Part 7: Time Off in Lieu

Oliver Fog: ...Good morning, Miss Vertin.

Oliver Fog: ...
Oliver Fog: Ahem, not really. It's only that I remembered something.
Oliver Fog: It's not really worth mentioning, it's just... um...
Oliver Fog: Oh?
Oliver Fog: Ahem, please... please don't concern yourself with that sort of thing.
Oliver Fog: Actually, I came here for another reason.
Oliver Fog: The day before yesterday, you mentioned an operation planned for today. One that required my participation.
Oliver Fog: I... well, what I mean is, if you could... compensate me for my day off in some other way... then I might, well, that is to say it's not impossible for me to, let's say, make an exception and take on another shift.
Vertin: Is that so? Well... the thing is, the matter has been resolved.
Oliver Fog: ...Resolved?
Vertin: To be precise, on the evening of our conversation, you and Mr. Knight appear to have worked together to resolve the issue.
Oliver Fog: When? Wait... You mean those critters?
Vertin: Yes. we received word about a horde of critters in that forest known to attack humans.
Vertin: Those critters would usually hide in the forest's fog during the day and only strike at night.
Vertin: Therefore, I had hoped that today, during the daytime, you could absorb the fog to help us locate that particular critter horde.
Oliver Fog: ... And why not at night?
Oliver Fog: ... Thank you, Miss Vertin, for so kindly respecting my rights to education.
Vertin: Since you and Mr. Knight already handled the critter situation, there is no need for you to remain at work today.
Oliver Fog: ... I can't help but feel something is amiss here.
Oliver Fog: That's right!
Oliver Fog: What about Mr. Knight? You told me he would be unable to participate in today's operation for some reason, but that night he and I ... defeated those critters alone.
Oliver Fog: A day off?
Vertin: Correct. He told me he wished to spend the day paying tribute to his fallen brothers-in-arms... Men who chose to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to give hope to others.
Oliver Fog: ...
Oliver Fog: Miss Vertin.
Oliver Fog: Although I still hate the fog and the other Fogwalkers just as much as I did before...
Oliver Fog: I feel as though I understand them a little more.
Oliver Fog: Perhaps there is nothing I can do to put an end to the fog of London.
Oliver Fog: But if I evade my responsibilities and duties like this, then I'll surely be depriving myself of that hope.
Oliver Fog: The hope my father died trying to preserve.
Oliver Fog: Vertin, I'm determined to clear the fog in London. Not only as a Fogwalker but also as someone who has seen the glorious light of the sun.
Oliver Fog: ... I want to become someone who can clear the fog and bring hope to others.
Oliver Fog: To this end, I intend to study hard and secure a place at the University of Cambridge.
Vertin: And what motivated you to make this decision?
Oliver Fog: I believe that, compared to pursuing a life engaged in arcanism alone, it would be better for me to become a Cabinet Secretary, guiding our nation's politicians in the formulation and regulation of our nation's laws.
Oliver Fog: Miss Vertin, why are you looking at me so strangely? Is there some unseen flaw in my plan?
Vertin: No, Oliver, there's nothing wrong with it. Perhaps it's only that your plan is so fitting for you that I'm at a loss for words.
Oliver Fog: Then I shall feel honored to have your approval, Miss Vertin.
Oliver Fog: Anyway, I'll say goodbye now. I haven't finished my work for today just yet.
Oliver Fog: ...
Oliver Fog: By the way, there was one more thing I wanted to say.
Oliver Fog: Thank you, Miss Vertin.
Oliver Fog: Oh yes, and please convey my gratitude to Mr. Knight for me.
Oliver Fog: Please tell him ... that perhaps I will never become a knight, but I will not rest until I become myself.
Oliver Fog: Oliver Fog, the Fogwalker of London.