'm not particularly busy, but if that's what you prefer, I'll go along with it."
Even when faced with a corporate business team, Osian didn't yield. He knew. Right now, Battle Trench was the one sweating.
"First, I'd like to apologize to you, Osian."
"Apologize? For what?"
"Due to poor communication with our field staff, we caused you trouble in District 49."
Osian tried to feign ignorance, but Jerey chose to address the issue head-on instead.
'He openly revealed what they did in District 49, without trying to hide it.'
Normally at this point, they would brazen it out and demand to know why he hadn't brought Neo back. But Jerey and his business team didn't do that.
'No. The team members still have displeased looks on their faces.'
The team, consisting of about six people, was made up of two women and four men. Their gazes toward Osian were full of pride as elites belonging to a large corporation.
Their dissatisfied eyes were saying: Why should we bow our heads to a mere fixer?
'But none of them voice their complaints out loud.'
In this situation where the team leader Jerey had apologized and even bowed his head, The team members just silently watched their leader's actions. They had complaints but didn't question the team leader's choices. That clearly showed that Jerey was a very capable person.
In reality, Jerey was excellent. Even while apologizing, he naturally shifted the blame to the field staff.
"About the incident in District 49."
"As you know, our Battle Trench is quite large. Naturally, various opinions can be exchanged within headquarters. Well, that's an advantage of headquarters, but sometimes it leads to minor issues."
Minor issues, is it? He's good with words.
Jerey's words were clever. There was no point in acting tough against a corporation; if another team said they did it, there wasn't much to argue about. It was becoming clear why he had taken responsibility and come here in person.
"Let's stop feeling each other out."
Through various experiences, Osian knew that there was no benefit in dragging out this conversation. Jerey smiled more deeply. His expression suggested that he welcomed those words, but his eyes didn't.
'Indeed. Not only skilled, but also exceptionally sharp in assessing situations.'
The moment Jerey saw Osian, he sensed that he wasn't an easy person to deal with. While companies classified as large corporations in Tirna might seem like dream workplaces to everyone, the reality was different.
It's true that one gains considerable honor and wealth upon joining, but the inside of a large corporation was a jungle in itself. If you can't climb up, if you can't prove yourself, you get dropped.
Jerey was a man who had survived that fierce battlefield and earned the position of team leader. Naturally, he had the eye to distinguish people's caliber.
From his perspective, Osian was by no means an easy opponent.
'I understand why Basilio handed the request over to him instead.'
Of course, it could have been due to Basilio's personal curiosity or whim. But he was a special-grade fixer. He rarely made careless choices. In fact, Osian had proven his abilities. Basilio's choice had been correct.
'That's why it's regrettable. If he were just someone with excellent combat abilities, I could have persuaded him with words.'
For instance, by offering him a position as an external advisor to Battle Trench. Isn't that what all fixers dream of, an offer from a large corporation? With Alpha One's death, a position had opened up, and recruiting Osian would not only prevent a loss in strength but actually enhance it.
'I had prepared about three plans for that, but it seems I have to discard them all.'
It would be unfortunate for the team members who had worked hard, but seeing Osian changed his mind. If Alpha One was an excellent hunting dog, Osian was a wild wolf. Wolves cannot be tamed.
"Let me get straight to the point. Would you be willing to hand over the automaton brought from District 49 to us?"
The team members behind him seemed surprised by his direct proposal. It was understandable, given that he had suddenly brought up such an important matter without preamble.
But Jerey didn't care about the team members' reactions. In fact, now that he had the opportunity to speak, it was the optimal moment to make this proposal.
"You're cutting right to the chase."
"You didn't seem to like beating around the bush."
"True. I am like that. So I'll also answer without beating around the bush. I refuse."
As soon as Osian stated his refusal, one of the team members burst out:
"Who do you think you are, you ungrateful fixer!"
The team member had been annoyed by Osian's behavior before, and now that he rejected such an offer, his anger had properly risen. A person from a large corporation had personally looked a mere fixer in the eye and carefully made a proposal.
That alone was enough to wound their pride severely, and what? He refused? They had worked harder than anyone else to reach this position. They had abandoned their pride, turned a blind eye to their conscience, and followed orders submissively.
Seeing this fool kick away such a golden opportunity for the sake of pride made them feel like their lives were being negated. However, the team member who was about to shout something was forced to shut his mouth under Jerey's cold gaze.
"I apologize. Our team member is still inexperienced."
"No, well, these things happen."
"May I ask the reason?"
"As you know, my request was to 'find' what you wanted in District 49. In that sense, I've already successfully completed the request."
"Yes, that's why we're making a new request. We're asking you to transfer what you found to us. Of course, we're prepared to offer appropriate compensation."
"Do you know what I want?"
"Whatever you desire, we can accommodate."
It was the pride of a large corporation that they could fulfill any individual's desires. Osian didn't bother to argue with that. Even demanding shares from a corporation would be unreasonable.
"I'm refusing for a different reason. Another request has already been submitted."
"Another request?"
"Someone submitted a request before you. Trust is important for a fixer, and it's not good to cut off a request midway."
Jerey stared intently at Osian. The explanation sounded reasonable at first glance. But it wasn't entirely believable.
Trust is essential for a fixer? True. But it's not always necessary to uphold it. Whether taking double requests or terminating existing ones doesn't matter if greater profit can be gained.
In the end, Osian's reason for refusal was just an excuse.
'If not that, could it be that those Antique Gear guys are up to something? Or maybe the suit company has already made a move?'
This seemed like something he would need to go back and verify. Jerey smiled faintly and said:
"I see. I understand."
"Good. I'll be going now."
Osian waved his hand. Jerey looked at Osian for a moment before leading his team members away.
Osian watched their retreating figures, then inwardly laughed bitterly as he noticed the presence of hidden watchers gradually disappearing one by one.
'Quite a number of troublesome fellows have latched onto this.'
There was only one reason they hadn't made a move yet. Osian's military strength was by no means weak.
If Osian had been weak, or if a heavyweight fixer like Basilio hadn't been involved in this matter, Some of them would have used force to seize Neo.
Yes. As he felt when he safely returned from District 49, This matter was still far from over.
Night had fallen. Osian was now sitting in the back seat of a luxurious steam vehicle. Opposite him sat Neo and Don Quixote.
They were heading to Don Quixote's mansion together with Neo for his request.
Naturally, since Don Quixote had called for this vehicle, there was no need to worry about it taking a different route.
"Wow. It's really amazing!"
Neo blinked as he watched Tirna's scenery flowing past the coated glass window. It was a cityscape he had never seen before in his life. The gas lamps glowing in the darkness and the lights from various buildings were so beautiful they could be mistaken for stars descended to earth.
To some, those might symbolize labor, oppression, and injustice. But to Neo, who was experiencing everything for the first time, even that was a heart-stirring unknown.
The vehicle finally arrived in front of a mansion.
"It's a huge mansion! Is a king living there?"
"Not quite."
Don Quixote answered Neo, who had asked in surprise. Osian, who had been quietly watching, also gazed at the mansion following Neo's gaze.
'It's enormous.'
Having seen the Goldiron family mansion, he thought he wouldn't be impressed by most places, but that wasn't the case. The mansion where Don Quixote, or rather Alonso, one of the Four Madmen, stayed was smaller than the Goldiron family's but by no means inferior.
The Four Madmen earned enormous amounts of money. Alonso, having earned his place among them, had amassed a tremendous fortune. That's why he could casually wear expensive suits.
Needless to say, the interior of the mansion was splendid. There was a fountain inside the hall, and the marble tiles on the floor were all of the highest quality. However, what caught Osian's attention the most were the decorative items composing the mansion.
'They're all related to knights.'
From portraits depicting knights to what appeared to be antique armor worn by ancient knights. Various weapons, including longswords, were displayed on the walls.
It was truly a house befitting a knight enthusiast. Knowing this, Neo couldn't sit still and was running around like crazy, exploring here and there.
It's a bit inappropriate to say, but his behavior could only be described as going berserk.
'He must be that happy.'
Neo was currently experiencing a new world with every moment. Having escaped from a barren wasteland to face brilliant civilization, the impact would certainly be immense.
Others might have been overwhelmed by the pressure, but Neo was different. Having actually witnessed what he had dreamed of, or even more, he was overjoyed as if he could fly.
Don Quixote seemed to understand this and laughed heartily.
"Are there no servants?"
"There are, but not as many as others have. Most tasks are delegated to automatons."
Indeed, wandering the corridors of the mansion were the latest household automatons. People could be glimpsed occasionally, but there were far fewer residents compared to other mansions.
'While this must be the mansion of his dreams, it somehow feels empty.'
Don Quixote removed his armor. The thigh and shoulder parts were broken and would need repairs.
However, he kept only the helmet on his face. It was quite comical to see a skinny old man wearing only a helmet on his face, but Osian didn't bother to comment.
Following Don Quixote's guidance to the central hall, Osian could see a huge painting filling one side of the wall.
"That is."
The painting in the elegant frame depicted a knight charging toward a giant monster.