The painting is overwhelming just to look at. It wasn't difficult to recognize that it was an illustration from Don Quixote's favorite story. Perhaps because he had commissioned it from a famous painter.
The massive painting that filled the entire wall was grand and vivid in itself.
Even Neo was staring intently at the painting, his yellow eyes shining. Normally, he would have exclaimed how amazing it was, but the artwork was so overwhelming that he couldn't even make a sound.
Not just the scale, but the details were incredible when viewed up close.
How much time must the artist have invested to create such a painting? It was possible because Don Quixote had paid an enormous amount of money for it.
'It's not just the painting. Objects related to knights are everywhere.'
Most wealthy people decorate their mansions with various luxuries to show off their wealth. Precious artworks and such are merely tools to elevate their authority.
Someone might genuinely appreciate a certain art form and collect it. But who could possibly appreciate everything from simple pottery and crafts to expensive materials and artworks?
If one were to be strict, they buy things not because they understand their value, but simply because they're expensive. There couldn't be a bigger waste.
But they gladly spend that money. As they become wealthier and more renowned, they don't hesitate to spend money to maintain their dignity accordingly.'They probably don't even think of it as extravagance.'
Since they earn money on a different scale, they might consider such spending as pocket change. After all, the value of something is relative and differs from person to person.
However, Don Quixote was different from other tycoons. He didn't decorate his mansion lavishly to show off his fame, wealth, or anything else.
Of course, it's undeniable that his mansion is luxurious beyond what one could easily see elsewhere. Building it alone must have cost an enormous amount.
Moreover, it likely wasn't Alonso's own will. He probably wouldn't have interfered with the building's construction, so he must have just given money and left it alone.
But decorating the interior after it was built was different. He didn't need luxuries, flashy artworks, or crafts whose value was hard to determine.
What he wanted was just objects related to knights.
The books on the walls were either chivalric novels, old tales, or ancient and medieval fencing manuals. The framed pictures weren't famous paintings, but depictions of knights' valiant appearances. The objects decorating the walls were items like swords, armor, and shields.
Don Quixote had continued to fill his mansion with such items. Osian, even if just for a moment, felt a sense of reverence for his dedication.
'In childhood, everyone has their own dreams.'
Osian was the same. Without parents, he understood how the world worked earlier than others, but even he had a time full of fantasies.
It was a time when he could casually say his dream was to be a great person, like a hero or president. But childhood dreams become diluted as one lives in reality.
As one lives and learns about reality, they realize that what they proclaimed had no basis, it was just an unrealistic dream.
And so they become adults. Lose their dreams. Give up most of what they loved.
'Alonso didn't do that.'
One can dream when they have nothing. Having nothing, they look up to higher places. Perhaps it's a self-defense mechanism to endure this wretched reality.
But the two legs that willingly move toward that goal are something ordinary people cannot possess.
Perhaps that's why Alonso succeeded as one of the Four Lunatics.
Making a lot of money, living in a house bigger and more comfortable than others. Countless people in this city would consider that as the end goal of life but for him, it wasn't enough.
'Even after making money, becoming wealthy, becoming famous. What he wanted never changed.'
How can a person maintain such a consistent heart?
Osian also invested an unimaginable amount of time in the games he loved so much.
But that was because his options were limited in this miserable reality. If he had enough time and money, would he have continued playing games in his room?
He might have traveled, lived luxuriously, and eventually forgotten that he once loved games. As the environment changes and one's standpoint changes, so does one's perspective.
Even as Osian found it difficult to be certain about himself, Don Quixote remained unchanged.
From childhood until now. For over several decades, he never stopped moving toward the same goal.
The interior of this mansion was proof of his life. It was truly miraculous.
"Mr. Don Quixote."
At that moment, Neo asked Don Quixote.
"How many years have you been preparing this?"
"Just for a very, very long time."
"I see."
Neo nodded. His gaze never left Don Quixote's painting.
"Let's go inside."
Don Quixote personally prepared a space for Neo to stay.
"Wow! This is amazing! So this is what a bed is! So soft!"
Neo bounced on the luxury bed. Don Quixote watched him with satisfaction. Although he still wore a helmet on his face, Osian could feel it.
Leaving Neo absorbed in his own world, Osian and Don Quixote stepped out into the hallway.
"The request ends here."
"Yes. The request was to bring him here. But what are you planning to do now?"
Antic Gear and Battle Trench. Considering the information networks of the two conglomerates, they probably already knew Neo was here.
For now, they might be safe since the two organizations weren't properly collaborating. But it's unknown when the desperate parties might join hands again.
"You don't need to worry. If the situation stabilizes, I simply plan to quietly travel with Neo."
Don Quixote said so, but he knows better than anyone that it would be difficult. Even as one of the Four Lunatics, he's ultimately just a successful individual investor.
In contrast, the opponents are corporations, and giant ones at that, among the most prominent in Tirna. With those two giants joining hands, Don Quixote, despite his wealth, couldn't match them.
'Of course, given who they're dealing with, the two corporations might not take the extreme measures they usually employ.'
No, because they're that desperate, there's a higher possibility they might take such extreme measures.
"You don't need to worry about that. Right now, I just want to savor this joy, even if just a little."
"...I see."
"Thank you. Really, thank you. I don't know how to repay this favor."
Don Quixote felt immense gratitude toward Osian. He had received a lot from him. Osian helped find Neo and saved him. He gave clues to grasp the starlight and introduced him to other knights.
It was all thanks to Osian that he could feel such rich colors in his monochromatic world, which had been moving only toward a single light.
"If you consider it a favor, treat him well. The happiness you've regained, never let it go."
"Is that really enough?"
"Yes. And that helmet, you should take it off soon."
"Hahaha. I can't do that now. But, yes, someday...there will surely be a day when I can speak openly."
That was enough. Osian decided to leave. Don Quixote offered to see him off, but Osian firmly refused.
For Don Quixote, the reunion with a family he hadn't seen for decades was more important. It wasn't right for him to spend family time with a mere solver.
As he was about to leave the main gate of the mansion. He felt someone urgently running from behind, and when he turned around, surprisingly, it was Neo.
"Wait, friend!"
"Neo? What's wrong all of a sudden?"
"I heard you're leaving."
"Yes. I've completed the fixer request, so I must return now."
"Aren't you a knight, friend?"
"Think of it as a side job."
In truth, he had a more dedicated professional spirit than other fixers, but what did that matter?
Neo stared at Osian after his answer. Feeling a bit pressured by that gaze, Osian was about to ask what was wrong when—
"Friend. If I make a request to a fixer, will they do anything?"
"It depends on the reward and difficulty of the request."
If pressed, it was closer to a yes. Hearing that, Neo spoke.
"Then, I have something I want to ask of you, friend."
After returning from Alonso's mansion, Osian was able to return to his daily life.
Of course, he had to explain the situation to Lorraine, who bombarded him with questions about where he met such an eccentric person.
"How did you go to District 49 and meet one of the Four Lunatics? You were even invited to the mansion and got to know him? You're crazy! You're truly crazy!"
Lorraine shrieked with jealousy and lamentation at Osian's new connections. He had already established a personal relationship with the Goldiron family, one of the Four Lunatics, and now Don Quixote was added to the list.
Just being familiar with one of them would make life easier, but he became friends with two? Osian no longer needed to work as a fixer. With those connections alone, he could live comfortably for the rest of his life.
There were also other minor events. For instance, after seeing Don Quixote's enlightenment, David, deeply influenced, increased the intensity of his training.
David worked harder than before, and other knight members, inspired by him, also intensified their training fervor.
Asmer proudly watched them, saying that the new stimulus had become a hope for them.
"Speaking of which, that guy has been seen frequently lately."
Osian said, seeing a figure cautiously peering down from the rooftop. When their eyes met, the figure quickly ducked to hide, then peeked out again with just the eyes. The unmistakable silver hair was a bonus.
It was Lupona, who had been lingering around to befriend Ena, but lately, her interest seemed particularly directed toward the knight members.
"That one. Looking like that, she's more like a cat than a wolf."
"You're referring to Lupona. Well, she's just observing and being curious, not doing anything harmful to us. Are you worried?"
"Not worried. Despite appearances, she's guarding the area to protect Ena. It's just that her interest in us probably grew because of the recent increase in the number of knights."
Lupona had become Ena's familiar, but her essence was essentially that of a knight. More precisely, she dealt with the power of a dark knight, standing at the opposite end of a knight.
That's why she was sensitive to the power of other knights. It's not that it's bad. Her gaze toward the knight members who had recently intensified their training was clearly curious. Above all, instances of her spying on Osian, who had returned from District 49, had increased.
"She thinks she hasn't been noticed, though."
Lupona's knowledge of society and common sense was severely lacking. Even compared to Osian when he first arrived in this world, she was far behind. As a result, even simple surveillance like this couldn't hide her amateur tendencies.
Well, despite looking amusing, she could transform into a dangerous opponent in battle.
Just then, David, who had taken a break after rigorous training, approached. Wiping sweat from his body with a towel, he asked.
"Mr. Osian. Is Don Quixote alright?"
It had been about a week since then. Enough time for conglomerates to take action if they were going to.
David was concerned that something might have happened between Don Quixote and Neo.
"If you're that worried, it wouldn't be a bad idea to visit him."
"Oh, is that okay?"
"Why not? He'd be delighted since he's met his comrades again."
For Don Quixote, bringing the knight members would be a joyous occasion. After all, he had been pursuing his dream of knighthood alone and lonely until now.
Just realizing that he wasn't alone had already given Don Quixote unprecedented courage.
"You're unexpectedly sentimental in this regard."
David laughed at Osian's playful remark.
"Indeed. Sitting around a campfire and talking in District 49 reminded me of my childhood. Perhaps that's why."
As someone from District 49, it resonated more with David. Osian was about to say something more but briefly closed his mouth.
"Mr. Osian?"
"Wait. We have a guest."
"Should I come along?"
"I can handle it alone."
Osian said so and quickly headed toward the alley. Once there were no watching eyes, a shadow rose before him.
"It's been a while. Malina."