Solving the Problem

Lynch ignored Mountbatten's self-convincing internal monologue. After giving his instructions and dangling the position of police chief as bait, he hurried out to find a carriage to Blackthorn Security Company.

Although it would cost money, everything he was doing was to clear his own name. There was no time to lose; at worst, he would just ask Dunn later if he could be reimbursed.

The carriage ride took twenty minutes. Soon, Lynch arrived at Blackthorn Security Company.

He knocked on the door and rushed into the reception room.

Rozanne, who was slacking off inside, was startled. She only relaxed when she saw it was him, though she looked a bit displeased.

"Lynch, can't you be a little gentler? You scared a lady; that's not gentlemanly at all!"

Lynch put on an apologetic expression. He had been so focused on his performance that he had forgotten about Rozanne, the queen of slacking.

"It's like this: I encountered some things and made a decision. I don't know if I did the right thing, and I'm really sorry, but I need to find the captain. This matter is very important!"

His acting was top-notch, his expression so tense that not a single flaw could be detected.

At any rate, Rozanne didn't notice anything.

"Dunn's office is right across from Mrs. Orianna's. Go quickly, don't let your business be delayed. No need to blame yourself."

Rozanne offered a word of comfort. Seeing his anxious appearance, she shook her head with pity.

It's truly miserable to get dragged into these kinds of things. I hope that after his business is finished, he can settle down and be a clerk.

Lynch quickened his pace and arrived at Dunn's office. Dunn was taken aback by the sweat on his face, but he immediately offered reassurance: "Don't be anxious. What happened?"

"It's like this, Captain. I returned home this morning—to the house I'm renting—intending to move out. But just as I got back, I saw the landlady arguing with someone..."

Lynch recounted Upton's reaction at the time, as well as his own actions.

However, he changed the part where he felt something was wrong at the time to feeling it only after the fact.

He said that he had just been in a bad mood then and hadn't expected someone to actually try to rob him.

Later, when he went to deliver the silk banner to Mountbatten, he had intentionally brought up Upton.

"I just wanted Officer Mountbatten to deal with the guy, but I didn't expect that after Officer Mountbatten brought him in, I spoke to Upton alone to demand an apology. Instead, he threatened me. He said he was from the Big Meat Church and told me to hand over the Antigonus Notebook, or I would die a miserable death."

Dunn looked at him, deep in thought.

"He knows you obtained the Antigonus Notebook?"

Lynch nodded.

"I suspect so. They might have seen Klein hitting me with the notebook that night, and then it fell into my hands. That's why Upton used the excuse that I was dead to try and enter my house to steal it. Maybe that's not it, but it's the only guess I have."

Dunn nodded.

"That is indeed a possibility. Your guess aligns with my own thoughts; I was thinking the same thing. So, what did you do?"

Lynch pursed his lips and said with some hesitation, "I hesitated for a moment, then told him that the Antigonus Notebook I obtained was a fake and that I was currently tracking it down.

Besides, I expressed that I admired their Big Meat Church and wanted to join...

I'm sorry, Captain, I just felt that if I could infiltrate their church, I might be able to see what kind of evil god it really is. I've heard you talk about the victims who died miserably for worshipping evil gods, and I hoped I could help them.

Upton didn't believe me, so I wrote him a letter of commitment. He seemed to believe it a little and agreed to help me pass it on. I don't know if I did the right thing, so I rushed over to report it."

After finishing, Lynch looked at Dunn, unsure if he believed him.

In any case, this was the only idea he could come up with for the time being.

"Captain, did I do something wrong?"

Seeing that Dunn remained silent, Lynch couldn't help but ask again.

Dunn sighed softly, his gray eyes fixed on Lynch.

"You didn't do anything wrong, but it was very risky. I suddenly feel some regret. Doing this kind of work might truly put you in danger, and you are only a clerk, after all."

Lynch breathed a sigh of relief inside.

As long as he believes it.

However, Dunn's words made him feel a bit guilty.

He wasn't that noble; he was just trying to put a temporary layer of insurance over the original owner's situation.

"Alright, you will act as an informant regarding Upton. If you need help, you can tell me at any time. I think if you can make some achievements in this matter, you will be able to become a Beyonder."

Dunn said in a gentle tone.

Lynch looked over in immediate surprise. "Really?"

He hadn't expected such an unexpected bonus. He had originally thought it would take him five years to become a Beyonder, but it turned out he only needed to strike against the Big Meat Church!

"Don't worry, Captain! For the sake of the victims and for myself, I will definitely work hard!"

He would definitely ensure the Big Meat Church had no foothold in Tingen!

"By the way, Captain, could you give me that fake Antigonus Notebook? I'm planning to take it to show Upton sometime so he knows I wasn't lying."

Dunn hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll go file the report. You should be able to get it when you officially start work."

That would be perfect.

Lynch was also eager to see what exactly had changed with this notebook; he remembered that when he first held it in his hands, he could see things written in it!

That evening, Lynch returned to the home of Klein.

He had been willing to spend money on a carriage ride when he went out, but on the way back, he couldn't bear to part with a single cent, not even buying a cup of water for fear of spending extra money.

Fortunately, he felt quite comfortable once he arrived home.

Klein had already stewed some beef, and there was fragrant black bread, as well as small fish coated in breadcrumbs and fried to a golden crisp; it really made him want to swallow his saliva.

Benson and Melissa had clearly been swallowing their saliva for quite some time; the two of them were staring at the food like a pair of wolves that had been starving for ages, their eyes gleaming with a green light.

However, they hadn't started eating yet, choosing instead to wait for Lynch.

Even Lynch felt inexplicably moved by this.

But he soon discovered that this guy Klein had secretly eaten a piece of black bread—how excessive, he didn't even know to wait for him!

"Right away, I'll be there as soon as I wash my hands!"

Lynch rushed into the washroom, cleaned his hands and face, and then sat down at the dining table, immediately joining Benson and the others in the scramble for food.

It was so delicious that he couldn't control the speed of his hands at all.

By the time the plates were cleared and the broth in the pot had been mopped up with the black bread, Lynch finally couldn't help but cradle his belly and let out a satisfied sigh.

"Klein, after we move into the new house, can I still come over to your place for meals? I can pay for the groceries, or you can come to my place to cook, and I'll pay you a high-end chef's salary!"