"Lisi, are you sure you’re talking about Director Ales?" Marco asked cautiously.

"Who else could it be?"

Lisi said irritably, "In the meeting just now, Director Ales actually said a believer from the Dawn Church is going to join the Secret Investigation Department."

"I’m starting to wonder if he’s an imposter. He used to hate people from the Dawn Church more than anyone. He’d even get pissed off just hearing the word ’Dawn’..."

’Dawn?’

Wei’en understood. ’So that’s what this is about.’

’Looks like Bishop Andrews, the one Yuan mentioned this morning, has already arranged for Sister Kali to join the Secret Investigation Department.’

’I wonder how Bishop Andrews managed to convince Director Ales to agree?’

’Based on what Lisi just said, with Director Ales hating the Dawn Church that much, the Church must have paid a steep price...’

"So which department is that, er, believer from the Dawn Church being assigned to?"

"Ours."

Wei’en froze. "Here? To Investigation Department One?"

Lisi nodded. "The scumbags in the Combat and Property Management Departments couldn’t figure out what Ales was planning, so none of them wanted to take her. They just passed the buck."

"And that bastard Yegor just took her without a word. I have no idea what goes on in his head."

Marco couldn’t help but ask, "Then why not Department Two or Three?"

"It’s because Roger from our department got into trouble and was sealed..." Lisi ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "Whatever. One more person won’t make a difference."

’One person?’

’I’m just afraid it won’t just be Sister Kali. That one, Melbel, will probably tag along too.’

Wei’en grimaced to himself. He knew that pain in the ass was the Guardian Knight in charge of protecting Sister Kali.

’Wait, Melbel?’

"Her? Isn’t it a bit inappropriate for her to join Department One? The mission I carried out at Krimms Cathedral is supposed to be confidential, isn’t it?"

"The higher-ups thought of that. We’ll be assigned to other missions for a while. After *she* leaves, we’ll get back to handling the Cathedral business."

At this, Lisi’s expression turned serious. "The three of you, be careful during this time. Don’t mention that incident. Understand?"

"Understood."

"Tina, understood."

Wei’en agreed, but he thought to himself, ’I’m afraid it won’t stay hidden for long.’

’After all, it was Sister Kali who took me to the Cathedral that day, and it was Melbel who attacked me.’

’As long as those two aren’t idiots, they’ll definitely figure out I was there on a mission...’

’Damn it.’

’I should have realized this when Yuan told me this morning that Sister Kali was joining the Secret Investigation Department. With that woman’s strength, if she decides to target me, she’ll probably be even more of a handful than Clelia.’

"So, when is she coming?"

Lisi stood and looked at the three of them, then dropped another bombshell with a helpless look on her face.

"Tomorrow. And they’re holding a grand welcome ceremony. Not only will City-State Governor Samir and Council Speaker Laurent be in attendance, but they’re also inviting a number of nobles."

"What’s more, there will be a reception tomorrow night at the City-State Council Hall. And as her new colleagues, we’re invited to attend..."

Marco’s eyes went wide. "A welcome ceremony? A reception? Are they really making such a big deal out of it?"

Wei’en was just as surprised. He hadn’t expected the Dawn Church and the Secret Investigation Department to make such a public spectacle.

’With Sister Kali’s status as a Saintess Candidate, shouldn’t she be keeping a low profile?’

"Was this Director Ales’s idea too?"

"No, this was Deputy Director Balats’s proposal. The other senior staff approved it unanimously. Director Ales didn’t object, though. He even said he’d be attending with Bishop Andrews tomorrow..."

Hearing this, Marco muttered, "No wonder even the Governor and the Speaker are coming. This is the kind of big event you only see once every twenty years."

"Once every twenty years?"

"Wei’en, you haven’t been here long, so you wouldn’t know,"

Marco’s expression grew excited. "Ever since Director Ales took office, the Caster City State has rarely held events like this."

"I think the last time was when Governor Samir took office..."

"I’m sure we’ll see plenty of bigwigs at the welcome ceremony tomorrow. I bet some nobles who haven’t been seen in ages will show up, too..."

"You should be on your best behavior. Those noble ladies love handsome young men like you..."

THWACK!

Lisi smacked him hard. "Marco, I think you’re forgetting about Lydia. Guess who might be there tomorrow?"

"Lydia?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Marco rubbed his head, wincing. "She can’t come, can she? Didn’t she go to study at the Klande Kingdom Public Academy?"

"I heard she’s back."

"Ah, she’s back?"

Marco froze, then scrambled back to his office and started gathering his things. "Lisi, I need to request a few days off."

"Denied."

Lisi shot him an irritated glare. "Why didn’t you think about hiding when you were messing with her back then?"

"That’s different..."

Wei’en watched the drama unfold with great interest. He never thought he’d see the suave, debonair Marco mess up like this.

But after Lisi finished describing Miss Lydia’s background, his amusement turned to deep regret.

The Ernst Clan was one of the twenty-four great meritorious families of the Shetland Kingdom.

Its patriarch, Count Celine Ernst, was not only a Caster City-State Councilman and a member of the Noble Committee, but also the president of the Qi Yue Newspaper, one of Caster’s three major newspapers.

They had status, position, money, and power...

And his daughter—Lydia Ernst—was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. She was a noble lady even more fitting of the title "Pearl of Caster" than Sister Kali.

Wei’en looked at Marco with utter envy. If a noble lady like that was into him, why would he still be working as an Intelligence Officer or an Investigator? He’d latch onto that golden opportunity, lie back, and wait for his life to take off.

Such a golden opportunity... What a complete waste.

But according to Marco, Miss Lydia was perfect in every way except for one thing he couldn’t stand: she was incredibly assertive.

In every aspect of life, Miss Lydia had to compete and come out on top.

She even competed with her own brother, Lan’er Ernst—the designated heir—to see who was more fit to lead the Ernst Clan.

Compared to her, Lisi seemed downright gentle...

"Enough nonsense. It’s time to head out."

"Huh? Head out now?" Marco said, pointing at the clock. "It’s almost two."

Wei’en looked at Lisi, too. She had mentioned yesterday that she would be taking him on a mission today.

Lisi pulled out a file. "I know, but if we delay this case any longer, Yegor will give us another lecture."

"Officer Lisi, it’s not the one involving the Ceres Clan, is it?"

P.S. Thanks to reader Peng Zhentao for providing the character Lan’er Ernst. Note: some character details may be modified.

P.P.S. Second Chapter coming soon, will be updated within half an hour.