Chapter 811: New Intelligence
“What big news is it?” I was also curious, because the guard at that apartment was anything but normal. There were no formal soldiers on guard, and no one was investigating or cleaning up the wreckage. Only a few patrol militiamen were stationed there. I strongly suspected they would withdraw the militia in the afternoon and abandon it.
“You don’t know? The garrison in the outer district has defected. It is said that the day before yesterday, a City Defense Army unit stopped and robbed the Count’s son, and was completely wiped out by his guards. The Lord of the City was furious, and yesterday they initiated a large-scale inspection of military corruption.” Sebastian leaned in and said.
“The results of the investigation were shocking. The junior officers had long been forming cliques and colluding with each other. They bullied refugees everywhere, extorted Adventurers, and charged protection fees and smuggled goods.”
Hasn’t this turned into a complete mafia? I thought what I saw that day was bad enough, but I didn’t expect them to have done so many bad things.
“As a result, as soon as the investigation started, things exploded. The City Defense Army and the officers of the outer district staged a mutiny, killed the prosecutor, and then led their subordinates to defect out of the city. Although the City Defense Army’s Combat Power is weak, it is also an important defense force for Cando City. At this critical juncture, a large number of soldiers are suddenly gone, and it is unknown if there are any accomplices in the army. The Lord of the City was furious, and the upper echelons were in chaos, no longer having the mind to manage this place.”
Sebastian spoke at length, finally clarifying the whole story. I really didn’t expect that the experience I had when I returned that day would cause such a huge stir.
This couldn’t help but remind me of a line spoken by a certain Sir in a certain intangible cultural heritage TV drama from my previous life: “We can’t seriously investigate everything, can we? What if we really find something out?”
“Sebastian, does this army defection have anything to do with Chief Knight Albrisque?” I asked. If this Chief Knight had also defected, then at least I wouldn’t have to worry about being persecuted by him in Cando City anymore.
“Chief Knight? At least I haven’t heard of any connection. What, is he involved in this matter as well?” Sebastian keenly noticed that I seemed to know something.
“Well, I suspect he instructed the subordinate guards to do these things, and he might also receive kickbacks from so many soldiers down below. Of course, it’s just a suspicion,” I said.
“Why do you suspect him? I don’t know much about these upper-class matters, but theoretically, if there wasn’t someone near the Lord of the City helping them suppress it, these soldiers acting so wildly should have been exposed quickly. So, there should indeed be a backer.”
Sebastian really didn’t understand this aspect. He always knew his place clearly. He was a Detective, dealing directly with the police station, criminals, and ordinary people. If he contacted the rich, it was usually to help them find a lost dog or investigate a wife’s infidelity.
He generally didn’t deliberately investigate nobles, the army, or the rich. At most, he would listen to some rumors from the streets. He clearly understood that knowing too much as an ordinary person was dangerous.
“I can help you find out some intelligence about this, but why do you suspect him?” Sebastian asked. Logically, I had no connection with the Chief Knight.
“I learned from the soldiers who attacked the apartment building yesterday that they were ordered by Albrisque to arrest me. And some were ordered to assassinate me,” I said.
“Then you’re in trouble. It’s very simple for him to put out a warrant for you. Wait, what does this have to do with his corruption with junior officers?” Sebastian immediately found a connection. “Is it because you know some inside story?”
“Heh, you could say that. Just know that’s enough for you,” I didn’t explain clearly, letting him guess. Although Sebastian’s inferred cause-and-effect sequence was a bit off, he had grasped the contradiction. I knew evidence of Albrisque’s corruption, and he wanted me dead quickly.
Sebastian also saw that I didn’t want to say some things, so he didn’t pursue it. “At most, I can only keep an eye out for your wanted poster at the police station. I can’t do anything else. However, I estimate that even the Chief Knight can’t mobilize soldiers to search the city now. The Lord of the City is already very sensitive to the military, especially at a time when they are clearing out corruption.”
“You don’t need to worry about that. I’ve shifted the conflict. He probably thinks I died in yesterday’s operation,” I said, hoping the Knight Captain would be helpful.
“That’s not reliable. I heard from those soldiers that cultists attacked and besieged the soldiers last night and stole some things. He might not just believe you’re dead,” Sebastian said, unaware that I had reached an agreement with the Knight Captain and still thought it was just a cliché fake death strategy.
“I suggest you disguise yourself appropriately. For example, dye your iconic hair color, or wear a wig, and cover your face with a scarf when you go out. This will greatly reduce the chance of being recognized,” Sebastian offered advice based on his experience.
“Disguise? Okay, I’ll consider it.” I pulled my long hair up. It had grown past my chest because I hadn’t cut it for a long time. The golden gradient color at the ends of my long hair was indeed very distinctive.
“Speaking of which, you didn’t come to me just to ask about my affairs, did you? Have you done any investigation these past few days?”
When Sebastian had just returned to the city, Claire had fallen seriously ill. Even after I cured her, she needed to recuperate at home. Sherris had also been brought back by me. He had to take care of Claire, so the investigation progress shouldn’t have been that fast.
However, it wasn’t without results. Sebastian took a sip of his Viennese coffee and said, “I inquired with the fishery company about where they bought their kerosene. There aren’t many petroleum companies around here. There’s only one in Cando City, Cui Fu New Energy Company.”
“So that’s its name. That’s right, all the clues point to that company. What kind of company is it?” From the memory of the factory owner who was assassinated, to Madam Shirley’s notes, and the matter of Sturgeon No. 3, all signs pointed to a company whose main business was petroleum sales.
It was just that every time they reached a crucial point, the investigation would hit a dead end, always like looking at flowers in the fog. Now, they finally knew the name.
“It’s neither big nor small. It doesn’t make a big profit or a big loss. If it weren’t the only oil company in Cando City, it might not even have a name. Now, everyone burns coal, and few burn oil,” Sebastian said.
“Is there anything strange about it?” I asked. There must be some clue, no matter how small.
“There is a little. For example, the company’s management is very strict, and outsiders cannot enter the factory to investigate. The internal production process is also completely unknown. Anyway, I haven’t found out its raw material source yet.”
