Zidelo's miniature runeterra was of paramount importance.
Pinpointing individuals in the Runeterra was far more precise than locating artificial satellites on Earth.
This fell within the realm of runic technology, a domain Li Lin needed at least level 50 to unlock theoretically, with no similar or analogous techniques within his skill branches.
He attached great importance to this technology and naturally couldn't afford any mishaps with Zidelo.
Zidelo was taken aback by Li Lin's words. "Drugged?"
"In my experience, this should be some kind of alchemical potion that induces hallucinations," Li Lin's voice brought her back to reality.
"But I...I've never consumed any alchemical potions before," Zidelo shook her head, her gaze somewhat distracted.
Li Lin shook his head, observing Zidelo's somewhat dazed expression. "Some things don't necessarily need to be consumed to take effect."
Zidelo fell into silence.
After more than ten seconds, she looked up with a horrified expression. "You mean...someone around me wants to harm me?"
"That possibility can't be ruled out, especially since your invention touches the interests of the powerful," Li Lin paused. "Of course, it's just a possibility. For specifics, we need to visit your residence."
"I...I've been living in my home in the North District before, but later...after this happened, I applied to the academy and was assigned to the professor's apartment building," Zidelo explained nervously.
"Let's go to your dormitory first. There may be clues there, and then we'll visit your home afterward."
Upon hearing about leaving the academy, Zidelo became visibly nervous, unable to suppress the tremors running through her body.
Li Lin raised an eyebrow. Zidelo's situation was even more serious than he had anticipated.
Had she not sought him out today, her mental state might have completely collapsed within a few days, and then she would have been abducted by the hidden hand.
As for the consequences...it was clear without having to think about it.
"Don't worry, I'm here. No one will harm you," Li Lin manipulated the Infinite and sent a signal command in Kiramman's direction.
Within 10 minutes, five storm robots would arrive.
Then, he turned to Kai'Sa, who looked puzzled, and quickly explained Zidelo's ordeal to her.
Kai'Sa's face immediately filled with indignation. "We must catch those villains!"
Compared to shopping, obviously, combat-related matters were more appealing to her.
Seeing that Kai'Sa didn't show any disappointment about changing the itinerary, Li Lin looked back at Zidelo.
"Lead us to your apartment first."
---
---
The faculty apartments of Piltover University were located on the edge of the campus.
To foster innovation, the well-funded school offered various perks to teachers or students with exceptional invention and creation talents.
Ordinary faculty and students lived in mixed dormitories.
Those who had patented inventions and achievements, or had been noticed by a certain family and received early investment, were eligible to apply for a higher-tier individual apartment.
There, not only were rent and meal expenses waived, but there were also dedicated servant services, sparing them from daily chores, and allowing them to focus solely on research and progress.
Under Zidelo's guidance, Li Lin, along with the guard at the apartment door and the law enforcement officer on duty on the same floor, presented their exclusive Kiramman family emblems and were allowed entry.
A female law enforcement officer even admired Li Lin particularly and asked for his autograph...
Zidelo lived in room 1048 on the 14th floor.
As she opened the door, Li Lin first smelled a very strange, yet indescribable odor.
Noticing his expression, Zidelo explained, "This is a special Bandle City incense given to me by Professor Heimerdinger. He said it could relax...the mind."
Your mind doesn't look relaxed at all.
Li Lin quickly surveyed the room, taking in the layout of the entire space.
The apartment consisted of one bedroom, one living room, one bathroom, and a work laboratory, with a total area roughly similar to the room he had at Kiramman's residence.
"The professor's incense, where is it?"
"I...I don't think the professor would harm me..."
"Just in case. The professor won't harm you, but you can't be sure that someone else won't add something secretly."
Zidelo hesitated for a moment, then pointed to the second layer of the living room coffee table.
Li Lin activated the Data Mind and walked to the sofa to pick up the incense from the coffee table for inspection. "It's not about this..."
Following that, he circled the room several times, including the workshop, bathroom, and bedroom.
Even with the Data Mind activated, he didn't find anything unusual.
Sure enough, despite learning so much about detective work from Caitlyn, I still haven't acquired the detective mindset...I truly lack the talent for this.
At this point, Zidelo approached him with a melancholy expression and asked, "Have you...found anything unusual?"
"Um, not for now. I think we need to bring in professionals."
Li Lin shook his head and looked at the small round table in the corner of the living room, where Kai'Sa was curiously staring at the landline phone.
"Is your phone working?"
"Earlier, someone kept threatening me with death threat calls, but the officers said they couldn't trace who it was...so I unplugged the phone line."
"But even if I unplugged the phone line, I still heard the phone ringing every day, right next to my ear...if I hadn't met you today, I would have thrown the phone away."
"It's an illusion caused by being drugged. Just like someone threatening you every day while you sleep, the culprit doesn't even exist."
What puzzled Li Lin was another matter.
Phone lines are fixed, one line per household, unlike on Earth where you can use virtual hidden numbers.
Even if the other party spent money using a public phone at a newsstand, the threatening caller would have to make the call in person, right? Just follow the clues and it wouldn't be difficult to find the hidden hand behind this.
But there was no trace...
Li Lin was stunned for a moment, then his face showed realization.
Well, it seems that a family from Piltover did indeed make a move this time.
He crossed his arms and lowered his head, lost in thought.
The Ferros and Medarda families would definitely not do such a thing, let alone the Kiramman family.
As for other families, judging by Lady Cassandra's attitude, if they were allies, they could negotiate to resolve this issue.
But if it were hostile families, it would be even easier. They could simply use public opinion pressure, pressure at the council level, and even the violation of Piltover's Craftsman Protection Act as reasons to strike against them, or even expel them.
However, families that could bribe law enforcement officers, Li Lin didn't think the hidden hand behind this was an ordinary family.
Li Lin walked over to Kai'Sa and glanced back at Zidelo. "Let's plug in the phone line first. For this case, we need Caitlyn's help."
(End of Chapter)
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