Mage Manual-Chapter 1323 - 966: The Promiscuous Lock

Travel restrictions, no tourism allowed; naturally, the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls plan cannot continue either.

Even in the Kingdom of Mages, Ash would need to rely on the public transportation system to travel. Not to mention the Kingdom of Allstars, with its Mysterious Chains mechanism, Ash must rely on societal resources for quick travel.

Upon hearing this, everyone understood the true target of the serial killer case.

Vishi chuckled lightly, Igula blew a smoke ring, Filly felt slightly gloomy, while Rose continued looking at her phone.

"I understand," Ash nodded, "A reasonable way to handle it."

Lucia also breathed a sigh of relief. She was actually very reluctant to tell a suspect that they might be released without charges and did not support vigilante actions.

But for some reason, though all evidence pointed to Ash, she suddenly felt that Ash wasn’t the kind of psychopath who lured and killed.

Even with the room full of police officers, even while handcuffed, he listened to the case calmly, as if it wasn’t his first time being arrested. His calm confidence eased Lucia’s anxiety. That’s why she told Ash not to worry and not to escalate the situation; complying with the investigation was the best option.

"To stop me, you’d actually use this method...?"

Ash lowered his eyelids, exhaling: "It’s quite her style, simple and crude, yet effective."

"Rose, where is she?"

"I’ve already sent you her phone’s location," Rose said, "She’s heading out of the city."

"I need a car." Ash stood up and said, "The fastest one you have."

"An Oracle Comet, one of 99 nationwide, the fastest commercial sports car currently available," Rose tossed the car keys to Ash, "It’s already self-driving over from the station warehouse. Want me to drive?"

"No need." Ash caught the car keys, "How many cars did you bring on this trip?"

"Just two: one that can catch up with everyone, the Oracle Comet, and one that can carry everyone, the Phantom Star Cluster."

Lucia sensed something amiss, "Mr. Heath, you—"

"Shh." Ash placed a finger on his lips, winking at the female officer, "Please wait, I’ll be back soon."

"Vishi." He looked at the maid eating grapes, "What do you know?"

"Just encountered her once or twice." Vishi peeled the grapes clean and tossed them towards Ash, "I’m not a moron who chases after pretty girls persistently."

Ash caught the grape in his mouth, immune to Vishi’s sarcastic tone: "Why didn’t you tell me? If you can’t give a reason..."

"I thought she was like me, just hungry,"

Vishi laughed, "And do you really want me to tattle? Once we get back, if I find out the Sword Witch is plotting something behind your back, would you want me to tell you then?"

Ash moved his lips slightly, actually persuaded by Vishi’s twisted logic. If he allowed Vishi to tattle, Vishi could openly sow discord and stir up trouble, which would be even more harmful. He never doubted that if you gave Vishi an inch, she’d blaze everything around her.

He sighed, looking towards the door, "Igula, how’s it going?"

The Swindler exhaled smoke, the officers around him all dazed and silent as mice. As a Spirit Legend, he only needed voice, eye contact, and a little hallucinogenic to make people thoroughly relax and forget the misery of having to work overtime at night.

"I don’t like people who play tricks behind others’ backs," Igula said calmly, "And the methods here are so clumsy, utterly lack artistic flair."

"...But don’t you often scheme behind my back with Harvey?"

"Indeed." Igula raised an eyebrow, "So? Would a thief not care if their own weak lock got tampered with?"

"Not to mention you’re using a terrible metaphor, why emphasize ’weak lock’? You didn’t need that ’weak’ word!"

"After all, a ’fickle lock’ sounds pretty strange..."

Ash rubbed his forehead, turning to Rose with hands clasped pleadingly, looking sheepish, "I’m going to have to trouble you again..."

"I’ll handle it, it’s not a big issue," Rose said calmly, "Handling a client’s murder case is within an assistant’s duties."

"I want to go too!" Filly stood up, looking guilty, "I should have noticed sooner, especially since I’m closest to her..."

"You know her personality; the more people there are, the more nervous she’ll get, possibly causing a stress reaction." Ash said, "Besides, this originated with me, so it has to be me."

"I’m counting on you guys here, I’ll be back soon."

Ash pulled Lucia up, opened the balcony door, letting the stormy wind blow in. He took the umbrella Rose threw over and said to Lucia, "Sorry, Officer Andewood, there’s a sniper outside. I’ll need you to escort me downstairs."

"Fortunately, the heavy rain has reduced visibility," Ash felt the rain on his face, "If the time is short enough, it should be fine."

"Mr. Heath!" Lucia thought he was utterly crazy, "All entry and exit paths are guarded by officers. There’s no way you can—"

"But this escape route, you definitely haven’t guarded."

Lucia watched as Ash led her to the balcony and jumped, stepping off the railing from the 27th floor.

The moment her feet left the ground, her mind went blank until the wind howled past her ears, feeling herself tightly held in the suspect’s arms, then realizing what happened.

They jumped!

Why? Why? Why?!

Her daughter still waited at home for her call; she had promised to take her daughter to Joy World that weekend. In a month, it’d be her daughter’s birthday; she’d already prepared the present, and then... and then...

"Close your eyes."

Ash’s voice was clear amidst the wind as he covered Lucia’s eyes with his hand, "It’s fine."

Grasping at straws, Lucia closed her eyes tightly as if not seeing would bring about a miracle.

Swoosh.

The wind ceased, rain patter echoed again. Lucia’s heart pounded with anxiety until her feet touched the ground, and Ash said she could open her eyes; only then did she carefully open them.

They were on the commercial street beside the hotel; because of the rain and the hour, no pedestrians were around, only the neon lights of stores shining through the rain curtain.

Lucia stood there dumbfounded. She’d jumped from the 27th floor and was unscathed? Even felt quite refreshed, like a safe bungee jump.

What just happened? What did Ash Heath do?

Snap. Lucia raised her head, seeing Ash open an umbrella that blocked off all the rain.

"Officer Andewood, I have to go now. Could you undo the handcuffs for me?"

"...Uh?"

"I need to chase someone down," Ash said, "So I can’t go back with you now, but I will turn myself in later. If you’re worried about accountability, you can say I threatened you."

Ash’s voice was so natural and considerate, as if she would truly agree. The valiant, swift female officer lowered her head, lingering in silence, as Ash waited patiently. Not until a streamlined sports car slowly pulled up beside them did Lucia speak, "Mr. Heath, can I trust you?"

"Just call me Ash," Ash said, "You can believe in me as one would in a Miracle."

Lucia stared blankly at him, then let out a soft laugh, "What’s that supposed to mean..."

She took out her keys to unlock the handcuffs; Ash raised the car’s door with his car key, handing Lucia the umbrella: "This umbrella is for you."

Watching Ash get into the car, Lucia couldn’t help but ask, "The real perpetrator isn’t you, is it?"

"Why do you say that?" Ash grinned, "You’re almost convincing me that I committed the murders."

"If you didn’t do it, you should assist with the investigation. We’ll clear your name. Fleeing like this makes the situation worse." Lucia earnestly advised, "If you must go, at least take me with you. I can cover for you, say you’re searching for clues."

Ash gave her a surprised glance, "Officer Andewood..."

"Lucia Andewood," for unknown reasons, the female officer voluntarily stated her full name.

"Miss Lucia, thank you for your concern," Ash smiled, "Whether this counts as compensation, when I do turn myself in, I’ll say it was your persuasion that made me see the light."

"Oh, earlier you mentioned your child is a loyal reader of mine." He quickly wrote a few lines on a signature board from the car, "Mr. Heath appreciates her support."

Lucia looked down to see the signature board, engraved with pen: "Wishing Lucia Andewood and her beloved child happiness and joy."

She held the board, watching the glossy car door close, engine roaring as the car sliced through the rain, vanishing around the corner.