Trident Sword Organization

The Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau, known in short as the Investigation Bureau, was a law enforcement agency directly under the Wizard Council. Because its insignia depicted three crossed greatswords, wizards also called it the Trident Sword Organization.

As one of the Wizard Alliance's three constituent institutions, the Wizard Council granted its subordinate Trident Sword Organization plenty of privileges.

For instance, unlike local public security bureaus and guard offices, the Trident Sword Organization's agents had worldwide jurisdiction and immunity when using many forms of high-risk magic.

For instance, the bureau had first pick of recruits every year, allowing it to approach outstanding graduates of First University ahead of time and bolster its ranks.

And for instance, they could disregard Daming Market's considerable losses and openly discuss the aftermath with Thomas.

Perhaps the Daming Market Management Committee understood this perfectly well. To avoid embarrassment, not a single committee employee showed up while the black-robed agents were still there.

"All right, Andrew, we should be going." The large, tall wizard put away his spellbook and said goodbye in a deep voice. "Good to see you, Thomas."

Thomas bowed slightly.

The last black-robed wizard, tall and thin, flipped through his spellbook. With each twist of his wrist, a dazzling array of runes sprang out of the book and burrowed into the ground.

Andrew did not leave immediately.

He conferred briefly with his two colleagues, then returned to Thomas with a kraft-paper envelope.

A series of soft sputters sounded, like air escaping a balloon. Zheng Qing looked toward the noise and saw several thick vines wrapped around the pig demon, slowly dragging it underground. The large, tall wizard and the thin, tall wizard waved to them, dissolved into specks of starlight, and vanished from the street.

"No need to look for them. They've gone back to the bureau to report." Andrew offered Thomas the kraft-paper envelope and spoke to Zheng Qing with a grin.

Zheng Qing licked his lips.

They were dry, with a faint bitterness, like freshly shelled almonds.

Whether it was the "escape" magic Thomas had used to bring him to Four Seasons Market, the thunder spell "Yin Qi Lei" Thomas had cast earlier, the vines summoned by the Trident Sword Organization's agents, or those figures dissolving into specks of starlight—

That day, magic had left a profound impression on him in a remarkably forceful way.

"Why haven't you left?" Thomas eyed the kraft-paper envelope warily without accepting it. Instead, he said very seriously, "I must remind you that I'm carrying out official business for First University. My time is precious."

"I just wanted to ask which team you're betting on this season." The fine hairs at the corners of Andrew's mouth quivered exaggeratedly, and his round, boyish face was a picture of sincerity. "I played it safe and bet on the Golden Star Team again. The odds are a little low, though."

"How could the odds be high for a hunting team with such a high ranking and such consistent form?" Thomas lowered his guard, his expression relaxing. "I bet on the Flamingos. Their new captain, Doflamingo, is an excellent Support Hunter. Professor Yi Jiazi was praising him to me a while ago, saying Doflamingo has always earned outstanding marks in his divination class."

Standing to one side, Zheng Qing stroked his spellbook.

He remembered Thomas mentioning these terms during their earlier conversation at the tea garden.

He still did not understand them, but he vaguely guessed they were discussing wizarding sporting events.

"It's better being at the university. At least there's someone to talk to about the World Cup." Holding the kraft-paper envelope, Andrew shook his head. "Unlike the bureau. Everyone's been busy lately. I can't find anyone to discuss the hunting tournament with."

"Everyone's busy? Have they all gone to Dark Blue Castle?" A faint, mocking smile appeared on Thomas's lips. "Ever since he became director of the Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau, there have been more and more petty moves against the Moonlit Parliament."

Zheng Qing had heard of the Moonlit Parliament.

Thomas had told him that the Wizard Alliance was the government of the wizarding world, and that the Moonlit Parliament, First University, and the Wizard Council were its three constituent institutions.

But why was the Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau targeting the Moonlit Parliament?

Zheng Qing was rather confused by what he heard.

"You saw that news too?" Andrew smiled wryly. "He's Principal Shi's personal disciple, so naturally he inherited Principal Shi's hatred of darkness. If he weren't so firm in his stance, he wouldn't hold that position with only the rank of Registered Wizard. The business at Dark Blue Castle is probably just the beginning."

Zheng Qing had some recollection of Dark Blue Castle.

He remembered that during their earlier conversation at the tea garden, Thomas's newspaper had mentioned the place. Apparently, the court had ordered it searched over illegal experiments.

As for the other terms they used, Zheng Qing was completely lost.

He turned his head and gazed idly at the ancient pagoda tree beside him.

A little furry head poked out between its branches.

It was a tree spirit.

He had assumed these little elves that lived in trees were timid by nature and would stay hidden in their hollows for a long time after the thunderstorm. Yet no sooner had the Trident Sword Organization's agents dragged the wild demon away than the little creatures poked their heads out.

Zheng Qing rummaged through his Gray Bag for some hamster food, placed it in his palm, and made clicking noises with his tongue to entice the little elves.

Andrew glanced at him, leaned closer to Thomas, and lowered his voice. "But you're wrong about one thing. The bureau hasn't committed many resources to Dark Blue Castle. That search was probably just a warning. It's other troubles that are giving the higher-ups headaches now."

"Other troubles?"

Andrew looked around, then said conspiratorially, "There was a bit of a disturbance in the Silent Forest yesterday. A little demon that had just taken human form escaped in the confusion. The bureau's searching everywhere, so we're a little short-handed."

"A disturbance?" Thomas's expression grew serious.

"That old fellow deep in the forest is stirring things up again." Andrew glanced at Zheng Qing once more and offered this guarded explanation.

Thomas nodded thoughtfully. "I was wondering earlier. Did a single wild demon really warrant deploying the Wizard Alliance Investigation Bureau's rapid-response team?"

"Did a single wild demon really warrant using a thunder spell?" Andrew turned his words back on him. "The university's teaching assistants have all been assigned search duties. You're bound to get the assignment too once you return. Rather than waste a month in the Silent Forest, why not help us with a simple reconnaissance job?"

As he spoke, he offered Thomas the kraft-paper envelope again.

Thomas considered it without immediately refusing.

"We still have an opening in the direction of the Void Chamber. Go take a look. The bureau will send the university an official notice, so you can submit your interview report a little later. Once I'm back at the bureau, I'll file the thunder spell usage report with Four Seasons Market. I'll take care of everything!" Andrew pressed his advantage, thumping his chest in assurance.

"Those fellows certainly have been making a lot of moves lately." Thomas nodded and accepted the kraft-paper envelope. "I keep feeling they've found something out."

"Have you found something out, then?" Andrew raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zheng Qing with a smile.

Zheng Qing's arm froze as he played with the tree spirit, and he roared inwardly:

What the hell does whether I know anything have to do with this?!

Why do you keep looking at me?!