Chapter 44

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 44: Clues

“Do you remember anything like this happening?” Shandela pondered aloud. “A woman sought our help to find a reporter from Jeddy Brothers, and I think her name was Zhu Di.”

“Your memory is truly remarkable,” Wudi marveled. “I only became aware of her when reviewing Kurt Dunn’s files. In fact, she reported the disappearance at four different police stations, claiming that the journalist had vanished while investigating a serial killer case. To this day, none of those reports have been closed.”

“So, she had no other choice but to approach us…” Shandela couldn’t help but rub her forehead. At the time, she hadn’t even paused to listen; one of her subordinates pushed the woman away before she could get close.

“This isn’t your fault,” Wudi reassured, understanding his superior’s thoughts. “Our duty is to protect the Glorious Fortress and His Excellency the Count. Matters of public security are not typically within the purview of the City Guard. However, I didn’t anticipate the Northern City Police Department deteriorating to such an extent.”

Was it genuinely unforeseen…or simply never considered?

A serial murder case was no trivial matter; each occurrence would dominate front-page headlines, with discussions about its gruesome nature widespread across the city.

The City Guards were not immune to these conversations either.

When such cases remained unsolved for extended periods, it signaled the failure of the police system’s effectiveness.

Yet, due to the “Law and Order Contract,” Shandela had overlooked these ominous signs.

“Go see her.”

“Who?” Wudi asked, slightly taken aback. “Zhu Di?”

“Yes, bring her a bouquet of flowers, as… a gesture of consolation.” After much hesitation, Shandela still couldn’t bring herself to say the word ‘apology.’

Now Zhu Di had finally learned of Kurt Dunn’s fate—his name appeared on the list of victims in the newspaper obituaries.

She must be utterly devastated.

“All right, I’ll take care of it immediately.”

After Wudi left, Shandela opened the drawer beside her desk.

Inside was a solitary, battered red-and-black mask.

Picking up the mask, she stared at its intricate patterns, somewhat entranced—no matter how she looked at them, the grotesque human-like designs seemed distinctly reminiscent of the heretics’ fanatical style. Yet, without his sudden intervention, the Northern City Police Department might still be playing their bloody game unchecked.

“Is the method to combat heretics… simply to become more deranged than they are?” Shandela unconsciously echoed Ge Wei’s words before shaking her head in self-derision.

Human achievements throughout history relied precisely on well-organized structures and rules—this collective strength enabled millions of individuals to unite as one. If all that remained was madness, what would distinguish them from monkeys scampering through the trees?

The masked man was no different.

Although his intervention halted Kui Qi’s crimes, it also led to the destruction of the grand theater and numerous casualties. Even if these people were accomplices of the Northern City Police Department, executing them without due process of law was unjustifiable. Regardless of his intentions upon arriving at Glorious Fortress, he posed a severe threat to its established order.

She needed to apprehend him swiftly.

Half an hour later, Wudi returned to Shandela’s office in the tower.

“Miss Judy isn’t at the newspaper office. According to the manager, she hasn’t been reporting for work for quite some time.”

“I see.” This outcome wasn’t entirely unexpected. “It seems the incident has deeply affected her…”

“Perhaps not, since she hasn’t resigned from her job. In fact, just three days after the theater burned down, she submitted an article to the newspaper, although she didn’t appear in person.”

It wasn’t uncommon for journalists to spend extended periods roaming outside, provided they regularly contributed valuable reports. Newspapers were willing to maintain their employment relationships under such conditions. Zhu Di’s resilience slightly surprised Shandela; she had expected the woman to be devastated for a much longer time. “Well then, delivering the flowers should suffice.”

However, Wudi spoke with utmost caution, “Lady Shandela, when Manager Jede mentioned Miss Zhu Di, he noted that before her disappearance, she had met with a private detective.”

“A private detective?” Shandela couldn’t help but recall the list of victims in the case file.

“He was wearing a leather trench coat and a wool felt hat, approximately 1.8 meters tall, middle-aged appearance, with a well-proportioned build…”

As the deputy continued his report, Shandela’s expression gradually grew more serious.

In Wangshui Manor’s residence, amidst that chaotic room, the person standing opposite her had been similarly dressed!

And their height and build were remarkably similar as well!

The deputy must have realized this connection, prompting his detailed questioning.

“Do you know the name?”

“The manager didn’t inquire further, but it’s likely not someone of any prominence, given Zhu Di couldn’t afford high-profile services. None of the theater corpses matched this age range, so he probably isn’t on our victim list and may still be alive… Based on these observations, I believe this discovery could serve as a valuable investigative lead,” Wudi concluded.

Uncharacteristically, Shandela’s lips curved upwards, and she firmly patted her deputy’s shoulder. “Well done!”

This was indeed an unexpected breakthrough!

When a seeker exhausts all avenues without success, what might they do in their despair? Perhaps this very desperation has drawn the attention of the heretics.

“What should we do next? Issue a warrant for Miss Judy?” Wudi asked. “If she is truly hiding from us, searching her residence might not yield much.”

“No, issuing a warrant would only alert them prematurely,” Shandela immediately rejected the idea. Shi Dong’s encounter served as a cautionary tale—evidence suggested that this group was highly adept at concealing themselves.

“If Zhu Di remains hidden for long periods, it’s likely she still maintains contact with the heretics. Issuing a warrant will undoubtedly tip them off. Therefore, we must locate Zhu Di covertly and use her to pinpoint the whereabouts of the heretics!”

“But the Glorious Fortress is vast; how can we find her without relying on a warrant?”

“Have some patience.” Sandra walked to the window, opened the shutters, allowing the roaring sea breeze to fill the room—the damp and chilly air helped her think more clearly. Suddenly, an idea struck her mind.

“She occasionally sends reports to newspapers, right? That’s our opportunity.” Turning around, Sandra instructed her deputy, “First, arrange a team to monitor the newspaper offices and nearby mailboxes day and night, ensuring no suspicion arises among the locals.”

“Next, notify the managers of Daily Mail and Pioneer newspapers, inviting them to visit the Distant Watchtower. I have matters to discuss with them.”

***

“Welcome to Greke Academy, sir. May I ask if you’re here to borrow books or contribute documents?” An elderly man with a single gold-rimmed monocle smiled from behind the counter.

The person he addressed was a bewildered Chaoyang. Wait, isn’t this supposed to be akin to a library?

With some self-doubt, Chaoyang glanced around again. Why is the entrance hall decorated like a lavish hotel? The gleaming marble floors and ubiquitous gilded embellishments all indicated that the developers of this building were exceptionally well-funded. Even the receptionist exuded an impressive aura; if not for his mandarin collar attire, one might mistake him for a distinguished professor from a prestigious university just by adding a suit jacket.

Yet what Chaoyang couldn’t find anywhere were actual books.

Damn, I underestimated this situation. If only I had known, I would have brought Zhu Di along, Chaoyang thought, inwardly cursing himself.

After enduring a challenging entrepreneurial journey, he had finally managed to establish himself firmly in this world. However, a new problem now confronted him: his limited knowledge about it, particularly regarding common terms and concepts. Being ignorant of these basics could easily lead to misunderstandings and arouse suspicion during conversations.

Naturally, such concerns couldn’t be shared with Dunn or Zhu Di.

So, after making discreet inquiries, he received this response:

“If you seek answers to any questions, you can find them at the Greke Academy.”

“It’s the center of the world.”