Genius Warlock

Chapter 226

Forrest visited the Angels House with Oliver and Ewan.

This marked Oliver's fifth visit to the place.

During his previous visits, he went there once to receive a request from Edith, and the other times were to acquire makeup skills from Coco.

Alongside his makeup lessons, he also learned other skills such as brewing coffee, dressing appropriately, and giving compliments to women.

‘I wonder if I've learned them properly.'

Upon opening the red main door and stepping inside, they were greeted by a magnificent interior. Fortunately, Ewan appeared to be impressed and showed his appreciation by snapping his fingers and exclaiming in admiration.

"Mamma Mia...! I like it."

"I'm glad you like it. Let's go in."

As they went further in, ladies in revealing outfits appeared and greeted Oliver.

"Oh, Dave?"

"Nice to see you, Dave. What brings you here?"

"Are you here to see Coco, Dave?"

"Dave, why haven't you been coming lately?"

The greetings were genuinely warm, not just the usually forced smiles for entertaining guests.

Oliver, as always, reciprocated with sincere greetings to each of them as a matter of courtesy.

Upon seeing this, Ewan looked at Oliver with a mix of jealousy, while Forrest stared at him with trembling pupils.

"...Dave?"

"Yes, nice to meet you, Ms. Maria... Huh? What's the matter, Mr. Forrest?"

Forrest still seemed unable to accept the situation, looking at Oliver with trembling pupils. His reaction hadn't been like this even when they were attacked earlier.

"Hmm... Do you visit this place often?"

"Yes... I've visited a few times. This is my sixth time?"

"Oh, my God, goodness gracious..."

Forrest muttered in shock beyond description.

"Did I make a mistake?"

"No, it's not a mistake, but... It feels like I've witnessed the death of the last innocence in the world. It's natural for a Solver to visit places like this often, but you... Oh, my God."

"It seems you've taken a big shock."

A calm voice, as if meant to soothe the soul, could be heard. Upon turning their heads, they saw Elizabeth, the owner, and madam of the Angels House.

Despite her advanced age, Elizabeth's pure white hair resembled clouds and radiated a serene and intellectual charm.

"Elizabeth."

"Forrest."

Forrest and Elizabeth addressed each other by name, suggesting that they knew each other. This wasn't surprising, given that Landa was a vast but closely-knit place, particularly in the underworld.

"I've heard rumors recently. You've successfully completed a big job? Congratulations. Talented men always find their heyday."

"No, it was just good luck."

Forrest spoke with humility, but his sincerity was apparent. He regarded his achievements as mere luck and not a result of his own abilities.

"In this city, luck is also a skill to be valued. It doesn't just come by itself."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"Don't mention it. Thank you again for visiting. It doesn't seem like you're here for a celebration party... What brings you here?" asked Elizabeth, looking at Oliver and Ewan. She didn't know the full story, but her women's intuition and experience in this business told her that this was not a typical visit.

"I came in a hurry to treat the precious guest who saved my life... Do you have a room available?"

"Ah... Of course. Should I prepare the girls as well?"

"I'd appreciate that."

As the proprietor of the establishment, Elizabeth clapped her hands and issued orders to the employees.

A friendly staff member with a professional smile escorted Oliver and his group to a room adorned with antique furniture. The sofas were arranged in a ‘U' shape, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

"It sure does seem like you're close with the girls here. You a regular 'round here, or what?"

Ewan sat down, put his legs on the table, and asked.

Oliver sat on the sofa behind Forrest and answered.

"A regular?"

Although it had been over a year since Oliver had met Kent and Forrest, he was still curious about their professional relationship. He realized that he knew very little about their work together as colleagues.

"It's a bit personal."

"Oh, that's even better. Ain't nothin' more thrillin' than pokin' around in someone's personal business, am I right? It's like findin' out your wife's been runnin' around or learnin' your kid ain't your own flesh and blood... So, come on now, tell me what happened between you and Kent!"

Ewan boldly demanded an answer while casually munching on a side dish, seemingly unconcerned about Forrest's emotional state. Forrest found it difficult to respond to such a direct request, feeling uneasy but also taking into account that Oliver was present.

Sensing Forrest's discomfort, Ewan took a sip of his drink and even lit a cigar he had surreptitiously brought in from the limousine.

"You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours, am I right? If you don't answer my question, I reckon I won't be too keen on answering yours either."

"......?"

"It wouldn't be right if only one of us was answerin' questions, now would it? Besides, if you don't answer, my friend here won't get to hear an answer."

Ewan pointed to Oliver as if to pressure him. Forrest looked at Oliver with a poker face, feeling confused, and took a sip of alcohol.

Usually, Forrest would have found a way to handle it, but the question itself was a problem, and the opponent was too difficult. He demanded an answer regardless of the interests involved.

It seemed like he was doing it on purpose.

“Now, partner, I gotta ask – ain't you a little curious too 'bout how that broker and the fella who introduced you two split ways? Judgin' by the way y'all are carryin' on, it's gotta be one heck of a dramatic tale, am I right?"

That was true.

While Oliver was interested in hearing about how Forrest and Kent's relationship had ended, he hadn't explicitly asked for details.

Despite Kent introducing Oliver to Forrest, there seemed to be a discrepancy in the story of how Kent had gone from being a Solver to a beggar, and this raised questions in Oliver's mind.

Initially, Oliver had thought it might be a good opportunity to hear the story, but upon seeing Forrest's discomfort and awkward emotions, he changed his mind. He realized that such stories should only be shared voluntarily.

"Mr. Ewan."

"Well, shucks! For some reason, I got a feelin' that the story might turn out to be a tad on the uninterestin' side."

"Can you please hold back on that question?"

"Why? Aren't you curious?"

"To be honest, I am curious. However, I think that one should talk about such things when they feel like talking about it."

"Why’s that?"

"Because that would be the most truthful."

"Well now, partner! You sure do sound wise with them words of yours, talkin' 'bout truthfulness and all. But, don't you reckon it's a mite unfair to call me over when you're curious, and then ask me to hold back on my questions? Ain't that a bit pushy, if you ask me?"

Oliver tried to say that it was because it was a personal matter, but he soon gave up. Such things wouldn't be important to this person. Moreover, he himself had such a tendency.

As Oliver pondered how to respond, a female employee sitting next to him whispered softly in his ear. In the past, Oliver had helped her when she was struggling with a customer's dispute.

Oliver looked at the woman, and she nodded her head as if telling him to trust her.

"I hope the handsome and generous Mr. Ewan would kindly understand."

"Heh, you ain't foolin' me with no flattery, partner! That was a mighty risky move on your part, but I ain't takin' the bait. Not a chance."

"If you understand, the employees here will tell the owner and provide special service."

Ewan hesitated for a moment.

"Well, dang it! Handsome and generous I can't help but give in, but don't go thinkin' it's gonna be that easy, partner!"

"Then...?"

"I was plannin' on answerin' most of your questions today. I got a bit of a soft spot for the folk who helped my disciple, so I was feeling generous... it ain't easy for me to feel this way."

His words were sincere.

"Well now, my feelin's are a little hurt, so I reckon I'll only be answerin' one question for ya. Just one. And if that ain't enough for ya, then forget it."

Upon receiving the unilateral notification, Forrest gestured to Oliver that he would answer, but Oliver assured him that it was alright. Although he was curious about the story, he also recognized the importance of allowing Forrest to share it at his own discretion, when he felt comfortable doing so.

"Understood. Then, I will only ask one question."

"Are you really sure 'bout this? It ain't easy gettin' an answer outta me, and truth be told, I got a bit of wanderlust in my bones and some debts to pay off, so I could hightail it outta here any minute now."

"Then, I can come find you."

Ewan's words were momentarily blocked.

"...Oh, That gives me goosebumps just thinkin' 'bout it – a fella chasin' after me!. Tell me, what ya curious about? Are ya curious about the magic item I made, as ya mentioned in the letter? Or are ya curious about the Anti-Development committee?"

Oliver opened his mouth without any hesitation.

"Tick Tock. Tick Tock. The clock has started ticking... By any chance, do you know anything about what this phrase means?"

(To be Continued)

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