Chapter 206: Chapter 116: Quiet, Don’t Move
Wei’en sized him up for a moment, then said flatly, "According to the Secret Investigation Department’s regulations, you can only learn about the situation by reviewing the case files."
"This is an urgent matter. Count Ernst is waiting for a report," the middle-aged nobleman said, the threat in his voice obvious.
"Then please have the Count contact Director Ales."
Having just survived a battle, the massive boost in his strength gave Wei’en a surge of confidence.
’The entire Caster City State could be turned into a living hell, and you’re still trying to pull rank with the Noble Committee? Are you an idiot?’
"Apologies, Sir Yaro, for interrupting. This area needs to be secured. If you wouldn’t mind, please wait to the side."
The deputy commander of the Ruer District City Guard, Gaid, clearly had no patience for the nobleman. Without waiting for a reply, he had two City Guardsmen lead him away.
"You... you people! How dare you treat me, a decorated and distinguished nobleman, this way?!"
"I’m going to the Committee to report you! I’ll have the Secret Investigation Department and the Council punish you!"
"Just you wait...!"
Wei’en and Gaid exchanged a look, both shrugging nonchalantly. "Thanks for getting me out of that," Wei’en said.
"Don’t mention it," Gaid said, his eyes scanning the scene, lingering on some slime on the ground. "Are they... connected to what happened in the Yidrisu District yesterday?"
"You know about that?"
"Frick sent someone to inform me last night."
Wei’en knew Frick was the person in charge of the City Guard in the Yidrisu District. He thought for a moment before replying, "They are connected. But due to regulations, I can’t tell you any more."
"Knowing that much is enough. We’re counting on you for the rest," Gaid said seriously, thumping his chest with a fist in salute.
Wei’en returned the salute. "It’s the duty of the Secret Investigation Department."
The backup from the Secret Investigation Department wasn’t Lisi and her team, but members of the Combat Department he’d met before in the Basil District.
’Hm, I don’t recognize them.’
But apparently, he had left quite an impression on the Combat Department when he intercepted that Assassin in the Basil District.
"I remember you—Investigator Wei’en from Division One. Saw you in the Basil District. I’m Omod Moranuo, Combat Division One."
The man had curly, dark-blond hair, a weathered face, and a full beard. His uniform was unbuttoned, revealing a muscular build and several vicious scars on his neck.
"Wei’en Loft."
When dealing with a colleague from the Secret Investigation Department, Wei’en couldn’t be as dismissive as he had been with that noble fool.
"Looks like it was a tough fight?" Omod wore a warm smile, but his gray eyes were filled with cold indifference.
To Wei’en, the man’s smile was unsettling.
"You could say that... Mr. Omod, are you in a hurry to report to Minister Albert?"
Omod glanced away from Reinhart’s corpse and said nonchalantly, "The Minister doesn’t care what happened here. He only wants to know who the enemy was."
’What an unexpectedly domineering answer...’
"The Abyssal Sect." Wei’en didn’t hold back. "To be precise, it was Bolsen, a Favored One of the Abyssal Sect. The one on the ground was also a believer."
"A Favored One?"
Omod mulled over the term, sizing Wei’en up, apparently finding it hard to believe he had the strength to stand against such a powerful foe.
"It was a lucky escape."
Wei’en guessed what he was thinking and offered a brief explanation, preparing to take Tina back to the Secret Investigation Department.
"I’m taking this body back with me, then?"
"Be my guest."
Omod didn’t press for details. In the Combat Department he belonged to, everyone had their own tricks for staying alive.
It wasn’t entirely impossible for an Extraordinary who hadn’t yet reached captain-level to escape from a minister-level Extraordinary.
’It was just a feat far beyond his own abilities. He knew he couldn’t have done it...’
After bidding him farewell, Wei’en took Reinhart’s body and headed back to the Secret Investigation Department.
’As for that bellowing Sir Yaro and the strange increase in Holy Professionals from the Dawn Church nearby... what did any of that have to do with him?’
...
...
「At the same time, inside the stone tower housing the City-State’s Core Array.」
"Damn it, Wei’en’s in danger."
Lisi, who had been observing the Array, felt the alarm connector around her neck activate. The color drained from her face.
"Wei’en?" Kali asked, confused. "Isn’t he at the Secret Investigation Department?"
"I don’t know. I just hope it’s not Clelia attacking him again. I have to go now..."
Before Lisi could exit the stone tower, she ran right into Yegor, who was rushing toward her.
"Your timing is perfect. Wei’en’s in danger, and I need to go see what’s happening."
Seeing him, Lisi visibly relaxed. The Rune Array was just as important, and with Yegor here, she knew it was in good hands.
"Wei’en is in danger? Then you shouldn’t go. Tina is with him, so he should be fine."
"Tina... You knew what they were going to do?"
"I sent them to investigate the scholars in this area. But let’s put that aside for now."
Yegor’s usual laziness was gone, replaced by a serious expression. "There is something more important I need you and Ms. Kali to handle."
Lisi’s expression shifted as she saw the look on his face.
Based on her understanding of Yegor, that expression meant one of two things: there was a major mission from the Department, or he was angry.
"Minister, what is the mission?"
"I have already reported the situation here to Director Ales and Deputy Director Balats. After a discussion among the top brass, it has been decided that the Secret Investigation Department will take full responsibility for the City-State Array."
"..."
"Furthermore, based on the speculation of Director Ales and the other deputy directors, what’s happening here most likely involves the upper echelons of the city-state—certain individuals within the Council or the Noble Committee. So..."
