Someone got ahead of us?
According to Editor-in-Chief Donald, those people also displayed the emblem of the Hall of Order, and were accompanied by actual blue uniforms.
He had been called out by the front desk while accompanying a group of people searching Donnie’s office, so he was full of questions upon appearing.
Why would anyone rush to handle something as trivial as fixing a villager's toilet? Were the police from the Hall of Order really here?
Lynch gave the officer a questioning look, finding Natalie also a bit confused, but mostly annoyed.
“Before they destroy anything valuable,” the officer said coldly, lifting her sword, “take us up.”
Editor-in-Chief Donald instinctively took a step back, glanced at the sword, then turned and led the way without a word.
“Do you know them?” Lynch asked, his hand tucked inside his formal wear, gripping his pistol, as he followed closely beside the officer.
“Probably those guys, the municipal government’s direct investigation department, the Rangers.”
Before she finished speaking, they were already led to the second floor. Turning off the staircase, they saw several blue uniforms guarding an open doorway in the hallway.
Officer Natalie snorted coldly and strode forward.
Click. Several blue uniforms snapped their heels together, standing rigidly.
“Three Rangers, come out.”
Footsteps sounded, and three formally dressed men in black cloaks emerged. Lynch could sense the mysterious filth within them, but it wasn't intensely stimulating, not exceeding rank three authority.
The leader was a thin man in his thirties, who squinted at them and sneered, “Well, well, aren’t these the heroes of last night? Quick as lightning, saving the official reputation overnight. Why aren’t you out boasting, instead bringing a private detective here?”
“Hmph, Walker, you Rangers have no right to interfere with our Watchers' investigation. You’ve already disrupted our work; get out.”
“That’s too bad. According to Lande law, this is a strange death incident in Rhine City, and it’s not for the Lande-affiliated Watchers to take over. Our local department is enough. If you want to investigate, that’s your business, but you can’t stop our work. Who told you to arrive later than us useless folk, huh? Heh heh, why don’t you hurry up and take your private detective to receive your awards? We’ll handle things here.”
With a mocking expression and a sarcastic tone, Walker chuckled softly. Not just him, but the two black cloaks behind him also laughed.
“Hiss, how bitter.”
Lynch covered his cheek, making a face as if he had a toothache.
He understood now: the incident had been largely resolved overnight, and the national special forces Watchers and the Hall of Order were basking in glory, receiving praise from all sides. In contrast, the Rangers, with similar duties, looked like a bunch of incompetents, undoubtedly subjected to ridicule and sarcasm, especially from the city hall.
Thus, a world where everyone was happy except the Rangers, who were suffering, had been achieved.
Unfortunately, people in this world didn't understand the meaning of bitterness, and Walker of the Rangers merely gave Lynch a cold glance.
“I don’t know why you’re targeting this place, but Donnie’s death is very complex and potentially extremely dangerous. To my knowledge, it has already caused several mystery events,” Officer Natalie said, forcing herself to keep a straight face, “If you want the credit, we can give it to you, but this matter is still too much for the Rangers’ strength and resources…”
“Hmph, what a joke. We are hunters too; you don’t need to evaluate the Rangers’ strength and resources,” Walker gritted his teeth, his laughter squeezed out through the gaps, “We have no right to stop your investigation, so do as you please, however…”
As he spoke, several blue uniforms carried two large, full boxes out of the room; they looked quite heavy.
“However, we also have the right to investigate, so we’ll be taking these things with us first. Who told us to get here first, haha? You can go back and claim your rewards; you’re not needed here. We won’t waste any more time with you; we still have to sort through all this evidence, we’re very busy, heh heh, please make way…”
With a wave of his hand, he turned and left with a group of blue uniforms, giving Lynch a fierce glare as he passed.
“Wait, this case is very likely related to…” The officer glanced at Editor-in-Chief Donald beside her, finding it inconvenient to speak plainly, “Many people have already died. One day’s delay in clarification could mean many more victims.”
“That’s why we thieves who get paid without working must investigate diligently. As for whether you can find anything, that’s none of our business,” Walker said with considerable glee, “Take your time investigating. I hope you find ample clues. Good luck, heh heh.”
Officer Natalie had already gripped her sword hilt but then released it. She clenched her fist at Walker’s retreating back, yet still called out loudly, “The case involves at least a rank six… very dangerous. Don’t underestimate it.”
“Then don’t trouble yourselves, losers. We’re professionals too.”
The three black cloaks of the Rangers chuckled softly, then strode away with the two large boxes.
Officer Natalie, enraged, kicked the wall, sending dust crumbling down.
Through the open door, they could see the room was a complete mess.
All the furniture had been moved, and besides the furniture, not a single piece of paper was left in the room; it was shockingly clean.
Some areas even showed traces of deliberate wiping and damage. It seemed these people not only took all the items but also intentionally destroyed anything that might have been a clue.
Unwilling to give up, they quickly searched the room, but found nothing. Officer Natalie watched the departing group outside the window, her face flushed, her fists clenched.
“Don’t be angry. We still have a chance to turn this around.”
Lynch, however, found it amusing. To encounter such internal competition even in another world, and these people, were they thieves by profession? How did they clean this place so thoroughly?
“I’m not interested in getting angry over such a foolish dispute, but these guys only care about snatching benefits. They never consider how big an impact an unsolved incident will have, or what harm it will cause to the kingdom and its people.”
Officer Natalie slammed a fist on the windowsill, her head bowed, her voice low and tight-lipped.
“It’s fine. Just a few squabbling fools; it won’t have much impact,” Lynch said, patting Officer Natalie’s shoulder. “Even if they really did take all the clues, they might not be able to stop us. Besides, destroying all clues isn’t that easy.”
“Hmm?” The officer suddenly looked up, her gaze flickering as she stared at Lynch. “We can still find clues here?”
“I don’t have that much ability here, but who said this newspaper office only has value in this one room?” Lynch shrugged, then asked Editor-in-Chief Donald, “They only searched this office, right?”
“Yes, all of Donnie’s things are here. Each person’s documents at our newspaper won’t be kept anywhere else.”
“Then what about Maya’s office? Did they not search there?”
“Hmm? Something happened to Maya too?”
“Heh, just as I thought.”
Lynch smiled at Officer Natalie, bowed with a hand to his chest, and gestured towards the doorway, inviting her to follow.
Rate on N.U.
