Genius Warlock

"Never make a joke."

In a quaint village located near the Ark Orphanage.

During their overnight stay and en route to the orphanage, Yareli recounted a story she had already shared three times the day before.

Oliver acknowledged her, though he couldn't help but feel remorseful.

"Yes, I understand…"

"Sigh… Good."

Yareli expressed her relief with a sincere nod.

Nonetheless, Oliver couldn't shake his regret and inquired once more.

"But why can't I make jokes?"

"The fact that you're asking why means you shouldn't."

Yareli reiterated her stance with unwavering determination.

For Oliver, who dedicated 30 minutes every night to reading books on humor, the notion that he should never tell jokes was a hard pill to swallow.

"I learned that Galos jokes are racially discriminatory and unpleasant, so apart from those, shouldn't it be fine?"

"Do you remember the inn joke I heard yesterday at the inn we stayed at?"

"Yes, that was one of my best jokes."

"That's why you shouldn't."

Yareli shook her head as if there were no other options.

Oddly enough, Oliver had to concede due to Yareli's resolute stance.

After all, Yareli was his interpreter…

"I can't help it… Still, I'm grateful you're here, Miss Yareli. I didn't anticipate needing an interpreter."

"I didn't anticipate it either. The idea that someone who doesn't know Galosian would come here alone."

Yareli recalled the events of the previous day.

Oliver had planned to visit Galos but was unaware of the language requirement, as it hadn't even crossed his mind.

As a result, upon arriving in the village, he couldn't secure a room at the inn by himself and had to rely on her assistance.

"I thought everyone in the world knew the kingdom's language. Everyone I met in Lake Village did."

Oliver said unabashedly, much like right-wing politicians who insisted that lesser nations must learn the kingdom's language because the United Kingdom was the greatest country.

Yareli was taken aback.

"The people participating in Lake Village are all highly educated wizards ."

"So wizards are proficient in the kingdom's language?"

"If they've received formal education… Magic is most developed in the kingdom, specifically in Landa. All academic languages will naturally follow the most advanced nation in that field."

"Ah… Makes sense. I've learned something new."

Oliver expressed his gratitude for this newfound knowledge.

Yareli looked at Oliver and felt something she couldn't quite describe.

She had accompanied him to assess him, as per her grandmother's instructions. However, the longer she spent with him, the more enigmatic he became.

Despite showing no indications of being a warlock, he occasionally broached unsettling topics with casual ease.

His jokes consisted predominantly of dark humor tinged with discrimination and sarcasm, yet his demeanor was remarkably constructive.

Two entirely contrasting facets coexisted within him, and neither seemed like an act. Both aspects felt seamlessly integrated.

‘Maybe it's natural…'

Yareli recalled Zenon's typical comportment.

He never complained about being ignored by students or receiving unfair work assignments from other staff at the Magic Tower.

Enduring such situations required more than just patience or pretense.

‘It's really his nature. In addition, he also operated as Solver Dave, who even the wizards of the Magic Tower acknowledged as dangerous.'

Yareli recollected the enigmatic Solver known as Dave, a figure her grandmother had spoken of.

Dave had emerged seemingly from nowhere in the shadowy underworld of Landa, performing feats that were extraordinary for an individual. He wasn't just strong; he possessed the skills to negotiate with the criminal syndicate. The story of his unofficial alliance with the city was well-known, making him someone of interest to both the light and dark sides of Landa.

Zenon and Dave. They formed a combination that felt almost like a dual personality.

To be completely honest, Yareli still hadn't fully come to terms with the idea that Zenon and Dave were the same person. She only grasped it because it was right in front of her.

So, during their time here, Yareli continued to ask questions, driven by both her grandmother's wishes and her own curiosity, all in an effort to comprehend the enigma of Zenon and Dave.

‘Of course, it's only getting more confusing.'

"It seems to be over there."

Suddenly, Oliver's voice broke through Yareli's contemplation.

Snapped back to reality by Oliver's call, Yareli noticed a building perched on a hill above the village.

It may not have matched the opulent mansions of Landa's upper class, but it was a sizable structure, likely the residence of the village's notable figures.

"Qu' est-ce (Who is it)?"

As Oliver and Yareli approached the building, a voice rang out.

The source of the voice was on the roof, where a middle-aged woman with short gray hair tied back stood.

She seemed to be in her 50s and appeared remarkably healthy compared to other women of her age that Oliver had encountered.

‘It's exactly like in the pictures.' Oliver thought, recalling the photographs provided by Carver.

Carver, now the Minister of Internal Affairs in the city due to Shamus's ABC case, had investigated Ark Orphanage to assist Oliver. This included gathering information about the orphans, staff, and the director.

"Is it Director Amelin?"

Oliver inquired, looking up at the roof, while Yareli translated his words into Galosian.

To their surprise, the response came back in a different language.

"Yes. You two young people from the United Kingdom?"

"Do you speak the kingdom's language?"

"A little. Just a moment."

Director Amelin of Ark Orphanage descended from the roof using a ladder. Despite her apparent age, she moved with ease and showed no signs of discomfort.

"I've been studying it recently," she stated crisply.

"But people from the kingdom don't usually know, so who are you two?"

Oliver was taken aback by this unexpected situation. Carver had provided no information suggesting that Director Amelin was proficient in the kingdom's language. It appeared she had genuinely acquired this skill recently.

"We are from Landa in the United Kingdom."

"Landa? You mean the free city of Landa?"

Director Amelin inquired with a warm smile.

"Yes."

"Ah… Nice to meet you. Coincidentally, a child I know is also in Landa. But why are two young people from Landa here?"

Oliver looked at Yareli, recalling their conversation from the previous night at the inn.

"We're acquaintances of Paladin Joanna."

***

Thud.

Director Amelin of Ark Orphanage welcomed Oliver and Yareli into her office and personally served them coffee.

From the aroma, it didn't appear to be made from the finest coffee beans.

"Thank you. The coffee is delicious."

Oliver sipped the coffee and expressed his gratitude. He had learned the art of appreciating whatever the host offered.

"I appreciate you saying so."

Whether it was the correct response or not, the director settled into a seat across from them, wearing a smile.

She exuded an air of vitality and composure, a departure from the orphanage directors Oliver had encountered before.

"Do you know Joanna?"

"Yes… More accurately, I got help from her."

Oliver slightly altered his response. It was a half-truth, so it didn't weigh too heavily on his conscience.

‘It's a fact that I got out into the world thanks to her.'

"It's interesting. Never thought someone who knows her from across the sea would come here."

"We happened to be visiting the area. We had some spare time, so we took the liberty of coming here."

"No, don't worry. It's rather delightful."

The orphanage director genuinely expressed her pleasure.

"But how do you wizards know her? In Landa, do Paladins and wizards interact well?"

"Ah, strictly speaking, we are not official wizards. I am a regular employee, and this person is a student. And no, they don't interact well. We just happened to meet."

Director Amelin blinked her aging eyelids, revealing a hint of nostalgia and a touch of regret.

Her sentiments were directed toward Joanna.

"……I see. But what kind of help did you receive? Is it something dangerous?"

"No, it's not like that. Just…… She gave me some advice."

"Advice?"

"Yes. I happened to meet her when I was contemplating something, and her advice was very helpful."

Relieved by words that cleverly blended truths and falsehoods, the director remarked,

"That's a relief. I was worried since she has been abroad, but it's good to know she is doing well."

As Oliver was sensing a disconcerting discordance, as if a pebble had slipped into his shoe, amid the director's genuine relief, the director inquired,

"Do you happen to know if that child is still doing well? I've heard the affluent city of Landa can be harsh."

"……?"

Oliver tilted his head slightly. He detected an awkwardness in the director's words.

It seemed as though she believed Joanna was still in Landa.

Oliver and Yareli exchanged glances.

"Well……"

-Knock. Knock.

Just as Oliver was about to respond, a knock echoed at the door to the director's office.

With the director's permission, a young girl with black hair entered.

"Director."

"What is it? We have a guest."

As the two conversed, Oliver focused intently on reading their emotions.

Instead of irritation, estrangement, anger, or resentment towards the girl, the director held feelings of affection and responsibility in her heart. The black-haired girl, too, displayed respect, trust, and love for the director, rather than fear, anger, hatred, or alienation.

It was an unexpected discovery in an orphanage.

"Ah, sorry, director…… The pump in the back broke. We need to call someone."

Director Amelin sighed.

"Ahh…… More trouble. Well, it’s old, so it's about time. Send someone to the village. We have stored water for-"

"Excuse me, director."

Upon receiving Yareli's translation, Oliver cautiously interjected. All eyes turned toward him.

"If it's alright, may I take a look?"

***

"Waouh super!”

In the garden behind the Ark Orphanage,

Oliver, with his coat off, was repairing the pump.

A child who appeared to be around seven or eight years old admired him.

"What did he say?"

"He said it's amazing."

Yareli, standing beside him, translated.

"Can you tell him I appreciate the compliment?"

Yareli conveyed Oliver's gratitude as requested.

The children whispered among themselves and giggled.

Their expressions, gestures, voices, and emotional states all seemed quite different from the orphans Oliver was familiar with.

They appeared generally cheerful and full of energy.

"The repair is complete."

Oliver announced as he tidied up the tools he had borrowed from the orphanage.

Upon hearing his response, the director manually operated the pump, and soon enough, water gushed out.

"You're amazing. When did you learn to do this?"

Yareli asked in astonishment.

Oliver almost mentioned that he had learned it while installing equipment for producing blood elixirs but decided it wasn't appropriate and offered a more vague response.

"I picked it up along the way."

"Ah… I see."

Yareli responded with a skeptical look. It appeared she sensed that he was evading the question, though it wasn't clear why she felt that way.

As Oliver and Yareli exchanged silent glances, the director interjected.

"Thank you for your help. It could have been troublesome; you've been a big help."

"I'm glad I could help."

Upon hearing Oliver's response, the director gazed at him intently for a moment before inquiring,

"……Do you both plan on leaving here today?"

Oliver and Yareli turned to each other.

It was a given. Yareli had only accompanied Oliver, and Oliver hadn't thought beyond coming here.

Oliver tilted his head slightly and replied,

"Maybe?"

The director smiled gently.

"How about spending the night here then? We have things like roof repairs where we could use some help."

"Oh…… That's a good idea."