Cultivate Myself? Chapter 13

Everyone should be more careful too.

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Priest, Princess, and Good Friends

Janus Church was packed with people at the moment.

"Priest, why can birds fly?"

"Because they yearn for freedom."

"Why do people suffer and feel sorrow?"

"Because we cannot obtain what we desire."

"Can sins truly be forgiven?"

"The hardest person to forgive is often not someone else, but oneself... Sin plunges people into painful spiritual torment. What one needs to seek is not another's forgiveness, but one's own redemption."

"Then what should I do?"

"Before I answer that... Lady, do you really not intend to put something in the Donation Box?"

"..."

"..."

The priest of Janus Church was beautiful and pleasant to listen to. Though she had only recently taken office, she had immediately gained the support of many Believers.

At that moment, she was helping All Beings with their troubles.

Though the Lady in the Wide-brimmed Hat had not revealed her face, her bearing and manner easily called to mind her identity as a 'Noble.' Thus, the profound exchange of knowledge between the priest and the Noble became the only sound in the church. Although the other Believers could barely make sense of it, that did not stop them from enjoying it.

Echo was a little bewildered. She simply could not understand how Her Highness the Princess had started chatting with that young priest. And their utterly effortless way of communicating was astonishing. Anyone who did not know better would think they had known each other for ages!

Though she did not understand, Her Highness must have had her reasons. What Echo needed to do was remain alert to their surroundings and prevent anyone from targeting them at a time like this.

Only after quite a while did Cassidy emerge from the crowd.

"Come on, let's look around the church," she said to Echo.

"Your Highness, are you done talking? How was it? Did she seem suspicious?"

"Suspicious?" Cassidy asked in confusion. "Suspicious of what?"

Echo froze. "Didn't Your Highness go to test her..."

Cassidy smiled. "There's no need to test her. I believe she must be a devout Janus Follower. Even if it really was her last night, it doesn't matter. Don't we want to establish a connection with Janus anyway? There are too many people here, so I arranged to have dinner with her after this."

"???"

Echo understood Cassidy's desire to win over the Gate of Janus, but wasn't this moving a little too fast?

After thinking it over, she could only admire Her Highness the Princess's 'diplomatic skills.'

Ryan knew nothing about what had happened at the church.

He had no time to pay attention to Lin Qi's situation either, because someone with a special identity had arrived at the Bureau of Investigation today—Secretary-General Adler!

Using the Black Ding Street No. 228 case as a pretext for questioning, the Mayor had sent him to the East District. At that moment, Jonathan was speaking with him in his office, while Ryan, as the Director's accompanying Police Officer, was responsible for serving tea.

"...The Mayor has been paying close attention to this matter."

Adler wore a black suit with a Bow Tie around his neck. He looked less like he had come to ask about a case and more like he was attending a banquet.

'Etiquette-conscious Adler'—that was how Berman City described this Secretary-General, a Gentleman who remained elegant no matter the occasion.

He raised the black tea, took a small sip, and sighed softly. "Director Jonathan, you know how heavy the Security Missions have been lately. A Police Officer died just two days ago, and it was in Central City. You know how angry the Mayor was. Last night, right here in the East District, fifty-three people died. The Mayor had originally planned to come in person, but something came up at the last minute."

"I understand, Mr. Adler. Please rest assured, the East District will solve the case as soon as possible."

"It's useless for me to be reassured. The Mayor needs to be reassured." Adler smiled. "Still, I trust in Director Jonathan's abilities. And the East District is full of talent. I paid attention to the previous case as well. To solve it in less than a day under those circumstances... I believe this time will be no exception either. Speaking of which, this must be Police Officer Ryan Bask?"

Adler looked at Ryan.

"Secretary-General." Ryan had known that Old Man's purpose in coming here was not so simple.

"Mr. Rayman from the Department General Bureau even asked me to find a way to transfer you there." Adler chuckled. "I told him I didn't have that authority. As long as Director Jonathan is willing to let you go, wouldn't it just take a word from you?"

Jonathan did not respond to Adler's teasing.

He was not someone skilled at pleasantries. As for transferring Ryan away, heh, there was no way he would let him go.

How about checking out the League of Fire?

They handled what the Bureau of Investigation could handle, and they handled what it could not!

To put it bluntly, extraordinary people and ordinary people were not on the same level. So although Adler was a Secretary-General on the surface and had come with the Mayor's 'orders,' Jonathan did not care.

A few perfunctory replies would be enough.

After chatting for a while, someone suddenly knocked on the door outside and said that new clues had been found in the Heiding Street case.

"Mr. Adler, I'll step out for a moment." Jonathan gave him a brief word, told Ryan to stay and keep him company, then left the office.

The air immediately fell silent.

After waiting a while and confirming that the surroundings were safe, Adler set down his teacup and said in a low voice, "Ryan Bask, Deke is dead. There are many doubts surrounding Heiding Street. I need you to help me uncover the truth."

Ryan spread his hands. "Mr. Adler, the Heiding Street matter was done by extraordinary people, wasn't it? I'm just an ordinary person. Even with the Director's appreciation, I can't handle something like that."

"Don't worry, Ryan. You may be an ordinary person now, but if you perform well, you'll have a chance to become extraordinary."

"Oh?"

"The League of Fire." Adler laughed softly. "Why are they powerful? Because creating extraordinary people is far less difficult for them than for other factions. You'll understand in the future."

Ryan curled his lips. He had thought it was something important. Did he not already know that?

The God worshipped by the League of Fire was rumored to be the 'Sun' that created life. In the game, this God was called the God of All Light and Life, and was also known as the Life Mother Goddess.

Unlike other Gods, the Life Mother Goddess was not an Outer God, but a Deity acknowledged by Janus.

And she showed the greatest degree of tolerance toward humanity's desires. Thus, among all the Gods, it was easiest for Singers to conduct rituals and pray for the Life Mother Goddess to bestow divine miracles. The League of Fire's Class-Change Relics were also the easiest to obtain.

Ryan remembered that this class was called Son of the Sun. It was not a Hidden Profession, but its abilities were quite powerful. It was the orthodox build officially promoted in the game.

If players did not like digging for Hidden Professions but still wanted their characters to be stronger, Son of the Sun was the best choice.

"I know this puts you in a difficult position." Adler lowered his voice. "But Ryan, for Grand Duke Marganna's great goal, we must do everything in our power. Black Ding Street No. 288 was originally an important part of our plan. Now that something has gone wrong, I must ensure it does not affect the Assassination Operation."

"According to the latest news, Cassidy may be staying in Berman City for some time, so the plan must be adjusted. The League of Fire will certainly send people to protect her, and your presence is crucial. I have some information on Heretics that can help you establish merit in the League of Fire and gain their attention."

"Once you become a formal Investigator, you'll have hope of completing this glorious and great mission! Be excited, Ryan! Grand Duke Marganna is watching you." Adler clenched his fist excitedly. "Once Cassidy is killed, chaos in the Empire will begin. We will all become Grand Duke Marganna's capable aides in helping her ascend the throne!"

Promotion and a Raise

Though Adler's speech was impassioned, Ryan felt nothing at all. He even wanted to laugh.

Capable aide? Are you sure you don't mean stepping stone?

But Ryan quickly stopped laughing.

Adler was now asking him to serve as the main force in the assassination. Wasn't that practically sending him to his death?

If he succeeded, forget Echo—even the League of Fire would tear him to pieces.

If he failed... there was nothing to say. His ending would not be any better.

"Ryan! What are you still hesitating for?!" Adler grabbed Ryan's arm.

"Ah, Mr. Adler, I understand. Everything is for Grand Duke Marganna. I'm even more excited than you are, it's just..." Ryan said with a troubled look, "I was suddenly assigned such an important task. I'm not afraid of dying. I'm just afraid of failure."

"Rest assured. Your background is the cleanest; the League of Fire will not suspect you. I will also help you with everything I have."

"But what if the League of Fire has no intention of making me extraordinary? And I might not even qualify."

"That is indeed a problem, but don't worry, I have a solution." Adler smiled. "As long as you can adapt to the power of a Magic Potion, even if you cannot become extraordinary, you will be far stronger than an ordinary person."

"Magic Potion? I've heard of it, but it must be difficult to obtain, right?"

"I will give you one, Ryan." Adler glanced toward the door. The sounds outside were growing louder, as though someone was approaching. "Remember, Ryan, you and I are both Grand Duke Marganna's people. No matter what the League of Fire promises you, it is all false."

Ryan was still pondering the meaning of those words when he heard the doorknob turn.

Jonathan had returned.

"Secretary-General, I need to leave." He stood at the door and said, "We found a new clue and must deal with it, so..."

"This is exactly what I hoped to see." Adler stood, straightened his clothes, and said, "As long as you can solve the case quickly, nothing could be better."

"Thank you for your understanding. Ryan, let's go."

"Yes, Director."

The Bureau of Investigation identified some of the burned corpses. They had all been ordinary citizens working in Berman City. After investigating, they discovered that these people had long been dissatisfied with the Empire's rule and had even been secretly doing who knew what behind the scenes.

With such a group gathered together, Jonathan quickly deduced from experience that they had been 'bewitched' and then deceived into becoming sacrifices.

Rituals required sacrifices, and not just anyone could serve as one. Those selected as sacrifices, even if they could not become extraordinary, were more 'qualified' than ordinary people.

Ryan had not understood this before, but after hearing Jonathan's explanation, he understood why Adler had been so certain that he could participate in the Assassination Operation.

Because he had originally been one of the sacrifices!

There was a high probability that he could adapt to the power of a Magic Potion, and a small probability that he could even become extraordinary.

Of course, given that Old Man's character, he had definitely left himself a backup plan.

But that was not important.

What mattered was the Magic Potion. Ryan wanted it.

Although Lin Qi had gotten one, the drop rate for that thing was probably not high. Lin Qi needed one, and so did he. At minimum, they needed two bottles.

So the Magic Potion in Adler's hands was crucial.

Besides that, Ryan had to find a way to completely resolve his undercover identity. Adler's final words were a reminder: they were all on Marganna's ship, and if it capsized, none of them would get away unscathed.

But then again, his current level was probably not enough to catch Marganna's eye. That made this the best time to jump ship.

Before that, though, he had to deal with Adler, who knew his identity...

Thinking about it made Ryan's head hurt. Of all places, why did Cassidy have to come to Berman City?

For now, he could only take things one step at a time. In any case, he would let Lin Qi handle anything that came up first, so he needed to settle Lin Qi's class change as soon as possible. Only with an extraordinary person protecting him would Ryan feel at ease.

Over the course of an afternoon, Ryan followed Jonathan around as he investigated. It had to be said that there was a reason Jonathan had become Director.

In just one afternoon, Jonathan had even dug up Deke. From the overlaps in the daily behavior of those who had been bewitched, he found the trail leading to Deke. Fortunately, Deke had no legal identity, which created considerable obstacles for Jonathan's further investigation.

Moreover, Deke's connections with those people had all been one-sided. This meant that even if they found more people who had been bewitched into joining the 'rebellion,' it was unlikely they could obtain any information about Ryan from them.

Ryan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

By the time he parted ways with Jonathan, it was already seven in the evening. After grabbing something to eat on the way home, Ryan opened the game.

Empress, activate!

[Quest Updated → Have dinner with Cassidy]

[Quest completed. Cassidy's favorability increased.]

[Reward obtained: Charm +1, Magic Power +1]

"?"

Ryan froze when he saw the notification.

"Cassidy? Where did Cassidy come from?"

He checked the Idle Record and sucked in a sharp breath.

Cassidy had really come to Berman City!

That alone would have been one thing, but she had even gone to the church and gotten friendly with Lin Qi. While on AI Standby, Lin Qi had somehow become fairly good friends with Cassidy by pure coincidence. Ah, this...

"So clearing this game only takes having hands, huh?"