Mage Manual-Chapter 1322 - 965: Stopping the Journey

As the Deputy Commissioner of Police specializing in criminal cases and renowned as the ’Iron Goddess’, Lucia Andewood did not appear as composed as she seemed.

Firstly, Ash Heath was a nationally acclaimed creator, having recently donated most of his wealth to disaster relief, elevating his reputation to its peak. Although there was already evidence against him, no one dared to lay a finger on him until the evidence was indisputable.

Secondly, Lucia meticulously reviewed the surveillance footage dozens of times and was certain that Ash was a cold-blooded killer in disguise. With just a sword, he could cut through gangsters wielding guns. This unimaginable combat power exceeded the police department’s comprehension. Had it not been verified frame by frame that his movements were within the human realm, the department would have suspected him of being a superpower user.

Despite this, the police department deployed a large team to execute the arrest, even calling in special operations forces for assistance. Officers were placed upstairs and downstairs, snipers awaited on nearby high buildings.

She speculated many of Ash’s reactions: confusion, denial, anger, or calling a lawyer to defend himself? Would he confess, smile, be relieved, or feel proud of his crimes?

Yet, Ash still surprised the Deputy Commissioner.

From this suspect’s face, she saw an indescribable... nostalgia?

"As expected, being on a wanted list is an essential part of every trip," Lucia heard Ash chuckle, "Now, my journey of Allstars is finally complete."

"Wow." Vishi stretched lazily and said, "Master, you’re getting arrested, need any help?"

Lucia knew about the maid Vishi, reportedly a homeless girl Ash had hired. Vishi’s social security records were only recent, and considering her youth and beauty, she was likely a pet picked up by Ash as a concubine. Vishi’s calling him ’Master’ further confirmed Lucia’s judgment—Ash Heath was indeed a maniac trampling on life and dignity.

However, Ash remained calm even when handcuffed, yet sternly responded to Vishi, "I can handle it; you’re not allowed to interfere!"

"Yikes, Master, you’re scolding me again." Vishi lay on the sofa, her legs swinging: "I’m just concerned about you, not because I’m hungry."

Hungry? Are they discussing food?

At this point, Ash said, "Officer Andewood, do you mean I’m a suspect in the murder case?"

"To be precise, it’s a serial murder case," Lucia emphasized, "Counting last night’s victim, there have been fifty-six murdered."

Ash nodded thoughtfully, "I understand, I will assist in the investigation."

"Thank you for your cooperation." Lucia attempted to handcuff his other hand, "We will conduct inquiries at Long Bridge City Police Department. If you need a lawyer, you can—"

Snap.

Ash grabbed Lucia’s wrist and cuffed the other hand on her.

"No need for such trouble. I don’t need a lawyer, nor will I go to the police department," Ash pulled the officer into the suite, "I also wish to inquire about the case, so let’s conduct the investigation here."

The sudden change of events caused all officers’ blood pressure to spike. A tall officer behind Lucia reached for Ash’s shoulder: "Ash Heath, you are now suspected of assaulting a police officer—"

Swish!

Ash casually twisted the tall officer’s hand, causing the officer’s body to spin once before collapsing heavily like a dead fish. Lucia wanted to resist, but her wrist was gripped tightly by Ash’s fingers, rendering her powerless and being dragged along!

"Deputy Commissioner!"

"Ash Heath, what are you trying to do!?"

"Deputy Commissioner Andewood is being held hostage!"

"Can you quiet them down a bit?" Ash said calmly, pulling Lucia down, "I just want to understand the situation and assist you as much as I can. Let’s sit here and chat; the door can stay open, but I don’t want your people disturbing my friends."

Lucia contemplated for a moment and then turned to say, "Everyone, wait outside the door and report the situation here."

"Igula, Harvey."

Ash looked at the two at the door and said, "I’ll resolve this. It’s a minor issue; no need to be so nervous."

The Swindler and Necromancer exchanged glances, then the dark-skinned, curly-haired one returned to the room: "I’ll go prepare my family."

Igula leaned against the doorframe, lighting a cigarette Ash had never seen before.

Ash didn’t expect them to remain as still as Vishi, turning to Lucia, "Officer Andewood, please outline the case."

Lucia glanced at him and recited the case files fluently: "The first murder case was in Wind Rudder City, your first stop after leaving Jashi City. The crime scene was in the old city district by the municipal river. Surveillance cameras captured a cloaked figure using a longsword to kill seven armed individuals and kicking their bodies into the river."

"The second murder case was..."

After listening for a while, Ash summarized, "In short, wherever I go, murders occur, the victims being local criminal forces. And the perpetrators are mysterious, cloaked figures with indistinguishable identities?"

"Not just that," Lucia said, "The occurrence of each crime perfectly overlaps with the time you stayed there."

"What evidence do you have!" Listening, Filly immediately interjected, "Since their identities are unclear, how do you confirm it’s Ash? I’ve traveled with him to all these cities; why couldn’t it be me?"

"Although the victims’ bodies haven’t been found, the scene contained residual blood and hair from fierce battles," Lucia said. "Based on Mr. Heath’s dental records, DNA confirms your presence at the crime scenes."

"Speaking of which, according to schedule, Ash, you have a dental appointment in three days," Rose said while tapping on her phone.

"More importantly, Mr. Heath, you heroically subdued mercenaries attempting a terror attack in Linguang City, coincidentally using a sword. According to subway surveillance, you displayed formidable solo combat power capable of dodging gunfire, mirroring the cloak figure’s ability to escape the storm of bullets unscathed."

"Aside from you, the police have never seen anyone else capable of evading gunfire with cold weapons," Lucia glanced at her wrist, "I’ve also never seen anyone who can subdue someone just by gripping their wrist."

"It’s merely simple martial arts," Ash said. "With the clues you’ve gathered, it’s reasonable to suspect me. Even I think it was done by me."

"Wait!" Filly suddenly noticed a problem: "The victims are criminal forces with firearms. Whether or not the cloak figure is Ash, it’s self-defense. After all, the cloak figure only has a sword, whereas the opponents have guns!"

Lucia considered her words, "From a personal perspective, I think those victims deserved it, but..."

"The cloak figure chooses locations with surveillance cameras for each crime," she explained. "It’s evident the figure deliberately lured victims to surveillance-covered areas, only then annihilating them and disposing of the bodies like trash into the river."

Provocation!

Ash and his group finally understood the police department’s perspective—if it happened once or twice, they’d consider it gang conflicts; if outside surveillance, they might not have responded so swiftly.

But repeatedly committing murders under surveillance, even moving around to different locations, was like having ’Catch me if you can’ written on the cloak. The fact that they waited this long to arrest Ash was already considerate of his reputation.

"Even so, the cloak figure faced armed thugs. The force wasn’t balanced at all!" Filly argued, "Regardless of surveillance or intent, as long as it’s a group pointing guns at me, and I only have a sword, any counterattack should be legally encouraged!"

Lucia pondered, "I probably shouldn’t say this... but given Mr. Heath’s reputation and wealth, coupled with the victims’ tainted pasts, you’d likely be acquitted in court, possibly sentenced to a few years’ community service at most."

"However, Mr. Heath, your demonstrated propensity for violence and killing is akin to wielding a powerful lethal weapon. The government will limit your travel range, periodically send officers to check in, and prohibit activities like your Allstars tour, preventing such... baiting and hunting."