Chapter 121: You Look Off!

Chapter 121: You Look Off!

While Ocris and Kate were talking, a tall, burly man in a black trench coat walked over from the distance carrying a large suitcase and stopped next to Yingling.

“That is Louis,” Yingling whispered softly. She intended to introduce this young man to her master.

Igner, leader of the Gray Gloves, lifted his head and glanced at the man Yingling had mentioned earlier—His Highness Ocris also spoke of him at the Train Station. His name was Louis, and now this Louis was standing right beside the Princess.

Igner couldn’t help but freeze.

Too similar!

Soon after, Igner spotted Stuart running over from the entrance. His head buzzed, and cold sweat broke out. Yingling didn’t know about the relationship between the Boss and Stuart, but Igner did. Look at Stuart’s annoyingly sycophantic behavior—this was probably the Boss!

Big sister, what’s going on? Something’s not right! You didn’t recognize the Boss? How long has it been since you last saw the Boss?

“What is it, Inspector Igner?” Yingling asked coolly.

“Cough, this Englen City weather is still quite hot. It’s autumn, yet the temperature hasn’t dropped,” Igner wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and said, “Director Yingling, I’ll head to the Mage Association first then.”

Igner’s current rank wasn’t much lower than Yingling’s, but his tone remained very polite.

“Very well, Mr. Igner. With this matter at the Ministry of Magic, do your best. Perhaps soon, I’ll be calling you Director too.” Yingling was also courteous. She took a puff from her Smoking Pipe and said, “The Magic Enthusiasts Association might bring in many people recently. Though I don’t know who exactly, I can pretty much learn all their backgrounds. So if you run into any doubts, don’t hesitate, just contact me.”

Unlike Ross, Igner’s status was special—he was someone like ‘Song Jiang’ in the magic world. He couldn’t disguise himself as a Warden. But he had his own way into the Ministry of Magic—surrender.

For the Ministry of Magic, having the rebel Gray Gloves leader accept their offer was a huge advantage—it made sense, times were peaceful now. The wizard situation was stable beyond doubt. Everyone was united against external threats, no need for internal strife.

But many had secretly supported him before, and many feared him. So no one dared assign him a position.

Initially, the Ministry planned to assign him to the ‘Mysterious Retirement Office’.

The Igner of old would have loved that. But now, he was a bit troubled. Yet he didn’t rush it, knowing someone would eventually seek him out.

Like Queen Delphinia.

But to his surprise, it was that crazy vampire, the Red Queen!

She again offered Igner an olive branch, asking if he’d follow her.

Igner said he just wanted to retire and draw his pension—I want to join Delphinia, not you. The Boss also seems interested in the Witch Queen, so I’ll infiltrate the enemy’s side. Be a spy for the Boss.

The Red Queen earnestly tried to persuade Igner. She talked about the current state between wizards and Muggles, and Delphinia’s ambitions. She wanted this troublemaker to take up his role again, cause disruption. She promised him benefits and painted bright futures.

After hearing those visions, Igner hesitated. The old Igner would have refused any connection with that crazy woman.

But now, he felt being a spy for the Red Queen seemed more meaningful!

Finally, Igner was ‘persuaded’ and accepted the olive branch.

The Red Queen was thrilled—the Dark Lord himself had failed multiple times to recruit this man, yet now he followed her. Igner wasn’t overwhelmingly powerful, just stronger than Ross. But he was someone like ‘Song Jiang’. He knew people who’d been face cards, even some who were once his followers!

The Red Queen felt she’d gained great face and made a huge win.

Igner didn’t think it was a loss—the Red Queen had sucked the Dark Lord dry and severely wounded him (actually killed him, by smashing a Mirror). Serving as her spy wasn’t beneath him.

The Red Queen didn’t give Igner a high position at first. She started him as a police inspector. Igner was here to submit a certificate of loyalty—to help the wizards win.

He was one of Louis’ big spies.

As he left, Igner glanced at the Boss. The Boss didn’t even look his way, leaving Igner slightly puzzled. But then, a voice came to him.

[Go ahead, Igner. After this birthday party, the Ministry may establish a branch office here. Do well this time. I’ll create chances for you to become Director. Then the Mysterious Retirement Office can ‘oppose’ you (work together covertly) more easily. With you managing Englen City while I’m away, it’ll work fine. But you might face some competitors for that Director position.]

Louis liked the idea of managing things via his subordinate.

Igner became completely clear. A glint of determination flashed in his eyes.

[Relax, Master! This Director seat belongs to me alone!]

He exchanged a few more words with Yingling, pressed his felt hat down, and left through another exit.

After Louis sent Igner off, Ocris finished her talk with Kate.

Ocris introduced everyone. Louis found it unexpected that Yingling and Kate knew each other. Kate also addressed Yingling as Earl.

Perhaps sensing Louis’ confusion, while Kate and Yingling chatted, Ocris quietly explained to Louis.

“During King Isolda’s time, some wizards supported his rise to power. So King Isolda bestowed titles upon them—mostly outsiders. They were the open-minded faction among wizards and held territories among regular people.”

Ocris whispered, “They mostly appeared only during major events. Rarely seen in the Muggle world otherwise, but the nobility know of these wizard families. These wizards resolved many conflicts between wizards and ordinary kingdoms. They are the link between the two worlds.”

Now, Ocris wanted to prepare her father mentally, so she brought Yingling. She felt having a proper Ministry official around would be helpful during the coming events.

Yingling loved getting involved in excitement. Plus, Blackhorn Alley was very peaceful. Like Pol as head of his place, her main duties as Director of the Blackhorn Alley branch were perming her hair, painting her nails, and playing cards. So she directly requested a leave from her superior—her aunt—and came along.

She’d also help Igner out.

“Yes, there was another person—Louis, let me properly introduce him. You might work under him in the future… Huh? Huh?? Where is Inspector Igner?”

Ocris was disappointed. She’d wanted to show off her connections to Louis, but it seemed Inspector Igner had business to attend to and had left.

Louis secretly rolled his eyes. That connection was someone I arranged to be here.

The bootlicker Stuart had already arranged a carriage and took everyone’s luggage—too much for a car.

Being one of the two men, Louis helped carry lots of luggage too. He organized everyone to leave the station.

As they walked, Yingling’s eyes darted around like a fox’s, scrutinizing the group from behind. She thought she detected a familiar scent on someone. And she found Kate suspicious—a widow that radiant and lively? She had never seen one!

While walking, it became even stranger.

Something’s off. She was walking with a limp.

Yingling also noticed Kate seemed to pay special attention to Ocris, Louis, and Helen. It might be normal for a sister to look after others. But she just felt it was strange.

‘That pretty boy Ocris brought looks sneaky. Definitely fooled around these days!’ Yingling narrowed her bewitching phoenix-like eyes, her gaze growing sharper and more distrustful towards Louis.

Soon they were out on the main street. By the carriage, Stuart instructed the driver on loading the luggage. Then he doffed his hat to everyone and bade farewell. “Ladies, I’ll meet you all at the hotel. Cough, does anyone want a ride?”

That reminded Louis. He counted heads. Besides him, the driver, there were five people. One extra.

As things went: Ocris wished to chat with Kate during the ride, Helen wanted a fast vehicle, and Lilith came wagging her tail, scrambling with Helen for the front passenger seat—they squeezed together. Both wanted to sit beside Louis. Yingling just puffed her Smoking Pipe, staying silent.

Louis rubbed his temples. Seeing the photographers nearby flashing their cameras, he said, “Alright, let’s all squeeze in, ladies.”

He then opened the back door for Ocris and Kate. He glanced at the quiet Yingling. Instead, Yingling yanked open the passenger door, pulled Lilith out, picked up the confused Helen, and plopped her on her lap.

“Sister, it’s so comfy leaning on you,” Helen wriggled happily on Yingling’s thighs.

“Naughty brat, stop groping around—you’re almost as tall as your sister now. All that growth just went upwards, why didn’t any go to the front?” Yingling teased.

“Wuwuwuwu…” Helen pouted.