Chapter 31: Divination Chips

Mike felt a bit uneasy before entering the conference hall, worrying that he might get exposed for lying in front of the big shots from the Federation and the Church.

To his surprise, Williams immediately assured him not to worry, as he had everything arranged.

As it turned out, that was indeed the case.

However, Mike still felt it was not quite secure enough, since all the lies he had told were improvised, and there could be issues with the logic and details, which could get him caught.

Yet Williams insisted that he should trust the brain power of the Duke family.

Williams then told a little story.

About eight years ago, Lieutenant Lisa's dream was to become an Inquisitor at the Heresy Tribunal, but she repeatedly failed the interview examinations and could not get an official position.

At the time, the interview requirements had only two conditions:

Being an Evolved.

Having an IQ over 80.

Guess which one Lisa fell short on?

It wasn't until more than two years later when the overburdened Williams could no longer tolerate this woman's pestering, that he ordered a change to the entry requirements for junior Inquisitors, forcing her to spend a night sleeping alongside the rotting corpses of Abominations, which successfully scared her away.

That said, the Duke family is not to be underestimated.

While a bit lacking in intelligence, their combat prowess is ferocious, especially when it comes to dealing with Abominations, with a "kill first, ask questions later" principle.

In the ancestral manor of the Eastern family, there is a couplet that reads:

Charge, charge, charge!

Kill, kill, kill!

Do it, do it, do it!

Hmm, quite cultured, indeed!

Boom!

The conference hall shook again, with dust particles fluttering down.

Upon hearing his niece's analysis, Semin reacted instinctively, roaring, "Abominations? Where are the Abominations? Charge, charge, charge! Kill, kill, kill! Wipe them all out!"

The remaining three senior officials remained calm, casually brushing off the dust on the table.

Mike was deafened by the outburst and immediately decided that he must hide his abilities well. If these people discovered them, he might be devoured alive.

Although he felt the Duke family might be even more terrifying than the Abominations.

"So far, we haven't found any leads on the Abominations, but with Lieutenant Lisa's insights, I believe we'll be able to crack this case soon. Based on my analysis, the Abomination tide approaching the western city, the Abominations appearing within the city, and the Necro Cult church are all connected," Williams said calmly.

"We need to strengthen the defenses outside the city as well. We're facing not just an Abomination tide, but also a heretical church that has mastered the means to control the Abominations," Williams continued.

This was a major issue.

Bam!

Semin slammed the table, "Those bastards!"

Secretary Smith spoke up first, "I will report this to the Mayor's Office. Avalon City will enter a state of hidden military preparedness and open up as many authorizations as possible for you."

Archbishop Lionel rolled his eyes and yawned, "Alright, since that's the case, Noah's Organization will also fully cooperate. Coincidentally, the latest Demolition Cannon is in the testing phase, so we might as well use those Abominations outside the western city to try it out! Let them experience the might of technology!"

When it came to weapons, the old man's eyes lit up.

Finally, High Priestess Olivia simply hummed in agreement.

Williams spoke up again, "Lastly, I'd like to obtain free access to the military camp for the witness. He is a person who has returned from the Afterlife and witnessed the heretics' rituals firsthand. During the investigation, we'll need his help in many matters."

He then gently tapped the wheelchair.

Mike immediately got the hint and put on a reluctant expression, "I don't want to go. What if I die? Those heretics are too terrifying. I still think it's safer to fight the Abominations."

Lieutenant Lisa crossed her arms and gave him a deep look, "What, now you're afraid? Where's that ruthless determination to hit me with a brick earlier? Only the weak hesitate, while the strong forge ahead. You should know that there are gradations among the High-envolved, and simply staying on the frontlines your whole life will lead to mediocrity. But before you now are the rare opportunities to climb the ranks, upgrade your citizen rights, or even advance on the path of evolution, including the chance to obtain a rare Soul Blade like mine."

She paused, "As long as you can contribute, your reward is assured."

Here comes the carrot again.

But how am I supposed to solve the case and catch myself?

Mike knew it was about time, so he said, "Will Major Lisa protect me?"

Lisa nodded slightly, and her alluring eyes flashed with sharpness, "Of course, the Duke family keeps its word. If anyone tries to kill you, I'll shoot them in the head with an arrow first."

It seems that Mike is just a confused and helpless child after all. He doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives, and it's normal for someone his age to feel lost and anxious, which is completely different from those greasy ruffians she's seen. At this point, the best thing to do is to guide and comfort him as much as possible.

"Okay, with Major Lisa's words, I feel reassured."

In the end, Mike reluctantly acquiesced.

With the permission of the four senior officers, the military specially issued him a certificate allowing free access to the camp, so that he could cooperate with the Heresy Tribunal's investigation of heresy cases.

Williams watched this scene with satisfaction, everything was going according to plan.

At this moment, a cold snort sounded in his ear.

"The lie, I helped you cover it up. For the people you don't get along with, I also helped keep them out. Of the three things I promised you back then, only the last one remains, you take care of it yourself."

It was the voice of the High Priest.

At night, Mike leaned on the earphone in his ear and complained into the microphone on his collar, "Damn, my intelligence is not very high to begin with, and we're still deceiving him like this. Isn't this just bullying? I always feel like my moral standard has already dropped to the bottom."

The meeting was over.

The arson and murder case in the warehouse has also basically come to an end.

There will be no more follow-up investigations.

The young man felt relieved.

The voice of Williams sounded in the earphone, "The moral bottom line is meant to be broken through. In today's world, unless you were reborn into a good family, you have to be a bit more cunning if you want to get ahead."

I suspect you're still hinting about Major Lisa.

Please, leave her alone!

"I feel like Instructor Jack is already suspicious of me. It's just that he doesn't have any evidence yet, and if he focuses on me too much, it will make him look suspicious. But if you take me away to investigate the case tomorrow, he'll know that I'm the real whistleblower."

Mike lowered his voice, "What should I do then?"

Williams replied, "That's why we need Major Lisa to step forward. She's from Celestia City, a true noblewoman. In the Avalon City military, no one dares to provoke her. Outside, we have our protection. In the military-restricted area, she has her protection."

He paused, "If Jack dares to move against you, then he has taken the bait."

Mike complained, "Okay, okay, using me as bait, huh? What a nice entrapment operation."

Williams said indifferently, "If you want to climb higher, want to eliminate these hidden dangers, and ensure your safety, how can you not pay a price? Rest well tonight, there's a lot for you to do tomorrow. If anything happens, remember to notify me in time."

The communication was disconnected.

Mike returned to the camp, and the soldiers who had been taken away for questioning also came back with him. They all had an expression of having come back from the brink of death.

"It was too terrible, good thing I didn't do anything."

"Luckily it wasn't Williams, or else I would have been skinned alive today."

"Damn, how did that executioner come back to Avalon City again? To be honest, I have the urge to get demoted after this. I'd rather be a regular soldier stationed outside, I don't want to be this close to him, or else I won't even know how I died."

"What has Williams done that you're all so afraid of him?"

"Heh, you new guys just don't understand. An old soldier once told me, that executioner was just like us back then, they were all at the front lines. It's just that eight years ago when the Holy Mountain had an anomaly, they went as cannon fodder to suppress the disaster. At that time, only Williams came back alive from the team, and ever since he returned, his temperament has changed greatly..."

"How did his personality change so dramatically?

Do you know how the Smith family fell into decline? Actually... damn, no no, can't say too much. You all know what I mean, that's all I'll say."

Mike paused when he heard this, "People who came back from Holy Mountain?"

So far in his dealings with Williams, he hasn't found him to be that terrible.

Of course, Williams is quite cunning and has a dirty heart.

But he's not much better himself.

So no one should look down on the other.

It's just that from what the soldiers say, it seems Williams has a secretive past.

If there's time, he could ask Captain Lisa about it.

Well, he needs to be firm on both sides.

He put his hands in his pockets and headed home.

In the flickering torchlight, Eric had been waiting at the doorway for a long time.

This guy was looking around nervously like a thief, clutching something.

"Mike, you're finally back!"

Eric hurried over, like a weasel with a chicken in its mouth.

"David just brought what you wanted!"

Mike's eyes lit up, "The astrological chip?"