Chapter 159

If Nana hadn't been smiling at her, Takina would have been ready to unleash a torrent of Atlas sins on this man...

But Nana isn't angry now, so why should she, a girl in blue, be angry?

Turn your face away; out of sight, out of mind.

And this deputy sheriff, who was probably also a parent, seeing that Takina was young and seemed prone to impulsiveness, raised an eyebrow and said:

"... You're not going to refute that? Then I'll have to take those people's words seriously... Should I repeat it? Your organization was described by the Atlas members as..."

"Well, sir, I think perhaps we don't need to goad them like that... They're just kids; maybe we just need a gentler way of asking questions."

The deputy simply shrugged at Nana's sudden outburst... He often did the good cop/bad cop role during interrogations, only in the past he had played the bad cop for the sheriff.

As Nana approached him softly, the deputy suddenly wondered if he had made a mistake. He was the superior now; shouldn't he be the one playing the good cop? Now, his habitual bad cop routine was about to result in the credit being taken by someone he had dragged along to work overtime.

But upon closer reflection, everyone else is here to work overtime, so giving her a chance to shine isn't a bad idea... Otherwise, if her subordinates become resentful, she'll have to do everything herself, and then how can she manage?

Just as her deputy was momentarily distracted, Nana and Takina exchanged glances.

Although Takina didn't believe in so-called tacit understanding, all she could do was go along with Nana's train of thought.

After a segment of meaningless platitudes intended to appease her deputy, Nana steered the conversation toward what she wanted to reveal to the outside world:

"... Name: Inoue Takina, from the local Higashi... Oh, an Iberia immigrant... So, you do belong to an organization that handles some difficult tasks for the government... And now, a group of outsiders have come specifically to oppose you, so now you're just simply opposing them, and it's no longer related to the tasks above... Is that what you mean?"

"This isn't a mission, it's a difference in ideology... We're painstakingly driving away high-threat targets in the wild, protecting politicians who wholeheartedly speak out for the people, and investigating the evil capitalists who devour the people's property. What is Atlas doing?! They're blowing things up in the city! Who is the evil private army?! Who is the rotting flesh and festering sore that should be removed?! Let me tell you, now that we're forced to focus all our efforts on dealing with Atlas, it also means that all our work on law enforcement has been put on hold... You'd better prepare to have your emergency calls ringing off the hook!"

Listening to Nana and Takina's 'argument,' the assistant, who had been drinking two cups of coffee, sighed and put down his coffee cup.

"It's not uncommon for local governments to rely on enterprises to govern townships, but it's interesting... quite rare that the enterprises aren't exploiting the people and trying to drive them out to reclaim land, but instead are fighting amongst themselves."

Seeing the blue-clad girl glaring at him fiercely, the middle-aged man shrugged.

"I won't go into too much detail about permissions with a kid like you... Let's just talk about your fight in the Black Street... I mean, near Wilson Apartments. Can you testify to your previous statements? Let me make it clear, this is a very serious matter..."

"Certainly!"

It seemed she had truly become clueless; this time, Takina didn't even bother to ask Nana's permission with her eyes, focusing instead on a natural progression.

Let's speak frankly and openly!

P. S.: How did a whole day just fly by in the blink of an eye... scratches head

Typing, typing...

PS2: Waaaaaah, meow meow QAQ

5th Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 172 Infernal Affairs

Of course, it wasn't quite the scene Takina had imagined, where both sides would stand up and list each other's crimes under the notarization of the police. After her questioning was over, the deputy simply left her in a temporary cell at the police station.

Worried that her careless words might have unforeseen consequences for her seniors, Takina remained quite taciturn for the next few hours... Meanwhile, Nana went to the cafeteria to get food and water for Takina and waited for the police station's response, while also taking the time to make a phone call to the coffee shop.

On one hand, she needed to confirm Typhon's safe return. On the other hand, besides reminding Eileen that Rhodes Island would send someone to assist Lycoris with the transfer of her patients, Nana also needed support from Rhodes Island... or more precisely, from the Rhodes Island Human Resources Special Operations Team.

"... Yes, that's right... I'll leave Seia to 'Medic'. Tell them... Little Cat? Ah, tell her the situation here is still dangerous, so she should stay obediently at 'home,' okay? I'll try to go back for Christmas to spend with her... Um, um... Thank you, Director Kal'tsit..."

It was supposed to be a simple remote task assignment, but it had to use a lot of metaphors.

Nana even carefully made the call to Kal'tsit to ask her to make arrangements... If the sheriff's deputy hadn't appeared behind her during the call, Nana might have been able to be more direct.

As the deputy sheriff coughed behind her, Nana naturally turned around. Although only a few hours had passed, the senior detective in the brown leather coat looked as if he had been up for several sleepless nights.

"Have you talked to your family about Christmas?"

"Well... after all, things seem very busy at the station, and I don't think I can leave."

Seeing the blonde girl's smiling, shrugged expression, the sheriff's deputy forced a forced, unpleasant smile.

"Your hunch was pretty accurate. Everyone's vacation time at the station has been canceled, and we're still short-staffed. It's just that the flight route inspection department is a bit special and won't send people back to the city... But, what if I help you apply for a bonus and get you two months of administrative leave? How about it? Interested in doing some paid overtime?"

"... Won't they be held accountable? The sheriff should really hate it when people from other departments try to freeload on cases..."

Hearing Nana's words, the sheriff's deputy's face darkened even more. It was unclear what he had gone through in the past few hours; now, whenever the sheriff was mentioned, his expression was as if he had been run over by the Mobile City's machinery.

"If the boss can conjure up a subordinate who can wield a long gun, I definitely won't complain... After all, the 'organization' that little girl mentioned doesn't seem to be lying; the alarm rate today is abnormally high."

"While I was reporting, the radio was buzzing with activity... street fights, shop robberies, carjackings, armed clashes... In no time, the entire bureau's cars were dispatched, as if the whole city had suddenly become agitated... Don't think I'm being paranoid, but based on past experience, I have a feeling I'm definitely going to get into serious trouble."

Seeing the other person open their cigarette pack and casually offer her one, Nana smiled and waved her hand in refusal.

"So, you really believed what the child said?"

"Those of us in this line of work can only believe in evidence. The facts are undeniable, aren't they... So, are you interested in getting involved? After all, the militia has been mobilized, and it's said that the higher-ups are threatening to let the military take over the security work if things aren't settled within half a month... If you're willing to help, you can exchange a vacation for a few lines of praise on your resume. This will be good for your future career planning."

Nana's smile faltered at the words of her seemingly amiable deputy sheriff. She wasn't a real police officer; what career planning did she need?

"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't want the sheriff to have anything on my mind... Why don't you give me a bigger bonus now, so I can treat my kids to an extra meal when I get home..."

"Wow? I didn't realize... But the bonus, I can't give much personally, and going through the official accounts is too much trouble... How about this, two thousand Gold Yuan, the standard price for an independent Mercenaries, and I'll save you the trouble of going through the loan process with the Ministry of Transportation... What do you say?"

Nodding, she figured it was roughly 1,800 Lungmen Dollar, which wasn't a small amount for a police station... Considering her persona and her own goals, Nana readily agreed to the adjutant's request.

"Deal!"

Nana took the several large bills handed to her and stuffed them into her pocket, then saluted.

"Now I'm a holiday worker, sir."

"I do hope you don't find a new job in what comes next... Inspector." Lu

With a sigh, the sheriff's deputy led Nana into the police station.

Although the police station was now practically empty compared to the bustling scene of the previous hours, with only clerks and operators remaining, the almost constant stream of emergency calls and the weary voices of the four operators still filled the station, giving Nana a real sense of what the city would be like without the ICA and Lycoris's work.

"... How much do you know about how things are developing right now?"

Passing through the busy paperwork area, the deputy paused for a moment in the interrogation room. Their gazes swept over the group of Atlas members who hadn't cooperated yet... Compared to Takina, who had eaten a bowl of pork chop rice with a greasy face, these guys could only be described as disheveled.

Even so, they maintained a stance of "we'll only speak when the company's lawyer arrives," which frustrated the police officer in charge of the interrogation, who kept pressing down on his pen. The police station's investigation of these people was as blank as the paper used to take statements.

"Subjectively speaking, it was a gang fight involving heavy firepower...? Considering the girl's and these people's testimonies, it was a conflict between two local organizations... although I've never even heard of Atlas."

Nodding, the deputy continued towards the department surrounded by steel fences, which was the local police station's armory. Several Firearms Arts officers were queuing up to receive Etch Rounds.

These are all unlucky guys who returned from law enforcement today. They should have had an administrative holiday, but now they have to work non-stop because of too many emergency calls.

"I don't know if any company would be willing to take responsibility for the actions of these two groups. After all, if it were truly a company-wide conflict, frontline staff would probably be more willing to confess... Also, something that girl said has something on my mind..."

"Are you referring to the claim that they're helping the municipality?"

Nodding, the deputy gestured to a police officer sitting by the door, who was sobbing uncontrollably and being gently comforted by his colleague who was patting him on the shoulder.

"Municipal work involves outsourcing, although this is not publicly known, but the older generation is well aware of it... I don't know the border patrol situation, but people in the city rarely fire their guns. The citizens are united and friendly, and even if there are conflicts, they can usually be resolved through verbal persuasion... This is the impression most new recruits have of working at the police station."

"However, judging from the ammunition consumption of the Firearms Operator in each patrol group today, perhaps that girl wasn't lying... Because of Atlas, the police department's outsourcing of dangerous work may have come to a standstill, which is why I insisted that you stay."

As he spoke, the sheriff's deputy patted the equipment counter and handed over his badge. "I hope you're not the type to make a living on the border by taking bribes, because there's likely to be a lot of shooting involved in investigating cases and responding to dispatch... though I still hope you don't end up finding yourself in a new job situation."

"Of course, who wants their home to be engulfed in war?"

As she spoke, Nana reported the police officer number that Anna had helped her fake. Accompanied by the distinctive creaking sound of a cassette tape being recorded, Nana successfully passed the police station's verification and obtained the patrol officer's long gun.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's deputy also requested two additional sets of body armor; the M69 armor was retired equipment that had been replaced by the military in the past.

Because of its hot and heavy material, it was not well received by soldiers during the Columbia - Bolívar War. Even though it had proven to save soldiers' lives in critical moments, once the Armored Huntsmen groups, developed based on Victoria Steam Knight technology, officially became the main force of Columbia and began to undertake mobile heavy infantry missions, this ordinary light bulletproof equipment seemed to be distributed entirely to second-line agencies such as the police.

But as Nana and the deputy sheriff put on their bulletproof vests, the previously distraught officer began rambling incoherently to those around him about his teammates being caught in a gunfight on the street and being pierced by heavy arrows and javelins... The surrounding officers watched with sympathy and sighed, and the entire police station, centered around the Equipment Department, resembled a hurricane.

As the eye of the storm, the deputy sheriff, hearing the sobbing not far away, first patted the equipment on his chest with concern. He knew that this thing could at most defend against the Originium Etch Rounds fired by third-rate gunmen; against proper magic, explosives, and heavy arrows, he would still die as usual... Then, looking at the blonde girl wearing four kilograms of armor and carrying an M1A standard rifle, still lively and energetic, the deputy then patted the Equipment Department table:

"Give her another shield... Unlike border patrols, it's very convenient to use vehicles in the city. You can put your heavy equipment in the vehicle, which is much better than not being able to find it when you need it."

Based on her deputy's experience, Nana glanced at the seemingly larger group of disorganized police officers and shrugged.

"We'll do as you say... However, before we set off, may I ask whether we're going to deal with the city's poor security situation or specifically to investigate a case?"

"The main focus is still on investigating the case, and I'm dressed like this out of concern for public safety..."

"Hmm, so why not bring that girl along?"

Nana's words made the deputy frown, and the look in Nana eyes made Nana momentarily think that her disguise had been exposed. But the deputy's next words made Nana breathe a sigh of relief:

"I know she was very cooperative compared to the other side... She surrendered voluntarily, didn't cause us any trouble during the arrest, and signed her statement readily... Most importantly, she's also an excellent person capable of using heavy Firearms Arts..."

"But she's currently in detention. Even if we wanted to bring her into the police system, we'd have to wait until her Judgment is over, until she's released from prison, or go through the military system to clear her name..."

"But she should be happy to cause trouble for the enemy... I mean, we can go through some legal procedures... to help us investigate Atlas. Most importantly, compared to the younger agents who are unfamiliar with city work, she, who claims to be involved in municipal outsourcing, might be very suitable for the next operation."

With a freshly lit cigarette dangling from his lips, the sheriff's deputy looked at Nana with a somewhat deadpan expression.

"... Why do I get the feeling that you'd really like to be her guarantor for bail?"

"This must be your imagination."

"It's best if it's just a misperception. After all, the use of heavy Firearms Arts in a public place resulting in the deaths of dozens of people—such a heinous incident isn't so easily approved through judicial deals... unless..."

"Unless?"

Taking a deep breath, the lieutenant forcefully handed the heavy shield to Nana, who then lightly secured it to Nana left arm with straps. The sheriff's second-in-command, his eye twitching, took another deep drag of his cigarette, seemingly trying to calm himself.

"Unless Atlas is found to have caused greater social unrest and the evidence is irrefutable, any attempt to help one side is easily seen as taking bribes from the other... Well, border Route Patrol probably don't need this kind of trivia, and hopefully you won't in the future."

As she spoke, she waved for Nana to follow. Before leaving the police station, Nana saw Takina clinging to the transparent cell and waved to her with a smile. Actually, it was Lycoris's sign language signal for "all is well." After that, Nana put the heavy shield and the M1A rifle into the trunk of the police car and then got into the passenger seat.

The old policeman naturally noticed Nana's actions just now:

"Still insisting it's not just your imagination? Aren't you two on good terms?"

"After all, she hasn't caused us any trouble so far... and she's still so young, only a few years older than my daughter..."

"I understand the feelings of loving someone at your age and the pent-up maternal instincts... but I still maintain that you'd better not get too close... unless the political situation allows, avoid getting yourself into trouble..."

"Got it, got it~ So, boss, where do we begin investigating that... Atlas?"

As the gray-haired veteran policeman stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray, the red and blue warning lights on the police car illuminated, and two beeps from the siren broke the silence of the police station. The deputy sergeant checked the cylinder of the revolver in the holster under his coat and then said:

"The sheriff is helping us deal with those annoying reporters, but everyone has seen how bad the security situation has deteriorated recently, and the pressure from above is immense... The city has given us the green light all the way, so we can go directly to see the people from Atlas."

"Wow, we've gone straight into the enemy's lair, is that right?"

Without refuting Nana's claim of being an 'enemy,' the sheriff's deputy tidied his hair one last time, combing his slightly wavy, graying temples back and covering them with his cowboy hat... His eyes sharpened as well.

"They'd better not be enemies."

PS: I've revised the outline, and although I'm still experiencing writer's block, I'll resume updates for now.

PS2: Waaaaaah, meow meow QAQ

5th The Laytonson's Ghost Assassin: 173 An Increasingly Complicated Situation

The police cars used by the RSPD are Ford Crown Victoria sedans equipped with large crash bars and door armor, although this model is over a decade old and has been discontinued. However, the ICA's support is clearly of high quality, otherwise the police department would not still be using these cars.

As the vehicles hit the road, the weary voices from the dispatch center on the vehicle radios seemed never to stop.

A series of cases, both big and small, surround the sheriff's deputy and the blonde girl. In just ten minutes, thefts, robberies, and traffic jams caused by the perpetrators of these cases emerge one after another.

After the sheriff's deputy remained indifferent to a call from a location less than a minute's drive away, Nana, the drama queen who had already sided with the police, felt like a 911 operator was crawling all over her body.

"Aren't we going to help? It sounds like it's very close."

"We're a special task force; let the patrol officers handle the minor issues in the city..."

Before the middle-aged man with a furrowed brow could finish speaking, the sound of gunfire piercing the air in the distance mingled with the shrill cries of a call coming from the car radio:

[SOS! SOS! Gunfight breaks out in the alley outside the Continental Hotel! Requesting Rapid Response Force support... There are more than fifteen enemies. Except for four wearing beige high school girl uniforms, the rest are wearing old-fashioned olive-green military uniforms. They are carrying heavy weapons. Repeat, they are firing at our position with heavy weapons!!]

Just as the sheriff's deputy frowned, picked up the communicator, and hesitated, unsure of what to say, Nana raised an eyebrow and prompted:

"Olive-colored old-fashioned military uniform, sounds like Atlas's attire... Ask them what their high school girls' uniforms look like, maybe it's Atlas fighting with the girls' side again?"

"Hmm... This is Sheriff's Deputy Jaeger. Calling the patrol officer who just requested assistance. Please describe the girls' clothing."

[Um... beige and gray two-tone, double-breasted... wearing a skirt, about five centimeters above the knee... outerwear, the right side of the outerwear has a fabric that looks like a suit jacket...]

"... Fake double-layered?"

[Yes, yes, yes... Ah! They've increased their firepower! Help, help!]

Hearing the increasingly clear sounds of assault rifles and pistols firing in the distance, Nana picked up the communicator with a puzzled expression:

"Aren't they attacking each other? What are you yelling about?"

They attacked us together!