After a satisfying meal, Levin and his companions returned to the camp.
Frey and Monica saw Aili to the camp and then departed, leaving Levin to accompany Aili as she walked into the camp.
"Officer Levin, Deputy Aili," a guard at the gate reported as they arrived, "Inspector Arios visited this morning and requested that you, Officer Levin, visit headquarters at your earliest convenience."
"Oh? Did he specify the reason?" Levin inquired.
"No," the guard shook his head.
"Levin, go ahead. If Inspector Arios has requested you, it must be for a matter of significance," Aili urged, tugging at Levin's arm. "I'm fine returning alone."
"Very well, Aili. I'll head to headquarters," Levin nodded and turned towards the headquarters.
The headquarters truly holds Levin in high regard… Aili mused as she watched Levin depart, contemplating how the headquarters favored officers from orphan backgrounds due to loyalty and history, including herself and Levin. Perhaps it was a positive thing? Except for problematic officers like herself… Aili's gaze dimmed.
To merely live as an ordinary person…
In civilian attire, Levin was stopped by the gate guards at the headquarters entrance.
"I am Acting Deputy Chief Levin Yassin of the East Fourth Division. Inspector Arios has summoned me. Please allow me to proceed," Levin stated, giving his rank and Inspector Arios's name when the guard did not let him in.
"Ah… You must be Levin," the guard said, recognizing him. "You've become quite well-known at headquarters recently— the only one who survived an assassination attempt by a transcendent. Quite impressive."
"Thanks to the timely support of my superior… Can I be allowed in now?" Levin shifted the credit to Aili and focused on the current matter.
After presenting his badge for verification, Levin successfully entered headquarters.
Upon entering, Levin was met with a vast hall bustling with activity, filled with personnel discussing their work.
"Robberies in the west city district have surged. Any leads?"
"A new pickpocketing gang has emerged in the West Third Division…"
Such conversations continuously surrounded Levin.
Inspector Arios didn't mention the headquarters was so vast. How am I supposed to find him? Levin thought, scratching his head in frustration, until he noticed a reception desk in the hall.
"Hello, welcome to the Weimar City City Guard Headquarters. How can I assist you?" The receptionist greeted Levin with a sweet smile.
"Hello, I'm here to see Inspector Arios. I was told he needed to speak with me," Levin responded with a smile of his own.
"Inspector Arios? He's in the East District Task Management Office. Go up to the second floor, turn right, and it's the third room. There's a sign," the receptionist instructed.
"Thank you very much," Levin thanked her and proceeded to the second floor.
Arriving at the office door, Levin confirmed it was the right one and knocked.
"Come in," a cold, slightly impatient male voice called from within, identical to the one who had assigned him tasks via the crystal.
Levin entered to find a man with golden hair sipping coffee.
"Which unit are you from, and what's the matter?" Edel set down his coffee, examining Levin with a cold gaze.
"I'm Acting Deputy Chief Levin Yassin of the East Fourth Division. I understand Inspector Arios needed to speak with me. The receptionist directed me here…" Levin, noting the officer's displeasure, carefully explained his purpose.
"Oh? You're the witness of the werewolf. Do you recall what the werewolf looked like, its height, anything specific?" Edel's irritation lessened slightly as he asked, with genuine interest. "I'm First-Class Inspector Edel Ludwig, Arios's deputy. I arranged your previous mission."
So it's you, Levin thought to himself.
"That night, we were in the forest late at night amidst intense fighting, so many details were unclear…" Levin fabricated a reason to deflect.
"Well, just say what you know. Inspector Arios stepped out for a moment and should be back soon," Edel said, just as the office door creaked open.
"I'm back. Ah, Levin, you've arrived," Inspector Arios closed the door and patted Levin's shoulder. "Come, sit. No need to stand."
Levin sat down willingly. "Inspector Arios, I heard you needed to discuss something?"
Arios settled into his chair and nodded. "Yes, I contacted the high command. They are very concerned about the werewolf sightings."
Is it really that serious… Levin scratched his head in exasperation. If he had had more time, he would have completely disguised the battle's aftermath and destroyed the scene. Unfortunately, Arios and the East Fourth Division members might have arrived at any moment, leaving him no time to meticulously cover up the evidence.
"So, Inspector Arios, what did the high command decide?" Levin asked cautiously.
"The high command believes it is imperative to rigorously address the phenomenon of aberrant species, to significantly enhance the safety and sense of security for the people of Weimar City, and to reduce the crime rate. Decreasing the appearance of aberrant species is an essential mission for the City Guard and falls within our duties…"
Edel interrupted, "Enough of the bureaucratic jargon. Get to the point."
"Uh, right… The crux is that the high command has approved a secret plan to bolster defenses and set traps on the night of the full moon to prevent the werewolf from causing harm to Weimar City," Arios promptly summarized the key details.
Arios is completely submissive to Edel's instructions… Levin struggled to understand their dynamic.
"Since we don't yet fully understand the werewolf's situation, the plan remains secret, both externally and internally, to prevent leaks. The operation will occur on the full moon this month, in twenty days. All four district divisions will be involved, and you and Aili, as witnesses, will also participate…"
Levin's heart sank.
To involve Aili on the night of the full moon?
And in just twenty days?
What about the female-exclusive leave? Is there any chance of exemption?
"But… Inspector Arios, Aili is scheduled for her leave on the full moon…" Levin delicately attempted to exclude Aili from the operation.
"Huh? Leave? I wasn't aware of any leave," Arios replied with confusion.
"Fool, it's the female officers' special leave," Edel reminded Arios.
"Oh, right, it's her day," Arios suddenly understood.
Can the three of us stop discussing this and just let Aili have her well-deserved leave? Levin felt as though he was burning with embarrassment.
"That's not an issue. We won't have her directly involved in the operation; she only needs to be present to oversee things and assist in identifying the werewolf once we've captured it," Arios insisted on including Aili in the plan.
Levin's heart sank.
"Since Aili is still recovering from her injuries, she won't be required for this operation. Please relay to her that any tasks she has should be expedited. The secret operation on the night of the full moon must remain confidential. Be cautious not to disclose too much about the mission, as any leak could alert the werewolf and allow it to escape." Arios took a sip of his high-proof liquor.
Hello, it's already on its way through my channel to reach the werewolf.
Can it escape? If it does, it will likely be swiftly identified as a fugitive.
"Understood, Inspector Arios. Is there anything else?" Levin asked.
"No, that's all. You may return. Enjoy the remaining days of your leave—what, about ten days left? After your leave, focus on preparing for the full moon operation. Aili can handle the coordination from the center while you will be on the front lines. Keep up your training during this time; don't let your skills falter and end up injured." Arios waved his hand, signaling Levin to leave.
Levin departed from the City Guard Headquarters and headed back to the East Fourth Division camp.
"Ah, if it isn't Deputy Chief Levin. Why do you look so dejected? Did those three charming ladies wear you out?" A teasing, sweet voice reached Levin's ears.
"Hm? Vera? Why are you still out? Aren't the stores closed?" Levin turned to see Vera, whom he had met that morning. She was still wearing her hood but now carried two bags, resembling a young girl who had just been sent out to fetch groceries.
"Today, for some reason, all the herbal shops were out of stock. I had to visit several stores to gather all the materials for my experiments. Now I'm heading back. But you, how is it that you were surrounded by admirers this morning and now appear so forlorn and solitary in the afternoon? Did you get dumped by all three of them?" Vera's sharp wit remained unchanged.
"Not at all. Don't jump to conclusions. They're all friends of Aili, and I was just carrying their bags," Levin explained defensively.
"Oh, so the ones you were surrounded by were that female officer's friends? People can be so misleading by appearance. She seemed like such a stern and aloof person; I didn't expect her to have such a nature," Vera remarked with apparent realization.
Hey, you're probably the least qualified to comment on appearances. Who would have guessed that a seemingly teenage girl like you is actually an over-a-century-old, sharp-tongued elder? Levin thought to himself.
"Well, I'm off. Handle your matters with those two beautiful girls in front of the female officer. Goodbye." Vera said with indifference, turning back towards her shop.
"Hey! Vera, are you free tomorrow? I'd like to visit your store," Levin suddenly thought of asking, wondering if Vera, being a non-human herself, might have some means to help Aili conceal her presence. He didn't even have time to respond to Vera's playful comments.