’Are they implying the mastermind is the Black Pearl?’

Wei’en felt it wasn’t that simple. If the Black Pearl truly intended to raid the Ceres Clan, they wouldn’t have sent only two captain-level members.

"I have a few questions."

Lisi gestured. "Hmm? Go on."

Wei’en toyed with the gold coin. "Why didn’t we continue investigating just now?"

If we had kept investigating, or waited for the head of the Ceres Clan to return, we could have figured out the purpose of the Vasquez.

Marco jumped in. "Two reasons. First, cases like this involving the nobility are the responsibility of the Noble Committee. Getting involved would bring big trouble for the Secret Investigation Department."

"Second, Lisi and I were completely exhausted and couldn’t have fought again so soon. If we’d run into more danger, we might not have made it out of there."

Lisi grunted in agreement. "Besides, this is just a private commission. It doesn’t involve aberrations or cultists, so there’s really no need for us to get deeply involved."

"So what happens now?"

"We’ll wait for a decision from above. If necessary, they’ll take appropriate action."

’So that’s how it is.’

’It seems the Secret Investigation Department is in an awkward position here in Caster.’

’The Church, the Council, the Noble Committee... Besides being on speaking terms with the City Guard, it seems none of the other major powers have any love for the Secret Investigation Department?’

’I wonder if it’s because of Director Ales, or some other reason...’

With a sense of understanding, Wei’en asked his second question. "Are the Vasquez the same people Ariana mentioned before?"

"Yes, that’s them."

"The ones exterminated by Shetland twenty years ago?"

Lisi and Marco exchanged a look. After a moment of silence, Lisi said, "Wei’en, that period of history isn’t exactly a proud one, in our view..."

Twenty years ago, the Vasquez Race still had a unified homeland—the Republic of Vasquez, located to the east of the Shetland Kingdom.

At the time, relations between the two nations were fairly harmonious. Shetland purchased grain from the Vasquez, while the Vasquez needed specialty goods that arrived via Shetland’s sea routes.

The city-states bordering each other were particularly close; being distant from the other cities in their own nations, they would even help each other during major crises.

However, all of this was shattered when the Shetland Royal Family formed the Eastern Expedition Corps and vowed to slaughter the Vazquez Race to the last man.

The war came very suddenly. Not only was it a shock to the Vasquez, but even Shetland’s own major city-states were opposed to it.

The Shetland Royal Family forcefully suppressed these dissenting voices and personally led the great army to war.

Thus, the City-State Governors had no choice but to reluctantly send men to participate in the war.

It was only after the army breached Lowell City, the capital of the Republic of Vasquez, that the reason for the war was exposed, bringing shame to everyone on the Shetland side.

It turned out that the cause of the war was nothing more than a prophecy the Shetland Royal Family had heard, one that foretold their future extermination at the hands of the Vasquez.

If the prophecy had been made by a great figure from the Spiritual Mystery School or the Dawn Church, that would have been one thing. But as it happened, it came from an obscure, unknown bard.

To the even greater shame of everyone in Shetland, it was later discovered that the bard’s true identity was merely that of a pirate on the Cordo Sea.

At this, everyone, including the Shetland Royal Family, fell silent.

In the end, Klande, under pressure, issued a gag order, forbidding any further mention of the extermination...

And that is why the various city-states, despite knowing full well of the Vasquez’s hatred for Shetland, are still willing to take them in.

"Then could the Vasquez’s appearance on the Black Pearl be because they want to uncover the truth behind all this?" Wei’en asked pensively.

’If it all stems from that prophecy, and the person who made the prophecy came from the sea, and Tiki just so happened to be on the Black Pearl... surely that can’t be a coincidence?’

"That’s a possibility," Lisi mused for a moment. "But it shouldn’t have anything to do with the Ceres Clan."

"Hard to say," Marco speculated with a touch of malice. "Maybe that bard was from the Ceres Clan."

At his words, both Lisi and Wei’en were stunned.

Wei’en, especially, was taken aback. ’If that’s true, it would perfectly explain why the Vazquez Race is targeting the Ceres Clan.’

He knew, after all, that the butler, Collins, was of Vasquez royalty and had arrived thirty years ago.

"What’s wrong? I-I was just joking. You didn’t actually take me seriously, did you?"

"Don’t make baseless accusations," Lisi said, shaking her head.

Marco looked from one to the other, scratching his head and muttering, "It really was just a joke..."

Next, Lisi went over a few key points to remember during an investigation.

She specifically taught Wei’en how to handle various aberrations, Abyssal Creatures, and heretics.

"When we say heretics, we’re usually referring to sects whose beliefs conflict with the four major churches. Like the Eternal Life Association and the Despair Sect you’ve already encountered."

"The biggest difference between them and aberrations is that, fundamentally, they are beings with Extraordinary characteristics, just like us."

"The only difference is their faith; their intelligence and combat prowess are on par with ours. So you must be particularly careful when facing them. Remember, do not engage in direct confrontation."

Lisi warned him gravely, "The best method is to stay away from them, report it to Yegor, and let the Combat Department handle it."

"Okay, I’ve got it."

...

...

After the group returned to the Secret Investigation Department, Wei’en hurriedly finished his report on Ceres Manor just as the workday was ending.

Lisi pushed the door open, carrying several boxes. "New uniforms. Come and get yours. Tomorrow’s ceremony starts at ten. Don’t be late."

"Okay."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Tina knows."

Once everyone had their uniforms, Lisi added, "One more thing. Regarding what happened at the Ceres Manor, the higher-ups have ordered us to keep it confidential for the time being."

Wei’en raised an eyebrow. ’Confidential?’

"Did they give a reason? I was just thinking of asking my family to find out more about the Ceres Clan..." Marco asked.

"Yegor didn’t say, but it’s likely out of deference to the Noble Committee."

"Alright, then..."

DONG. DONG, DONG.

As the bells of Krimms Cathedral rang out, the four of them left the office one by one.

Lisi had to forcibly drag Tina away, which made Wei’en sigh in relief. He had too much going on and too many secrets; it really wasn’t good to have her sticking to his side.

More importantly, he had money now—a huge sum of it.

Tonight, he could find the Ghost and exchange it for some good stuff.

Necromantic Magic, recipes and ingredients for Magic Potions, Isolation Arrays, materials for making Mechanical Puppets...

But this good mood vanished the moment Wei’en entered his residence.

"Clelia, why are you here again?!"

"Am I not welcome?" Clelia, still in the same short skirt, sat on the living room sofa watching him. "I’ve been waiting for you for a lo~ng time."

As she spoke, she slowly uncrossed her legs, only to cross them again in the other direction.

The corner of Wei’en’s eye twitched. ’This woman is absolutely insane!’

"If this is about the translation, you’ll have to wait."

"There’s no rush for that," Clelia said with a snap of her fingers. A steaming plate of roasted meat appeared on the table. "You’re hungry, aren’t you? We can eat while we talk."

"...Alright."