Chapter 209: Chapter 117: Gunfire Sounds, the Death Knell Tolls
"Director, I am ready."
Albert looked at the parchment in his hand and said, "Combat Department One and Investigation Department Two will be responsible for the eastern part of the city state, including the factory areas of Ruer District and Yidrisu District."
"Combat Department Two and Investigation Department One will be responsible for the western part of the city state, including Basil District and Natali District."
"Finally, according to feedback from Investigators who have previously fought the Abyssal Sect, the Bone-Eating Mother Worm is located near Laos District and Ruer District. I will go and deal with it..."
"Wait, Albert. Isn’t this allocation a bit improper?"
"Vice Director Dorff, what do you suggest?"
"Since the Abyssal Sect members are all in Laos District,"
Dorff scanned the room and said in a low voice, "I suggest that a few of us handle the cleanup to avoid unnecessary casualties."
As soon as he said this, the other high-ranking members all adopted thoughtful expressions.
"Dorff, I don’t recommend that," Balats said, shaking his head after a moment of consideration.
"Why not? I know Minister Albert’s strength is comparable to a Director Level Extraordinary, but we’re up against the Abyssal Sect. This time, their focus is on sacrifice. If something unexpected happens..."
"Let me finish. What I mean is, Vice Director Nifa and I, assisting Albert, will be enough."
"...You and Nifa?"
Dorff was stunned for a moment. He looked at the two people sitting to Ales’s left and right. With their strength, they were indeed enough to solve any problem.
He hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Then Moises and I will stay at headquarters and await the Director’s deployment."
"I second that."
"I second that."
"..."
Seeing that they had settled on a concrete plan of action, Ales spoke up. "Then proceed according to the plan. Eliminate all the parasites as soon as possible to prevent a worse situation from developing."
"Later, I will contact Krist. Once the parasites’ locations are confirmed, the City Guard stationed in each district will assist you in battle."
"Understood!"
Albert and the others stood up, gave their salutes with varying expressions, then turned and left the conference room to make their own preparations.
After most of the people had left, only Ales and his two deputies—Vice Directors Balats and Nifa—remained in the conference room.
"Ales, are you sure you want to go to the slums alone? It’s too risky," Balats said worriedly.
"Heh heh,"
The look of exhaustion on Ales’s face slowly faded. "I was just wondering who to save my final battle for, and then someone delivered themselves right to my door."
"A Director Level from the Abyssal Sect... no matter who it is, they’re worthy enough to accompany me in death."
"You!?"
"Balats," a woman in a veil on the other side said calmly, leaning back in her high-backed chair, "since Ales has already made his decision, just let him go."
"See? Nifa is calmer."
"This isn’t the time to be calm!"
Balats stood up and said angrily, "Ales, I know you’ve never moved on from what happened back then, and you’re unwilling to cooperate with treatment, but..."
"Enough!"
BZZZT! CRACKLE!
Following that low shout, several arcs of lightning flashed out, raging through the surroundings and blasting several tables and chairs to smithereens.
Bathed in the silvery-white light, Ales’s expression was incredibly grim. "Balats, you just need to do what you’re responsible for."
"You..."
"There’s no need to say any more."
Before he could finish, Ales raised a hand, and the electric arcs around him dissipated. "You knew this day would come, sooner or later."
At this point, his gaze gradually softened. He stood up and patted Balats’s shoulder. "After I’m gone, work well with Nifa. The future of the Secret Investigation Department will be up to you two."
"Also, remember to provide cover for me. I don’t want my final battle to be disturbed."
Balats looked at him with a bitter smile. "Ales..."
"Don’t say it, Balats."
Nifa also rose. A tight-fitting black dress accentuated her proud figure. "We should be thinking about how the Secret Investigation Department will manage after Ales is gone."
"Hahaha, that’s right,"
Ales laughed heartily, his spirits soaring as if he had returned to his youth. "Come on, join me for a few drinks. Who knows if there’s even better wine in the next world..."
...
...
When Krimms Cathedral rang its third afternoon bell, everyone from the Secret Investigation Department’s Combat and Investigation Departments had already finished assembling outside the Property Management Department.
The two Vice Directors, Balats and Nifa, stood before the troops, looking at the crowd with solemn expressions.
"I trust you all understand the severity of this incident. The Abyssal Sect is attempting to replicate the cataclysm of Yidrisu City State and bring ruin to Caster City State..."
Wei’en stood in the crowd, flanked by Tina, Marco, and the others, quietly listening to Balats’s speech from the stage.
Judging by the Secret Investigation Department’s current countermeasures, it was at least impossible for the Abyssal Sect to create a Level Three Catastrophe through their sacrificial ritual.
Setting aside the parasites they were clearing out, the very fact that two Vice Directors were being deployed to deal with Matteo demonstrated the Secret Investigation Department’s strength and resolve.
This made him breathe a sigh of relief.
’As expected, the people of this world aren’t fools. Especially when it comes to groups like the Abyssal Sect, which have committed similar atrocities before, every city state has corresponding countermeasures in place.’
But Wei’en was also well aware that this time, it wasn’t just the Abyssal Sect. There was also the Desire Sect lurking in the shadows, and certain people from the Nocturnal City...
However, as long as they dealt with the Abyssal Sect and those parasites, whatever goals those other people had wouldn’t matter.
’With the Level Three Catastrophe averted, could they really just create another one?’
"...That concludes the specific arrangements for this operation. Somlay, you may begin."
Following this, Somlay and several other members of the Property Management Department began distributing equipment that could detect the parasites to everyone.
