TN: And we're back! sorry for the week long hiatus, it was not intentional since I had to get my right leg in a cast after tripping 3 floors down a stairwell (like an idiot ://) and be unable to use my PC setup upstairs BUT I should be OK now.
Anyways, Thanks for Arcanic Madness, WeissAkumu and WolfWTF for becoming as Supporters!
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Shao Yun fitted each of the four suspects involved in producing Sinthe with diving helmets one by one, ensuring they would be able to breathe smoothly underwater.
Next, he casually found four large burlap sacks and stuffed the four men into them in sequence.
After finishing this task, Shao Yun had everyone take one sack each and drag them out of the area.
Because the underwater ruin's passageways were narrow, the group had no choice but to slow down, carefully avoiding various obstacles and protruding rocks.
After walking for a while, the group finally hauled the four large sacks—and the suspects inside them—out of the underwater ruin.
…
When Chevreuse saw the four large burlap sacks delivered by Shao Yun and the others, she froze on the spot. It wasn't a holiday or anything, so what on earth were they bringing her?
Shao Yun untied the ropes securing the sack openings.
Immediately after, he removed the diving helmets from the suspects' heads.
At this point, the suspects were still unconscious, completely unaware of everything happening around them.
Just then, Clorinde stepped forward and began giving Chevreuse a detailed account of the entire operation.
From how they discovered the Sinthe workshop hidden within the underwater ruin to how the suspects were subdued, Clorinde explained every step thoroughly.
Finally, Clorinde concluded, "That's the situation."
After listening to Clorinde's explanation, Chevreuse nodded thoughtfully, indicating she had a general grasp of what had happened.
Then she turned to look at Shao Yun and asked, "Alright, I understand the situation. Besides the Sinthe factory, you also suspect that someone within the security force—or even inside the Palais Mermonia—is acting as a shield for the Confrerie of Cabriere."
Shao Yun casually picked one of the suspects who was still tightly bound and unconscious and gave him a hard kick.
"At the very least, that's what those guys confessed."
As he spoke, he randomly pointed at the other three suspects from the Sinthe workshop to emphasize that he wasn't making it up.
Chevreuse frowned slightly and muttered softly, "The Confrerie of Cabriere… if this is indeed accurate…"
She stopped mid-sentence and slowly turned her gaze toward Clorinde beside her. "Do you think this has anything to do with the Guildmaster, 'Marcel'?"
Clorinde wasn't a professional investigator, and for a moment she couldn't reach a firm conclusion.
After hesitating briefly, she replied uncertainly, "At present, there's no way to confirm whether Marcel is involved in this case."
"Based on the evidence we've obtained so far, the true instigator seems more likely to be someone named 'Vacher.'"
Chevreuse nodded slightly in agreement, though the doubt in her heart wasn't fully dispelled.
"Then should we inform Navia about this matter?"
Hearing that, Clorinde hurriedly shook her head and decisively refused, "Don't tell her. We don't want to alert the enemy."
"If Marcel really does know about this—or was even personally involved—then the fewer people who know about it, the better."
Chevreuse nodded solemnly. "Mm, I understand."
"Don't worry. I'll dispatch only the most trustworthy members of the special patrol to seal off that location."
"I'll take full responsibility for the follow-up handling."
…
The task of sealing the Sinthe workshop fell to Chevreuse.
Shao Yun, meanwhile, led the others to Hotel Debord to fulfill the dinner promise.
After entering the hotel, the group chose a spot on the second floor near the hall railing and took their seats.
From there, they had an open view of the entire lobby below.
…
Before long, after several rounds of drinks and dishes, everyone was more or less finished eating.
At that moment, Paimon patted her satisfied belly and looked at Clorinde sitting across the table, asking curiously, "So, Clorinde, can you tell us about what happened between you and Navia now?"
Hearing this, Clorinde first picked up a napkin and gently wiped the corner of her mouth, then began telling the story between herself and Navia.
"I've known Navia since we were very young. We were extremely close—like real sisters."
At this point, Clorinde paused slightly.
"Mr. Callas—Navia's father—was a respectable and kind man. The current Spina di Rosula was rebuilt by him. Unfortunately…"
Her voice suddenly grew heavy.
"Three years ago, Mr. Callas was accused of murdering his close friend."
"However, he refused to accept such a charge and chose to step onto the dueling field with me, Fontaine's Duelist…"
"The result was that Mr. Callas was gravely injured. Even though he could already be judged as having lost the duel, he refused to surrender and insisted on continuing—until he died on the dueling field."
"Before he died, he asked me to take care of Navia. And because of that incident, Navia and I became what we are now."
After hearing this story filled with twists and tragedy, Paimon frowned slightly and summarized it in her straightforward way.
"So basically, you and Navia were childhood friends, but because three years ago you killed her father in a duel, your relationship instantly fell apart and completely broke down?"
As she spoke, Paimon unconsciously shook her head, clearly feeling regretful about it.
Clorinde took a deep breath, steadying the complex emotions in her heart.
After a brief pause, she slowly replied, "Yes… that's exactly it."
Hearing such a development—childhood friends who ultimately became estranged enemies—Paimon was momentarily at a loss for words.
"A relationship like that really is… extremely tricky and troublesome."
However, Clorinde was clearly not without a plan.
She adjusted her posture slightly, her expression firm as she continued, "Actually, I've already thought this through."
"I want to wait until the serial disappearance of young women's case is thoroughly investigated and completely closed, then find an appropriate time to have a serious talk with Navia…"
"And see if we can resolve the rift between us."
However, just as Clorinde's words were about to finish, a sudden commotion came from the entrance of Hotel Debord.
Immediately after, eight mysterious men in black long coats filed in one after another, each exuding a cold, unmistakable presence.
From the second floor, Shao Yun and Clorinde almost simultaneously turned their gaze toward these unexpected intruders.
After a quick scan of the lobby below, Shao Yun immediately sensed that a fight was about to break out.
He glanced sideways at Clorinde and asked, "Clorinde, do you notice anything?"
Clorinde stared intently at the eight men in the hall, carefully observing their movements as she gave a low assessment.
"When they walk, their left arms swing more widely, while their right arms barely move."
"And they're wearing long coats. Clearly, they're concealing firearms at their waists."
As she spoke, Clorinde narrowed her eyes slightly, her vigilance increasing.
"Also, judging by their expressions and body language, they don't look like customers here to eat. They look more like they're here for someone."
By now, Shao Yun had already quietly moved his hand toward the holster at his waist and said in a low voice, "Looks like these guys didn't come with good intentions…"
Seeing Shao Yun reaching for his weapon, Paimon immediately realized the situation was dangerous.
"Then what should we do?" Paimon asked.
Shao Yun didn't explain much and issued orders directly. "Lumine, Paimon, get away from the railing now. Clorinde, prepare your weapons!"
Upon receiving the order, Clorinde drew her two firearms from her waist and hid them beneath the table.
Keeping her eyes locked on the eight men below, she asked Shao Yun, "Understood. What's the plan?"
Shao Yun lightly licked his lips, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth as he said slowly, "Kill them as fast as possible. You take the first two. I'll handle the remaining six."
Hearing Shao Yun say he intended to kill them all, Clorinde frowned and asked in confusion, "Not leaving even one alive?"
Shao Yun narrowed his eyes slightly and shot back, "Do you think that's possible?"
Clorinde instantly understood the meaning behind his words. She sighed softly, a trace of regret in her voice.
"True. Highly trained death operatives like these, ready to die at any moment, wouldn't be easily captured alive."
"Still, if we could take even one alive, we might be able to pry some useful information out of them… what a pity."
At that moment, one of the assassins happened to look up and spotted Shao Yun's group on the second floor.
Shao Yun made an instant decision and shouted, "Now! Move!"
As he roared, he swept his arm out and flipped the table over.
Clatter—crash!
Tableware smashed onto the floor, sharp and piercing sounds shattering the previously calm atmosphere.
At the same time, Shao Yun and Clorinde stood up almost simultaneously, raising their weapons.
Clorinde gripped her two firearms tightly, her gaze cold and focused like a hunter locking onto prey.
Meanwhile, Shao Yun smoothly drew John's Cattleman Revolver with one hand, cocked the hammer, and aimed the dark muzzle at the assassins below, radiating chilling killing intent.
Following their prearranged plan, the two launched a bloody purge against the assassins in the lobby below.
In the blink of an eye, the fierce battle erupted—and ended just as quickly.
The result was that six of the eight intruding assassins were shot through the eyes by Shao Yun's bullets, piercing straight through their skulls and killing them instantly.
They didn't even have time to let out a scream before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
On the other side, Clorinde was no less formidable.
With two gunshots, one assassin fell on the spot, dead.
At the same time, another assassin was critically wounded, collapsing into a pool of blood and letting out pained groans.
===BREAK===
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