In Terra, a Hunter, and a Bad Woman

Not to mention the very real, still-uncongealed blood on the vehicle.

That frightened quite a few people.

To avoid the trouble of finding parking later, Texas drove straight to the entrance of the Lungmen Guard Department.

And there, a group of Guard Department officers whose purpose was unknown had already assembled.

They looked highly elite. Every one of them wore a taut expression, with sturdy builds and orderly movements. Their harsh, solemn atmosphere made it seem as though they would head into battle the very next second.

Texas, however, was used to it.

She silently opened a new pack of Pocky, then honked twice at them.

"The delivery is here. Please sign for it."

Texas spoke slowly.

Yet despite Texas's call, they remained completely still, as if they had not heard her.

There was a reason for that.

After all, within the Lungmen Guard Department, Penguin Logistics was synonymous with trouble.

Logically speaking, as an organization that had reached an agreement with Lungmen's authorities to transport supplies, even if their relationship was poor, they would usually exchange polite greetings on the surface. Sometimes, they would even open a little back door for each other.

But... these people were simply too disruptive.

Speeding, running red lights, getting involved in gang shootouts, causing trouble everywhere... honestly, if an ordinary company dared behave like that, never mind anything else, the fines alone would strip it bare.

But the problem was that every single time, Penguin Logistics would professionally find loopholes in the Law and use almost absurd methods to explain why everything they had done was completely correct.

Every time, they got away.

Even when the Guard Department spent time and effort catching them in the act, the final result would be that the Law approved, Penguin Logistics approved, and even if the Guard Department did not approve, they had to accept it. In the end, it was still them who got cursed out by passersby!

That had put them under considerable public pressure.

Of course, Texas knew that perfectly well.

So the honk had merely been a reminder. She then got out of the vehicle, dragged the unconscious man from the trunk, pulled out the documents in his hand as well, tucked a form beneath her arm, and walked toward the dumbfounded staff.

"So... who's signing this form?"

Texas asked with a straight face, Pocky between her teeth.

"?"

These elite burly men were all stunned...

It was not that they were shocked by Texas pulling a blood-covered man out of a Penguin Logistics vehicle. They were just astonished that Penguin Logistics had become this wild.

Openly taking someone out of a trunk right in front of the Guard Department...

We know you must have a reason, but... with such blatant actions, could you not spare a thought for our reputation?

Seeing Lungmen citizens at the intersection pointing and whispering in their direction, these elites who had just looked ready to face death could barely stand steady now.

But before long, someone sharp-eyed recognized who the man was and hurried over to whisper a few words to their superior.

Upon hearing it, the other man frowned.

After a brief pause, he stepped forward and nodded to Texas.

"Although I apologize, please remain at the Guard Department for the time being. I need to report this matter to my superiors."

"Mm."

Texas did not refuse.

Soon afterward, the Guard Department officers brought out Exusiai and the others as well, arranging them in separate rooms while paying special attention to the unconscious man.

As Maria was being led away, she saw several people in white rushing over as fast as they could.

It was clear that the Lungmen Guard Department took this matter very seriously.

But that had nothing to do with Maria. She simply followed the person leading her and entered a small room, where she sat down quietly.

Not long after, a girl with dragon horns strode into the room with brisk efficiency.

"You are... Maria?"

As she spoke, her lovely face was drawn tight, making her look especially serious.

"Yes, miss."

Maria answered her question calmly, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"Is there anything you wish to ask?"

"..." That indifferent attitude caught the other girl off guard instead. After hesitating briefly, she spoke seriously again.

"Where did you find that man?"

"You mean the man we just brought in?" Maria crossed her legs slightly and leaned back in her chair. "If it is him, my companions should have told you the location. If you are asking me, then all I can say is that I do not know."

"Why?" The dragon girl frowned. "Were you not acting together?"

"I only just arrived in this city and am unfamiliar with the place names here... that is all."

"..."

The dragon girl seemed to find it hard to believe, suspicion appearing on her face. But after a moment, she sternly said,

"Do not try any tricks! I hope you will cooperate honestly with our work!"

Exusiai and the others from Penguin Logistics were key subjects of concern on the Lungmen Guard Department's internal list.

She did not believe Penguin Logistics would simply drop someone unfamiliar even with Lungmen into this squad!

There had to be some secret behind this!

"..."

"Come to think of it... that person seems very important to you?"

Faced with the dragon girl's questioning, Maria remained as composed as ever, though she straightened slightly and questioned her in return.

Her black attire, which concealed her features, constantly gave off a stifling aura. Especially when her hands rested folded over her knees, she possessed a strange and captivating temperament.

After hesitating for a moment, the dragon girl silently nodded.

"He is a very important witness..."

Her words stopped there. Clearly, she could not reveal any more information.

"Then I believe that my companions and I, having brought such a person out of disaster, deserve a word of thanks... That is basic courtesy, do you not think so, unnamed miss?"

Maria spoke calmly. Though she did not explicitly say she was dissatisfied, every word carried her displeasure.

That subtle manner of communication hidden between the lines immediately reminded Ch'en of the noble banquets she had attended while studying at Victoria Royal Guard Academy.

Those people who liked to dress themselves up like peacocks were especially fond of speaking to others in such strange tones.

Ch'en maintained a reserved attitude toward that style of communication.

She did not particularly hate it, but she could not say she liked it either.

She was simply puzzled to hear that way of speaking again after so long.

But at heart, she was just an honest girl.

Besides, Maria and the others had never actually done anything wrong... This time, Penguin Logistics really had done them a huge favor.

So after hesitating for a while, the proud girl still lowered her head sincerely.

One matter was one matter. From the current situation, Penguin Logistics had indeed helped her side.

"Thank you..."

"You are welcome, forthright-not-at-all girl. I accept your gratitude."

Maria's lips curved as she spoke in a gentle tone.

Although the other girl's attitude at the start had not been very good, considering her honest thanks now and her identity, it was understandable.

Maria truly had not expected her to obediently thank her so honestly.

How should she put it...

It just... made one want to tease her a little.

"So... dear Detective Girl." Maria leaned back slightly in her chair and smiled at the faintly flushed girl before her. "What is it that you wish to learn from me?"

Maria Wants to Build a Good Relationship

After realizing that Maria had teased her, the dragon girl was visibly somewhat angry.

She repeatedly emphasized that she had a name, and that Maria could call her Ch'en.

But perhaps Maria had been displeased by the other girl's somewhat harsh attitude earlier. Although she clearly knew that it would make Ch'en unhappy, she still called her Detective Girl at every turn.

That made Ch'en furious.

But her rigid self-discipline prevented her from doing anything excessive. She merely suppressed her displeasure, questioned Maria for a while longer, and then hurried away.

After some more time passed, a staff member came over and informed Maria that they could leave.

The remaining payment would be transferred to them through official channels.

Maria readily agreed.

After leaving the room, she found the other Penguin Logistics members already waiting for her at the entrance of the Guard Bureau.

"You took so long, Miss Maria~ I was about to fall asleep."

That was the optimistic Angel, yawning.

"They do not seem to trust us very much?"

Maria walked over to the others and spoke softly in a lowered voice.

Though they had not shown it much, Maria could indeed sense that the Lungmen Guard Department did not trust them all that much.

Of course, there was no hostility either.

Exusiai, standing nearby, waved a hand dismissively.

"That's normal. We are not exactly well-behaved most of the time... It is only natural for them to be wary of us."

"So you do have that kind of self-awareness, Exusiai?"

Texas quietly jabbed at Exusiai.

But Exusiai continued smiling optimistically.

"Of course I do, but I think that is their problem. Every time, we are only acting in self-defense."

"I think so too~"

Croissant nodded solemnly from the side.

Maria merely listened to the lively girls chatting. After a brief pause, she turned her head again.

"Then... do we have any plans for today?"

"No. We originally had more work, but after I called Emperor to get us out, he laughed and canceled all our remaining jobs. He even gave us two days of paid leave... so relax."

Texas shook her head from beside her.

Upon hearing that answer, Maria understood.

"In that case, I will head back first."

"Huh? You are leaving already?"

"Mm."

"All right, then. See you the day after tomorrow~"

"Understood."

Maria nodded and turned to leave.

She did not pause for a moment, every movement displaying sharp decisiveness.

After she had gone far away, Exusiai noticed Texas beside her and grinned as she slung an arm around Texas's shoulders.