Chapter 290: Chapter 139: Unsealed
Meanwhile, Secret Investigation Department officers scattered throughout the city had also made some progress.
The Sealers and Retired Investigators led by Balats were the fastest. They had already pushed deep into the residential area of Yidrisu District, killing dozens of rioters who were taking advantage of the chaos and, while they were at it, clearing out the aberrations that had been corrupted by the dark clouds.
"Balats, will Director Nifa be alright there by herself?"
"Hmm?"
"I just feel like the situation over at the Cathedral isn’t good..." a long-retired Investigator said, looking with a grave expression at the black lightning above the Cathedral.
Balats glanced over, then turned and continued to advance deeper into Yidrisu District. "Keep pushing," he said in a hoarse voice. "We must eliminate all aberrations before dawn."
"All teams, be advised: if you find a level-two aberration, signal immediately. I’ll go take care of it!"
"Yes!"
Balats sighed to himself. ’Even though I don’t know what Nifa’s objective is, in this situation, my only choice is to trust that she’ll be careful.’
’Otherwise, the Secret Investigation Department, already traumatized by Ales’s departure, will find it even harder to carry on.’
The Combat Department, led by Albert in Basil District, and the Logistics Department, led by Dorff in Ruer District, were doing the same thing: restoring order to the streets as best they could.
"Lisi, what was that pillar of light just now?"
"That must have been Archbishop Andrews praying for the Dawn to respond..." Lisi hesitated for a moment. "It looks like something has happened inside the Cathedral, too."
"Who would attack the Cathedral at a time like this?" Marco flicked his ponytail, looking considerably more relaxed. "Everything tonight has been too bizarre. I have a feeling this isn’t the Ernst Clan’s handiwork."
"Of course it isn’t them."
Yegor, black blade in hand, cut down the surrounding aberrations one by one. Frowning, he asked, "Lisi, besides that time Wei’en went to the Cathedral on a mission, have you noticed any other recent changes in Tina?"
Lisi looked at the small figure over at the Cathedral and fell silent for a long moment. "Other than the clown doll she’s holding, there have been no changes."
"That’s strange..."
"I think it’s strange, too," Marco said, hearing their conversation. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Tina has undergone an aberration before, but never one this drastic."
"And did you notice? Ever since the clown lost control, Tina has been acting really strange."
At this, Marco paused, searching for the words to accurately describe his thoughts. "I... I feel like she’s being controlled..."
"Controlled?!"
Lisi and Yegor’s hearts skipped a beat. They exchanged a look, and it was as if they could both see the same thought in the other’s mind—Ales!
"Chief, what do you think?"
"Hmm... It’s very possible!" Yegor’s brow furrowed. "Within this city, no one understands Tina’s condition better than he does. And do you remember that time she was gone for several days?"
"Three days!" Lisi said with certainty. "I remember it clearly. It was on the third day of Tina’s absence that A... that *he* had you tell me to go pick her up."
"What are you two talking about? What three days? Her?" Marco looked at them suspiciously.
"So it is..."
Yegor exhaled a long plume of smoke, his gaze fixed on Krimms Cathedral. "I think I know why Director Nifa stayed there now..."
"But why would he do it?" Lisi was utterly shocked. "Besides, Albert and Deputy Director Balats already checked and confirmed things in Laos District. How could he possibly have fooled them?"
"The detection potion isn’t foolproof. There are many abilities that can evade its effects," Yegor said in a low voice. "If it really is him, then everything that’s happened tonight... it all makes sense..."
"Huh?"
"It’s probably because of that incident. That makes sense. Even I, who lived through the tragedy of the Investigation Department losing over half its members, can’t let it go. So how could he...?"
"What the hell, who are you two talking about?" Marco was exasperated. He understood every word they were saying, but when put together, he couldn’t for the life of him figure out who they meant.
Lisi ignored him. Suppressing the shock in his heart, he gritted his teeth and asked, "So, should we head over there now?"
"No need!"
Yegor shook his head. Watching Dorff and the others up ahead, he started walking to catch up. "Whether it’s him or not, what’s happening over there is beyond our ability to interfere."
"But what about Tina and the clown?"
"If it really comes to that, our only choice will be to temporarily withdraw from Caster."
’Withdraw...’
Lisi bit his lip and glanced back at the sky above the distant Cathedral. The two figures there—one large, one small, both with white hair and black eyes—seemed to merge into one, making his heart ache.
’Tina, I’m sorry...’
"ARGH—"
Seeing them walk away as if nothing was wrong, Marco couldn’t help but let out an angry shout to vent his burning curiosity.
’Dammit, why are they still talking in riddles at a time like this?’
’Hmph, from now on, I’m not sharing any of my secrets, either! See how you like it when you’re dying to know!’
...
...
「Meanwhile, inside Krimms Cathedral.」
Ales slowly walked through the corridor, past the mural depicting the Dawn Church’s victory over the Goat Race, and stopped before the door to a confessional. "Come on out."
"Old man, is he the ’old friend’ you were talking about?"
Two figures in black robes slowly emerged from the shadows in the corner.
One of them, a figure with a curvaceous silhouette, was none other than Clelia, the one who had left a note for Wei’en warning him to be careful. Seeing the figure before the confessional, she couldn’t help but freeze for a moment.
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