Shelley saw that someone was willing to take over her case and recommended, "Detective Chief, this is a minor case. Let the rookie get some practice. This, this... this kid's actually pretty capable."
Thomas realized Captain Shelley didn't know his name, so he was about to introduce himself to the Detective Chief.
Before he could speak, Luke said, "You must be Wallis Thomas, right?"
Thomas hadn't expected the Detective Chief to know his full name off the top of his head.
As a newly hired rookie, being remembered by his direct superior made Thomas feel valued. He immediately stood at attention.
He said loudly, "Yes, Detective Chief. My name is Wallis Thomas. I was in the 135th class at the Imperial Royal Intelligence Academy and graduated with a score of 689.
"I interned in Social Fort, Empire, on February 4, 2646, Century Calendar.
"On March 9, 2647, I was transferred to the Secret Intelligence Bureau in Cape District, Raging Wave City, where I handled office duties."
Luke had already found some information about Thomas on his phone.
There wasn't much about Thomas's early life in the records.
But graduating from the Imperial Intelligence Academy with a score close to 700 meant Thomas had been exceptionally talented from the start.
However, his background was too humble. Otherwise, the Secret Intelligence Bureau in Cape District wouldn't have been so lucky as to pick up such a bargain.
Luke patted Thomas on the shoulder and said, "I graduated from the Imperial Royal Intelligence Academy too. In terms of seniority, you're my junior. I admire your willingness to seize an opportunity when one comes along. I like that.
"I'm leaving this case to you. Let's see what a top graduate of the Royal Intelligence Academy can do."
Thomas hadn't expected the Detective Chief to be so approachable. Not only had he really handed the case to a rookie like him, but he'd also called him his junior.
This honor and treatment left Thomas so excited that he said, "Rest assured, Detective Chief. I absolutely won't bring shame to the Royal Intelligence Academy."
"Work hard. I have high hopes for you!"
Luke didn't spend much more time on Thomas. After all, circumstances made heroes. With Luke's interference, there was no telling whether Thomas would still become the future "Silence."
Still, Luke was optimistic about Thomas's future, given his willingness to take that kind of initiative.
Opportunities had always gone to those who were prepared and knew how to seize them.
Thomas could be trained.
Thomas went to ask Helm about her son's situation. Shelley seemed to remember something, made an excuse about gathering people to support the Mad Axe Gang that evening, and slipped away.
Luke returned to his office alone.
His chief secretary, Kailina, brought him a cup of coffee, then set a stack of documents on his desk.
"Detective Chief, these are all the documents that piled up before you took office and need your signature. This one needs your seal immediately to take effect..."
"What is this? Why the rush?"
Kailina explained, "Detective Chief, before you took office, the Central Bureau was directing the work of our Secret Intelligence Bureau in Cape District. Now that you've taken office, command naturally needs to be transferred back to us.
"This is your seal. It was found on Envelope's body."
Kailina placed a seal on the desk. There were also a few other odds and ends, all belonging to the "former" Detective Chief.
Luke skimmed the command transfer documents, then picked up the seal and stamped them with the mark of "Meteor."
"Has the body been taken care of?"
"It's been cremated." Kailina pulled a letter from the stack of documents and said, "This is an official notice the City Hall just sent over. They require us to find the 'Heart of Red Dragon Nilcolon' that was stolen from the City Alchemist Association as soon as possible."
Luke picked up the notice and read it. "The City Alchemist Association had something stolen. Shouldn't the Public Security Bureau be handling it? What does the Secret Intelligence Bureau have to do with this?
"And even if the Secret Intelligence Bureau is supposed to assist, that should be the Central Bureau's responsibility. Why are they dumping it on our Cape District bureau?"
Kailina explained, "Detective Chief, the Central Bureau says the thief who stole the 'Heart of Red Dragon Nilcolon' disappeared after entering our district. They also say the alchemical item is connected to the Dragon Kingdom, and if Red Dragon Nilcolon is used, it could very well cause a diplomatic incident.
"So the City Hall assigned us the task of finding the alchemical item. If we can't find it in time, it'll affect the City Hall's funding for us.
"Captain Black Mamba has been in charge of this case all along..."
No wonder Shelley had been in such a hurry to leave. She'd been trying to dump the case on him.
The Heart of Red Dragon Nilcolon was in Clear Sky's Spatial Backpack.
There was no way Luke would hand it over.
As for the diplomatic incident the Central Bureau had mentioned...
The Dragon Kingdom was nothing more than a map where dragons gathered. It had no government representing it, so how could there be any talk of diplomacy?
Since Red Dragon Nilcolon had been greedy enough to sign a summoning contract with the Alchemist Association in Raging Wave City, both sides had automatically accepted the risks that came with it.
You lived or died by fate; wealth and honor were in the hands of heaven.
The Central Bureau's excuse was nothing but an attempt to shirk responsibility and stir up trouble.
But the City Hall's threat to cut funding really had the Secret Intelligence Bureau in Cape District by the throat.
They were broke!
Luke looked through the other documents. Applications for expenses and reimbursement made up a large portion of them.
After Clear Sky had "slaughtered" the Mad Axe Gang, the already cash-strapped Secret Intelligence Bureau in Cape District had been dealt another blow.
"All right, I know about this. You can get back to work. I'll go through these documents more carefully."
"Yes, Detective Chief."
Kailina left the office.
Luke started thinking about where he could get some money. Only by becoming financially independent could he avoid being controlled by others.
He needed money to build his own "rabbit hole."
Luke browsed the guides on his phone, looking for a quick way to make money.
There were plenty of money-making guides, but none could solve his immediate problem.
Either they were too far away or they would take too long.
The one that was both nearby and coming up soon was... the Clover Armed Airship Robbery.
The people behind the Clover Armed Airship Robbery were the pirates led by Madam Tasia of Fishbone Island. They had not only stolen ten tons of gold, but also kidnapped more than a dozen of Raging Wave City's upper-class citizens aboard the airship.
The rescue operation that followed, centered on the gold and the hostages, led to a very exciting and complicated story.
It was one of the most memorable storylines set in the Raging Wave City region during the early Era.
But without the "Heart of Red Dragon Nilcolon," would Madam Tasia still dare to target the Clover Armed Airship?
Luke spent the afternoon repeatedly reviewing the story of the Clover Armed Airship Robbery.
Madam Tasia had prepared thoroughly for the heist. She hadn't relied on just one "Heart of Red Dragon Nilcolon."
The attack, boarding, robbery, and escape.
The timing, location, personnel, and coordination.
It all showed that there was an extremely meticulous plan behind it. The loss of one alchemical item wouldn't make them give up.
Besides... even if Madam Tasia wanted to give up, Luke wouldn't let her.
He was looking forward to meeting her even more.
Before you continue