A thick, inky torrent appeared out of nowhere and instantly enveloped Per's entire body.
Even though Per's mech's Steam Engine was running at full power, emitting a piercing wail, it still couldn't withstand the corrosive influence of the surrounding black ink.
Within seconds, a dark Ink Coffin gleaming with a dim light locked Per in place, rendering him unable to move even a finger.
"Team leader!"
Seeing their captain suddenly trapped, the Brass Knight roared and raised their weapons, their Steam Short Gun aimed at the Tiandao.
Regarding the actions of these Brass Knight, Tiandao merely glanced at them and then said in a gentle tone, "Gentlemen, are you sure you want to take action against a squad leader on the Association's territory?"
The words of Tiandao were spoken softly, but the warning contained within struck the hearts of every Brass Knight like a heavy hammer, instantly restoring their composure.
Looking at Captain Per, who was trapped in the Ink Coffin and whose escape was not even helped by the Church's latest mechs.
After a moment's thought, the Brass Knight silently put down their Steam Short Gun, choosing not to act rashly.
Seeing this, Tiandao raised his hand to straighten the wrinkles on his Moon-white Captain's Robe, and changed his tense tone from before, and said with a smile, "Alright, it seems that everyone has calmed down, then we can have a good talk."
Having said that, Tiandao snapped its fingers with a smile.
In an instant, the pitch-black Ink Coffin transformed into countless ink dots and vanished into the air.
Suddenly released, Per staggered back two steps. His slightly pale expression and the traces of ink erosion remaining on the surface of the mecha silently told of the pain he had just endured being imprisoned by the Tiandao in the Ink Coffin.
One person extinguished the powder keg that was about to explode.
The Captain Rank power was fully displayed in Tiandao at this moment.
What the Dimensional Audience doesn't know is...
The one who was truly powerful was never the Branch captain, but rather the person Tiandao himself.
Although Tiandao (the author) viewed Shui Mo as a certain bespectacled villain who liked to talk 'flirt'.
Unlike the villainous bespectacled man, who needed to conceal his intentions for over a hundred years, this was a different story.
The Tiandao's plans in the Steam Capital don't need to take that long.
Therefore, while he needs to be patient, he doesn't need to be overly patient.
Demonstrating his abilities appropriately will also benefit his future plans to rise to Above the Heavens.
[Inside the Captain's Office of the Fifth Squad, Steam Branch ]
"Come, Knight Commander Per, have a taste of this Ginseng Tea."
Tiandao pushed a steaming cup of Ginseng Tea over.
Gazing at the faint white mist spreading inside the white porcelain cup, Per didn't hesitate and tilted his head back to drink it all in one gulp.
Thanks to his steel body modified by the Smart Machine, Per didn't even flinch when the scalding tea slid down his throat.
"Good tea."
Per put down his empty glass, his words carrying a very obvious politeness.
Tiandao smiled and shook its head at this.
Who says that Smart Machine are just emotionless lumps of iron?
That's just because they haven't met anyone worth their time and effort to figure out.
After refilling Per's teacup, Tiandao spoke directly, "The Knight Commander has made such a big fuss this time, surely he has solid evidence, right?"
"Otherwise, you wouldn't be so sure you could take the person away from me."
Per didn't beat around the bush and directly placed a Data Terminal in front of the Tiandao.
"Take a look at this first, Captain Shui Mo."
Tiandao picked up the Data Terminal and pretended to look at it with curiosity.
What was being recorded on the Data Terminal was a surveillance video.
In the scene, Vivian, carrying her signature silver-white Seconds Hand Rapier, leads a group of Grey Rat Gang members into the heart of the Church.
After slaughtering a large number of Church guards, they took Danika and " The Mechanical Bible: Gear" from the Grey Rat Gang.
"!!!"
Yu Chen sat up abruptly, her eyes filled with disbelief.
Meanwhile, the Dimensional Audience Station 13 were also shocked.
'No way, Vivian really stole the Gear Church's Holy Relic?'
" Old Jack, whom I initially thought was a good guy, is now considered a bad guy, and now you're telling me the Church has CCTV evidence of Vivian's crimes? Is this * Stellaris * an action anime or a detective anime?!"
'I can't tell, I really can't tell!'
'It's just a surveillance video; it shouldn't mean anything, right? After all, in a supernatural world like Stellaris, anything can happen.'
Just as the Dimensional Audience was confused by the evidence presented by Per,
Yu Chen was standing nearby, seemed to notice something and pointed at Vivian in the screen, saying, "Captain, please pause this."
Tiandao nodded, and in the instant the image froze, details from the surveillance video appeared before everyone.
In the picture, ' Vivian ' is wearing the Silverlight II combat mech, and her face is completely covered by the mech's full-face helmet.
Therefore, the only way to identify her is by the ' Seconds Hand Rapier ' of the Clockwork Knight in her hand.
And that short brown hair.
" Per, did Vivian, who appears in this video, actually show up?"
Per shook his head and said, "No, but I think you all know about the uniqueness of Star Source."
"I don't think anyone in this world, besides Vivian, can wear the combat mechs that belong exclusively to our Church while wielding the second hand rapier of the Star Source Black Iron Clock Seconds Hand Rapier."
"These two points alone are enough for us to confirm Vivian's identity as a thief."
But what about the motive?
Yu Chen's question went straight to the heart of the matter.
Indeed, what were Vivian's motives?
What was her motive for stealing Church Holy Relic?
Per paused for a moment. "We'll have to interrogate them ourselves to find out."
Now that things have come to this point, even if Yu Chen still wants to say something.
But he had no suitable reason.
After all, Per had already presented the evidence to them. If they continued to refuse to release the person, it would only make the Association seem unreasonable.
Therefore, he turned to look at the Tiandao, his gaze questioning.
As if anticipating Yu Chen's thoughts, Tiandao spoke them aloud.
"The person was captured by our Fifth Squad, so he should be handed over to our Fifth Squad for processing."
"However, considering the importance of this wanted criminal to your Gear Church..."
"How about this, the final verdict regarding Vivian as a suspect will be decided by the Twelve Brass Council a month from now. What do you think?"
After hearing Tiandao's words, Per for a moment and finally agreed.
"Let's do as you say, Captain Shui Mo, but in doing so, the Church will probably lose all face."
In response, Tiandao laughed and said, "We can't let the merits of my Fifth Squad go to waste just for the sake of the Church's reputation, can we?"
"I'm thinking of accumulating more contributions so I can apply for a transfer to the headquarters."
Although Per knew that the Tiandao was just a pretext.
But he wisely refrained from pointing it out.
"I hope Captain Shui Mo can keep a close eye on Vivian during this time and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Don't worry, with me here, no one can cause trouble on my turf."
Per picked up the Ginseng Tea on the table and drank it all in one gulp.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Captain Shui Mo. We'll take our leave now."
Take care.
After seeing Per off, Tiandao raised his hand to stop Yu Chen, who was about to speak but hesitated, his tone calm but unquestionable.
"I'll give you a maximum of one month. If you can't find evidence to prove Vivian's innocence after one month..."
"Then I can only follow the Association's rules and send it to the Twelve Brass Council."
"But once things have come to this point, I guess her fate can no longer be changed."
Yu Chen gave Tiandao a complicated look, then said from the bottom of his heart, "Thank you."
Tiandao waved his hand and said, "As the captain of the Fifth Squad, the entire team should be on my shoulders. You are a member of the team, and as long as you don't break the rules, I have no reason to stop you. However..."
Tiandao paused, a hint of meaning flashing in his eyes behind his glasses. "It seems the Gear Church was well-prepared for this. I'm not very optimistic about your investigation results."