Chapter 598: Counterattack! (Big Chapter!) (2/4)

Chapter 598: Counterattack! (Major Chapter!) (2/4)

"Perhaps even if those things of his were brought to light now, they wouldn't suffice to secure a real breakthrough or conviction, leaving us to rely solely... on ourselves."

"Vick, there are no outsiders here. You don't need to speak so euphemistically."

"My point is, sir, that not every bishop's household is as... low-class as the Naton family. Even if they have committed crimes, they wouldn't be like Vicore, who absorbed other believers in black markets and murdered Inquisitor Pavaro to steal the credit—those are leads that can be directly investigated and seized upon.

One can only say the Naton family was too foolish, absurdly so.

The other bishops, even if they have committed crimes and have dirty hands, they know how to put on trousers and spray perfume. Wanting to obtain their chain of criminal evidence, even if we are given a clear direction, would require the simultaneous cooperation of multiple departments.

We could acquire plenty of manpower, but with official letters issued from our office, it will be very difficult to get a response from other systems and departments, especially on the premise that the Director and the Regional Chief are uncooperative."

It was like a small-town police department wanting to investigate the financial crimes of a city tycoon; even if you turned the tycoon's countryside manor upside down, there wouldn't be a corpse buried in the garden waiting for you to discover it. Even if you had plenty of manpower, it wouldn't be of any use in this regard.

"Let's take it one step at a time; at least we are doing the work.

Make the arrangements. I am going to personally interrogate Bishop Jader now. He is the first name on the list, the preliminary salute before the grand opening ceremony. There must be major offenses weighing upon him."

"Yes, Director, your subordinate will arrange it for you right away."

...

The environment inside the interrogation room was decent. When Karen entered, Bishop Jader was eating his lunch.

Karen sat down opposite him, while Vick sat beside them, preparing to take notes.

Bishop Jader took a few sips of soup with his spoon, then picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, removing his hands from the table to signal he had finished his meal.

Karen shifted his posture, and Vick stood up to carry the dining tray out.

In the interrogation room, only Karen and Bishop Jader were left.

Karen remained silent for a long time, until finally, it was Jader who spoke first.

"Why are you silent?"

Karen raised his right hand, shielding his face with the back of his hand as he let out a yawn.

"I thought you would directly say: 'Why are you tongue-tied now? Weren't you acting very righteous when you arrested me yesterday?'"

"Heh." Jader shook his head. "Saying those words would be meaningless."

"You have learned of certain things."

"Perhaps." Jader raised his left hand. "It is also possible that the scene at the time was too embarrassing for me, causing my temper to flare out of control, and my thinking to become noticeably sluggish."

"I am very curious to know which piece of news you were informed of."

"Is it important?" Jader sighed, a trace of a smile even appearing at the corners of his mouth. "At any rate, I now know that you, just like me, are quite pitiful."

It seemed Bernie and the others must have approached Bishop Jader long ago. This was, after all, the headquarters building, and they were his superiors; if they wanted to pass a message here, it was simply too easy. Furthermore, since a message had been passed, it certainly wasn't just to Jader alone; the other five bishops "detained" here must have received the news as well.

They could even pass their own messages outward, such as manipulating the departments they controlled and commanding the forces of their factions.

"Lord Bishop Jader, have you ever considered one problem? That is, no matter which direction this matter ultimately develops toward, in the end, it will require a conclusion.

Perhaps certain superiors of mine have said something to you, and you might know that their current thoughts do not align with what I intend to do right now.

But regardless of whether I succeed or fail, it cannot change one fact, which is that you will certainly become a sacrifice. My apologies, using the word sacrifice isn't quite accurate.

You will absolutely be convicted."

"You don't need to tell me these things, Karen. I am well aware of my situation, but I will not cooperate with you, nor should you naively think you can persuade me to confess anything voluntarily by analyzing the outcome for me.

Even if the outcome is already destined for me, at least I can watch a few people I dislike meet an equally bad end.

You,

Actually, I don't particularly hate you, truly.

That office director who kicked me to the ground, named Neo, right? I don't hate him much either. Although he made me lose face completely, thinking about it now, it amounts to nothing.

The one I hate most right now is Wolfrun.

I originally thought he and I were close friends and confidants of many years. Not long ago, I was still feeling sorrowful over what happened to his family, even shedding tears alongside him when I went to comfort him.

But I truly did not expect that before his death, he would actually want to drag me down to serve as his cushion.

No,

Not just me,

He also intended to drag down so many people from the regional management office to be buried with him!

As the Chief, he was already unfit."

Karen asked in return, "Then what counts as a fit Chief?"

Jader shook his head and said, "Don't lecture me on doctrines, and you don't need to reiterate what is right or wrong to me. When you stood on the podium and arrested me according to your superior's orders, didn't you hate your superior?"

"That is different. I have a reason to hate, but you do not, because you know very well in your own heart what crimes you have committed."

"I do not know. I am waiting for you to tell me, heh."

Karen stood up.

"What, leaving so soon? I thought you would chat with me a bit longer."

"I just feel that continuing to chat seems to hold no meaning."

"Because you can't get anything from me?"

"No, it's that I have already obtained what I wanted."

"Boring. In a place like this, there is actually no need to speak in such nebulous riddles. Shouldn't the theme here be leniency for confessions? We should both be honest."

"Lord Bishop, a shred of hope still remains in your heart, doesn't it?"

"Hmm?"

"Even if you are very clear about what your final end will be, in your heart, you still carry hope. You are still thinking of exoneration, or a reduced sentence."

"As long as a person lives for another day, they must carry a bit of hope, otherwise nothing is left but darkness and pain, and how meaningless that would be.

However, I am quite curious, what exactly did you obtain from me?

After all, do you know? In my eyes, you look just like a small child being trifled with by adults."

"Yes, I am."

"Hmm?" Jader was somewhat surprised that Karen would admit it so quickly.

Karen let out a sigh,

Smiled, and said:

"But then again, who isn't?"

...

Karen walked out of the interrogation room, and Vick, who had been waiting at the doorway, followed after him.

"Director, what should we do next?"

Vick knew that Karen had not achieved a breakthrough with Bishop Jader.

"Return to the office first."

"Yes, Director."

Upon returning to the office, Karen gestured for Alfred to follow him inside.

Once inside, Alfred and Vic stood before the desk, waiting to discuss the next course of action, but Karen merely pulled aside his divine robes and began inspecting the treated wound on his chest.

The wound had been tended to well; it was of little consequence and would not even hinder him if he had to take action himself.

Alfred and Vic exchanged a brief look, then stepped closer to Karen.

"Vic, you will remain in charge of presiding over the investigation."

"Yes, Director," Vic responded, though this was hardly the command he had hoped to hear.

"Alfred, you are to observe and gather the shifting winds across the York City District, focusing primarily on the Regional Management Office."

"Yes, Young Master."

"Very well, you may both see to your duties."

Vic asked, a look of doubt crossing his face, "Director, you have no other instructions for us?"

"Ah, if you hadn't reminded me, I almost would have forgotten. The washroom inside is out of dry towels. Go and fetch me two more."

"Understood... Director."

"I intend to take a bath shortly and get some sleep. I stayed up far too late drinking last night and didn't rest well. Unless something of grave importance arises, do not disturb me."

"Yes, Young Master."

Karen opened the door to the inner quarters, stepped inside, and left to bathe and sleep.

Vic and Alfred walked out of the office, the former asking with considerable bewilderment, "What exactly is the meaning of this?"

"Perhaps the Young Master already has his answer."

"An answer that consists of taking an empty folder up to the podium and shouting slogans about those bishops being guilty of heinous crimes? Aside from Bishop Yeder, who is a certainty, those other five bishops were just dragged into the fray indiscriminately when Director Neo flipped the table. Besides, judging by yesterday's observations, I feel they are all perfectly clean, and the reputation reports we gathered on them are excellent. I am deeply concerned that if we continue to target them, our Director will find himself in a highly embarrassing position with no graceful way out."

"Vic, you ought to have faith in the Young Master."

"Mr. Alfred, do you truly believe now is the time for such hollow slogans?"

Alfred extended a hand and placed it firmly upon Vic's shoulder. "To you, it may seem like a mere slogan, but to me, it is the manifestation of my trust in my master."

"In your eyes, does your master never commit a mistake?"

"No, the Young Master makes mistakes, but he has never lacked the courage to correct them."

"I am asking about a concrete plan, because I have to go back and interrogate those six bishops one by one again in a moment, and I feel as though I am spinning my wheels in vain."

"Perhaps you truly are."

"What?"

"Nothing. Just attend diligently to your work."

...