Lucas hadn't expected that the Mad Axe Gang he decimated yesterday was one of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's major financial backers.
Hmm?
'Neither I nor the Secret Intelligence Bureau is family, so how could the Mad Axe Gang be considered family? But as long as I'm acting as the inspector, I need to consider my subordinates' financial situation.'
Lucas stood up, "Since the Mad Axe Gang is one of our own, we should help them when they're in trouble. Black Mamba, Zane!"
Shelley and Zane immediately stood at attention.
"Awaiting your orders, Inspector!"
"Deploy the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force and follow me to the Mad Axe Gang's headquarters to handle the case!"
"Yes, Inspector!"
The full name of the Special Task Force was the Special Mission Action Team, the Secret Intelligence Bureau's primary violent enforcement unit.
Shelley and Zane were the captain and vice-captain of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force.
With the inspector's orders, Shelley and Zane left the office to gather the team.
Lucas took this time to look around his work environment.
In the drawer, he found an inspector's badge for the Secret Intelligence Bureau.
He put it on.
The former inspector's cane was still there, with a better design, materials, and craftsmanship than the one he bought.
He swapped it. There was also the former inspector's suitcase by the desk.
The suitcase lock had already been opened, likely by the former inspector when he took out the appointment letter.
Inside were some clothes and personal daily items. A stack of cash—he pocketed it.
And a gun! This was a rare item.
Due to the presence of various extraordinary powers in this world and the poor quality of gunpowder, firearms had not been widely adopted for individual use.
Guns were very high-end alchemical mechanical products, with bullets requiring special manufacturing.
Purchasing, maintaining, and using them was very expensive, making them not very cost-effective weapons.
In the game Epoch, firearms had many fans.
However, firearms were strong only in the early stages; they were average in the mid-game, and their limitations became apparent in the late game when stats started to balloon.
For Lucas, having a gun now was a godsend.
In the Epoch game, Lucas had played with guns during his initial playthrough and immediately recognized this model.
[Wolf Dagger No. 4: (Universal Type)]
[Designed and manufactured by the Imperial Alchemical Machinery Bureau, exclusively for the Imperial Secret Intelligence Bureau.]
Unlike Shelley's military-type firearm, the Wolf Dagger No. 4 was tailored to the environment of Imperial agents, with a much smaller body.
It was convenient for concealed carry, better suited for assassinations and unexpected situations.
The gun's structure was similar to a revolver, with a cylinder that could hold six bullets.
The former inspector's suitcase contained a shoulder strap, a holster, and a box of bullets.
Lucas took off his coat, put on the shoulder strap, attached the holster, loaded the gun with bullets, and holstered it.
He adjusted it to a comfortable position and practiced drawing and shooting a few times.
At that moment, Shelley opened the door and said, "Inspector, the team is ready."
Lucas holstered his gun, put on his coat, wiped his inspector's badge, donned his gentleman's hat, and picked up the cane as he walked out.
"Lead the way!"
"Yes, Inspector."
Outside the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau building, a convoy was waiting on the road.
Three sidecar motorcycles were in front.
In the middle were three black cars with a retro feel, with flags on both sides of the hoods—one with the Imperial Argent Empire flag and the other with the Secret Intelligence Bureau's single-eye cover flag.
Behind them were two trucks, each carrying four Reaper combat machines.
Imperial agents standing around the vehicles were uniformly dressed in leather jackets, wearing bowler hats, with standard-issue long knives at their waists.
Each of them exhibited some extraordinary traits.
Their intimidating presence cleared the entire street without any need for force.
Seeing this, Lucas marveled at how the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force had brought out their heaviest firepower for the Mad Axe Gang.
This was a show of strength to reassure the various forces in the Seawall District and their financial backers.
"The Inspector is here!"
Zane, standing at the entrance, shouted as soon as he saw Lucas.
All the Special Task Force agents drew their swords and held them in front of them.
"We are awaiting the Inspector's orders!"
Lucas stood on the steps of the Secret Intelligence Bureau building, hands resting on his cane.
He addressed his subordinates, "I am Code Name: Meteor. From today onwards, I am the Inspector of the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau, fully in charge of all operations here.
We received news that the headquarters of the Mad Axe Gang was attacked last night, resulting in many casualties. I believe… this incident may have deeper implications that threaten Imperial security. Therefore, I order…
The Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force is to proceed immediately to the Mad Axe Gang headquarters, secure the scene, and prevent any escalation of the situation.
Get in the vehicles, let's move out!"
"Yes, Inspector!"
All Special Task Force agents sheathed their swords and boarded the vehicles in an orderly fashion.
Zane quickly ran to the side of the central car and opened the door for Lucas.
Lucas sat in the back seat, and Shelley immediately followed.
Zane took the front passenger seat. Once everyone was in, the convoy started moving.
The three sidecar motorcycles in front turned on their sirens, with the agents waving their swords and shouting to clear the way, creating a scene of chaos.
The convoy reached the Mad Axe Gang headquarters without any hindrance.
Outside the tall castle walls, various people with different motives had gathered. There were individuals with obvious gang affiliations, merchants dressed as gentry, and dock workers.
The most conspicuous were the sheriffs in dark uniforms and peaked caps.
They were gathered at the main gate of the castle walls, facing off against Imperial agents and Mad Axe Gang members blocking their entry. Some sheriffs had already drawn their standard-issue swords.
Similarly, the Reaper combat machines, controlled by their drivers, had drawn their two-meter-long blades, ready to force their way in.
A small number of Imperial agrnts were struggling to maintain control.
At this moment, the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau's Special Task Force arrived.
All the vehicles honked their horns in unison, driving straight towards the people blocking the road, forcing them to scatter in panic.
The convoy stopped in front of the castle gate.
Special Task Force agents jumped out, drawing their swords in unison, ready for battle. This startled the sheriffs, who also brandished their weapons.
Two factions of official violent forces from the Seawall District were now in a standoff outside the castle walls.
The Reaper combat machines on the trucks started up.
They resembled mechs, standing three meters tall, with open cockpit heads.
Imperial agents driving the machines jumped down from the trucks, drawing long blades from the slots on their backs, and walked forward with heavy steps.
The blades dragged on the ground, sparking.
A sheriff shouted, "What does the Secret Intelligence Bureau think you're doing? Are you trying to start a rebellion?"