Chapter 969: The Revival of Hextech Laboratory
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General Kingsman was silent for a moment before opening his mouth. "As you already know, we are suspecting that the incidents that happened previously are somewhat related to the re-emergence of the Hextech Laboratory."
"And based on the fact that they are targeting some young talented individuals, they are most likely trying to restore the 'Project Genius' that have been banned by the World Government before."
"You should know what kind of immoral acts the Hextch Laboratory back then. They are not only sacrificing young people, but they are also using those young talents as lab rats."
Nathan understood very well how evil the 'Project Genius' was. As someone who personally participated in the raid, he witnessed what happened to the young people with his own eyes. What General Kingsman had said was an understatement, what he had witnessed in there was much more horrifying.
Nathan silently listened to General Kingsman before asking. "Do you have enough evidence to prove their connection?"
General Kingsman didn't reply immediately as he hesitated. But he gritted his teeth and continued, regardless. "I must admit. We still don't have enough evidence for that."
"But-… We have a lead where we can get that evidence," pausing for a moment the general sent a confidential file before continuing. "As you can see, our people are pursuing a high-profile criminal before the incident happened."
"That criminal is the 'Berserker', the person responsible for the 'Bloody New Year Massacre'. We have been pursuing this for a long time. And recently, when my men are investigating, they discover that the Berserker is meeting up with a certain doctor."
"This so-called doctor seems to be your average doctor, on the surface and on paper, at the very least."
"But when we try to look deeper into his profile, we discover something strange. The records of that doctor are very clean, so clean that you will not suspect anything, which is very suspicious."
"The records say that he is an orphan. His parents die during a huge accident that occurred in the Dark Continent, the 'Flight 005 Fall'. It is an accident where a huge military air carrier fells at the center of a city, leading to a huge calamity."
"It is a huge incident, investigating it is very easy. But that is also how far we can get. It later leads us to a dead end. We can no longer get farther from there."
Nathan seemed to have gotten impatient and cut the general off. "I get it, already. Just go straight to the point and tell me what is the connection between this so-called doctor and the 'Berserker'."
General Kingsman nodded his head and continued. "Since we can't get anything from the doctor, we choose to focus our attention back on the Berserker. And that is when we realize the real identity of that doctor."
"Due to a careless mistake on the Berserker's side, we discover is a part of an organization in the underworld, the Dark Hall, one of the Major Factions of the Shadow Alliance."
"Following the lead that we have, he finally narrowed down the possible people that can fit the doctor's profile. And it is not long when we discover that he is most likely the 'Coffin Maker', the Shadow Assassin blacklisted by the World Government, also a core member of the Dark Hall."
Pausing for a moment, the general cleared his throat before continuing. "Here is the interesting part. Based on the file reports that we receive from the World Government, Coffin Maker is the one responsible for the 'Flight 005 Fall' incident, alongside a few accomplices."
"And at that time, it is reported that few of the victims of that incident are researchers from some prestigious researcher centers under the World Government's jurisdiction."
Hearing those words, Nathan finally caught on and said solemnly. "So, you are telling me that those researchers are most likely alive and are now working with the Dark Hall, whether they are being forced or join that side willingly."
General Kingsman didn't admit nor deny it. But instead said. "We are still investigating this matter. But since the previous movements of the Berserker and the Coffin Maker are very worrying, we lack the manpower to do it."
Nathan thought for a moment as he understood what the other side wanted him to do. Given his abilities, it would not be a problem for him, but there was still the nagging feeling that was telling him they had missed something.
"Taking care of Berserker and Coffin Maker will not be a problem. But it seems like you are still missing something," he said, voicing out his doubts.
"Based on the energy residuals left in the scene, I am quite sure that it is not Berserker's doing, nor Coffin Maker who is clearly an assassin," he added.
General Kingsman nodded his head before replying. "You are right about that. This is the reason why we are very careful in this matter."
Nathan cut the general's words once again and spoke. "Moreover, you are still not telling me how is this case related to Hextech Laboratory."
"Those 'missing' researchers may be somewhat related. But it can also mean that the Dark Hall is just making their own research and experiments, just like the rest of the Shadow Alliance."
"As for the mysterious disappearance of the young talented individuals, it can be a whole other case. A third party may be using the presence that the Berserk and Coffin Maker as a distraction."
General Kingsman nodded his head and agreed. "We are also aware of that possibility and not ignoring it."
He then paused for a moment before continuing with a solemn tone. "But the real reason that we are focusing on the connection with the Hextech Laboratory is that we receive a tip telling us about the revival of that evil organization."
"It is a very suspicious tip but we receive some evidence of sightings of Doctor Frankenstein, the founder of that very organization," he added before Nathan could even say anything. He also sent another set of files to prove his words.
"We already verified the authenticity of the evidence and all of them are true. We even cross-check it with the organizations operating in the places where he is sighted, and all of them said that they are also looking for him."
Read through the files thoroughly with a heavy expression on his face before asking. "If it is true that Doctor Frankenstein really reappears, then this matter should be handed to the Elder's Court immediately."
"It is something that we can't handle alone, even with our strength. Even I am not confident to face such an old monster," he added, admitting that he was not a match for the legendary doctor who achieved an unrivaled power through immoral researchers.
In Nathan's perspective, only old monsters like his father or Professor Plum were the only ones who could face such a powerful individual as well as Grandmaster Benn and the other old monsters with the Elder's Court.
"You think we haven't thought about it?" said General Kingsman skeptically.
After that, the expression on his face suddenly turned solemn before continuing with a heavy tone. "But from the tip that we received, it says that we can't trust the Elder's Court with this. It says that there is a traitor among the elders and we can't trust them until the traitor is found."
Nathan's face suddenly turned cold before giving a warning. "You better be careful at your words, General Kingsman. Accusing the elders without enough evidence is a grave mistake."
"I am not that stupid. Of course, I am aware of the consequences. That is why we are not making our move until everything is proven," replied the general with a bitter tone.
He then looked at Nathan with complete seriousness before continuing. "Which is why we decided to share this information with you. Not only do you have a powerful backer, but you also have the strength to protect yourself if something went wrong."
After pausing for a moment, the general continued. "I am not sure about this but it seems like the other side already caught on our suspicion. We are no longer safe if we continue to investigate further."
Nathan couldn't help but laugh when he heard those words. "So, you are just handling me the job since it is too dangerous for you to continue. You truly live up to your name, cowardly general."
The corner of General Kingsman's mouth twitched when he heard those words but didn't dare to refute them. Moreover, it was true that he was known to be an overly cautious general in the Military Circle. But Nathan's words were too excessive to describe his nature.
After that, he continued. "Anyways, we are entrusting you with the matter regarding Berserker and Coffin Maker as well as the organization behind them. Don't worry about using your forces as we will give full authority in it as well as access to the Eastern Sea Region without breaking the jurisdiction agreement."
Nathan thought for a moment before asking. "Then what you are going to do?"
General Kingsman quickly answered. "We are going to focus our forces on investigating the mysterious disappearance of the young talented individuals and see if we can get any leads that will connect with the Hextech Laboratory."
He then paused for another time before adding. "We are also planning to post a request mission in the Top Military School and Magic Ace University for the special operation."
"Of course, it is a special mission that requires strict criteria. After all, looking for the young masters and misses of the great families and other organizations are too high-profiled, which will make the opposing side too suspicious, so students with such backgrounds are automatically disqualified."
Nathan's interest was suddenly piqued and asked curiously. "Can you tell me what are the criteria for this request mission?"
"I am quite interested in it. I may even recommend some capable individuals if you want."
General Kingsman looked at Nathan weirdly as he could feel that the latter seemed to be plotting something. Regardless, he still answered. "Well, the criteria are quite strict but also very simple-…"
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