A Little Adventure

Flash! Flash!

Over a dozen flashbulbs flashed continuously as dozens of reporters in vests and flat caps gathered around, documenting the devastation of the shipyard.

The thick wooden walls of the shipyard had over a dozen gaping holes blasted into them by artillery, and even half of the roof had collapsed, leaving the entire place in ruins. Numerous covered corpses lay scattered haphazardly across the floor. The scent of gunpowder and blood hung heavy in the air, thick with the atmosphere of a battlefield.

The port guard, the Governor's Guard, the Watchers, and the Hall of Order had launched a multi-department joint operation, successfully thwarting a pirate conspiracy to infiltrate White Bird Port and plunder the harbor, once again safeguarding the citizens of Rhine City.

Whether this was true or not, it was best to just take it at face value.

The results of the battle were indeed significant. Of the forty Deep One pirates, twenty-two bodies were left behind, while the rest fled in panic. Their leader, the first mate Old Blind Eye, was also heavily injured but ultimately rescued by his cohorts.

Though there wasn't much loot to speak of, this was already considered a glorious military exploit in times of peace. The soldiers were thrilled, basking in their moment of glory under the adulation of the reporters.

The Watchers, however, were less fortunate. As a secret organization that couldn't afford too much public exposure, they could only quietly clean up the corpses inside the shipyard. After all, these bodies belonged to mysterious heteromorphs, and they couldn't possibly let ordinary people handle them.

Still, not everyone was busy. Slipped through a hole unnoticed by any reporters, two figures lowered the brims of their hats and hurriedly left the shipyard. Taking a deep breath of fresh air free of the scent of blood, they looked at each other and smiled.

They were Officer Natalie Angel of the Watchers and her “spoils of war,” Detective Lynch Levive.

Though it had only been ten days, Lynch felt as if they had been separated for an eternity. For some reason, a wave of joy welled up in his chest just looking at her.

It was good to see she was alright.

It was good to see her suddenly appear right when he needed help.

Except his ribs were hurting quite a bit. He figured he would need to find a certain apothecary from the Church of Suffering for treatment.

The female officer had thinned down considerably. Not only was her face pale, but her movements were also noticeably slower, and she occasionally gasped for breath. It seemed she had not fully recovered from the damage of the corruption.

Yet the spirit on her beautiful face was just as vibrant as before. As Lynch's ribs could testify, her limbs had regained their strength. However, her eyes...

Lynch couldn't help but feel that the way she looked at him was a bit odd, different from how she had before the corruption. Was she unhappy because she hadn't managed to break his ribs just now, and was plotting to squeeze him again? No, he realized. Her brain must have been affected by the corruption.

【The part of her that was affected was probably her eyes.】

'I've noticed you've learned to be sarcastic. That's not nice.'

“When did you wake up? Why are you running around the moment you opened your eyes? And why did you guys raid this place?” Lynch let out a sigh, speaking with a hint of lingering fear. “Thank goodness you arrived in time, otherwise things today would have been incredibly troublesome.”

“I woke up last night. As for why we came, it was because someone reported it, of course.”

“It's not like the Watchers are short on staff. Even if someone reported it, there was no need for a heavily injured person like you to tag along.” Lynch glanced at the officer's somewhat odd expression and said subconsciously, “Wait, for them to let you come along while sick, and even mobilize such a massive force... It couldn't be that the informant didn't report a mysterious event, but rather me... Ow!”

My lady, how on earth did you manage to look away while landing a perfect kick on my shin? Did you acquire a guaranteed-hit attribute? And I was just asking casually, why kick me? Ow, and you're still stepping on it!

Looking at the officer's flushed face and shifting gaze, a wave of warmth washed over Lynch's heart. It had only been a few days, yet this girl had already turned into a steam boiler, practically venting steam from her head. Forget it, she was the weirder one. He would admit defeat and stop teasing her.

Lynch ceased his suicidal antics and briefly recounted his recent experiences first. Only then did he ask with a serious expression, “So what exactly happened? Who reported it on my behalf?”

“Come with me, Lynch.” The officer bit her lip, pondered for a moment, and pulled him toward the dock office. “I'll take you to see the informant.”

Lynch was somewhat puzzled, but he followed her anyway. They rounded a corner in the dock's office area and arrived at a two-story small building, which was guarded by several people.

They weren't the blue uniforms of the Hall of Order, nor were they port soldiers. They were the ordinary external hunters of the Watchers.

With their core forces stationed here, it seemed this place was the temporary headquarters for this operation.

The question is, what are you guys smiling at me for? And the one twitching his lips at me—are you a lizard? Are you eating mosquitoes?

Lynch considerately left them a friendly middle finger before being pulled into a small room on the first floor by the officer.

Inside was a small parlor. The moment Lynch stepped through the door, he froze.

Sitting inside was a petite, blonde-haired, blue-eyed figure.

Little Martha.

The little girl was pacing around the room in frustration, looking as if she were about to climb up the gas pipes to the ceiling. Hearing the door open, she turned around. The moment she saw Natalie and Lynch walk in together, her eyes lit up instantly.

“Uncle Lynch, thank goodness! You're alright!”

This child was actually the one who reported it?

Lynch was momentarily dazed. He watched as the little girl ran over with pitter-patter footsteps, threw her arms around his leg, and looked up at him. Deep concern, along with a hint of attachment, was hidden within her small eyes.

Maybe this kid isn't so annoying after all.

“Don't you need to wear a plaster cast this time? What a pity, I wanted to draw on it.”

I take it back. The brat is still just as begging for a beating.

Lynch picked up the little thing, gave her a few casual spanks on her bottom, and tossed her onto the nearby sofa. He and Officer Natalie then sat down as well, asking about what had actually transpired. The explanation left both of them secretly alarmed.

This morning, little Martha had skipped school. The moment she stepped out of the house, she used a secret signal to summon several of her little lackeys.

Having gone without any income for days, Uncle Lynch and her mother had no idea how difficult things had been, but the little girl knew. Therefore, as soon as she received the massive sum of two pounds, she immediately gathered her crew and distributed the money completely, not keeping a single penny for herself.

Seeing the group of little rascals rejoicing, little Martha finally felt at ease and began delegating Lynch's task.

As it turned out, she received a tip-off on the spot. Since yesterday, "black skins" had been spotted loitering around the area, and they were still there now.

Furthermore, someone else reported that the black skins had followed that uncle from Lynch's home, seemingly plotting something.

The little girl immediately grew tense. I haven't even taken revenge for getting spanked yet. No one is allowed to hurt that bad uncle before I get my revenge! Thus, she immediately mobilized all her influence, calling upon a large number of street urchins.

These children ran all over Rhine City and were incredibly well-informed. Through them, the little girl gradually pieced together several clues.

Those black skins seemed to be setting an ambush for Lynch. This deeply worried little Martha. She wanted to warn him, but since Lynch had already entered the Church of Suffering, she had her companions wait in secret outside the church to notify him, while she herself led her crew to do something far more dangerous.

While investigating the black skins' movements, she accidentally overheard some news. The freak who had nearly scared her to death downstairs at her house was also in contact with the leader of these black skins. Today, they had entered the same building, accompanied by a fishy-smelling guy who resembled the monsters mentioned in the newspapers some time ago.

Moreover, near the shipyard at the docks just now, some of her companions had spotted similar fish-headed monsters loitering around.

The little thing grew more and more anxious. She was afraid of monsters too, but she didn't want to lose this uncle who would lecture her even while spanking her. On the second floor that day, when we ran into that terrifying freak, you instinctively shielded me behind your back. I haven't forgotten that. Now, it's my turn to protect you.

Gritting her teeth, the little girl led her people to the docks. Taking advantage of the fact that children were rarely guarded against, they quietly sneaked near the shipyard to peer inside. In the end, they saw a large group of shrouded monsters setting up an ambush through the window.

She had almost been caught by the thugs in the shipyard during the process, but she managed to escape successfully. While the other children only found it amusing, little Martha grew increasingly worried.

The black skins want to deal with Uncle, and these guys are with the black skins. Are they also trying to deal with Uncle?

She wasn't sure, but she didn't want to regret it for the rest of her life. So, she ran to the Scarecrow Club as fast as her legs could carry her, spending a great deal of effort just to get inside and see her bedridden Aunt Natalie.

Natalie knew exactly what those things were. The moment she heard the description, she realized Lynch was in grave danger. Forty Deep One pirates were enough to capture a small port, and even with the Watchers' strength, they might not be able to handle it alone.

Thus, dragging her extremely weakened body, she hauled Mr. V out of his most luxurious and expensive bed.

Either you help me find a way to rescue Lynch, or you find a way to rescue your beloved bed, which I am about to smash to pieces.

A second later, a deal was struck. The Watchers received a “tip-off” that pirates intended to invade the city and plunder resources. The city's enforcement agencies launched a joint operation, striking the pirates immediately and showcasing the might of the Kingdom of Lande.

The majesty of Lande was not to be trifled with.

“Nonsense, what do you mean rescuing you? I was just fighting against a Deep One invasion. Who knew you'd be there too? If I had known, I wouldn't have gone.”

Officer Natalie glanced aside, muttering a few words, before glaring fiercely at Lynch and huffing:

“You're always like this. Every time I see you, you're being chased by the mysterious. Thank goodness for little Martha this time, otherwise it would have been truly dangerous.”

“And thank goodness someone beat up her boss while sick for my sake. I won't forget it.” Watching the officer look away with a half-smile, Lynch waved at little Martha. “Little one, thank you so much. To reward you...”

Seeing the little girl lean in, Lynch suddenly picked her up, laid her across his knees, and delivered a few loud spanks.

“Who told you to go to such a dangerous place? Weren't you afraid of making your mother sad? You are not allowed to do this ever again. It's too dangerous, do you hear me? If you go on another adventure, I'll beat you.”

“I won't! You're already beating me!” The little thing kicked her legs and yelled, “Besides Mama and Auntie, you're the only bad guy who cares about me! I don't want anything to happen to you! I won't listen even if you beat me this time, and it won't work even if you tell on me to Mama!”

“You two, tone it down. There are people outside.”

Under Officer Natalie's threat, the rowdy duo finally quieted down. Lynch sighed, helping the little girl sit properly beside him, and said seriously:

“I am indeed very happy that you worried about me and were willing to risk your life to protect me. It is also true that I only returned safely this time because of you. But I don't want to thank you or praise you, because it was simply too dangerous. Helping others is a good thing, but the premise is that you must ensure your own safety. Even if it's just to keep your mother at ease, you shouldn't take risks so easily.”

Seeing the little thing nod with a half-understanding look, Lynch said patiently:

“If you encounter something like this again, other actions are fine, but do not go to investigate personally. You are still a child. Leave professional matters to professional people.”

“Okay.” The little thing nodded thoughtfully. “Will that make you happy then?”

“I'm very happy right now, especially when I'm spanking you.” Before the little thing could start throwing a fit, Lynch quickly patted her head. “Thank you, little one. To repay you, how about we completely put the past behind us?”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“Hmm... No way.” The little girl gave Lynch's shin a light kick. “I haven't taken revenge for you beating me yet. Don't think I'll let you off just like that. Blehh!”

With that, she fled behind Natalie, poking her head out to make a face.

This brat is indeed begging for a beating.

“Alright, stop picking on her. Let's talk business first. Walker and that rank seven cultist escaped, so there will definitely be trouble later. How do you plan to handle this? Do you need the Watchers to intervene?”

“Intervene to help whom? Help the Crown Prince recover the gem, or help the thieves against the Crown Prince?” Lynch sighed. His experience with palace dramas allowed him to see the situation with absolute clarity. Shaking his head, he said, “Others are willing to look out for us because they are decent people, but if we take that for granted and confidently cause trouble for them, then we are the ones who don't know how to behave. Asking the whole squad to help fight pirates is fine, but dragging them into a court struggle? Ha, Mr. V is no fool. There is no way he would get involved in this kind of trouble.”

Officer Natalie immediately wore a bizarre smile. Staring at her own toes, she asked, “Are you calling me a fool?”

“Pfft, cough, cough, cough! No, absolutely not!” His ribs were still throbbing in pain; how could Lynch dare to speak recklessly? He quickly explained, “I haven't thought it through yet. I only have some vague ideas, but the information I have right now is still too scarce to form a proper plan. I was wondering if I could infiltrate their ranks.”

“Haven't you learned your lesson yet?” Officer Natalie frowned, speaking with unease. “If you get caught again, you won't have such good luck next time.”

“It shouldn't be as dangerous this time. Thanks to everyone's joint efforts, my disguise should be completely secure now,” Lynch said thoughtfully. “Unless they have nothing better to do and ask the evil god personally, they shouldn't be able to discover my identity. Hmm... Maybe even the evil god herself doesn't know. She has so many followers, after all.”

“Is that so? Hehehe.”

???

The cold voice echoed in Lynch's consciousness, making his hair stand on end.

Holy shit, did I forget to cancel the contact technique earlier?

“The contact was initiated by you, but did you think ending it was up to you as well? I saw everything, hehehe.”