The assignment for the business trip came from Enmat Harbor.
While a human trafficking case had been discovered in Tingen City, similar circumstances had also emerged at Enmat Harbor in East Chester County. The local Nighthawks intercepted an unmarked cargo ship whose hold was likewise packed with slaves from the Southern Continent. However, the slaves at Enmat Harbor were not as lucky as those in Tingen City. They had barely been rescued before, without even waiting for the Nighthawks to question them, all those poor people self-destructed.
They truly had self-destructed. The slaves' flesh and blood swelled like inflated balloons before exploding with a bang into scattered fragments. The sailors aboard the ship were silenced in the same manner. Several Nighthawks were even caught in the blasts, suffering heavy casualties.
After the news reached the Cathedral, its higher-ups concluded that this case was likely connected to the one in Tingen City and ordered the Tingen City Nighthawks to send people to assist.
—Inside the captain's office, Dunn Smith shared the information he had received from the church with everyone.
That sounded really dangerous...
"May I ask... can I not go?"
Luther asked Dunn solemnly.
"Sorry, you can't."
Dunn answered just as solemnly.
"Captain, I'm only a Sequence 9 support personnel. Surely you aren't sending me to my death?"
Luther said with a bitter smile.
Another business trip, another county, and involvement with something so dangerous... Being stabbed once had already left a deep enough impression on him, and this time, the enemy directly made bombs. They were far more dangerous than the ones he had encountered before. He might not cower when trouble came, but he had no desire to actively seek it out.
"This wasn't my arrangement."
Dunn rubbed his forehead, a rare trace of helplessness appearing on his face. "It was Senior Deacon Crestet Cecimir. He specifically requested you."
Crestet Cecimir?
Luther quickly recalled that stern face, as well as the horrifying sight of evil spirits writhing between his teeth.
"Why did that senior deacon specifically choose me?"
Luther was somewhat puzzled. He had never provoked him, had he? Or did he think highly of me?
"In the Enmat Harbor incident, all the dead became Flesh Bombs. That is a highly distinctive ability of the Secrets Suppliant Pathway, a Flesh and Blood Magic used by Mid-Sequence Beyonders of the Secrets Suppliant Pathway." Dunn explained, "Therefore, Your Excellency Cecimir specifically sent me a telegram ordering me to dispatch you to assist with Enmat Harbor's investigation."
Damn, so that was why. The Aurora Order, again with the Aurora Order. Why were they involved in every bad thing? It seemed this was because of his Pathway. After all, he was the only Secrets Suppliant in the entire Goddess Church.
"Fine... I understand."
Luther cursed the Aurora Order ten thousand times in his heart before nodding in agreement. "When am I leaving?"
"Don't rush. You won't be the only one going."
Dunn said with a smile, "Enmat Harbor belongs to another Nighthawks team, after all. When going somewhere else, it's still better to have your own people with you... So, to ensure your safety, I've arranged for Leonard and Klein to go with you. Leonard is quite capable, while Klein can provide support such as Divination."
Thank you, Captain. You might be a little short on hair, but you're still a good person.
Luther felt deeply moved. Looking at the two colleagues standing beside him, he finally understood why Dunn had called them into the office as well. Leonard still wore that relaxed, unconcerned expression, while Klein did not seem bothered by taking a trip either. Both agreed, and they arranged to take the steam train to Enmat Harbor the next morning.
Afterward, Dunn gave them a few more reminders about matters requiring attention during their trip. Once he saw that they understood, he dismissed them.
"Why do I feel like the Aurora Order has latched onto me...?"
After leaving the captain's office, Luther shook his head and complained to the other two.
"Well, you are the only Secrets Suppliant in the entire Goddess Church." Leonard said with a smile. "To say something perhaps a little inappropriate, it might be that every Aurora Order case across Loen will call for you in the future."
"...May the Goddess bless me. Please don't let that happen."
The thought of traveling all over the country on business, especially for dangerous assignments like this, gave Luther a headache. He even began making wishes to the Goddess.
It was already time to get off work. When the three went outside, they found that aside from those staying behind and on duty, everyone else had already left.
"Then let's meet at the station tomorrow morning."
Leonard was not headed in the same direction as the other two. Once outside the security company's gates, he waved to them and leisurely departed alone. Luther and Klein walked together to the street corner to wait for the public carriage back to Daffodil Street.
It was dusk. The setting sun bathed everything on Zouteland Street in gold, making every person and object passing through it seem gilded.
"I really don't want to go on a business trip."
Luther looked at the scenery before him and spoke from the bottom of his heart.
"Just think of it as sightseeing."
Klein smiled and tried to comfort him. Then he suddenly remembered something and reminded him, "Oh, right, Luther. Didn't you promise Cecilia that you'd watch a performance this weekend? Does that mean you can't go again?"
Ah, there was that too.
Luther froze, and an even greater sense of irritation surged up within him.
He had already broken his promise once because of the Lanevus case. Breaking the agreement for a second time made him feel rather embarrassed. After returning home, he awkwardly and helplessly told his younger sister that he would not be able to attend the performance again.
"I see. Then I'll pack your luggage for you."
To his surprise, Cecilia did not get angry. Instead, she immediately thought of Luther's plans for the next day. "We don't have a suitcase at home. Should we hurry out and buy one before the shops close...?"
"Little sister, aren't you angry?"
He could not help asking.
"What would I be angry about?"
Cecilia gave him a strange look. "This isn't something you can decide. Rather than wasting time on something meaningless like this, wouldn't it be better to do something useful? Besides, it's only a few more days. We can watch it together after you get back."
As she spoke, she stood and looked straight at Luther with clear azure eyes. "Luther, how many years did I wait for you to recover before? Now it's only delayed by a few days. Would I really be unable to wait that long?"
Little sister, you really are broad-minded...
Luther was filled with emotion. "You make a lot of sense. All right, I'll go buy a suitcase now..."
After leaving Number 6 Daffodil Street, he did not immediately go catch a carriage. Instead, he first walked to Number 2 in the same row, Klein's home.
After he rang the doorbell, a timid young maid opened the door.
"May I ask who you are?"
Leaning against the door, she asked cautiously.
Klein had previously told him that his family had recently hired a maid. Outside of work, she was also learning cooking from him. The young maid had only been with the Moretti family for a few days and did not know Luther.
Should my family hire a maid too...? Luther wondered inwardly before telling the young maid, "Please tell Mr. Moretti that a colleague has come to visit..."
"What is it?"
An adult man's voice came from behind the door. Looking past the maid, Luther saw a man with thinning hair whose brows and eyes bore some resemblance to Klein's. He was Klein's elder brother, Benson Moretti.
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