Lambert immediately led Luke and Shelly into the castle.
In the hall on the first floor.
Giant Tree's corpse had already been collected, but the rubble and the rotten bed that had fallen to the floor were still piled up there. The hole in it was a shocking sight.
Shelly couldn't help but take a second look. She knew that it was Giant Tree's room.
After entering a quiet meeting room, she couldn't help but ask Lambert, "What happened last night? How did Giant Tree die?"
Lambert invited Luke to sit at the head of the table while he and the other core members of the Wild Axe Party took their seats.
Then, he sighed and said, "Last night, a female elf called Clear Sky invaded this place. She jumped down from the east tower and entered the castle through a window on the third floor.
"And then... It was a massacre.
"She killed so quickly that we couldn't react at all. From the third floor to the second floor, we lost more than a hundred people. The entire corridor on the third floor and the hall on the second floor were covered in body parts and blood. She had killed Chad, Bernie, Jebel, and Brenda.
"In the end, the elf broke into the boss's bedroom, killed him, and took his head."
"She took the head?" Shelly frowned and said to Luke, "Inspector, it's likely that the elf took Giant Tree's head to hand in a mission. There's an Assassin Tavern in the Cape District. We might be able to find some clues from them."
At this moment, a maid poured Luke a cup of tea.
"Thank you..." Luke thanked the maid gentlemanly and said to Shelly, "We are not here to investigate the case unless you have the ability to defeat her."
Shelly said, "No, I'm not her match. In the entire Wild Waves City, there were probably not many people who could deal with this elf.
"To be able to kill Giant Tree proved that she is very strong!"
"Then let's not talk about the elf." Luke said to Lambert, "Please understand... We've already caused a lot of trouble this time by coming here. We won't investigate this invasion for you."
Lambert replied sincerely, "We'll investigate this invasion ourselves. Inspector, I only hope that you would be able to deal with the people outside, especially the Security Department... We need some time to get the people scattered outside back.
"As long as our reinforcements arrive, we will have the ability to take back the lost territory and continue to pay dividends to the Secret Intelligence Bureau."
Luke sipped his tea and said, "Your reinforcements? Pirates?"
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze.
Pirates had always been the empire's main target. As a port city by the sea, Wild Waves City had zero tolerance for pirates which affected normal maritime trade.
Once the pirates were caught, they would be immediately hanged for public display.
The relationship between the Wild Axe Party and the pirates was not unique in the Cape District, but everyone tacitly hid it under the table.
Now that the new inspector of the Secret Intelligence Bureau had suddenly announced that the Wild Axe Party was colluding with the pirates, the leaders of the Wild Axe Party could not figure out what the new inspector was thinking.
After a moment of deep thought, Lambert carefully replied, "Inspector, the reinforcements are our friends from overseas. They have nothing to do with the pirates."
Luke said with a smile. "It's fine even if you're related. Remember to inform me when your friends come to Cape District. I'll arrange for everyone to meet up for tea and discuss how to make money together."
Lambert was even more confused about the inspector's intentions.
Could such a thing be said on such an occasion?
Was he the head of the empire's secret agents? Or a mafia boss?
"Inspector, this isn't appropriate."
"Why not? If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate. I've heard of Lady Tasia from Fish Bone Island. If she comes, I must meet her personally."
Lambert didn't expect the new inspector to mention Lady Tasia of Fish Bone Island as soon as he arrived at Cape District. He also knew that the Wild Axe Party had deep cooperation with Fish Bone Island.
The Wild Axe Party seemed to have no secrets in front of him.
What else did he know?
Lambert thought of the recent theft case organized by the Wild Axe Party. It was to steal the Heart of Red Dragon Nilcro from the Alchemist Association of Wild Waves City for Lady Tasia.
If this matter was exposed, the Secret Intelligence Bureau would not be able to protect the Wild Axe Party.
How should he answer?
"Inspector, if I see Lady Tasia, I will definitely convey your kindness and invitation to her.
"However, we don't have a deep relationship with Fish Bone Island. Lady Tasia still needs to make the decision about drinking tea with you."
Lambert's answer was flawless. He didn't acknowledge the relationship between the Wild Axe Party and the pirates, but he also expressed his willingness to pull strings.
Luke wanted to see Lady Tasia because he wanted to prepare a backup plan for himself.
A crafty rabbit has three burrows.
If he couldn't stay in the Cape District, the fastest way to get out of danger was to go to other countries by sea.
Lady Tasia of Fish Bone Island belonged to the codex in the pirate circle, which was to abide by the ancient "pirate code" and "money over life".
To have a good relationship with such pirates was to have more options in life.
"I'll leave the meeting with Lady Tasia to you. Of course, that is if you can survive until your reinforcements arrive. There are many wolves waiting to eat meat outside.
"Today is my first day in the Cape District Secret Intelligence Bureau, and I have not let them give up their prestige. During the day, with us guarding outside for you, they won't dare to do anything overboard.
"But at night, I'm afraid my men won't be safe.
"Do you have any way to protect yourself at night?"
Luke's question plunged the room into a long silence.
During the day in the Cape District, the Security Department and the Secret Intelligence Bureau could still suppress the scene. But at night... especially tonight when the news of the Wild Axe Party's weakness was confirmed, the Secret Intelligence Bureau probably couldn't suppress the "vicious wolves" surrounding them.
The Cape District's Secret Intelligence Bureau was not as strong as the other urban area's bureau.
Lambert said after a while, "Inspector. If someone attacks us at night, we can only rely on this castle to defend ourselves.
"However, without reinforcements, it would be difficult to hold on."
Shelly then said to Luke, "Sixty percent of the harbor is controlled by the Security Department. The rest is in our hands. Half of it is managed by the Wild Axe Party.
"The Security Department would definitely not let go of this good opportunity to eradicate the Wild Axe Party. Without the Wild Axe Party, the entire Cape Harbor would fall under their control.
"Our people will probably run to the Security Department."
"It seems that we have to treat this matter with the same attitude as we treat war," said Luke.
"This is war, Inspector," Lambert immediately said. "We hope that you can help us organize a mercenary group."
"The Wild Axe Party is willing to pay all the fees."