The night was growing late, yet Bolinger sat before his desk, wearing a look of immense smugness as he reviewed the report Zhu Yuan had sent back.
Thanks to the intelligence provided by the Exaltists, he had been the one to issue proposals within Public Security before the Mayor's instructions even arrived. While others were bewildered and hesitant, he had pushed through the dissenting opinions and offered his full support.
Now that the monster invasion had actually occurred, this could be considered a massive achievement, no matter how one looked at it.
One of his competitors, on the other hand, had chosen to oppose the operation out of concern for conventional criminal activity during that time. This misstep allowed Bolinger to completely suppress his rival, leaving the man with no further chance to compete against him.
With Public Security being an organization under the municipal government, Bolinger's path forward after this event would inevitably become much smoother.
Most importantly...
Zhu Yuan, whom he had favored, had become the greatest hero within Public Security for stopping the monster from entering the downtown area during this sudden crisis.
Although Bolinger had abandoned the chance to go to the scene himself out of fear of danger—lying that his patrol location was too far away—and thus lost the position of the primary hero... it didn't matter whether he arrived or not. As Zhu Yuan's direct superior, Bolinger would share in the glory just the same.
As for the others who were sacrificed or injured in this incident? Bolinger didn't care about those who couldn't help his climb up the ladder.
With all other officers sent out on field duty, Bolinger didn't need to disguise his emotions in the empty office. He couldn't hold it back and burst into loud laughter.
His coarse laughter echoed through the office, but just then, a female voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Is this monster invasion really that amusing to you, Bolinger?"
The sudden voice gave Bolinger a fright, nearly causing him to choke. He gasped for air, coughing heavily several times before he could recover.
Looking up, he saw a familiar woman leaning slightly against the doorframe. A hint of a mocking smile had surfaced on her usually cold and indifferent face.
However, because Bolinger was in such a good mood today, he didn't mind it. He waved his hand casually and said, "I'm in a good mood today. If you have something to say, say it now. I might just consider it."
But in the next moment, Sarah's words caused the joyous expression to vanish from Bolinger's face subconsciously.
"We found that monster in the Lemnian Hollow of the Waifei Peninsula."
However, Bolinger quickly relaxed again, waving his hand indifferently. "So what? It's not in my jurisdiction. Let that Bishop who just received the blessing worry about it, shouldn't he?"
Sarah, however, ignored Bolinger's casual attitude and continued, "According to the latest intelligence, in the area surrounding where that monster is active in Lemnian, a large amount of black carbon dust and Corruption have merged, causing a significant mutation."
"Now, under the leadership of the Priest, they are turning their attention to research this phenomenon. And for that, they currently need things with vigorous vitality."
Seeing that Bolinger still looked indifferent, Sarah had no choice but to remind him, "Don't forget what we agreed upon during our last conversation. Besides, this is also the Progenitor's arrangement!"
At the mention of the Progenitor, even Bolinger, who only cared about his own tasks, couldn't help but straighten up slightly.
Of course, Bolinger hadn't forgotten Sarah's reminder, but originally, he didn't actually want to provide any support other than 'moral support'.
But with the Progenitor having already spoken, coupled with the promise of reciprocal aid Sarah had made for the future, Bolinger nodded with a hint of reluctance.
"Speak. What do you need me to do?"
"The body tissues of the monster from the venue."
Hearing this, Sarah spoke without hesitation. "For you, who arranges the cleanup crew for the scene, that shouldn't be difficult, right?"
But this time, Bolinger immediately shook his head.
"No can do. Impossible."
Sarah frowned instantly once again. "Even Landon has already handed over all the most important research data and experimental records regarding Elixir P07 in his possession, yet you want to refuse such a small matter?"
Hearing this, Bolinger immediately waved his hands to show it wasn't that he was unwilling, but that he was helpless to assist. "No, all the wreckage of the monsters at the scene has already been taken away by that Proxy of Phaethon. Nothing was left at the scene. Even the blood was covered up with soil."
Sarah felt a bit numb upon hearing this.
She hadn't expected that what she thought would be the simplest task had turned into the most difficult one. What she couldn't understand even more was how the other party could process all the materials so cleanly.
How could anyone be cautious to this extent?!
But the facts couldn't be changed. Knowing the opponent's strength, she knew a direct confrontation was impossible.
After the two racked their brains for a long time without a solution, Bolinger suddenly thought of something and said, "Since fusing with the Corruption allows it to erode everything, wouldn't it work if we just took the ashes along with the blood?"
***
Just as the conversation at Public Security ended—with the evil organization pivoting to become construction workers shoveling dirt—Von Lycaon arrived at the Mayor's office.
Entering the room, he saw the familiar location and the Mayor's familiar sitting posture.
Lycaon immediately set down the documents regarding the reconstruction plan in his hand. Seeing Lycaon approach, the Mayor first greeted him warmly.
"It really was a trouble for you this time, Lycaon. Has Victoria Housekeeping been well recently?"
The Mayor, having already learned that the monster was thoroughly dead, had returned to his usual demeanor. His waiting had produced a result, and this result had once again exceeded his expectations.
In fact, he rather hoped for such surprises to happen more often.
Looking at Lycaon, who had delivered the newly collected intelligence at the first opportunity, the Mayor maintained an unhurried state and asked softly, "Currently, Victoria Housekeeping only has you and the Head Maid, Rina. Are you managing to adapt to the difficult commission contents from those fellows?"
Facing the Mayor's inquiry, Lycaon, standing straight at the side, simply bowed slightly to show respect while maintaining his poise.
Then, he spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Please rest assured, Mr. Mayor. Everything at Victoria Housekeeping is under control. You need not worry."
However, the Mayor didn't simply nod in agreement at Lycaon's words. "I am, of course, very at ease leaving Victoria Housekeeping to you. But with the corresponding responsibility, I imagine you must be equally exhausted."
After pondering for a moment, the Mayor looked up, revealing a benevolent smile, and continued, "If you encounter suitable candidates in the future, please feel free to recruit them. You can judge the specific candidates yourself. I trust you, Lycaon."
Although Lycaon, standing in place without moving, still appeared to be the picture of calm elegance, his canine physiological instincts betrayed his true feelings upon hearing such recognition and trust from another.
Although Lycaon himself was clearly aware of this and tried his best to suppress it, his tail and ears still twitched gently and unconsciously.
This subconscious body language revealed his happy mood.
After the pleasantries, the Mayor picked up the intelligence report and began to flip through the contents of the file.
Seeing that familiar figure appearing once again in the intelligence before him, the Mayor felt a touch of solemnity.
He had considered that perhaps a Void Hunter had freed up their hands to fight and solve the issue, or that the army had rushed over to attempt a kill with heavy firepower.
He had even considered that a Public Security officer who had been at the scene the whole time might have fought bravely to kill it.
He had also considered how to rebuild New Eridu once again if it suffered trauma yet another time.
But after seeing the video data collected from the internet, although he was relieved, the Mayor—who immediately recognized the figure—was momentarily speechless.
It hadn't even been half a month, and this was already the third major incident.
For others who didn't yet know Andrew's hidden identity, they would separate the names of the people appearing in the major events that happened in New Eridu recently.
But for the Mayor, who already knew Andrew's corresponding hidden identity through Lycaon, he had a feeling of 'Why are you involved in everything?'.
Even more, the strength of the monster eliminated each time was clearly a step above the last.
Take the monster that appeared most recently.
If it had been in a state of rage from the very beginning, it absolutely wouldn't have destroyed just those few streets. The casualty count would definitely not be limited to the current small number.
And the estimation of Andrew's strength had also gone from the initial Level 4 or 5, to Level 6, and then after the latest battle report of this monster invading New Eridu appeared... his strength in the municipal government's assessment had jumped directly to the Void Hunter level of Grade 7.
At the same time, the dragon-shaped Ethereal that disappeared abruptly three months ago was also judged to have likely been killed by him.
However, for the municipal government, the subject of assessment was a legendary Proxy of Phaethon.
As for the true identity, only he himself and Lycaon of Victoria Housekeeping knew.
He sighed softly.
If he said that previously, as Andrew—who suddenly appeared in New Eridu—displayed increasingly strong power, he felt that the investment was very worthwhile... then as this strength exceeded a certain boundary, the Mayor instead began to worry more about the utility of this investment.
However, what comforted him was that his initial gesture of goodwill towards the other party could still be counted as offering fuel in snowy weather.
And the other party had not refused.
Coupled with the choices made when facing various matters previously, Andrew could completely be said to be a very reliable existence.
And the most important thing hereafter was to consider how to pull him onto the municipal government's war chariot before the other two factions discovered him.
Even if he couldn't pull him on board, he had to at least make him lean more towards the municipal faction.
Compared to the chaotic and dark state of the other two parties, the Mayor was relatively confident in himself.
However, now was not the time to discuss those matters.
In any case, the other party had once again made an incomparably outstanding contribution to New Eridu this time. As the Mayor, he naturally couldn't pretend he hadn't seen it.
But when it came to what exactly to give, the Mayor found himself in a difficult spot.
Money? With the other party's strength, money only had sufficient effect when the other party needed it most at the very beginning. Afterwards, it would forever just be icing on the cake.
Moreover, if done too many times, it wouldn't be a good thing; the relationship would instead become difficult to truly warm up and draw closer.
As for other things, according to recent intelligence, he didn't lack any absolutely necessary items, so that was equally unsuitable.
And finally, honor...
Judging from the fact that the other party had never taken off his mask from start to finish, presumably he didn't care about the existence of such things.
Thus, he had no choice but to turn his head to look at Lycaon and ask, "Lycaon, I remember that when I commissioned you to deliver something to him a while ago, you also made a certain degree of investment in your personal capacity?"
The event wasn't too long ago, so Lycaon immediately recalled the man he had spoken with face-to-face at that time.
He nodded immediately, but Lycaon actually didn't like the term 'investment'. It was just a polite excuse at the time.
So he immediately corrected, "Yes, Mr. Mayor. But that was merely my personal appreciation for his actions. It couldn't be counted as any sort of investment."
"Oh... I understand. I certainly understand."
Immediately realizing that Lycaon didn't want to deal with Andrew in any other capacity, he corrected himself at once.
"Please forgive my poor choice of words. I merely wanted to seek some advice from you, who has met him face-to-face."
Facing the Mayor's inquiry, Lycaon pondered slightly before offering a suggestion based on his observations from meeting Andrew previously: "Judging by the contents of the workshop in his store, Mr. Andrew himself has a strong interest in forging and in Ethereals that are sufficiently powerful or unique."
"Forging and Ethereals... is it?"
He hadn't expected Andrew's personal hobbies to be so—simple.
Leaving forging aside, asking the other party to solve powerful Ethereals was something his side should be commissioning instead.
There was no logic in owing more the more gifts one gave.
However, noticing that the Mayor's brows were still tightly locked, Lycaon hesitated for a moment before adding another suggestion:
"Mr. Mayor, rather than giving to Mr. Andrew himself, I feel that if you were willing to give him something his friends around him seek, he would appreciate it more."
Hearing this, the Mayor fell into deep thought.
To be honest, Andrew's existence had already caused the sibling force known as Phaethon—which he had been paying attention to for a long time—to expand to a degree that completely exceeded his expectations.
He had originally thought the other party would need many more years to accumulate the bonds and team sufficient to face danger.
But looking at it now, the world was truly unpredictable.
In just a few short months, the other party had actually achieved the qualifications to enter this chess game alive.
It was also time to let them come into contact with intelligence regarding their teacher.
It just so happened that recent intelligence discovered that the remnants of the Exaltists in the Waifei Peninsula—who were originally predicted to take at least another three or four years to fully recover—had recently begun to become frantically active, as if they had truly met their Progenitor.
Thus, the Mayor, having made up his mind, turned back to look at Lycaon beside him and spoke softly:
"Lycaon, while helping me convey my sentiments this time, could you please introduce me to him? I hope to speak with him directly."
As he spoke, the Mayor looked solemnly at Lycaon while placing a photograph into his hand.
"I believe the other party's friends will be very interested upon seeing this photo."
In the photo, a mature woman with black hair and glasses, wearing a very unique research institute uniform, was standing in the center of a large expanse of dense Corruption.
____
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