"I just want to know what happened. You don't have to give me any important information, and I won't ask any further questions."
Feeling that sounded good enough, Isabella finally agreed to tell them what happened.
Their team of three was given a mission to investigate something.
On the way, they encountered a group of refugees who seemed a little suspicious.
The group consisted of only a few dozen people, most of whom were children.
Basically, with twice the number of children as adults, it would have been difficult for the group to survive.
But for them to even manage to build a shelter that looked like a base was simply too impressive... That's why they were suspicious.
Of course, it was just a simple suspicion, and they would have abandoned those people if they hadn't gotten anything related to their mission.
But with the resistance and resistance they'd received, it was impossible for them to do so... One wouldn't be afraid if they were right.
After they apprehended the people, they conducted an interrogation, which yielded less than satisfactory results. However, Isabella had no intention of stopping like her two companions.
She conducted her own interrogation, eventually uncovering some crucial information.
These people seemed to be planning to form their own organization out of dissatisfaction with the government, and had been using children as their subordinates.
To achieve their goal, they had actually joined forces with another refugee group to seize leadership and resources as the group's numbers dwindled.
With so many magical monsters roaming around, they would fall one by one.
As time went by, the group's numbers dwindled, but the resources and equipment they gathered would only increase... Nothing could be more perfect than taking that outcome.
Realizing that these people were evil and more dangerous than previously thought, Isabella tightened her surveillance to prevent them from escaping.
Unfortunately, her actions proved to be a grave mistake.
The leader had actually been secretly trying to use surveillance cameras or small drones to monitor the people for any potential escape.
However, thanks to Isabella's supervision, the people became more vigilant and became more cautious in their actions.
As a result, the people somehow managed to call for reinforcements and counterattack.
Apparently, while Isabella was focused solely on the adults, some of the children had tried to call for help using the makeshift communication devices they had hidden.
The children were clearly victims, but Isabella ignored their brainwashed state.
Isabella had intended to help the children. However, after feeling fooled, she became irritated and frustrated. And finally, a battle ensued.
As elite soldiers, they were superior in strength, but faced with several dozen heavily armed individuals, they had no choice but to retreat.
If they had been free to kill, they might have been able to retreat safely, but with their humanity, that was difficult, especially when the targets were children.
After the battle, they rested at one of their organization's bases.
However, before they could fully recover, the base was attacked by dozens of monsters.
The monsters were apparently brought by the people who attacked them a few days earlier.
They had apparently placed spies in the base long ago and were trying to seize the experience, resources, and combat equipment there.
The attack was likely still some time away. However, the arrival of Isabella's team alarmed them, and they decided to attack at that time.
With the base understaffed because others happened to be on duty, they suffered severe injuries and were unable to defend the base.
In the end, two of their comrades were seriously injured, and the rest suffered minor injuries.
If it weren't for their superior physical strength, their situation might have been even worse.
"It seems your problem isn't as simple as I thought. Property theft... This could be big news for the public."
Their organization was the best in the world. If word got out that their base had been taken by a group of ordinary people, it would be bad for their image.
"There's no need to look at me like that. I'm a scientist; I'm not interested in such things. Would you like some more tea?"
Isabella found Nadia's statement questionable, but she had no proof, or she could simply act in someone else's shoes. Especially after her actions had ruined their mission.
After a moment of reflection, Isabella quickly ended her thoughts, so Nadia wouldn't think anything of her.
"No. Thank you."
"Good. Because the tea in this teapot is finished."
Hearing that, Isabella felt a little awkward. She had been so focused on the problem that she hadn't realized her cup had been refilled several times.
"This tea really caught me off guard," Isabella thought as she noticed some of the snacks on the table were also running out.
"Well, since the servings are finished, I guess that concludes our conversation."
"Yes. Then, if you'll excuse me."
Isabella left the room, looking a little dazed.
The laboratory she was in had a cooperative relationship with their headquarters, but it was strictly business-related.
Nadia didn't ask any further questions or anything else... Which was a good thing, because the less they talked about, the easier it was for her to avoid revealing any important information about their mission or organization.
But she was the one who should have taken control and ended the conversation.
Nadia did as she expected, but instead, she made Isabella uncomfortable.
"Hmm? Did I pass this way before?"
Because she was so preoccupied with what had happened, Isabella couldn't remember the path she had taken.
She tried to walk down the street, hoping to meet someone she could ask.
It wasn't long before she saw a woman whose appearance didn't match the appearance and atmosphere of the laboratory.
"Excuse me."
"Are you...?"
Just as Isabella was about to answer, she saw a room behind the black glass.
Black glass usually has a dark exterior to prevent what's inside from being easily seen.
But the glass next to it was the opposite. It was as if the room was designed for some kind of surveillance, where those inside couldn't see out, but those outside could see in.
Isabella examined the room and saw many children.
"Why are there so many children in there?"
"They are disaster victims who have been infected with magical energy. We are helping them recover. So for the time being, they must be restricted to prevent infecting others."