Lucas hadn't expected that his as as E in the Seawall District st night would have such a signifit impact.

  Although most maritime trade in Raging Tide City was no longer tered in the Seawall District, Seaort remaihe old port and still handled a rge share of maritime erce.

  Especially illicit goods, which, uhe cover of various fas in the Seawall District, moved in and out smoothly.

  Thus, the doterests at Seaort had bee the core is of the Seawall District.

  The Mad Axe Gang trolled a signifit portion of Seaort's docks.

  With Jumu dead, the Mad Axe Gang was leaderless, presenting a prime opportunity for everyoo take a bite.

  However, Lucas was sidering... If rge-scale fighting broke out in the Seawall District, would his safety be jeopardized?

  The "previous" ior of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau had died under mysterious circumstances.

  If he led a war, would he bee a prime target?

  Lucas didn't immediately respond to Lambert. Instead, he mentally reviewed the information on his pharding the Seawall District ing Tide City.

  First, Storm City was the rgest port city in the Argent Empire, with thriving maritime trade, making it the wealthiest city in the Empire. It was known as the "Empire's Purse."

  Sedly, the rge-scale smuggling in the Seawall District beed the wealthy residents ing Tide City.

  City cil members, officials, nobles, merts, celebrities... all participated. The internal flicts over is in the Seawall District were merely for the crumbs falling from their fingers.

  Viewing the situation from a higher perspective, Lucas saw the events in the Seawall District differently than Lambert and Shelley, who could only see what was right in front of them.

  The Secret Intelligence Bureau, as a direct arm of the royal family, was clearly disliked by the city's elite. After all, their activities amouo fleeg the Empire and evading its taxes.

  The Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau, as a thorn in the side of smuggling, would make people very unfortable.

  Even if the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau was dragged into smuggling, it wouldn't be as reassuring as having their own people in charge.

  The Seawall District's Security Bureau, affiliated with the Storm City Security Bureau Headquarters, was a violent institution directly trolled by the city cil. The city's elite's favored son!

  Given the ce to wrest trol of the entire Seaort from the Secret Intelligence Bureau, the Seawall District's Security Bureau would undoubtedly fight to the death.

  Sending another Secret Intelligence Bureau ior to his demise?Although it might be a sp in the face to the Grand Princess, it wasn't beyond their capabilities.

  And if the Security Bureau took trol of Seaort, the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau would be pletely ered.

  Disbanding their people would make it hard to lead the team. In times of danger, esg might not even be an option.

  Difficult! But not hopeless.

  As long as the fli the Seawall District remained an internal affair, external forces would not easily intervene.

  After all, blowing things up wasn't ierests of the elite, who didn't want their smuggling es exposed.

  With the current strength of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau, it ossible to maneuver against the Security Bureau.

  Everyone in the room waited for the new ior's decision.

  "War?" Lucas said. "If it's unavoidable, then we have no choice but to fight."

  Hearing the new ior decre war, the embers of the Mad Axe Gang were instantly excited.

  As long as the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau was willing tanize meraries, they had a ce to hold out until reinforts from Fishbone Isnd arrived.

  Lambert and the embers of the Mad Axe Gang stood and saluted Lucas. "Ior, thank you for extending your hand to help us once again. If we survive this crisis, we will never fet your kindness."

  Everyone said in unison, "We will never fet your kindness, Ior."

  "I heard you. I hope you truly remember. Now, everyone, please sit down..." Lucas waited for the members of the Mad Axe Gang to be seated, then said to Shelley, "I'm not familiar with the fas in the Seawall District. I leave the task of hiring meraries to you?"

  Shelley replied, "Rest assured, Ior. Leave it to me."

  Lucas stood up, picked up his e, and addressed the Mad Axe Gang members, "I 't help you with the specifics of defending your castle, so I won't cause you any more trouble here. I'm going to meet the chief of the Security Bureau to see if I ease some of the pressure on you."

  The embers of the Mad Axe Gang respectfully escorted Lucas to the door.

  Outside, the Secret Intelligence Bureau's agents tio stand off against the Security Bureau's officers.

  Standing beside Captain Basel was a man with gold-rimmed gsses, wearing a high-ranking officer's uniform without a hat, his golden hair gleaming.

  Lucas approached, tucked his e under his arm, aended his right hand to the man.

  "Chief Holt, hello. I'm Meteor, the new ior of the Seawall District's Secret Intelligence Bureau. From now on, we'll be colleagues, and we'll he support of the Security Bureau for our work here."

  The blond man was the chief of the Seawall District's Security Bureau.

  Having just returned from the tral district, he had rushed over upon hearing that the new ior of the Secret Intelligence Bureau enly supp the Mad Axe Gang.

  Learning that the new ior had issued a kill ainst his officers, his anger was barely tained.

  Ign Lucas's outstretched hand, Holt demanded, "Ior Meteor! I know you've just taken offid want to assert your authority. But your authority doesn't e from stepping on the Security Bureau's face or proteg criminals!

  I am issuing you a stern warning: do not obstruct the Security Bureau's iigation. Leave immediately with your men, or bear the sequences!"

  Lucas maintained his smile as he replied to Chief Holt, "I'm here because the murder that occurred st night is reted to a national security case we are iigating.

  I'm o the Seawall Distrid may have made some mistakes. I apologize to my colleagues in the Security Bureau.

  When you have time, please visit the bakery at 267 Silver Avenue in the tral district. I've heard their pastries are very, very delicious."

  When Lucas mentiohe bakery at 267 Silver Avenue, Chief Holt's expression ged dramatically, and he asked, "How do you know about that pce?"

  Lucas replied, "We are the Royal Secret Intelligence Bureau. We know more than you think. I'd like to discuss the situation here with you privately. A storm is about to e ashore, and I believe you don't want too many i people caught in it, right?"

  Holt angrily responded, "If you dare harm them..."

  "Their safety is in your hands. Don't worry, I also hope the storm remains within trolble limits. Let's talk... in the car."

  Lucas walked towards his car, leaning on his e.

  Holt signaled his men not to act rashly and followed Lucas into the car.

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