Chapter 348 Two Conversations
The Intis Republic's spy agency...
Several senior Nighthawks fell silent. Most of them had served in Backlund for many years, frequently interacting with the military and even the nobility. They were no strangers to the various under-the-table "tricks" between major powers, but they had rarely come across the name "Eighth Bureau."
Once a case is connected with a foreign spy, even if the other party is also a Beyonder, it will be handed over to the military's "MI9" to handle. The three major churches often get into trouble but cannot get anything useful.
This is also the reason why the three major churches have repeatedly pressured the royal family in recent years and tried to send personnel into the military. Unfortunately, King George III and forces within the military have been trying to stop it in various ways.
Of course, as the church that cooperates most closely with the Navy, the Storm Church still has some intelligence advantages over the Night Church and the Steam Church.
Leonard and Daly had only been transferred to the Backlund Diocese in the past few months and were unaware of the internal entanglements. When they heard Soest's words, they both showed interest.
Soster was very satisfied with everyone's reaction, especially Daly's. He changed his sitting position and continued:
"According to our early analysis, Lily Granger's targeting is likely related to a box she obtained. The box was given to her by Sherik Madan, a student from the Technical College and an Intis native, before he disappeared. It has since been kept by us.
"After investigation, we determined that the mysterious disappearance of Sherik Madan is likely related to the assassination of Intis Ambassador Beckron Jean Madan two months ago. We intend to use this incident to lure out the person behind the scenes. As you can see, two 'faceless men' appeared in her home. One transformed into Nightwatcher Lorota, and the other simply transformed into Miss Granger herself. According to the testimony of a few eyewitnesses, they even clashed and nearly came to blows at the door. This suggests that the Secret Order, or the Eighth Bureau, is unusually concerned about this matter and has even dispatched more than one group.
"So, after the incident, we relocated Lily Granger and placed her under stricter protection. At the same time, we spread the word, letting everyone know that the box was in our hands. This prevented the Intis people from becoming desperate and harming her—although judging by this conflict, they were quite restrained."
"You've said so much, what exactly is in the box that made these guys who usually hide so well unable to help but jump out?"
Daly frowned and interrupted Soster's obviously pretentious introduction.
"This is something that even His Eminence Archbishop Saint Anthony was curious about. After the lock and seal of the box were removed, it was empty."
Empty?
Leonard, who had been flipping through the information on the operation, couldn't help but look up and look at Soest. He tilted his head slightly, expecting the old voice in his mind to express some opinions and answer his doubts, but unfortunately the old man was unusually quiet today.
"Of course, no one would believe this if we told them. They would just think it was the Nighthawks or the Church of Evernight who seized the items, so the box would definitely not be handed over."
Soster added, his eyes sweeping over everyone present, lingering on Daly for a moment before finally landing on Leonard beside him.
"Leonard, you've been looking through the materials. What do you think about this?"
Like a student being called upon to answer a question in class, Leonard's expression was serious yet somewhat puzzled as he frowned and asked:
"I noticed something in the operation logs. Team Al Hassan carried special ammunition for countering stealth. As far as I know, this kind of ammunition is rarely obtained and cannot be reproduced for the time being. How did they know they would encounter a Beyonder who could become invisible?"
"Because their target wasn't the 'Secret Order' or the 'Eighth Bureau' at first, but the other 'Granger' you were looking for, right?"
Daly's lazy voice came.
"It's no secret. The instigator, Cole Granger, has not been heard from since he disappeared in Tingen City. Lily Granger is his only relative, and he's very likely to have secretly come to see his sister," Soest replied. "Unfortunately, we've been staking out for three months without any results. According to Al Hassen, the Beyonder who appeared at the Kaliva household this time, suspected to be a Sequence 6 'Witch of Pleasure', also has completely different appearances from the Grangers. The possibility of it being a female Cole is extremely low."
"This wanted criminal who ignored his own family is probably living happily somewhere now."
————
"One, two, three... See, I told you I can do it too."
Angel counted the perfectly soft-boiled eggs he had just fried, and said with a smile to Sherlock who was cutting bread beside him with some pride.
"The one on the right doesn't look runny."
Sherlock, a master cook, noticed something was wrong at a glance and pointed out the problem bluntly. Angel pierced the fried egg with a fork in disbelief and found that the yolk inside was indeed solidified.
"This one's yours."
The smile on her face was as frozen as the egg yolk. She pursed her lips and moved the failed fried egg to the plate prepared for Sherlock. After thinking for a while, she moved another soft-boiled egg over and placed it on top, piling it together with the previously fried bacon and pork sausage to make the other person's plate more substantial. Then she picked up their breakfast and came to the warm restaurant where the fireplace was already lit.
As Sherlock brought over white bread with jam and coffee, the two began to enjoy this hearty breakfast to fill their overly dry stomachs.
"Do you need more bread?"
Sherlock seemed elegant, but in fact he wolfed down his food. Looking at the empty plate in front of Angel, he stood up to cut a few slices of bread, then turned around and asked.
Do I look like someone who can eat that much?
Angel curled his lips and picked up his coffee, ready to refuse with his actions. However, after drinking the black coffee, he felt that he was indeed not full, so he could only answer quietly:
"... put more strawberry jam..."
It’s your fault that I’m so hungry!
Looking at Sherlock with a smile on his face carrying bread back to the restaurant, Angel thought a little angrily, grabbed the bread and took a big bite.
…
After breakfast, Angel returned to the living room and sat on the sofa next to the bay window, enjoying the rare morning sunshine in winter. Sherlock also sat down opposite him, but he still looked a little tired.
"Are you still sleepy? Do you want another cup of coffee?"
Angel asked Sherlock curiously, but Sherlock looked away unnaturally and shook his head.
"No, no coffee... Ahem, yesterday, yes, yesterday a friend of mine died under strange circumstances, and I was thinking about it."
"Really? Then tell me about it?"
Angel asked with a disbelieving smile.
"His name is Talim Dumont. He's a descendant of the Loen nobility, but due to some circumstances he lost his right to inherit the title and is now just an equestrian instructor." Unexpectedly, Sherlock was so talkative and introduced his friend, which made Angel feel a little ashamed of himself for doubting him. "We've collaborated on many things in the past. He even introduced me to investors involved in the bicycle research and development project."
"Talim was usually in good health and had been in good spirits recently. But yesterday at the club, in front of dozens of people in the hall, he collapsed to the ground, convulsing and dying. It took only a few seconds, leaving no time for anyone to react. He was pressing his hand tightly against his heart before he died, as if he were suffering from a sudden illness. But I saw in my psychic vision that wisps of black energy were emanating from his heart. It was obvious that someone had murdered him.
"Because Talim believed in the God of Storms, according to the jurisdictional principles for supernatural events, this case would have been taken over by the 'Manufactured Punisher.' However, I learned that day that the case had been taken over by the royal family. Given his current status, even if his death involved supernatural factors, the royal family shouldn't have intervened.
"There's something strange about his death, and it's probably related to the royal family!"
Sherlock said somewhat seriously.
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