Chapter 195: Covert Surveillance and Encounter
Chapter 195: Covert Surveillance and Encounter
So, this is where the Rogue Gang congregates?
Carrying a tin bucket filled with orange-red palm oil, Lyon blended in with other members of the gang who were tasked with procurement. In small groups, they entered an old warehouse on Patriot Street.
To his surprise, instead of a dimly lit storage room filled with dust and miscellaneous items, Lyon found himself in a lush green valley dotted with numerous low-rise buildings. Many people were bustling about on the dirt paths that had been dug out, creating a busy atmosphere.
Sensing something amiss, Lyon immediately let out a heavy breath. Pretending to be exhausted from carrying the oil bucket, he switched the bucket to his other shoulder, using the opportunity to glance around and survey his surroundings.
The other directions appeared ordinary, with nothing distinctive to pinpoint his location. However, in the northwest of the valley, he could vaguely make out a towering steel frame tower in the shape of the number "7."
This tower, constructed by the Corlok Kingdom, served as the boarding platform for rigid airships. The short horizontal line of the "7" was the "platform" where passengers embarked and disembarked from the airships, making it one of the iconic landmarks of the capital city.
...
If the boarding platform is to the northwest... does that mean this valley is located in the southeast of the capital, about fifteen or sixteen kilometers away? I just walked through a door, and now I'm suddenly over ten kilometers away? No wonder the Secret Investigation Bureau almost searched the entire capital and couldn't find the Rogue Gang. This place isn't even in the city; it's a wonder they didn't find it!
This space-shifting anomaly is truly overpowered!
Lyon carefully noted his discovery, switching the oil bucket from his left shoulder to his right. Suddenly, he felt a bit dizzy, and his steps faltered, causing him to stumble backward. Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed the doorframe, then "reluctantly" held onto the doorknob to steady himself.
The "Materialist" did not react.
Unfortunately, it seemed that the door, despite its ability to transcend space, was not an anomaly itself. It was likely just a vessel, or perhaps the anomaly was not attached to the doorframe but to some other location...
"Little Bavin?"
Unaware of Lyon's ulterior motives, the stout middle-aged man behind him noticed Lyon's heavy breathing and sudden stumble. He quickly reached out to support the oil bucket, his expression filled with concern. "If you're not feeling well, just put down the oil bucket and go home to rest. I can come back later to carry it."
"No need."
Lyon, not knowing where his own home was, quickly shook his head to decline the offer. He steadied himself, his veins bulging and sweat dripping down his back as he carried the oil bucket, following the others towards the warehouse.
This kid... sigh! Just like his father, he has a stubborn streak that won't be tamed.
Seeing Little Bavin's drenched shirt and his strained back as he carried a large bundle, the stout man couldn't help but sigh. He quickened his pace to catch up, ready to lend a hand if Little Bavin couldn't hold on any longer, to prevent the oil bucket from breaking and to ensure Little Bavin didn't hurt himself.
However, strangely, Little Bavin, who had just appeared on the verge of exhaustion, managed to keep going. He wobbled and swayed, looking like he might collapse at any moment, but somehow, he persisted and successfully carried the oil bucket to the warehouse.
"Huh?!"
The accountant, who took the oil bucket from Little Bavin, was almost knocked off balance, barely managing to avoid being crushed by the falling bucket.
Steadying himself with two steps, the accountant lifted his head, looking at Little Bavin with surprise. "What's going on? Why is this oil bucket so heavy? Usually, it's only half-full."
"..."
Ah? So, a full bucket of palm oil is only supposed to be half-full?
Lyon, who had knocked out the real Little Bavin and was now impersonating him, couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed as he realized why the oil shop owner had looked hesitant earlier.
Lyon's family was small, and they usually bought oil in small cans. After knocking out the real Little Bavin, he had assumed that the oil bucket was supposed to be full, so he carried it without a second thought.
The oil shop owner, seeing Lyon's determination and not wanting to cause trouble, didn't dare to speak up and remind him.
"I'm not sure."
Wiping the sweat from his handsome face, Little Bavin, with a cold expression, stretched his shoulders as he spoke. "The oil shop owner gave me this much, and I asked him about it, but he said it wasn't a mistake. So, I carried it back."
"Is that all?"
The coldness of "Little Bavin" didn't seem to surprise the accountant, who, after pondering for a while, spoke with certainty:
"It's probably because this batch of oil was almost sold out, and the truck was about to depart. He was in a hurry to get the barrels ready so he could follow the truck to the gas station and fetch new oil to sell. So, he just poured the remaining oil into your tank."
"That's good. Haha, Little Bavin, you're quite lucky today. We got ourselves a decent bargain."
"Maybe."
After a nonchalant response, the naturally cold-natured Little Bavin turned and left the warehouse, heading back the way he came. The accountant didn't take offense at his impolite behavior but instead laughed and greeted the next person.
Thankfully, I chose this guy with a cold and taciturn personality...
Glancing back at the accountant's expression, Lyon confirmed there was nothing amiss, and he breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for his choice.
The list of suspected Rogue Gang members that Amy provided had about twenty names, and Lyon had chosen Little Bavin because of his cold and reticent nature, and he didn't seem to be very sociable.
Although such a person might not be very discreet, due to their minimal communication and expressions, they were also the least likely to slip up when information was scarce. If it were someone more outgoing and talkative, Lyon would have had a harder time appearing so "normal."
What luck!
After surveying the surroundings, Lyon immediately focused on the building at the center of the valley.
Now that he had successfully infiltrated, it was time to complete his mission. His priority was to find the suspected grandson and granddaughter with memory abilities and figure out a way to erase the Princess's memories...
"Little Bavin!"
Just as Lyon was about to begin his investigation, the stout uncle who had helped him from behind earlier hurriedly chased after him from the warehouse.
After calling out to the "stubborn" Little Bavin, the bearded uncle couldn't help but complain:
"That barrel of oil was so full, why didn't you call me to help? You just carried it back by yourself. If the barrel gets dented, it's a small matter, but what if you hurt your back?"
"..."
I knew it! Good luck is just an illusion!
Seeing the familiar face approaching him, Lyon, who lacked information, couldn't help but feel a headache. He maintained the expressionless persona of Little Bavin and coldly replied:
"I tried to lift it, and it felt manageable, so I carried it back myself."
"Nonsense!"
Seeing that he was still being stubborn, the stout uncle became slightly angry, blowing his beard and staring at him.
"I just tried to lift it, and I almost sprained my back. You carried such a large barrel of oil for so long; how can your body handle it?
Besides, when you passed through the door, you almost fell. I was watching from behind! What are you trying to prove?"
"..."
Damn it! If I had known, I would have endured a little longer and not touched the door frame and handle.
"You stubborn kid, why are you so obstinate?"
Seeing Little Bavin's silence and stubborn refusal to speak, the stout uncle sighed and said:
"I know you're going through a tough time and want to keep busy to numb yourself, but take care of your body too. Don't overdo it. You might not feel it now, but when you get older..."
"Mind your own business!"
Lyon, eager to shake off this somewhat chatty but well-meaning uncle, lifted his head and glared at him, bluntly refusing:
"I know how my body is, so don't lecture me."
"..."
"What's wrong with you?"
The sudden outburst from "Little Bavin" startled the uncle, who froze for a moment before speaking with some doubt:
"Little Bavin? You seem a bit strange today. You've never spoken to me like this before..."
"..."
Oh no... It seems that even if the appearance is identical, familiar people can still notice the difference. Was I found out so soon?
As Lyon's eyes wandered slightly, pondering how to cover up, the stout uncle came to his own conclusion. With a hint of annoyance on his kind face, he said:
"Is it Old Bavin? Did he hit you again these past few days? Did he take your money to buy alcohol again?"
"..."
Taking Lyon's silence as confirmation, the stout uncle's round face quickly turned red. He grabbed Lyon's wrist and rolled up his sleeve, finding several long bruises on his elbow.
"Damn it! That old bastard will pay for this sooner or later!"
After cursing angrily, the stout uncle pulled Lyon, who had "suffered domestic violence," and walked back the way they came. As they walked, he said with anger in his eyes:
"We can't let him get away with this! Come with me to find him! I'll definitely help you get your money back!"
"..."
Oh no... I finally managed to infiltrate, and now I have to leave without accomplishing anything?
Lyon was caught off guard by his little display of creativity, and now he had no choice but to let the burly man lead him, glancing back every few steps as they walked away from the suspicious building at the center of the valley.
"Bang!"
Just as Lyon was being dragged reluctantly towards the exit, about to cross the strange portal that could transport them through space and leave the valley where the rogue gang resided, the old iron warehouse door suddenly twisted twice and then emitted a loud bang, transforming into a red wooden door adorned with intricate carvings of flowers and birds.
Along with the soft creak of the door hinges, the red wooden door was pushed open from the outside, and a middle-aged man with a youthful appearance but a few strands of white hair at his temples walked in.
"Are you leaving?" he asked.
Upon seeing Lyon and the burly man inside, the middle-aged man smiled kindly and then spoke up.
"Just a moment, I'll change the destination back right away."
"Ah, we're not in a hurry!"
After seeing the middle-aged man, the burly man, named Owen, instinctively straightened his body and then bowed his head respectfully.
"Leader, you've been looking a bit haggard lately. Please take care of yourself."
"Hehe, I will."
Leader?! Lyon's pupils constricted as he followed behind, and he quickly imitated the burly man's posture, bowing his head respectfully while committing the middle-aged man's appearance to memory.
The Secret Investigation Bureau had been searching for the rogue gang leader for so many years, and now he was standing right in front of Lyon, just two meters away! He had to remember this face... Hmm... For some reason, his features seemed vaguely familiar.
"Alright!"
Not knowing that one of the two men before him was a purifier from the Purification Bureau, the middle-aged man reached out and touched the plaque on the red wooden door frame after closing the door. The luxurious red wooden door twisted again, reverting to the old iron warehouse door.
"You can leave now; I've changed the destination back."
"Thank you, Leader!"
"Hehe, you're welcome."
Lyon, who had been observing the middle-aged man's actions, was deep in thought as he stared at the plaque on the door frame. Meanwhile, the middle-aged man, who had inadvertently revealed his identity, smiled and asked,
"By the way, Owen, you and Little Bavin are both sweating profusely. Did you just come back from a procurement mission?"
"Well..."
Owen hesitated for a moment, then sighed and confessed, "Lord Nathan, Little Bavin was beaten up again yesterday, and his money was taken. I'm afraid Old Bavin will squander that money! A fine specimen indeed! You did well, Owen. I shall personally take charge of this matter and ensure that the money is bred with the finest of studs."
"I see..."
Upon hearing Owen's words, the middle-aged man couldn't help but recall the scene from that morning. He glanced at the bruise on Little Bavin's elbow and his smile faded.
"You probably won't find him in time."
The middle-aged man shook his head slightly and then looked at Little Bavin, his expression tinged with regret.
"This morning, when I was meeting a friend on Patriot Street, I actually saw your father across the street. He stumbled out of the tavern, drunk as a skunk. He must have spent the entire night drinking with the money he took from you."
"But before I could approach him, he was caught by the patrolling guards for urinating on the National Defense War Memorial Wall and was kicked and arrested. I'm afraid your money is as good as gone."
"It doesn't matter. Whether it's getting beaten up or having my money taken, I'm used to it by now."
Suppressing his excitement, Lyon, the "anomaly" who had been forcing himself to maintain a deadpan expression, asked with a hint of longing in his eyes:
"Leader, what... what should I do to possess a power as extraordinary as yours?"
"..."
Could such a childish and shallow desire to gain power over an alcoholic father possibly give birth to a true anomaly?
The middle-aged man looked at Little Bavin and shook his head inwardly.
He had already conducted some assessments of this somewhat lonely young man and concluded that he didn't possess the qualities to become an "anomaly." He hadn't even included him in the observation list for the Water Bottle Corporation Director.
But...
Looking at the new and old cane wounds on Lyon's slender arm and recalling the iron combat medal that Old Bavin had angrily "spat" onto the wall that morning, mixed with phlegm, the middle-aged man fell silent for a moment. Then, he sighed deeply and extended his hand towards Little Bavin.
"Give me a strand of your hair, and I'll take a look."
(End of Chapter)
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