After swiftly finishing off his third-round opponent, Renato met someone unexpected at the exit to the square.
The half-elf still wore her fitted leather armor, but now had a wool coat over it, finely patterned and embroidered with the Atwood Family's Emblem.
"Constable Renato, please come with me."
Seeing that the newcomer was an attendant of the Atwood Family, the accompanying Security Department personnel tactfully excused themselves, leaving Renato and Lailas alone.
"Why pretend you don't know me? We're both working for the Speaker now. That makes us colleagues, doesn't it?"
"You young people never listen to your elders..."
"Lailas, how old are you, anyway? Don't tell me you're really seventy or eighty?"
"Shut up and stop interrupting!" The tips of the half-elf's ears twitched, her tone irritated. "Didn't I tell you to leave the Wolf Gang alone for now? You just wouldn't listen."
"The case hasn't been made public yet. How did you know..."
"You made such a scene at the Gilded Dice that half the city knows!"
Lailas led him back to their usual spot in the public garden. Their surroundings were quiet and deserted.
Renato had no idea why the half-elf was so angry, so he said, half joking:
"What are they saying about me? That the new constable, Renato, is upright, impartial, handsome, and dashing..."
"The people at the top are saying some reckless young fool has turned up with a head that's been kicked by a donkey!"
Lailas grabbed his metal gorget and said through gritted teeth:
"Do you have any idea who's behind the Wolf Gang? Well?"
"It's Lord Orton! The most senior city councilor currently serving! Do you think a mere constable like you can stand up to him?"
Lord Orton was the Wolf Gang's backer? No wonder they were so brazen.
Their