Became a Demon with Pregnancy System-Chapter 135: EMPLOYEE EXIT

Walter led them to a smaller side gate used by staff. A single lamppost illuminated a sign reading "EMPLOYEE EXIT."

A guard booth, vacant at this hour, flanked the locked gate. He pressed a passcode on the pad, but the screen flashed red—access denied.

"Strange," Walter murmured. "My pass should work around the clock." He tried again, same result.

Lenora’s scowl returned. "They must have revoked your clearance. Possibly on Councilor Mann’s orders."

Walter’s eyes darted nervously. "How could they do that so fast?"

Luke folded his arms. "It means we’re on the right track. They’re shutting out anyone who might uncover the tampering."

Lenora clicked her tongue in frustration. "So we can’t talk to the staff from inside. They’re probably quarantined for the night."

A wry half-smile crossed her face. "Luke, do you happen to have some...special ways to slip in unnoticed?"

Luke glanced at the barbed wire overhead. Sure, I could break in using my Poison synergy or some of my curses, maybe even short-range blinking.

But the risk of violent confrontation soared if they were caught. With the soldier in watchful alert, it would turn into a full-scale breach.

And if that leads to a standoff, Mann could spin it as "rogue mages attacking the military supply line."

He shook his head slowly. "Tempting, but too risky. We’d be playing into Mann’s hands. He wants to brand us as vigilantes."

Walter let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. "So...we just call it a night?"

Lenora mulled it over. "For now, yes. We can’t blow up the facility on a hunch. We need an official mandate from the main Judgment Council—like from a higher authority than Mann’s office. That’ll force the gates open legally."

Luke nodded. "We do have something: the criminals we caught earlier. If Scarface and his men reveal the truth about Mann in interrogation, we’ll have probable cause. And with that, plus your rank, we can launch a formal inquiry."

Lenora’s eyes shone with resolve. "Right. Let’s do that first thing tomorrow." She turned to Walter.

"Meanwhile, you’ll stand by. Keep your father or any Murphy Family rep from meddling. If your colleagues realize we suspect sabotage, they might destroy more evidence."

Walter swallowed. "I—I’ll do my best." He still looked rattled, but a grim sense of determination settled in. "I never wanted to supply compromised blood agent. We’ll fix this."

Luke offered a small, reassuring pat on Walter’s shoulder. "Remember, we’re after the real saboteurs. If your family’s innocent, you’ll be cleared."

Walter gave him a shaky nod.

Lenora stepped back, scanning the silent perimeter.

The soldier by the main door still glared their way from a distance, but made no move to approach.

"Let’s get out of here," she said. "If we loiter, we risk a pointless fight."

They returned to the city proper under a sky that remained stubbornly black and starless. Rain threatened again, heavy clouds rolling overhead.

The small group found themselves on a side street, neon signs flickering in the distance, but the hour was so late that most shops were shut.

Lenora exhaled. "I’ll see if I can expedite a council meeting. If Mann is truly behind this, the other seats in the Judgment Council may act quickly to preserve our city’s integrity."

Luke glanced at her. "Council politics can be slow. Mann might move faster, shifting or destroying evidence. We need to be ready."

She nodded, aware that time was ticking. "Agreed. We’ll also need any confession from Scarface. And if that fails, we can’t waste days in red tape."

A wry smile touched her lips. "Seems we might do more ’moonlight skulking’ soon, if push comes to shove."

Luke returned the grin. "Any time, Senior Sister."

She shot him a mild glare but didn’t bother correcting him now.

Instead, she turned to Walter. "Find somewhere safe to stay the night—avoid your usual haunts if you suspect Mann’s watchers. We’ll contact you at dawn."

Walter bobbed his head in meek compliance. "Yes, Vice Chair Quinn."

In the hush that followed, Luke noticed the tension in Lenora’s posture. "You all right?" he asked quietly.

She pressed her lips together. "I hate being stonewalled by a corrupt official, if Mann is indeed corrupt. He was once a celebrated demon slayer—respected for saving Arcadia from hordes. The idea that he’d sabotage a crucial supply line is...infuriating."

Luke’s thoughts drifted to the old adage: He who slays dragons must beware becoming a dragon. Mann’s heroic past now overshadowed by mounting suspicion—an unfortunate, all-too-common arc for those who taste power. "We’ll handle it," he reassured. "Let’s see if the criminals talk."

Lenora gave a small nod, gaze distant. "For the city’s sake, let’s hope so."

Walter watched them, a swirl of emotions churning in his eyes—fear, confusion, hope. "Then...this is goodnight?"

Lenora nodded curtly. "For now. Be cautious, Walter."

With that, the trio parted ways at a nearby intersection.

Walter hurried off to find lodging, while Luke and Lenora vanished into the quiet streets.

A damp breeze ruffled their hair, carrying the faint scent of ozone.

As Luke walked with Lenora back toward the Judgment Society’s regional office, he couldn’t shake a sense of foreboding.

That soldier was so confident we needed Mann’s clearance. Perhaps Mann’s influence runs deeper than we realize.

If their attempt to gain official clearance tomorrow failed, they might have to forcibly expose the sabotage in a less diplomatic way.

Glancing at Lenora, he noticed the set of her jaw, her unreadable expression.

She seemed lost in thought, perhaps planning what to do if the legal route was blocked.

He mused: She’s serious about justice—and if Mann has truly become an "evil dragon," she’ll fight him tooth and nail.

For a moment, Luke recalled how easily she had petrified him earlier, the Stone Titan energy creeping up his arm.

Despite her flustered reaction, it was a reminder that she was no ordinary operative. If forced, she could be quite formidable.

And with him at her side—along with any allies they could muster—they might stand a chance at dethroning Mann’s empire of lies.

A single streetlamp illuminated their path as they reached a tall iron gate—the entrance to the Judgment Society’s local branch.