After deciding to establish Flame Sun Technical School, Lucas emphasized a few key points to his subordinates.
The school must have distinct characteristics: first, it should focus solely on professional skills, avoiding any irrelevant content; second, it should be quick, with a maximum semester length of six months and the shortest being two months.
The goal was to create a streamlined, mass-production model.
If successful, they planned to open eighteen branches in Storm City within a year.
Lucas had ambitious plans to rival the Arcanum Academy in Storm City.
After discussing the night school, they casually talked about the arrangements for capturing the elf, Ela, until evening.
Lucas remembered Lambert from the Mad Axe Gang had invited him over, mentioning that Lady Tasya from Fishbone Island had arrived. These pirates arrived rather quickly!
They were likely waiting off the coast of Storm City early, planning to raid the armed airship, Clover.
Lucas also wanted to rob this gold-carrying ship, making Lady Tasya an excellent potential ally.
Lucas, accompanied by Karina, headed to the Mad Axe Gang headquarters, with Zane driving.
Under the cover of night, the streets of Seawall District were eerily quiet, following the daytime gang battles. Shortly after nightfall, the streets were nearly deserted.
The Secret Intelligence Bureau's convoy reached the Mad Axe Gang headquarters without obstruction.
Despite the joint security order issued by the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau, the castle remained on high alert.
The gates were tightly shut, and searchlights scanned the surroundings from the walls.
The castle bore marks of recent battles and skirmishes, with bloodstains still visible on the walls.
As the convoy arrived, the Mad Axe Gang members immediately opened the gates to let them in.
Shelley and Lambert, who had arrived early, greeted Lucas as he entered the castle.
While walking to the castle's main building, Shelley reported to Lucas that she had already sorted out the Bureau's expansion plans.
"Inspector, everyone was eager to join the Bureau. They even said they'd work without pay and were willing to contribute funds monthly."
"That's great!"
Lambert added, "Inspector, without you, we would have been dead two days ago. Although we managed to save the Mad Axe Gang, I and a few others have discussed... without Boss Jumu, we can't hold onto the Gang's assets. We think it's better to follow you. Given how you protected us in times of crisis, we believe we'll benefit from working with you."
At that moment, the three had just entered the castle hall.
Lucas stopped and asked Lambert, "You want to join me? Fine! First, tell me about Lady Tasya."
Lambert didn't expect the Inspector to ask such a difficult question.
The Mad Axe Gang had a deep cooperative relationship with the Fishbone Island pirates. Upon hearing that the Gang was in trouble, Lady Tasya had immediately come to help.
Revealing information about Lady Tasya to the Inspector would be a betrayal of their ally.
But if he refused... how could he prove his loyalty?
"Inspector..."
Lambert was at a loss for how to answer this predicament.
Under Lucas's slightly amused gaze, sweat quickly formed on Lambert's forehead.
Lucas didn't prolong Lambert's discomfort and patted his shoulder with a smile. "No need to feel pressured; I was just asking casually. From now on, the name 'Mad Axe Gang' can't be used.
All of you will be incorporated into the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's special operations team.
Black Mamba will be promoted to squad leader. Zane will lead the first team, and you will lead the second team.
You can use this castle as your headquarters." Shelley, Zane, and Lambert were overjoyed and saluted Lucas in unison.
"Thank you, Inspector, for the responsibility."
"With this responsibility comes great duty. Serve empire well from now on...
Lambert, my previous question isn't off the table. I will be waiting for your answer."
Lambert quickly and fearfully responded, "Yes, Inspector. I will think it over carefully!"
"Hmph, let's go! We don't want to keep Lady Tasya waiting."
Now that this castle was under the Bureau's control, Lucas immediately assumed the role of the host.
Guided by Lambert, they ascended the stairs, walked through the corridor, and arrived at a spacious dining hall.
Lady Tasya and her crew, being pirates, had to keep a low profile on land and were staying in a secluded area of the castle.
At that moment, the pirates were gathered around several tables, eating their dinner.
Lucas immediately recognized Lady Tasya upon entering the room.
She was a Naga.
A woman's upper body and a snake's lower body, with elongated, upturned eyes, large scales on the sides of her face, fin-like ears, and gills behind her ear flaps.
Lady Tasya's upper body was draped with a brown blanket, and six straight-bladed long knives were strapped to her sides. Although only two arms were visible, as the queen of a Naga tribe, Lady Tasya actually had six arms.
At that moment, Lady Tasya was coiled behind a table, eating her meal alongside her subordinates.
Half of these pirates were Nagas, while the other half were humans, though many didn't quite look like it.
When Lucas and his team entered, the pirates glanced at them and then resumed their meals.
They exuded a menacing and arrogant air.
Some even provocatively scraped their knives and forks against their plates, producing a grating sound.
Shelley had already placed her hand on her gun.
Zane, seeing the boss lady ready to act, tensed his muscles, preparing to spring into action.
Sensing the tension, Lambert quickly tried to introduce them, "Inspector, this is—"
Lucas interrupted Lambert's introduction.
"I know Lady Tasya of Fishbone Island, Lambert. We haven't had dinner yet. Have your people prepare some food for us."
"Yes, Inspector."
While Lambert arranged for dinner, Lucas approached Lady Tasya's table.
He grabbed a pirate by the collar and lifted him.
"Mind moving over there and giving us some space to eat?"
With his troll-like strength, Lucas effortlessly moved the pirate aside.
Lucas sat down.
Shelley and Zane followed suit, pushing aside two more pirates and taking seats on either side of Lucas.
Shelley then shoved another pirate away to make room for Karina.
The four displaced pirates looked at Lady Tasya, and seeing her signal, quietly took their plates and moved to another table.
"Lady Tasya, allow me to introduce myself," Lucas said, staring at the Naga queen. "I am the current Inspector of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau... Meteor, pleased to meet you here."
Lady Tasya's narrow eyes widened slightly, her snake-like vertical pupils exuding an icy aura.
"I just arrived, and Lambert told me you wanted a friendly meeting.
This surprises me! Given your position, I'd expect you to want to capture me and hang me on the gallows."