Chapter 96: Public Security Headquarters
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 96: Public Security Headquarters
Consul Peterson of the Public Security Headquarters, a Deep Layer adventurer and the leading candidate for the next Chief Inspector.
He was receiving a case report from Head Constable Neko.
The identities of the 4th-floor poachers, Ingelam's party of four, Lilweed who distributed the replicas, the Flandre drug trafficking case, and the unusual simultaneous appearance of a Golden Golem and a blacksmith at the steelworks. And the battles that took place after the steelworks’ structure was altered.
"...And finally, the wizard Caleb was able to defeat the blacksmith, allowing them to escape. That is all."
"Caleb."
It was him again.
Consul Peterson immediately recognized the name from Neko's report.
Lately, that name kept coming up among the influential figures of Sohen.
Peterson had first heard it from Cardinal Servan of the Temple of Nathaniel.
'We conducted a joint project with the Magic University. It was a study and field investigation into the possibility of preserving the souls of adventurers seized by madness and the mechanisms behind it. I heard they have a very bright freshman at the university who handled it well.'
The name he had heard then was Caleb.
Next was Professor Meldini of the Magic University.
'Caleb? He's a prized pupil of mine. Is he in our club? No... It's truly... regrettable, but he was snatched away. By Isilof. But it doesn't matter. In the end, all students of the university are children I'm raising.'
Then came Edward Berten, a staunch supporter who covered a significant portion of the Public Security Headquarters' budget.
'There's a freshman named Caleb. He's in the same year as our Avison, but his skills are anything but ordinary. I suspect he'll be skipping a grade before long.'
Edward had added another comment.
'The Public Security Headquarters is severely short on manpower, isn't it? You should try recruiting Caleb. He'd naturally refuse a full-time position, but he might accept a concurrent one.'
After that, he saw the name in the report on the murder of Antonelli on the 3rd floor.
Then, in the report from Neko's mission to investigate the constables detained by Blackdog.
And then, in the interrogation report of former inspector Ennes, who was arrested on suspicion of colluding with Blackdog.
'To think that Ennes, a former 6th-floor adventurer, would be caught because of a low-floor wizard.'
Next, the name was mentioned by Krom, the Orc Berserker who was both a Blackdog executive and a Deep Layer adventurer.
'A cute little rascal with a cunningly sharp mind.'
When Enver was proven to be a Possessor and released, Krom had added:
'But he's still a rookie.'
Coming from him, that was a form of high praise for a new adventurer.
Consul Peterson simply couldn't get a grasp on what kind of man he was.
It was incredibly rare for a new adventurer to be the topic of conversation for so many prominent figures at once.
And now, reading this new report, he learned something new.
'His party members are extraordinary, too.'
Consul Peterson pointed to the Avian in the report and asked Neko.
"Do you know who this Avian is?"
He was like Ingelam's right-hand man. And a man who had been on the world's most-wanted list for a long time.
"Gulshan Kanad."
A rogue from the labyrinth city of Madurai, infamous in the north as a contract killer.
And according to this report, a low-floor rogue named Mr. Back Attack had all but dominated his duel with Gulshan, and had, in fact, killed him.
And one more thing.
According to the reports from the priests, which Neko had compiled.
"A monk named Aimus subdued Ingelam's party's Barbarian?"
"Although that was before the Barbarian used his frenzy."
Neko's answer deepened the consul's contemplation.
That Barbarian's name was Brold.
He was a man who had won the low-floor champion's belt at the Ash Citadel, the sanctuary of barbarians.
To say nothing of a figure like Ingelam, his party's key members, including the Halfling Druid, were all quite famous among adventurers for their skills.
So, Neko's decision to request support from outside the Labyrinth had been a rational one.
Neko's team's strength was no match for Ingelam's party.
In the end, though, they received support not from a Public Security inspector, but from Caleb.
No. That means Caleb's party demonstrated the strength of an inspector-level team.
"Just what kind of people are they?"
Consul Peterson's interest was piqued.
"I'd like to meet them in person."
*
Meeting them in person, the impression was a little different.
As he personally awarded the silver medals of merit from the Public Security Headquarters, the consul was inwardly quite flustered.
"A medal! Whoa. I don't care much for honor, but this kind of thing works wonders on the girls in the back alleys. You should try it, hyung-nim."
Back Attack cackled at Caleb as he pinned the medal to his chest.
"You're hanging out at a table, and just when the girls are like, 'Ugh, this guy's such a player,' that's when you whip it out. Right out of your pocket."
Just as the girls, a bit fed up with Back Attack's playboy antics, are about to leave, the sudden appearance of the medal changes the mood.
Wait, this guy has a side like this!?
I thought he was just a playboy and a scoundrel, but is he actually a diligent and serious professional in his line of work?
So much so that he even received a medal from the Public Security Headquarters?
"...'Oppa, you're so cool!'... is what happens."
"..."
"And say there's a girl who's my type but is a bit timid and doesn't know how to have fun? The medal works then, too."
Don't be scared, my little fawn.
I'll take you home right after you finish this drink. You don't trust me? Don't worry. I'm the safest guy in Sohen. For real. Look, the Public Security Headquarters even gave me a medal of merit. I'm not trying to brag. I'm usually too shy to bring it out.
It's just...
"'Don't be so scared. I just want you to have a little more fun. Because... I think you'd be prettier if you smiled.'"
Back Attack acted out his deadly, flirting-only gaze.
"Do that, and most of them will stick around for a few more drinks, even if it's just out of curiosity. And then... 'Should I take you home?' Sometimes you ask, and they don't even want to go. Hehehe."
The consul's face soured, as if to say, Should I really be giving this bastard a medal?
"Um... ahem. Consul. I did some research on this medal."
The monk was a bit strange, too.
His face was a picture of sheer excitement.
"Is it really true that this gets you a 0.2% preferential rate on a home mortgage?"
"...Excuse me? Ah, yes."
"Ooh! Then what about the bonus points for private school and kindergarten admissions?"
"That's included."
"Woooow! And can I really get all the benefits, like the property and inheritance tax reductions, discounts on public facility admission fees, and the free annual health check-up for the medal holder and their immediate family?"
"Yes, that's correct. However, the health check-up is only available at public health centers."
"Thank you so much! I wasn't exactly fighting in the steelworks expecting to receive something like this, but...! Thank you so much!"
Feeling slightly dizzy, the consul handed a medal to Yernil.
She was the archer who had played a key role in cornering Ingelam and the Barbarian, and in destroying the Golden Golem's core.
However...
'What's with her?'
The elf archer was staring intently at the side of Neko's face with a somewhat sour expression.
"Yernil."
When Caleb tapped her shoulder, Yernil jumped in surprise and turned her attention to the consul.
"Ah! Thank you. For the medal."
Yernil then pinned the medal to her chest, but she put it on upside down.
"Yernil. It's on backward."
When the wizard pointed it out, Yernil hastily corrected the medal's orientation.
'Are these really the people from Neko's report?'
The consul found it hard to believe.
Only one person matched the image he had imagined.
The calmly standing Caleb.
"Here is your medal. You have done a great service for the Public Security Headquarters and for Sohen."
As he awarded him the medal, the consul asked.
"Is there anything you need the Public Security Headquarters' help with?"
"Actually, there is one thing I'd like to ask."
The wizard immediately stated his business, as if he had been waiting for the question.
"Could I read the data and records investigated by the Public Security Headquarters regarding the Labyrinth Eruption from 12 years ago?"
"..."
It was an unexpected request, and the consul's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Of course. We will show you everything we can."
"Would it be possible to view Level 2 security documents as well?"
"To view security documents, you must become a constable."
As he answered, the consul thought he knew what Caleb was thinking.
The timing of the question was just too convenient.
"Are you planning to become a Citizen Constable?"
As Lord Berten had suggested, the position of constable could be held concurrently.
For example, Priest Mikhail, who had worked with Neko's team this time, was a priest of Nathaniel by profession.
He simply held a concurrent position as a constable.
However, holding a concurrent position like that required working full-time as a constable, but what Caleb wanted was something more freelance.
"Citizen Constables have no obligation to work full-time. They can also refuse assignments given by the Public Security Headquarters. Instead of a regular salary, they are paid on a case-by-case basis when they assist with operations," Consul Peterson explained.
It was, quite literally, a freelance constable.
The Public Security Headquarters didn't offer such a position often. Consider the Blackdog and Ennes case, for example.
Bringing an untrustworthy outsider into an operation would only lead to information leaks.
Therefore, only adventurers deemed highly trustworthy could be contracted as Citizen Constables.
For instance, someone who had received a medal of merit.
"If I become a Citizen Constable, I can view Level 2 information, correct?"
"Yes."
The consul nodded.
"However, there is some administrative processing required, so please visit us again in two days."
"Understood."
"Let's get the contract signed first!"
The consul hastily pulled out the documents, worried he might change his mind.
The Magic University, Blackdog, the Temple of Nathaniel, the Adventurer's Guild.
Countless organizations in Sohen were paying attention to this wizard. Now, the Public Security Headquarters was one of them.
*
Jingle.
As I walked outside, I fiddled with the coin in my pocket.
It was an item I had taken from the treasure room on the 4th floor.
What I had wished for then was 'a coin like the White Lion's flag from the inter-floor village.'
It was to verify Krom's testimony.
If a monster called the White Lion really did appear during the Labyrinth Eruption 12 years ago, and if that creature was intelligent and capable of conversation, there was a high chance it was related to the inter-floor village. And if so, wouldn't a coin appear, just like with the Spider Doctor?
The result of the experiment.
'A coin appeared.'
A coin engraved with the face of a male lion with a lush, pure white mane had appeared.
What if that monster really did come out of the Labyrinth, and is now disguised as a human, leading the Enver Club and living at the Magic University?
At this point, it was worth reconsidering Henry's dying message, the target of the Labyrinth Eruption 12 years ago.
'To all Possessors.'
'Beware the Magic University.'
Perhaps it wasn't referring to something like Meldini's lie detection magic.
'So, what should I do?'
I have the Watcher now.
Honestly, I could just convene the Assembly through Isel and put the Watcher in there, and that would be the end of it.
But given who I'm dealing with, it would be better to be cautious before making a move.
And I feel like I'm missing something else...
Pop!
A message arrived.
[This is Isel. Please let me know a convenient time to receive messages.]
I quickly ran to a magic tool shop and bought a message-sending wand.
The one I had before had broken at the steelworks.
[Now is fine.]
Five minutes after I sent the reply, a message arrived from Isel.
[This is Isel. I have investigated Caleb's former party members. I will share the information I have gathered so far.
① Bipa
- Race: Spirit Race
- Gender: Male
- Class: Taoist
- Said to be a Deep Layer adventurer of considerable skill.
② Mugol
- Race: Tigerfolk
- Gender: Male
- Class: Warrior
- Also a Deep Layer adventurer, he and Bipa were famous as a duo.
Both have recently gone missing...]
The message that followed was somewhat concerning.
[...There are rumors they went to Sohen.]
Why the hell did these bastards come to Sohen?
Makes me want to go back to the Labyrinth.