Ryan: Miss Lin Qi Is Right; Lin Qi: Mr. Ryan Is Right

But things would not always go as planned. There would always be people as kind-hearted as Ryan, unable to bear the suffering of others.

Just as he was considering what to do next, he suddenly received word from a colleague that Director Jonathan had led people straight to the Municipal Office, slammed the evidence in his hands onto Holder's face, and handcuffed him in full view of everyone!

Immediately afterward, Jonathan interrogated Holder with lightning speed, piecing together every link in the evidence chain regarding the Municipal Office's approval of land for the Mafia and making it public directly.

Because of this, an entire group from the housing and construction department was implicated. Seven members of management alone were arrested, including two minor nobles.

During an interview with reporters, Jonathan publicly stated that the Bureau of Investigation would preserve the last piece of land for those homeless citizens of the Empire.

Gathering evidence, making arrests, interrogating suspects, going public—the entire process was completed in less than a day. The efficiency was so high that even the Bureau of Investigation's own people had yet to react.

Jonathan had not informed Ryan and the others in advance, because he knew that not everyone in the Bureau of Investigation was loyal solely to the Bureau. If the Municipal Office had gotten wind of it beforehand, there was an eighty percent chance this would have fallen through.

As for now—

It was already done. What could they do to him?

After the news went public, Ryan discovered that the people higher up in the city government had collectively chosen silence. Although public opinion leaned toward Jonathan, that was probably also related to his identity as an Investigator of the League of Fire.

After all, matters involving supernatural beings were secret to ordinary people, but not to certain nobles and powerful figures.

Still, it was foreseeable that Jonathan would definitely be watched after this.

"Director, weren't you afraid the people above would make things difficult for you by doing this?"

Inside the office.

Ryan asked curiously.

Jonathan lit a cigarette, took a hard drag, then slowly exhaled. "This world can't be filled with nothing but voices, but neither can it be a place where no voices are heard. Someone has to stand up. It's fine. Something this small won't crush me. As for you lot, don't get involved. Remember this: do only what your abilities allow."

"Do you know why I didn't keep digging? There must be someone behind Holder, but if I went any further, I couldn't cover it on my own. So this is where it ends."

Ryan nodded slightly and said nothing.

"Do you think I'm hypocritical? That I want to do something but shrink back at the last second?" Jonathan asked with a faint smile.

"No. I think you're very smart, Director."

"Oh? Tell me why."

"Because if you died, there wouldn't even be anyone left to do this much. It's like a spring—if you compress it too tightly, you have to loosen it a little, or it'll break. That's what the Empire is like now."

Jonathan looked at him in surprise. "You really dare to say that, kid."

Ryan smiled. "Only in front of you, Director."

"It'd better stay that way. Don't go spouting those words outside." Jonathan took another deep drag, then crushed the cigarette butt in the ashtray. "The Empire's situation is unstable. Disorder has started breaking out everywhere. You're right—press it too hard and it'll break. All we can do is loosen it as much as we can. It treats the symptoms, not the cause. The key still lies with those people above."

"Come on, Ryan. This matter ends here. Come with me to meet someone who can treat the cause."

"Who?"

"Princess Cassidy."

Ryan had not expected Cassidy to contact them of her own accord.

Jonathan himself was equally puzzled. He had only just learned that this Princess had already arrived in Berman City. Since the Princess had summoned him, naturally he had to go.

Seven o'clock that evening.

Inside a private room at a restaurant in East District.

"Director Jonathan." Cassidy sat at the dining table and nodded lightly. "I'm very pleased to meet you."

"The honor is mine."

The normally imposing Director was behaving like a gentleman at that moment.

Well, the young girl before him was the Fifth Princess of the Empire, the Emperor's most beloved daughter.

"I saw today's news report. You did something remarkable," Cassidy suddenly said.

Jonathan froze briefly before replying, "It was only a small matter."

"A friend once told me that the fate of those at the bottom depended on the attitude of those at the top. After going through this, I understand even more deeply why she said that." Cassidy stood and extended an arm.

Jonathan understood the gesture. He stepped forward and bowed slightly.

Cassidy placed her hand on his shoulder, her expression solemn. "You are like a noble Knight. The Empire needs talented people like you."

Standing to one side, Ryan knew this was a ceremony of the Augustus Empire, as well as an honor and sign of recognition. It was generally used by nobles toward their subordinates.

Once this ceremony was performed, it meant that noble's trust in the other person had reached a certain level.

Although Jonathan knew this was Cassidy's way of winning people over, he had to admit that he was still very pleased. After all, he had done what he did without gaining any benefit. Yet receiving praise from a Princess like Cassidy made him feel that it had all been worthwhile.

Recognition was an important thing.

However, Ryan found it somewhat suspicious. He knew Cassidy was not the naïve, sweet type. Even if she admired Jonathan, there was no need for her to specifically risk being discovered just to meet him.

"And this is?" Cassidy turned her gaze toward Ryan.

Jonathan smiled. "He's the Vice Captain of our Criminal Investigation Department. He's quite capable."

"I see." Cassidy nodded slightly. "To get to the point, Jonathan, I will arrive in Berman City by train tomorrow. I asked you here because I need your help with something."

Jonathan looked puzzled. "If it's escort work, we will naturally do our utmost. If you are still concerned, you can contact the General Bureau directly, or contact Mayor Bill. He will certainly send more people to receive you."

"Do you know why Mayor Bill wasn't there last time?" Cassidy asked.

"This..."

"Because I told him not to come. The Train Station is dangerous. You understand that very well, don't you?"

"Rest assured, Your Highness. I guarantee that the same thing will never happen again!"

"Jonathan, I trust your loyalty, but determination alone cannot solve anything, can it?" Cassidy's gaze was calm. "After all, the people trying to kill me are supernatural beings. Only supernatural beings like you can help me."

"..."

"..."

The room fell silent for quite a while.

After a long moment, Jonathan let out a breath and smiled in relief. "I didn't expect Your Highness to already know my identity." Then he asked with some confusion, "In that case, why do you still insist on going to the Train Station again? No matter how well we protect you, there will always be a moment when something slips through."

"Regarding that, I would like to invite a friend of mine to discuss it with us."

"A friend? Is she a friend of yours in Berman City? Your Highness, your safety is of utmost importance. Forgive my bluntness, but if she cannot be confirmed as absolutely trustworthy, it would be best not to let her know your whereabouts."

Cassidy smiled faintly. "Don't worry. She is a friend who is absolutely worthy of trust."

The moment she finished speaking, someone knocked on the private room's door.

"Your Highness, she has arrived."

"Come in."

Echo opened the door from outside and made an inviting gesture from the doorway. Then, under Ryan and Jonathan's astonished gazes, a figure dressed in an ivory priest's robe walked in.

"Good evening, everyone," 'Lin Qi' said coolly.

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Ryan: Miss Lin Qi Is Right, Lin Qi: Mr. Ryan Is Right

"Allow me to introduce her. This is Lin Qi, a Priest of the Gate of Janus." Cassidy spoke with a smile. "Lin Qi, these two are..."

"We've met."

'Lin Qi' said coldly.

"You've met?"

"It happened like this." Jonathan explained the matter of Sam's capture with a helpless expression.

"I see. Since you are already acquainted, there is no need to say more."

Cassidy did not care much about the Blood Cult's affairs. Their Believers were like cockroaches in the gutter, everywhere one looked. A pack of lunatics shouting "Blood Sacrifice to the Blood God" all over the world—nothing they did would be surprising.

"Lin Qi, sit down first. We were just discussing tomorrow's matter."

Cassidy invited 'Lin Qi' to sit, then explained her plan to Jonathan and Ryan.

Cassidy's purpose in going to such lengths was simple: to deal with the Hand of Darkness and expose whoever was pulling the strings behind it.

The Heretics could not possibly attack an Imperial Princess for no reason. The mastermind had to be someone within the Empire capable of competing for the throne, so Cassidy wanted to use this opportunity to see whether she could seize some leverage against them.

If she could truly find evidence that one of the Princes had colluded with Heretics to murder her, then as Her Highness the Princess, if she handed the evidence over to the Old Emperor, the other party would lose a layer of skin even if he did not die.

Furthermore, Cassidy also wanted to use this chance to build a good relationship with the upper ranks of the Gate of Janus. High Priest Lia was the second target she wanted to win over... well, the first was 'Lin Qi'.

It was worth mentioning that in Empress Online, she had indeed successfully won Lia over, building up strength for her struggle for the throne.

The key to this two-birds-with-one-stone plan was that Cassidy had to personally appear as bait. Lia had no reason to refuse. She had stayed in Berman City long enough, yet the core figure of the Blood Cult she sought had remained hidden. Those caught had merely been a few minor lackeys.

The Gate of Janus and the Hand of Darkness were enemies as well, so why not cooperate to eliminate a common enemy? More importantly, Cassidy promised that as long as the Gate of Janus was willing to help, she would mobilize forces afterward to help it deal with the Blood Cult.

This was, after all, Augustus Empire territory. If the Bureau of Investigation or even the military helped, clearing out those Blood Cult hyenas was not impossible.

In other words, this was also a two-birds-with-one-stone deal for the Gate of Janus.

As for the risks Cassidy would bear, she was willing to take them herself. Even if something went wrong, the Gate of Janus could not be blamed.

So the question was—

All the pressure now fell upon Jonathan, the Bureau of Investigation Branch Director and Investigator of the League of Fire.

Cassidy was not confident that the Gate of Janus's forces remaining in Berman City alone could deal with the Hand of Darkness, so she also needed the support of the League of Fire, the Empire's official supernatural organization.

Jonathan immediately felt enormous pressure.

He was not afraid of fighting the Hand of Darkness. On the contrary, he could not have wanted a better opportunity!

But they were using an Imperial Princess as bait!

If anything really went wrong, the League of Fire would not be able to escape blame. When that time came, the entirety of Berman City would suffer along with them.

If the person acting as bait had been anyone else, such as Ryan, Jonathan would have been the first to charge in.

"Don't worry, Jonathan." Cassidy smiled faintly. "I know your concerns, but this truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, isn't it? And I believe in all of your abilities. Honestly, if not for what you did today, I might not have chosen to come to you. That matter showed me that you are a man with justice in your heart."

Jonathan smiled bitterly. "The weight of that justice is already making it hard for me to breathe."

"What about Lord Ryan?" Cassidy showed Ryan the courtesy of asking his opinion. Since he had heard the plan, he would naturally be joining them.

"I'll follow the Director's lead." Ryan stroked his chin. "There's just one thing. How can Your Highness be certain that the Hand of Darkness will definitely appear tomorrow? They were tricked once before. Will they really come again?"

"That brings us to the second issue." Cassidy's tone shifted. "Precisely because they were tricked once, they will instead think we won't trick them again this time. After all, one false alarm regarding an Imperial Princess arriving in Berman City is enough. Too many would not be good for the Princess's reputation among her subjects."

As she said that last sentence, Cassidy spoke in a half-joking tone. "After all, I am qualified to inherit the throne. I might even become the future Empress. Keeping one's word is very important."

Jonathan stared blankly at the dishes on the table, pretending not to hear that treasonous remark.

"If that's the case, then the movements within the city government tomorrow will also be important. We need to pay special attention to them," Ryan said.

"Oh? Why do you say that?" Cassidy asked.

Jonathan frowned and signaled Ryan with his eyes not to continue.

"During yesterday's Bureau of Investigation operation, the Hand of Darkness bypassed almost every checkpoint, which shows they knew our movements." Ryan ignored the Director's kind warning. "Either there are people inside the Bureau of Investigation, or people in the city government. One of them must have a problem. Of course, under the Director's leadership, the East District Branch is wholeheartedly loyal to the Empire and would never do something so treacherous. As for the others, that is hard to say."

"Ryan." Jonathan waved a hand and looked at Cassidy. "We do not know about matters within the city government. Ryan is only speculating. I believe there is no problem with the Empire's internal administration. Your Highness, please do not take it seriously."

Cassidy chuckled without minding it, then turned to 'Lin Qi'.

"What do you think?"

"I think Mr. Ryan is right," 'Lin Qi' said. "I was there yesterday as well. The Hand of Darkness moved very quickly. Someone was cooperating with them."

"Indeed, the city government..." Cassidy gave a slightly mocking laugh. How could she not understand Berman City's situation? It was simply not something that could be spoken of publicly, or it would mean questioning the Old Emperor's leadership. That was also why Jonathan had stopped Ryan from continuing earlier.

But Cassidy did not care. Nor would she blame Ryan. Rather, the fact that he dared to say such things to her face made her like him more. At the very least, it showed that Ryan was not some useless fool who only knew how to flatter others.

"But who will be responsible for watching them?" Cassidy frowned slightly. Jonathan needed to coordinate the overall situation and deploy the League of Fire, so he definitely could not go.

"He's quite suitable." 'Lin Qi' raised her chin slightly and looked at Ryan.

"Ryan? Why?"

"His position is low."