Wizard: I Add Points and Hunt Monsters

[You have been targeted by the murderous intent of Jack Kim Adros. Evaluation: What would you think if I told you this is just the tiniest sliver of his killing intent? Reward: Survival Points +30.]

’Thirty Survival Points just for being targeted by his killing intent...’

’And that was just a sliver?’

This had to be the most powerful Extraordinary to ever show Wei’en killing intent!

’But why would Black Jack impersonate Old Jack and come to the Secret Investigation Department?’

’Shouldn’t he be over in the Basil District?’

Wei’en inconspicuously scanned the room. His gaze didn’t linger on any one person, but the expressions of everyone in the office were clearly imprinted in his mind.

The grave expression on Lisi’s face, Marco’s fury, Kali’s bewildered confusion, Tina’s perpetual calm, and the faint, barely-there smile on Old Jack’s lips...

’I remember Clelia said that Black Jack came to the Caster City State for two reasons: that forbidden item, and to find someone. Could that person be here, in the Secret Investigation Department?’

’Who?’

BANG!

At that moment, Marco slammed the table again and said angrily, ”So even now, we’re not going to stop them? We’re just going to stand by and watch as they shatter the peace of the city state...”

”Enough!”

Lisi snapped, glaring at him with clenched fists. ”The entire city state is screaming about the Council’s incompetence. Do you still not realize who’s behind this?”

”It’s the nobles! Your family, the Ernst Clan, Ceres... Their goal is to force Samir to step down as Governor!”

”I know all that, but,” Marco gritted out, ”if the Secret Investigation Department just gets involved, the Council can absolutely hold its own against the Noble Committee...”

”And then what? Go clean up Samir’s mess?”

”’Mess?’” A look of astonishment crossed Marco’s furious face. ”Wh-what do you mean?”

Lisi sighed. ”You really know nothing... Then again, I suppose someone who frequents Nocturnal City wouldn’t notice things like this.”

”Do you know why Lydia hasn’t come back to the Department? Because she’s not as foolish as you!”

”Make it clear! What exactly is going on?!”

Marco’s expression darkened. He didn’t want to hear Lydia’s name, much less the name of the Nascimento Clan. A ridiculous sense of betrayal welled up inside him.

’A trace of confusion flickered across Wei’en’s face. So there was another reason the Secret Investigation Department was choosing to remain a spectator?’

’Does that mean the higher-ups aren’t on Samir’s side either?’

”Lisi, it’s time to let them know the truth,” Old Jack said pointedly. ”It’s never good to fight with a troubled mind.”

’Hm?’

’The truth?’

’You just got to the Caster City State, and you know the truth about all this? Yeah, I’m not buying it.’

That was his thought, anyway. Outwardly, Wei’en immediately nodded in agreement. ”Captain, I’d also like to know.”

After saying that, he made sure to flash ’Old Jack’ a big smile.

’Yep, gotta smile.’

’A really, really bright smile...’

”Me too,” Kali also said.

Of everyone present, aside from the ever-apathetic Tina, she was probably the most lost.

’Wasn’t Governor Samir appointed by Klande?’

’So why do the Caster nobles want him removed?’

”So, what is the Department’s plan, exactly?”

As everyone’s eyes fell on her, Lisi leaned back in her high-backed chair and shook her head. ”The truth is, the Department saw this coming a long time ago. Sooner than you could possibly imagine.”

”Sooner?”

”Ever since Director Ales took office, we predicted a day like this would come.”

”Took office...” Marco mused. ”Seventeen years ago?”

”Yes, right after that.” Lisi looked at Old Jack. ”I believe you know more about it. After that incident, the Department has been investigating the people behind the scenes.”

Old Jack took another sip of his drink and sighed. ”I know.”

’Wei’en shot him a look. ’Keep talking. I want to know exactly what it is *you* know.’’

”Is that incident related to what’s happening now?” Marco asked with a frown.

”Yes,” Lisi nodded. ”Ever since the Investigation Department was reformed, we’ve been investigating them. Ultimately, all the clues pointed to one person—no, to a group.”

”Who?”

”The Ernst Clan!”

”Them...”

Marco didn’t doubt it. He knew that few in the Caster City State had the power to orchestrate the Demon Clown incident, but the Ernst Clan was definitely one of them!

”Their goal... the Governor?”

”The position of Governor, precisely!” Lisi’s eyes turned icy. ”Do you remember what the royal family rewarded the twenty-four meritorious clans with back in the day?”

”Hereditary titles, hereditary fiefdoms, heredi... They want to take back the Caster City State?”

As he said this, it dawned on Marco.

”That’s impossible—the Governor is appointed by Shetland. They have no right to interfere. Even if it’s not Samir, it definitely won’t be the Ernst Clan!”

”And why not?” Lisi sneered. ”You have to remember, one hundred and twenty years ago, the Caster City State *was* the Ernst Clan’s fiefdom.”

”But, but they made such a huge mistake back then. There’s no way Klande would agree to it.”

”So much time has passed. Sins and mistakes have long since been washed away. As long as they perform a great service, the royal family wouldn’t refuse a meritorious clan like Ernst a return to glory, would they?”

”A great service?” Marco was stunned for a moment, then shook his head. ”What kind of great service could they possibly perform now? It’s not like we’re at war.”

”They already have.”

”What?”

”They found the mastermind behind that bard’s prophecy!”

’The bard’s prophecy?’

Wei’en froze. ’I feel like I’ve heard that somewhere before...’