Chapter 124: Chapter 95: Cutting a Mouth with Scissors, You’re Asking For It

’Perhaps believers of the Red Moon Church can freely use the power of the Red Moon’s pollution?’

’If that’s true, then believing in the Red Moon Church might not be a bad choice...’

"But even with so many people dying, many of our companions are still willing to flock to Laos every day. At least there’s a place there to shelter from the Red Moon."

"So where were you before?"

"In the mountains east of Caster..."

The driver hesitated, not continuing. Instead, he said, "We’ll be at your destination in two minutes."

"Alright."

Wei’en wisely chose not to press further. Life was already so difficult for people inside the city-states; he couldn’t even imagine the hellish scenes that lay beyond...

"You’re welcome to ride with me again. It was a pleasure talking with you."

"Likewise."

Wei’en and Tina disembarked from the carriage. He took 8 pence from his pocket, placed it in the cardboard box in front of the driver’s seat, and said, "Goodbye."

"Goodbye, my friendly Investigator."

Watching the carriage slowly recede into the distance, Wei’en took a deep breath and knocked on the main gate of Ceres Manor.

’Just as he’d thought before, there were too many tragic people and events in this world. He had no way, and certainly not the ability, to dwell on them.’

However, after hearing all that, he had a new understanding of the Red Moon, of Dawn, of the Eternal Life Association, and of the Despair Sect.

’It seemed Clelia was telling the truth. In some places, the Despair Sect *is* the True God Church.’

Because only then could they survive.

’Perhaps... this is the reality of this world...’

"Investigator Wei’en, Mr. Sayam has been waiting for quite some time."

The one who opened the door was, once again, the Ceres Clan’s old butler, Collins. His words carried a hint of displeasure.

Other than that, however, he showed no other abnormalities. He didn’t even use his Spirit Perception on Wei’en.

"Mm."

Wei’en simply nodded. He and Tina boarded the carriage, and with Collins leading the way, they proceeded into the manor grounds.

To be honest, Wei’en was taking his first team-up mission with Tina very seriously.

But the fact that it was a case for the Ceres Clan forced him to be on high alert.

He knew very well this wouldn’t be a simple commission to find a lost item. It was highly likely he would face an attack from the Vasquez People, just like last time.

Therefore, Wei’en had to do his best to appear composed and capable. He couldn’t show the slightest sign of being a ’newbie rookie,’ or this case would be incredibly difficult to see through.

If that happened, he would lose more than just 25 gold pounds...

"Investigator Wei’en, I must thank you for intervening last time. If you had let those people escape the manor, Mr. Sayam would have been furious."

When Collins voluntarily brought up the Black Pearl crew members Wei’en had killed last time, a flicker of suspicion crossed Wei’en’s eyes. He answered cautiously, "I just happened to be there, and they were the ones who were hostile toward us first."

"In any case, thank you for your help." Collins, sitting in the front, turned his head and nodded at him in thanks.

"You’re welcome."

Wei’en noticed Tina at his side, staring intently at Collins. He couldn’t help but frown.

’He knew Tina had an ability to discern the truthfulness of others’ words. So, did the white-haired girl’s current gaze mean that everything Collins just said was a lie?’

At this thought, Wei’en squeezed the white-haired girl’s hand and gave her a slight shake of his head, signaling her not to speak.

"Tina knows."

"...Ahem, Butler Collins, I was wondering what Mr. Sayam has commissioned us for this time... um, what exactly is the task? Are we still trying to retrieve that Divine Statue?"

"You’ll understand once you see the master. Before then, please forgive me, but it is not convenient for me to answer," Collins said, turning back to them apologetically. In the instant he turned away again, his gaze seemed to dart toward Tina.

"Alright, I was just asking."

The conversation having reached this point, Wei’en lost interest in talking with him any further.

A short while later, the carriage rounded a massive fountain and stopped before the main building. A middle-aged man dressed in the distinctive attire of the Shetland nobility was already waiting for them there.

"Mr. Ramiro, the two Investigators from the Secret Investigation Department have arrived."

[You have been scanned by Ramiro Ceres’s Spirit Perception. Reward: Survival Points +1.]

Without needing Collins’s reminder, Wei’en already knew the man’s identity. He took the initiative and said, "Hello. I’m Wei’en Loft of the Secret Investigation Department’s Investigation Department One. This is my partner, Tina Klosterman."

Ramiro sized them up, a flash of impatience on his face. "The Secret Investigation Department only sent two little runts like you?"

Wei’en maintained a professional smile. "Yes, Mr. Ramiro. But rest assured, now that the Secret Investigation Department has accepted your clan’s commission, we will do everything in our power to resolve it."

’Although he was rather displeased with the man’s attitude, for the sake of the gold pounds, he’d forgive him this one time.’

’But didn’t the file say that the Ceres Clan’s first-in-line heir was already 56 years old?’

Yet he looked to be only about 30—with the typical build of an Oldes man, tall and sturdy, with a thick beard and slightly curly brown hair.

His eyes were especially striking; his brown irises were abnormally bright, as if they held some kind of magical power that could see into a person’s heart, making it impossible for anyone to show him any hostility.

"Collins, you take them to see my father. I won’t be going. If anything comes up, send someone to inform me." Ramiro tossed out these words and turned to enter the house, as if staying here a moment longer would be the greatest insult to him.