Emily didn't put her luggage in the trunk; she directly entered the back seat of the police car.
The large suitcase took up one seat.
Aozawa walked over to the front passenger seat.
His visible Noble Phantasm is called Will-o'-the-wisp, which looks like a glove that can be worn without taking up space.
Sienas laughed, feeling relaxed inside, as he quickly sat in the driver's seat and struggled to fasten the seatbelt.
Usually, he's too lazy to buckle it.
Today, entertaining foreign guests, he had to put on a show.
"The director has prepared a welcoming banquet at a high-end restaurant near Celeste Hotel for both of you."
Emily tapped her suitcase and said directly, "Really? The hotel isn't necessary; let's head directly to the banquet venue."
The suitcase is filled with remnants of the distant City of Ideals, with no clothes inside.
Things like toothpaste and towels aren't needed.
With her wealth, she can buy them here.
Bringing luggage is no easy task.
When conditions allow, Emily absolutely won't compromise.
Sienas was slightly stunned but still nodded, "Alright, we'll head directly to the banquet venue now."
...
Just 30 or 40 meters east of Celeste Hotel, there's a Michelin-rated Western restaurant.
No comment on the taste, but the restaurant's decor is quite sophisticated.
Director Aiman Pino got the call and immediately had six trusted aides welcome Emily at the entrance.
Pino is uncertain of Emily's true identity.
He is simply instructed by higher-ups to fully cooperate.
The undertone suggests involvement in a major case.
This instills a bit of fear in Pino's heart.
Others might not know, but he is aware that the bureau can't withstand any scrutiny.
The poor security in the Philippines is not without reason.
Cops are busy earning side income, who has the heart to handle those illegal activities?
Faced with kidnappings in the Philippines, some prefer paying ransom, even if it means not reporting to the police.
Because in the police department, anyone could be a partner of the kidnappers.
In that case, it's not just about money but a direct execution.
After all, people familiar with the Philippines often wonder if it can even be considered to be a modern society.
Looking back at the Eastern Great Nation's history, it's akin to the noble clans politics of the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties.
Hundreds of political families block all pathways to advancement.
The power of the central government seldom penetrates local areas, unless through external force.
The current president is from a typical comprador family, once planning to rely on the U.S. Army to strengthen his own authority.
Yet, he encountered a series of major events.
After finally stabilizing, the United States began a presidential election, replacing the president.
David completely disregarded those compradors previously nurtured outside by the U.S.
He attacked the pro-American faction fiercely.
Thinking their actions aren't democratic at all; they're practically embodiments of evil.
Making the current president live days with his tail between his legs.
If Pino doesn't serve these two foreign guests well, he might be removed from his position by the president.
He doesn't want to lose his director position, being fifty-six, still young, enough to contribute nine more years to the Philippines.
Pino stood at the entrance, watching a police car arriving, immediately calling people nearby.
The band and cannons instantly sounded; the police car stopped.
Neither Emily nor Aozawa needed to open the door themselves; Pino stepped forward swiftly, opened the car door for them with a big smile, and said, "Welcome to Manila, both of you.
I'm Aiman Pino; please advise me."
"Hmm."
Emily's attitude was calm.
Just one look at this man's face and tone, she could basically determine the guy isn't good.
But she didn't care.
This time, her main target is the Ganqi Cult.
As for other crimes, they're beyond her jurisdiction.
Even if she found evidence of Aiman Pino's unlawful acts, she can only hand it over to the local government.
She doesn't have the right to decide on matters outside the Ganqi Cult, as per internationally recognized rules.
"The mighty dragon doesn't overpower the local snake."
"I'm Emily, and this is my colleague, Aozawa."
Emily briefly introduced herself, then carried her big suitcase out of the car.
Pino watched her easily lift a suitcase taller than himself; her arm strength was truly terrifying.
"We have already prepared a welcoming banquet to help wash away the fatigue of your flight."
Pino turned his body and led the two forward.
Aozawa didn't speak.
Primarily because he didn't understand.
Without using Global Travel, he didn't have the language translation function.
Although the other party spoke English, not Filipino, Aozawa has always been weak in English.
Emily voiced responses to the director's pleasantries.
Though unwilling in her heart, she understood that cooperating with local police is essential for a swift investigation.
At least she needed to alleviate this guy's concerns and make him understand that she wasn't here specifically to investigate him.
Once the Ganqi Cult's issue is solved, she can return to her country.
But if the investigation doesn't go smoothly, she might have to stay longer and uncover more matters.
Emily used both soft and hard tactics, making Pino nod repeatedly.
As long as it's not probing into his corruption or kidnapping and extortion, other matters don't matter.
He would certainly fully cooperate, letting others bear the misfortune.
...
Manila is never short of slums, nor is it short of assassins or people who aspire to be assassins.
Age doesn't matter, a piece of bread could make anyone take up a gun to kill.
It's not that they are desperate for bread, but that piece of bread serves as a ticket to join a certain family.
Noble clans are a topic hard to avoid in the Philippines, with every family controlling the upper echelon.
Using families as the nexus, their power extends downward, squeezing the middle class, reaching the lower class, turning the entire nation into a distorted social system.
As a result, the bottom-tier citizens consider serving a family as an honor.
They don't care if their actions are right or wrong; nobody teaches them those.
In the slums, knowledge is treasured.
Morality is a costly quality.
Only loyalty stands apart.
Families might not demand good or bad moral qualities from their people, focusing merely on one word: loyalty.
The disloyal surely die.
Conversely, loyal people can commit any wrongdoing without being held accountable.
Mickey is a member of the current president Max's family.
For three generations his ancestors served the Max family, primarily dealing with underground forces in the slums.
Amidst the intricate road conditions and the pervasive rotten stench in the air, including the people walking the streets, everything looks familiar to him.
He could find his way relaxedly even with his eyes closed.
Mickey arrived at a dilapidated-looking courtyard and knocked on the door.
The courtyard door opened, and a tall, skinny man with a bushy explosion hairdo glanced at him, turned sideways saying, "Come in."
Mickey stepped inside.
The courtyard was quite spacious, where teenagers were chatting and playing. Elsewhere their playing pistols might be toy guns.
But here, they are the real deal.
Anyone daring to underestimate them would greet the storm of deadly bullets.
Mickey approached the house, frisked by guards before being permitted entry.
The living room was spacious, slightly Western-styled in decor.
An old man sat on the leather sofa, silently puffing a cigar.
Four bodyguards stood around.
Mickey stepped forward and said, "Long time no see, Mr. Li; I have a task I want to entrust to you."
Li Cheng exhaled a puff of smoke, asking, "Who to kill?"
"Assassinate these two people."
Mickey presented two photos.
The old man glimpsed at them; a young man and woman were pictured.
"What's the price you're offering?"
"Two hundred thousand; find some rookies to off them; they're not formidable figures."
Mickey did not tell the truth.
If the price was too steep, the other might hesitate, seeking the reason.
Better to offer an insubstantial price initially, trick the other into accepting, ensuring involvement, then increase the price later.
Engage more capable people.
Whether they can eliminate both individuals remains doubtful for Mickey, but he knows Ganqi Cult's operations must remain undisclosed.
If things get out of hand, he'd have to decide to silence others.
Yet, he too could be silenced from the top.
Thus, silence becomes the last resort.
