Holt fully understood the situation now.
The Secret Intelligence Bureau was taking advantage of his predicament, knowing he needed to stabilize the situation in Seawall District before the afternoon meeting, and used this opportunity to extort him.
Their attack hit him right in his weak spot!
According to intelligence, the Mad Axe Gang not only received substantial reinforcements last night, but there were also signs of widespread use of berserk potions.
Originally confident and ready to launch a decisive assault on the Mad Axe Gang's headquarters, the gangs were instead struck a heavy blow.
The fearless Mad Axe Gang members slaughtered them, forcing them to flee and scatter, exposing their disorganization.
Now, with the Mad Axe Gang launching a counterattack, supported by Black Mamba and the Empire's secret agents, Holt was trapped and unable to offer any help.
This new chief of the Secret Intelligence Bureau... is not simple!
Holt waved his subordinates away and said to Lucas, "Inspector Meteor, you're good! But you should consider the consequences of your actions... The City Administration won't listen to your excuses. We all know what you're trying to do.
I will report what happened here to the City Council, and they will forward it to the Imperial Capital. I believe Her Highness the Princess won't let you run amok in Storm City!"
"That's a matter for the future... isn't it?"
Lucas replied easily.
As a "fake Inspector," he didn't care about his image with Agatha.
"You will pay the price!"
"That too is a matter for the future... Chief Holt, I don't want to make things difficult for you.
My demand is very simple.
Have your people return what they took, and restore the docks to their original state. I guarantee that the Seawall District will be restored to the state the Administration wants to see."
Holt did not expect Lucas, having created such a favorable situation, to not take a big bite out of the dock's interests, but instead, aim to restore things to how they were.
"You just want the docks back to normal?"
"What else?" Lucas smiled and said, "I don't have as big an appetite as you. I'm doing this not to let my subordinates suddenly lose a significant source of income, not to suppress you in the Seawall District. I made my attitude clear during our first meeting.
Let me reiterate. I know the waters of Storm City run deep, and I don't want to risk my life.
The case of Hansel assassinating the former Seawall District chief ends with the Lucky Princess. No additional people will be implicated.
I also hope that the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Department in Seawall District can have a good start on the Lucky Princess. Our two departments will work together to maintain the order in this district, satisfying the bigwigs above us with our work."
Lucas reiterated his stance and bottom line.
The Secret Intelligence Bureau didn't need to fight for more shares at the docks, not just to avoid offending the bigwigs of Storm City, but also because they didn't have enough people to manage it.
Moreover, establishing a powerful external enemy is beneficial for internal unity.
Smuggling magic potions requires only one or two berths.
Now, with all attention in Storm City drawn to Ela, he could take the opportunity to lower his profile in the eyes of the bigwigs.
Building a chain of interests takes time.
Be humble when necessary, stay low-key when needed... Of course, also draw clear lines for the other party, so they don't mistake humility for weakness.
Lucas's firm actions and conservative demands left Chief Holt seething with anger but with no outlet.
Now, it was urgent to quickly end the ongoing gang war in Seawall District.
Since there was no loss of dock interests, restoring things to their original state wasn't out of the question.
"Is this really what you think?"
"Chief Holt, if you were in my position, what would you think? Our Secret Intelligence Bureau in Seawall District just wants to go to work, muddle through, and get paid. The things we've done these past few days were forced upon us, we had no choice."
Holt had no choice but to believe.
"Alright, we'll restore the docks to their original state. You and I will immediately issue orders for our people to return to their respective territories."
"No problem!"
Detective Meteor of the Secret Intelligence Bureau and Chief Holt of the Security Bureau boarded the Lucky Princess and issued a "security order," requiring all parties in Seawall District to immediately cease all violent activities.
The massive gang war in Seawall District, triggered by the assassination of Mad Axe Gang leader Jumu, finally came to an end under the "mediation" of the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau.
The conflict resulted in over a thousand casualties in just a few days, with some smaller gangs being completely wiped out.
In the end, the division of dock interests remained unchanged.
Under pressure from the Security Bureau, the gangs occupying the docks controlled by the Mad Axe Gang reluctantly withdrew.
The Mad Axe Gang members, on the other hand, happily returned to the docks.
Though it appeared that Seawall District had returned to normal, everyone saw the performance of the Secret Intelligence Bureau and the Security Bureau in this brief conflict.
It was truly in the midst of the detective and the chief sipping coffee and chatting that hundreds of lives were lost.
Deaths without any value.
The survivors were left pondering... who would be the one to control the fate of Seawall District in the future?
Chief Holt had the support of the City Administration, and the Security Bureau remained powerful. But with the arrival of the new detective, the Secret Intelligence Bureau's staunch defense of the Mad Axe Gang left a strong impression on the gang members.
These subsequent effects, however, were not within Lucas's consideration.
After seeing Holt off, he returned to the Secret Intelligence Bureau to prepare for the afternoon meeting at the City Administration.
Ela had caused quite a stir at Arcanum Academy. There were both advantages and disadvantages to this.
From now on, Ela would have to be more cautious when operating openly.
How could Lucas use his current identity to shield Ela without exposing himself?
It was a technical challenge. His confidential secretary, Karina, prepared a stack of documents for him.
These included the list of attendees and their identities, predictions on the meeting's topics, the personnel and informants available to the Seawall District Secret Intelligence Bureau, and investigation files on the two murder cases involving Ela and the Mad Axe Gang in Windshield Alley...
"Detective... during the meeting, I will sit beside you as your confidential secretary to take notes. If you have any questions, you can ask me."
"Got it."
Lucas picked up the documents and began to read them.
The meeting would be chaired by Councilor Virgil, who was in charge of city security. The City Security Chief, six Security Bureau Chiefs, and six Secret Intelligence Bureau Inspectors were all on the list.
Additionally, representatives from the Brotherhood of Blades, the City Alchemist Association, the Storm City Merchant Association, the Argent Empire Storm Fleet, and Arcanum Academy, among other official and private organizations, would also attend.
Each identity was significant. Ela had truly stirred up a hornet's nest this time.
Lucas had only read a few pages when Shelley pushed the door open and entered.
"Inspector, the vehicle and escort to take you to the City Administration for the meeting are ready.
Additionally, Lambert from the Mad Axe Gang invites you to their headquarters tonight... Lady Tasya of Fishbone Island will be arriving in the evening."