Chapter 76: Going to Investigate with the Lieutenant

Lisa was lying skeptically on the table, watching the scene before her, biting her scallion-white fingers and trying hard to think, "What were you two just doing?"

Olivia knew that even with her brain, she couldn't guess what was going on, so she made up a lie and said, "The High Priest currently has no one available, so this kid has to help out. To ensure his safety, let me apply a divine blessing to his right hand, just in case."

This was just an improvised excuse because divine power could never be entrusted to someone else to use.

But most people didn't know this.

Mike thought to himself, "Hmm, back in the underground ruins, my Dark Matter was discovered. Fortunately, the Sacristans don't seem to think that an Evolved with aberrant arts will become a rebel factor, and they're even willing to cover for me, as long as I can get the job done. In that case, the Sacristans and the Heresy Inquisition should have some kind of cooperative relationship."

Ever since he learned of the existence of aberrant arts, the Dark Matter within him seemed to have an explanation.

Although he knew that his ability was not quite true aberrant arts.

But as long as it was exposed, there would be no difference in the eyes of outsiders.

The main problem was that this ability seemed to be greatly feared by others.

For example, Williams was identified as an anomaly by the Church because he mastered aberrant arts, which is why he is now unpopular, and more likely because of something he did in this city eight years ago, causing him to have enemies and people who dislike him everywhere.

Now Mike's situation seems to be similar, whether it's his style of doing things or his personality, he's not very likable, plus he's hiding too many secrets, and the existence of aberrant arts. Once exposed, he would most likely also have to confront the authorities of this city.

Williams was able to survive to this day because he was strong enough.

In contrast, Mike is still in the developmental stage.

"The High Priest is quite nice."

Mike sighed sincerely.

"Of course."

Olivia was very satisfied that this brat finally said something sensible.

"After you go back, please thank her for me."

Mike patted her shoulder and said solemnly, "Don't worry, I will help her get rid of those scumbags from the Necro Cult and avenge her for the previous terrorist attack!"

Olivia glanced at his claws and suddenly regretted coming here today.

"Now the City Lord's manor is leading the investigation of the Necro Cult case, Divine Intelligence doesn't trust Williams, but you are currently very clean. You witnessed the sacrifices of the Necro Cult in the afterlife and have participated in multiple investigation operations, they have no reason to deprive you of the investigation rights. And you have good talent, but in most cases, they will only try to recruit you."

She parted her scarlet lips and said lightly, "As for the Sacristans, they will not openly favor anyone, but you must remember who you are working for, this is our transaction."

Mike understood.

Olivia's sudden visit today was actually for this purpose.

Whether it was helping to conceal the aura of his Dark Matter or resolving the investigation of certain forces against his sister, it was all part of the bargaining chip of the transaction, to get him to help with the investigation.

Because the Sacristans' previous collaborator was Williams.

Now that Williams has been suspended, they can only support another person.

However, suddenly, Mike thought of something, frowning, "I'm thinking, the military base is not very safe. Can the Sacristans take my sister away? I'm afraid that while I'm out investigating, there might still be some treacherous scoundrels who want to take my sister away."

The people in the military base can't be trusted.

Even Lisa sometimes has to go to the battlefield to fight.

They can't just disobey the orders of their superiors and stay in their dorm 24 hours a day.

Olivia shook her head, "Taking one person back to the Sacristans is too obvious."

Oh, that's right, doing so would be showing their hand.

The Necro Cult dares to blow up the High Priest, they might be able to do other things as well.

"But I can also take charge and arrange for reliable people to secretly protect her."

Olivia pondered for a moment, "If there's a problem, I'll notify you immediately."

This is the only way for now.

"This time I go out, I must find the connection between the Necro Cult followers and Jack and the behind-the-scenes mastermind, I must resolve this hidden danger, otherwise I won't be able to sleep or eat..."

Mike made a firm resolution.

"You two take your time, I still have something to do, I'll be leaving first."

Before leaving, Olivia suddenly paused and quickly wrote down an address on a piece of paper, "If you need Williams' help, you can go to this place to find him."

Then she turned and left.

The High Priest who was snoring followed behind her, looking like he was sleepwalking.

After the woman left, Lisa heaved a sigh of relief, "Who is this woman? Why does she always give me a strange sense of oppression?"

"Huh, don't you know? She's the High Priest's bodyguard."

Mike was surprised.

"I've never seen her before, I just feel her gaze is very stern."

Lisa muttered, "As if she's not too satisfied with my outfit."

Mike looked over her light, cool outfit and seriously said, "Don't mind her, just dress like this in the future! The Sacristans are probably just so outdated and traditional, as long as I'm satisfied!"

Suddenly, there was a heavy sound of a door slamming outside the dorm.

Mike and Lisa both got a fright.

"Did she hear that?"

"Super hearing? Could she hear that?"

How absurd.

Lisa rolled her eyes and suddenly had an idea. Excitedly, she asked, "Mike, I'm on vacation today. If you go to investigate a case, can you take me with you?"

Mike was taken aback. "That's not a good idea. What if Duke General and Secretary Xia find out? I remember the military base has strict rules - officers and soldiers are not allowed to go out and mess around."

In reality, he wanted to take her.

Taking Lisa would be like bringing a Charizard. And she was a third-level one at that - you could say she was a top-tier treasure.

Lisa glared at him, very excited. "We just don't tell them, right? I can disguise myself a bit. How about I pretend to be your sister? Uh... that doesn't seem quite right."

She glanced down at her alluring figure and murmured, "Or I can pretend to be a major? No, it's strange to bring family members on an investigation, isn't it? Then I'll just pretend to be your secretary!"

"Need a secretary when working, need a secretary when not working?"

Mike shook his head. "Maybe it's better not to..."

"This is an order, not a request!" Lisa poked his forehead. "Wait for me, I'm going to change clothes!"

Mike was at a loss for words and could only turn to look at the little girl curled up on the bed, instructing her, "I have something to go out for today. Go find your big brother Eric if you need anything, okay?"

Isabelle, who was used to his busy schedule, had no particular expression the whole time. She simply took out a folded drawing and softly said, "Brother, I had a nightmare again last night."

Mike thought her illness was forcibly triggered, but seeing her in good spirits today, he was convinced the medication was working. He took the drawing she handed him.

This drawing shocked him, as it was extremely realistic. And the scene depicted was one he had witnessed before.

In front of the holy statue in the underground ruins, white-robed worshippers knelt and silently chanted. A woman in a red dress led the ritual on the altar, where two identical-looking youths lay, being consumed by a network of blood vessels extending from the ground.

Those blood vessels had not yet become deformed when he saw them in the underground ruins, even maintaining a state of immortality. But as the twins struggled in agony, their bodies also underwent the process of immortalization, causing the blood and flesh spread throughout the ruins to wither and become grotesquely deformed.

An elegant young man in a suit watched this scene, laughing maniacally.

"So this is the transplantation of Dark Matter! No wonder the celestial beings' flesh and blood did not contain Dark Matter!"

Mike was shocked. "So that's how it is!"

At 10 a.m., Mike left the military base with Lisa.

Just as the sanctuary had said, Mike's investigative authority had not been revoked. On the way, he even encountered some senior military officers from the City Lord's mansion, who demanded that he provide clues and evidence, and undergo inspections from higher-ups to cooperate with the investigation of the Necro Cult.

He was well-prepared, providing some useless evidence to get by. As for cooperating with the investigation, he used the excuse of poor health to decline.

Surprisingly, the City Lord's people didn't push the matter and left quickly.

"Major, I feel like someone is watching us," Mike said as he waited for the military train at the base gate.

"Of course, how could the City Lord's people believe you have no intention of investigating this? They must have sent spies to keep an eye on you. That way, if you discover anything, they can take the credit!" Lisa adjusted her elegant appearance in the mirror. She had disguised herself as a cold, charming female secretary, her alluring and fierce features accentuated by makeup. Her slim figure was highlighted by a black suit, and her shiny black heels completed the look. A black hat covered her face, leaving only her reflection visible in the mirror.

"Major, you're quite perceptive," Mike admitted, impressed by her intelligence.

"It's nothing. When you reach the third level, you'll be able to sense these things too. Your senses will be very keen then, so it'll be hard not to notice them." Lisa pouted. "I've seen some of those faces before, in the military."

I see, Mike thought. So she hasn't broken character.

The military train at the entrance of the military base runs about once every half an hour, not much different from the public buses 500 years ago, traveling towards the residential areas within the third ring road.

When passing through the bustling urban area, one can see a giant projection screen displaying an advertisement featuring a female military officer in an olive green uniform, her smile alluring yet untamed.

A large crowd of citizens has gathered beneath the projection screen, respectfully performing the salute.

"Hmm, that looks familiar."

"Major, is that you?" Mike couldn't help but say.

"Huh?" Lisa looked up and saw her advertisement, hastily covering her face in embarrassment.

"Why are you appearing on the projection screen?"

"Probably because of the coronation. In Ember, whenever someone receives the sacred coronation, it becomes big news. 500 years ago, there was a country called the United States, and their presidential elections were closely followed... it's the same idea. For these common people, the evolvers who pursue the path of the Sacred Sovereign are like a bloody and thrilling stairway, and the appearance of each powerful one makes their blood boil. In comparison, celebrity idols are just entertainment."

"Like superheroes?"

"Yes, because the evolvers who have received the sacred coronation are the strongest. Some can prevent the awakening of the Calamity Gods at the bottom of Yingzhou Island, while others can exterminate heretical organizations on the distant Prison Island. Those even more powerful saints will directly confront the Calamity Gods."

"I see if I could witness Godzilla fighting Kong or something, I would lose interest in celebrity idols as well."

"You are an evolver, and although your living conditions may not be as comfortable as ordinary people's, the sap from the divine tree and memory crystals you're using are already enough to buy two houses. Fundamentally, you have an equal relationship. You provide them with protection, and they provide you with resources."

The military train has arrived at the station, which is an old hospital.

Williams happened to be coughing violently at the hospital entrance, being scolded by a small nurse.

"I've never seen a patient as troublesome as you!"

The small nurse was so angry that her face turned beet red, "If you keep using those drugs, even God won't be able to save you!"