Adler shook his head. "No, that's too dangerous."
"Live as a hero among men, die as a champion among ghosts. Everything for Grand Duke Magana—what's death to me?"
Ryan looked as if he were ready to die a glorious death.
Adler was greatly pleased. "I knew I hadn't misjudged you. But Ryan, we can't rush this. We may only have one chance left. And the Grand Duke doesn't want Caslathdi dead. She wants her captured."
Ryan was startled. "Capture her?"
No wonder there had been so many attackers at the train station today. Capturing someone was far more difficult than killing them.
"What do we need that woman for? Other than being a little prettier and having a bigger butt, what can she do?"
"? What are you talking about? Of course it's not because of her personally." Adler looked puzzled. "The Grand Duke means that Caslathdi's status is very useful."
"Oh~"
Ryan understood.
Holding the Emperor hostage to command the lords, huh?
Of course, it hadn't reached that point yet. At most, they would use the Princess Royal's name, then kick her aside once everything was done.
Come to think of it, it really was a good idea. At the very least, with Caslathdi's title as Princess Royal, the initial stages of their rebellion would go much more smoothly.
"But if it's just me, capturing her might be a little difficult," Ryan said hesitantly.
"Don't worry. I'll definitely help you. Although the Hand of Darkness needs to lie low for a while, our strength is still there. Besides, if you run into any trouble, you can come here. The owner of this shop is one of us too. She's a Singer, and I'll have her cooperate with your operations from now on."
"Listen, Ryan. Don't act rashly. Hold yourself back. Only act when you're absolutely certain. We lost quite a few people this time, and that bastard Jonathan has probably set his sights on me already. I need to find a way out too."
"What you need to do is find every possible way to gain their trust. Start with the Burning Covenant. It would be even better if you can get close to Caslathdi. I'll find a way to arrange that."
After Norman's affairs had been exposed, Adler knew that his side would definitely run into some trouble as well.
It wouldn't have mattered for the sake of the attack plan, but now that the plan had failed, Jonathan would surely stick to him like a bandage afterward.
"Haah... all right, then I'll endure a little longer." Ryan sighed softly. "But Lord Adler, when can we finally reveal our identities? When can I return to the organization?"
"Soon, soon. As long as Magana's great cause succeeds, we'll all be meritorious officials."
"But it's already been three years. I'm afraid that after another three years, and then another three years, I still won't see any hope."
Ryan had been recruited into the villainous faction three years ago. He had only joined the Bureau of Governance not long before that, when Magana had already begun planning her rebellion.
Adler patiently reassured him. "Ryan, your current identity is very important. Become a full investigator as soon as possible... Oh, right. Come here tomorrow evening. I'll have someone test your magical aptitude."
"Magical aptitude? Is it dangerous?"
"Don't worry. It isn't dangerous."
"All right... Oh, right, about Norman. That Supernatural Being from the Burning Covenant kept following me today, so I could only kill him then."
"Norman? Dead is dead. He was going to die sooner or later anyway. It's cleaner if he's dead now."
Even if Ryan hadn't killed Norman, Adler would have found a way to make him die miserably in prison.
After all, Norman knew too much and was far too high-profile. It would be troublesome if he got caught and turned around to bite Adler.
"All right, Ryan. I should go. If anything comes up in the future, just come here and find the shop owner. Feel free to have her do whatever needs doing."
Adler had slipped out during the gap when the Burning Covenant was attacking the Hand of Darkness. After making arrangements for Ryan, he had to hurry back and keep a close eye on the situation there.
"Goodbye, Lord Adler."
Ryan looked around. This bookstore, less than fifty square meters in size, looked completely ordinary. At the foot of the stairs leading to the second floor, he saw a woman dressed in blue and black.
Their gazes met, and the woman gave a slight nod. "Lord Ryan, Keisha is at your service."
If the Burning Covenant's operation at the train station had made Adler angry, then Jonathan's nighttime raid on the major strongholds made him want to flip the table.
It didn't matter how many ordinary people died, but members of supernatural factions—even half-supernatural beings who had yet to change classes—were extremely valuable.
The Hand of Darkness in Berman City might have had many members, but they had been accumulated bit by bit over many years.
This wave had sent them straight back to the womb. Only Casa survived with a mere dozen or so people, leaving them thoroughly crippled and unable to accomplish anything for a while.
The Gate of Janus had also cooperated in this large-scale operation. Otherwise, the Burning Covenant alone could not have been so efficient.
'Lin Qi's' performance once again earned High Priestess Lia's approval. Not only that, after Caslathdi met with Mayor Bill in Aideburg, she personally invited 'Lin Qi' to attend the banquet Bill would hold for her the next day.
An invitation from Her Highness the Princess!
For a time, wealthy merchants and nobles throughout Berman City were green with envy.
As a result, early the next morning, Janus Church was packed with people who had come to pray.
There were no shortage of wealthy merchants and nobles among them. They pretended to be there to worship the Statue of Janus, but their minds were really on 'Lin Qi.' They tried every possible way to befriend her. Thanks to Caslathdi, Ryan fully experienced the fine traditions of aristocratic society.
Had anyone ever seen people stuff so much money into a donation box that it burst?
That day, Janus Church's daily income broke its all-time record.
However, the Church's affairs did not attract much attention, because nearly every news report that day concerned Princess Caslathdi's arrival in Berman City and Director Norman's murder.
The news from the train station could not get out, nor could news of the Burning Covenant's operation. Caslathdi had only just arrived, and the director of the Bureau of Governance responsible for public security had died. It was hard not to make a connection.
Then, that morning, the municipal office publicly released Norman's many crimes: molesting children, keeping mistresses, taking bribes, murder, colluding with heretics, and so on. Mayor Bill personally stepped forward, finally settling the matter.
Ryan had thought it had nothing to do with him, but the city government suddenly issued a notice saying that, due to his merits in exposing Norman's crimes, he was being directly transferred to become captain of the Criminal Investigation Unit at the Bureau of Governance's headquarters.
Going from Vice Captain at a branch bureau to a full captain at headquarters was no small leap.
"Director, what's going on?"
Bureau of Governance, East City Branch.
Jonathan's office.
"What else could it be?" Jonathan leaned back on the sofa and smiled. "You got promoted, and you're not happy?"
Ryan spread his hands. "Why would it fall to me? You accomplished something so great and didn't get any reward."
Although Adler had promised him a promotion and a raise, that probably would not happen anytime soon. After all, that guy had too much of his own mess to clean up.
"Me? No chance." Jonathan waved a hand. "Those people above won't let me hold too much power, or they won't feel safe. Since I can't get promoted, they need someone to receive the award. You're the best fit. Besides, Her Highness the Princess probably mentioned you last night. Otherwise, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly."
"I see."
Ryan nodded.
With Jonathan's capabilities, he would have had no problem becoming director of headquarters.
But if he really took that position, those wealthy merchants and nobles probably would not be able to sleep peacefully.
The city government had no choice but to place a director beneath him. To promote the fairness and selflessness of municipal administration and make the citizens believe in the Imperial government, they needed to put a hero on display.
Look, that handsome young man is Ryan. He was the one who exposed Norman's conspiracy. Not long ago, he even solved a strange case. He was an outstanding Security Officer personally recognized by Her Highness the Princess.
Though it had happened somewhat by accident, it was still a good thing, so Ryan gladly accepted it.
Captain today, director tomorrow, and after killing Bill the day after tomorrow, he could become mayor!
"All right. Now let's talk business." Jonathan stubbed out the cigarette in his hand, stood up, and said, "Ryan, come with me. I'll take you to test your magical aptitude. If all goes well, you can become a full investigator today."
Before you continue