Chapter 49: Peace Negotiations

The next day, Luke walked into his office, yawning. Before he even had a chance to sit down, the heads of various departments from the Secret Intelligence Agency barged in.

"Inspector! The elf Clear Sky broke into the Olu Academy last night and stole the Book of Calamity."

"Inspector! The City Administration Office has issued a bounty for Clear Sky... Anyone providing information can receive a reward ranging from a minimum of 1,000 Imperial Marks to a maximum of 100,000 Imperial Marks. Whoever retrieves the Book of Calamity can earn a reward of 2 million Imperial Marks."

"Inspector! Chief Holt from the City Security Bureau wants to see you."

"Inspector! Councilman Vergil, in charge of city security in Nutao, invites you to attend a city safety meeting at 2 PM at the City Administration Office. The agenda is to coordinate the efforts of various city security departments to capture Clear Sky, recover the stolen Book of Calamity and the heart of the Red Dragon Nilcolon, and also Director Willede's staff from the Olu Academy. Since Clear Sky first appeared in the Cape District, you will be questioned about it during the meeting."

"Inspector! The Axebearer Brotherhood..."

Luke stopped his subordinates from talking all at once. "Black Mamba, stay. The rest of you, leave and summarize your findings with Kaylina before she reports back to me."

"Yes, Inspector!"

The room emptied, leaving only Snowlai behind.

Compared to her dejected state yesterday, Snowlai was now full of spirit.

"Inspector, the Axebearer Brotherhood did a fantastic job last night. With over 2,000 reinforcements and enhanced rage potions, they completely caught the attacking enemies off guard. Lambert even led his men to attack and made it all the way to the docks. Now the people who were bullying us are trembling. Tonight, as long as the enhanced rage potions are ready, it's our turn to counterattack."

The situation with the Axebearer Brotherhood was within Luke's expectations. Although the forces attacking them were numerous, they were scattered. The City Security Bureau could support them, but they couldn't organize them openly. On the other hand, Luke had gathered his subordinates under the Secret Intelligence Agency to establish the Flame Sun Smuggling Group, which was different. Not to mention the enhancement from the rage potions.

Another crucial factor was... Clear Sky's attack on the Olu Academy last night had drawn all the attention of the City Administration Office away from the Cape District, making it impossible for them to secretly take action.

Chief Holt from the Cape District Security Bureau wanted to meet, probably realizing that the situation was unfavorable and wanting to negotiate.

Luke said to Snowlai, "Holt wants to meet me... Does he have any ulterior motives?"

"Nobody mentioned the purpose of his visit. Inspector, is it possible that the City Security Bureau sees the sudden change in the situation as unfavorable and wants to mediate?"

"That might be part of the reason."

Snowlai asked, "How do you plan to respond to Holt? The Axebearer Brotherhood is already preparing for revenge tonight against anyone who participated in the attack on them."

Luke thought for a moment. "Send someone to the City Security Bureau and tell Chief Holt that I will meet him on the Lucky Princess ship at the Cape Harbor. Let Piscow go to the ship in advance to make preparations. Then you go to the Axebearer Brotherhood headquarters and tell them... once I meet with Holt, they should launch the retaliation immediately. It needs to be quick, accurate, and ruthless. Finish it before noon."

Upon hearing that the retaliation would be carried out earlier than expected, Snowlai couldn't help but ask, "Inspector, the City Security Bureau issued a warning that no disturbances should occur during the day. If we start the fight during the day, won't it put you in danger?"

"Didn't I ask Piscow to make preparations first? Besides, with such a big incident in Nutao, the City Administration Office definitely wants to end the situation as soon as possible so that we can help them capture Clear Sky. The City Administration Office will have the pressure to wrap up the situation quickly. The meeting at the City Administration Office will be held in the afternoon. I believe Holt wants to meet me mainly due to the pressure and wants to redistribute the cake at the harbor before noon. You go to the Axebearer Brotherhood and don't come back. Help them escalate the situation. The better you fight, the easier it will be for me."

Hearing that there would be a battle, Snowlai's fighting spirit was ignited.

But she still expressed her concerns. "Inspector, didn't we agree that the Secret Intelligence Agency and the City Security Bureau would not be involved in this matter?"

"Are you stupid?" Luke scolded. "Can the current situation be compared to the situation a few days ago? Holt is the one who wants this incident to end as soon as possible! Does the City Security Bureau have the guts to go to war with the Secret Intelligence Agency? Moreover, can't you find an excuse? As the Secret Intelligence Agency, it is our duty to arrest Clear Sky and recover the stolen 'heart of the Red Dragon Nilcolon.' Holt has me to deal with. You can confidently do your job."

Investigating cases!

This profession was a perfect match.

"Please rest assured, Inspector. I guarantee that I will finish everything before noon!"

"Go then! Bring Kaylina in."

"Yes, Inspector!"

Snowlai stood up, saluted Luke, and left the office in big strides.

Kaylina soon entered the office, carrying a stack of documents, which she placed on the desk.

She then said, "Inspector, a serious intrusion occurred at the Olu Academy last night. Clear Sky, the elf who killed over a hundred people in our Cape District in one night, unexpectedly broke into the Olu Academy last night..."

Kaylina systematically recounted the events of the previous night to Luke.

As the person involved, even though Luke knew the detailed sequence of events, he still listened attentively.

After Kaylina finished, Luke asked, "Any leads on Clear Sky?"

"Inspector, none. Clear Sky's movements are extremely elusive. According to common sense, she should be hiding within the city, needing to eat, needing to rest... As an elf, she has distinct physical characteristics. As long as she moves, there should be some traceable evidence. But there are almost no leads. Now, several important districts in the city are conducting investigations on all elves. The Cape District, with its complex population, should be the main focus of the investigation."

Luke nodded.

It was more or less what he expected.

Chief Holt from the City Security Bureau was in such a hurry to meet him because of the pressure from higher authorities.

In that case, if he had pressure, he could create some more pressure.

"Well, I understand. Clear Sky's theft of the Book of Calamity has already posed a threat to the security of the empire. It is our duty as the Secret Intelligence Agency to arrest Clear Sky. Based on the situation in the Cape District, write up a capture plan and submit it to me."

"Yes, Inspector! If there's nothing else, I'll get to work."

Luke stood up and said to Kaylina, "The capture plan can wait. Come with

me to meet Chief Holt on the Lucky Princess."

"Yes, Inspector!"