Investigations and Meeting

Bodies after bodies are being carried out of Rudra Familia hold. After being identified, they're sent to the mass graves set for them. Guild Investigator Hans oversees this process along with the investigations.

"This one is also a wanted evilus member known as the 'Finger Cutter'."

"Another one? I don't know whether to be happy or sick."

As the investigations go on, Investigator Hans slowly understands the situation, although a lot of the pieces are still missing, the motivation of Gale Wind is slowly coming to light. But Investigator Hans still can't understand the purpose of the one known as the Black Emperor.

He found the title Black Emperor arrogant and imposing, no normal adventurer would call himself Black Emperor just cause, there should be a hidden meaning behind the name. At first, Hans thought it was a lowly arrogant adventurer who claimed the title, due to the fact the name wasn't on the guild database. But after seeing this bloodbath, he digressed and accepted the unknown assailant as the Black Emperor.

"This one is also no good, he had been fried black by Lightning... Hey! Don't touch that one! It's filled with curses!"

Yes, most of the victims of the Black Emperor have been a gory mess. Some are missing a limb or more, some are fried by lightning, some are gutted, and most are scarily cursed to death victims. Unlike the victims of Gale Wind, who had killed her targets with magical precisions, the Black Emperor had slaughtered everyone on his path like a butcher. Earlier, one of the guild attendants dared touch a cursed dead body, in only a matter a second, the person aged his entire lifetime. Investigator Hans could only watch the man die of old age in seconds as he turned decrepit along with the others as they shivered in fright. After that, no one dared to touch the bodies without proper protection for fear of ending up the same.

"So who killed Rudra?..."

"There's no evidence... But looking at the Black Emperor's hatred for evilus. It should be him..."

Although there's little evidence of Rudra Familia being part of Evilus, the entire investigation team was sure that Rudra Familia was part of Evilus. The entire hall is filled with Evilus members after all. Even though Rudra's office had been cleaned of more evidence, there was still a small amount left that could point to him being an Evilus member. There was a battle in Rudra's Office, but Hans still doesn't know how the fight erupted within it, there is no evidence of previous infiltration, all they know is one of the dead evilus members went inside and a fight erupted. It could be infighting but he got a faint feeling that wasn't the case. Right now he's waiting for more findings, especially the sealed treasury they are bypassing. And so when the news came that treasury had been penetrated he stood up in haste.

"The treasury is open investigator Hans. But..."

"But...?"

The attendant leaned on his ears and whispered something. After hearing what the attendant had to say, Investigator Hans left in a hurry and headed towards the treasury on the underground floors.

He was greeted by paling Guild Members, then he was led through the busted wall. Once he arrived his co-investigator greeted him.

"Well, Hans, that's all that's left here, the Black Emperor somehow took it all away."

He saw his co-investigator point at the center of the empty treasury. He saw two items and decided to get closer to get a good look. Two cards lying on the floor? he thought.

"The Joker and The Emperor?..." with a perplexed look on his face, Investigator Hans said

This will be the start of countless cases related to playing cards and tarot cards.

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Donning my Joker disguise, I walk on the populated streets as I pickpocket unsuspecting bystanders along with a noisy imp. It was only a matter of time before I fully digested the potion, I could feel it, just a little bit more.

Surprisingly, the news of the massacre didn't dissuade the people of Orario, they continued their daily lives like almost nothing happened.

"I am the Black Emperor, prepare to receive my wrath!" Said the kid with a crown on his head while being protected by his minions

"I won't let you go Black Emperor! As the Hero, I shall bring you to justice!" Said the other kid with a cape while he charged with his companions.

"Words on the street is that Gale Wind will be pardoned." Said an adventurer

"Really? Even after that fiasco!? How lucky. As expected of a former Enforcer, they have the guild backing."

As I pass the playing kids, my face reddens. It seems my Babel diversion plan worked, everyone is more interested in the Black Emperor instead of Gale Wind. She most likely won't be blacklisted by the guild. With that, she can start a new life with a new familia. I somehow changed the future. I'll talk to her in the future, a level 5 ally doesn't just fall from trees after all.

Taking deep breaths, I walked deeper into the alleyways, soon I reached my destination and spotted Arde. She was fidgeting while completely hiding behind her hood.

"Nyahahaha! You are a lolicon. You even have a dangerous spot to meet kids!" I have learned to filter the Imp's odd accent and his noisy comments.

"Little Arde, did you wait for long?..." I called out to her as I approached.

"Joker-sama!"

Hearing my voice, Arde runs up to hug me. As she hugs me I pat her back.

"So how are you Little Arde? You studied well?"

"Listen Joker-sama! It's big trouble! Lily...Lily drank the potion...but..."

Something in me stirred, what could have happened when she drank the potion? Oh no! Did she mutate into a monster somehow!? I brace myself for what is to come. Liliruca started removing her hood, and what I saw was not what I expected.

"Lily's hair turned purple! Joker-sama what should I do!"

Arde shouted as I looked at her hair. What was supposed to be brown turned into purple luster. I smack her head.

"How dare you make this great Joker worry on simple matters!?"

"But Joker-sama! It is big trouble! People will think Lily is seeking attention or people might suspect Lily is in a rebellious phase!" Arde wailed

I sighed as I looked at Arde who seemed troubled by her new hair color. I decided to comfort her by saying.

"It's good Little Arde, usually an Assassin mutation will start with purple streaks on your hair or a purple shine, but to think your hair completely turned purple! It means this Joker is gifted with a disciple that is compatible with the Assassin pathway!" I looked proud as I say

"B-but...!"

Arde looked barely convinced but I decided it was enough.

"No more buts. Now, have you learned how to use your powers?" I asked

"Yes, Joker-sama! But I'm still practicing them, I gained so many new skills and abilities! I can see in the night, I can see as far as an eagle, and my agility is more than tripled! I can make my body light and climb up high places! I also have an attack skill!" Arde began excitingly list her powers

When she finished her words she worriedly looked at me and asked.

"H-how should Lily act as an Assassin?..."

She looked really troubled, but I could only put it bluntly by saying.

"You need to take contract kills, it doesn't have to be humans, you could take on monster subjugation missions, but for an assassin beyonder, killing is like calling them, I know you're troubled, but this is the only option to digest the potion. You also need to look apart. This Joker will buy you clothes and equipment later to make you look like a real assassin. Also, as an Assassin, you need friends at high places, I can't have my disciple being friendless now."

This is her struggle, all I could do was guide her properly and give her my support. But once on the field, she would be alone. To lighten the mood, I decided to tease her a little bit.

"For now, remove your top clothes!" I said while grinning.

"Eeh!!! Joker-sama! w-what are you saying? Could it be you're-" She said as she covered her parts with her hands

Before she could finish, I would stop her, I would not allow her to finish or my dignity would be damaged.

"Finish that line and I'll smack you again! I need to see your falna to hide your newfound powers! Otherwise, the entire Orario will try and catch you." I shouted while pretending to be angry.

"O-oh! Lily thought Joker-sama had finally lost it and-" I smack her head.

"Owie!"

Finally, she laid on her back. Seeing her Falna, I touched the skin of her back and began the process of hiding her abilities. Soma shouldn't notice a thing.

"It's done! Now this Joker has presents for Little Arde!"

"Really!? Lily is so excited!" She said as she happily stood up.

"This is a Kar98k, a gun perfect for sniping and assassinations!"

I took it out from my inventory, Lily have already seen me pull out items magically out of thin air. So she was just slightly shocked.

"It looks mystical! W-what's a gun Joker-sama?"

"No, this is just a normal gun, I'll teach you how to use it later. This however is a sealed item!" I said as I took out the Dagger Of Regrets from my inventory.

"Wow! It looks really beautiful! So this is a sealed item of mystical powers."

"This here is called the Dagger Of Regrets. I'll explain to you its function, so listen carefully..." I begin listing its ability, drawbacks, and sealing process while Arde listens attentively.

"...This dagger should supplement your strength. So do you want it?" I said

"Lily wants it! Even if it's scary!" Lily resolutely said.

I sighed, I could only pray she used them properly. After that, I gave her more items such as throwing knives, demon-slaying bullets, a few origin bullets, a deck of tarot cards, and some pocket money.

"So, let's buy you new clothes and some gear. Then we'll train you how to use a gun." Finishing I said.

"Yes, Joker-sama!" Lily replied.

We left the place and went to buy her new pieces of equipment. Then went outside of Orario to train Arde how to use a gun.

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Chapter End

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