Backlund Detective Agency.
The moment Ashes walked into the detective agency's door.
Loretta, who had been playing cards at the table in the hall, instantly showed an expression as if she had seen a ghost.
This also made Al, who had his back to Ashes, quite surprised. When he turned around and saw Ashes, his expression was even more exaggerated than Loretta's.
"Praise the Goddess!"
Al stood up, drew a crimson moon on his chest, and said with great excitement, "I can't believe it, I'm actually fortunate enough to see you come to work one day."
"I've been busy."
Ashes was at a loss for words, not knowing what to say, so he just explained a little.
"I understand, I understand."
Al's expression became a bit twisted, his tone full of sourness, "Busy attending noble banquets, busy flirting with well-dressed noble ladies, right? I understand, after all, you are a noble."
The more Al spoke, the more sour he became. If it weren't for the fact that they were in public, he might have cried out loud.
If he had the chance, he also wanted to flirt with noble ladies!
Meanwhile, Borgias and Loretta were stretching their necks to peek at Al's cards.
Loretta even winked at Ashes and made a shushing gesture.
"I came this time to report something."
Ashes shifted his gaze away, not wanting Al to continue his sourness, and directly said, "What should we do if we encounter wild Beyonders during our missions?"
"Wild Beyonders?"
Al was stunned for a moment, his expression strange, "Did you encounter one?"
"In principle,"
Loretta rubbed her temples and lazily said, "Once we encounter wild Beyonders, we need to exert a certain level of control. But in practice, we can adapt to the situation, and our law enforcement methods can be more flexible."
"As long as these wild Beyonders don't pose an obvious threat, we can't just rashly arrest them. You never know who these wild Beyonders are backed by."
"Are you referring to high-sequence Beyonders?"
Ashes frowned and asked.
"No."
Loretta spread her hands, "I mean those great nobles in the capital. They often secretly hire some wild Beyonders. If we arrest these people, it would cause us a lot of trouble."
"Of course, if we really encounter wild Beyonders, even if we don't arrest them, it is necessary to register them."
"Better yet, try to develop them into our informants."
After Loretta finished speaking, Borgias added, "This helps us discover potential dangers faster. After all, wild Beyonders do have certain advantages in some aspects compared to us."
"Moreover, wild Beyonders usually have Beyonder gatherings. You can try to have your informant take you in, and you don't have to rush to arrest people. These wild Beyonders are very cunning, and even if they are prepared, it's hard to catch them all."
"As long as one person escapes, these Beyonders will become harder to catch, or even hide away. When it comes time to actually take action, it will be detrimental to our operations."
"So most of the time, we mainly monitor them."
"Of course, if you encounter those Beyonders who believe in evil gods at the gatherings, you must take action."
"Even if you judge that you don't have the strength to capture them, you must immediately request support."
"Of course, you can also take the opportunity to acquire some valuable items at these Beyonder gatherings."
"Not only that."
Loretta winked at Ashes again, cunningly said, "If an informant provides valuable information, you can give them some reward. And the expenses you incur on these pieces of information can be reimbursed."
"Not just the information fee."
Borgias added, "If an informant gets injured or suffers a loss while gathering information for us, that can also be reimbursed. Of course, the premise is that your informant has been registered. Otherwise, while not impossible, the reimbursement process will be much more cumbersome."
"On the other hand, if your informant needs it, they can also purchase potion formulas and Beyonder materials through our channels. This can be considered a small benefit for them. As for the price, you understand."
"Got it."
Ashes nodded in understanding, everything was clear without saying.
That is to say, if he bought information from an informant for 10 pounds, he could apply for a 50-pound reimbursement.
And if an informant wanted to buy Beyonder materials or formulas, they could also make a profit from it.
As expected of seasoned Nighthawks, their experience in taking advantage of the system is rich!
"You guys..."
Al's mouth twitched, but he didn't scold them.
After all, he did the same thing himself.
"Just asking."
Al suddenly turned his head to look at Ashes, "This 'informant' you've developed, it's not a noble you met at those parties, is it?"
"No."
Ashes shook his head and then nodded, "But it was indeed someone I met at a gathering."
"Man or woman?"
"A woman."
"How does she look?"
Loretta, who had been a bit lazy and yawning, suddenly perked up and asked curiously.
"Pretty good."
Ashes recalled carefully and replied seriously, "By ordinary standards, she should be a beauty, comparable to you, Loretta... well, I should say, each has their own merits."
However, as soon as he said this, he noticed Al expression becoming extremely complex.
Filled with undisguised, naked hostility, just like when they first met, as if he were looking at a class enemy.
But at the same time, there was a hint of inexplicable envy and jealousy.
"Tsk."
Loretta was also a bit displeased, staring at Ashes. Were you just about to say she's prettier than me?
"Let's go."
Al suddenly reached out and grabbed Ashe's shoulder, saying through gritted teeth.
"Where to?"
Ashes asked, a bit puzzled.
"To investigate a case!"
Al said through gritted teeth, "It's an urgent task, we're short on people, you'll come with us!"
Since this guy actually came to 'work,' he absolutely couldn't let him leave so easily.
Ashes looked suspicious.
When he arrived, they were leisurely playing cards, it didn't seem like they had a case to investigate.
Why is it that as soon as he arrives, there's a case to investigate? "Borgias, Loretta! You two are coming too!"
Al unceremoniously called to the two behind him.
If he's going to work, you guys don't get to rest either!
"Um..."
Borgias hesitated, "How about we finish this hand first?"
"Finish what?"
Al's face darkened, scolding them, "Did you forget who we are? We are Nighthawks! Don't you understand the importance of life and death?"
"Fine."
Borgias sighed, regretfully putting down his cards.
He was sure to win this hand.
Investigating the case was just an excuse. The captain must be doing this because he was afraid of losing!
"Ash."
Al looked at Ashes, smiling but not really, "You'll come on the mission with us, right?"
"I'm not going."
Ashes met Al's slightly threatening gaze calmly, "I need to go to St. Samuel's Church later, the bishop has something for me."
Al opened his mouth, wanting to speak, then stopping, then starting again.
Ashes had brought up the bishop, what could he do?
"Forget it then."
Al sighed, losing interest.
"Then shall we continue playing cards?"
Borgias touched his chin and asked.
"No way!"
Al's eyes became sharp, "He doesn't have to go, but you two must come on the mission with me!"
"Fine."
Borgias agreed readily, "Then let's finish this hand first, it won't take two minutes."
And without waiting for Al to refuse, he added, "If it's urgent, we can seal the game and continue later. Or are you afraid of losing, captain?"
Al's expression immediately froze.
"Really..."
Loretta rolled her eyes and yawned again.
She hadn't been getting enough sleep lately, her skin was going to suffer at this rate.
But fortunately, this wouldn't last long.
(End of this chapter)