https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-148-The-Investigation-Mystery-Part-1-/12969759/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-150-Investigation-Clouds-Part-II-/12969761/
Chapter 149: The Investigation (Part 2)
Chapter 149: The Investigation (Part 2)
Let me be cautious around him?
Upon receiving a warning from the Red-Haired Director, Leon's expression turned stern.
Unlike the 'Drunk Limited Edition' from the previous night, the director was now sober and back to her usual reliable self.
If she was telling him to be careful around this veteran investigator, there must be a good reason! Even the intentional 'trouble-making' from earlier was likely a test, so he couldn't ignore her warning!
"By the way, Mr. Leon," the old investigator spoke up after waiting a few seconds, noticing that Leon hadn't approached her.
"I checked your file, and you've been working here for over a month. Are you getting used to the Maiden Bureau?"
"I'm quite comfortable here," Leon replied, secretly switching his badge to the Elite Performer. He concealed the wariness in his eyes and smiled.
"Although there are fewer people in the bureau, and the work is more dangerous, everyone, from the director to the seniors, has been taking care of me. They're all good people."
The old investigator's lips twitched slightly at Leon's words.
Other investigators might not be as familiar with the Maiden Cleanup Bureau, but he, who had visited several times in the past few years, knew the situation well. The people in the Maiden Division weren't exactly evil, but they were far from being good either.
The Blood-Haired Maiden, who had the heart to annihilate a country and slaughter over a billion people, was beyond question. Even the Level One Disaster Handlers, Unlucky Dice Tom and Corpse-Heart Executioner Emma, were frequent visitors to the investigation department.
Tom clearly broke numerous regulations but was extremely careful, making it difficult for the bureau to gather evidence against him. Emma, on the other hand, was too ruthless and cruel in her methods, leaving behind scenes more disturbing than those caused by anomalies after completing her cleanup tasks. Despite repeated warnings, she remained unrepentant.
As for the Level Two handlers, Tape Man Harry, Sewer Emperor Jerry, Silver Demon Peony, and Plague Alchemist Amin, none of them were any better. During large-scale inter-bureau operations, they were generally disliked and avoided by their colleagues.
To be honest, the reason these individuals could stay in the Maiden Cleanup Bureau for years was probably not the Blood-Haired Maiden's personal charm but the fact that other bureaus didn't want them. Without the Maiden Bureau, they had nowhere else to go.
And this guy, who got along well with such people and genuinely considered them good...
Looking at Leon, with his handsome face and gentle smile, thin build aside, he appeared to be an ordinary civil servant of the kingdom. The old investigator couldn't help but take a deep breath, secretly sensing Leon's aura.
The demonic aura was overwhelming... As expected, one couldn't be normal and get along with such people.
Feeling the aura behind him, as dark and wild as a demon's, if not more so, the old investigator sighed inwardly and began to think of a nickname for this new employee of the Maiden Bureau.
This person had a high affinity with demon-type anomalies, and with his slender and cultured appearance, he seemed like the scholars at the university. He had even proposed the 'Leon Value' for measuring anomalies and seemed quite skilled in research...
How about... 'Demon Scholar'?
Unaware that the old investigator was secretly giving him a nickname, Leon followed him into his office, offering seats to the two investigators on the sofa and then bringing a chair for himself to sit across from them. He was very cooperative and took the initiative to speak first.
"Go ahead, I'm all ears."
The female investigator had regained her composure, her face still cold, but the tense atmosphere had dissipated. She took out a stack of documents, flipped through them, and asked in a professional tone, "First question, do you have any personal grudges against the Lane Family, especially Bobby Lane, who possesses the Wild Ambition?"
"This… I'm not sure if it counts or not…"
Upon hearing this, Leon hesitated for a moment but then spoke honestly, "Before I joined the Cleanup Bureau, my sister fell ill with lung disease due to toxic gas leaks from an alchemical factory. She nearly died in the hospital because she couldn't get the compensation she deserved.
That factory was under the Lane Military-Industrial Complex, and the person in charge of compensation from the Department of Transportation was also related to the Lane family by marriage, making him a member of the Lane family.
Although they were just a branch of the Lane family, if we're being honest, I should have some grudge against the Lanes."
"..."
Hearing Leon's candid response, the female investigator was momentarily taken aback. She looked down at the file in her hand and bit her lip in frustration.
The information Leon shared was exactly what she had painstakingly gathered that day.
According to the apparent situation, the suspect had no substantial connection to the Lane family before the Lane Blood Night, so to avoid suspicion, he would most likely deny any grudge against them.
She had planned to expose this information, thereby revealing his "lies" and "cover-ups," and then questioning his subsequent answers with more "reasonable" skepticism.
But to her surprise, he openly admitted it, stating that he might have a grudge against the Lane family. Given the Lane family's extensive influence, it was inevitable to have some interaction with them while living in the royal capital, especially since his grudge was only with a distant branch of the family, which hardly constituted a motive for the Lane Blood Night.
All her hard work in investigating seemed to have been reduced to useless scraps of paper by his honesty, serving at most as supporting evidence...
Damn it, who would face an investigation and not only shrug off suspicion but also openly admit to potential grudges?
Biting her lip in annoyance, the female investigator quickly stuffed the file into her bag and, with a cold expression, asked, "Next question: After the Lane Blood Night, did you benefit from it?"
"Yes," Leon sighed. "I was unable to stop Bobby Lane's atrocities due to my lack of ability. On the night of the Lane Blood Night, I nearly lost my life several times at his hands and was severely injured.
However, it seems that I am a member of the Lane family. All the heirs before me were rendered useless by Bobby Lane, so while I was recovering, I was forced to take on the role of the new Duke. The succession ceremony is set for Tuesday."
Upon hearing Leon's words, the female investigator's eyes widened in surprise, and she smirked, tugging at the corner of her mouth. "So, you're admitting that you were the biggest beneficiary after the Lane Blood Night incident, right?"
"Not exactly," Leon shook his head.
"I have no interest in this title, neither in the wealth it represents nor the power that comes with it. It holds no meaning for me.
During the succession ceremony, I will propose a union with the royal family and offer to donate all the assets to them, forcing them to choose someone else as the heir.
The ceremony is tomorrow, so if you don't believe me, you can wait and see if I'll do as I say."
"..."
Damn it... He's even willing to give up an entire ducal family's legacy?
Leon's expression seemed genuine, as if he truly intended to go through with it. The female investigator clenched her teeth in frustration, closed her eyes to sense the demonic aura surrounding Leon, and then tightly balled her fists. Finally, she couldn't help but mock him, "Hmph, you sound like a saint... But if you don't want any of it, how do you explain this aura of evil, even more sinister than a demon's?"
(End of Chapter)
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