Lambert immediately led Luke and Shelley into the castle.
First floor hall.
The giant tree's body had been removed, but the shattered rocks and ruined beds still piled up on the floor, with alarming holes visible.
Shelley couldn't help but glance up, knowing that the giant tree's room was up there.
Once they entered a secluded meeting room, she couldn't help but ask Lambert, "What happened last night? How did the giant tree die?"
Lambert gestured for Luke to take a seat at the head, while he and the core members of the Axe Gang took their seats accordingly.
Then he sighed and said, "Last night, a female elf who called herself Qing Kong invaded this place. She jumped down from the east tower and entered the castle through a window on the third floor.
And then...
It turned into a massacre.
Her killing speed was incredibly fast, and we couldn't react at all. Over a hundred people died from the third floor to the second floor. The entire third-floor corridor and second-floor hall were filled with body parts and blood. Chad, Bernie, Jabar, and Brenda were all killed by her.
Finally, the elf broke into the boss's bedroom, killed him, and took his head."
"She took the head?" Shelley frowned and then said to Luke, "Detective, the elf must have taken the giant tree's head as proof for a commission. There's an assassin's tavern in Cape Corner. Perhaps we can find some clues there."
At this moment, a maid poured tea for Luke.
"Thank you..." Luke politely thanked the maid and then said to Shelley, "We didn't come here to investigate unless you're capable of defeating her."
Shelley knew her limits and said with self-awareness, "No, I'm not her match. I'm afraid there are very few people in Stormtide City who can deal with this elf.
Killing the giant tree here proves that she's very powerful!"
"Then let's not talk about the elf." Luke said to Lambert, "Please understand... we've already caused enough trouble by coming here. We won't investigate this intrusion unless you need us to solve the external threats, especially the Public Security Agency... We need some time to gather our scattered people."
Lambert sincerely said, "We will handle the investigation of this intrusion ourselves. We only hope that Detective can deal with the people outside for us, especially the Public Security Agency... We need some time to gather our scattered forces.
Once our reinforcements arrive, we'll have the capability to reclaim the lost territory and continue sharing profits with the Intelligence Bureau."
Luke sipped his tea and said casually, "Your reinforcements? Are they pirates?"
The atmosphere in the room instantly froze.
Pirates had always been a key target for the Empire. As a coastal port city, Stormtide City had zero tolerance for pirates that disrupted normal maritime trade.
Once pirates were caught, they would be executed immediately.
The relationship between the Axe Gang and pirates in Cape Corner was not an isolated case, but everyone tacitly kept it under wraps.
Now the new chief detective of the Intelligence Bureau unexpectedly mentioned the collusion between the Axe Gang and pirates at such a time, leaving the heads of the Axe Gang uncertain of the new detective's intentions.
After thinking for a while, Lambert carefully replied, "Detective, our friends who are coming to support us have no direct relationship with pirates."
Luke smiled and said, "Even if there is a relationship, it doesn't matter. When your friends arrive in Cape Corner, remember to let me know. I'll arrange for us to meet and have tea together, discuss how to make money."
Lambert was even more puzzled by the detective's intentions.
Is he the head of the Imperial Intelligence or the leader of a gang?
"Detective, this isn't appropriate."
"Why isn't it appropriate? If I say it's appropriate, then it's appropriate. I've long heard of Lady Tasiya from Fishbone Island. If it's her who comes, I must meet her in person."
Lambert didn't expect that the new detective, who had just arrived in Cape Corner, could immediately mention Lady Tasiya from Fishbone Island by name and know about the deep cooperation between the Axe Gang and Fishbone Island.
It seemed that there were no secrets for the Axe Gang in front of him.
What else does he know?
Lambert thought of the recent theft organized by the Axe Gang, stealing the "Heart of the Red Dragon, Neircol" from the Stormtide City Alchemy Association for Lady Tasiya.
If this matter was exposed, the Axe Gang would be in great danger with the Intelligence Bureau.
How should he answer?
"Detective, if I meet Lady Tasiya, I will definitely convey your goodwill and invitation to her.
But we don't have a deep connection with Fishbone Island. Whether we can have tea with you still depends on Lady Tasiya's decision."
Lambert gave an evasive answer, neither admitting the relationship between the Axe Gang and pirates nor rejecting the possibility, but expressed willingness to act as a mediator.
Luke wanted to meet Lady Tasiya in order to prepare an escape route for himself.
A fox has three burrows.
If he couldn't stay in Cape Corner, the quickest way to escape the danger was to take the sea route to other countries.
Lady Tasiya from Fishbone Island belonged to the traditional faction among pirates, adhering to the ancient "Pirate Code" and the principle of "money over life."
Establishing a good relationship with this kind of pirate meant having multiple friends and multiple options.
"I'll leave the matter of meeting Lady Tasiya to you. Of course, the premise is that you can survive until your reinforcements arrive. There are many wolves waiting outside, ready to feast.
Today is my first day in Cape Corner as the chief detective. I can't let them think we're easy to deal with. During the day, we'll have our people stationed outside, and they won't dare to make any excessive moves.
But at night, I'm afraid the safety of my men won't be guaranteed.
At night, do you have any means of self-defense?"
Luke's question plunged the room into a long silence.
During the daytime in Cape Corner, the Public Security Agency and the Intelligence Bureau could still maintain order, but at night... especially tonight, when news of the weakened Axe Gang had been confirmed.
The Intelligence Bureau probably wouldn't be able to suppress the "wolves" surrounding them.
Unlike the powerful Intelligence Bureaus in other districts, the Intelligence Bureau in Cape Corner was not dominant.
After a while, Lambert said, "Chief Detective, if someone attacks us at night, we can only rely on this castle's defense.
But without reinforcements, it will be difficult to hold on."
At this point, Shelley said to Luke, "Sixty percent of the Cape Harbor's pier is controlled by the Public Security Agency, while the rest is in our hands. Half of that is managed by the Axe Gang.
The Public Security Agency won't miss this opportunity to eliminate the Axe Gang. Without the Axe Gang, the entire Cape Harbor's pier will fall under their control.
Our people will probably run to the Public Security Agency."
Luke said, "It seems we have to treat this matter with a war mentality."
Lambert immediately said, "This is war, Chief Detective. We hope you can help us organize
a mercenary group.
The Axe Gang is willing to pay all the expenses."