Lauren brought him rather troubling news.
During this period, the Internal Affairs Court had reviewed all the clues related to the extinction case of Redstone Village and arrested Grey Cat Ale and Bas's contact Black Corpse Abul.
The Judicial Department performed a special review on Abul.
One of the four Great Judges, Manolo Bana Gula, personally conducted it and almost crushed his soul, obtaining several very important clues.
The Polluter Sect within the Doomsday Sect was confirmed to be the mastermind behind this operation.
Their goal was to summon a powerful Evil God through a certain fragment, to annihilate humanity and obtain the blessing of eternal life in darkness.
The migration team from Redstone Village was their long-premeditated target; they had planted an internal informant in Redstone Village well before the migration began. It was with the help of this informant that they were able to circumvent the Guardians and accurately attack the migration team.
Now the problems were:
First, was their plan truly a threat? Was it their delusional fantasy, or was there some sort of real basis?
Second, why choose Redstone Village? What was so special about it?
Third, who was the internal informant in Redstone Village? Was he already dead, or had he escaped?
Regarding these questions, the four Great Judges had differing opinions. Manolo Bana insisted that Rod was highly suspicious and should be arrested and put through a special review immediately to dig out the secrets deeply hidden in his soul, abandoning the ridiculous "Double Finger".
However, the other two Great Judges, Black Bear and Mibor, did not agree with his view.
Judgment Chief Lucian also did not support it, so the situation for Rod was still somewhat favorable.
But as the situation in the war zone intensified, the atmosphere inside Royal City also became tense, with every defense organization on guard against Doomsday believers potentially causing destruction, and the pressure on the Internal Affairs Court was unprecedentedly immense, tending to favor a more direct approach to many matters.
Therefore, the attitude of the last Great Judge also shifted from neutral to support Manolo Bana.
If a two-to-two pattern were to emerge, the attitude of Judgment Chief Lucian might also likely change.
"What's most unfavorable is that you corresponded with Grey Cat Ale to deliver a box of goods to Redstone Village. Manolo Bana seized upon this point and has all but concluded that you are the internal informant," Lauren said.
After hearing what Lauren had to say, Rod's heart turned cold.
With the current situation, even his own judgment would probably deem himself the culprit.
"But we don't believe that."
Lauren's grey eyes looked at him, a slight smile on his lips.
Rod felt a slight comfort but also puzzlement in his heart.
Even if you don't believe it, could it be that I'm actually the King's illegitimate son?
But unfortunately, the answer was not as he thought.
"The biggest flaw is that you were not even a Fire Holder at first, and later you ignited the Soul Fire, proving that your soul was not polluted nor did you obtain corrupt power."
"Choosing a common person as an informant does not align with the Doomsday Sect's usual practice or common sense."
"Your performance in the academy has been outstanding, and we have found no cause for suspicion; you've been no different from any ordinary person entering the academy."
Rod was suddenly taken aback.
They've arranged for someone to surveil me in the academy?
Cold sweat instantly streamed down his back. He wasn't without flaws; he had used strange symbols to enter the Dream Realm multiple times and had an abnormal interest in linguistics and ancient texts.
According to what Aunt Youse had said, any unknown abnormal symbols here were suspicious, and any unknown Prayer Ceremonies were prohibited.
If these two clues were connected, it would mean that his only support here would no longer believe him.
I've been careless.
How could they let someone with an unclear identity and dangerous tendencies into their most important cradle of hope?
Fortunately, the surveillance had not seen me forming symbols; otherwise, I would likely be in their prison undergoing punishment now.
However, Rod kept his expression unchanged, carefully listening to Lauren explaining the details of the case and occasionally answering his questions.
In his mind, he thought: The fact that he's telling me this shows that I've essentially gained their trust, but I must not let my guard down.
I must be extremely careful when forming gestures in the future, not allowing anyone to see.
My performance in the academy must be even better; judging from his tone, being an outstanding student also carries significant weight in their considerations.
I need to hurry up and check the Fire Spark; it's time to reveal the ignition of the second Fire Spark.
Once his thoughts settled, Rod focused on his conversation with Lauren.
"We're off to see the administrative officer of the second largest area in the Outer City District; he's an important witness. But before that, you must first go to the Internal Affairs Court for questioning, as per the insistence of Sir Manolo Bana."
The unmarked car sped along the street during their conversation.
As always, the main street was in a state of emptiness.
Soon, the unmarked car arrived at a high wall where the guards in red cloaks allowed it to pass, and the car entered a tunnel with a steep slope without reducing speed.
"Is Upper City very high?" he ventured to ask.
Lauren nodded slightly: "Upper City is located halfway up the Dead Ash Mountain Range, while Lower City District is at the foot of the mountain; Royal City is built against the backdrop of the Dead Ash Mountain Range."
Rod's curiosity was piqued; he hadn't seen this information in the textbooks.
"What's on the other side of the Dead Ash Mountain Range?"
"Dark Plain."
"Do monsters ever come over the mountains?"
"Yes."
"What happens then?"
"The Night Watcher legion has built a great wall on the peak of the Dead Ash Mountain Range to fend off all threats from the North."
Rod wanted to ask more, but Lauren seemed not to want to discuss the topic further.
"You'll be meeting my teacher Black Bear soon. He is the main person in charge of this case, one of the four Great Judges, and also the family head of Mibor."
"I must remind you, although Mibor has always had conflicting ideas with Manolo Bana, his protection for you is still beyond what is necessary. Mibor's Kashan is his beloved daughter, and you best not engage in any deceit of emotions, otherwise, not only will the ethics committee come looking for you, but Mibor himself will personally send you to the Judicial Department."
There's this too?
Rod was stunned.
That girl had such a connection?
Though Rod was not afraid of her, if that was the case, then what was his Emotional Intelligence training for? No more hope for the cute little miss? And how was he supposed to save the countless girls drowning in darkness?
Spit it out, how could these countless girls come to save him drowning in darkness?