Priest

"You may enter." The attendant gestured for Sandella to proceed.

Sandella pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped into the lord's study.

This room was the complete opposite of the Lookout Tower. The curtains were kept drawn most of the time, so there was no need to worry about the intrusion of strong winds. The room was lit entirely by whale blubber oil lamps. The numerous small flames illuminated every corner of the room without being harsh. To mask the oily odor, pine resin and white butterfly flower were mixed into the lamps, filling the room with a constant floral scent.

It could be said that only the lord of Glorious Fortress could afford such lamp oil.

Sandella couldn't help but twitch her nose.

She didn't like the smell. Because the room was always sealed, it was inevitably mixed with some stuffy odors. She'd rather feel the salty sea breeze than the artificial floral scent; at least that made her feel free.

Count Li Qiongao Aura sat behind the desk. As the heir of the Aura Family, he was in his prime. But unlike his father who led troops and earned merits, Li Qiongao lacked a robust physique and formidable martial power. He was more like a scholar, his slender and pale fingers better suited for turning pages than wielding steel weapons.

Sandella crossed the wool rug and approached the desk, giving a standard military salute.

"I heard you refused investigation requests from three other police stations again?" Li Qiongao asked calmly, putting down the newspaper he was reading.

His voice was soft, but his enunciation was clear.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because during my investigation, I discovered gross negligence on the part of the North City Police Station—"

"And what does that have to do with the other police stations?" Li Qiongao interrupted directly. "You should know that those four police stations have different backers. They are already in competition with each other. Allowing the other three in would only increase the efficiency of solving the case. Your reason for refusal is insufficient."

Sandella obediently shut her mouth.

She knew the lord was right.

"Besides, they also want to know the truth, especially whether there are cultists hidden in this city, and if so, how much influence they have gathered." Li Qiongao looked at her, his black eyes as deep as an abyss. "More importantly, you have violated the contract. When the police stations were established, the contract stipulated that they had the right to carry out various public security activities within the city. You must understand that the current sponsors of the police stations, the shareholders of those major companies, are already pressuring me."

"I apologize," Sandella lowered her head.

"Apologizing but not changing?" Li Qiongao frowned deeply.

"I hope Your Lordship can hold on a little longer. The City Guard will definitely solve this case!" she stated decisively.

A brief silence fell in the study.

A moment later, Li Qiongao stood up and walked slowly to Sandella. "Do you know how much the castle costs to maintain for a year?"

"This subordinate does not know."

"Sixteen million, Glickley. And our tax revenue and financial subsidies only add up to ten million... The remaining deficit is covered by the major companies that have set up factories in Glorious Fortress." His tone grew heavier. "You must understand that I can replace the position of City Guard Commander at any time. So please make it clear, what exactly do you want to do?"

Sandella said seriously, "I hope that public security within the city will no longer be entirely handed over to the police department as it was in the past, but will be jointly managed by the City Guard!"

"If we can't cover the deficit, how can we even talk about the salaries of the City Guard!"

"Your Lordship, I consulted scholars from the academy. If a city's internal security is excellent, outsourcing it can indeed reduce administrative costs. However, if it is poor, the damage to the city will be ten times the cost! Because unstable security will reduce investment confidence and severely impact economic activity within the city!"

"Oh? You understand these things?" Li Qiongao looked at her with surprise.

"In the past, Glorious Fortress faced serious threats from cultists. The City Guard, in order to better deal with external enemies, separated internal security work. This was merely a choice made under environmental constraints. Now that we are no longer a beachhead for exploring new continents, there is no need to stick to old responsibilities."

Sandella suddenly knelt on one knee. "Most importantly, the City Guard is loyal to the Count, while the police department is not under your control! Just like this case, if someone hadn't attacked Wangshui Manor, we would still not know about Kuiqi's underground private prison. Forgive my bluntness, but all the scandals happening in Glorious Fortress, regardless of who the perpetrator is, will ultimately be linked to your family by outsiders."

The lord did not reply immediately.

With his hands behind his back, he paced back and forth in the room twice before speaking, "You may rise."

His tone was no longer as stern as before. Sandella understood that the Count was moved.

"The impact of this matter is indeed significant. It's likely that before long, the entire Old Continent will know about it," Li Qiongao sighed lightly. "The deaths of a few dozen people are not a major issue, but they shouldn't have burned down the royal family's favorite theater."

Sandella's heart tightened slightly.

She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to start.

"As for you... I'm a bit curious. Were you considering this matter a long time ago, or did you decide to do this only after seeing the Sea Guards imprisoned in the dungeon?" Li Qiongao sized her up.

Neither.

Sandella did not want to admit that the man suspected of being a major cultist was the catalyst for her actions.

"If Glorious Fortress itself is a hell, then I admit I broke the rules. But it still has places like the Yenie Holy Hall... and many enthusiastic people who dislike seeing the truth buried and dare to step forward to reveal secrets. Isn't it too unfair to call it a hell?"

She hadn't taken such wild talk to heart at first.

But as the investigation deepened, she was surprised to find that the other party was not speaking nonsense.

"This subordinate simply... does not wish for Count Aura to be deceived by others."

Seeing Sandella hesitate, Li Qiongao didn't press her. "It's fine if it's the latter. A subordinate with good intentions is better than a ruthless schemer. In fact, I admire those who stand up for the weak, because my father sacrificed himself on the battlefield with such a belief."

"You flatter me."

"But I must also be clear: to legitimately regain control of public security, the City Guard must achieve outstanding merits. I will give you two weeks at most. After two weeks, I need a truth, no matter what." Li Qiongao emphasized the word "truth." "Do you understand what that means?"

"Of course, this subordinate understands!" Sandella said, clenching her fist to her chest.

"Also, the threat of cultists should not be underestimated. To assist you in your investigation, I have found you a helper."

"A helper?" She blinked in surprise. "Your Lordship, we City Guards alone can—"

"Perhaps not. Didn't you mention in your report that you saw the enemies who attacked the manor? Yet, despite your Master-level skills, you couldn't apprehend them. That's why I specifically contacted an expert. Li Qiongao clapped his hands to the attendant. "Don't worry, this person will never collude with the police or major companies. You can trust her completely."

As the study door opened again, a woman in a black and white robe walked in.

"Divine Mechanism Cult... Priest?"

Sandella took a long look before she could identify the other person, mainly because her attire was rather outlandish. Not to mention the modified robe that resembled a nun's habit, the sheer amount of accessories on her was dazzling. Seven or eight earrings and studs, rings shaped like gears on every finger, and even a silver stud embedded in her lip. The most eye-catching item was the giant cross she carried on her back, which looked as if it were cast from silver and was almost as tall as she was.

The woman's makeup was also exceptionally heavy, with black eyeshadow nearly encircling her eyes, long and curled eyelashes, blood-red lipstick, and black fingernails. If not for the trident emblem hanging from her shoulder, Sandella would have had a hard time associating this person with a Divine Mechanism Priest.

"Yo," the woman tilted her head and winked at her, extending her hand. "Hello, I'm Govi."